Posts Tagged ‘Home’

Tripp Lite HT10DBS 10-Outlet Home Theater Surge Protector (3570 Joules, Tel/Ethernet/Coax)

Tripp Lite HT10DBS 10-Outlet Home Theater Surge Protector (3570 Joules, Tel/Ethernet/Coax)

• Premium surge protection for home/business theater components and all electronics
• Exclusive isolated filter banks and EMI/RFI line noise filtering eliminate interference so components perform at their peak
• 3570 joule surge suppression rating, more joules mean more protection
• 10 surge protected AC outlets, color-coded to identify component connections
• Coaxial, tel or DSL and Ethernet line protection

Tripp Lite Lite Isobar Home/Business Theater Surge Suppressor HT10DBS Surge Suppressors

List Price: $ 140.00

Price: $ 69.95

Philips SPP3030A/17 3-Outlet Home Electronics Surge Protector (White) Review

Philips SPP3030A/17 3-Outlet Home Electronics Surge Protector (White)

• Philips Home Electronics Surge Protector 3 Outlets White SPP3030A/17
• Hide cable clutter 540 joules to protect thousands of dollars of damage to your electronic devices ,000 connected equipment warranty to protect connected equipment for the life of the product
• Power blocker circuitry automatically shuts down power to your system to protect against subsequent surges
• 3 outlets that protect against surges/spikes through the AC lines by surpressing surge energy The excess energy is clamped by the MOV when the unit is subjected to a surge event
• Worry free protection indicators with LED lights let you know if your surge protector is functioning properly

Philips Home Electronics Surge Protector 3 Outlets White SPP3030A/17

List Price: $ 9.99

Price: $ 21.00

Philips 3 Outlet Surge protector SPP2157WA Wall tap 3 outlets - NEW

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Philips low profile surge protectors are ideal for mounting behind your flat panel TVs.

Backup Power for Your Home

by The Library of Congress

Backup Power for Your Home

Article by John Carle

The starting point is proper insulation and air sealing, before you consider your backup power needs.

In summer months, the main purpose of a backup system for Canadians is to keep the house from becoming too warm. People who have difficulties with extreme heat (seniors, asthmatics, and so on) especially need an alternative plan to power their homes. The starting point is proper insulation and shading. External blinds or shutters can help.

3 — Change to Energy-Efficient Appliances

Your backup system will do the most good if it is powering efficient appliances. Check if there is an EnerGuide label to determine each appliance’s power consumption, or use an electrician’s ammeter to find out how much power each appliance uses — its current draw in amps. Ammeters can be purchased in a hardware or electrical supply store.

The energy requirements of some appliances will surprise you. Replace the inefficient appliances with efficient models. Change to energy-efficient light bulbs like compact fluorescents. When buying new equipment, get the most efficient possible — for example, an Energy Star® qualified refrigerator or a lower-volume, smaller horsepower well pump or sump pump.

Make sure your furnace-fan motor is the most efficient available. If you are replacing your heating system, choose a furnace with a variable speed motor and an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating of 90 or more.

Consider switching your water heater to gas or propane. Add a solar water heater to your existing fossil-fuelled or electric water heating system. A solar heater works in tandem with your conventional system to reduce your daily energy consumption. Some solar water heating systems make use of a small 15 – 20 watt photovoltaic (PV) solar panel to power the circulating pump, so they will operate normally in a power outage. A properly sized solar water heater can provide about 50 per cent of your annual water heating load; and 80 – 100 per cent of your load in the summer months (,000 – ,000 installed cost).

Remember: when you use a backup system you must manage your electrical load.

Don’t use a backup generator to heat your house if it is all-electric, or to power resistance heaters, such as baseboards and fan heaters (a very poor choice — gas-powered generators are only 20 per cent efficient).

Install a wood, oil, natural gas or propane stove that uses a chimney; or install a pellet, oil, natural gas or propane stove that vents through the wall. Fan-assisted air circulation makes auxiliary heating devices more effective. You may need backup power for a fan, stove motors, and pumps.

Consider installing a “high efficiency” wood or wall-venting stove. They burn more efficiently and cleaner. If you have a pellet stove, you will need additional backup power; however, a pellet stove uses a less-costly through-the-wall chimney. Propane, natural gas heaters and oil heaters use through-the-wall chimneys and need a reliable fuel source. Check delivery with your local fuel supplier. Some oil-fired furnaces and space heaters can provide both hot water and space heat. Some of these appliances are suitable for cooking and keeping food warm.

Most fireplaces are not very effective. They may heat you and one room. However, they draw air from other rooms and actually cool the rest of the house. Many fireplaces are not built for continuous use or are in poor condition, creating a real fire hazard.

Direct-vent gas fireplaces are a better option because they are sealed combustion units and don’t use the chimney for venting. If your home has a chimney, be sure to have it cleaned annually. You can also consider an advanced combustion wood stove (see Additional Resources).

5 — Decide What Needs Power

Your backup system must provide power for the circuits you depend on for comfort, safety and security. Decide what is essential and should be running in a power outage. You may find you don’t need an elaborate backup.

If you only need your sump pump, a small gasoline-powered pump could be simpler and cheaper than a full backup system. Critical loads are the essential loads. They might include lights, refrigerator-freezer, microwave, sump pump, furnace, well pump, medical equipment, garage door opener and the home office.

Your backup power system’s capacity is the maximum power draw (in kilowatts) of all the fixtures and appliances that have to be served at one time, including higher startup loads. A startup load is the energy required when an appliance is first turned on. Remember: ventilation and fresh-air supply can also be important loads.

To determine the size of your backup power system:

Identify the critical loads that you really need, and check whether they can be safely served by alternatives that don’t require electricity. For example, a properly vented stove fuelled by wood, oil or gas could substitute for your furnace.Total the wattage of the lights and appliances on the circuits you’d like to power.Check the labels or owner’s manuals for each appliance’s rating.Add about 25 per cent as a reserve for the startup power needed for most electrical devices. This may not be enough for some furnaces and well pumps. Motor startups can draw as much as three to five times more power, especially from a cold start, making a 2,500-watt generator borderline for starting an 800-watt furnace motor. (When purchasing a new furnace, ask your furnace sales and service specialist about “slow start” motor options that draw less startup current. If you are designing a house around a backup power system, ask the electrician/designer about energy-efficient furnace fans.) The total will probably be between 1,500 and 5,000 watts. However a basic system for efficient lights and a radio will require much less, say 100 – 300 watts.Some utilities have online calculators to figure out whole-house electrical use.6 — Choose a Backup System

Some of the systems (see Table 1) include battery storage, a battery charger and an inverter. The inverter converts 12 volt DC battery power to standard 110 or 220 volt AC power. These systems can also recharge the batteries using photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, a generator and your vehicle, or your vehicle alone — but remember that unless you have a recreational vehicle (RV) your car battery is not a deep cycle type and should not be allowed to go flat. The more expensive systems can power an entire, energy-efficient house. Please note that solar panels used to recharge your backup system are weather- and size-dependent and may take two to three days to recharge your battery.

7 — Hire an Electrician

An electrician or electrical-contractor should install and prepare your backup system to make sure it is safe for your family and your home. You will need a manual transfer switch to send electricity from either the municipal power supply or your backup to the vital circuits. The switches cost approximately 0 to 0.

Some residential uninterruptible power systems are pre-assembled on wall mounting boards, with all the necessary safety disconnects and code approved wiring already done.

More sophisticated inverter power panels that automatically flip the transfer switch and start the backup can cost ,000 just for the panel with the breakers and an inverter. It is a good idea for an electrician to check wiring and ground, and determine if you need spike protection. In rural areas, voltage fluctuations and even over-voltages that can damage sensitive equipment are not uncommon.

Never connect a backup power system without a transfer switch that disconnects your home from the municipal power supply. This is to protect electric utility field crews from being electrocuted by your home power system when working on municipal lines.

8 — Don’t Use Unvented Appliances Indoors

Never use unvented combustion appliances, such as barbecues, cookstoves, fondues, propane or kerosene heaters and lamps inside your house. They burn up available oxygen. They produce CO2 (carbon dioxide) and other combustion gases and fumes.

Some produce huge quantities of colourless, odourless and deadly carbon monoxide. Sterno cookers, fondues and charcoal-burning devices are especially dangerous. Room ventilation won’t get rid of fumes from unvented appliances. Use portable propane or naptha cookstoves, heaters and lamps outside only. There is a very real risk of fire, explosion, asphyxiation or poisoning from fumes.

9 — Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Install battery-powered smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. They are inexpensive and reliable — and they can save your life. Remember to keep spare batteries on hand.

10 — Test Your System Regularly

Regularly test your backup system to make sure it can start your critical loads and keep them running. Remember to disconnect your main breaker before starting your backup system, or you can use an auxiliary circuit panel.

Note that modern inverters can make it possible to use variable speed DC generators which charge batteries directly and use half as much fuel as a constant-speed AC generator. They can produce very high quality AC power, which is crucial for sensitive electronic controls, provided that the inverter is manufactured by an established company and produces sine wave or modified sine wave outputs.

To protect sensitive equipment, such as computers, from power surges, generator owners should run these loads with a pure sine wave inverter instead of directly through the generator. If you are counting on your generator or inverter to power critical house systems during a power failure, test beforehand to make sure that the quantity and quality of power produced will handle the appliances you need to run.

Table 1 — Backup power systems

Backup Power Systems What it Runs Examples of Costs Buying Tips1A — Battery backup with inverter/charger for short blackouts of 12 – 48 hours: ,350 Essential AC loads only. Furnace, sump pump, well pump, fridge, plus efficient lights and small DC appliances. Battery bank: 5 (16 KWhr) Inverter/charger: ,400 (1,100 W) Transfer switch: 5 (50 Amp, 240 V). Choose deep-cycle batteries, best connected in series, not in parallel. Choose a modern inverter/ charger of suitable quality and surge capacity.1B — Single-battery backup with inverter/ charger for very short outages of 3 – 6 hours: 0 Critical loads only. DC sump pump, DC ventilation fan. DC lighting — preferably LED, not halogen — plus AC for charging cell phones, fax and small computers, emergency radios, medical devices, even small well pumps. Single battery power system: 0 — on cart (60 Amp/hr) with 1,200 W inverter for 110 V. AC, also built-in charger. Also capable of jump starting vehicles.Remember you must manage your electrical load. Operate even your most efficient appliances wisely, so that you have essential power as long as possible.

Choose a deep-cycle battery. Ensure that inverter/charger has suitable power quality and/or surge capacity for the load.Remember to keep the unit charged. Check for a charger with a trickle mode to avoid overheating.

2 — Car, RV, or truck as backup generator plus DC/AC inverter (must be grounded): 0 – ,500 Essential AC loads only. Furnace, sump pump, well pump, fridge, plus efficient lights and even a microwave. 300 W inverter: 0, engine can be off. 1,000 W inverter: 0, engine must be ON (limited by rating of vehicle components, important not to let car battery run flat). 5,000 W truck power system: ,500. Magazine and Internet searches include Canadian Sol magazine, U.S. Homepower magazine, RV/ trailer/boat catalogues.3 — Single PV panel and battery system normally DC only, could add small inverter for AC: 5 Power for a weekend cabin. Efficient lights, small DC appliances, radio/TV, CD player, cell phone, small pumps/fans, car vacuum, tools. Solar power kit: 0 (45 W) Battery: 5 (220 Amp/hr) Inverter: 0 (300 W) Excludes costs of DC appliances. Small marine 12 V water pumps for bilges may be suitable for sumps. Sources include marine, boat and yacht suppliers, RV/trailer and auto-truck centres.4 — Twin PV panel and battery system with inverter/charger to convert DC to AC: ,780 Power for a small cottage (as in # 3 above) and some larger AC appliances, such as microwave, vacuum, water pumps. Solar power kit: ,400 (150 W) Battery bank: 0 (700 Amp/hr) Inverter: 0 (1,750 W) Installation costs not included. Sources include Canadian solar energy and equipment suppliers, Canadian Solar Industries Association.5 — Portable generator must be grounded and should be connected via auxiliary breaker panel: 0 – ,500 Preferably essential AC loads. Furnace, sump pump, well pump, fridge, plus efficient lights and some appliances. 500 W AC generator: 0 3,000 W DC generator: ,200 (including AC inverter) 5,000 W AC generator: ,500. Sources include hardware stores, building supply and rental centres, generator sales and service specialists.6 — Fixed generator gasoline, diesel, propane. Must be installed by a licensed electrician: ,925 Preferably essential AC loads. Furnace, sump pump, well pump, fridge, plus efficient lights and some appliances. 6,500 W AC generator: ,700 2-cylinder liquid cooled, less noise. Transfer switch: 5 (50 Amp, 240 V). Installation costs not included. To reduce generator running costs consider adding a battery bank with an inverter/charger .

Generator Maintenance Tips (Typical 5,000 Watt Gasoline Engine)

These instructions are for maintenance of a modern 3,000 to 5,000 watt, air cooled, gasoline engine generator for residential service. Most points, however, apply to all generators.

Remember: gasoline and diesel fuels require special care for proper and safe storage, so they don’t become unusable as gums and gels form when not in use, or they become contaminated by water and dirt. Special additives can prevent these problems.

Warnings and Cautions

Is your generator wiring safely insulated AND properly grounded?Disconnect main breaker (and non-critical circuits) before starting generator.Connect auxiliary breaker panel to generator output. Observe correct polarity.Never refuel engine while it is running. Fire Hazard!Once you have started your generator, do not start all your appliances at once. Turn them on one at a time. Avoid using the biggest loads simultaneously.Most generators are not designed to work inside your home. They should be placed outside, secured and protected from the weather to avoid carburetor or breather icing.A generator should not be left running without someone nearby to supervise. It may overheat and cause a fire. Always have a fire extinguisher nearby.If your generator causes a fire, your fire insurance may not pay if your generator was not CSA-approved or was not installed by a master electrician.After the First Five Hours

Change oil. Use 10W30 motor oil or 5W30. Use synthetic oil to prolong engine life and ease starting in cold weather.After Every 50 hours

Change oil.After Four Months

Start engine and run for 15 to 20 minutes with electrical load to maintain engine and generator.

http://www.knock-knock.ca

L.A. Looks Power Spikes Gel, Hold Level 12, 20-Ounce (Pack of 6)
Do you aspire to have vertical style that maintains its strength and stays in place all day? Get ready to individualize and ampli…

Sweeney’s 9014 Mole and Gopher Solar Spike
Drive moles and gophers away, no batteries required. New, solar powered sonic spikes offer a chemical and poison-free alternative …

Stone DC70BS 12v Bale Spike Hydraulic Power Unit
DC Hydraulic Power Units Maximum PSI: 2,000.00 Voltage: 12 VDC GPM: 1.35…

APC H15BLK AV 1.5kVA H Type Power Conditioner
APC 1500 VA H Type Line Conditioner H15BLK. External line conditioner AC 120V 1500VA 12 output connector, Home theater system prot…

FIVE OUTLET POWER STRIP 240V
220V Power Strip With 5 European Shucko Sockets & Built-in Surge Protector…

SPIKES 316L Stainless Steel Rubber Power Link Bracelet
SPIKES 316L Stainless Steel Rubber Power Link Bracelet. This masculine bracelet is crafted from 316L stainless steel with black ru…

Panamax M8-AV Home Theater Power Management (Grey)

Panamax M8-AV Home Theater Power Management (Grey)

• Protects equipment against prolonged over/under voltages by disconnecting the power and reconnecting it when safe power returns
• Power Cleaning and Filtration eliminate loss of detail, pops, hisses, hums, visual artifacts and other common symptoms of contaminated power
• Protect/disconnect circuitry completely disconnects AC power to connected equipment in the event of a catastrophic surge such as lightning
• Protects equipment from electrical surges that travel over telephone, cable, satellite, and antenna lines
• Features eight AC Outlets with transformer spacing, six-foot power cord with offset plug, two sets of CATV/Satellite connectors, telco connectors

Improves picture and sound quality. The M8-AV’s Power Cleaning and Premium Filtration eliminate common symptoms of contaminated power (including loss of detail, pops, hisses, hums and visual artifacts) and allows your A/V equipment to perform up to its full capability. Monitors Incoming Line Voltage. Panamax’s patented AVM circuitry continuously monitors the incoming line voltage and disconnects your equipment in the event of an over voltage or undervoltage (brownout). Power is automatically reconnected when voltage returns to a safe level, eliminating service calls or system downtime

List Price: $ 119.95

Price: $ 119.95

Power conservation in summer
On July 1, the government started imposing a 15 percent power consumption cut on large-lot users serviced by Tokyo Electric Power Co. and Tohoku Electric Power Co. Small-lot users, including households, are also called on to reduce power consumption by 15 percent. Other power companies are also calling on companies and people to save power. The accidents at Tepco’s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power …
Read more on The Japan Times

TRUE ISOLATION LINE VOLTAGE REGULATOR POWER CONDITIONER

US $689.00 End Date: Wednesday May-23-2012 11:30:32 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $689.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

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Belkin SurgeCube Surge Protector, 1-Outlet Home Series

Belkin SurgeCube Surge Protector, 1-Outlet Home Series

• Sold Individually

The Home Series offers 1-Socket Wall Mount direct plug-in surge protector for your general electronics, home appliances, and more. This single outlet model boasts 885 Joules, 45,000 Maximum Spike Amperage, and a lifetime ,000 Connected Equipment Warranty. Main Features Manufacturer: Belkin Corporation. Manufacturer Part Number: F9H100-CW Manufacturer Website Address: www.belkin Plug/Connector Type: NEMA 5-15 Receptacles: 1 x NEMA 5-15 Dataline Protection: Not Applicable Current: 45kA Maximum Surge Current Standard Warranty: Lifetime Limited

List Price: $ 9.99

Price: $ 4.21

You get both, the Total Home SYCOM Power Surge Electric Panel Protector plus the Spike-Ender brand coaxial cable suppressor. The panel protector is UL’s Latest 3rd Edition Total Home Protection. Simple 3 wire hookup in your homes electric panel, why bother with plugin strips when you can protect the entire House Electric system. Installs on any electric main panel up to 400 amps.

You get both, the Total Home SYCOM Power Surge Electric Panel Protector plus the Spike-Ender brand coaxial cable suppressor. The panel protector is UL’s Latest 3rd Edition Total Home Protection. Simple 3 wire hookup in your homes electric panel, why bother with plugin strips when you can protect the entire House Electric system. Installs on any electric main panel up to 400 amps.

• Latest 2011 UL 3rd Edition Total Home Electric Power panel protector.
• Sycom’s newest unit with automatically resetting thermal fuseing.
• Connect to any 220 (2 pole breaker) to protect every circuit in the home.
• Install on any electric main panel up to 400 amps.
• Eliminates multiple plug in outlet protectors. Even protects electric wiring between walls, etc.

The Sycom is fully Waterproof, Indicator Light shows unit is functional, Mounts inside or outside main electric panel box, simple 3 wire hookup. (See image for more details). 100,000 surge amp capacity.

List Price: $ 76.00

Price: $ 76.00

Power Supply DC 9 to 15 VDC 33 Amp Peak Spikes over 35A 05

US $56.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday May-24-2012 11:18:43 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $62.00 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

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Panamax M5100-PM 11-Outlet Home Theater Power Conditioner Review

Panamax M5100-PM 11-Outlet Home Theater Power Conditioner

• Improves picture and sound quality
• Level 3 Power Cleaning and Linear Filtration eliminates common symptoms of contaminated power
• Reduces cross-contamination between components
• Designed to provide noise isolation between 3 isolated outlet banks (including 2 high-current outlets)
• Also includes digital volt meter display, LAN/phone protection, and USB charging port

The Panamax M5100-PM improves picture and sound quality. Its Level 3 Power Cleaning and Linear Filtration eliminates common symptoms of contaminated power (including loss of detail, pops, hisses, hums and visual artifacts) and allows your A/V equipment to perform up to its full capability. The M5100-PM monitors incoming line voltage and provides a visual indication of power level. Panamax’s patent-pending AVM circuitry continuously monitors the incoming power as displayed on the digital voltmeter. In the event of an undervoltage or an overvoltage, a flashing red lightning bolt will be displayed in the voltmeter. Power to the connected equipment is automatically turned off if either of these conditions is detected. When voltage returns to a safe level, power to the equipment is automatically reconnected. The M5100-PM is designed to provide noise isolation between 3 isolated outlet banks, including 2 high-current outlets so that any noise created by an A/V component cannot contaminate th

List Price: $ 429.95

Price: $ 429.95

Furman Power Conditioner M-8DX 15 Amp W/Light and Voltmeter

US $164.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday May-23-2012 9:02:16 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $31.00 (2 Bids) End Date: Wednesday May-23-2012 9:04:55 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Whole House Surge Protector – Secures Your Entire Home!

Whole House Surge Protector – Secures Your Entire Home!

Every household should be equipped with a whole house surge protector. For the appliances in the home, such a device can cut the level of power supply to an appropriate level. This device works whenever there is an upsurge of power supply into the home’s electrical panel.

Putting it straight, the whole house surge protector shields your home’s appliances from getting damaged due to surplus electricity flow. A surge protector also saves your home from catching a fire caused by the overflow of power supply. But it is also very important that you are aware of the limitations these protectors come with. By design, they’re usually only suited to AC appliances.

Many people get their surge protectors linked with one or several appliances and/or electronic devices. These usually involve bars equipped with reset switching and there is room for 4 or 5 plugs in most cases. Such bar can plug into a regular electrical outlet. If too much electricity is supplied through this outlet, that bar will automatically click off to protect the appliances, which are plugged in with it.

As you can understand, this is for just one outlet only. Additionally, the protection is meant only for the particular items that are connected to that bar. Nevertheless, having the whole house covered against electricity surge doesn’t mean you have one of such devices linked to each outlet in the house.

For appropriate surge protection for your whole house, you’ll require a protector wired into the electrical panel. Such devices are a bit tough to find. Still, in most cases, an electrician can get you one from a vendor or manufacturer selling electrical supplies to professionals.

Usually, there’re 2 varieties. While a variety comes with wires stemming from the unit’s back, the other one comes with side outlets. Many units have overall voltage capacity of 500 watts. Additionally, these units come with audible alarm as well as warning lights. Getting such a unit installed in a home involves expensive propositions. Still, a whole house protector can provide you with the guarantee that your home and its inhabitants get decent protection against power upsurge.

Do you need your computer and the entire house protected against electricity surge? Then consider calling your electrician to install an appropriate whole house electrical protector that guards your computer as well as the whole home. Such a protector system is a guaranteed way to keep your house safe.

Belkin 6 Outlet Home/Office Surge Protector
This Belkin Home/Office Series Surge Protector provides premium power protection for small home appliances, and other connected de…

Belkin Mini Surge Protector Dual USB Charger
Belkin Mini Surge Suppressors with USB Charger BZ103050-TVL Surge Suppressors…

Monster Cable MP AV 800 PowerCenter with Surge Protection
Monster multiple surge guard circuitry absorbs harmful power surges to give you audio video system protectionharmful power surges …

APC 8 Outlet 2525J Surge Protector
APC AV P8VT3 8-OUTLET SURGEARREST(R) WITH TELEPHONE SPLITTER & COAXIAL PROTECTION 8 OUTLETS; 2525 JOULES; …

Belkin 8 Outlet Home/Office Surge Protector with Phone/Coaxial Protection and Extended Cord
This Belkin Home/Office Series Surge Protector provides premium power protection for both home and professional workstations, and …

Fellowes 99090 Mighty 8 Surge
Fellowes Mighty 8 Outlet Surge Protector 99090 Surge Suppressors…

POWER OFF GRID: BENEFITS OF A POWER OFF GRID SYSTEM FOR YOUR HOME

by The National Archives UK

POWER OFF GRID: BENEFITS OF A POWER OFF GRID SYSTEM FOR YOUR HOME

POWER OFF GRID: BENEFITS OF A POWER OFF GRID SYSTEM FOR YOUR HOME

Power off grid systems are generally utilized in remote locations without the benefit of a utility grid.  The power off grid system can also be used in an area where furbishing a power line to the local utility grid is prohibitively expensive, or in an area where blackouts and/or brownouts are frequent.  With an off grid solar power system, you would be able to provide the energy necessary to light up a cabin, home or business.

Power off grid systems comprehensively alleviate a home’s dependency on utility electrical grids.  Usually, the power off grid systems require a higher initial investment than grid-tie systems.  The difference is because there is a greater demand on the power off grid system.  A grid-tie system usually supplements a home’s energy demands, which reduces the amount of energy required from the utility grid.  In contrast, a power off grid system is responsible for providing all power to the household appliances and tools.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT POWER OFF GRID SYSTEMS

When designing a power off grid system, it is best to take a holistic approach and envision the completed project from a “big picture” perspective.  This strategy is even necessary when deciding something as simple as the type of light bulbs that will be utilized.  Standard incandescent lighting is extremely energy inefficient, and as such, you may want to consider fluorescent or LED lighting instead.

Power off grid systems are usually bigger than most grid-tie systems.  For the power off grid system to be fully independent, a system must have a greater array of energy-producing panels, which in turn requires more batteries to store the charge and more equipment to regulate the charge.  However, even though the power off grid system requires a bigger initial investment, in the long run, a power off grid system may save you thousands in energy costs.

CLICK HERE TO BUILD SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS

Here are the main components to a power off grid system:

(1)    Solar Array:         A Solar Array is a group of solar panels which absorb solar energy and convert this to DC power.  The number and type of solar panels will determine how much energy you can produce, as will your geographic location.

(2)    PV Combiner Box:           The PV Combiner Box usually includes GFCIs which protect your solar power system from equipment damage caused by power surges and short circuits.  You can also shut down your solar power system at a moment’s notice, allowing for safe maintenance, repair, and inspection.

(3)    Charge Controller:           Your batteries will accept all electrical current running from the solar array, but overcharging can ruin them.  Charge controllers ensure batteries don’t receive current when they’re charged to capacity, protecting your investment.

(4)    DC Breaker Box:                               The DC Breaker Box includes a disconnect which will regulate the relationship between the battery bank and the inverter so it can be shut down at a moment’s notice to replace, repair, or inspect the batteries safely.

(5)    Battery Bank:     Batteries store the energy you collect through your array.  Power off grid systems must collect enough energy to power your home or business until your batteries can be charged again.

(6)    Inverter:              Inverters take DC power and convert it to AC power.  Most electrical systems (like that found in your home) run off of AC power.

(7)    Back-up Generator:        A back-up power supply is important to compensate for weather patterns which might otherwise disrupt your array’s collection.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS

Belkin 8 Outlet Home/Office Surge Protector with Coaxial Protection
This Belkin Home/Office Series Surge Protector provides premium power protection for both home and professional workstations, and …

Cables Unlimited Cyber Power 8 Surge Protected Outlets RJ11 Phone Protection 2400 Joules with MOV Surge Outlets
Protect your computer equipment from power spikes with this 2400 joule high performance power center from Cyber Power. This 8 outl…

Belkin Pivot Surge, 8 Outlets, 6ft Cord with Telephone Protection
Belkin Pivot Plug Surge Protectors provide premium power protection for your professional workstations and connected devices. It’s…

Power Surge: Six Marks of Discipleship for a Changing Church
Drawn from his own experience, Michael W. Foss presents a strong case for transforming congregations from a membership model to …

Pro Series Car 300 Watt Surge Capacity Travel Power Inverter / Charger with USB port – 110v outlet AC to DC Car Plug Converter for Laptop Computers and Portable DVD Players, iPods, iPhone, iPad and Blackberry ** Includes cable for all Micro and Mini USB compatible devices
Mobile PowerFlex DC to Ac Power adapter with USB port! Now you can operate most ac appliances such as Cameras, iPad, iPhone, Ipods…

Power Surge: 6 Marks of Discipleship for a Changing Church
Drawn from his own experience, Michael W. Foss presents a strong case for transforming congregations from a membership model to …

Belkin Compact Surge Protector
Its neat, compact, and powerful. Belkins Compact Surge Protector safeguards your electronics, computers, and appliances-and stays …

PHILIPS SPP3301WA/17 8-Outlet Home Theater Surge Protector Review

PHILIPS SPP3301WA/17 8-Outlet Home Theater Surge Protector

• 8 outlets
• 2160 Joules
• Coaxial line protection
• RFI/EMI noise filtration
• Power blocker auto shutdown

PHILIPS SPP3301WA/17 8-Outlet Home Theater Surge Protector

List Price: $ 23.99

Price: $ 14.72

BN IB Philips Home Office Surge Protector SPP4030A Travel 3 outlets FREE SHIPING

US $18.99 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 16:14:45 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $18.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $19.98 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 16:19:19 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $19.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list