US Mains electricity

US electricity is 120V and 60Hz. A travel adaptor is a minimum requirement to use appliances bought overseas for 220V systems, provided the expected voltage range is 100-240V.

For some appliances, a step-up voltage converter may be required (to bring 110V up to 220V).

HDMI

HDMI is the High-definition multimedia interface, designed as a digital replacement for analog video standards. Production of consumer products using HDMI started in late 2003. The companies that founded HDMI were Matsushita, Hitachi, Sony, amongst others.

The latest version of the spec is HDMI 1.3. It has support for Deep Color (48 bit vs. the "normal" 24 bit). "Normal" 24 bit color means 16.7 million colors, but 48 bit color means 281 trillion colors.

HDMI together with DVI use TMDS (Transition-minimized differential signaling), a technology for high-speed serial data transmission. TMDS was developed by Californian company Silicon Image, which trades on NASDAQ.

Wall Plugs

Wall plugs help to give a firm hold in solid materials, through which you can drive a screw.

What are A-weightings?

A-weightings measure sound pressure levels.

BS1363

The most common type of AC power plug and socket used in the UK. The plug is fused. It was introduced in 1947 as a new standard for post-war reconstruction, replacing BS546. Most appliances are connected using these plugs (exceptions being appliances requiring more than 13 Amps).

Who is Indesit?

Indesit is an Italian domestic appliance (washing machines, fridges, freezers, ovens) manufacturer found in 1975. It has sales of 2.8 billion euros in 2011. It owns the Indesit, Hotpoint and Scholtes brands.

Home Electrical Insulation Testing

Insulation Testing

A large percentage of testing done on electrical power systems (maybe 80%) is related to insulation testing. Companies like Megger provide equipment to do this.

Background to AC (Mains) Electricity

The current system of AC electricity we have today was devised by Nikola Tesla. His AC electric designs were licensed by entrepreneur and engineer, George Westinghouse.

AC electricity runs normally at 50 Hz (UK, India, China, France, Germany, Italy) or 60 Hz (USA, Canada, Brazil, South Korea). Japan is one country that has both 50Hz and 60Hz due to the conflicting influence of Britain and the United States.

AC vs. DC

This was a cause of great debate in the so-called War of Currents in the late 1880s (Thomas Edison being the foremost proponent of direct current).

Circuit Breakers
 
Electrical switches designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage by overload (excess current causing excess heat) or short circuit (where electricity goes on an unintended path).