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Keyboard and mouse basics

    Keyboard and mouse basics

    This article is about the introduction of the keyboard mouse PC item.

    Using a keyboard

    Whenever you use a desktop computer or laptop, you’ll probably use a [url=http://www.keyboardoem.com/computer-

keyboard/]computer keyboard[/url]. The most common kind is called a ‘QWERTY’ keyboard. QWERTY describes the top row of 

letters on the keyboard.

    What a keyboard looks like

    A keyboard is for putting information including letters, words and numbers into your computer. You press the individual 

buttons on the keyboard when you type.

    The number keys across the top of the keyboard are also found on the right of the keyboard.

    The letter keys are in the centre of the keyboard.

    The symbol keys to the right of the letters include symbols such as the question mark and full stop.

    The keys that surround the letters, numbers and symbol keys on the left, right and bottom of the keyboard help you to 

choose where and how you type.

    There are several types of keyboards, such as [url=http://www.keyboardoem.com/computer-keyboard/gaming-mechanical-

keyboard/]gaming mechanical keyboard[/url], keyboard and so on.

    Using the keys

    When you open a document or click in a box to type, you will see a vertical flashing line. This is the cursor, it shows 

you where you are about to start typing on a page or screen.

    Pressing the 'shift' key allows you to type capital letters and the symbols at the top of the keys.

    The 'shift' keys are on the left and right of the keyboard, with the arrow pointing upwards.

    For capital letters, hold down the 'shift' key and hold and type the letter.

    For symbols at the top of a number key, press down the symbol key and then type the symbol. You can use the 

'shift' key to type any symbol at the top of a key.

    The 'caps lock' key allows you to write in capital letters. To turn it on, press it once and type. To turn it 

off, press it again.

    Putting in spaces, moving your cursor and deleting text

    The 'space bar' puts a space between words. Press it once to put in a space.

    The 'tab' key puts a bigger space between words. Press it once to put in a space.

    The 'enter' key moves your cursor down a line.

    The 'arrow' keys allow you to move your cursor in all directions on the page or screen - up, down, left and 

right.

    To delete your typing you need to put your cursor to the right of a word. Press the 'backspace' button to 

delete your word. The cursor will move to the left and delete as it goes.

    Using a mouse

    There are lots of different styles of computer mouse, but most 

have a left and a right button.

    To hold your mouse, rest your hand over it and put your index finger on the left button and your thumb resting on the 

side. The cable needs to be pointing towards the computer. The mouse needs to always be in contact with a mouse mat, desk 

or hard surface.

    You use your mouse to move the cursor around the screen. The cursor changes, depending on what you are doing on the 

computer. As an arrow you use it for moving and selecting things, as a hand for clicking on links when you are on the 

internet and it becomes an hourglass when you are waiting for the computer to do something.

    Single clicking

    You single click with the left mouse button to select things. Just quickly left click and then let go of the button.

    Double clicking

    You double click with the left mouse button to open things, such as a folder. You need to double click quickly, think 

about the ‘knock, knock’ you do on a door.

    Drag and drop

    Drag and drop is when you move something from one place to another. 

    First select the item with the left mouse button and keep the button pressed down. Then move the mouse and the item on 

screen will move with the cursor. When you have the cursor and item in the position you want, release the left mouse 

button.

    The item will now be dropped to where the cursor is positioned on the screen.

    You use drag and drop to move things around your computer, such as files between folders.

    Right button

    If you ever accidently click the right mouse button, a list of computer commands will appear. To remove the list just 

move the mouse and single click the left button.

    Laptop trackpad or touchpad

    Laptops can have a built in mouse within the keyboard. This is operated by finger touch. This specialised surface is 

used instead of a mouse and needs only very short finger movements to move the cursor across the display screen.

    Improve your computer skills

    Why not develop your computer skills - there are courses for beginners and beyond. These range from free online 

learning through to training, which can lead to qualifications.

    While the gaming keyboard mouse

 industry has almost completed its quest for true gaming perfection, many of today’s gamers still find themselves 

asking that age-old question – should I choose a wired or wireless gaming mouse?

    It’s a question that has plagued many over the last couple of decades, with consumers struggling to decide whether or 

not the benefits of wireless technology actually outweigh the reduction in gaming performance they sadly lose.

    That being said, thanks to huge leaps forward in technology, the gap between wired vs wireless 

gaming mice has now become much less apparent. Today’s mice come equipped with new technologies that offer 

Lightspeed connectivity and an almost unlimited amount of battery life – making wireless gaming mice more 

popular than ever before. Furthermore, wireless mice now bring fantastic gaming performance to the table that really does 

give their wired alternatives a run for their money.

    With the current batch of high-performance gaming mice giving consumers the ultimate headache when deciding which one 

to choose, we thought we’d whip this article together explaining the differences between wired and wireless gaming mice. 

We’ll be looking at the main specifications that affect gaming performance, the main differences between the two 

technologies, and whether or not you should choose wired or wireless for your next gaming mouse purchase.

    So, with that in mind, let’s waste no further time and dive straight into it

    THE BEST WIRED OR WIRELESS GAMING HEADSETS TO BUY

    If you’re shopping for a gaming headset, you have 

a lot of options. While there are some great ones out there, it’s easy to pay too much, to accidentally purchase 

a headset that doesn’t work with your desired console or platform, or to get one that’s just uncomfortable. Knowing a 

thing or two about headphones might aid in your search, but gaming headsets have only gotten more complicated to 

shop for — especially the wireless ones.

    For instance, wireless headsets made for Xbox operate without a dongle via Microsoft’s proprietary wireless protocol. 

They’ll only work on Xbox consoles or a PC that has one of Microsoft’s Xbox Wireless Adapters plugged in, in most cases. 

Conversely, if you get a multiplatform wireless headset that includes a 2.4GHz wireless dongle, it’ll likely work on the 

likes of the PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch (when plugged into the console’s TV dock), and PC — but not Xbox. It’s best to 

buy the headset that mentions support for your preferred platform(s) explicitly, or else there’s a good chance you’ll run 

into some compatibility issues. Of course, you can eliminate most of the guesswork by buying a wired gaming headset 

instead.

    This guide focuses on newer options that you’re more likely to encounter at stores as opposed to older models that, 

while possibly still being worthy of your money, are often tougher to find affordably and easily online. Also, just to 

mention it at the top, I have a large-ish head and that factor obviously played a major role in how I judge the comfort of 

these headsets.

    You’ll find a few categories below, including the best multiplatform wireless headsets that are compatible 

with PC, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch via its dock, the best Xbox wireless gaming headsets, the best PlayStation 

wireless gaming headsets, and the best wired gaming headsets that support the widest variety of platforms, from 

console controllers to phones, tablets, and VR headsets that feature a 3.5mm headphone jack.

    If you have ever found yourself searching for a new pair of headsets, you have encountered the 

overwhelming variety of choice that you are nowadays faced with. Over-the-ear, on-the-ear, noise-

cancelling, wireless, wired… the market seems to be oversaturated with terms, that needs further clarification.

    So, how to choose the best headset?

    To start with, there is no such thing as the best headset. Rather, it all depends on 

your usage and needs. How much time you spend on the phone, what kind of job you do, whether you work in an 

open office or what type of phone you’re using – all of these factors will influence 

your choice.

    But let’s take one step at a time and focus on how to choose 

between wired and wireless headsets in the first place. For that purpose, we will 

need to look at different work styles, as they play a key role in your choice between wired and 

wireless headsets.

    If you spend most of your time at your desk, you are probably what is generally defined as desk 

worker. You are often on calls with customers, colleagues or other stakeholders. You probably 

use desk phones most, but Microsoft Teams or Skype for Business are also part of 

your daily routine. For you, clear audio has the utmost importance – there is no place 

for questions like “What? Could you repeat, please?”. Perceiving the slightest change in the tone of 

voice of your caller can make a great difference in your job. You don’t want to worry about your 

equipment – it should work easily and instantly, allowing you to simply focus on the call and the 

customer.

    If you find this description to be an accurate representation of your workstyle and needs, you will 

then be satisfied with wired headset.

    Wired headsets often offer a higher definition audio quality than wireless 

headsets, while also minimizing the risk of interferences that can happen with wireless signals. This 

guarantees perfectly clear audio. At the same time, being plug-and-play, wired headsets can be put in use in no 

time – avoiding wasting precious seconds in setting up and connecting your device.

    But what if you would consider yourself a road warrior instead? You spend most of your time 

on-the-go – in your car, on public transport – running around 

to different meetings in the city. Being able to make use of the time you have in between 

meetings is of extreme importance to you. That is why you need a device that enables you 

to easily take calls from both, your PC and mobile, in the office and on-the-road. You need to be able 

to move quickly between working situations, while still hearing and being heard clearly.

    Or maybe you’re a corridor worker. You spend most of your time working in the office, both at your desk 

and in meetings. You walk a lot around the office building, and you need a device that allows you to talk 

while freely roaming office corridors.

    In both cases, a wireless headset would be more suitable for you.

    Office headset give you the hkmenspa 

to move as you like, walking or even running around without the risk of getting tangled in any cords – and 

still being able to hear and be heard perfectly. And with most devices nowadays being Bluetooth-enabled, you will 

be able to easily connect your wireless headset to both, your mobile and PC.

HOW DO GLOW PLUGS WORK?

    HOW DO GLOW PLUGS WORK?
    No matter how you look at it, car technology has come on leaps and bounds over the past decades. And, while some of 

these advances are immediately noticeable and appreciated, such as electric windows and smoother suspension systems, 

others, like glow plugs, are hidden under the bonnet and forgotten about unless something goes wrong. This shouldn’t be 

the case. Heat glow plug technology has significantly improved, with 

BERU, for example, dramatically improving the time it takes to start your diesel car – especially on cold mornings.

    So, let’s appreciate the hidden and take a look at BERU glow plugs – what are they, the different types available and 

how they compare to the competition.

    What is a glow plug?
    To get started, we need to go back to basics: what is a glow plug? And, what does a glow plug do?

    A glow plug is a heating element that heats incoming fuel and air to encourage efficient fuel combustion in a diesel 

engine. The fuel combustion starts your engine so that you can drive. Each cylinder of your engine has one glow plug, 

either in the pre-chamber (pre-chambered engines) or in the combustion chamber (direct-injection engines).

     GLOW PLUG SYSTEMS
     The starting process of an engine heavily influences the exhaust gas values of a vehicle. Together, glow plugs and 

their connected components (glow plug control modules, glow plug relays and glow plug combustion sensors) play an important 

role in reducing emissions helping to protect the environment.

    Glow plug is specialized heating devices used to aid in the starting of diesel 

engines. They are similar to spark plugs in design; however, they differ in their primary function. Instead of producing a 

timed spark to ignite the fuel mixture, like spark plugs do, glow plugs simply serve to produce additional heat that aids 

the diesel engine combustion process during cold starts.

    Diesel engines rely entirely on the heat generated by cylinder compression to ignite the fuel mixture. When glow 

plugs begin to fail, this additional heat that aids the combustion process is gone, and the engine may become more 

difficult to start, especially in cold weather.

   Another symptom of faulty glow plugs is black smoke being observed during start up, indicating the presence of 

unburned fuel due to an incomplete combustion process. In this guide, we will cover how to test the resistance of glow 

plugs to determine if they are functioning properly.

    Part 1 of 1: Testing your glow plugs

    Step 1: Determine the multimeter’s resistance value. Before testing the terminals, you must determine the resistance 

value of your digital multimeter. To do this, turn the multimeter on, and set it to read in Ohms.

    Once the multimeter is set to read in Ohms, touch the two leads of the multimeter together and examine the resistance 

reading that is displayed.

     If the multimeter reads zero, try changing the setting of the multimeter to a higher sensitivity until a reading is 

obtained.

    Record this value on a piece of paper, as this will be an important value in calculating the resistance of your glow 

plugs later on.

    Step 2: Locate the glow plugs in your engine. Most glow plugs are installed in the cylinder heads and will have a heavy 

gauge wire, similar to a regular spark plug wire, attached to them.

    Remove any covers that may be obstructing access to the glow plugs, and use the flashlight for additional illumination 

if necessary.

    Step 3: Disconnect the glow plug wires. Once all of the glow plugs have been located, disconnect any wires or caps 

attached to them.

    Step 4: Touch the negative terminal. Take your multimeter and touch the negative leads to the negative terminal on your 

vehicle’s battery.

    If possible, secure the lead to the terminal by tucking it inside or underneath the clamping mechanism of the post.

    Step 5: Touch the positive terminal. Take the positive lead of your multimeter and touch it to the terminal on your 

Mitsubishi glow plugs.

     Step 6: Record the glow plug’s resistance. With both leads touching the terminals, record the resistance reading that 

is indicated on the multimeter.

     Again, the reading that you get should be measured in Ohms (Ω).

     If no reading is obtained when you touch the glow plug, make sure that the negative lead is still in contact with the 

negative battery terminal.

    Step 7: Calculate the resistance value. Calculate the true resistance value of the glow plug by subtracting.

    The true resistance value of the glow plug can be determined by taking the resistance value of your multimeter 

(recorded in Step 2) and subtracting it from your glow plug resistance value (recorded in Step 6).

    Step 8: Evaluate the resistance value. Compare your calculated true resistance value of your glow plug with the factory 

specification.

     If the glow plug resistance exceeds the specification or falls out of the acceptable range, then the glow plug must be 

replaced.

     Step 9: Repeat for other glow plugs. Repeat the procedure for the remaining glow plugs, until they have all been 

tested.

     If any of the glow plugs fail the test, it is recommended that the entire set be replaced.

     Replacing just one, or a few, of the glow plugs may cause engine problems similar to a faulty glow plug if the 

resistance readings are too far apart.

     For most vehicles testing the resistance of a glow plug is a pretty simple procedure, granted the glow plugs are in an 

accessible location. However if they are not, or this task is not something that you feel comfortable taking up on your 

own, this is a service that any professional technician, such as one from YourMechanic, should be able to perform quickly 

and easily. If necessary, they can also replace your [url=http://www.shuangsongcn.com/heat-glow-plug/isuzu-glow-

plugs/]Isuzu Glow Plugs[/url] so that you can start your car like normal.

      There are very few glow plugs that are considered universal plugs (OS' #8 plug is an example). For the most part, 

the type of fuel you are running will impact the kind of glow plug you need to use. Another component in the nitro fuel is 

nitromethane. The Nitro Percentage of your fuel determines the ignition point as well; in other words, the more nitro you 

run, the more you advance the ignition point. Ideally, the ignition point will be when the engine is at top dead center 

(TDC). This will force the piston down and back up again for another stroke. But when you run higher nitro content and 

don't switch to a colder plug, you will advance the ignition point and result in less-than-optimum performance, since 

the piston is still on its compression stroke (the upward stroke) when the air/fuel mixture is ignited.
        In general, the higher the the nitro percentage, the colder the plug should be. Conversely, the lower the 

nitro percentage, the hotter the plug should be.
        Glow plugs are an engine management component that is found on vehicles equipped with diesel engines. Their purpose 

is to preheat, and help warm up the engine’s cylinders so that diesel combustion can occur more easily. They play an 

especially important part in warming the vehicle’s cylinders during cold starts, where starting the engine is most 

difficult. Glow plugs use an electrode which will warm up and glow orange when current is applied. When the glow plugs 

have an issue, they can usually cause problems with the driveability of the vehicle. Usually bad or failing glow 

plugs will produce a few symptoms that can alert the driver of a potential issue.
    1. Engine misfires or decrease in power and acceleration
    Engine misfires are one of the first symptoms of an issue with the vehicle’s glow plugs. If the 

Mazda Glow Plugs malfunction they will not provide 

the additional heat that aids in diesel combustion, which may cause the engine to experience misfires. The misfires may 

cause a loss in power, acceleration, and even fuel efficiency.
    2. Hard starting
    Another symptom of an issue with the vehicle’s glow plugs is hard starting. Unlike gasoline engines, which use a 

spark to ignite the fuel mixture, diesel engines rely solely on cylinder pressures to ignite the diesel fuel mixture. If 

the glow plugs fail, the engine will have to overcome additional pressure in order to ignite the mixture, which may result 

in hard starting.
    3. Black smoke from the exhaust
    Another symptom of an issue with the glow plugs is black smoke from the exhaust. Faulty glow plugs may disturb the 

sensitive diesel combustion process, which may cause the engine to produce black smoke from the tailpipe. Black smoke can 

also be caused by a wide variety of other issues, so having the engine properly diagnosed is highly recommended.
    Glow plugs are found on virtually all diesel engines, and play an important role in starting and operating the engine. 

If your vehicle is displaying any of the symptoms above, or you suspect that your glow plugs may be having an issue, have 

the vehicle inspected by a professional technician, such as one from yourMechanic, to determine if the glow plugs need 

to be replaced.
                    
    Continuous Improvement
    The diesel engine is continuously being improved, in terms of its fuel consumption, power outputs and, ultimately, 

refinement. Drivers of modern diesel vehicles expect to be able to just jump in, turn the key and go. It’s no longer 

acceptable to have to wait 8 to 10 seconds for a glow plug light to go out before you can start the engine. One of the 

reasons this is possible is because of the technical advances that have been made in glow plug design, in particular with 

the development of both twincoil technology and the latest third generation of glow plug – the New High Temperature 

Ceramic type, or NHTC. In this article we take a closer look at these latest types of plugs in more detail; the 

manufacturers spearheading the new technologies, and the major motor manufacturers adopting them as OE.
                    
    Twin -coil Technology
    Using twin-coil technology, Toyota Glow Plugs 

can be made to heat more quickly and then self-stabilise at the correct temperature. This type of plug is more resistant to 

misuse, as it will prevent overheating of the main coil and allows longer post glow periods, giving cleaner exhaust 

emissions.
                    
   Each twin-coil glow plug has been designed and tested to 7,000 heating cycles before being approved for production. This 

means that if the engine is started from cold twice per day, the glow plug could have a life expectancy of 10 years or 

more.
                    
   Glow plugs are probably far more intricate than you may imagine them to be. It takes precision 男同志按摩 welding to join the 

heating coils, which are then tested for maximum temperature and rate of temperature rise. This is to ensure that the glow 

plugs reach 850°C within a specified time.

What Is Polyester Fabric?

    What Is Polyester Fabric?
    Polyester is a synthetic fabric that’s usually derived from petroleum. This fabric is one of the world’s most popular 

textiles, and it is used in thousands of different consumer and industrial 

applications.

    Chemically, polyester is a polymer primarily composed of compounds within the ester functional group. Most synthetic 

and some plant-based polyester fibers are made from ethylene, which is a constituent of petroleum that can also be derived 

from other sources. While some forms of polyester are biodegradable, most of them are not, and polyester production and use 

contribute to pollution around the world.

    In some applications, polyester may be the sole constituent of apparel products, but it’s more common for polyester to 

be blended with cotton or another natural fiber. Use of polyester in apparel reduces production costs, but it also 

decreases the comfortability of apparel.

    When blended with cotton, polyester improves the shrinkage, durability, and wrinkling profile of this widely-produced 

natural fiber. Polyester fabric is highly resistant to environmental 

conditions, which makes it ideal for long-term use in outdoor applications.

    The fabric we now know as polyester began its climb toward its current critical role in the contemporary economy in 

1926 as Terylene, which was first synthesized by W.H. Carothers in the UK. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, British 

scientists continued to develop better forms of ethylene fabric, and these efforts eventually garnered the interest of 

American investors and innovators.

    Polyester fiber was originally developed for mass consumption by the DuPont Corporation, which also developed other 

popular synthetic fibers like nylon. During World War II, the Allied powers found themselves in increased need of fibers 

for parachutes and other war materiel, and after the war, DuPont and other American corporations found a new consumer 

market for their synthetic materials in the context of the postwar economic boom.

    Initially, consumers were enthusiastic about the improved durability profile of polyester compared to natural fibers, 

and these benefits are still valid today. In recent decades, however, the harmful environmental impact of this synthetic 

fiber has come to light in great detail, and the consumer stance on polyester has changed significantly.

    Nonetheless, polyester remains one of the most widely-produced fabrics in the world, and it’s hard to find consumer 

apparel that doesn’t contain at least some percentage of polyester fiber. Apparel that contains polyester, however, will 

melt in extreme heat, while most natural fibers char. Molten fibers can cause irreversible bodily damage.

    Ethylene Polyester

    Ethylene polyester (PET) is the most commonly-produced form of polyester fiber. The primary component of PET is 

petroleum-derived ethylene, and in the process of creating polyester fiber, ethylene serves as the polymer that interacts 

with other chemicals to create a stable fibrous compound.

    There are four ways to make PET fiber, and the polyester production process varies slightly depending on which method 

is used:

    1.Filament: Polyester filaments are continuous fibers, and these fibers produce smooth and soft fabrics.

    2.Staple: Polyester staples resemble the staples used to make cotton yarn, and like cotton staples, polyester 

staples are usually spun into a yarn-like material.

    3.Tow: Polyester tow is like polyester filament, but in polyester tow, the filaments are loosely arranged 

together.

    4.Fiberfill: Fiberfill consists of continuous polyester filaments, but these filaments are produced specifically 

to have the most possible volume to make bulky products like pillows, outerwear, and stuffing for stuffed animals.

    The process of creating polyester fiber begins with reacting ethylene glycol with dimethyl terephthalate at high heat. 

This reaction results in a monomer, which is then reacted with dimethyl terephthalate again to create a polymer.

    This molten polyester polymer is extruded from the reaction chamber in long strips, and these strips are allowed to 

cool and dry, and then they are broken apart in to small pieces. The resulting chips are then melted again to create a 

honey-like substance, which is extruded through a spinneret to create fibers.

    Depending on whether filaments, staple, tow, or fiberfill fibers are desired, the resulting polyester filaments may be 

cut or reacted with various chemicals to achieve the correct end result. In most applications, polyester fibers are spun 

into yarn before they are dyed or subjected to other post-production processes.

    PCDT Polyester

    The process of creating PCDT polyester is similar to the process of creating PET polyester, but this polyester variant 

has a different chemical structure. While PCDT also consists of ethylene glycol reacted with dimethyl terephthalate, 

different production processes are used to make these two common polyester variations.

    Plant-Based Polyester

    Most types of plant-based polyester are also made from ethylene glycol reacted with dimethyl terephthalate. While the 

source of the ethylene used in PET and PCDT polyester is petroleum, however, producers of plant-based polyester use 

ethylene sources like cane sugar instead.

    Chiffon fabric 

    Chiffon fabric was first made in France, but the 

production of this substance expanded worldwide as the Industrial Age picked up steam. By the first few decades of the 

1900s, silk chiffon was in relatively wide production in the United States, and producers of this fabric in America were 

starting to show interest in replacing silk with another material for chiffon production.

    Crepe fabric 

    Crepe fabric has no clear origin point in the 

history of human civilization. Since the concept behind crepe is so simple, many cultures have adopted forms of this fabric 

at one stage of development or another. For instance, Crepe is still used by Orthodox Greek women for mourning, and various 

cultures of the Indian subcontinent incorporate crepe into their traditional garments.

    Satin Fabric

    Satin Fabric refers to the weave of the fabric rather than the material. Satin is one of the three major textile 

weaves, along with plain weave and twill. The satin weave creates a fabric that is shiny, soft, and elastic with a 

beautiful drape. Satin fabric is characterized by a 

soft, lustrous surface on one side, with a duller surface on the other side. This is a result of the satin 

weaving technique, and there are many variations on what defines a satin weave.

    Polyester is not biodegradable

    The majority of polyesters are not biodegradable, meaning that the polyester fabric shirt you bought last season will 

not decompose for 20 years at best and 200 years at worst.

    What’s more, polyester is partially derived from petroleum, and the oil manufacturing industry is the world’s largest 

pollutant.

    Polyester dyes are not sustainable

    Ever notice how polyester fabrics are stain-resistant? That’s because it takes a special kind of dye to colour 

polyester successfully. These dyes, known as disperse dyes, are insoluble in water. Like polyester, they are made up of a 

complex molecular structure that does not readily decompose.

    Wastewater from textile factories containing leftover dye is difficult to treat. When it enters the environment, its 

toxicity causes serious problems to local plant and animal life.

    In addition to causing environmental problems, polyester dyes are toxic to humans. Dye workers worldwide report 

higher incidences of cancers and lung disease than the general population.

    Polyester manufacturing is water-thirsty

    Acetate imitation fabric is created 

through an energy-intensive heating process and requires large quantities of water for cooling. If not managed properly, 

this can result in groundwater levels dropping and reduced access to clean drinking water, particularly in vulnerable 

communities where polyester is often manufactured.

    More on those microfibres

    Multiple studies have shown that synthetic fibres make up a good share of microplastics found in waters and are 

widely implicated as the source of pollution. It’s been suggested that more than 4,500 fibres can be released per gram of 

clothing per wash, according to the Plastic Soup Foundation.

    Microfibres are so tiny they can easily move through sewage treatment plants. They do not biodegrade and bind with 

molecules from harmful chemicals found in wastewater. They are then eaten by small fishes and plankton, concentrating 

toxins and going up the food chain until they reach us. The consequences of microfibres on the human body have yet to be 

researched and revealed. Until then, here are our top tips on dealing with microfibres in clothing.

    What Is Polyester Used For

    Georgette printed fabric, as we all 

know, is often used for clothing, nowadays its more common to find blended cotton and polyester than full polyester. The 

main reason for this is the lack of breathability in pure polyester, and frankly few people like the look now. Blended 

fabrics also retain many of the benefits of polyester; being more resistant to wrinkling, having more stretch, and 

sometimes more resistant to wear.

    Outside of fashion, polyester is used for a great variety of products; the most common being plastic bottles and 

containers. Some others include sailcloth, canoes, tarpaulin, LCDs, insulating tapes, various items for film, ropes, cord, 

and more. Polyester is also commonly used as a finish to high-quality wood products like pianos, guitars, and vehicle 

interiors (which is then polished to a glossy, durable finish).

Road Bike Vs. Mountain Bike

    Road Bike Vs. Mountain Bike
    Breakthroughs in technology have made them much more efficient and comfortable while simultaneously making them much 

more affordable when it comes to cost to benefit ratios. This makes it a great time to buy a cycle!

    The dilemma most people face when purchasing a bike is the type of bike to buy. Avid cyclists generally have a 

different bike for each different style of cycling that they will be doing, but hobbyists and recreationists can’t really 

afford to do that.

    If you can only get one bike, what should it be?

    Unfortunately, there isn’t a right answer to that question.

    Everyone is different, and so are their needs. Most casual cyclists will want to 

purchase bike, but once you have the options narrowed down this far, it’s a 

matter of purpose and preference.

    In this article, we can help you determine whether a road bike or a mountain bike is the better choice for your 

needs. We will take a look at some of the factors and circumstances that can help you to determine which choice would be 

more prudent.

    By the end, you will be familiar with the questions to ask yourself before purchasing a bike and the type of things you 

can do with each bike.

    Before you can compare the 2 different types of bikes, you need to be aware of your own cycling style. After all, 

knowing what you intend to use your bike for is one of the most important pieces of information to help you make your 

choice.

    First, you should ask yourself how you will be using the bike.

    Are you hoping to get some exercise without the shock to your joints that running provides?

    Do you want to cruise and explore some of the trails nearby, or take it through some mountains?

    Are you trying to cut down on time in traffic, so you want to use a bike to get around the city and replace your car 

for short-distance commuting? Do you hope to do more than one of these things with your bike?

    Knowing your primary use will point you in the right direction. If you plan to stick to roads, then you may not need a 

mountain bike. Road bikes are great commuter bikes that can go pretty quickly and cover a lot of ground.

    If you plan to use your bike for exploration as well as exercise and commuting, though, you will need the more 

versatile mountain bike.

    Road bikes are optimized for pavement, so you can’t use them in the mountains. Their tires are very narrow and thin, 

so a single pebble or stick will send you flying head over heels.

    It’s dangerous to use them on unknown or uneven terrain.

    On the other hand, mountain bikes are not optimized for riding on the road, but they are capable of doing so as 

long as you put the extra effort into making them go.

    They’re not as fast on the road, and they’re not as efficient, but unlike road bikes, which can’t take mountain 

paths at all, these bikes won’t put you in danger if you do ride them on the road… They just get a lot harder to handle 

and a lot less comfortable.

    Now that you’ve (hopefully) determined how you’ll be using your bike, let’s take a look at these 2 bikes in more 

detail.

    This will give you a better idea of all the things you can do with them.

    Road Bikes

    Road bike (occasionally known as racing bikes) are designed for 

speed.

    These are great options for commuters because the narrow tires can roll very quickly along paved surfaces as 

long as there aren’t any obstacles in the way. They are becoming very popular and being made with disc brake.

    These bikes have a few different types. Aero bikes are designed to minimize the drag you experience during a ride.

    These are professional racing bikes that are more concerned with speed than comfort or other features. Ultralight bikes 

are designed for climbing uphill. They’re extremely lightweight but they’re not very versatile.

    Endurance bikes are built more for touring racing. These are designed for riders who plan to travel longer 

distances per ride, with a focus on comfort over speed and climbing.

    Mountain Bikes

    These bikes are much more versatile and durable than road bikes. They’re made for handling dirt trails and different 

terrains.

    These bikes have wider handlebars and usually come with forks that will absorb the shocks you take. They can handle 

pebbles and twigs and little bumps in the path without sending you flying.

    These usually have wide tires and a lot of treads, so you will have traction when riding. They also include hydraulic 

disc braking and drivetrains that can handle steeper climbs and descents.

    Hardtail bikes come with a rigid frame and suspension forks. These are the most common and most affordable ones.

    They also make XC full suspension mountain bikes. These are for people who are not riding as far. The rear 

suspension on these bikes keeps the frame light so you can get extra efficiency when powering up climbs.

    The trail full suspension bikes are for riding longer distances because they balance efficiency climbing with going 

downhill. These have wide tires and plenty of stopping power on the brakes. Finally, full suspensions put a lot of power in 

the rear wheel.

    These can go for very long rides without causing exhaustion. They’re designed to be very balanced and handle any 

terrain for long rides.

    Mountain bikes are very versatile. They can be used to ride just about anywhere – including roads. Some people like 

using them for unpaved roads. Others like using them to power up steeper hills without the same level of effort road 

bikes require.

    E-bike

    The first thing you should know about e-bikes is that they’re here to stay. Electric bike sales jumped by an 

incredible 145 percent from 2019 to 2020 alone, according to the market research firm NPD Group. It’s a nearly 

$244 billion industry as of last year, and there’s no sign of a slowdown.

    Some view the rise of e-bikes as a threat, as though standard bikes will go the way of the penny-farthing once everyone 

goes electric. But fear not: E-bikes aren’t here to rob us of our human-powered way of life. In fact, they may very 

well enhance it—especially as travel and commuting habits change following the global pandemic and shift of work 

commuting. So as we roll our way into peak riding season, here’s everything you need to know about the electric 

revolution.

    Generally speaking, E bicycle are bicycles with a battery-powered 

“assist” that comes via pedaling and, in some cases, a throttle. When you push the pedals on a pedal-assist e-bike, a 

small motor engages and gives you a boost, so you can zip up hills and cruise over tough terrain without gassing yourself. 

Called “pedelecs,” they feel just like conventional bikes—but better, says Ed Benjamin, senior managing director at the 

consulting firm eCycleElectric. “You control your speed with your feet, like with a regular bike,” he says. “You just 

feel really powerful and accelerate easily.”

    In addition to the pedal-assist feature, some e-bikes come with a throttle that engages the motor with the press of a 

button. These belong to a separate class of e-bike that, obviously, doesn’t offer a pure cycling experience; they’re also 

illegal in some municipalities. Interestingly, Benjamin says, people who aren’t already “cyclists” tend to gravitate 

toward throttle bikes at first, but then turn around and choose a pedal-assist for their next purchase.

    “People are buying electric bicycle as a way to reduce car 

trips,” Benjamin says. The data backs him up: 28 percent of survey respondents said they bought an e-bike specifically to 

replace driving a car. And many other reasons buyers listed for wanting an e-bike—including carrying cargo and kids, 

avoiding parking and traffic, and environmental concerns—also indicate a desire to get out from behind the wheel. Plus, 

you don’t need to change clothes or clean up when you arrive at your destination, because you don’t have to work up as 

much of a sweat.

    Consider, too, that more than half of all driving trips are shorter than 10 miles, with some surveys reporting 

that the average single trip amounts to just 5.95 miles. That’s a no-brainer distance to cover by e-bike. In fact, 

the survey found that owners replaced 46 percent of their car commutes and 30 percent of their driving errands with e-bike 

rides. All you need is a great commuter bag to carry your stuff, and you’re set.

    Getting an e-bike can dramatically increase how often you ride, according to a survey of nearly 1,800 e-bike 

owners in North America. Beforehand, 55 percent of respondents said they rode daily or weekly. After buying an e-bike, that 

number soared to 91 percent. It makes sense: Even if you’re super fit, you still get tired (likely from training or 

racing) and remounting your bike can feel like a chore. If you have an e-bike, you can continue riding while giving your 

knackered legs a bit of a break. You can also go faster, which makes biking for longer trips more attractive, even when you

’re pressed for time.

    For those who aren’t frequent riders, e-bikes open up a whole new world. While you may not be conditioned to 

ride 5-10 miles at a time, you can cover those distances easily with an electric assist, which is a great way to build 

endurance and confidence. That same survey found that 94 percent of non-cyclists rode daily or weekly after getting an e-

bike.

    Name a type of riding, and there’s an e-bike for that. If you have zero interest in an electric road bike, you may 

find yourself head over heels for a high-capacity e-cargo bike that can haul 400 pounds of stuff while still cruising at a 

cool 15 mph. E-bikes are available in fat, cargo, commuter, recreational, hardtail, full-suspension mountain, and even 

performance road bike styles. For proof, here are a dozen e-bikes we love for every type of cyclist.

Road Bike Vs. Mountain Bike

    Road Bike Vs. Mountain Bike
    Breakthroughs in technology have made them much more efficient and comfortable while simultaneously making them much 

more affordable when it comes to cost to benefit ratios. This makes it a great time to buy a cycle!

    The dilemma most people face when purchasing a bike is the type of bike to buy. Avid cyclists generally have a 

different bike for each different style of cycling that they will be doing, but hobbyists and recreationists can’t really 

afford to do that.

    If you can only get one bike, what should it be?

    Unfortunately, there isn’t a right answer to that question.

    Everyone is different, and so are their needs. Most casual cyclists will want to 

purchase bike, but once you have the options narrowed down this far, it’s a 

matter of purpose and preference.

    In this article, we can help you determine whether a road bike or a mountain bike is the better choice for your 

needs. We will take a look at some of the factors and circumstances that can help you to determine which choice would be 

more prudent.

    By the end, you will be familiar with the questions to ask yourself before purchasing a bike and the type of things you 

can do with each bike.

    Before you can compare the 2 different types of bikes, you need to be aware of your own cycling style. After all, 

knowing what you intend to use your bike for is one of the most important pieces of information to help you make your 

choice.

    First, you should ask yourself how you will be using the bike.

    Are you hoping to get some exercise without the shock to your joints that running provides?

    Do you want to cruise and explore some of the trails nearby, or take it through some mountains?

    Are you trying to cut down on time in traffic, so you want to use a bike to get around the city and replace your car 

for short-distance commuting? Do you hope to do more than one of these things with your bike?

    Knowing your primary use will point you in the right direction. If you plan to stick to roads, then you may not need a 

mountain bike. Road bikes are great commuter bikes that can go pretty quickly and cover a lot of ground.

    If you plan to use your bike for exploration as well as exercise and commuting, though, you will need the more 

versatile mountain bike.

    Road bikes are optimized for pavement, so you can’t use them in the mountains. Their tires are very narrow and thin, 

so a single pebble or stick will send you flying head over heels.

    It’s dangerous to use them on unknown or uneven terrain.

    On the other hand, mountain bikes are not optimized for riding on the road, but they are capable of doing so as 

long as you put the extra effort into making them go.

    They’re not as fast on the road, and they’re not as efficient, but unlike road bikes, which can’t take mountain 

paths at all, these bikes won’t put you in danger if you do ride them on the road… They just get a lot harder to handle 

and a lot less comfortable.

    Now that you’ve (hopefully) determined how you’ll be using your bike, let’s take a look at these 2 bikes in more 

detail.

    This will give you a better idea of all the things you can do with them.

    Road Bikes

    Road bike (occasionally known as racing bikes) are designed for 

speed.

    These are great options for commuters because the narrow tires can roll very quickly along paved surfaces as 

long as there aren’t any obstacles in the way. They are becoming very popular and being made with disc brake.

    These bikes have a few different types. Aero bikes are designed to minimize the drag you experience during a ride.

    These are professional racing bikes that are more concerned with speed than comfort or other features. Ultralight bikes 

are designed for climbing uphill. They’re extremely lightweight but they’re not very versatile.

    Endurance bikes are built more for touring racing. These are designed for riders who plan to travel longer 

distances per ride, with a focus on comfort over speed and climbing.

    Mountain Bikes

    These bikes are much more versatile and durable than road bikes. They’re made for handling dirt trails and different 

terrains.

    These bikes have wider handlebars and usually come with forks that will absorb the shocks you take. They can handle 

pebbles and twigs and little bumps in the path without sending you flying.

    These usually have wide tires and a lot of treads, so you will have traction when riding. They also include hydraulic 

disc braking and drivetrains that can handle steeper climbs and descents.

    Hardtail bikes come with a rigid frame and suspension forks. These are the most common and most affordable ones.

    They also make XC full suspension mountain bikes. These are for people who are not riding as far. The rear 

suspension on these bikes keeps the frame light so you can get extra efficiency when powering up climbs.

    The trail full suspension bikes are for riding longer distances because they balance efficiency climbing with going 

downhill. These have wide tires and plenty of stopping power on the brakes. Finally, full suspensions put a lot of power in 

the rear wheel.

    These can go for very long rides without causing exhaustion. They’re designed to be very balanced and handle any 

terrain for long rides.

    Mountain bikes are very versatile. They can be used to ride just about anywhere – including roads. Some people like 

using them for unpaved roads. Others like using them to power up steeper hills without the same level of effort road 

bikes require.

    E-bike

    The first thing you should know about e-bikes is that they’re here to stay. Electric bike sales jumped by an 

incredible 145 percent from 2019 to 2020 alone, according to the market research firm NPD Group. It’s a nearly 

$244 billion industry as of last year, and there’s no sign of a slowdown.

    Some view the rise of e-bikes as a threat, as though standard bikes will go the way of the penny-farthing once everyone 

goes electric. But fear not: E-bikes aren’t here to rob us of our human-powered way of life. In fact, they may very 

well enhance it—especially as travel and commuting habits change following the global pandemic and shift of work 

commuting. So as we roll our way into peak riding season, here’s everything you need to know about the electric 

revolution.

    Generally speaking, E bicycle are bicycles with a battery-powered 

“assist” that comes via pedaling and, in some cases, a throttle. When you push the pedals on a pedal-assist e-bike, a 

small motor engages and gives you a boost, so you can zip up hills and cruise over tough terrain without gassing yourself. 

Called “pedelecs,” they feel just like conventional bikes—but better, says Ed Benjamin, senior managing director at the 

consulting firm eCycleElectric. “You control your speed with your feet, like with a regular bike,” he says. “You just 

feel really powerful and accelerate easily.”

    In addition to the pedal-assist feature, some e-bikes come with a throttle that engages the motor with the press of a 

button. These belong to a separate class of e-bike that, obviously, doesn’t offer a pure cycling experience; they’re also 

illegal in some municipalities. Interestingly, Benjamin says, people who aren’t already “cyclists” tend to gravitate 

toward throttle bikes at first, but then turn around and choose a pedal-assist for their next purchase.

    “People are buying electric bicycle as a way to reduce car 

trips,” Benjamin says. The data backs him up: 28 percent of survey respondents said they bought an e-bike specifically to 

replace driving a car. And many other reasons buyers listed for wanting an e-bike—including carrying cargo and kids, 

avoiding parking and traffic, and environmental concerns—also indicate a desire to get out from behind the wheel. Plus, 

you don’t need to change clothes or clean up when you arrive at your destination, because you don’t have to work up as 

much of a sweat.

    Consider, too, that more than half of all driving trips are shorter than 10 miles, with some surveys reporting 

that the average single trip amounts to just 5.95 miles. That’s a no-brainer distance to cover by e-bike. In fact, 

the survey found that owners replaced 46 percent of their car commutes and 30 percent of their driving errands with e-bike 

rides. All you need is a great commuter bag to carry your stuff, and you’re set.

    Getting an e-bike can dramatically increase how often you ride, according to a survey of nearly 1,800 e-bike 

owners in North America. Beforehand, 55 percent of respondents said they rode daily or weekly. After buying an e-bike, that 

number soared to 91 percent. It makes sense: Even if you’re super fit, you still get tired (likely from training or 

racing) and remounting your bike can feel like a chore. If you have an e-bike, you can continue riding while giving your 

knackered legs a bit of a break. You can also go faster, which makes biking for longer trips more attractive, even when you

’re pressed for time.

    For those who aren’t frequent riders, e-bikes open up a whole new world. While you may not be conditioned to 

ride 5-10 miles at a time, you can cover those distances easily with an electric assist, which is a great way to build 

endurance and confidence. That same survey found that 94 percent of non-cyclists rode daily or weekly after getting an e-

bike.

    Name a type of riding, and there’s an e-bike for that. If you have zero interest in an electric road bike, you may 

find yourself head over heels for a high-capacity e-cargo bike that can haul 400 pounds of stuff while still cruising at a 

cool 15 mph. E-bikes are available in fat, cargo, commuter, recreational, hardtail, full-suspension mountain, and even 

performance road bike styles. For proof, here are a dozen e-bikes we love for every type of cyclist.

Insulation parts

    Insulation parts
    As a professional manufacturer of insulation parts. Our factory is equipped with 3,4 and 5-axis machining on a range of 

CNC Milling machines. One of our advantages is that we are not only offering insulation tube or [url=http://www.jy-

insulation.com/insulation-rod/]insulation rod[/url]， but also secondary machining service for our customers. Therefore, we 

can help on cost down and shortening lead time. 

    Learn about the following insulation parts:

    Epoxy Glass Tube

    Epoxy Glass Tubes are highly economical insulating tubes that offer a combination of excellent mechanical strength and 

good electrical performance. Like our Epoxy Glass Rods, our Epoxy Glass Tube is capable of withstanding continuous 

temperatures up to 130oC (though other grades of material, such as our Isoval Tube, with higher temperature 

ratings are also available upon request).

    The combination of electrical performance and mechanical strength offered by our [url=http://www.jy-

insulation.com/insulation-tube/epoxy-glass-tube/]epoxy glass tube[/url] allows them to often be utilised in the manufacture 

of insulating bushings as well as insulating sleeves. Yellow in colour, our Epoxy Glass Tube can be machined to tight 

tolerances and thin wall thicknesses.

    Epoxy Fiberglass Rod

    12 foot long epoxy fiberglass rod 11 16 

diameter is made of high strength aramid fiber and glass fiber, impregnated with epoxy resin by pultruding under high 

temperature. It has ultra-high strength, excellent wear resistance, acid and alkaline resistance, corrosion resistance and 

other excellent high temperature performance characteristics. It is suitable for electrolytic aluminum plant, steel works, 

high temperature metallurgical equipment, ultra-high voltage electrical equipment, aerospace and aerospace fields, 

transformers, capacitors, reactors, high voltage switches and other high voltage electrical appliances.

    CNC machining is a term commonly used in manufacturing and industrial applications. But exactly what is CNC? And what 

is a CNC machine?

    CNC 101: The term CNC stands for 'computer numerical control', and the CNC machining definition is 

that it is a subtractive manufacturing process which typically employs computerized controls and machine tools to remove 

layers of material from a stock piece—known as the blank or workpiece—and produces a custom-designed part. This process 

is suitable for a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, wood, glass, foam, and composites, and 

finds application in a variety of industries, such as large CNC machining, machining of parts and prototypes for 

telecommunications, and CNC machining parts, which 

require tighter tolerances than other industries. Note there is a difference between the CNC machining definition and the 

CNC machine definition- one is a process and the other is a machine. A CNC machine is a programmable machine that is 

capable of autonomously performing the operations of CNC machining.

    Subtractive manufacturing processes, such as CNC machining, are often presented in contrast to additive 

manufacturing processes, such as 3D printing, or formative manufacturing processes, such as liquid injection molding. 

While subtractive processes remove layers of material from the workpiece to produce custom shapes and designs, additive 

processes assemble layers of material to produce the desired form and formative processes deform and displace stock 

material into the desired shape. The automated nature of CNC machining enables the production of high precision and high 

accuracy, simple parts and cost-effectiveness when fulfilling one-off and medium-volume production runs. However, while CNC 

machining demonstrates certain advantages over other manufacturing processes, the degree of complexity and intricacy 

attainable for part design and the cost-effectiveness of producing complex parts is limited.

    While each type of manufacturing process has its advantages and disadvantages, this article focuses on the CNC 

machining process, outlining the basics of the process, and the various components and tooling of the CNC machine 

(sometimes incorrectly known as a C and C machine). Additionally, this article explores various mechanical CNC machining 

operations and presents alternatives to the CNC machining process.

    Are you between jobs right now or an employer looking to hire? We've got you covered with our in-depth collections 

of resources for industrial job seekers and employers looking to fill roles. If you have an open position, 

you can also fill out our form for a chance to have it featured in the Thomas Monthly Update newsletter. 

    Overview of CNC Machining Process

    Evolving from the numerical control (NC) machining process which utilized punched tape cards, CNC machining is a 

manufacturing process which utilizes computerized controls to operate and manipulate machine and cutting tools to 

shape stock material—e.g., metal, plastic, wood, foam, composite, etc.—into custom parts and designs. While the CNC 

machining process offers various capabilities and operations, the fundamental principles of the process remain largely the 

same throughout all of them. The basic CNC machining process includes the following stages:

    Designing the CAD model
        
    Converting the CAD file to a CNC program
        
    Preparing the CNC machine
        
    Executing the machining operation

    CAD Model Design

    The CNC machining process begins with the creation of a 2D vector or 3D solid part CAD design either in-house or by 

a CAD/CAM design service company. Computer-aided design (CAD) software allows designers and manufacturers to 

produce a model or rendering of their parts and products along with the necessary technical specifications, such as 

dimensions and geometries, for producing the part or product.

    Designs for CNC machined parts are restricted by the capabilities (or inabilities) of the CNC machine and tooling. For 

example, most CNC machine tooling is cylindrical therefore the part geometries possible via the CNC machining process are 

limited as the tooling creates curved corner sections. Additionally, the properties of the material being machined, tooling 

design, and workholding capabilities of the machine further restrict the design possibilities, such as the minimum part 

thicknesses, maximum part size, and inclusion and complexity of internal cavities and features.

    Once the CAD design is completed, the designer exports it to a CNC-compatible file format, such as STEP or IGES.

    CNC Machining Tolerances Tables

    When specifying parts to a machine shop, it's important to include any necessary tolerances. Though CNC machines 

are very accurate, they still leave some slight variation between duplicates of the same part, generally around + or - .005 

in (.127 mm), which is roughly twice the width of a human hair. To save on costs, buyers should only specify tolerances in 

areas of the part that will need to be especially accurate because they will come into contact with other parts. While 

there are standard tolerances for different levels of machining (as shown in the tables below), not all tolerances are 

equal. If, for example, a part absolutely cannot be larger than the measurement, it might have a specified tolerance of 

+0.0/-0.5 to show it can be slightly smaller, but no larger in that area. 

Does the colour of the mug influence the taste of the coffee?

    Does the colour of the mug influence the taste of the coffee?
    In experiment 1, the white travel mug enhanced the rated “intensity

” of the coffee flavour relative to the transparent mug. However, given slight physical differences in the mugs used, a 

second experiment was conducted using identical glass mugs with coloured sleeves. Once again, the colour of the mug was 

shown to influence participants’ rating of the coffee. In particular, the coffee was rated as less sweet in the white mug 

as compared to the transparent and blue mugs.

    Both experiments demonstrate that the colour of the mug affects people’s ratings of a hot beverage. Given that ratings 

associated with the transparent glass mug were not significantly different from those associated with the blue mug in 

either experiment, an explanation in terms of simultaneous contrast can be ruled out. However, it is possible that colour 

contrast between the mug and the coffee may have affected the perceived intensity/sweetness of the coffee. That is, the 

white mug may have influenced the perceived brownness of the coffee and this, in turn, may have influenced the perceived 

intensity (and sweetness) of the coffee. These results support the view that the colour of the mug should be considered by 

those serving coffee as it can influence the consumer’s multisensory coffee drinking experience. These results add to a 

large and growing body of research highlighting the influence of product-extrinsic colour on the multisensory perception of 

food and drink.

    In Australia alone, around a billion cups of coffee are consumed in cafés, restaurants and other outlets each and every 

year. Even Britain, a nation famous for its fondness for tea, has, in recent years, seen a dramatic rise in its coffee 

consumption, with an estimated 70 million cups drunk each day. Given the economic incentive to keep consumers drinking 

coffee, café owners, restaurateurs, crockery designers and manufacturers ought, presumably, to be interested in anything 

that can help to enhance the multisensory coffee drinking experience for their clientele cf.

    The idea behind experiment 1 came about serendipitously. During a conversation between the first author (GV) and a 

barista, the latter reported that when coffee is consumed from a white, ceramic mug, it tastes more bitter than when drunk 

from a clear, glass mug instead; note that these two mug types are amongst the most commonly used vessels to serve coffee 

in Australian cafés and restaurants. In the present study, we therefore sought to establish the validity of this claim 

which, to our knowledge, has not been described previously. Indeed, as recently highlighted by Spence and Wan, there is a 

paucity of research on the psychological impact of the receptacles that we use to drink from.

    The notion that the colour of the receptacle/plateware can impact taste/flavour perception might relate to Piqueras-

Fiszman et al.’s research putatively showing that colour contrast resulted in a red, strawberry-flavoured mousse 

presented on a white plate being rated as 10% sweeter and 15% more flavourful than when exactly the same food was presented 

on a black plate, see for an extension of this work; see for an explicit attempt to evaluate the colour contrast account. 

While contrast represents one plausible explanation for such results, it is important to note that there are also several 

other possible mechanisms (e.g., priming) that may explain the influence of product-extrinsic colour on taste/flavour 

ratings. Taking the principal of colour contrast one stage further, and given the conversation with the barista, it was 

proposed that brown may be associated with bitterness (or, perhaps, is negatively associated with sweetness). If taste were 

to be affected crossmodally by colour contrast, then coffee that is tasted from a white [url=http://www.bonya-

bottle.com/coffee-mug/]coffee mug [/url]should be rated as somewhat more bitter than exactly the same coffee when consumed 

from a transparent mug instead.

    It is possible that another contrast mechanism (i.e., simultaneous contrast) might affect the perception of taste . 

Here, if light, opaque, milky brown coffee were to be associated with bitterness, then a light blue mug/surrounding should 

intensify the brown of the coffee because blue is brown’s complementary colour . This, in turn, would be expected to 

elevate ratings of bitterness relative to the same coffee when served in a transparent mug. Some famous examples of the use 

of simultaneous contrast are Heinz’s? use of a greenish-blue can to set off the red-orange colour of their beans and sauce 

and Cadbury’s? use of purple packaging to enhance the colour of their chocolate.

    Although many studies have been published on colour-flavour interactions over the years, see  for a review, very 

little has been published to date specifically looking at crossmodal influences on the perception of coffee. This absence 

is surprising given, as we saw above, how many cups of coffee are drunk every day. In terms of the limited research that 

has been conducted specifically in this area, Favre and November offered 200 people coffee from four different jars, 

i.e., brown, red, blue and yellow. Seventy-three percent of the participants reported that the coffee served from the brown 

container was too strong, whereas 80% of women felt that the coffee served from the red receptacle had a richer, fuller 

aroma. The blue jar suggested a milder aroma to most and the coffee in the yellow container was rated as coming from a 

weaker blend.

    Meanwhile, Guéguen and Jacob had 120 people drink coffee from four different coloured cups (blue, green, yellow 

and red). The participants had to indicate which coffee was the warmest (in terms of its temperature). Thirty-eight percent 

of the participants reported that the coffee served from the red cup was the warmest, followed by yellow (28.3%), green 

(20.0%) and, finally, blue (13.3%). Note that these differences were statistically significant. In summary, the colour of 

the cup can be added to the list of factors that have now been demonstrated to influence various aspects of the coffee 

drinking experience. This list also includes whether or not the coffee had an eco-friendly origin and any branding 

cues.

    Based on previous work and anecdotal evidence, we explored the impact of the colour of a receptacle on people’s coffee 

drinking experience. If extrinsic cues influence a consumer’s experience of coffee, and if taste is affected by contrast 

effects, coffee tasted/drunk from a white mini mug should be rated as more 

bitter than from a clear mug instead. Given Piqueras-Fiszman et al.’s  and Stewart and Goss’work with strawberry 

mousse and cheesecake, respectively, we thought that it is possible that the brown-bitter association might be enhanced by 

colour contrast. However, and with regard to the colour of coffee and the colour of the immediate surroundings against 

which it is presented, simultaneous contrast might be at work. Specifically, the brown of the coffee may be intensified if 

the coffee is served from a light blue mug. It should be noted that factors other than contrast effects can influence 

perception. For example, the cup in which the coffee is served may affect us as a function of our perception of the general 

properties of the cup (i.e., cheap vs. expensive , flimsy vs. strong). We have attempted to control these potentially 

confounding variables in the present study. That said, and to borrow from Piqueras-Fiszman et al., if the colour of the mug 

affects the way in which people perceive the colour of the coffee, and the colour of the coffee affects the perception of 

flavour, then the colour of the mug (and any contrast effect that it elicits) would be expected to influence the perceived 

properties of the coffee (e.g., bitterness).

    The travel mug type exerted a significant influence on participants

’ ratings of the perceived intensity of the café latté, F(2,15) = 4.78, p?=?.025 (see 

Figure  Bonferroni-corrected post hoc tests revealed that the café latté was rated as significantly 

more intense (p?=?.026) when served from the white, ceramic mug than when served from the clear, glass mug. None of the 

other comparisons reached statistical significance. The mug type failed to exert any influence on participants’ ratings of 

the other attributes of the café latté (see Table .

    The white mug enhanced the perceived “intensity” of the coffee flavour relative to the transparent mug. Our 

hypothesis was that a crossmodal association between brown and bitter exists and that bitterness, and possibly other 

attributes, would be enhanced by the colour contrast. Although there was no simultaneous contrast effect (i.e., coffee 

surrounded by its complementary colour was not rated as any more bitter than the coffee presented in either the clear or 

white mug), it is possible that colour contrast influenced the intensity of the coffee flavour in experiment 1.

    The mug type exerted a significant influence on participants’ ratings of the perceived sweetness of the café 

latté, F(2,33) = 3.57, p?=?.040 (see Figure. Bonferroni-corrected post hoc tests established that the 

drink was rated as significantly less sweet (p?=?.041) when served from the white mug relative to the see-through, glass 

mug or the blue mug. None of the other comparisons reached statistical significance. The mug type failed to exert any 

influence on participants’ ratings of the other attributes of the café latté (see Table.

    Crossmodal influences refer to the effects that information from one sensory modality can have on the perception of 

information from another. The main issue explored in this study was whether consumers’ perception of a warm café latté 

would be influenced by the colour (transparent, white or blue) of the mug from which it was served and consumed. Our 

results clearly demonstrate that the colour of the mug does influence the perceived taste/flavour of coffee.

    In the two experiments presented here, it was hypothesised that a crossmodal association between brown and bitter 

exists and that bitterness, and possibly other attributes, would be enhanced by the colour contrast. In experiment 1, the 

white mug was found to enhance the perceived “intensity” of the coffee’s flavour relative to the transparent mug. 

However, given slight differences in the mugs used in experiment 1, we decided to conduct a follow-up study with identical 

mugs. Experiment 2 revealed that the white mug diminished the “sweetness” of the coffee flavour relative to the 

transparent and blue mugs.

    Given that ratings associated with the transparent glass mug were not significantly different from those associated 

with the light blue mug in either experiment, it seems as though simultaneous contrast cannot be used to explain the 

observed results. However, it is possible that colour contrast influenced the intensity/sweetness of the coffee’s flavour. 

That said, an alternative mechanism (i.e., sensation transference) might also be at play in experiment 1  In short, 

implicit judgments regarding the intensity of the white mug may be transferred to the coffee causing it to be perceived as 

more intense than the coffee served in the other mugs. Given Favre and November’s  finding that people report coffee 

served from a brown container to be too strong (i.e., too intense) and our results from experiment 2, it seems unlikely 

that (1) people would hold an implicit “intensity” judgement for both white and brown colours and (2) ‘sensation 

transference’ is the mechanism at work here. Similar to an argument made by Piqueras-Fiszman et al., it seems more 

plausible to suggest that the white background of the coffee mug may 

have influenced the perceived brownness of the coffee and that this, in turn, was what influenced the perceived intensity 

(and sweetness) of the coffee. As we replicate the basic finding that the colour of the mug makes a difference, the 

correspondence between the visual appearance of the mug and aspects of the flavour suggests that colour contrast mechanisms 

may be at work here.

    Two findings are worth highlighting here: (1) that there is a general trend in experiment 2 towards an increased 

“intensity” rating (i.e., ratings of intensity were greater for coffee served in the white mug), but this effect failed 

to reach significance, and (2) the significant intensity and sweetness results of experiments 1 and 2, respectively, might 

be connected. Note that consumers, as compared to baristas, appear to blur the distinction between ‘intensity’ and 

‘bitterness’. Dijksterhuis has suggested that because of the use of the word ‘strong’ in advertising, consumers 

often confuse a coffee’s strength or intensity with its ‘bitterness’—in fact, visual inspection of Tables 

1 and 

2 reveals that there is a 

trend in bitterness ratings that mirrors intensity ratings that would support such a view. Furthermore, any reduction in 

the “sweetness” of the coffee when presented from a white mug might also be expected to signify an increase in perceived 

bitterness (or strength). As mentioned above, Koch and Koch  also found that brown, amongst other colours, was 

negatively associated with sweetness.

    Marketers such as Favre and November have reported an effect of jar colour on perceived coffee aroma. Coffee 

served in a blue jar was more often judged as having a milder aroma than the same coffee when presented in jars of other 

colours. By contrast, we observed no effect of blue on aroma or any of the other attributes. Favre and November  seem 

to have documented a simultaneous contrast effect for “mildness” which might be considered to lie at the opposite end of 

an “intensity” rating scale. Elsewhere, researchers have demonstrated that the colour of plastic vending cups influences 

people’s perception of hot chocolate, such that orange (with a white interior) enhanced the chocolate flavour, as did 

dark-cream coloured cups which also enhanced sweetness and aroma . Although our findings differ in their details from those 

of Piqueras-Fiszman and Spence , they nevertheless concur at a more general level in demonstrating the importance of the 

colour of the container/plateware on the consumer’s experience of a variety of food and drink products, see also. Our 

results also help to address the relative paucity of literature on the influence of drinking receptacles as recently 

highlighted by Spence and Wan .

What is a Filter Press and How Does it Work?

    What is a Filter Press and How Does it Work?
    A filter press is one of the oldest and most trusted 

pieces of dewatering equipment. It’s used for wastewater treatment across a variety of industries and applications. A 

filter press works by separating out solids from liquids, removing impurities, and suspended solids from industrial 

wastewater. This allows plant managers to easily handle and dispose of waste while returning clean water to their systems.

    Filter presses separate liquids and solids. Specifically, the filter press separates the liquids and solids using 

pressure filtration across a filter media. Afterward, the slurry is pumped into the filter press and then dewaters under 

pressure.

    Basically, the concentrate filter press 

design is based on the dewatering volume and type of slurry. ChemREADY is an expert in liquid and solid separation and 

offers a wide range of filter press types and capacities to suit specific application needs for trouble-free, economical 

dewatering.

    The origin of the filter press dates to around the mid-19th century in the United Kingdom, where a rudimentary form of 

the press was used to obtain vegetable oil from seeds. However, it wasn’t until major developments in the mid-20th century 

that engineers were able to develop the world’s first automatic horizontal-type filter press.

    It’s this long history of advancements that’s allowed the filter presses of today to achieve significantly lower 

energy and maintenance costs compared to their belt press and centrifuge counterparts. In fact, the total operating 

filtration cost for a filter press can easily be 1/6 the cost of what it would be for a belt press or centrifuge.

    While there are many different styles of modern filter presses, the plate and frame filter press are one of the oldest 

and most tested types of dewatering equipment available. You can read more on this type of filter press, along with a more 

detailed comparison between different types of dewatering equipment, in our Water Facts blog on How Industrial Wastewater 

Pretreatment Works.

    Filter presses are especially useful as the leftover solids are cheaper and easier to move than the entire slurry. With 

the clean water that filter presses return, plant managers can discharge that to their local municipalities, watersheds or 

use the water in their own closed-loop systems, creating highly efficient processes.

    Without a filter press or similar pieces of dewatering equipment, a settling pond is often the first option for water 

treatment. Not only do ponds require a large amount of real estate to use, but they also lose their ability to clean water 

over time as the solids that you remove build up in the pond water. This gives ponds an unfavorable long-term ROI as dirty 

water will eventually start coming back into your process unless you dredge the pond or make a new pond. At ChemREADY, we 

advise the use of a filter press and other dewatering equipment over a pond in most applications.

    During the fill cycle, the slurry pumps into the filter press and distributes evenly during the fill cycle. Solids 

build up on the filter cloth, forming the filter cake in the void volume of the plate. The filtrate, or clean water, exits 

the filter plates through the ports and discharges clean water out the side of the plates.

    Filter presses are a pressure filtration method. As the filter press feed pump builds pressure, the solids build within 

the chambers until they are completely full of solids. This forms the cake. The filter cakes release when the plates are 

full, and the cycle is complete. Also, many higher capacity filter presses use fast action automatic plate shifters which 

speeding cycle time. Matec specifically designs their filter presses for fully automatic, 24-hour operation in a harsh 

environment such as mines or chemical manufacturing plants for wastewater treatment.

    While the various styles of filter presses work differently, they all operate under similar principles. Slurries of 

water mixed with solids are pumped into the press by using a feeding pump. Once inside the press, pressure – often from a 

centrifugal pump or similar device – pushes the slurry through chambers made of filter plates. This removes impurities 

from the water as “filter cakes” of solids build up on the machine’s filters.

    Once the chambers of a filter press are full, its filtration cycle is complete, and the machine releases the filter 

cakes. These cakes are easily removed, allowing you to filter your water at high efficiencies. In filter presses, fast 

action automatic plate shifters may be used to help speed up cake removal and cycle time. In harsher environments where 

continuous operation is required – like in mining processes or chemical manufacturing plants – a fully automatic filter 

press design is needed to handle the 24-hour workloads.

    To get the best performance out of your filter press, the cloth of the filter should be specifically designed for your 

application and the types of solids that you are filtering.

    The following can also be customized to fit your individual needs:

    In addition to these, you can use additional systems such as cloth washing systems, drip trays, and cake shields to 

further increase filter press performance and functionality. Ultimately, each filter press should be designed based on the 

expected volume and type of slurry that it will be handling.

    Since filter presses work using pressure, equipment that increase pressure through the means of high-pressure 

technology are great for optimizing your dry 

tailings filter press system. That’s the secret to success for Matec? filter presses, which use pressures of 21 to 

30 bar to handle even the most difficult and hard to treat slurries, no matter the sector or application.

    Filter presses can be built in a wide range of sizes, from small, lab-scale presses, to those with much larger 

capacities, such as those with 2000×2000 mm plates.

    While filter presses are great pieces of dewatering equipment, they are best used on a slurry made up of about 50-60 

percent solids. Lower solids concentration requires running the water through a clarifier first.

    Clarifiers are best described as large settling tanks, preferably used in the initial dewatering phase. Here, water can 

enter at a much lower solids concentration, typically around 5-10 percent solids. Using gravity and polymers, clarifiers 

cause solids to build up at the bottom of the tank, where they can be discharged as sludge.

    The two main types of clarifiers are the horizontal rake style clarifier and the vertical deep cone 

clarifier. Vertical deep cone clarifiers use the principle of static decantation for a natural precipitation of solid 

material, while horizontal rake style clarifiers use a rake mechanism that stirs the sludge through rotation. Determining 

which type of clarifier is best for you depends on your clarifying needs, driven by maintenance costs, material types and 

solids requirements. You can read more on the two different types of clarifiers in our Water Facts blog, Deep Cone vs. 

Rake Style Clarifiers.

    When used in combination with each other, a clarifier and [url=http://www.cjfilterpress.com/filter-press/chemical-

filter-press/]chemical filter press[/url] can recover 90-95 percent of your water as clean water. The remaining water 

will discharge with the solids from the filter press.
    
    Here at ChemREADY, our team of water treatment experts can help bring your dewatering efforts together with a total 

water treatment that optimizes your systems. We can analyze your water from a chemical perspective to find the right 

flocculants, coagulants, and pH balancers that we can used to treat your water before it goes through mechanical 

separation. This helps to optimize the performance of your clarifiers and filter presses, giving you a better and more 

efficient total water treatment.
    
    Apart from our chemical products, we also can help get you setup with the best dewatering devices, including 

the Matec filter press.
    
    Compared to standard filter presses, the Matec filter press offers:
    
    Complete treatment with real automatic washing
            
    Fully automated systems
            
    Remote monitoring and assistance
            
    High-pressure technology (HPT) that works at 30 bar
            
    Open filtrate design, which allows for the simple and rapid identification of bad filter cloths
            
    Perfect cake discharge with gasser shakers
            
    Are you running a smaller business and wondering if a [url=http://www.cjfilterpress.com/filter-press/high-efficiency-

filter-press/]high efficiency filter press[/url] is right for you?
    
    Read our useful Water Facts blog Can my Small Operation Afford a Filter Press? to learn more.
    
    The Filter Press is one of the oldest filtration technologies still in use today. It was first developed in the mid 

1800’s. Unlike vacuum filters, which operate continually, the Filter Press and many other pressure filters run in batches. 

After a batch of slurry has run through the filter, and the filtrate drained out, it must shut down, open the filter pack, 

and discharge the solid cake.
    
    The components of a featured filter press

 include the frame or skeleton and the filter pack. The filter pack consists of plates, sometimes frames, and filter 

media.
    
    Stationary Head- The side of the frame without the closure system has a head that aligns with the filter pack. It 

is also known as the fixed head. It has a feed hole for the slurry to enter and drain hole for filtrate to exit.
    
    Follower Head- The hydraulic ram pushes the follower head, or thrust head against the filter pack. There are no 

feed or drain holes on this head.
    
    Closure System- A hydraulic ram is used to press the plates together and hold the filter together during 

operation. It creates a positive seal and prevents leaks.
    
    Sidebars- The smelting 

washing filter press plates rest on sidebars to keep alignment and bear weight.
    
    Pump- Necessary to create the pressure which drives the process, it is usually a positive displacement pump or a 

centrifugal feed pump.
    
    Extra Features- Newer models can include additional components like plate shifters, spray bars, and automatic cake 

dischargers.
    
    While cotton was the main filter media, in the 1960’s synthetic fibers created better performing and longer lasting 

press cloths. National Filter Media  has a wide variety of fibers, and weave types. Please contact Shane in the 

link on the Navbar if you would like to ensure that the cloth your filter  uses is the best one for your application.
                
    Here is a list of configurations for Media.
                
    Drape over cloth- Twice the length of a plate, a Drape Over Cloth sits on top of the plate and lays down each 

side. It can be held in place by small nubs, or “dog ears”.
                        
    Drape over paper- If cake has a tendency to blind filter media after one batch, a filter paper can be draped on 

top of the cloth. When the Filter Press opens to discharge, the paper is thrown out with the cake.
                        
    Duplex cloth- Two separate cloths, each the size of a plate’s single face, are sewn to a gusset that covers the feed 

hole that runs through a plate. The top and side edges of the cloth either have grommets or Velcro to secure both side of 

the cloth to the plate.
                        
    CGR Cloth- This duplex cloth is shaped to fit in the groove of a CGR Plate. There is a rope sewn into the cloth’s 

border that gets caulked into each side of the plate.
                        
    As filtrate passes through the filter cloth it collects on the plate panel and drains into outlet holes on the corner

(s) of the panel.  The outlet holes have a channel that goes into the adjacent corner eye.  The channel runs 

between the packing surfaces.  Another function of the system is to allow the cake to be dried “blown down” by 

compressed air.  The manifold piping at the end of the press can be valved to let air into the even numbered plates 

pushing the liquid thru the cloth/cake/cloth out the odd numbered plates. Sometimes particles of precoat and bodyfeed pass 

through the filter cloth and become trapped within the drainage channels plugging or partially blocking 

them.    It can be easy to overlook, since you can’t see into the channels unaided.
                        
   The plug likely occurs after a filter cloth tear or if the filter media is too permeable for the precoat and body feed 

used. The best time to check is when you notice a chamber has not formed a dry, firm cake as it usually does. If some 

chambers in the filter pack form great cakes and others form wet partial cakes, this could indicate which plates are 

plugged.

All You Need to Know About GFCI Outlets

    All You Need to Know About GFCI Outlets
    When it comes to electricity, safety has always been a major concern, but thanks to the development of ground fault 

circuit interrupter GFCI outlet (GFCIs), the risk of being severely 

shocked or electrocuted is greatly reduced. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), 

electrocutions are down 83 percent since the 1970s when GFCIs were introduced. These quick-to-react outlets are required by 

law in new home construction, and it’s a good idea to put them in older homes as well. Read on for must-know info on GFCIs

—what they are, how they work, and where to install them.

    In your home, the flow of electricity is contained within wires covered with rubber- or plastic-based insulating 

material. When everything goes as planned, the electrical current runs safely through the insulated wires to switches and 

wall plate outlets and on to the many appliances and gadgets we take for 

granted today. But in its raw state, electricity has a “mind” of its own, and left to its own devices—as evidenced by 

most lightning strikes—it makes a beeline for the ground.

    A ground fault is the occurrence of electricity taking an unintended path to the ground. It occurs when the electrical 

current escapes the insulated wires, as a result of a damaged cord or faulty wiring, and flows through a different 

conductor. If that different conductor is a human being, the result can be a serious electrical shock or electrocution. 

Because water is an excellent conductor of electricity, the risk of a ground fault occurring is greater in areas of your 

home where water is commonly used, such as near a kitchen sink.

    The singular purpose of a new GFCI outlet is to 

prevent electrical injury to humans, something regular outlets are not equipped to do. A standard household outlet features 

two, three-prong plug-in slots, while a GFCI outlet features the same plug-in configuration plus two buttons on its face: a 

“TEST” button and a “RESET” button. The rules requiring the installation of the GFCI outlets in new construction has 

expanded over the years to include more applicable locations:

    Normally, electrical current flows at a uniform rate through wiring, but when a ground fault occurs, the flow of 

electricity surges as it jumps to the unintended conductor. A GFCI outlet contains a sensor that monitors the flow of the 

electrical current through the wires, and when it senses a ground fault (in electrical terms, “fault” means any variation 

from the normal current), the GFCI, which also contains an internal switch, shuts off the flow of electricity in the 

outlet.

    While you may still receive a painful shock, the [url=http://www.3gracegfci.com/gfci-outlet/south-america-gfci-

outlet/]South America GFCI outlet[/url] will prevent a prolonged surge of electricity, the type that injures and kills. A 

standard outlet, like the type in your bedroom, doesn’t have a sensor.

    The National Electric Code (NEC) requires the installation of GFCI outlets in new construction in areas where 

electrical outlets are in close proximity to water. Older homes are not required to have GFCI outlets unless the wiring is 

being updated, but it’s a good idea to install them anyway.

    The NEC requires GFCIs on all exterior and bathroom receptacles (another term for outlets). GFCIs are also required on 

all receptacles serving kitchen countertops. In laundry rooms and utility rooms, GFCIs should be installed on outlets 

within six feet of sinks, washing machines, and water heaters. They should also be installed within six feet of a wet bar 

and in garages and unfinished basements.

    In bedrooms, living rooms, and other areas where water fixtures are not found, regular outlets are fine—and they are 

still installed in today’s new homes. The ESFI estimates that approximately 43 million homes in the U.S. still 

do not have GFCIs installed in “wet” rooms, and notes that as many as 47 percent of today’s electrocutions could be 

prevented in older homes if GFCIs were installed.

    A DIYer with basic knowledge of electrical wiring may be able to replace an existing outlet with a 

decorative GFCI plate (instructions below), but 

only when swapping out a three-prong outlet—two plugin slots and a hole. Outlets with only two slots and no third hole 

indicate the presence of older wiring that should only be replaced by a licensed electrician.

    The other caveat is that only outlets connected to three wires are suitable for DIY replacement. Outlets with three 

attached wires (remove the outlet plate to determine the number of attached wires) indicate that the outlet is located 

at the end of an electrical circuit (a wiring loop that starts and finishes at the breaker panel). An outlet with five 

attached wires is located in the middle of an electric circuit, and the wiring process is more complicated—only a licensed 

electrician should replace those outlets.

    Replacing an existing outlet at the end of a circuit (as explained above) is not particularly difficult, but the task 

requires some experience. You should understand how outlets are wired and how electrical current travels from the breaker 

panel through each electrical circuit (wiring loop) in your home. Some communities prohibit homeowners from doing their own 

wiring, so check with your local building authority before you start.

    During the recent 2020 code review, panel members of the National Electrical Code (NEC) approved changes to ground 

fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection. Those changes dramatically reduce the dangers associated with electrical 

hazard and shock. The most significant change is the increase of amp protection ratings across all receptacle outlets, both 

indoor and outdoor, wherever GFCI protection is required. 

    The 2020 change
    Code-making panel 2 (CMP 2) updated text to read, “All 125-volt through 250-volt receptacles installed in the 

locations specified in 210.8(A) (1) through (11) and supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to 

ground shall have ground fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel.” In layman’s terms, the NEC removed amp 

values across all amp-rated receptacle outlets requiring GFCI protection in the areas listed in this section. 

    The rationale for change
    NEC 2017 language only accounts for 15- and 20-amp receptacle outlets for dwelling units. During 2020 code review 

meetings, panel members agreed that hazards always exist; if 15- and 20-amp receptacle outlets present a hazard, that 

hazard also exists on 30-amp and higher receptacle outlets. However, it was difficult to understand the likelihood of a 

hazardous occurrence when weighed against expanded requirements. Recent home-based electrocution accidents – a 10-

year-old girl behind an energized appliance, a child in Oklahoma retrieving a pet behind a clothes dryer, 

a 10-year-old Houston boy playing hide and seek — helped panel members realize the need for change. In light of 

these tragic events, we now have a requirement that sets a higher standard across more areas of the Code, though there are 

some exceptions discussed later in this blog.

    What might the future hold?
    The NEC mandates GFCI protection in many areas of the home: bathrooms, garages, outdoor receptacles, crawl spaces, 

basements, kitchens and anything within six feet of a sink or water source. While that may seem like a lot, the entirety of 

a home is not covered. The reality is when people have a problem with a tripped circuit, it's entirely possible 

they’ll use an extension cord to plug into a receptacle outlet that's not GFCI protected. Doing so does nothing to 

eliminate the original hazard potentially caused by the device in use. I hope that NEC members account for the human factor 

and require GFCI coverage throughout the home during the next code review.


    The 2020 change
    The NEC expanded GFCI protection for dwelling units with basements both finished and unfinished. 

    The rationale for change
    Often afterthoughts that present unique hazards, basements are typically not as well maintained as other areas of the 

home. Further, environments are often wet and damp, and moisture is a great conductor. These code updates help ensure that 

accidents due to factors such as leakage current and contact with water are considerably lessened or eliminated. 

    What might the future hold?
    Many rooms in a home are already required to have GFCI protection. While it feels like the most logical code 

progression, others in the industry still pushback on requiring GFCIs throughout a home claiming financial concerns or 

installation problems. As with the parental language update, I believe this code change can inspire discussions to include 

GFCIs throughout the home. 

    The NEC expanded GFCI protection under Article 210.63(A) for HVAC equipment and Article 210.63(B) for indoor service 

equipment and indoor equipment requiring dedicated space.

    The rationale for change
    Equipment location is at the crux of this update. While HVAC equipment in the basement is covered now that all basement 

circuits are GFCI protected, HVAC equipment located in attics and other areas would likely not have GFCI protection. CMP 2 

recognized that many HVAC areas are typically tight working spaces where technicians perform justified energized work (they 

can’t troubleshoot a de-energized circuit). In essence, the update assures equipment requiring service has a GFCI-

protected receptacle outlet for ready access.  

    What might the future hold?
    Because this is the NEC’s first venture into expanding 210.63, I expect some inspectors and contractors may not see 

eye to eye on code language. Industry discussions across the country and during future review cycles will help the NEC make 

future improvements. 

   The NEC updated the Code for outdoor electrical 

outlet plates supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts to ground or less, 50 amps or less. Key to 

this update: it extends beyond receptacle outlets to include all outlets. Now all hard-wired equipment falls under the Code

’s purview. 

    The rationale for change
    One downfall of the electrical business is that it’s more reactive than proactive, with accidents often the catalyst 

for change. Numerous incidents inspired this code change, including an accident involving a 12-year-old boy who 

jumped over a fence and touched an AC condenser unit with an electrical fault. The outer metal housing was electrified and 

the child was fatally electrocuted immediately upon coming in contact with the condenser and fence 

simultaneously.  

    What might the future hold?
    GFCI technology is unforgiving in that it’s built to detect even the slightest power variance, and when expanded to 

include outlets impacting new types of loads, questions arise. With GFCIs installed, leakage-current trips may be near 

constant, rendering large equipment unusable. In the future, I hope industries rethink products with acceptable leakage 

current, hertz and frequency values to reduce future compatibility issues.

    Further, this change will likely spur discussions related to current GFCI requirements focusing only on receptacle 

outlets. Hardwiring equipment does not eliminate the electrical hazard. I venture someone will propose public inputs during 

the next code-review cycle to

    The NEC reviewed all locations with a GFCI requirement and aligned with Article 210.8. Updates were made in many 

locations to include text, such as “in addition to the requirements of 210.8” and similar, to clarify language and 

eliminate misinterpretation.  

    The rationale for change
    The NEC included Article 210.8(B) for other than dwelling units in 1993. Before its inclusion, builders relied on 

requirements in later chapters of the Code (chapters five through seven), for safety guidance. For example, RV Park GFCI 

requirements added in 1978 aligned with 210.8’s 15- and 20-amp receptacle outlet GFCI protection philosophy at that time. 

NEC 2017 created some confusion when 210.8(B) increased GFCI protection requirements beyond 15- and 20-amp receptacle 

outlets for other than dwelling units. This presented a challenge: a chapter two requirement applied a generally wider 

level of GFCI protection. This conflicted with chapter five, which has less coverage of GFCI protection.

    The correlating committee recognized similar conflicts exist across industries and formulated a task group that 

challenged every code panel to look at their GFCI requirements and attempt to align them with 210.8’s 50-amp increase. 

 

   What might the future hold?
    Each code panel performed their review; some made changes, others did not. There is room for discussion in future 

revisions of the Code regarding shock hazards in the special other than dwelling unit applications. I believe the NEC will 

soon increase its focus on GFCIs and hopefully add clarity as each application in chapters five through seven approaches 

GFCI protection differently.  

    While representatives in agriculture and RV industries have valid concerns about nuisance tripping, I believe the NEC 

should revisit Article 547 for agricultural buildings and Article 551 for RVs and RV parks to address valid shock hazard 

concerns and consider increasing GFCI protection to 50 amps.

    The rationale for change
    Farming and RV industries rely on circuits that operate at well over 20 amps, yet no safety requirements exist. Much of 

the equipment used in these industries can be quite old with leakage current a serious concern. In my opinion, the Code 

lacks parity in how safety requirements exist in some industries and not in others. That must change.

    The studies needed to promote change exist. The University of Iowa and the University of Nebraska have uncovered many 

incidents where farmers lost their lives due to faulty agricultural electrical equipment. Further, RV “hot skin,” a 

situation where the entirety of an RV’s outer housing becomes energized due to electrical faults, can kill in an instant, 

as was the case when a young boy died when touching an RV. If RV parks and farms running 30- to 50-amp receptacles 

without GFCI protection is not deemed a concern worth addressing, how can anyone claim running 30- to 50-amp receptacles 

outside of dwelling units is a hazard? Common sense dictates both are hazards and change is necessary. 

    What might the future hold?
    I appreciate that equipment compatibility issues on farms and at RV parks may require much time and financial capital 

to resolve. However, I cannot condone sitting idle as lives are lost. I hope a series of discussions during the next code 

review cycle inspires commissioning an NFPA Fire Protection Research Foundation study to further understand the 

implications of expanding GFCI protection beyond 15 and 20 amps in RV parks and farms. Let’s study the problem, understand 

the challenges and determine solutions that increase safety.