Author: Mitchell

Finding the Right Dryer Plug

The other day, my friend called me in a panic when he moved into his new house.dryers  When trying to install his new dryer, he noticed his dryer plug did not match the outlet.  His dryer plug only had three prongs, while they outlet had four holes.  While this may be alarming, it is a very common problem.

Prior to 1997, all dryer cords and receptacles only had three prongs and three receptacle holes.  There was one neutral prong and two positive prongs.  However, in 1997, the National Electric Code mandated that all dryers be outfitted with 4 prongs.  A ground prong was added.  If you have read my previous posts on grounding, you will know that grounding an electronic device is very important for safety reasons. Continue reading Finding the Right Dryer Plug

Wire Harmonization

singerBefore you start warming up your vocal cords, let me set the record straight; wire harmonization has very little to do with a capella groups and barber shop quartets. Instead, wire harmonization focuses on a standard developed in Europe to bring together wires from different companies.

Wire harmonization refers to a European process where several European standards are merged into one. Since Europe is densely populated, as well as divided into many countries, harmonization was developed in order to bring together standards, making it easier to wire electrical devices across the continent. Continue reading Wire Harmonization

Halloween Electrical Safety

HalloweenPowerCordIt’s that time of year again, when things get a little spooky.  The stairs creak a louder, there seems to be more sounds in the dark, and even though you know it’s your neighbor’s dog, you can’t help but think “Werewolf” when you hear it howl at night.  The spookiest thing for me, though, is Halloween electrical safety.

With all of your lighting and blow up vampires and ghastly decorations, it’s very easy to get swept up in the holiday spirit.  However, Halloween electrical safety is very important.  The first thing to check when unloading old decorations is that there are no frayed or exposed wires.  Decorations can sit in storage for so long that you never know what little creatures may have chewed through the wire, or what kind of damage they may have suffered. Continue reading Halloween Electrical Safety

E-Commerce

Today, I take on an important topic: E-commerce. Let me begin by saying that I love the Internet. I think it’s great. The endless mirage of cat GIF’s, and cute puppies, and countless articles that chip away at my time during work. While the Internet is a wonderful place, you may also encounter traps and tricks hidden behind cute kitty GIF’s. It is especially important to be prudent when shopping online.Computer

I have heard many stories of friends purchasing plugs and cords online only to find them falling apart. There was a recent scandal where someone died from a counterfeit iPhone charger purchased over the Internet. Fires and other safety hazards can begin from wires made of poor quality. With access to the Internet increasing, it is important to look at quality just as much as price.

Continue reading E-Commerce

Conductor Colors

wiresI’ve already declared my unbridled love for color, so there is no more of an appropriate time than the present to talk even more about colors.  However, in this post, we are discussing conductor colors.  In every standard cord, there are three conductors connecting the wires to the proper slot; ground, neutral or live, and providing inner insulation.  Matching up each wire to the proper conductor is very important to ensure electrical safety, so each conductor is color coded! Continue reading Conductor Colors

Brazil Standard

FlagBrazil is a wonderful, beautiful country filled with rich history and culture.  However, previous to 2010, the country was lacking in one major area; electrical standardization. There was no formal Brazil standard for any electrical sockets or plugs.  Since there was no standard, that led to a total of eight different kinds of plugs.  That’s right; eight!  The multitude of options caused Brazilian citizens and tourists alike to have a difficult time connecting different plugs and wires for numerous electronic devices. Continue reading Brazil Standard

RoHS and REACH Compliance

You may have noticed an uptick in the terms “RoHS” and “REACH” compliant.  They seem like technical, foreign terms. In reality, though, they’re there for your protection. Quail Electronics is RoHS and REACH compliant, but that probably doesn’t mean a lot to you unless you know what those terms mean. We’ve included a description of those terms, and why they’re important.

RoHSRoHS stands for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive.  RoHS regulations were developed in the UK to promote environmental and human safety.  The goal of the RoHS directive is to protect consumers from substances that have been found to be hazardous. RoHS regulations became official on July 1, 2006.  While RoHS regulations were initially only used in the UK, other countries have begun to adopt them. Continue reading RoHS and REACH Compliance

National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association – NEMA

nemaYou may be looking for a plug wondering, what is NEMA? What does it mean? Is it the name of Nemo’s long lost sister? Quail Electronics is here to explain all the ins and outs of NEMA, what it means, why it’s significant, and why it matters in the world of power cords.

NEMA stands for the National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association.  As an association of electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers, NEMA’s goal is to create and promote safe electrical products and standards. NEMA’s work includes standards for motors and generators, magnet wire, and, of course, plugs. Continue reading National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association – NEMA

MD&M Chicago Wrap-Up

Oh boy! The Quail crew just got back from MDM Chicago, and boy was it fun! Not only did we get to meet tons of great people, we loved showing off our new products!

MDM Blog Pic

Our new International Auto-Lock got some great responses, as well as our Hospital Grade Power Cords. We hit the Windy City for three days, and it could not have gone better! Our booth featured lots of giveaways, as well as exciting products, including our colored cords, USB power chargers, and rotating power strips!

fish people

The trade show was located at the McCormik Place and was packed full of presenters and interested customers. While some people went straight to the big ticket items, others learned about our great power cords. Although seemingly small, these cords are vital in ensuring that power is streaming to all devices, especially in hospitals.  

It was a great show, and hopefully, everyone who attended enjoyed it as well!

By Clark Cable

Instead of boasting about himself, Clark would like to thank all of the great people who came by our booth. He would also like to make a special shout out to the wonderful Quail representatives that did such a great job in Chicago.

Amps in Relation to Wire Gauge

SJT wire blueAs my philosophy professor once told me, logic is a fickle thing.  What we often think makes perfect sense never actually does. Those who’ve toiled with justice, love, and the American Wire Gauge system know exactly what I’m talking about.  But no worries; Quail Electronics will explain it all, from wire gauge to the right amperage.  In a previous post, I addressed how the larger the AWG number, the smaller the wire actually is.  This also influences how much amperage is allowed through a wire. Continue reading Amps in Relation to Wire Gauge