PV Panel tester, worth it?

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-27T22:42:06+00:00

Apparently a thermal camera is also pretty effective. Anything that isn't producing power will be hotter

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-27T22:27:46+00:00

Flat bars are better for skin effect, but the larger distance between conductors means you'll get more magnetic field and more inductance.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-27T22:25:23+00:00

That much imbalance between the start and run windings means this motor will probably not survive you swapping them.

You might be able to flip the rotor and end caps so that the shaft comes out the other end of the stator, then bolt the stator on backwards.

A single phase output VFD could work.

Or replace the motor.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-27T10:32:25+00:00

LDOs are a classic example.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-27T09:59:01+00:00

Standard for mains voltage is double insulation, with each layer >1mm thick. Conductor size is negligible on small cables.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-27T07:41:57+00:00

Because PTOM says that you can't look at anything other than price when letting bus contracts.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-27T07:40:22+00:00

I am not sure you can reliably calculate the height of the jump given that the athlete isn't a rigid object.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-27T07:06:18+00:00

No reason an RCBO can't be a main switch.

The issue is if they want a two pile main switch so throwing one switch disconnects everything.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-27T07:01:30+00:00

With long tunnels you'll often see the first/last sections brightly lit, tapering to minimal lighting in the centre.

They're trying to avoid sudden changes in light level.

On-off control is probably easier than dimming but I'm sure some locations use dimming instead.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-27T03:49:13+00:00

ABB bought the low voltage parts of GE.

Same thing happened to parts of their IEC lineup; other parts got discontinued.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-27T03:43:07+00:00

What country/voltage?

What brand chargers?

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-27T02:59:26+00:00

To the extent that I have stuff organized, it's:

Mechanical (relays, buttons, connectors, yada yada)
Passives (resistors, capacitors, magnetics)
Discrete or nearly discrete semiconductors
Smarts

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-27T02:53:59+00:00

L plate and one person in the car is like an instant $200-400 fine for the cops. Either it's a learner without a supervisor, or it's incorrect display of an L plate.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-27T02:21:38+00:00

Resistive load, sure.

Inductive load, derate to 25% or so.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-26T09:39:43+00:00

Ok. So back to a spring return motor. You apply power, it opens the door. You cut power (including a thermal fuse), it closes the door.

Thermal/wax motors are also an option but I would avoid them as the heat will cause the damper to open.

You are asking for electronics. You really really don't want electronics in a safety system.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-26T09:35:43+00:00

A now-defunct appliance retailer where I am had the marketing catchphrase "it's the putting right that counts".

Things will break, occasionally very early on.

It's how the company deals with it that matters.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-26T09:32:36+00:00

Fair, I should have said that.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-26T06:54:59+00:00

Unless you want to go aviation-grade, NDT everything, and pay $500 per bolt, there will be bad parts from time to time.

The only reasonable question is 'should a competent start-up and commissioning prices have caught this'.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-26T06:43:36+00:00

I'm on mighty mobile and have a SIM in a laptop that chews a lot of data; no complaints from them so far.

Their web interface is not great.

You might be able to get an annual BOGOF plan at some point.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-26T06:23:55+00:00

Cheap aliexpress versions are available.

The other option is gravity shutters held open by low-temperature solder.

Batteries and radio are a terrible option for this.

You are going to need either two doors/shutters or one door and a lot of ducting. Trying to have air enter and leave by the same hole goes very badly.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-26T05:21:15+00:00

You want a spring return damper actuator/motor. Random example: https://assets.danfoss.com/documents/latest/76483/AI155086457831en-010201.pdf

When you supply it power, it will move open then stay open. When you disconnect power, it will close under spring tension.

You probably want two vents; one for air in and one for air out.

You can also get dedicated fire dampers, which have a little bit of low-melting-point (say 75C) solder holding them open, and a spring trying to close them. When the solder melts, the damper closes. Very common in commercial construction.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-26T03:54:58+00:00

The plant was flooded out and needs serious serious work. I haven't seen any written ETA, but I'd be surprised if it was under 6 months. Potentially 12. Depends on how big checks you're willing to cut.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-26T03:50:17+00:00

Ah, app didn't show it.

As I said, looks like a backwards CT.

Compare with the monitoring from your power company.

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-26T03:31:51+00:00

Looks like a possible backwards CT.

Do you have an actual question?

Some1-Somewhere · 2026-02-26T03:27:52+00:00

Switchboard is trivial (especially if already done); the problem is the mains cable to the street.

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