Tips on Attending the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE) 3E XPO 2018

Tips on Attending the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE) 3E XPO 2018

The largest gathering of professionals in the electronics, electrical, and energy industry will occur this November in the SMX Convention Center, right here in the Philippines! Brought to you by the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines Inc. (or IIEE for short), the 43rd Annual National Convention will showcase some of the country’s biggest electrical companies!  Multiple businesses from around the Philippines will feature their magnificent products to each and every delegate that will be attending.

You’ll find many electrical suppliers in Metro Manila displaying their products and inventions to the whole convention! That being said, this event is for engineers, entrepreneurs, businesspeople, and enthusiasts who want to become part of the biggest community of electrical engineers in the Philippines!

The 43rd ANC is also the ideal place to capitalize on business opportunities! With many companies like Meiji Electric participating, you’ll be sure to find a number of prospects of your own!

For those who are planning to join this event, here are a few tips on what you can do to make your day in the event a bit more fruitful!

 

Pre-register for the Event

It’s like what everyone always says “The early bird gets the worm.” However, this does not mean that you are over excited about the event. It simply states that you get to plan and prepare.

Before the event even starts, it is necessary for you to do some planning and preparation regarding ‘what to do.’ You can make adjustments on your schedules and prepare your mind before the event. In addition, you won’t have to worry about getting in line to register; you can also maximize the time you will spend on the event. Most of all, you will have time for yourself without worrying about getting late for registration.

Prepare For The Event

Prepare for the Event

Events usually have a dress code you should follow. However, if there is no stated dress code, it is always best to stick to wearing something semi-formal or formal. Do consider wearing formal attire if you are representing a company or if you simply want to look more professional. This should help you approach other individuals or groups attending the event.

Aside from your attire, you should also take note of bringing the following:

  • Calling cards
  • Notebook and a pen
  • Phone and charger
  • A small laptop and charger

Avoid bringing a bulky baggage though, since you will be walking all day; you don’t want to get hassled with your belongings.

 

Round-Up and Connect

Once in the event, it would be best for you to explore as much as possible. Approach booths that catch your attention and try to start up conversations. Remember that while you’re inside, everyone there will either be presenters, staff, or delegates so don’t be afraid to start or join conversations from time to time.

  • Always introduce yourself first
  • Give a handshake before and after your conversation
  • Stand up straight and maintain your posture while talking
  • Always listen to the conversation and avoid interrupting the one speaking
  • Maintain eye contact
  • Be attentive with your posture (don’t cross your arms while talking)
  • Be polite

There will be a lot of booths and companies that will present their products or proposals so always take note of who are they and what they do; this might help you in the future business with them. If you happened to see the Meiji Electric’s Booth inside, you can approach them and say hi. They will be very glad that you’ve come to see them.

 Organized And Follow Up

Organized and Follow Up

After the event, you might gain a lot of prospects. It is important to keep track of their information because they might contact you in the near future so you must remember all the things that you have conversed with them. Keep in mind that every one of them is a potential client that can give you business opportunities.

Setting up a formal meeting with your prospects is also advised. This would let them know that you are serious regarding building a connection with them. Keeping in touch with potential clients and sending them proposals will ensure that they remember you.

To have a good proposal, you must address the specific client’s requirements (it’s not about what you want to offer to them but what they need from you). Be sure that you keep it formal and simple. Focus on the content of your proposal and don’t overwhelm them with unnecessary information.

 

Key Takeaway

The IIEE 3E XPO 2018 is going to be the largest convention that features electrical companies, electronics providers, and electrical suppliers in Metro Manila! It’s going to be one of the biggest events that will be happening before the year ends. Before attending the said event, make sure to read the tips listed above so you can be prepared.

The Advantages of Using an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

What are the advantages of using an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)?

  1. It ensures power continuity
  2. It prevents significant data loss
  3. It offers equipment protection
  4. It helps save time, effort, and money

 

A short visit to any electrical supplier in Metro Manila could make you aware of the uninterruptible power supply (UPS), but why go to all that trouble when you can sit back and relax as we tell you – or write – everything there is to know about this amazing yet slightly less known device.

An uninterruptible power supply or uninterruptible power source is a device that serves as a backup battery for hardware components. It is most commonly used with desktop computers but can also be hooked up to data centers and telecommunication equipment. In essence, it allows these electrical equipments and hardware to continue running in the midst of a power outage or any surge or drop in power.

You can liken it to a backup generator except for one huge difference. A generator can power devices for long periods of time often lasting for hours to days. A UPS, on the other hand, can only keep equipment running for a short period of time – literally minutes. Because of this, there’s a wide misconception that they’re not worth the investment. This, however, is completely false.

The fact that it can only keep your equipment powered for a few short minutes doesn’t mean that it’s useless. A UPS offers many other benefits that not many people know about, so we enumerated them here!

 Ensures Power Continuity

Ensures Power Continuity

switch and turn it on. What this means is that your desktop or hardware still loses power and you’d have to wait for it to start up again.

With a UPS, you won’t have to sit through the long start up or worry about any kind of power disruption. Any disturbance in power triggers the UPS and allows it to kick in. Sure, it may only be able to power your computer for a few minutes but that’s more than enough time to switch from your main power source to your backup generator.

After doing so, you can go back to regular programming as if nothing happened and just wait for the power to come back.

 

Prevents Significant Data Loss

Let’s say you don’t have any kind of backup generator and a power outage means complete loss of power to your area, what purpose would the UPS serve then? Well, in that case, what it can do is prevent significant data loss.

We all know how important data is nowadays, being a very valuable resource for everyone to use. The thing about it, however, is that it takes a great amount of time and effort to gather but only a quick second to lose. An instant and unannounced power outage can strip you of data that you gathered for hours on end, essentially throwing your efforts down the drain.

Luckily, you can prevent such a thing from happening with a UPS. The short time that the device gives you allows you to properly save or backup any important data before they get thrown into the abyss.

 Offers Equipment Protection

Offers Equipment Protection

As mentioned in a previous section, the UPS is triggered by any kind of power disruption and isn’t specifically sensitive to loss of power. Other possible triggers – which professionals call power variances – are spikes, surges, sags, and noise.

All these things, blackouts and brownouts included, can damage your electrical equipment one way or another. Surges – an increase in voltage – excessively dissipate heat to electronic components which may cause damage or premature failure. Spikes (or significant but almost instant voltage increases), on the other hand, can corrupt your data and prompt components to break down.

A UPS filters these things and allows only for a steady stream of power to travel to your equipment. As a result, it stays protected from any damage brought about by inconsistent power levels, enabling it to live far longer than any equipment that isn’t backed by a UPS.

There are also UPS systems that simply warn you of unusual power activity which then gives you the chance to safely and properly turn off your device until levels go back to normal.

 

Helps Save Time, Effort, and Money

When your power source acts up, data isn’t the only thing that gets lost but also productivity and money. Think about it this way, any unsaved, lost, and/or corrupted data must be retrieved. You’re lucky if your computer or equipment backed it up but if it didn’t, then you’d have to spend hours (maybe even days) to get back everything you lost.

It may be necessary but it’s also a huge waste. That’s time, effort, and money you could’ve used on more important things but instead you spend on redoing work you’ve already done. This may not seem too big of a deal to individuals but it definitely means a great deal to businesses who thrive on important data.

If you own a business that stands to lose a lot of revenue when data is lost due to unavoidable events such as power outages, we highly recommend that you hook up your computers to a UPS.

 

Key Takeaway

Now that you’ve learned about the UPS and its many advantages, you can head to a trusted electrical supplier in Metro Manila and purchase one for yourself or for your business. We guarantee that it’s well worth the investment and you’d thank yourself for doing so sometime in the future!

A Close Look at the Meiji All Plastic Home Panel (MAP)

A Close Look at the Meiji All Plastic Home Panel (MAP)

Why should you choose the Meiji all plastic home panel for your panel board needs?

  1. Provides total protection
  2. Durable and impact resistant
  3. Reduces risk of electrical hazards
  4. Aesthetic and simple design
  5. Quick and easy installation
  6. Wide application

 

Electrical enclosures are important components of any electrical system – whether for the home or not. You can ask your local electrical supplier in Metro Manila about this particular component but be prepared for a long discussion. There are many types of electrical enclosures available in the market such as junction boxes, consoles, electrical cabinets, motor control centers, and troughs. You might end up getting lectured about each and every single one of these if you ask in general.

As a homeowner, you don’t really need to study up on every single type because the chance of you coming across a majority of them is slim. At the very least, however, you need to have basic knowledge of home panel enclosures. As the name suggests, this particular type houses your home’s distribution board or panel board. The panel board is one of the most important components of your electrical system because it is what separates your entire power supply into circuits.

For the sake of electrical safety and proper flow of electricity, it needs to fulfill this purpose without any kind of disruption and that can only happen if it is kept safe within a durable panel enclosure. We’d gladly help you with this matter. Among the many home panels in the market, we can safely say that Meiji all plastic home panels are of the best ones and here are the reasons why:

 Provides Total Protection

Provides Total Protection

Electrical enclosures have two main purposes and one of them is to protect the electrical component, in this case the panel board, from any and all things that may stop or disrupt function. Water, for example, must be kept away at all times because it may damage the entire system and even cause some unfortunate incidents. The same can be said for dirt and dust. These particles may not be the cause of serious accidents, but they may prevent the distribution board from efficiently performing its tasks.

With Meiji’s all plastic home panel, you won’t ever have to worry about such things reaching your panel board. No amount of dust, water, or any other material will slip through this enclosure.

 

Durable and Impact Resistant

Water and dust aren’t the only things that could damage your electrical systems. Strong impacts – unintentional or not – as well as high temperatures can also cause the distribution box to falter.

However, there is no need to worry yourself with such matters when you have the Meiji all plastic home panel. The component is made from the best possible material called ABS plastic. This is a thermoplastic polymer that has excellent fire-resistant and impact-resisting properties guaranteed to keep your distribution box safe from any possible damages.

 Reduces Risk of Electrical Hazards

Reduces Risk of Electrical Hazards

The other purpose of an electrical enclosure is to protect people from possible electrical hazards such as electrocution. Distribution boards carry large currents that are absolutely dangerous for living beings. One wrong slip of the hand and any unintentional contact with the component can actually result in serious – sometimes deadly – injuries.

Home panels were created in order to avoid such incidents and other potential dangers. Out of the two main types – plastic and metal – the former is much preferred and recommended by most electrical suppliers in Metro Manila. This is because of the non-conductive properties of the material.

All plastic home panels, like the one offered by Meiji, can insulate currents in the event that they bleed out and keep residents safe so long as the enclosure remains closed. Metal, on the other hand, may conduct the current if not properly grounded and electrocute anyone who touches the enclosure.

 

Aesthetic and Simple Design

When it comes to purchasing electrical components, people don’t really have aesthetics at the top of their list of things to consider. You have to admit, though, that it would be nice to have a component that not only functions as needed but can also contribute to the overall aesthetics of your home. After all, if you’re going to cover your distribution board, which isn’t easy on the eyes, you might as well do it with a component that can add beauty to your interior décor.

That’s exactly what Meiji all plastic home panels can offer on top of protection and ease of installation. These enclosures are made with a beautiful and simple design that can fit into any interior. You may not think much of this feature – which, by the way, is rarely seen in other home panel enclosures – but you’ll learn to appreciate it once you have it installed.

Quick and Easy Installation

Quick and Easy Installation

Installation is mostly a matter for electricians and experts to worry about and never for the homeowner to think of, but we think it’s time to change that practice. You can actually save a lot if you choose to install basic and simple electrical components.

Plastic home panels are one of the easiest components to install and the simple design of Meiji’s products makes the job a lot easier. All you have to do is to exercise safety, use appropriate tools, and accurately follow instructions.

 

Wide Application

Even though it’s called a home panel, it’s application isn’t limited to households. It can be used in other residential and commercial buildings. Whether you need a home panel for a high-rise condominium, supermarket, hospital, or office space, Meiji’s all plastic home panel is your ideal choice. The product also comes in a number of sizes, so you won’t have trouble finding one that fits any space.

 

Key Takeaway

If you’re looking for an all plastic home panel that can adequately serve its purpose and is worth the money, then we highly suggest that you go with the ones from Meiji – a premier electrical supplier in Metro Manila. Meiji’s all plastic home panels are guaranteed to be safe and are appealing additions to your home’s electrical system!

Even though it’s called a home panel, its application isn’t limited to households. It can be used in other residential and commercial buildings. Whether you need a home panel for a high-rise condominium, supermarket, hospital, or office space, Meiji’s all plastic home panel is your ideal choice.

It is also a viable choice for many establishments in Metro Manila because the price is at the economic level, with the features that are on par with more expensive home panels. Because of its qualities of being pure plastic, Meiji’s all plastic home panel is much affordable than the regular home panel but you can expect that you will have the same quality and protection for your devices.

Meiji also guarantees that you will have the best after sales service and warranties that will satisfy your needs.

Comparing Plastic and Metal Home Panel Boards

Comparing Plastic and Metal Home Panel Boards

What factors do you need to consider when it comes to choosing between plastic and metal home panel boards?

  • Grounding
  • Durability
  • Installation
  • Cost

 

A panel board, also often called distribution board, is an element of the electrical system that has the primary function of dividing the electrical power feed into supplementary circuits. In addition, it provides a shielding or a protective fuse/circuit breaker for each circuit in a single enclosure. If you go to your local electrical supplier in Metro Manila, you’re sure to find panel boards equipped with different components and in a wide variety of shapes.

Oftentimes, it is made up of several electrical components such as the main switch, fuse links, bus bars, switches, and bypass equipment. There are also those that are incorporated with one or more residual-current devices (RCD) and/or residual current breakers with overcurrent protection (RCBO). While these panel boards can be categorized based on the components they carry, it is more common for them to be divided according to their enclosure.

There are two main types of panel board enclosure – plastic and metal. Admittedly, most distribution boards installed in houses – also known as consumer units – are often made from sheet metal. However, plastic home panel board enclosures have entered the market and are proving to be able competitors. People are now torn between these two types and are often stumped when forced to decide between them.

If you’re in a similar position, we highly suggest you continue reading as we pit these two types against each other and find out which comes out on top!

 

Grounding

As someone who isn’t well-versed in handling electrical systems, the concept of grounding may be lost to you – like it is in many people – so we’ll briefly explain what it is. To put it simply, grounding is a safety measure that is used to protect people from accidentally coming in contact with electrical hazards. It involves creating a backup pathway for the current to flow into in case something goes wrong with the system, essentially lowering the risk of electrocution and other electrical damage.

At this point in time, grounding has become a necessity and is being done to all electrical systems that have a metallic surface, which may include your panel board. Since metal is conductive in nature, it is important that these systems must be grounded.

Plastic enclosures are non-conductive and don’t necessarily have to be grounded despite housing large electrical circuits. Although it is ideal for safety, it can be skipped completely if you go for a plastic home panel board.

 

Durability

Metal home panel boards are usually made from American standard steel which is known to be tough and durable. They are designed to last for a long time and can withstand heavy wear and tear. It would take a lot of power to scratch, dent, and completely destroy these metal enclosures.

Plastic home panel boards can also be considered durable especially those made from polycarbonate plastic – a material used to make signboards, machine guards, face shields, skylights, and more. It can withstand a significant amount of wear and tear, but it’s undeniable that it is slightly lacking when compared to metal panel boards.

When up against the forces of nature (i.e. weather), there is a chance for plastic to swell up and get deformed and, unfortunately, there’s no countering this problem. Metal, on the other hand, needs to fight against rust, but you can easily sidestep this by going for a metal enclosure that is coated in aluminum.

 

Installation

Plastic, without a doubt, is the easier one to install because it is significantly lighter and easier to handle. With proper guidance and while observing safety precautions, you could successfully install a plastic home panel board by yourself. Due to their lightweight, you can effortlessly lift and transfer the part from one place to another. On top of this, they aren’t as bulky, making them beneficial for special, small, and complex applications.

Metal home panel boards are as heavy as they sound and look; you’re going to need an extra pair of hands if you want them installed properly. Typically, you should ask the help of a professional because as said earlier, there is the matter of grounding the metal panel board.

Although both should be installed by professionals, it isn’t unusual for plastic panel board installation to be done DIY-style. Metal panel board installation, on the other hand, requires an extra set of hands – more often that of a professional’s.

 

Cost

While there isn’t much of a price difference, there is no denying that plastic is the cheaper choice between the two. Plastic, after all, is the most cost-effective and economical material available in the market. Moreover, you can further reduce cost by doing DIY installation and removing the need for grounding.

However, you have to take into account the pros that you can get from installing a metal home panel board. For the most part, they are considered more durable and offer more protection against the weather, which could be crucial depending on where you live.

When it comes to cost, you can say that plastic is the cheaper option, but that doesn’t automatically mean that it is the better one. You have to consider other factors in the cost of the panel board before you can truly decide which is worth your money.

 

Key Takeaway

At the end of the day, both types – with their own set of advantages and disadvantages – are sure to serve their purpose in the best way possible. The best one for your home ultimately depends on your situation and surroundings. Once you’ve arrived at a logical and well-informed decision, you can then head to your trusted electrical supplier in Metro Manila and purchase the home panel board of your choice!

4 Safety Precautions When Inspecting Your Home’s Electrical System

4 Safety Precautions When Inspecting Your Home's Electrical System

What important safety precautions should you follow when inspecting your home’s electrical system?

  1. Disconnect from the power source
  2. Use the proper gear and tools
  3. Remove every drop of water
  4. Mark and report all defective equipment

 

Incidents, casualties, and billions worth of damage have stemmed from defective and poorly maintained electrical systems, which is why it is imperative that you conduct a regular inspection of your home’s electrical system. Usually, these inspections are done by someone from a trusted and reliable electrical supplier in Metro Manila but you can get by with doing it yourself every so often.

Professionals recommend that you have your electrical system inspected twice a year (or once every six months) but the number may increase depending on the condition of your house. An older one may require more inspections and, although necessary, it can get a little pricey. As a solution, try to do some of the inspections yourself – say, you do one or two out of the required number of times.

Naturally, there is danger in doing them yourself but you can easily sidestep them. The only thing you have to do is take note of the necessary safety precautions and follow them every time you’re doing an inspection.

 

Disconnect from the Power Source

Electrocution is the number one hazard you want to avoid and the best way to do so is to completely cut off the flow of electricity by disconnecting your electrical system from its power source. In short, briefly switch off your fuse box or breaker box while you’re doing the job.

When it comes to replacing electrical parts or equipment, many make the mistake of thinking that it’s safe as long as it’s switched off but that’s not the case. Some lingering currents can still flow into the equipment and cause severe damage and injuries. If you want to ensure that the system is dead or not carrying any current, then use electrical testers and voltage detectors.

Please note that this doesn’t apply when you’re inspecting functionality because you need electricity to check if your outlets and switches are working. Mostly, this applies when you’re looking for damaged wires and components as well as servicing parts. Additionally, once you’ve turned off the main power switch, stick a note on it so that everyone knows not to flip it back on.

 

Use the Proper Gear and Tools

Now, just because you’ve cut off the main power source doesn’t mean you’re automatically out of danger. As said before, some lingering currents may still remain and cause electrocution. For your protection, make sure you use the proper gear and tools for the job.

What we mean by this is you have to use tools with insulated handles and wear protective gear, such as rubber gloves and boots. The importance of insulated handles is they prevent your tools from conducting electricity and directing it to your body. The purpose of rubber gloves and boots is pretty self-explanatory, so there’s no need to go into the details.

Aside from those, you also have to wear tight-fitting clothes or at least avoid loose clothing that could be caught on different items. These things are especially important when you have to handle live wires, equipment, and parts.

 

Remove Every Drop of Water

Everyone knows that water and electricity don’t mix but not many realize the true potency of this combination. Most believe that a huge amount of water is needed to conduct electricity but even the slightest amount actually poses danger.

Damp floors, slightly sweaty hands, and tiny pools of water – these things are enough to cause grounds and electrocution, so avoid working in an environment that is wet or damp. It should also go without saying that you should never handle soaked electrical parts and equipment while they are live or energized. You firstly need to disconnect your system from the main power source before you can wipe or let it dry.

If, for some reason, it is impossible to remove traces of water and such, then leave it be and let the professionals handle the job. They know of ways to tackle the situation safely and appropriately, so don’t be ashamed to enlist their help.

 

Mark and Report All Defective Equipment

The main purpose of this task is to find out if there are defective parts and equipment that need to be replaced and repaired, so make sure you mark every single one lest you want your efforts to go to waste.

After you’re done with the inspection, you should have a complete list of defective wires and parts. Now, you can choose to repair or replace some of these yourself, but make sure that you let the professionals handle the more extensive projects. Broken wires and malfunctioning outlets or switches are some examples of things that carry a high risk of electrocution.

It is in your best interest to stick to tasks such as changing light bulbs or installing fixtures. As said in the previous subhead, these experts have knowledge and experience in the field and know of safe ways to fix your electrical system, so put your trust in them.

 

Key Takeaway

There are dangers in inspecting your home’s electrical system, but that doesn’t mean that you always have to call in someone from an electrical supplier in Metro Manila to do it for you. You can safely do it yourself as long as you perform the necessary safety precautions that are written in this article. These things will save you from getting electrocuted and may even prevent electrical fires and other incidents.

Aside from taking note of this when doing an inspection, it is also recommended that you apply these safety precautions when servicing and repairing electrical equipment. Those jobs carry the same amount of risk and danger to your health—and with that said, it is always important to prioritize your safety!