Tuesday, September 30, 2014

The Spark and Magnetism of Electric Coils

Conductive devices called electric coils serve as key connections and transmitters within a myriad of circuits. In the most basic construction, a metal wire is wound around a core insulator, and the two ends are made into electrical connection terminals called “taps.” Without these devices, electrical current would not be able to be controlled, directed or transformed in electronics, automotive, medical, computer, appliance, telecommunications and industrial manufacturing applications. To start a car there is needed the spark that induction coils, or ignition coils, provide for operation of ignition systems. Manufacturing would cease if the workers couldn’t even turn on the machinery that makes everything the modern world relies on. No matter how big, complex or high-tech the equipment is, electrical current would be lost and useless to operate it without coils of conductive metal, most popularly copper and aluminum. These electrical coils can transmit heat, sound, electricity, magnetism and movement essential in electric motors, MRI machines, power plants and much more, including my grandpa’s metal detector, as he was a hobbyist of the metal detecting sport.

Metal detecting relies on a specialized coil called a search coil, also known as the Garrett coil, as it is used in this brand of popular ground search metal detectors. Electric coils don’t just transfer energy from the actual wires and connections, but from an applied magnetic field as well, since magnetism is a non-contact force. So, the flat circular coil at the end of a metal detector sends a magnetic field out into the ground and acts as a transmit coil and a receive coil. A transmit coil generates a magnetic field, and when a metallic object is within this field it creates a distortion that the receive coil senses.

Magnetism is an essential component of an electric coil assembly, as its construction serves as an inductor or a reactor that can store magnetic energy when an electric current is passed through it. The loops of the coil help to create a strong magnetic field. This magnetism is used to actuate and cause movement in mechanisms, as in copper relay coils. Solenoid coils are smart devices that allow for remote activation of machinery. From simple voice coils used in loudspeakers to high-voltage generator stator windings, the construction of electrical coils ranges from the most basic single winding to the addition of secondary and even tertiary windings. An electric transformer, for example, is an electromagnetic component that consists of a primary and secondary winding that enables it to transfer electrical energy from one electric circuit to another by means of a magnetic coupling with no moving parts.

When coils have multiple windings, interlayer capacitance can be a problem. Think of this as interference between the layers. Spiral or helical shaped windings and flat wire are utilized to decrease interference. Other dangers that can occur in electrical coil construction involve unprotected wires in harsh environments. This is why manufacturers offer molded coils or encapsulated coils. Molded coils are encased in plastic coverings which seal the entire coil unit, and encapsulated coils are made from wire which has itself been enclosed in a polymer epoxy. From simple bobbin wound coils to high voltage coils and toroids that amplify inductance in power generation applications, electricity could not be regulated without these electromagnetic devices.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Making the Most Out Of Your Heating Coils

One of the most important pieces of electric heating systems is the heating coil. They work to transform electricity into heat. Electric coils use electricity as a form of power, rather than fossil fuels or another power source they are one of the most efficient forms of heating available. Usually, the efficiency rating of electric heating coils is between 80 and 100 percent. Some of the additional components of the system can lower the overall efficiency. The following maintenance tasks can be used to maximize the efficiency of your heating coils:

Clean coils: If you have dirty coils, your machine will be less efficient at producing and retaining heat. Keep your coils clean to avoid this problem in your units. The best way to clean the outside of the coils is with a damp rag. This will avoid dirt, cobwebs, and other contaminates from building up on the outside of the coils.

Yearly tune-up: Yearly maintenance is essential to the efficiency of the unity—even if you do not notice any problems. Things break, connections loosen, and coils can become pinched or worn down. Make sure to get a professional to look at your vehicle and make sure everything is okay.

Proper operation: Heating coils are less efficient if they are not used properly. Never try to use your heating element to reach higher heats or for extended use beyond the manufacture’s recommendations. If you use a coil element that is too small for a task, it will cause the coil to breakdown. Always follow the manufacture’s guidelines to obtain maximum heating efficiency.