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Energy Saving Lamps

July 31st, 2009

by: Jake Szarcosi

With more people interested in buying eco-friendly products each day; energy saving lamps are fast replacing incandescent bulbs. Even though they cost more than the normal bulbs, you can save significantly on your energy bill by using energy saving lamps. Here are some of the benefits associated with this modern marvel of technology that is lighting up an increasing number of homes around the world each day.

Compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) or energy saving lamps as they are popularly called use improved phosphor formulations to emit light that is similar in color to the standard incandescent lamps. Each unit can save as much as $30 over its usable life and significantly lowers the amount of green house gas emission. Most energy saving lamps are designed to replace their incandescent counterparts and can easily fit into existing light fixtures. They also have a longer rated life span.

An energy saving lamp comprises of two parts the gas filled tube on top and the magnetic ballast at the bottom. The electric current flows through the magnetic ballast charging the mercury vapor inside the tube causing an emission of ultraviolet light. This in turn is turned to visible light due to the phosphor coating emitted by the ultra violet light.

There two versions of energy saving lamps available in the market are:

Integrated: They comprise of a gas filled tube and a magnetic ballast put together in a bayonet or Edison screw fitting. They can easily be used to replace the incandescent lamps.

Non Integrated: This type of energy saving lamp has a permanent magnetic ballast but the bulb can be replaced. The ballast is placed in the fixtures and the bulb can be easily replaces after it has outlived its productive life. This version is more sophisticated and expensive than the integrated type.

Some of the advantages:

Energy Efficiency: Energy saving lamps need a significantly lower amount of energy to supply the same amount of light as an incandescent bulb. Since electricity is mostly produced by burning fossil fuel, this can equate to a massive reduction in the emission of green house gases and pollutants. Also since most of the energy saving lamps use lower voltage you can use more bulbs without your energy bill going through the roof.

Temperature: Most Incandescent lamps produce a lot of heat due to high energy consumption. But energy saving lamps generate considerably less heat due to the low voltage requirement. So they are ideal for settings that require light sources that emit less heat, such as near plants or paintings. So you can light up every part of your home without being concerned about the damage that the heat may cause.

Life Span: Since the bulbs have a significantly longer life span than the incandescent versions you will be buying fewer bulbs and wont have to go through the hassle of changing the bulbs as often as you normally do.

Designs: Energy saving lamps are available in a range of designs to suit all types of light fixtures so the possibilities are endless. You can use them in any room of your house and even within the floor for displays. They are small enough to be neatly concealed in the ceiling yet provide the same brightness of an incandescent lamp.

So if you haven’t switched over to energy saving lamps as yet, this is certainly a good time to buy a few

Jake Szarcosi is a freelance writer with more than 12 years writing experience. Jake is presently engaged as a publicist with our b2b site and has become the company authority on home and energy efficiency. Visit our useful web portal for more information on Energy Saving Lamps and Compact Fluorescent Bulbs.

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Quartz Watches: A Revolution In The Watch Making Industry

July 31st, 2009

by: Jake Szarcosi

Even though traditional mechanical watches were being used for almost 600 years since their inception in the 14th century, nothing revolutionized the watch industry like the introduction of quartz watches. They were hailed as the greatest innovation in the watch making industry since the move to watches from hour glasses. Even today this technology which was introduced to the world in the 1970’s continues to dominate the watch making market with as many as 90% of all watches manufactured being quartz watches.

Quartz watches have several distinct advantages over their mechanical counterparts. One of the primary benefits is the high accuracy. A quartz watch is 60 times more accurate than a mechanical watch. On an average it will gain or lose no more than one second per week as opposed to this a mechanical watch generally gains or loses one minute per week. So even if you were to calculate on a monthly basis the shift of a quartz watch amounts to 4 seconds while a mechanical watch can be off by as much as 4 minutes. If you were to take into consideration longer periods the inaccuracies of a mechanical watch would be significant. The accuracy of quartz watches can be attributed to the high number of oscillations of the quartz crystal which almost reach 32,768 per second.

Mechanical watches are powered by a mechanical drive. That is they have a power source (a spring in this case), a dial, hands, an oscillating mass and a gear system to move the hands and to ensure the accuracy of the time piece. With so many parts, wear and tear was common in mechanical watches and these parts had to be replaced often but the quartz movement is radically different.

A quartz watch uses a property of the quartz crystal called piezoelectric effect. When a quartz crystal is bent or compressed a resultant voltage in generated on the surface conversely when a charge is applied the quartz crystal will change shape or oscillate. This property is called the piezoelectric effect and this is the property used in the watch making industry. Quartz crystals were used in the radio transmitting and computer industry long before their foray into the watch industry. They are made of the same compound as sand and chemically quartz is nothing but silicon dioxide. It is a bad conductor of heat which makes it heat resistant and it is stable with most solvents which made it sturdy enough to be used in watches.

Quartz watches use small batteries to generate the charge that will cause the oscillations in the quartz crystal. These oscillations are induced with the help of plated electrodes. They are then amplified with an integrated circuit and channeled back to the crystal to make sure that it continues oscillating. Since temperature fluctuations have no effect on quartz crystals they continue oscillating regardless of normal temperature fluctuations. These oscillations are transmitted to a tiny motor that is in turn connected to a gear system that moves the hands of the watch. And that’s how a quartz watch works.

Today, quartz watches are available in various designs and with the traditional dial or digital displays. They are sturdier, cheaper and last longer as compared to the mechanical watches and you will never have to worry about winding them.

Jake Szarcosi is a independent journalist with over 12 years of writing experience. Jake is employed as a freelance writer for our b2b site and is considered the resident guru on fine timepieces and quartz watches. Be sure to visit our web portal for additional information on Quartz Watch and Quartz Watches.

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Pearl Necklaces: Who Said Diamonds Were A Girl’s Best Friend?

July 31st, 2009

by: Jake Szarcosi

There can be very few things in a woman’s wardrobe that can look half as classy as a pearl necklace. Worn by royalty and Hollywood starts alike pearls can give you the allure and mystique of diamonds and platinum but at an affordable rate. A well chosen pearl necklace will serve as a family heirloom for years to come. The most wonderful thing about a pearl necklace is that it can be coupled with a business suit as well as ball gown or a cocktail dress and it will look equally stunning. If you don’t already own a pearl necklace you should seriously consider investing in one. Here are a few guidelines that will help you to pick the perfect pearl necklace.

Pearls are either natural or cultured and even though natural pearls are significantly more expensive than their cultured counterparts you will never be able to tell the difference in the two unless you put them through an x-ray. Also salt water pearls are more expensive than fresh water pearls.

The different types of pearls used in necklaces are Mikimoto, South Sea pearls, Tahitian and Akoya. Out of these the most expensive are the Mikimoto pearls they are also of the best quality and available in different colors. Akoya pearls are available in white, cream and silver while the south sea and Tahitian pearls are famed for their darker colors.

Pearl necklaces are available in different lengths and choosing the right size can not only complement your wardrobe but also enhance your physical features.

Ideally pearl necklaces should be chose based on the wearer’s age, skin tone, neck size and body type. As far as colors are concerned white, cream, pink and silver pearls look good on fair skinned people while gold or yellow pearls suit dark toned people. Younger women should opt for smaller pearls while older women should go for pearl necklaces that are long enough to divert attention from their necks. Other choices would include pearl necklaces with multiple strands and ones with bigger pearls.

The different styles of pearl necklaces are

The Collar: This is the shortest type of pearl necklace at 10 to 13 inches in length. This necklace works well with evening or day wear and is worn above the base of the neck. A very popular Victorian style that is making a comeback is the dog collar which is a short pearl necklace with multiple strands worn high on the neck.

The Choker: This type of pearl necklace sits around the base of the neck and measures between 16 to 18 inches. The choker is a perfect choice for ladies who want to flaunt their long necks. Also if you have a thin neck the choker can take the attention away from the length of your neck.

Princess: This is by far the most popular type of pearl necklace. It is 17-20 inches long and perfect for any type of outfit.

Matinee: This pearl necklace that is between 20 to 24 inches long. It looks particularly good when coupled with business wear.

Opera: This is a long pearl necklace that is 28-34 inches in length and goes well with formal outfits. You can get quite adventurous with this pearl necklace because of its length. You could knot it or double it to form two strands.

Pearl necklaces are not only the ideal choice for any occasion but they also make great gift items.

Jake Szarcosi is a columnist with over twenty years writing experience. Jake is currently consulting as a national correspondent with our b2b site and is considered the local expert on fine jewelry and pearls. Be sure to visit our useful website for additional information on Pearl Necklace and Pearl Necklaces.

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Electric Scooters: The Fun Way To Get Around Town

July 31st, 2009

by: Jake Szarcosi

Scooters were initially introduced in the market for children. But with technological innovations and newer gas and electric powered versions being put forth even adults are now looking at electric scooters as a viable form of transportation. Even though they are certainly no match to motor bikes since the maximum speed is just between 10-15 miles an hour the fact that they are extremely eco friendly certainly makes them quite popular. The older foot powered versions are still available but are now only used for recreational purposes. The electric scooter has a battery powered engine which is mounted in the hull of the scooter. The scooter is navigated like a traditional two wheeler with the help of the handle bars however they are not as pronounced as the ones used in bikes and the center of the scooter has enough leg room to accommodate the driver’s legs.

It is not unusual to see teenagers and adults alike riding to the beach on their electric scooters. It is not just a recreational form of transportation it is also available in varieties that are specifically designed for the disabled so that they can commute over short to medium distances without too much trouble. The fact that there is no gasoline requirement in an electric scooter makes them a big hit with people interested in doing something good for the planet. They are perfectly safe for children and teenagers as well and even though helmets and knee pads are required they are sometimes safer than bikes because it’s not possible to do the same stunts with an electric scooter as you would with a bike. Also there is no need for a license to operate it; just plug it in for eight to twelve hours and you are ready for a ride. Usually after a complete charge you can operate the electric scooter for a forty fives minutes to an hour. There are different types of electric scooters available in the markets that are specifically designed for different ages and activities. Some of the popular versions are

The three wheeler: these are usually motorized tricycles which have storage space in the back so that you can easily carry your groceries without the problem of balancing. They are designed to be able to steer tight corners and over all the design including the seats are sturdier than the other models

The Children’s Model Electric Scooter: This is usually a small scale model like a vespa, other models include the flat board razor scooters which are perfect for running errands

The Rolling Cooler Electric Scooter: Can carry a combined weight of two hundred and twenty pounds. So even though it doesn’t go faster than 15 miles an hour it’s perfect to take some friends and some beer to the beach.

The Foldable Electric Scooter: As the name suggests this type can easily be folded and taken along on a trip. It is easy to store and perfect for long trips and people who travel frequently

The Four Wheeler Electric Scooter: This version is perfect for outdoor use and has the maximum stability among all other types. They can also be used on rugged terrains because they have a wider base and bigger tires. The motor is also comparatively heavy duty.

Given the environmental benefit, the low operating cost, low maintenance cost and the flexibility offered by electric scooters they are fast turning into the preferred for means of transportation for short to medium distances.

Jake Szarcosi is a journalist with over 25 years editorial experience. Jake is currently consulting as a national correspondent with many well-known b2b portals and is considered the local specialist on electric scooters. Be sure to visit our very useful website for additional information on Electric Scooter and Electric Scooters.

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Posted in Electric Vehicles, Transportation

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