Most people involved in building automation are familiar with kW, which is the rate at which a building is consuming energy from the power company. But there is another power system parameter known as VAR/kVAR which is less well understood. In this article we will attempt to dispel some of the VAR mystery. The term […]
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AC to DC – Linear Versus Switch-Mode Power Supplies
For years, Kele has provided dependable, quality 24 VDC power supplies like the DCP-1.5-W, DCPA-1.2, DCP-250, PW2, and the SLS Series. All of these DC power supplies are “linear” power supplies. Another type of DC power supply gaining popularity with building automation and temperature control contractors is called a “switch-mode” power supply (PS6R Series). While both […]
Read PostGet Ahead of the Curve
Understanding and then selecting the right temperature curve might seem like a daunting task. To a newbie, it might seem impossible but there is a logical, systematic method to selecting the right temperature sensor. Basically, the thermistors we use in our systems have negative temperature coefficients meaning as the temperature rises, the corresponding resistance […]
Read PostNeed Help Retrofitting Pneumatics to Electric Actuators?
In the current economic times it can be difficult to convince a client that it is necessary to remove a working valve just to change out the pneumatic actuator controlling it. Re-piping and draining the system alone means down time and extra labor that probably isn’t in the budget. The obvious solution is to leave […]
Read PostKele Pieces Together the Component Hospital
One of the great perks of working for the nation’s leading supplier of building automation products is field trips to locations where there are interesting applications for our products. Case in point, I drove to Joplin on February 21st in my quest to learn more about Joplin’s “component” hospital. If you remember, Kele was Xcel Mechanicals […]
Read PostKele Hits the Road to Investigate Component Hospital
Well, when it comes to intriguing new applications for Kele’s peripherals in building automation systems, I just can’t help being nosey. A couple of weeks ago I received an email from one of our account executives, Jon Butler, about one of his customers who was working on temporary hospital in Joplin, Missouri. Kele was the […]
Read PostMuch Anticipated WebStat Controller and Thermostats Now Available
We’re always adding new products to our lineup here at Kele. As the leading supplier of building automation products, we have partnership with more than 300 great manufacturers worldwide. And, our newest catalog has added over 130 product groups and is more than 12000 pages. If you don’t have a copy, you can request a copy online. […]
Read PostAre You Sure You’ve Checked Everything?
Late one afternoon not long ago, a fellow got me on the phone for tech support. He said he had ten carbon dioxide transmitters on one DCP-1.5-W power supply, and they weren’t operating, and he had pulled out most of his hair. Each transmitter needs less than 100 mA to operate, so the 1.5A power […]
Read PostWhen Electricity Acts Up
This past weekend, we were just back from a trip to market, and my wife was busy stowing the fruits, veggies, oils, kimchi, and spices. I was doing my usual chore of qualifying and sorting the plastic shopping bags as to fitness for cat litter duty, kitchen waste duty, and “other,” based on leakage potential. […]
Read PostHow Many Square Feet Does a Gas Sensor Cover?
That’s a common question. If there was a good, all-purpose answer to it, we’d make sure it was in every data sheet and on every Web page. Unfortunately, physical area isn’t the limiting factor in all cases. The gases that mix well with air (CO, CO2) can sometimes be treated by area because they fill […]
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