Q: What happens to a 3-phase motor when one of the phases is lost?
The most extreme case of phase unbalance is the total loss of one of the three phases and is known as phase loss or single phasing. Phase loss can be caused by a broken power line, a lightning strike, an open supply transformer winding, a mechanical failure in switching equipment, or when a single fuse blows. A 3-phase motor started in a phase loss condition may stall under load. The current flowing in the windings of a stalled motor will increase to the motor locked rotor current which is around 600% greater than the motor’s normal full load current. Motor winding insulation subjected to locked rotor current may fail in as little as 15 to 90 seconds. Read more
Are you excited about the solar eclipse? Us too! Today, August 21, 2017, the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun’s atmosphere, thus creating a “blackout.” The celestial event will be the first in decades since the last total eclipse took place in the United States, and the first in over a century to have a path of totality span most of the country. Kele cares about your well-being. Please remember to protect your vision while viewing the eclipse by wearing ISO-compliant solar glasses. Your vision may be impaired during the eclipse, so take extra caution! You don’t want to go blind! Read more
Q. The Inspector says my DC power supply needs a Class 2 label. What’s he talking about?
The Inspector is referring to the requirements of Class 2 circuits and wiring as defined in the National Electric Code (NEC). The definition of Class 2 circuits specifies the wiring system between the load side of a Class 2 power source and the connected equipment. The definition includes current and voltage limitations [NEC Table 11(A) and Table 11(B)] to limit the possibility of fire initiation and electric shock. Class 2 circuits offer reduced requirements for wire size, wire insulation, over-current protection, wiring methods and installation materials and can be advantageous in reducing cost and improving flexibility of an installation. Also, many local municipalities now require that the NEC Class 2 standard be maintained in public buildings, schools and hospitals. Read more
BAPI’s sensors may not have made it into space as yet, but they are now helping the US Government in its study of the solar system and cosmos and even in its search for ET.
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of NASA, recently chose BAPI’s immersion sensors for integration into its Deep Space Network systems. Specifically, the sensors will be used in the guidance platform mechanism for the giant antennas in the California desert.What exactly is the Deep Space Network?
Ruskin announces the extension of its limited warranty program from one year to five years from the date of delivery. Effective Feb. 1, 2017, the new warranty terms apply to all Ruskin products and are intended to inspire confidence in the Ruskin
“We are excited to offer this improved level of coverage to our customers,” said Mark Saunders, director of sales and marketing at Ruskin. “The move from one to five years demonstrates our commitment to quality and should reinforce and bolster the confidence our customers already have in the performance of our products. Additionally, engineers will find it easier to specify Ruskin products, especially when they are able to offer their customers this extended coverage.”
For additional information about the Ruskin sales policy and warranty program, please visit this link: Read Press Release.
Kele upholds warranty policies of its manufacturers.
It’s summer; it’s time for grilling and outdoor parties! Imagine you are having your friends over to celebrate the big holiday. Your checklist includes a stop at the local meat market, the speciality hardware store to grab coal for your Big Green Egg, the grocery store to pick up beverages and the pool store to grab new floats.
We see this scenario in Business to Business situations – whether your sourcing from multiple suppliers, the current supplier is out of stock, doesn’t have the right brands, or just doesn’t carry the part you need – you may find yourself shopping with multiple suppliers. Working with Kele saves you multiple stops and gives you back your time! Our in-stock inventory includes 1.8 million parts that can ship same day and straight to your job site! We offer all the major brands and hard to find parts. There is no need to place several different purchase orders with multiple suppliers, which customers tell us can result in $25-$100 in additional costs per order. If you can eliminate even one additional purchase order, then you have saved your company at least $25 and freed up your time!
You are our number one priority. If you want it, then we want to stock it. The next time you have a list of material to purchase, come to us first! Shop at kele.com today!
Did you know that Kele has a team of professionals dedicated to ensuring that your panels are built with 0 mistakes?
We have discovered that as many as 95% of the submitted panel layouts need adjusting in order to meet the customer’s stated needs?
Over our 30+ year history, our panel experts have found two general areas with regard to panel layouts that make up as much as 95% of the changes required to ensure correct panel operation. This is why Kele has a dedicated team that provides value-added services on the front end, such as “No Charge” panel review of your submitted diagrams, in order to ensure your panel operates the way you expect it to – flawlessly.
So, what are the two most common areas that we have identified that can cause failure in the field? Read more
Richard Campbell joins Kele, Inc. as President & CEO after years of being a customer. As a customer, Kele made Richard’s job easier with 1.8 million parts in-stock, same-day shipping and technical support. When he got the call to join the Kele team, he was excited about the opportunity.
Richard has walked in your shoes. He worked with commercial and industrial products at Ingersoll Rand for over 30 years, 27 of which were spent with the Trane brand focused on HVAC systems and building automation.
“I was blown away by the Kele teams’ passion for the customer,” said Richard.
“Kele makes it easy, allowing you to save time and focus on the things that are important to your customers. No matter how you want to buy, Kele is there for you,” said Richard.
Coming soon are additional value-added solutions to simplify your job.
Taking time to size a valve correctly saves you time, money and yourself a headache!
Picking the right size leads to performance
Our goal is to find the valve with the best control for your specific application. The Cv, or coefficient of flow of the valve, plays a big part in the valve’s performance. A valve that is sized correctly has accurate flow control, lasts beyond its expected life span and does not leak.
All you need to size a valve is the GPM and pressure drop! Calculate the Cv with this equation:
CV = coefficient of flow, GPM = flow rate in gallons per minute and ∆P = differential pressure
Selecting the wrong size results in complications
When a valve is too small, you won’t get enough flow, and the system will be forced to compensate by raising the head pressure of the pump. This causes higher differential pressure across your valve. The sudden drop in pressure causes cavitation and affects the life of the valve. The vibration and turbulence wears out the seals, which results in leaks.
Did you know most engineers oversize a pump by as much as 15% to cover for this type of mistake? Read more
Big Bertha took some man power, and machine power, to transport.
Kele has completed its largest scale panel to date through our own custom panel shop. Those at Kele lovingly referred to “her” as “Big Bertha” during the build. Dorsett Technologies of North Carolina partnered with us for a project to automate water pump functionality for their customer. Their 96”x72” panel was custom for several reasons, and we were glad to have them select Kele. Through our supplier relationships and white glove service, Dorsett received their gigantic panel without incident and had a completely successful install. Kele was chosen to create Bertha because:
We conduct a 35-point inspection on all plans before the build.
Our reputation for a cleanly wired panel proceeds us.
We offer white glove shipping provisions.
Our ability to incorporate specialty features not currently carried in our inventory.
Kele, specializes in special requests and getting a job done right. Dorsett Technologies expressly selected Kele for our clean wiring, ability to incorporate special parts and features, and our ability to customize the shipping. Their panel, a 96” X 72” enclosure complete with 6 controllers and all of the peripherals was specially constructed for their water pump station project. Additionally, Kele received and incorporated a touchscreen on the outside, mounted in the door. Dorsett has a close relationship with their enclosure partners, Austin Enclosures Co. Kele doesn’t typically carry their materials, but what the customer wants, the customer gets! Kele’s panel team worked with Austin Enclosures to meet the job’s specifications and received the large enclosure to complete the build. This was the first of series of panels that were needed.
in-house engineers and technicians check and assess the panel.
Since Kele had not done a 5’x 8’ panel that weighed 1,500 lbs. before, we sat down to establish what made this extraordinary. Our number one concern: SAFETY.
“The safety of our techs and taking care of the customers’ product are my utmost concern,” Lisa Bennett, Panel Shop Manager expressed. She and the engineers met with Yarbrough, a global rigging supplier, to source the best way to maneuver this large panel. Yarbrough helped to design and recommend a solution that was scalable beyond this project for larger or smaller panels that would require the use of a forklift. Once the rigging was ordered, we were ready to get to work.
Kele pre-checks all plans that are received to ensure that the plans we’ve been sent will actually work and contain everything needed to execute the control and automation processes that the customer intends and needs. Over 98% of our plans received require some sort of adjustment. That’s the beauty of working with Kele. We look ahead for you to avoid costly delays, and possible malfunctions on the jobsite. Our team, including Justin Whittman, Mack Moss and Ron Shields flipped their perspective and wired the entire panel vertically, as opposed to horizontally, as is typically done for smaller panels on a workbench. Their wirework was just as clean and nice as always. During the bidding process, Dorsett noted that our clean wiring, in addition to our in-stock inventory were the key reasons they wanted to work with us on this project. Once the panel was wired, our techs and inspection team tested it twice to ensure that it would be power-ready when it arrived to the installation site. Kele does this testing for EVERY panel that leaves our facility. Barring any crazy mishaps in transit, all of Kele’s panels should be able to be wired on site and work properly without incident.
keeping safety in mind, we came up with a plan to move this big beauty
This brings us to the next exciting challenge of this project. TRANSIT! How were we going to make sure once she was created, that Bertha would arrive to North Carolina without a scratch? Kele has relationships the heavy hitters, including FedEx and UPS. We’re located in Memphis, TN, with both of their hubs in our backyard. We also foster strong relationships with several LTL carriers to make sure that all of our customers’ needs are met using the carriers they prefer. For this shipment, our partner was AAA Cooper Transportation. We worked with the regional manager and the driver to make sure this was the first shipment on the truck, and the last load off. With a panel of this size, we wanted to make sure that it wasn’t overly moved or touched for safety concerns, as well as to avoid damages in shipment. To better stabilize this panel, we used special lag bolts and strapping to secure it directly to the pallet. The shipment traveled from Memphis, TN to the site in North Carolina within two days, and Dorsett Technologies reported a safe arrival.
