There are some real benefits to owning a portable generator. Many people use them during a power outage. This allows the home to have some basic essentials like a few lights and maybe a refrigerator powered during the outage. Portable generators are ideal because they can be taken out when needed and quickly stored away when they are not.

There are plenty of different sizes of generators for you to choose from. Many people find the portable variety a better option over the hard-wired generators that are typically installed by an electrician. Pasadena residents can call The Electric Connection to find out more about the home generators that provide power within seconds of the power going out.

One of the benefits of the portable variety is the ability to take the generator with you on camping trips or on day outings. These tend to be the smaller wattage generators that will only produce enough power to run a couple of small appliances.

Although portable generators have the added mobility benefit, they can be cumbersome and in some cases, quite loud. Typically, the larger generators will have wheels to aid in movement, but they are still quite heavy and not very portable. Another benefit to the hard-wired generators is the fact they are enclosed in a box that muffles the sound. This is ideal when you are in a neighborhood or at night when you are trying to sleep.

Your electrician in Pasadena can help you weigh your options and provide you with the information you need to make the best generator choice. One of the deciding factors will be how much you want to spend. Portable generators are less expensive. If you have more questions and want to get an estimate for a generator installation, give The Electric Connection a call today to schedule an appointment.

5-pin SPDT (single pole, double throw) automotive relay.

Relays are essentially two parts in one package. The first part is an inductive coil (pins 85 and 86). This coil is the “trigger” function of the relay. By applying both a positive (+) and ground (-) to the contacts, current passes through the coil. When current passes through the coil, a magnetic field is generated and moves the switch (the arrow in the diagram). This is where the second part of the relay comes into play.

The second part of the relay is the “switch.” The switch has three interface contacts—common, normally closed, and normally open. “Normally” refers to the state of the relay not being energized.

While relays can be used for virtually any task, there are some very useful, simple applications for adding LED lighting to a vehicle. Please note that this wiring only pertains to the relay—not the wires in the vehicle. Before interfacing with a wire in a vehicle, always ensure you test the wire with a digital multimeter first to confirm circuit function.

Positive Switching

Positive switching is used for applications where the “trigger” for your switch or circuit is positive. This could be an ignition, brake, or reverse light wire for example.  This could be used for applications such as off-road light bars, work lights, additional brake lights, and other exterior lighting.

Negative Switching

Negative switching is used for applications where the “trigger” for your switch or circuit is negative. Negative triggers are often found in door, hatch, and trunk triggers as well as many interior switches. This could be used for applications such as footwell lighting, truck bed lighting, under-hood lighting, and other interior lighting.

Switch Activated With Ignition Override

This is useful for applications where you want to turn your light on or off with a switch but only want the light to remain on when the car is running or key is in the “ignition” position. The main advantage to this is—even if the switch is left on—the light (or output circuit) will shut off when the key is turned off so that the battery will not be run down.

For technical questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 866-590-3533. Our customer service and technical support teams are available from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT on Friday.

Almost 2/3rd of Americans decorate there home with some sort of electric lights during the holiday season.  Over half require the use of some sort of extension cord and or power splitter during there holiday lighting decoration process.  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Reports that Christmas tree fires alone cause on average an estimated $16.2 million in direct property damage, 16 injuries, and 6 deaths every year.  This statistic does not include injures or deaths due to outdoor lighting electric shock or fall injuries such as ladder work.