New innovations that could seriously cha...

R4addZ

I thought it may be interesting to start a thread where people can post information on new and innovative things that may have a serious impact on future projects.

My initial contribution is on a new concept which is already on the market that will have the Electricians amongst us concerned.

The data world of low voltage cabling is slowly encroaching on power distribution with POE (Power over ethernet) capable of delivering about 90 to 100 watts of power to equipment meaning a seperate power source isn't required. Now most people would tell you that that is about as much as the thin Cat6 and above cabling can deliver.

Enter the world of Digital Electricity. A Cat 6 cable can now safely deliver up to 2400 watts (thats more than enough to run a 2 bar electric heater) at 100m and 300 watts at 2000m and it is so safe that it can sense fault conditions (even someone contacting a conductor) and immediately shut it's self down. So when you need that power outlet in some hard to get to place, it may turn out easier and cheaper than you thought. See the article here......,

https://www.vicorpower.com/resource-library/articles/led-optical/digital-electricity-power-transmiss...

EricL

Hello @R4addZ

My favourite tool at the moment is the HIKMICRO Eco Handheld Thermal Camera. Many moons ago such a tool would have cost much more than what it is now. It would have also required a truck to transport such a device to your residence. The rapid improvement in thermal sensor technology has allowed manufacturers to build this easy handheld device. There are too many features to list, but it is an impressive lightweight tool that is useful when detecting water leaks or overheating electrical components.

Eric

R4addZ

Hi @EricL

Yes and tools ike these can save lives too, many a fire has been started by a bad connection in a powerboard that could easily have been found with a periodic check with a thermal camera!

Another good one is the way Endoscopic cameras have become so cheap, handy even for cabling, drop a fish down a cavity and you no longer have to search around for it with a hook, you can check exactly where to find it!