Bare Bones Basic Digital Logic

Introduction

Digital logic is the way computers process inputs from a binary system. Binary simply means there are two possible values. The values are determined by the presence of either high voltage or low voltage. In most logic and control circuitry, high voltage can be 3.3V, 5V, 12V, or 24V being common as the high value. Low voltage is 0V to usually but not always less than 2V. The value range is dependent on the part. 

When a Multimeter Falls Short: Why You Need a Megohmmeter

When it comes to motor troubleshooting your meter likely isn't enough to figure out the issue completely. The usual testing of lead to lead to check resistance and lead to ground to see if there is a short can definitely find some, but not all motor motor-related issues. The problem is the signal that a standard meter sends down the line and between the windings is often too weak to simulate what would normally be happening during operation.

Company Highlight: Siemens

 

Siemens

What is Siemens?

If you've ever been down the electrical aisle of a hardware store, such as Lowes or Home Depot you will have come across at least one of their products. Depending on where you live and when your house was built, you may even have one of their panels inside your home. This is what most people outside of the repair, maintenance, and engineering fields will know this company for. I am here to tell you, that they are so much more.

Besides what you see that keeps the lights on in your house, they provide a diverse range of industrial products. Some products range from different places, such as motor control centers, access control, life safety, and even medical devices. If there is a wire providing data or power, chances are they make it or the parts that make it.

As part of their vast global reach, they even offer financing for companies looking to upgrade their systems. It's one thing that really sets them apart from some of their competition. They are so big and worldwide that they can invest in many different industries.

Being a German company, their products are top-notch. Germany is well known for their engineering and Siemens has shown that to me and the world. I like that their products come with more technical documentation than some other companies and if more information is needed it's readily available on their website.

No matter what industry or country you're in, you should check them out. They may have a solution to whatever problem your job site has. Here's their link again in case you missed it at the top, Siemens.

The Hidden Benefits of Labeling Energy Sources You Might Miss

Why Label?

Often you'll find yourself in a situation where there is a leak, a fire, or a tripped circuit. In these situations where time is of the essence to ensure the safety of both personnel and equipment, knowing where the disconnecting means for these energy sources is critical. Having a clearly labeled tag will help minimize the time it takes to return to normal safe operation.

Company Highlight: Combi

Combi

What is Combi?

In short, Combi makes packaging equipment. Some of their product lines include case erectors, palletizers, case sealers, and even shrink-wrapping machines. If you're in North America, in a factory with any type of packaging that needs to be put together, there's a high chance you'll have at least one of their machines in your facility.

Parts Town: The Ultimate Resource for Kitchen Equipment

Partstown.com

What is Partstown?

Partstown is a company that provides OEM parts for commercial kitchen equipment. All of their parts are readily available and guaranteed to be what you need without having to do modifications since they match the original standards With their parts, you never need to 'make it work' since it will just work out of the box.

They also provide a great deal of information for free. Their resources saved me time and time again when I started my career and learned the ins and outs of kitchen equipment. They have videos readily available for a wide range of equipment that can be viewed on your phone while you're scratching your head trying to figure out the proper procedure to get through the job.

Lock Out Tag Out: Protect Yourself from Hazards

LOTO for short

It is the process of identifying, securing, and tagging an energy source(s) on a piece of equipment. It's not the most exciting topic but it is crucial for ensuring a safe working environment when working on equipment. In a nutshell, you identify what potential sources of energy from various sources are in a particular piece of equipment. You then secure it, typically by turning a valve or flipping a switch and then putting a physical lock on it. If you have tags with holes, put the lock through the hole. The tag typically has the name of the person working on it, how to contact them, or whatever information your company deems necessary for the procedure.