For any home that depends on natural gas power for heating, cooking, or other tasks, a risk exists of exposure to carbon monoxide. Most modern gas appliances and pipes are built to high safety standards and should present little danger to a household. However, it is wise for any home with a gas line to set up carbon monoxide detectors as a precaution.

Automation lies at the core of much of our modern lives. However, it evolves at radical speeds. The simple concept, to build a machine to perform a task without human intervention, was the engine of the industrial revolution. Now that concept is the driving force behind robotics, self-driving vehicles, and a wide range of advanced technologies.

Most automated tasks are part of a closed-loop system. This system is designed so that the outputs are monitored and fed back to the controller. The controller changes its operation as needed. An example of a closed-loop system is a home thermostat, which monitors the air temperature. When the low set-point is reached, a contact closes in the thermostat, beginning a furnace lighting cycle. As the furnace runs, the room air temperature increases until the high set-point is reached. The contact opens and ends the furnace burn cycle. This is automation.

With electrical relays, it is possible to achieve a variety of automatic functions. A motor starter uses a relay to close a contact that sends electrical power to a motor. In addition, it closes a set of auxiliary contacts that keep the main relay closed. A control mechanism, such as a temperature input or a stop button, can be wired in series with the auxiliary contact. This allows for control of the motor. An expansion of relay logic is the programmable logic controller or PLC. Instead of mechanical relays, a PLC uses a set of input and output contacts connected to a computer controller. Software in the controller then dictates how the inputs and outputs interact. They additionally execute specific patterns of operations, based on programmed ladder logic.

Fun Fact: “Americans might not have a Columbus Day if Christopher Columbus had not been born in Italy. Out of pride for their native son, the Italian population of New York City organized the first celebration of the discovery of America on October 12, 1866.” *

Although declared a federal holiday in 1937 by President Franklin Roosevelt, Columbus Day is not celebrated in California, Nevada or Hawaii. Controversy over the “discovery” of America exists because native people inhabited the land prior to the arrival of the Europeans. **

While the “discovery” of America may be in question, there is no doubt that the European influence and influx of cultural diversity is worth illuminating. And, some of the most outstanding home lighting concepts incorporate Old World artistry with New World technology.

DISCOVER THE UNDENIABLE BRILLIANCE OF EUROFASE LIGHTING:

Established in 1989, Eurofase enters its third decade of excellence with cutting edge contemporary lighting and classic, traditionally-inspired designs.

From Gothic wrought iron chandeliers and grand crystal foyer fixtures to modern “green” lighting and energy-efficient outdoor lighting, Eurofase demonstrates a close attention to detail, embracing technology and a fusion of creative energy.

EUROFASE: WHERE OLD WORLD ELEGANCE MEETS THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF MODERN QUALITY CONTROL…

Headquartered in Toronto, a city rich in inspiration and cultural diversity, Eurofase’s inventory of over 2,600 unique products is controlled by state-of-the-art technology with world-class accuracy.

A Quality Control team overseas the mechanical and electrical integrity of every Eurofase product.

A stringent control process ensures that all crucial elements-such as safety approvals, longevity testing, packaging and instructions-meet the highest standards.

With an in-house UL (Underwriter Laboratories) Standards Testing Lab, Eurofase independently monitors the safety approval process.

Eurofase Lighting is credited with introducing several new designer and technological trends to the North American marketplace….

Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom or shop 1800lighting.com to view these sensational collections and enjoy promotional pricing on profound illuminations from Eurofase.

Also, this week enjoy Columbus Day savings on award-winning Hinkley Lighting. Winner of the “Lighting for Tomorrow” 2012 award, Hinkley Lighting offers outstanding energy-efficient outdoor lighting, as well as, superb chandeliers, ceiling fixtures, wall sconces and bath lighting for the distinguished home.

Discover great discounts at Capitol Lighting…take 30% off ALL new bath and outdoor fixtures now through November 1st!  From pendant lights and chandeliers by   Eurofase to gorgeous outdoor fixtures by Hinkley Lighting, Capitol Lighting carries the best brands and products to light your home with distinction and style.

*www.usafederalholidays.com/Columbus_day.html

Whether you are wiring for a new home, remodeling, or simply trying to consolidate the wires of your high-end electronics, it can be a daunting and frustrating task. It is important to prepare for the future during this process.

If you are building or remodeling your home, it is as important to consider future technologies, because you may still have a regular TV today, but tomorrow you’ll want the latest smart TV. There’s so much new technology on the horizon; simply look around to see which products might be future purchases, and then wire with that in mind. This is a great time to consider an integrated home network. This cuts down on the separate wires running through your walls to give you a centralized hub. The hub is then wired to each room where a modular outlet allows access to services. If you are not up for the task of wiring all of the rooms in your house, you can choose to simply set up an impressive family room for the time being.

While you can do these types of installations yourself with the help of the Internet and many hours of deciphering which cord goes where, it can be a difficult process that leaves you frustrated and your electronic devices not working. The trial and error aspect of this can end up costing you more time and money than you initially intended. If you are not among the electrically savvy, the best alternative is to hire a professional to do it. This can be costly upfront, but in the long run it will be a better and more efficient way to go. Hiring a qualified electrician like those at Hoffman Electrical can make a difficult job much easier, allowing you to use your electronics rather than twisting your wires.

If you are planning on renovating or sprucing-up your kitchen, it’s probably a good idea to map out a detailed lighting plan as well. Most people find this a little strange as they feel that lighting in a kitchen isn’t something that needs too much of consideration or planning. It’s just a place where you cook and probably where you have an informal meal after all.

However, the fact is that it’s important to plan kitchen illumination well if you want to make optimal use of your kitchen spaces. Here, we would like to share some basic lighting ideas to create the right balance of functionality and aesthetics.

If you want to get a better idea about what type of lighting would work best for your kitchen, it’s vital to understand how your kitchen spaces relate to the different type of lighting. Let’s start off with understanding what type of bulbs you can use for the best effects:

These bulbs emit a yellowish light and you will now find many artistic versions of these on the market today.

These bulbs throw off a flat, cold light that has a bluish tinge, which lends a very harsh effect to the room.

These have a warm light that makes the place look very inviting and comfortable

These are the latest in light bulb technology and are available in a range of effects including white, cool daylight, warm light, yellow and a range of other colours and hues. Aside from this, LED bulbs are also 80% more energy-efficient than standard bulbs; and most property owners are now opting for these fixtures.

In addition to the types of bulbs used, the style of lighting or the lighting effects are what impact the ambience and appearance of a room. With this in view, here we discuss the different lighting effects that can be used in your kitchen:

This is one of the simplest ways to create the right lighting effect in your kitchen. This type of lighting is designed to help you move comfortably around the room. In most instances this type of lighting comes from grid-style can lighting, widely-spaced, wall and ceiling lamps, semi-translucent skylights or even the natural light that streams in through glass windows and doors. This is the base layer of any lighting plan.

In your kitchen, task lighting would be required to illuminate kitchen counters and food preparation spaces. Since you will be cooking in your kitchen every day, it’s important that the task lighting be planned and installed well. If you have only recessed lighting fixtures in your kitchen, you will feel the lack of focused light when you are cleaning, cooking or prepping in that space.

If you install one-dimensional lighting in the kitchen, it creates unsightly shadows in different areas of the room, while ceiling lighting is ineffective in illuminating spaces like sinks, under counter or cabinet areas etc. On the other hand, if you add special pendant lamps over the counters or even your kitchen island it can prove to be a more practical solution. Under-cabinet lighting can also help in illuminating the cabinets that are positioned there.

This effect doesn’t seem as necessary as ambient or task lighting does in a kitchen space, as the illumination it provides isn’t as functional as the first two. However, it can have a significant impact on the way your kitchen spaces look. If you want to enhance the appeal of your kitchen (regardless of whether you are getting it entirely renovated or are opting for a lighting upgrade), it’s important that you plan your accent lighting well.