Switchgear is the control and protection centre  of any electrical system.From your home consumer unit to industrial factories, switchgear keeps electricity flowing safely, prevents fires, and protects equipment and people. Below is a beginner-friendly  explanation of three key elements used in modern switchgear, along with examples  of where you’ll actually find them in real installations. 1️⃣ Spring-Loaded Contacts 🔍 What They Are Inside contactors, relays, and circuit bre

Electricity is safe only  when it’s controlled.That’s why every building — homes, shops, factories, hospitals — uses special devices to protect people and equipment. In this guide, we explain these devices in simple, friendly language , with real Irish examples. 🔌 1. Fuses — The “Safety Wire” That Sacrifices Itself A fuse  is the most basic form of protection.Inside every fuse is a tiny wire  or metal strip. How it works: Too much electricity flows → the metal strip gets hot

Electrical switchgear is one of the most important safety elements in any building. Whether it’s a home, an office, or a pharmaceutical plant, switchboards protect people, equipment, and the entire electrical system from faults, fire hazards, and unexpected shutdowns. In Ireland, all switchboards must comply with IS EN 61439 — the Irish version of the European standard. This standard defines “Forms of Internal Separation,” from Form 1 to Form 4B , which determine how safely a

When it comes to electric motor control, one of the simplest and most commonly used starting methods is the Direct-on-Line (DOL) starter . But did you know that DOL starting is generally suitable only for motors up to 7.5 kW ? Let’s explore why that limit exists and when DOL starting makes sense. ⚙️ What Is a Direct-on-Line Starter? A DOL starter  connects the motor terminals directly to the power supply. This means the motor receives full line voltage instantly , allowing it

Every electrical installation must be divided into individually protected circuits  to ensure safety, reliability, and ease of maintenance. Proper circuit division not only minimises inconvenience in the event of a fault but also allows for safe operation, inspection, testing, and future upgrades. 🔌 Circuit Categories In modern electrical design, circuits are classified based on the part of the installation they serve: Main Circuit:  Connects the main switchboard to any sub-

Diversity Demand Electrical Design In electrical engineering, the actual operating load of a system rarely equals the sum of all installed loads. Why? Because not all equipment runs simultaneously or at full capacity. This is where diversity and demand factors come into play — essential concepts for designing efficient, safe, and cost-effective electrical systems. 🔍 What Is Diversity in Electrical Systems? Diversity refers to the variation in load usage across a system. It r

Harmonics are unwanted distortions in electrical waveforms caused by non-linear loads — devices that draw current in short pulses rather than in a smooth, sinusoidal manner. These distortions can compromise voltage stability and increase system losses. Common sources of harmonics include: 💡 Inductive luminaires and LED drivers 💻 Computers and office electronics ⚙️ Rotating machines and electronic speed controllers 🔋 Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) 🔥 Arc furnaces and

An essential step in electrical design is estimating the likely load requirements  of a building. This process provides the foundation for selecting electrical equipment, designing distribution systems, and ensuring long-term energy efficiency and safety. At NEXUS M&E Design , we begin with a careful evaluation of load requirements  based on the building’s total area and intended use. The most practical approach is to apply unit loading values (W/m²) , determined statisticall

Electrical power isn’t always straightforward — not all the electricity you draw is actually used to do work . Let’s break it down 👇 🔹 Active Power (P) – The Useful Power This is the real, usable power  that does actual work — like heating, lighting, or running a motor. Unit:  Watts (W) Formula:  P = V × I × cosφ Example 1: 💡 A 100W light bulb uses 100W  of active power .All the power is converted into light and heat — simple and efficient. Example 2: 🌀 A 2kW electric hea