Part 3

Chapter 33,455 wordsPublic domain

3. Using the chart prepared in this work sheet, give a talk about the motors that work for you-the job each one does, which ones need oil or grease, which need no attention, and why, etc.

4. Use a homemade toy motor to explain "what makes motors run."

5. Show proper way to replace worn cord on a small motor.

For Further Information

Ask your county Extension agent or 4-H leader for more literature on motors. They can help you obtain a film or a speaker such as a power supplier, a local electric dealer, or electrical contractor to discuss motors.

Also visit your public library and see a science teacher for more information on motors.

ELECTRIC MOTORS SERVICE CHART Sample

Use a table like the following to list the motors around your farm and home.

LESSON NO. B-7

Credit Points 4

READING THE ELECTRIC METER

There is no question but what electricity is one of the lowest cost services in the home and on the farm. A few pennies worth of electricity will provide the power to run machines that take the place of a man or of several men working all day. However, we all like to know what things cost.

Sometime you may have to decide between different methods--man, horse, gasoline engine or electric motor power. Then you'll want to know how to figure the cost of electricity, as well as the cost of the original equipment. First of all, you should know how to read an electric meter.

Reading a Meter

Electric meters read in kilowatt hours, just as a water meter reads in gallons and a gas meter in cubic feet. A kilowatt hour is the electrical energy consumed by 1000 watts of electricity used for one hour. Ten 100-watt light bulbs burning for one hour would use one kilowatt-hour--one kwh.

Some meters are read directly, as shown in Figure 1. The more common type has four dials which are read from right to left--just the opposite from the way things are usually read. The hand on the extreme right turns clockwise, the next hand turns counter-clockwise, the next clockwise; the last hand on the left turns counter-clockwise.

The first dial on the right can register up to 10 kilowatt-hours; the second up to 100 kwh; the third, to 1000 kwh; the fourth, to 10,000 kwh. After that, the meter starts over again. To take a reading you must read all four dials of the meter, from right to left.

To read each dial, you use the number last passed by the dial hand. This may not be nearest the hand. For instance, if the pointer has passed 6 and is almost on 7, you read it as 6. Write down the figures in the same order you read the dial, from right to left. Practice reading the meters shown in Figure 3 on the following page.

What's Your Electric Bill?

Meters aren't set back each month when the meter reader comes around. The difference in the readings from one month to the next shows how many kilowatt-hours have been used. If you know your electric rates, you can figure your bill by yourself. Your power supplier will furnish you with a rate schedule on request.

It will be interesting to you to find out how much it costs to operate the various electric appliances in your home. A sample rate schedule is shown in Figure 4.

Estimating Operating Costs

To find the cost of operating any single appliance, three steps are necessary:

1. Learn the wattage of the appliance.

2. Estimate how many hours the appliance is used.

3. Find its operating cost.

_To Find Wattage:_

Watts, you know, are the measure of electrical power. They are the product of voltage (pressure) times amperes (rate of flow). Volts times Amps equals Watts. The nameplate on the appliance will give the voltage required for proper operation as well as either amperage or watts. If it gives wattage, you have the information you want. Otherwise you must multiply volts times amps to get the wattage. When voltage is given as 110-120, use 120 as your voltage. 120 volts is nominal today.

_How Much Will You Use?_

Now that you know the wattage of the appliance, multiply this figure by number of hours the equipment operates in one day. Divide this by 1000 to get the kwh. Now multiply the result by the number of days the appliance is used each month. This tells you the number of kwh used by the appliance during the month.

|---------------------------------------------| | | |Example No. 1 | |_Yard Light:_ 300-watt lamp | | | |Amount of use: 3 hours per night. | | | |Multiply lamp wattage times hours of use | |per night to get watt-hours per night. | | | |300 times 3 = 900 watt-hours per night. | | | |Divide watt-hours by 1000 to get kwh per | |night. | | | |900 divided by 1000 = .9 kwh per night. | | | |Multiply kwh per night times 30 to get kwh | |per month. | | | |.9 times 30 = 27 kwh per month. | | | |If the yard light is used 3 hours per night, | |it consumes 27 kwh per month. | |---------------------------------------------|

Example No. 2

_Coffee Maker_: 120 volts, 550 watts (from nameplate)

Amount of use: 1/2 hour per day.

Multiply wattage of coffee maker times hours of use per day to get watt-hours per day.

550 times 1/2 hour = 275 watt-hours per day.

Divide watt-hours by 1000 to get kwh per day.

275 divided by 1000 = .275 kwh per day.

Multiply kwh per day times 30 to get kwh per month.

.275 times 30 = 7.250 kwh per month.

If the coffee maker is used l/2 hour daily, it consumes 7.25 kwh per month.

_Calculate Operating Cost Per Month_

Now that you know the number of kilowatt hours an appliance uses, go to your rate schedule and your electric bill to see what the average kwh costs. Find the average cost of 1 kwh by dividing the amount of your bill by the total number of kwh used in a month.

_Example_: 410 kwh used. $14.35 total monthly bill

Average cost per kwh equals $14.35 divided by 410 kwh-3-1/2 cents per kwh.

Therefore, the cost of operating the coffee maker for a month would be 3-1/2 cents times 7.25 kwh--25.4 or 25 cents. Cost of operating the yard light would have been 94.5 or 95 cents a month.

(a) 6357 (b) 1963 (c) 8996

Correct answers to the meter readings shown on the preceding page.

Adding Low Cost Helpers

You can see, by looking at your rate schedule, that the average cost per kwh gets lower as you use more electricity. To find the cost of operating additional electrical equipment, the cost per kilowatt hour is found from the last "step" in the bill--the lowest cost per kwh of the electricity you're now using. Sometimes power suppliers give special rates for such equipment as electric water heaters.

WHAT TO DO: Find the Cost of Operating Electrical Equipment

Make and fill in the blanks of a chart showing the electrical equipment you have and the operating costs per month.

Make a chart for the home (refer to chart one). Show the probable operating cost of equipment you might add to what you now have.

Demonstrations You Can Give

Show how to read a meter, making one with plywood or cardboard. Dials can be painted on the main board. Arrows can be attached so they will revolve to give different readings.

Show how to find the wattage of various types of equipment.

Show how to figure the cost of the average kwh in a home.

For Further Information

Your leader can get additional material for you or you may want to have someone from your power supplier talk to your club, telling about meters, how they work and how they are regularly checked for accuracy.

Chart One-THE HOME

Column No. 1. 2. 3. 4.

Item Wattage Hours KWH per Cost per Rating Used Month Month per (col. 1x2)/ (Col. 3 x av. Remarks Month 1000 kwh cost)

Electric Iron 1100 30 33 .80 Stove 880 60 52.8 1.21 (Special rate)

LESSON NO. B-8 Credit Points 3

IRONING IS FUN WITH THE MODERN HAND IRON

When you are getting ready to go to school or to a party, it probably gives you a good feeling to put on a clean, freshly-ironed skirt, blouse or dress. But did you ever think about the electric iron that helps so much to give you that well-dressed feeling? When you were younger, you may have had a play iron and pretended to iron your doll's dresses. Now you are old enough to learn about real irons--the different kinds of irons, how the iron heats, the kind of cord needed, the type of outlet necessary, how to use safety rules when you iron, and even how to help with the ironing.

Important Things to Know

There are many different irons, but the two kinds most important for you to know about now are the regular dry iron and the combination steam-and-dry iron.

It isn't weight alone that makes an iron do its job, but the heat of the iron. The heat is given off in the sole plate. The automatic iron has what is called a _thermostatic_ control which holds the temperature of the iron at the heat you want. Some clothes need to be ironed with a very hot iron, while others need only to be pressed lightly with a cool iron. The thermostat keeps the iron at an even temperature after you set it for the heat you want. The thermostat is the heart of the iron.

Take a look at the iron used in your home. It isn't heavy to lift, and has a handle that fits your hand easily. It looks graceful and has a smooth bottom, called the sole plate. And it may have a narrow, pointed tip which is helpful in ironing pleats, corners and gathers.

The Iron and Safety

If you are going to learn to do some ironing yourself, the most important thing for you to remember is SAFETY. You should read all about the iron first in the instructions which came with it.

Never use an iron carelessly. Remember the safety rules:

1. An iron should never be left even for a few minutes without being disconnected. Turn off by removing the plug from the outlet, or by turning the control lever to "off."

2. Let the iron cool before putting it away.

3. Wrap the cord carefully around the iron after it is cold.

4. Always stand the iron where it will not fall off on a child or pet or your own toes.

WHAT TO DO: Learn About Your Iron

Materials Needed: An automatic iron, some old play clothes, towels, napkins or handkerchiefs, and an ironing board.

Steps to Take:

1. Watch an experienced person iron.

2. Ask questions about what clothes need to be sprinkled.

3. Study the thermostat settings on the dial or indicator.

4. Ask about the kind of fabric each piece of clothing is--cotton, linen, silk, nylon, etc.--and why the iron should be at high heat for some, cooler for others.

5. Set the thermostat for the amount of heat needed, and with an older person watching you, iron some handkerchiefs, napkins, bath towels, and a pair of play shorts or blue jeans.

6. During a month iron some of these articles for your family, keeping a record of how many you do and what they were.

7. Take care of your iron. Be responsible for storing it.

+--------+-----------------+-------------------+---------------------+ | | No. | | Store Iron Properly | | Date | Articles Ironed | Type of Article | (check) | +--------+-----------------+-------------------+---------------------+ | | | | | +--------+-----------------+-------------------+---------------------+ | | | | | +--------+-----------------+-------------------+---------------------+

IRONING IS FUN

1. I (use) (do not use) an adjustable ironing Board at home. If I do, I adjust it to the height that just clears my knees easily as I sit in a comfortable chair. Yes No

2. There are three kinds of irons usually used--dry iron, steam iron or a combination steam or dry iron. I use a ---- iron.

3. I (have) (do not have) the instruction book. (If you do, read about the iron.) I know the iron's parts by their correct names. They are----.

4. I disconnect the iron if I leave it even for only a minute. This is a safety measure as fires have been known to start from irons left connected. Yes No

5. I take hold of the plug--not the cord--when disconnecting the iron. Yes No

6. I wait until the iron is cold before wrapping the cord around the handle and storing the iron because----.

7. Most irons have a thermostatic control. The iron I am using has settings for----.

8. The purpose of the thermostat is----.

9. These fabrics need high temperature.----

These fabrics need medium temperature.----

These fabrics need low temperature.----

10. These fabrics need sprinkling.----

11. The heat and smoothness of the sole plate smoothes the wrinkles. Pushing down on the handle or moving the iron rapidly only makes ironing hard work. I will iron slowly and steadily arranging and moving the garment with the left hand while guiding the iron with the right hand. (Or the other way for the left handed.) Yes No

12. I have watched an experienced person iron. Yes No

13. I have practiced on handkerchiefs, napkins and pillow cases.

14. Here is my record of ironing for one month.

Month ---- Your Name ----

Date I have ironed: ---------+------------------------------------------------ | |

Demonstrations You Can Give

1. Show a dry iron and a steam-and-dry iron. Tell the difference between them and when each is to be used.

2. Display garments that look nice because they have been ironed properly, and those that have been ironed improperly. Explain about the heat, thermostat, type of iron and why results differ.

For More Information

At a club meeting ask a parent to give a demonstration of ironing different articles. Some power suppliers or dealers have people who will demonstrate the proper way to iron, and how to care for irons.

LESSON NO. B-9 Credit Points 2

LET'S BE FRIENDS WITH ELECTRICITY

Plan a Hazard Hunt

Electricity can be your important lifelong friend and helper, so you will want to know all you can about it and how to treat it properly. However, careless and improper use of electricity can do a lot of harm. Used properly, and treated with respect, electricity can do wonderful things to help you every day in many ways.

For safe and proper use of electricity, all wiring, fittings, insulation, cords and plugs must be in good condition. You can be a detective and track down defects in any such type of electrical equipment that you may be using in your home or on your farm.

When you find anything that is wrong, and know where it is, and know what to do about it, you can very likely correct the condition yourself, such as replacing a worn extension cord with a new one. If you find defects in permanent wiring, or some places where wires are bare or terminals are needed, you should tell your parents about them.

SAFETY FIRST, remember, should always be on your mind when working with anything electrical.

WHAT TO DO:

_1. Have A Hazard Hunt_

Go on a Hazard Hunt to see how many electrical hazards you can find. Look for defects such as broken insulation, worn cords, splices that are not properly soldered and taped, loose connections, or switches that aren't working properly.

There are many ways to have a Hazard Hunt. Choose the method that will be the most fun. Use the Hazard Hunt Guide in this outline to check your home, and other buildings. Maybe you'll want to have a friend help check your home, then you help him check his. Or, why not give each member of your family a Hazard Hunt Guide and have a contest? Parents may want to team up against you and other younger members of your family to see which team can find the most electrical hazards in some set time--say 30 minutes.

Have a Hazard Hunt Committee in your club check all member's homes and buildings and report its findings at the next club meeting.

_To Make It More Fun_

1. Put a hazard tag, like the one shown, (Figure 1) by each hazard that is found. Leave it until the hazard is corrected. Have another contest to see which member of the family corrects the most hazards.

2. Report on your Hazard Hunt at the next club meeting. Tell about the Hazards found, and what you have done or plan to do about them.

3. Suggest that the entire club have an Electric Hazard Hunt at your club meeting places or any community building. This could be part of one meeting.

4. Have a contest between two teams in the club to see which team can get the most homes in your community checked by the Hazard Hunt Guide. Losers could give a party for the winners.

_2. Get Others Interested_

Promote a community Electric Hazard Hunt. Enlist the support of power suppliers, electric supply and equipment dealers, schools, newspapers, radio and television stations.

_What To Look For_

Make a complete tour of your home and other buildings and see how many hazards you can locate. When you find a hazard, put a tag near it to mark it.

SAFETY TIPS

Put hazard tags _near_ the hazard but _not_ directly on broken or frayed wires, insulators, fittings, or other wiring equipment. Do not touch them either. Badly-frayed wires should be disconnected immediately from the power supply. In this way, you will not expose yourself to shock by accidentally touching an exposed live wire that may be carrying current.

4-H Electric Hazard Hunt Guide

_Wiring and Protective Devices_

1. Cable or conduit splices not in boxes----

2. Cable or conduit not securely clamped in boxes----

3. Conduit or armored cable not properly grounded----

4. Cracked or broken insulators (Figure 2)----

5. Wire not completely covered with insulation----

6. Worn insulation on wire----

7. Old unused wiring not yet removed----

8. Outlets, junction and switch boxes not securely fastened and covers not in place----

9. Switches not working properly (sparks fly as switch is flipped) (Figure 3)----

10. Fuses not of proper ampere rating for circuit----

11. Extension cord used in place of permanent wiring----

12. Pull chain socket without an insulating link in the chain----

13. Pull chain socket near plumbing fixtures or where hands may be wet or one may stand in water----

14. No moisture-proof cords for outside weather conditions or heavy rubber cords for motors and motor driven appliances

_Lighting_

1. Fixtures in farm buildings installed so that they might be easily damaged

2. Lights in haymows and other dusty locations not protected by dustproof globes

3. Outside sockets not waterproof

4. Heat lamps not properly supported by non-current carrying wire, chains, or brackets (Figure 4)

5. Light bulbs not frosted, shaded, or placed so that light is diffused to prevent glare

_Auxiliary Wiring_

1. Outlets overloaded--in other words, "octopus wiring"

2. Extension cords placed under rugs

3. Extension cords run through doorways (Figure 5)

4. Extension cords or lamp cords should use underwriters' knot (Figure 6)

5. Plug connections fuzzy (Figure 7)

6. Extension cords run over heaters or radiators

7. Extension cords, or appliance or lamp cords, worn or frayed

8. Heating appliances without regular asbestos covered wire

9. Open sockets or outlets where a baby or small child might stick a finger or metal toy

10. Broken plugs (Figure 8)----

11. Loose prongs on appliance or lamps plugs----

How Many Hazards Did You Find?

Make a chart listing the hazards, their locations and what you did about them. Make your own chart and list what you find.

Demonstrations You Can Give

Show and tell others how to have a Hazard Hunt.

For Further Information

Check with your leader, then ask your power supplier or a local electrician to tell you about safe electrical wiring, connections and fixtures.

LESSON NO. B-10 Credit Points 3

HOW ELECTRIC BELLS WORK--FOR YOU