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Electrical Load Calculation

Kitchen Confidential 

“Life happens in the kitchen”

WHY ELECTRICAL LOAD CALCULATION IS ESSENTIAL FOR SAFE AND EFFICIENT ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

When planning for a construction project, it is essential to take into account the electrical load requirements. Electrical load calculation is the process of determining the amount of electrical power required for a particular building, system, or appliance. It is a critical process that plays a vital role in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of an electrical system.

Here are some reasons why electrical load calculation is so important:

  1. Safety: Electrical systems that are overloaded or underloaded can pose significant safety risks. Overloaded circuits can cause overheating, which can result in fires and other hazards. On the other hand, underloaded circuits can lead to electrical shocks, short circuits, and other issues. Electrical load calculation helps to ensure that the electrical system is properly sized and designed to handle the power demands of the building or equipment, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.
  2. Efficiency: An electrical system that is properly sized and designed can operate more efficiently, which can result in significant cost savings over time. Electrical load calculation helps to determine the optimal size of electrical components, such as transformers, wires, and circuit breakers, which can help to reduce energy waste and improve system performance.
  3. Compliance: Electrical load calculation is required by electrical codes and standards, such as the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the International Building Code (IBC). Compliance with these codes is necessary to ensure that the electrical system is safe and meets the minimum requirements for electrical installations.
  4. Cost-effectiveness: Electrical load calculation can help to optimize the design of the electrical system and reduce the need for costly upgrades or repairs. By accurately determining the power demands of the building or equipment, it is possible to select the most cost-effective components and design the system to minimize energy waste and reduce operating costs.

In conclusion, electrical load calculation is a critical process that should not be overlooked when planning for a construction project or installing new electrical equipment. It helps to ensure safety, efficiency, compliance, and cost-effectiveness of the electrical system, which can ultimately result in a better-quality project and a safer environment for everyone.

To learn more about load calculations and how to easily do one yourself listen to The Kitchen Sink Podcast Episode 55: How to Prevent Your House from Burning Down

       

      Are you looking for help during your kitchen remodel?  Check out my program, Kitchen Remodel Rockstar, where you will learn how to design your dream kitchen in 2 weeks!

      LEARN MORE

      Crab and Arugula Pasta

      Cooking with Camille

      Crab & Arugula Pasta
      from FOODWISE by Mia Ridgen

      This delicious recipe is a mix of spaghetti and a salad tossed together with lemon sauce and crab.  It’s FANTASTIC!

      Listen and cook along with me as I make this delicious recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks! 

      Ingredients

      Directions

      • 1 package spaghetti
      • 1 shallot (finely diced)
      • Olive oil
      • Minced garlic
      • Cherry tomatoes
      • 1 precooked crab
      • 1 tsp crushed red pepper
      • 1 ear sweet corn (my addition)
      • 1 lemon
      • 1 Tbsp Mustard (my addition)
      • 3/4 cup chicken broth
      • 1 package arugula
      • Dill (my addition)
      • Salt
      • Pepper

       Prepare pasta:

      1. Cook spaghetti al dente based on package directions

      Prepare salad:

      1. Add olive oil, shallot, garlic and crushed red pepper to skillet.
      2. Add lemon
      3. Add cherry tomatoes and press on them with the back of a large spoon which “pops” them and helps them cook faster
      4. Add mustard and corn
      5. Add salt
      6. Add chicken broth
      7. Let the mixture thicken

      Prepare crab:

      1. Break open crab and place crab pieces into the sauce skillet to warm through

      Assemble salad:

      1. Add pasta to the saucepan and stir to combine
      2. Add arugula to large bowl
      3. Place spaghetti on top of arugula and stir to combine. 
      4. Top with a squeeze of fresh lemon, sprinkle of parm and fresh black pepper.

      For the full recipe and to try all of Mia’s amazing recipes check out her cookbook FOODWISE!

      Cabinet Scams Revealed

      Kitchen Confidential 

      “Life happens in the kitchen”

      KSP LIVE: CABINET SCAMS REVEALED!

      On this episode of KSP LIVE I talk about the 5 most common cabinet scams I see manufacturers use to mislead customers.  So if you’re in the market for new kitchen cabinets you need to listen to this episode first!

      L

      The 5 most common cabinet scams

      L

      Advice on what to look for to avoid being taken advantage of

      L

      Questions to ask your contractor

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      Types Of Countertop Material

      Kitchen Confidential 

      “Life happens in the kitchen”

      THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO COUNTERTOP MATERIALS

      ))Mohs Hardness Scale

      The Mohs Hardness Scale is a way to identify the hardness of a mineral and it’s resistance to scratching.

      Types of countertop material

      • Natural Stone
      • Engineered Stone
      • Wood Butcher Block
      • Concrete

      What is natural stone?

      Natural stone is derived from products that have been quarried from the earth. 

      Examples: Granite, Marble, Quartzite

      What is engineered stone?

      Engineered stone is a material made of crushed stone bound together by an adhesive to create a solid surface.

      I personally love engineered stone and have it in my own home.  It is very easy to clean, costs less than other materials, and is ideal for heavy use.  

      Examples: Quartz, Porcelain, Ultra Compact Stone

      Qualities & Features

      The list below are the qualities and features I use to determine what type of countertop material to us:

      • Porous/Non Porous
      • Scratchable/Non Scratchable
      • Heat Proof/Not Heat Proof
      • Natural/Man Made
      • Pattern/Color
      • Widely Available/Hard To Find
      • Expensive/Inexpensive

      Now let’s break down the most popular countertop materials based on the list above.  First we will start with natural stone:

      Granite

      • Mostly made of melted down quartz crystals
      • 4-6 on Mohs scale depending on the density (some quartz components are softer than others
      • Durable, but porous (will need to seal often)
      • Heat resistant
      • Hard to scratch
      • Large range of colors
      • Not all granites are the same, some are harder than others

      Marble

      • Made from recrystalized carbonite minerals
      • 2-3 Mohs Scale
      • Large range of marbles
      • Affordable options
      • Very soft
      • Very porous
      • Not heat resistant
      • Scratchable
      • Not good for a main kitchen area
      • Almost never recommend it

      Quartzite

      • Harder than granite
      • Sometimes has look of marble but much harder and denser
      • 6-7 Mohs scale but only if you get HARD quartzite (soft quartzite is basically like marble)
      • Available in a range of finishes (honed, leathered, polished)
      • Looks different than traditional quartz engineered stone

       

      Next we will talk about engineered stone:

      Quartz

      • Man made
      • Crushed quartz mineral mixed with high tech epoxy and cured
      • 7 on Moez Scale – incredibly hard
      • Engineered so very consistent in thickness and color
      • Alot easier to work with

      • Can be less expensive because its so widely available, can find a range of selection and brands to choose from

      • Non porous – spill a glass of red wine on it, it wont absorb into the surface

      • Heat resistant (I still use a trivet) but if you have a pot of boiling water and you set it on there for a few minutes its not going to do anything

      • So many brands, can find a less expensive but still high quality brand that works well for clients – not as price sensitive

      • Can still chip, if you take a cast iron pot and hit it directly on the edge it can chip but it is easier to repair

      • The color and the pattern goes all the way through so its easier to repair

      I personally prefer quartz.  Quartz is my favorite type to work with because there is a wide range of patterns and colors, widely available and easily repairable from a fabricators standpoint.

      Porcelain

      • Man made
      • Sold as a hard, dense material
      • 6-7 on Mohs Scale
      • Non porous
      • Scratch Proof
      • Heat Resistant
      • 100% Man Made
      • Large range of pattern/color
      • Widely available
      • Not repairable

      Porcelain is basically a resin that is poured over the top of the core material so the pattern and color does not go all the way through.  This means if you get a chip on the edge it is very difficult to match the color.

      Personally, I do not recommend porcelain unless I know the client is very aware of its limitations and is careful with hard, heavy objects.

      Ultra Compact Stone

      • Man Made
      • Newer material
      • New way of producing stone – centered stone – take the stone and its crushed up and pressurized and makes them incredibly strong 
      • 7-8 Mohs Scale
      • 2 main brands (Decton and Neolith)
      • Heat proof
      • Scratch Proof
      • Non Porous
      • Expensive
      • Range of colors and patterns
      • Color goes all the way through (makes it easier to repair)
      • Large sizes

      The downside of ultra compact stone is that it’s not widely available.  It is also hard to find a fabricator that knows how to work with it.

      Other Countertop Options

      Butcher Block/Wood Top

      • Extremely porous
      • Scratchable
      • Not heat proof

      I don’t believe butcher block belongs in a kitchen environment.  If you see them in photos, most are staged.  If you decide to use butcher block you will need to take extreme care of it.  If you want to use it, integrate it in area that is not heavy traffic, no cutting or contact with water.

      Concrete

      Concrete can look beautiful but is very difficult to put in correctly.  With constant use, water will get through the seal and start to break down the concrete.

       

      Are you looking for help during your kitchen remodel?  Check out my program, Kitchen Remodel Rockstar, where you will learn how to design your dream kitchen in 2 weeks!

      LEARN MORE