BUYING AN ELECTRIC GENERATOR: THINGS TO CONSIDER

The increasing rate of electric powered devices, machineries and equipment has proportionally increased the demand for electricity. However, the instability in electric power supply by power holding companies in the country has left many with no choice but to seek alternative source of generating electric power.

It is important to note, that there are various means of generating electricity such means as Solar power( involves Harnessing the Sun’s energy), wind power ( harnessing the energy of the wind through wind vanes),  steam power, nuclear power etc.

For the purpose of this blog, my write-up will be based on petroleum extract ( petrol and diesel) powered generators.

The following are necessary considerations when planning to purchase a generator;                            

               1.          What are your power requirements?  Your power needs can certainly tie back to your available budget.  However, the primary determining factor for generator sizing can be answered with the following question:  In the event of a power outage, should the generator run the entire building or just emergency loads?  When sizing a generator for an entire building, factors like peak demands during summer months and the amperage of your electrical service are relevant details.  When sizing for emergency loads only, the emergency circuits need to be determined.  For an existing structure, this may require the electrician to split the emergency circuits from your main electrical panel into a separate emergency panel.  For a home standby system, this decision is typically homeowner preference.  For a critical application such as a healthcare facility, certain loads may be required to have emergency back-up in order to meet code compliance.   

            2.       Which fuel type?  The most common fuel types for emergency standby systems are diesel, natural gas, and propane.  While gasoline may seem convenient, it’s typically viewed as a poor fuel choice for standby systems due to its relatively short life of stability.  The Cost can be a factor when choosing between a diesel or natural gas generator (or propane) since the cost difference can vary depending on the size of the generator.  The availability of the fuel source is another important factor.  Diesel and propane provide an ‘on-site’ fuel source but may require a re-fill during an extended power outage, where natural gas is pulled from the local utility.  Local code requirements may dictate which fuel types are available to your area; for example propane may not be an option within city limits in some regions.  In addition, the type of facility can sometimes dictate if an on-site fuel source is required.         

              ·     Fuel tank capacity and litres per hour of usage… You want a generator that is fuel efficient, but also one that holds a decent amount of fuel. Some generators adjust their engine speed (RPM) based on the load demand for greater fuel efficiency. Both fuel efficiency and fuel tank size will affect the run time. You can find the generator run time under the spec details for each unit.

            3.      Where will the generator be located?  The generator set should be located so that it’s readily accessible for maintenance and repair, and high enough to keep rising water from reaching the generator.  For outdoor and rooftop installations, comply with code requirements for minimum distance from combustible walls and building openings.  For indoor installations, adhere to requirements for fuel supply, ventilation, exhaust ducting, and proximity to combustible materials.  Typically the generator should be located as close as possible to the transfer switch and fuel supply. 

          4.      What is the voltage requirement?   Common low voltages for the U.S. are:  120/240 volts single phase, 120/208 volts three phase, 120/240 volts three phase, and 277/480 volts three phase.  If you are unsure, your licensed electrician can provide this information.

          5.      Warranty duration?  The standard warranty for generator systems typically ranges from one year to five years depending on the generator type.  Where a residential generator may come standard with a warranty ranging from two to five years, an industrial generator may come standard with a one or two year warranty and offer optional upgrades.  It’s a good idea to understand the warranty duration and coverage of your standby system, and ask for upgrade costs if you prefer an increased coverage.

…..TO BE CONTINUED

International Motor Show Germany Kicks off today

The International Motor Show Germany or simply International Motor Show, in German known as the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA - International Automobile Exhibition), is the world's largest motor show. It is held annually, with passenger vehicles (including some motorcycles) being displayed in odd-numbered years in Frankfurt am Main, and commercial vehicles in even-numbered years in Hanover, Germany. As this year 2016 show kicks off today in Hanover. Many speculations, and thoughts has been passing in minds of prospective observers.

Wissmann: We are very confident as we go to Hannover
66th IAA Commercial Vehicles is about to start: 332 world premieres – 2013 exhibitors from 52 countries – megatrends: digitization, electric mobility and urban logistics

The world’s most important trade show for transport, logistics and mobility, the 66th IAA Commercial Vehicles, opens its doors to visitors in Hannover on Thursday, September 22, 2016. A total of 2,013 exhibitors from 52 countries will present their latest developments until September 29. IAA visitors will experience 332 world premieres and 101 European premieres. The IAA is practically fully booked: the area occupied, of 270,000 square meters, is one of the best results since the IAA Commercial Vehicles became a separate exhibition (1992).

The IAA is organized by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). VDA President Matthias Wissmann stressed shortly before the opening, “We are very confident as we go to Hannover. We have the right conditions for a successful IAA. This, the world’s most important trade fair, is characterized in particular by the future-oriented topics of digitization, connectivity and automated driving, along with the alternative powertrains. It demonstrates being ‘driven by ideas’ in the truest sense.”

For a long time the commercial vehicle industry has considered itself a provider of services for mobility and logistics: “Digitization and alternative powertrains offer a huge opportunity to make the increasing freight traffic worldwide even more efficient and climate-friendly,” Wissmann underscored.

This IAA is fully living up to its international aspiration. The proportion of foreign exhibitors comes to 61 percent. The five best represented foreign countries are China (229), Italy (145), the Netherlands (121), Turkey (92) and France (85). More than one exhibitor in three comes from Europe (not including Germany), and one in five comes from Asia. The entire international value chain for commercial vehicles is represented here at the IAA: manufacturers of heavy trucks, vans and buses, and trailers and bodies, plus the many supplycompanies and providersof services such as telematics.
IAA Dates

2016

 66th IAA Commercial Vehicles Hannover Thursday, September 22 to Thursday, September 29, 2016

Press day: September 21, 2016
Press and Opening Day: September 22, 2016
Construction period: September 10 to 20, 2016
Dismantling period: September 29 to October 4, 2016

2017 

67th IAA Cars Frankfurt/Main Thursday, September 14 to Sunday, September 24, 2017
Press days: September 12 & 13, 2017
Trade visitor days: September 14 & 15, 2017

2018 

67th IAA Commercial Vehicles Hannover Thursday, September 27 to Thursday, October 4, 2018

2019

 68th IAA Cars Frankfurt/Main Thursday, September 12 to Sunday, September 22, 2019
Press days: September 10 & 11, 2019

Trade visitor days: September 12 & 13, 2019
2020 

68th IAA Commercial Vehicles Hannover Thursday, September 24 to Thursday, October 1, 2020

Cabinet Approves New Motor Vehicle Bill, Drunk Driving Fine Rs. 10,000

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill, 2016, providing for hefty penalties for violation of road safety rules. The fine for driving without licence goes up ten times to Rs. 5,000 while penalty for drunken driving increases fivefold to Rs. 10,000.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The important provisions include increase in compensation for hit-and-run cases from Rs.25,000 to Rs. 2 lakh. It also provides for compensation up to Rs. 10 lakh in road accidents fatalities," an official release said.

The Cabinet also recommended that for persons without helmets the new proposed penalty would Rs. 1,000 apart from suspension of licence for three months. The current penalty is Rs.100.

For seat belt violation, new proposed penalty is Rs. 1,000, up from Rs. 100.

For driving without insurance, the proposed penalty is Rs. 2,000, up from Rs. 1,000.

For offences by juveniles, the guardian/owner shall be deemed to be guilty. They will have to pay a penalty of Rs. 25,000 apart from three-year imprisonment. The juvenile will be tried under the Juvenile Justice Act and registration of his or her motor vehicle will be cancelled.

The bill provides amendments in various penalties. While the old penalty for violating road rules was Rs. 100, the new minimum penalty is Rs. 500.

Similarly, the penalty for speeding was Rs. 400, but the proposed penalties for LMV (light motor vehicle) is Rs. 1,000 and for medium passenger vehicle Rs. 2,000.


The new proposed penalty for unauthorised use of vehicles without license would go up toRs. 5,000 from Rs. 1,000.

For travelling without ticket, new proposed penalty is Rs. 500 which goes up from Rs. 200.

For driving despite disqualification, the new penalty is Rs. 10,000, which is now Rs. 500. The new proposed penalty for dangerous driving would go up to Rs. 5,000 from Rs. 1,000.

For disobedience of orders of authorities, the new proposed penalty is Rs. 2,000, compared with Rs. 500 at present.

The vehicle without permit will now have to pay up to Rs. 10,000. For aggregators (violations of licencing conditions) the proposed penalty would be Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 1,00,000.

The new proposed penalty for overloading is Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 2,000 per extra tonne. For not providing way for emergency vehicles the proposed penalty is Rs. 10,000. For overloading of passengers, the penalty would be Rs. 1000 per extra passenger.

"The bill also proposes to mandate the automated fitness testing for the transport vehicles with effect from 1st October 2018. This would reduce corruption in the Transport Department while improving the road worthiness of the vehicle," said the statement.

"The penalties are also proposed for deliberate violation of safety/environmental regulations as well as body builders and spare part suppliers," it added.

For overloading of two wheelers, new proposed penalty is Rs. 2,000 and disqualification of licence for three months. Currently, the penalty is Rs. 100.

Visit http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cabinet-approves-new-motor-vehicle-bill-drunken-driving-fine-rs-10-000-1439985 for more info.

Innovations in Vehicle Repair, Maintenance Main Focus of Automechanika

The main focus of this year’s Automechanika, holding in Germany would focus on innovations in vehicle repair and maintenance, the organisers have said.



Automechanika, which is in its 24th edition, is believed to be one world’s biggest trade fair for vehicle repair and maintenance.

The show which held from September 13 to 17 September in Frankfurt, Germany, the event showcased latest discoveries in products and services, including garage equipment, tools, bodywork repair, recovery services, accident assistance and mobile services.

According to the Nigeria representative of the organisers, Omonigho Itoya, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Exhibition and Trade Limited, said the event has, over the years, improved the experience of Nigeria artisans who have regularly attended the exhibition by helping them to import skill and technology that could meet with the increasing demand of the sector.

She said the fact that all of the sector’s leading companies, including German federations would be present at the event underscored the huge importance of the trade fair to the global automotive sector.

“Automechanika is a platform for innovations and future-oriented solutions and trends and, for the first time, will present the after-sales world of the future as ‘Tomorrow’s Service & Mobility’,” she said.

Itoya, who said repair and maintenance industry in Nigeria has witnessed a remarkable improvement, noted that the technological trends rocking the sector must trigger repair and maintenance experts to towards improved skills and technology.

Taking place in a total of 366,637 square metres of exhibition space, as well as an outdoor exhibition area measuring over 96,000 square metres, the organiser said more than 4,600 exhibitors, 138,000 trade visitors from 176 countries were expected at the event.

She stated that the event would offer training opportunities covering range of topics that is affecting the industry, particularly as it relates to new trends in the sector, adding that her organisation would ease travel processes for interested Nigerians.

Automechanika would hold 12 professional-development workshops covering almost all aspects of the collision-damage repair process, the organsiation said.

On recent trends in the sector, the organiser added that alternative drive systems, automated driving and mobility services would take centre stage as car manufacturers, suppliers and start-ups are expected to present pioneering products and solutions.

5 Daihatsu models that Toyota should bring to India

Daihatsu is looking to enter the Indian market within 2-3 years, according to reports. Initially, the budget car manufacturer will leverage Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s dealership network to sell its product lineup. Here are 5 of the Daihatsu products IAB thinks that Toyota should bring to India in the long haul.

Daihatsu Terios

The sub-4m compact SUV from Daihatsu is billed as the most likely product to launch in India, given the hot demand for compact SUVs in India. In Indonesia, the Terios is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine good for 109 PS and 144 Nm of torque, paired to a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The India-spec Terios could source the Etios Liva’s 1.2L petrol engine to take advantage of the ‘small car’ tax. Expect the next gen Terios to launch in India, as the current model is dated.

Daihatsu Xenia

Likely to be the flagship product of Daihatsu, the Xenia is basically a rebadged version of the Toyota Avanza sold in Indonesia. It will slot in the compact MPV segment that comprises of the Maruti Ertiga, Honda Mobilio and Renault Lodgy. The pricing, practicality and Toyota’s reliability could make the Xenia a hit in the commercial segment.

Daihatsu Sigra

Launched last month in Indonesia, the Sigra is Daihatsu’s newest product. It is the least expensive MPV in its range, which is based on the Ayla hatchback. Engine options include a 1.0L or 1.2L petrol engines available with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed AT (1.2L only). We see it as a rival to the Datsun GO+ and the new Maruti Wagon R in India.

Daihatsu Sirion

To lock horns with the Ford Figo, Honda Brio and Hyundai Grand i10, Daihatsu could introduce the Sirion hatchbackin India. The model sold in Indonesia is powered by a 1.3L, 4-cylinder VVT-i engine that makes 90 PS and 117 Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. The India-spec model could be next in line to source the 1.2L petrol engine from Toyota to take advantage of the ‘small car’ tax benefits.

Daihatsu Ayla

Slotting in the compact hatchback segment that comprises of products like the Maruti Celerio and Tata Tiago, theDaihatsu Ayla would be the Japanese manufacturer’s entry level product. In its current state, the car’s powered by a 68 hp 1.0L petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

credit:http://indianautosblog.com/

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT STUDYING IN GERMANY

It is obvious that trying to apply for studies in a foreign country comes with so much uncertainties and lots of questions wanna be asked. Below is a list of Dermechanik answer to some FAQs yours may be included Viel gluck!

Is there any limitation on the number of students getting admitted from a particular country for a specific course at a German university?

Germany does not have any such restrictions or any quotas for nationalities, gender, etc. The sole criterion of selection is academic excellence as documented by means of academic certificates, publications, patents, etc. Not to mention the competition that other applicants will provide!

I want to do an MS in Germany. Is it mandatory to learn German even if the medium of teaching is English? I have learnt German as part of the curriculum during my under-graduation, so should I be writing the A1 and A2 exams to qualify for admissions in German institutes?

If you are applying for a course taught in English, it is often not mandatory to know the German language. However, it is always an advantage to know some German if you wish to gel with the people around you, to find part time jobs, to land good internships or more importantly seek employment in Germany after your studies. For some international degree programmes, basic German language proficiency is required. In case you are opting for such programmes, you may want to appear for A1/A2 exams. Such programmes often give students a semester or two to achieve the proficiency level.

I am a second year student of Electronics and Communication Engineering. I would like to know the fee structure for MS courses. Are part-time jobs allowed during the course of study?

In Germany, most of the institutions of higher education charge no or very little tuition fee — to the tune of 500 Euro per semester. However, you will need to pay semester contribution ranging from Euro 50 to 250, depending upon the university and the services or benefits provided. Besides this you need to take into account your living expenses of around Euro 740 a month and travel expenses to and from India when you prepare your budget. As an Indian student, you can work for 120 full days or 240 half days in a year. While this can certainly support your sustenance, we advise not to have an earn-and-learn strategy for higher education in Germany.

Will scholarship be provided for our studies? Is there any examination for getting a scholarship? How much scholarship will be provided?

DAAD has a wide range of funding possibilities depending upon what you would like to pursue in Germany. The focus of funding is research and, as such a range of scholarships is available for Ph.D. and above. There are some special scholarships at the masters level as well. Prerequisites, selection procedure and funding vary, depending on the type of scholarship. DAAD scholarships generally are ‘full’ scholarships and cover living expense, travel as well as insurance. Complete information about scholarship programmes open for Indians is available on DAAD Delhi. There are funding organisations besides the DAAD as well. Check this site for a database of various funding options. Keep an eye open for the application announcements and deadlines!

I am a postgraduate student and I am aspiring for a Ph.D. in Germany with a scholarship from DAAD. Is it necessary to talk to a professor beforehand and get an acceptance letter from him while applying for DAAD? How does the further procedure go?

Yes, an acceptance letter from the professor who will guide you for your Ph.D. is crucial to your application for a DAAD Ph.D. scholarship. Besides this, you also are expected to submit a research proposal together with academic certificates. The deadline for application is October 1. Further, you need to take an interview with an Indo-German panel of experts in New Delhi in late November and the decision is out around March. If you are successful, your mandatory German language course begins in summer and your Ph.D. research in October the following year. Establishing contact with the counterpart/guide is in fact a necessary condition for most of DAAD’s funding programmes. You can find the announcements here.

I am a first year undergraduate student of Chemical Engineering at IIT Madras. Could you please tell me the procedure and requirements to apply for a student exchange programme in future semesters or a research internship at a reputed German university?

The Working Internships in Science and Technology (WISE) programme of the DAAD is open to students of IITs, NITs and other select institutions and funds research internships at German universities. Like all DAAD scholarships, this is a very competitive programme. The applicant needs to have a letter of invitation from a German professor willing to act as the guide for the duration of the internship. The applicant must establish contact with the German professor on his or her own. Here is the announcement for WISE.

How long does the visa process take? What is it like? What is the amount of money I am required to show in my bank account? From the time of application, the student visa procedure for Germany takes between 8 and 12 weeks. A student’s blocked account ("Sperrkonto") in Germany in the name of the applicant showing a minimum balance of Euro 8.040, and the remark that the account holder can dispose of a monthly amount of EURO 670, is necessary, the alternatives being a scholarship or a formal letter of sponsorship from a sponsor living in Germany. Visit the website of the German Embassy or the German Consulate for complete details about the visa application procedure.

What are the chances of job prospects in Germany after completion of an MS degree?

The German Parliament has implemented the EU Blue Card and a new unlimited work and residence permit to grant foreign graduates of German universities unrestricted access to the job market. Also, after completing one’s degree programme from a German university, one is allowed to stay in Germany for 18 months to look for a job in keeping with one’s qualification. You can find more information aboutcareer after studies here.

I am a doctor (MBBS) and have been doing general practice for the last six years in a government hospital. I would like to go for higher education (MD-post graduation) in Germany. How do I apply to universities and what is the procedure to be followed? Do German hospitals take foreign educated doctors for MD courses?

The Indian and the German system, when it comes to medicine and dentistry, are different. For example, the Indian M.B.B.S. does not correspond to the official Medical Licensing Examination of Germany. The Indian M.B.B.S degree, in principle, reflects a stage of proficiency approximately commensurate with Stage II of Clinical Studies only.

For post-graduate Studies, candidates have to apply for a license to practise medicine by the Federal Ministry of Health. We suggest that you please get in touch with German universities directly to check whether and at what level you may join a programme offered by them given your present qualification.A list of universities can be found here. One must note here that the language of instruction for medicine is exclusively German.

excerpts:http://www.thehindu.com/features/education/college-and-university/

STUDYING IN GERMANY FOR INDIANS- FOR NEWBIES (PART-2)

Some universities may ask for your TOEFL/IELTS/GRE/GMAT scores, depending upon the subject you choose to study. For example, GMAT may be asked for if you want to study economics or law.

Universities will ask for very good German language skills in case you want to take up a programme in German medium. In such cases, your knowledge of German needs to be certified through examinations like the TestDaF (http://www.testdaf.de ) or DSH.

How do I go about applying?

October – November:

Collect general information from the DAAD, internet and brochures.

Attend counseling sessions at the DAAD closer to you! We have our offices in Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai and Pune. For our addresses, please visit www.daaddelhi.org

January – March:

Contact the selected university. This will be your most important source of information as far as exact details about eligibility, course duration, fee, application procedure etc. are concerned.

Check the application deadline for courses chosen!

March – June:

Send the application packet.

The website of the course / university you have chosen will carry details about application procedure to be followed. Accordingly, send your application either to the university or to UNI-ASSIST.

UNI-ASSIST is a body that accepts your application, screens it and forwards it to its member universities of your choice against payment. The fee for applying to one university through UNI-ASSIST is 55 Euro and then 15 Euro for every additional university. Member universities of UNI-ASSIST often do not entertain direct applications. So please check well before you send in your papers. For detailed information and list of member universities, visit http://www.uni-assist.de

If you have chosen a university that is not a member of UNI-ASSIST, send your application directly. In any case, the webpage of the course you have selected will always give information about the application procedure.

Application forms and other relevant material can be downloaded from the internet.

Make sure you have a valid passport!

July:

Apply for a student visa as soon as you have the admission letter, as the procedure can take around two months. The German Embassy and the Consulates require proof of funding for the first year of studies (approx. INR 4-5 lakh).

To find out where you should apply for a visa, visit:

http://www.new-delhi.diplo.de/Vertretung/newdelhi/en/02/Embassy.html

Apply for a place in a hostel. In some cases the International Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt) of the university will help you.

September – October:

Arrive in Germany at least a week before your course begins.

Contact the International Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt) of your university for guidance.

October – December:

Get your residence permit within the first three months of your stay in Germany from the Foreigners’ Registration Office (Auslaenderamt).

As you can make out, this timeline refers to courses beginning with the winter semester (October – March). In case you find a course that begins with the summer semester (April – September), just calculate the months accordingly and proceed!

Here we would like to reiterate that you should necessarily check the website of / contact the chosen university for exact course details.

Do I need to know German?

As you have already read, Germany offers numerous International Degree Programmes (IDPs) with English as the sole or primary medium of instruction.

But as a student in Germany, your life will not be limited to the university campus. You will surely want to interact with people, travel through the country-side and make the best of your time there. This is where knowledge of German will present a great advantage!

Universities offer beginner and well as advanced level courses where you can learn German. But you can start learning the language while you are still in India at one of the Goethe-Instituts (Max Mueller Bhavans) / Goethe-Zentrums http://www.goethe.de/ins/in/lp/enindex.htm

What kind of budget should I have in my mind?

In Germany, education is subsidized by the state and therefore most of the institutions of higher education charge no or very little tuition fee – to the tune of 500 Euro per semester. Thus, in Germany virtually every student gets a scholarship! However, you will need to pay semester contribution ranging from Euro 50 to 250, depending upon the university and the services or benefits provided.

For certain special courses you may need to pay higher fees.

Apart from the tuition fees, if any, you will require about Euro 740 (approx. INR 45,000) per month for subsistence i.e. housing, food, clothing, study material and other expenses such as health insurance and leisure activities. This amount can vary from city to city, and of course from lifestyle to lifestyle!

Are there any scholarships available?

Funding in Germany is available in principle for research and in some cases at the master level. Two scholarship programmes that the DAAD offers for master level education are:

1. Master’s Scholarship for Public Policy and Good Governance –PPGG (http://newdelhi.daad.de/mainFrame/home/PPGG.pdf )

2. Postgraduate Courses with Relevance to Developing Countries (http://newdelhi.daad.de/mainFrame/home/Aufbau.pdf )

A complete list of scholarship programmes for Indian candidates can be viewed at www.daaddelhi.org

To get a comprehensive overview of various funding possibilities, please visit www.funding-guide.de

Can I work in Germany – as a student and later as a professional?

As an international student, you are permitted to work for up to 90 full days or 180 half-days in a year. This will help you in getting a bit of extra pocket-money!

After completing your degree in Germany, you can stay on in the country for up to one year to look for a job that is in keeping with your education. Once you find a job, the residence permit issued to you for the purpose of studying, can be converted into a residence permit for taking gainful employment.

Germany has always had a very strong industry-academia linkage. A lot of scientific research is funded by the industry as well. During your studies you can get the opportunity to do internships with German companies, which can open new vistas for your professional career.

We hope that with this information you have a fair overview of higher education in Germany and what you have to do to get there. If you want to know more about universities and student life or read what other international students have to say about Germany, surf on www.study-in.de

...And we must mention, that your reading of this document is not complete unless you have also visited the websites we have provided you with!

Wishing you all the very best for your future,

DAAD New Delhi

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