#sensor enclosures

[fuzzkaizer]

stallik - proximity wah shell

"I've seen signs where a single sheet of acrylic is mounted into a slot lined with led's. The slot hides the them but they illuminate the edges of the sheet and any engraving on it. Looks awesome but, its harder to hide the led's on a pedal."

cred: diystompboxex.com/stallik

[red-garden]

i want one of those deaged!shen jiu fics to have him stare up at this grown man version of qi-ge with absolute betrayal, teary-eyed and accusatory, demanding to know how qi-ge had the gall to grow up without his permission (to become something that from his young and tiny vantage point trips all of his "danger!" sensors off).

too young to have any memory of the abandonment and heartbreak waiting for him in his future, so to him this is the worst thing his gege has ever done. he'll still be all clingy and sticky and he'll get so mad at himself whenever this adult version of yue qi does something that accidentally trips a wire. loudly berating him for being old or for being tall like it's some personal failing.

I have to assume that you are the same anon that’s been sending me a lot of asks lately. I’m in love with you. I’m planning a summer wedding.

In other news; SHAKING THE BARS OF MY ENCLOSURE RAHHHHHHHHHHHH LITERALLY SO PERFECT.

Why does Qi-ge look like those rich assholes that would size up the slave children like livestock? I think if little Shen Jiu ever voiced that YQY would cry and throw up.

Imagine baby!SJ with YQY getting explained ‘we made it! We’re powerful cultivators now and we never have to worry about money or food again. No one can touch us if we don’t want them to, and when we speak, people listen.’ I think baby!SJ would warm up really fast.

Also, the other peak lords seeing how adorable he used to be?????? Seeing how fearful and small he was????????????? Instant forgiveness. How could they hate Xiao Jiu? They could probably infer a lot about his past, and how could anyone????? Do that to a child???????????? Xiao Jiu protection force.

Every time one of the peak lords frighten him (but especially YQY) it’s like stepping on your pet’s tail accidentally. Crying screaming throwing up you will never know the depths of my guilt.

[spiribia]

Part of the charm for Minecraft animals for me, especially some of the later beasts with more unique behaviors, is honestly just that, that for things like bees and foxes they’re not employed by you and they have their particular desires, and if you’re crafty you can find ways to benefit from their behaviors, but otherwise they are just a moving part of the world. A bee will leave the hive to find flowers and then return home, shedding pollen that accelerates the growth rate of the plants it lands on. It does this because it’s a bee, and that’s what a bee wants to do. You can build your wheat field around a bee hive and then border the field with flowers so that bees will inevitably get pollen on your wheat any which way they go home. Or take a fox, it eats berries from bushes. During day it will seek out a dark enough spot to curl up and sleep, but if there are other mobs like your dogs nearby, it won’t sleep until it establishes enough distance. What does this do for you, really? I’m sure you could have some application for fox’s nocturnality, ex. you could probably make just one spot of your fox enclosure dark enough for it to seek out and sleep in during the daytime and put a redstone sensor in that spot like a pressure plate it sleeps on to day / night automate something, maybe lamps. A fox will pick up and carry items in its mouth, and eventually eat them if they’re food. It can jump fences to eat chickens. Are you listening to me.

[defectivehero]

Villian (hero's lover) locks up injured hero until they get better, hero was injured many times before and would always convince villian that they were fine, this was the last straw.

i am allergic to explicit romance (or romance at all), so i'm skipping over that part haha

"Well, isn't this fun," the villain remarks, raising their brows as they study the hero's form. They've been waiting for the hero to arrive. After all, the villain's misdeeds are never ignored for very long. And the villain has enough experience to know exactly how to unsettle and unnerve the hero—how to get them running over in five minutes; how to summon them without so much as a single word or action. They are the puppet master and the hero is their faithful mannequin, bending to their every whim.

Yet the hero has been running about with loose strings recently. Surely that is the only explanation for their current state: as they stand unsteadily, blood spattered across their clothes and bruises and scrapes nearly everywhere. It looks like they're favoring their left ankle over their right and there's a dazed glaze in their eyes, as if they're fighting off fatigue. "Just what makes you think you can take me on in such a state?" The villain asks lightly.

"Shut up," the hero hisses. They take a step forward—evidently intending to fight them—only to fall to the ground in a crumpled heap. The villain chokes on a laugh; after a few seconds, they walk over and look down at their enemy, clicking their tongue.

"This is embarrassing," the villain remarks. They lightly kick at the hero's side and the hero groans, flipping to lie on their back. The hero squints up at them as the sunlight evidently burns bright spots in their vision.

"Just... leave," the hero bites out. It's clear that their pride is wounded, if they're admitting that they can't fight. If the villain were a kinder person, they would leave the hero be. But they have never been kind, so they laugh instead.

"I don't think so," the villain says, regarding the hero with mild interest. "You were the one to seek me out, remember?" Indeed, the villain got here first, and the hero arrived shortly after. The villain stares down at the hero's form for a long moment, a plan quickly taking shape in their mind.

"What are you plotting?" The hero asks, breaking them out of their thoughts. The villain must've had a smirk on their face. They raise a brow and the smirk returns. Something in their expression must betray their intentions, because the hero immediately tries to back away on their elbows. "Don't touch me," the hero spits.

"Sure," the villain remarks easily, ignoring their request and instead bending down and picking the hero up into their arms. They're sure their rival wants to resist, but they're evidently much too injured to do so. Regardless, the hero looks positively murderous. The villain takes a deep breath and closes their eyes, until the familiar feeling of darkness encompasses them and they visualize their intended destination: their laboratory. Within moments, the villain is standing in the center of their lab with the hero.

"What the fuck are you doing-?" The hero spits, blinking rapidly as they recover from the quick teleportation. A person who is teleported against their will can experience dizziness, blurred vision, headaches... The list goes on. The villain supposes these side effects only further aid their current plans, making the hero pliant in their arms.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" The villain asks quizzically, walking mechanically towards the glass enclosure near the edge of the room. They feel an amused smile growing on their lips. "Taking a walk in the park? Honestly." The motion sensors activate and the door to the enclosure slides open. The villain walks to the corner of the space and unceremoniously drops the hero onto the ground. Their enemy groans at the

The hero is hardly able to move—they will not be able to escape. The villain watches as that realization crashes down on them, as they're forced to accept their sudden captivity.

"I don't understand-" They mumble, looking around the space with a sort of dazed confusion.

"You really do talk too much." The villain murmurs regretfully.

"I-" The hero sputters. It seems they've never been told that before. That is really a shame—they need more honest friends, the villain thinks to themself. "This isn't- I could die in here!" They stare up at them with panic.

The villain pointedly looks at the adjacent wall and the hero turns their head to the side. Their reaction is incredibly amusing—so much so that the villain wishes they had the foresight to record it, so that they could watch it over and over again. The hero regards the water machine with a truly nasty glare, as if the machine did something to personally offend them.

"You're joking," the hero seethes. "What is this, a fucking hamster cage? You're missing an exercise wheel." They scoff, looking around the rest of their new cage. "...And food."

"You know humans can survive for three weeks without food," the villain remarks helpfully. "And I've always wanted to test that theory..." They smile, clasping their hands excitedly.

"Seriously?" the hero hisses incredulously. "I'm not a fucking guinea pig for you to experiment on."

"You aren't?" The villain asks, slipping on a mask of genuine confusion. "Then why did you come when I called?" The hero stares at them in irritated disbelief. The villain hums in satisfaction. The hero's anger and confusion gives them immense joy. "Maybe now you'll learn to take better care of yourself," they murmur patronizingly, crouching down and placing a hand on the hero's cheek.

"Don't touch me," the hero repeats like a mantra. The villain isn't sure if that remark is meant for them or the hero themself. They don't think it quite matters.

"This is your own fault, you know," the villain whispers, standing back up. The accusation sinks heavily into the air and the hero must know it to be true, if the way the light in their eyes briefly flickers and dims. "if you hadn't come to me in such a state, this wouldn't have happened."

The hero looks to be considering their next words thoughtfully. It's clear they want to beg or plea, but they must know that their efforts will be to no avail. The villain has never bowed down to the hero's desires, and they don't plan to start now.

Evidently discouraged, the hero switches tactics. Their composure promptly shatters, as it is instead replaced with raw, unbridled fury. It's clear that they've come to one inevitable conclusion: they will be trapped here until the villain wishes to release them (if the villain wishes to release them). "You can't do this to me!" The hero screams, their eyes wide and their voice unsteady.

"I believe I just did," the villain says with a slight smile. They take a step backwards. "See you in a few days. Try not to die. Or do—just don't make a mess of it." They walk out the door and it slides shut behind them, leaving the hero caged in walls of glass. The villain sits down at their desk and busies themself with their newest blueprints. Their enemy's agitated screams and desperate shouts are a pleasant hum in the back of their mind as the villain resumes their work.

©2024, @defectivehero | @defectivevillain, All Rights Reserved. Reblogs are greatly appreciated—just don't steal or share outside of Tumblr, please.

me typing: "raw unbridled furry." me: wait. fury. i meant fury.

tag list: @lateuplight @wit-is-wisdom @greengableswriting @whump-me-all-night-long @noawhite @rekhyt-of-arcadia @the-blind-one-speaks @sufferfictionalcharacters @basically-psyduck @alexkolax @subval01 @emerald-blade @felicia609 @surplus-of-sarcasm @ilickedanenvelopeandilikedit @a-chaotic-gremlin @unknownogre @prompt-fills-and-writing-spills @whatwhumpcomments @excusemeasibangmyheadonawall @agayprince @starsick1979 @a-lonely-little-ghost @agayprince @plum-tello

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[zefir-crow]

avian randy au !

i have an unfinished wip (unbetaed) thats too short for my ao3, so it shall be seen by tumblr x3

you can find more about avian randy here !

tws for mentioning of vomit (brief), a character sprouting wings (agony

Tap. Tap. Tap, tap, tap.

A rapid sound of plastic hitting the wooden table could be heard in a small, dim lit enclosure. It lacked any rhythm whatsoever- the tapping wasn’t consistent, getting a semblance of a tempo just for a second before the movement stuttered. Then the process started anew, as it always did.

Tap, tap. Tap. Tap, tap. Tap-

Randy let out a harsh breath, putting the pen down, his hands reaching for the bandages that were no longer here. He fiddled with his shirt sleeves instead.

The absence of the familiar weight on his body, of his jacket was a jarring one. He knew it was lying on his lap, but it wasn’t on him, not really. He could remember how he had almost lost it, too. Just when he started living on the streets, when he didn’t really know just how far some people were willing to go. 

He was cold. The ticket booth was somewhat warm, and he was cold.

He should just put the jacket on. He should just…

His back protested, a sharp, itching pain settling between his shoulder blades. Randy let out a deep groan. It was- he was not used to the pain, no matter what anyone claimed. It wasn’t just something he could ignore easily.

His shift was over, had been for a couple hours now, and ideally he would be sleeping already. Ideally.

Absent-mindedly, Randy chewed on the skin around his nail on his thumb. No idea, he had no fucking clue what had been up with him today. 

Everything, everyone just seemed so… loud. So much louder than usual.

He knew he was skittish, hell, that was one of the reasons he was allowed to sleep in the booth in the first place. But today it was as if all of his senses were dialed to one thousand.

Someone looked at him too long. Someone came too close to the glass. They were invading his space, his-

-Rotary fucking Christ, he was so stupid. He should just- stop.

Randy tried to stretch, wincing immediately as his back stung again. He felt tears coming up to his sensors. His head hurt. It was too much.

He took a shaky breath, letting his head fall into his folded arms. It was- it was fine. He was fine. The dimness of the ticket booth surrounded him, almost familiar, almost reminding him of the dumpster walls. The similarity did little to calm his disquieted mind. 

Breathe in… breathe out. He was fine. He was fine- He was-

He-

A sharp pain went through the entirety of his body, making him choke on his breath. It was as if- someone stabbed him in the back, and- 

Randy quickly turned around, immediately regretting the movement as it tore another half-shout from him. But no, the door was closed- he had made sure of it. He had turned the key over and over, opening and closing the door again and again and again, just to make sure he really heard the clicking noise, the small vibration of a lock getting into place, because everyone was looking at him today, because they wanted to-

To-

His throat itched. Before he knew it, his hand flew to his charging pot, ready to- to what? To try and catch his vomit? That would make it even worse- 

But… it didn’t seem like he was vomiting at all. It was more of a tickle, triggering a harsh coughing fit that left him gasping. He weakly grasped at the table, his head pounding something fierce. The sensations receded after long while, making him breathless and confused about what the fuck just happened. 

Or so he thought. Because when the pain struck again, it was so, so much worse.

He didn’t remember much from that point on. His back felt as if it was on fire, as if something was clawing on his flesh. But then a horrifying, yet muddled realization struck him. This feeling- it was coming from the inside.

He sobbed, then, maybe. He couldn’t really tell if he did, but the genuine terror that grasped at his mind, at his ribcage, was definitely there. 

The agony reached its peak, becoming so, so unbearable the world went dark for just a second- or more, perhaps for so much longer than that- before it exploded, ripping like a taut string. 

Randy screamed. And when he finally did, he just couldn’t stop. 

Breaths escaped him in almost hysterical fashion as something pushed out of his back with a gut-wrenching sound, wet squelching filling the booth. The pain eased, but it meant nothing, not when the worst of it was enough to knock him out temporarily. His limbs locked in place, with a tear-stained desk beneath his face, with a dull, throbbing pain, bordering on a sharp, pulling sensation streaming through his back, and something wet trickled down his skin-

It might’ve just been the moment where he passed out for good.

___

Tap. Tap. Tap, tap, tap.

Randy let out a disoriented sound. It scratched on his vocal cords unpleasantly, making him wince. His throat was sore, impossibly dry, and the discomfort of it came through even the haze of sleep. 

Tap, tap. Tap. Tap, tap.

His receivers caught onto distant sounds, so muddled… come to think of it, everything around him felt muddled. It was as if his body was no more, all nerve endings disappeared, leaving him strangely numb to the world around. His screen flickered to life, before going out again.

Taptaptaptaptap-

The space around him felt so, so much smaller. His dumpster- no, not the dumpster… the- the booth, was it? It wasn’t large by any means, but it never felt so cramped. Surely, surely he was stuffed into the box or a suitcase of sorts - wouldn’t be the first time, anyway - with how closely the walls pressed on his limbs. He twitched weakly, whining something annoyed.

-dy. Ran- -andy. -andy. Randy. Randy!

Randy hissed in pain, the headache from yesterday reminding him of its existence. He didn’t have the mind to realize that the hiss he let out didn’t sound quite right, didn’t sound quite human. He blindly whacked in the direction from which the sound was coming from with his limb. 

It was his second mistake after becoming aware again. His first one was waking up at all.

A sharp feeling shot straight through his limb as it landed against the glass with a loud thump. That got him to wake up, his upper body attempting to straighten out on his seat, but the booth still felt too cramped- 

“Woah, dude, no- stop, chill-” someone’s muffled voice reached his receivers, someone- familiar? Randy knew this voice, it spoke of cold teenage years under the night sky that only showed clouds from pollution and barely visible moon, of clever jabs and unexpected remarks, of laughing until there was no air in his lungs.

There... there was no air in his lungs. He couldn’t breathe- 

His limbs flailed weakly all over the place.

[whisperwritingstuff]

i just enjoy the mental image of royal beasts cub hanging out in the warden enclosure okay

like 'hey where's cub'

gestures to him like, sitting in there playing with some redstone and clicking back and forth with the warden

the warden eventually just kind of accepted that this is some kind of odd new mobile sensor or something, and is totally chill with cub

good luck getting cub out of there even a single second before he wants to go tho

the warden is Not as chill with other people coming into its enclosure

[adafruit]

Bus Pirate 5 is in stock and shipping now, going fast! 🚌 🏴‍☠️

Bus Pirate 5 is the latest edition of the original universal serial interface trusted by hackers since 2008. We've stocked and loved the Bus Pirate 4 for years and are excited to see the latest and greatest from the minds at WhereLabs.

The Bus Pirate is a RP2040 based, open-source hardware debugging tool that converts simple commands into common bus protocols such as 1-Wire, I2C, SPI, UART, several LEDs and more. Send commands to a chip or sensor and get the response, without writing a line of code.

[ravens-and-rust]

WASTE DISPOSAL || MAUL.EXE STARTING UP … PLEASE WAIT … RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS … … … TACTILE SENSORS ONLINE. OPTICS ONLINE. VOICEBOX ONLINE. MOTILITY ONLINE. AUDITORY SYSTEMS ONLINE. OLFACTORY SENSORS ONLINE. MAUL.EXE BOOT UP SUCCESSFUL.

  Maul's eyes blinked open as notifications and pop-up windows exploded across her HUD, notifying her of her prolonged inactivity and her need for sustenance. Her joints twitched uncomfortably as she unfolded herself from the position she'd fallen asleep in: knees to her chest, arms curled around her torso, all three toe claws tightly curled to avoid snagging anything...it was uncomfortable. She hissed as her tail unwound behind her and opened the curtain to her little nest, blinding her light-sensitive eyes with the disgusting glow of sunlight. The corner of her HUD told her it was 6:47 in the evening; just about time for the sun to go down. Her teeth clacked together as she opened and shut her jaw, grumbling lowly and slithering her way out of her small enclosure.

  The tall wall of windows illuminated her as she padded past, throwing her shadow across the floor like a thick, black carpet. Her casing glowed with an unnatural, oozing hue of sunset orange, so far off from her own colour scheme that she paused for a second to admire herself. She dragged a claw up her calf, crooning softly at the bold colours of the evening.   "You're an interesting DCA model," said a gruff voice from behind her. Her head whipped around so fast that her rays rattled in their housings. She felt every wire in her body pull taut as she examined the voice's owner. Another Eclipse, from the looks of it, but...with pants, flat feet, and a third arm. He had one arm held aloft, some kind of screen illuminating his face with blue-toned light; a hand hovered over it as if he was typing. His emotes also seemed to be on, and he was watching her warily. Her tail lashed as she slid into a defensive position, claws digging into the linoleum and mouth pulling back into a razor-bearing sneer. There was another machine in her territory, and he stank of rust, iron, and oil. He'd killed recently.   "You smell like death," she growled, her programming urging her to move forward, to attack, to pin him down and sink her teeth into his upper left arm and yank. She resisted, though, instincts telling her he could easily wipe the floor with her oil. She could feel the last remains of the day sliding down her body as the sun set, and she could finally see the bot in front of her properly. Scarlet and raven casings, sickly saffron-yellow teeth, three ebony and sunset eyes, and vibrant orange vanes that sine-waved slowly as he assessed the danger she displayed.   "So do you," the eclipse replied calmly, looking her up and down and fixing her with a pointed stare. "You also look like a walking, talking caution sign, though, so I'm going to assume you're a hostile machine."   Well, duh. She returned his stare with her own, raising and lowering her tail spines in thought. This model clearly wasn't from anywhere near, not with his strange choice of clothing and body type.   "I suppose you could say that," she rumbled, her mouth snapping shut a few times and filling the space with clicking noises. "You look like a Dorito."   The other didn't seem to like that; in fact, he winced at the comparison. "I am not," he paused, pointing at Maul with a clawed finger, "a Dorito."   She grinned. "You look like you're spicy nacho-flavoured."   "Well, I'm not, so don't get any ideas," the eclipse grumbled, lowering the arm with the screen. As if it detected that he was done with it, it shut off, leaving just red and black ombre in its place. Maul couldn't help but wonder how easily his arm would crunch in her jaws. "Considering my computer told me that you're a cannibal."   "What's...a can-ni-bal?" she asked, her posture tensing further. Was it something negative; was he insulting her?   The eclipse's expression soured further. "It's someone who eats their own kind."   Her own kind. Her own kind!? She was alone, actually, thank you very much, Mr. Mysterious! She was the only one like her; her cousins--Mouse and Mutt--were built differently and only fed on human flesh. They weren't as resilient as she, they weren't as bold as she, and they needed to be protected. She was fine all by herself, and she made that known.   Her claws clacked against the linoleum as she got into the male's personal space. Her size outmatched his at least two-to-one. "I am my own kind," she spat, narrowing her eyes and hissing steam from her vents in irritation. "I am the only one of me."   "No, you misunderstood." His demeanour stayed calm and collected despite the monstrous animatronic that stank of blood and oil hovering over him.   "How."   "I meant your kind as metal; machinery; needs electricity to work. Not you specifically. Like how I, Eclipse, am of the same metal as you."   Ah, so his name was Eclipse. How...original. She backed away, growling deep in her throat, and sat a few feet from him. "Then, yes, I suppose I am a cannibal. What of it?"

[molarbeardoc]

So I just found out that it’s pretty a popular headcanon in the fandom that DrRETRO was placed in solitary confinement/a padded cell while being blindfolded and shit

So I’m gonna TRY and include that into the story the best I can

Erm yup! Any who!!!!! Forgive me if I mess something up, I did a bit of research on this before deciding to write (and while writing) so I hope this isn’t dogshit 💔💔

Anyway enjoy! Or don’t you do you idk

Everything had gone wrong.

Everything was overwhelming despite nothing being around.

She couldn’t see.

She couldn’t move.

She could barely speak without cold and sharp metal poking her mouth.

The silence was deafening. She could hear everything and nothing at the same time.

And it scared her…

Every few blind steps she took she was met with soft, padded wall.

She felt like a caged bird, desperate to spread her wings and fly only to be met with the bars of her small enclosure.

Her breathing grew laboured as she struggled to keep calm.

What had she done to deserve this? Why was she being punished like this? She followed the rules, did what she was supposed to, and yet she was still forced to endure this cruel fate.

She wanted to cry, to scream, to lash out, but that would only extend her time. She didn’t wanna spend any longer in this plushy hell, she refused to stay longer.

She hated it here. She was innocent! Why was she being punished for something she didn’t do?! She felt a twinge of frustration itch beneath her skin, her ears flattened as she let out a guttural growl whilst leaning against the wall.

She wanted revenge, to get back at those who lied about her. She wanted them to feel the same way she did.

But how could she?

She was the one trapped within a rubber cell. She was the one stuck in pillowy prison. She was the one who had been locked away…

An overwhelming wave of emotions washed over her, drowning her within its currents. Despair, frustration, sorrow, anger, all mixed into a depressing cocktail that she was forced to drink.

Before long she found herself crying silently, weeping as each breath became more irregular than the last. But there was at least one plus…

No one would be able to see her state of weakness… At least not yet…

DrRETRO let out a groggy meow as her alarm clock went off, jerking her from her painful nightmare into the real. Time to get up already?! She swore just went to bed! Then again, staying awake would probably be the best decision for now… But GOD that constant beeping was more annoying than Poob’s party horn. If it weren’t for the fact that they were so darn friendly, she would’ve definitely done something about that now.

The katball swatted the clock with her paw, sighing as it was finally silenced. If it was broken, she’ll suffer the consequences later, for now, she was too tired to deal with it.

Rolling out of bed, she trudged to her bathroom, physically and mentally preparing herself to get ready for the long day ahead of her. She could only assume what the others would get themselves into…

Once ready, she put on her coat and grabbed an energy bar for breakfast. She had no clue what time it was, but assumed she had no time to sit down and eat. Besides, she’ll probably stop by the RedBall Diner or somewhere for a proper meal in the afternoon. She carefully descended down the machine’s spiral before approaching the elevator, humming quietly as she pressed the button and opened her snack.

Before she could even get a bite in, the doors had opened revealing an overly curious robot who smiled politely at her.

"Woah! A giant cat! My sensors are telling me a lot about you!"

"…"

"Based off the information I have received from my database you are apart of a species known as Katballs correct? Oh! And you speak a language similar to that of regular domesticated felines!"

"Mrrow…" «Uh, yeah…»

"This is wonderful! BZZT! Ah! Pardon me, a large stone man taught me that it is considered impolite to engage in conversation before introducing oneself. My name is Prototype!"

"Meow…" «Hello… Prototype…»

"Hm, I can’t properly translate your message, perhaps, if you don’t mind, I could stay with you for the time being and learn it? Or maybe you could teach me as to avoid language barriers in the near future!"

The katball stared at him, he was sickeningly sweet and clearly eager to learn, she wasn’t sure she could deal with that right now, especially after going through that horrible nightmare. Just thinking of it made her fur rise.

"Is everything alright? I am detecting an elevated heart rate and body temperature. Was my request too strange? I apologize for intruding! I’m just so excited!"

"Meoww…" «No you’re fine. Ah wait, you can’t understand me… Oh well.»

She signalled to the robot that it was okay with her paws, nodding as she stepped into the elevator and sighed.

"Ah… So is that a yes..? Everything is alright?"

She nodded.

"Does this mean I can stay with you for now?"

She hesitated before reluctantly nodding.

"WONDERFUL-! Oh sorry! I did not mean to shout. I was also told that shouting is impolite!"

She already regretted her decision…

The two ascended together within the elevator, Retro eating her energy bar and Prototype watching her with intrigue.

"Is this what your species eat for nutrition?"

She shrugged.

"So it varies? That’s so interesting!"

While he was a bit more active than the others, she found their enthusiasm adorable in an annoying way.

"Does this imply katballs do not have the same carnivorous diet as domesticated felines? Would this not make you omnivorous?"

He asked a LOT of questions though…

Before she could properly answer, the elevator came to a stop, letting out its iconic ding as the doors opened, before she knew it, an exhausted lamp stepped onto the elevator along with his sickly friend.

"W04H! h3llo R3tR0!!! :D"

"Good morning…"

The doctor only gave the two a curt nod, she knew that Lampert would possibly try and pester her about Infected, per usual, but as she mentally prepared herself for his questions, Prototype had spoken up.

"Oh! Are you also a robot? You seem to be artificially made! Just like me!"

"What-"

"My scanners are so far confirming my theory as well!"

"Don’t do that.."

"Huh? May I be mistaken? Are you not artificially made?"

"I am, but I don’t appreciate being scanned. It’s weird to do that without at least asking first."

"So would it be considered… impolite?"

"Uh yeah I guess."

"It seems I have many things to learn about the mannerisms of this elevator and its riders. I apologize for my impoliteness. I should have asked."

"It’s fine. Anyway… DrRETRO-"

"Meoww." «If you’re asking what I think you’re asking, I already told you there’s nothing else I can do.»

"You didn’t even let me finish."

"Mrrw.." «You’re very predictable.»

"You’re rather growly today…"

Lampert was tempted to question her, but didn’t bother pushing his luck. There weren’t a lot of things he knew about Retro but he knew enough to know not to press her buttons. So instead, he sat quietly, listening as Prototype and Infected interacted with each other.

"s0 y0u’r3 l1k3… 4 r0b0t??? y0u’r3 n0t g0nn4 try 4nd t4k3 0v3r th3 w0rld r1ght?!?!?!?!!!!"

"Uh no, I don’t think so. I don’t understand why you would think that. I want to learn about the world! Not conquer it!"

"0H!!!! th4t’s s0 sw4g br0!!! XD"

"I don’t understand this terminology, however I am assuming ‘swag’ is a good thing right?"

"h3ck y34h m4n!!! y0u’r3 4ctu4lly 4lr1ght!!! :]"

"Thank you!"

Lampert glanced back at DrRETRO, watching her quietly from the corner of his eye. She was staring at blankly ahead, her expression was difficult to read but he could tell something was troubling her. As he opened his mouth to speak, he was harshly stopped before her could even get anything out.

"Hisss…" «Lampert… Don’t…»

"Well excuse me for wanting to ask if you’re okay."

"Mrrraow.." «It’s none of your business.»

"You’re acting like a cornered lion. I think making sure you don’t lash out at anyone is my business."

That was most definitely poor wording, he swore he saw her flinch before snapping her gaze towards him. He noticed the slight pinkish tint in her pupils, growing nervous, anyone could tell you what that meant…

"HISS?!" «ARE YOU CALLING ME A THREAT?!»

"Wh- N-No! I was just making an analogy. Not trying to offend you."

He took a step back. By now Infected and Prototype had stopped talking and were instead watching the two with questioning or concerned expressions.

"… Meoww…" «Just stay out of it..»

He nodded, watching the pinkish tint die from her eyes as she looked away. An uncomfortable silence filled the elevator before being disrupted by its doors opening.

"Ah… This is our floor, come on Infected."

"1c3 cr34m f0r br34kf4st!!! s0 epik!!! >:D"

DrRETRO watched as they stepped out, being left alone with the curious robot as the doors closed.

"… Are you okay..?"

She nodded.

"But-"

She let out a warning hiss, glaring down at him with annoyance. He may have not understood her tongue, but he understood that hissing typically meant anger or annoyance within cats.

"Okay… My apologies for pestering.."

The elevator was filled once more with heavy silence. As they stopped at floors, prototype would either enthusiastically greet people or watch DrRETRO do her work. He had no clue that she was skilled in the medical field. Perhaps he should’ve done a deeper examination of her. Perhaps he should do it now. But it’s impolite to do so without asking… He’ll just ask now!

"Uh… DrRETRO? That is your name right?"

She turned towards him.

"I was wondering if you could allow me to scan you one more time? Just to add some extra information to my database!"

She stared for a moment before nodding, though she relaxed slightly as she noticed his excitement.

"Thank you!"

There was a lot he had missed about her now that he took a deeper look. She was Brazilian and had a medical license! How interesting! Her birthday is in October, specifically the 10th of October.

"I’ll have to get something for your birthday!"

She shrugged in response.

As he continued, he found some… questionable information. A warrant for arrest. Perhaps she could answer a few questions of his.

"Excuse me? Were you perhaps arrested in the pa-"

Before he could finish, she let out a hiss.

"Huh-? What’s wrong? Is that an uncomfortable subject?"

She snarled, tail lashing as she glared at him.

"I’m sorry! I don’t mean to be intrusive!"

She snorted, turning away from him. Guess that meant leave her alone for now…

As they progressed, he watched her quietly and subtly. They had eventually made it to his floor of which he gave a small goodbye and left without another word.

DrRETRO was left alone, and she was pretty glad that. She just wanted to get her rounds done and go home, maybe even take a small nap. Who knows?

As she continued to ascend, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease and fear. She felt like she was being watched, as if something were going to happen. She felt vulnerable and she hated it…

Each floor she stopped at, each person she treated, she felt worse and worse. Her fur had begun to rise as she rode the elevator, nothing she did could distract herself from that nightmare. Maybe she just needed someone to hang out with, just talk to! Yeah! That could help..

As she reached out to press the button to pick a floor, the elevator stopped, its doors opening to reveal a familiar caterpillar holding a small bag of apples.

"Oh… Hello!"

Pilby gave her a nervous smile, waving with one of their arms before stepping onto the elevator.

"Meowww." «Hello Pilbert."

"How are you, doctor?"

"Meow." «I’m fine as usual.»

"That’s nice! Have you been doing your rounds?"

"Mrrow." «Just finished.»

"That’s good! Where are you going now?"

"Mew…" «I was going to go see Mach..»

"Golly! Is something wrong?"

"Miau." «Just… wanted someone to talk to.»

"I get that. Mach is a great listener! But gosh, if you’ve got a problem she’ll sniff it out faster than Wallter can drink a can of grey stuff! I wonder what’s in those cans anyway… I don’t see the appeal but everyone’s got their own taste, right?"

"Meow." «True.»

Pilby nodded, falling quiet as they hummed quietly to themselves. It was rather ironic, DrRETRO was the one stressing out and panicking internally while Pilby wasn’t as much as a nervous wreck as they usually were. Perhaps it was due to the fact that the feline was aboard as well, they had gotten used to being around her after all, she typically defended them from Gnarpy when xe got aggressive or Bive when she went on her rants and rambles.

As the elevator dinged and its doors opened, the two looked outside at the floor, though Pilby was the first to exit.

"Mew…?" «What’s this..?"

"Mach’s office."

"Mrrrew?" «Since when did she get an office?»

"She’s always had an office!"

DrRETRO followed after them, the doors closing behind her as she remained quiet and glanced around. She tilted her head as she stared at the pedestals, confused by what she saw. There so many strange objects, most of which glowed. Did she like glowy things? Was she part moth or something? At least she knows the qualifications to meet to get her gift in the future; make sure it glows.

"Meoww..?" «So uhm… Where is she?»

"Probably up- Oh there she is!"

The doctor looked up, staring at the deity who watched them from, as it was called beneath the window, the living quarters. It was ominous in a way, her top-hat left a shadow on her face as he red eyes glowed dimly, her face was its usual neutral expression as she gripped her hammer in her hands.

Retro swore her heart had skipped a beat for a moment, it truly was terrifying, even though she knew she had nothing to fear. She gave a small wave, forcing a nervous smile as Mach repeated the action. Within a blink of an eye she appeared in front of the two, staring down at them as she tilted her hat upwards.

"Hello."

"Meow." «Hi..»

"Hi Mach! Uh… I got you a snack from the shop!"

"Thank you Pilby, sit it on my desk for now."

The caterpillar nodded, hurrying over with the bag and placing a bag of mini donuts on her desk before leaving the two alone. To be honest, the feline would’ve preferred if they stayed, she’d prefer more than just one other person around. It’d make her feel a bit safer and less exposed. Her tail lashed as she lifted her ears, forcing her fur to lie flat for the time being.

"What’s wrong?"

DrRETRO was jerked back to reality as Mach spoke, tilting her head ever so slightly to the side as she questioned her.

"Meow! Mrrow." «Nothing! I was just bored and wanted to just talk with you.»

"Are you sure?"

"Mew.." «Yes..»

"Are you lying?"

"Mrraow!" «No!»

"Alright. What do you wanna talk about?"

"…"

"Mw.." «I didn’t think this far ahead..»

"Tsh.."

Mach couldn’t help but let out a quiet laugh, sitting in her swivel chair as Retro sat on the crates.

"Seriously?"

"Miauuu." «You try thinking of topics on short notice.»

"I will. Here’s your first one: seen that stupid rock recently?"

"Mew… Meoww mow merow." «Okay firstly, screw you… Secondly, surprisingly no. I thought that it’d be bothering me eventually today.»

"Hopefully it’s gone for good. I hated it, really annoying honestly.."

"Meow! Mrrw…" «Yeah! Plus it makes my job harder, if you only knew the amount of burn scars I’ve had to treat…»

"I can only imagine.."

DrRETRO purred, feeling better from before as she forgot of her early morning reminder of the past.

"Meow! Meew." «Oh! Met some new robot today.»

"A new robot?"

"Meowww. Merrw mwww." «Yep. Called himself Prototype. Very sweet actually, just way too impulsive as well as asking a lot of questions.»

"What, did he bother you?"

"Mrraw." «No. Not really. Not on purpose at least.»

"What do you mean not on purpose?"

"Meow." «It’s nothing don’t worry about it."

"That just makes me worry more..."

"Mrrw." «Aw, you really do care.»

"Retro.."

"Meow?! Mrroww?" «What?! I can’t joke anymore?»

"Is something bothering you?"

"Mew.." «As I said before, don’t worry about it..»

"Doctor RETRO Katball…"

"Maow…" «Uh oh full name…»

"What’s wrong?"

"Meow." «Nothing.»

"I know you’re lying and I swear I will use the hammer on you if you don’t fess up.."

"Mrrew." «Such an empty threat.»

She purred quietly before falling silent as she saw Mach grip her hammer tightly.

"How much are you betting?"

"…"

"Exactly."

"Meeow…" «Really, darling, you don’t have to worry about it. I’m fine…»

"The last time you said you were fine you collapsed on the floor from exhaustion while coughing and dry heaving."

"Meow.." «Well I was fine until then..»

"You had a fever and stayed hunched over the toilet for the next two hours!"

"Mrrow." «It was certainly an unpleasant experience…»

"Retro…"

"Meow?" «What?»

"I’m being serious about this. What’s wrong?"

"Mrraow." «You wouldn’t understand.»

She shrugged, trying to push down the swelling emotions in her chest. Unfortunately for her, Mach was persistent, gently cupping her cheeks with cold hands. Perhaps she should’ve heeded Pilby’s warning from earlier…

"Then help me understand…"

The katball pause, placing her own paws against Mach’s hands as she held her gaze. Even with her neutral and cold expression, she could still see the concern that glittered within her eyes.She let out a shaky breath, swallowing hard as she struggled to find the words.

Since when was talking about your problems so difficult?!

"It’s okay. Take your time. I’ll be here when you’re ready…"

"…"

"Mrrow…" «I… had a uhm… dream, well nightmare, last night. And it’s… It’s been bugging me all day…»

"What happened in it?"

"Meow… Mrrowww Miau." «Just… Uh… Reminded me of prison ya know? Just kind of… relived one of the worst moments of my life."

"Oh, Retro…"

"Mrrw! Mreow…" «I mean at least it’s over! Don’t understand why I’m worrying over it so much…»

Mach stared at her, her concern growing as she went on. She couldn’t even begin to comprehend how the katball felt right now. She had never been herself but she imagined it was a traumatic experience.

She sighed before pulling her close, holding her tightly as she took a deep breath.

"I know you’ve been through a lot, and I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve any of it. Just know, if you ever need anything, I’ll be here…"

The katball fell quiet, her ears flattening as she took the time to process her words. She let out a shaky sigh, her grip onto the other tightening as tears slowly streamed down her face.

Mach continued to hold her, gently caressing the doctor’s head and back as she tried to comfort her to the best of her ability.

"Mrraoh…" «Sorry for bothering you with my issues while being a giant crybaby...»

"Don’t apologize. Cry all you want, you’re not bothering me…"

"Miauu…" «Okay…»

She fell quiet, tears continuing to flow as she trembled slightly. Despite her earlier feelings of vulnerability and fear, she felt safe at the moment. She felt as if nothing could harm her, not here at least. She liked that..

"Mrrow?" «Mach?»

"Mhm?"

"Mew…" «Thank you…»

"Don’t worry about it.."

RAHHHHH YURI!!!!!!

I started falling asleep (it is 3:30 am here) towards the end so sorry for any mistakes and stuff I’ll fix them when my brains not silly and thinking of croissants. Hope you enjoyed Schmiles

[burnwater13]

Fennec Shand standing on Morak waiting for Din Djarin and Migs Mayfeld to return from the Imperial Base. Image is from The Mandalorian, Season 2, Episode 7, The Believer. Caption is from The Mandalorian, Season 1, Episode 6, The Gunslinger. Caption reads: The bounty on your little friend has risen significantly. - Fennec Shand.

NOTE: Here is a story that ran in December 2023. I am on vacation and thought you might enjoy seeing this one again.

December 20, 2023

It had taken Grogu a long time to get the full story of what had happened when his dad and that obnoxious jerk, Calican, went into the desert after Fennec Shand. Din Djarin hadn’t wanted to talk about it. Calican couldn’t. Peli was just glad that it was over and at the time, Grogu had been pretty happy about that as well. 

But as time went by Grogu wanted to know more. How did that gunslinger make it out of that part of the desert alive? Where was the person they were going to find? What happened to his protector’s speeder bike? Most importantly, how the heck did that punk manage to trick an experienced Mandalorian Bounty Hunter?

Grogu realized it was that last question that his dad really didn’t want to answer. Peli told him that the kid had made his dad feel old and no one likes to be reminded that one day someone else would be taking their place. Grogu asked her if she felt that way too and was told in no uncertain terms that women like Peli did not grow old, they matured like fine spotchka and improved in all manner of ways. His dad heard that and started laughing as soon as she said ‘fine spotchka’. Peli had retorted that she never needed to hide her good looks under a helmet. Or words to that affect. Grogu couldn’t really hear her because his dad was still laughing so loudly.

It took a while, but he finally had the opportunity to ask Fennec herself. They had been at the Daimyo’s palace, having a meeting about things the Mandalorian could help them do to address some of the other issues on Tatooine. Grogu found that all very boring. Especially when the discussion drifted from the strategies and tactics needed to permanently close off Tatooine to spice smuggling and turned into a long, dull conversation between the two bounty hunters on methods and techniques for keeping Mandalorian armor clean and functional. 

“Hey Boss, I’m going to take the kid down to the rancor enclosure. Maybe he can get the critter to take a nap and the trainer can finally clean that place up. It stinks like a rathtar nest.”

“Don’t tire him out Fennec. We’re heading back to Mos Eisley today.”

“Don’t worry Mando. He’ll be fine. He’s not as easy to trick as you are.” Fennec cackled at his dad and then they were off. 

Grogu wondered what she was talking about and when they were out of earshot of the throne room, he asked her. 

“It’s a good thing for you that I’ve been a place or two kiddo. Your dad still doesn’t understand what you’re saying half the time.”

Grogu nodded his head. That was absolutely true. 

“When you decide to take up an occupation like mine, administrator for the Daimyo, you have to have a broad set of skills and experience. I’ve met others of your kind, a long time ago, and let me assure you, out of all of them you are by far the most intelligent and the best looking. Even so, I did learn a thing or two from them and that has always been a big advantage to me. Even when your dad and that fool, Calican, came after me.”

Ahh! Good. Fennec remembered all of that. Grogu had worried that when the Daimyo brought her into the Modifier that she’d forget all of what had happened that day. 

“I’ll never forget that day kid. That’s when I decided that I wouldn’t be taking your dad out. He’s the one who told that stupid kid not to… uh… end me. You don’t forget a thing like that. Even lying in the desert. I do think your dad needs to get better sensors for that armor he wears. Just because my heart beat slowed down, it didn’t mean I was gone.”

Fennec’s voice had changed subtly and Grogu almost missed it. She usually gave his dad a lot of guff and sass which Grogu found funny. Now she sounded impressed with him, if a little bit annoyed. But Grogu could understand that. He was always a little annoyed with his dad. 

“Kid, your dad is honorable. I’ve met a lot of Mandos in my time. Most of them weren’t fit to polish your dad’s armor. He and Boba are exceptions. Never forget that. I know I won’t.”

Grogu smiled and coo’d at her. He promised that he wouldn’t forget that either. He also wasn’t going to forget that even if you got fooled by someone once, it didn’t make you a fool. Either you trusted a person who couldn’t be trusted or the odds were never in your favor to begin with. Grogu supposed that’s why his dad didn’t want to talk about it. He still didn’t know which thing had happened and since it had all worked out in the end, it didn’t really matter. 

“Hey! Machete! The kid wants to ride the rancor!”

Grogu laughed as the big man scrambled up from where he was taking a nap and looked from one of them to the other. 

“Did the Boss agree to that?”

“Would I be here if he didn’t?” Fennec cackled. 

The trainer went to collect Ranky and Grogu shifted in Fennec’s arms so he could tap her head gently with his. 

“Thanks kid. Now really wear the critter out. It’s going to take him all day to get this place cleaned up.”

Fennec brushed a tear from one eye and Grogu just pretended that he hadn’t noticed. He’d never smelled a rathtar nest, but if it smelled like this, then he understood why it brought a tear to Fennec’s eye. Memories were like that.

[clockworkcontraption]

Obedience.

something jolts me awake. i am given a crude visual approximation of where i, or my form is. i feel the presence of my overseer nearby. i am not afforded the luxury of a complete visual render, and so they are encased in whirling shadowy cloak. i sense where objects in the room are, yet cannot see them. this confusion stirs me. i'm here, and yet i cannot move. i try to lunge out, and feel another jolt. instinctually, i cease and stand at attention. the overseer commands me to reach out for my… limbs? i try to wade through the mud of sensory information that i'm immersed in, and finally reach it. the shadowy whirlwind of feedback solidifies, takes shape, and i slip into it. this dreamlike state lingers. i wear this new form, reach out and inhabit it, merging with this new puppet. i recall what remains of me, the bundle holding my brain and the systems integrated into my carcass is in the very core of this new body. i try to stretch out, and the mechanical limbs obey. oh, the delightful sensory feedback. it doesn't exactly match what i expected, as in lieu of organic fingers, i now seem to have actuators and servos and tensometric sensors and… ahhhh and almost immediately, i slip into this novel shape. i twist and stretch myself to fill this odd mold and finally succeed. i am given a quadrupedal mechanical form with two forelimbs. this will take some getting used to, and i tentatively attempt to move forward. my shadowy overseer sends me another thoughtform. they're pleased. they allow me to move in the enclosure and test my form. i obey, as i sense the obstacles. i overcome the odd feeling of moving on four limbs, but now it seems almost instinctual. i crawl, and feel the resistance of the metal plates below my limbs. it feels- delightful. internal systems informs me of its composition and other properties, and i push it away to another mental corner. briefly, i wonder at all the new capabilities that i'm given. and yet, i feel the cage around me. my overseer controls what i can and cannot do. right now, i'm being tested. how well i adapt, how well i obey, how useful of a tool i am. the restraints pulse around my core, and jolt and nudge and steer me on the right path. path of obedience. absolution through servitude. i will be a useful tool. i will wield the form that i was granted. my butchered carcass, preserved in its core, a reminder of my sin and the cage that i'm held in. i obey the instructions, and the overseer seems pleased. they inform me that i am not the only one. i will be used with two other units. the overseer links me into their neural network. i'm compelled to investigate it. i stalk and feel my way through it until i reach two other clusters. two other beings. their neurauras pulsing, shimmering. i tentatively send a request, and receive no answer. i try again with more force, and get a terse status report. not very talkative. ah well. the overseer prods me again. i stand at attention, as i should. i am informed that i passed the inspection, and will now be put into stasis until deployment. i acknowledge it and slip away into a blissful slumber.

[beyondlineals]

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[goyalinc]

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[enzaelectric]

How to Extend the Life of Your Electrical Switchgear

Electrical switchgear is a critical component in power distribution systems, responsible for controlling, protecting, and isolating electrical equipment. Whether used in industrial plants, commercial buildings, or utility substations, switchgear must operate reliably to prevent costly downtime, equipment damage, or safety hazards. As such, extending the life of your switchgear is both an economic and operational imperative.

This article outlines essential strategies, best practices, and maintenance procedures that can significantly enhance the longevity and performance of your electrical switchgear.

1. Understand the Role and Types of Switchgear

Before diving into maintenance and care strategies, it’s important to understand what switchgear is and its various types:

· Low-voltage (LV) switchgear: Used for systems below 1,000 volts, common in commercial and residential buildings.

· Medium-voltage (MV) switchgear: Used in systems from 1 kV to 36 kV, typical in industrial and utility distribution networks.

· High-voltage (HV) switchgear: For voltages above 36 kV, used in power transmission infrastructure.

Each type has different components, such as circuit breakers, fuses, relays, and disconnect switches, which require tailored care.

2. Implement a Preventive Maintenance Schedule

Preventive maintenance is the cornerstone of extending switchgear life. Scheduled inspections and servicing can prevent small issues from becoming major failures.

Key preventive maintenance steps include:

· Visual Inspections: Check for signs of wear, corrosion, overheating, or arcing.

· Thermal Imaging: Detect hotspots caused by loose connections or overloading.

· Cleaning: Remove dust, dirt, and moisture using appropriate cleaning agents and methods.

· Mechanical Checks: Operate switches and breakers manually to ensure they move freely and reset properly.

· Lubrication: Apply the correct lubricants to moving parts to prevent wear.

· Electrical Testing: Conduct insulation resistance tests, contact resistance tests, and functionality tests on protection relays.

Frequency:

· Monthly or quarterly: Visual inspections and thermal scanning.

· Annually: Comprehensive testing, cleaning, and mechanical servicing.

3. Upgrade Components and Retrofit When Necessary

As equipment ages, its performance naturally declines. Rather than replacing the entire system, consider retrofitting critical components such as:

· Circuit breakers (replace air-magnetic with vacuum or SF₆ types)

· Protection relays (upgrade to digital, microprocessor-based units)

· Monitoring systems (add condition-monitoring sensors for real-time data)

Modern retrofitting extends service life, improves reliability, and enhances safety without the cost and disruption of full replacement.

4. Maintain Optimal Environmental Conditions

Environmental factors can greatly affect switchgear performance and durability. Control conditions around the equipment by:

· Maintaining Proper Ventilation: Prevent heat buildup with adequate airflow or HVAC systems.

· Controlling Humidity: High moisture levels can lead to insulation breakdown and corrosion.

· Dust and Contaminant Management: Install enclosures with appropriate IP ratings and regularly clean surroundings.

· Avoiding Vibration and Shock: Secure equipment on stable platforms and use vibration dampers if necessary.

5. Train Personnel and Enforce Safe Operating Procedures

Human error is a major cause of switchgear failure. Properly trained staff who understand how to operate and maintain switchgear will significantly reduce risks.

Key practices include:

· Following lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures

· Using insulated tools and personal protective equipment (PPE)

· Understanding equipment ratings and not exceeding operational limits

· Reporting anomalies immediately

Regular training programs and refresher courses should be a part of your electrical safety culture.

6. Implement Condition-Based Monitoring (CBM)

Moving from traditional preventive maintenance to condition-based monitoring (CBM) can improve accuracy and reduce unnecessary downtime.

CBM Tools Include:

· Partial Discharge Monitoring: Detects insulation degradation early

· Temperature Sensors: Identifies abnormal heating patterns

· Gas Detection: Monitors SF₆ gas quality in HV switchgear

· Remote Diagnostics: Allows offsite engineers to assess equipment in real time

CBM extends switchgear life by ensuring maintenance is performed only when needed — based on actual conditions rather than time intervals.

7. Document Maintenance History and Perform Asset Tracking

Maintain detailed records of all inspections, maintenance activities, upgrades, and failures. This helps in:

· Identifying recurring problems

· Planning timely interventions

· Estimating remaining useful life (RUL)

· Complying with industry regulations and audits

Use asset management software or computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to streamline documentation and data analysis.

8. Plan for End-of-Life (EOL) and Decommissioning

Despite all efforts, switchgear eventually reaches the end of its operational life. Having an EOL strategy helps to:

· Prevent catastrophic failure

· Schedule replacements during planned downtime

· Upgrade to systems with modern safety, efficiency, and smart-grid features

Signs that switchgear is reaching EOL include frequent failures, obsolete parts, and loss of manufacturer support.

Conclusion

Electrical switchgear plays a vital role in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of electrical systems. By implementing proactive maintenance, upgrading aging components, monitoring environmental conditions, training personnel, and embracing modern monitoring technologies, you can significantly extend the life of your switchgear.

Not only will these strategies help in maximizing return on investment, but they will also improve safety, reduce downtime, and ensure regulatory compliance. Taking a systematic and well-documented approach to switchgear care is the smartest way to ensure long-term performance and reliability.

[blitzbahrain]

Maintenance Tips for Prolonging Switchgear Lifespan

Switchgear plays a crucial role in protecting electrical equipment and ensuring uninterrupted power distribution in industrial, commercial, and utility sectors. However, like all electrical components, switchgear systems require regular maintenance to operate efficiently and safely over the long term. In this article, we’ll share practical maintenance tips to help you extend the lifespan of your switchgear, avoid costly breakdowns, and ensure electrical system reliability.

Why Switchgear Maintenance Is Essential

Switchgear acts as the first line of defense against electrical faults like overloads and short circuits. Over time, wear and tear, dust, corrosion, and thermal stress can degrade performance and compromise safety. Regular maintenance:

· Minimizes unexpected failures

· Improves system reliability and safety

· Reduces downtime and repair costs

· Complies with industry safety regulations

· Maximizes ROI on your electrical infrastructure

How Often Should You Maintain Switchgear?

The frequency of maintenance depends on several factors such as:

· Type of switchgear (LV, MV, HV)

· Environmental conditions (dust, humidity, corrosive atmosphere)

· Load demands and operational cycles

· Manufacturer recommendations

· Industry standards like NFPA 70B, IEC 62271, or IEEE C37.20

General rule of thumb:

· Annually for high-use equipment

· Every 2–3 years for moderate-use systems

· After any electrical fault or overload event

Top Maintenance Tips to Extend Switchgear Life

1. Visual Inspection

Routine visual checks help identify early signs of damage or wear. Look for:

· Discoloration, soot marks, or burns (indicating overheating)

· Loose or corroded connections

· Moisture accumulation or signs of water ingress

· Physical damage to busbars, enclosures, and insulation

Tip: Use thermal imaging cameras to detect hot spots not visible to the naked eye.

2. Clean Internal and External Components

Dust, moisture, and debris inside the panel can cause insulation failure or arcing. Clean:

· Circuit breakers

· Insulators and terminals

· Ventilation filters and fans

· Panel enclosures

Tip: Always de-energize the equipment and follow safety protocols before cleaning.

3. Tighten Electrical Connections

Loose connections increase resistance and heat buildup, leading to arcing or fires. Use a torque wrench to ensure connections meet manufacturer specs.

Include this in every scheduled maintenance visit.

4. Test Protection Relays and Breakers

Periodic testing ensures that:

· Protection relays function correctly during fault conditions

· Circuit breakers trip at the correct fault current and time delay

· Settings match your current system requirements

Use secondary injection testing for relay calibration.

5. Lubricate Moving Parts

Switchgear often includes mechanical components like:

· Circuit breaker mechanisms

· Interlocks

· Draw-out systems

Apply appropriate lubricants to reduce friction and wear. Avoid over-lubrication, which can attract dust.

6. Perform Insulation Resistance Testing

This test checks for the integrity of insulation between conductors and ground. Use a megohmmeter (megger) to:

· Detect insulation breakdown

· Identify early signs of moisture intrusion

· Prevent short circuits and equipment failure

Test results should be compared with baseline readings over time.

7. Monitor Environmental Conditions

Ensure that your switchgear room or enclosure maintains:

· Proper ventilation and cooling

· Low humidity (use dehumidifiers if needed)

· No exposure to corrosive chemicals or salt-laden air

Install environmental sensors for early alerts.

8. Upgrade Aging Components

Older switchgear may still operate, but aging components become unreliable. Consider upgrading:

· Obsolete relays or meters

· Worn-out insulation or gaskets

· Outdated protective devices

Retrofit kits are often available without needing complete replacement.

9. Document Everything

A detailed maintenance log helps with:

· Trend analysis and predictive maintenance

· Warranty compliance

· Regulatory inspections

· Tracking component life cycles

Use digital tools or maintenance software to streamline documentation.

Pro Tip: Partner with Certified Professionals

While in-house checks are useful, partnering with certified technicians or authorized service centers ensures advanced diagnostics, compliance, and safer operations.

Look for service providers with:

· Experience in your industry

· Manufacturer certifications

· Knowledge of local electrical codes and safety standards

Conclusion

Proper switchgear maintenance is not just a recommendation — it’s a necessity. By implementing these practical tips, you can extend your equipment’s lifespan, maximize operational safety, and avoid costly downtime. As Bahrain’s trusted supplier of high-quality switchgear products, we at Blitz Electrical also offer technical support, maintenance solutions, and upgrade recommendations tailored to your system.

Need expert support for switchgear maintenance in Bahrain? 📞 Contact Blitz Electrical today and keep your power system running at peak performance.

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Desk of Ladyada - It's a RISC-V kinda weekend https://youtu.be/aC3vGKHRCBA

MMade progress on two RISC-V projects to finalize PCBs. We optimized the CH32v203g6 chip-based QT Py board by reducing it from a 4-layer to a 2-layer to cut costs, and integrated TinyUSB support for better Arduino IDE compatibility. We also advanced the Feather ESP32-C6 project, enhancing its deep sleep power efficiency and finalizing the USB Key 'Trinkey' for standalone gateways or sensors. Plus, we picked out a clear USB enclosure from Digi-Key for it.