Most of us are looking for ways to cut costs while purchasing something that is of good quality. Bargain hunters frequent seasonal and clearance sales to score something that fits their budget. But since such sales happen once or twice a year, some of them opt to buy refurbished items.

Usually, such refurbished products sell at 50% to 70% off its original price. Prices differ according to refurbish classification as some items are factory refurbished while others are third-party refurbished. And although the term “refurbished” does not really give a negative connotation, people differs in understanding of what constitutes a refurbished product.

Here is a guideline to help you identify which refurbished products are worth risking.

1. Not all refurbished products are the same. As mentioned earlier, “refurb” items may be classified into manufacturer or factory refurbs or third-party refurbs. The latter offers bigger discount and a warranty (from the third-party shop) but the former is the only one with factory or manufacturer warranty.

2. Refurbished differs from reconditioned items. A refurbished item may or may not have repaired or installed, and may or may not be slightly used. A reconditioned item, on the other hand, refers to a product previously used for a certain period and was repaired and then resold by a retailer.

3. Refurbished Electronics were items returned for several reasons. Most refurbished items are returned to manufacturers because of a certain reason. Manufacturers retest the item in the factory to make sure that they are still in good working condition. If there are damages of defective parts observed, that’s the time that they will replace it and repack it to look “like new.”

4. Reasons for returns include shipping damage, opened box, demonstration units, overstock items, defects during production, or simply customer’s return. Since retailer stores offer 30-day money back guarantees, some customers return items that they do not really fancy. If there is nothing wrong with the product, stores will reduce the price and sell it as an open box. But if there were defects found, they will send it to the factory or manufacturer to have it repaired.

Most experts recommend being cautious of such products. But if you really want to get a good bargain, opt to settle to manufacturer/factory-refurbished items. That way, you can be sure that there is manufacturer’s warranty, and the product still holds the manufacturer’s reliability and reputation. You can be assured that what is being sold to you is still under good condition since manufacturers won’t sell damaged items for it will ruin their name in the market.

But of course, the safest would be to buy a new one. Go online and you will see that retailer stores have price cuts offered at different times of the year. Check electronic stores once in a while and you are sure to get a good bargain for a spanking new LCD television.

DLO cable is very different than THHN wire because they are both designed and manufactured for different daily struggles. THHN is commonly used indoors, outdoors and in conduit applications and it remains still for its entire life. DLO cable, on the other hand, is used outdoors and commonly handled on a day to day basis giving it a few variations as to the amount of protection and user handle ability.

THHN is dual rated with THWN as a thermoplastic hook up wire with a nylon coating. Thick bare copper strands, or even a single solid strand, of copper create a stiff electrical wire for easier installation in conduit. Pushing a flexible cable through conduit will prove to be very difficult.

Since DLO cable is handled by the user on a day to day basis the flexible copper strands help the user bring the cable from point A to point B. DLO cable is also commonly wound up onto a large spool for the day giving it another reason to be manufactured as a flexible cable.

DLO stands for Diesel Locomotive Cable which is obviously used in locomotive installations and other applications that require higher than normal voltage. It’s a 2000 volt single conductor power cable with rubber EPDM insulation and a second rubber jacket even though it’s only a single conductor. The added insulation approves it for high voltage but gives it a think outer diameter that may need to be considered when installing it in raceway.

THHN 10 AWG electrical wire is used in homes and buildings to run power from the electrical box to the outlets, lights and appliances throughout. Running a single 10 AWG wire is less common than running an NMB cable with multiple 10 AWG wires. Most of the applications throughout homes and buildings requires more than one THHN wire at a time making NMB 10/3 a common household electrical wire.

You’ll find in your search that DLO cable is much more expensive than THHN wire. Remember that there won’t be a difference in price based on the amount of copper because both are 10 AWG. So the price difference lies in the insulation, construction and approval process. DLO, for instance, is UL, CSA, MSHA and RoHS compliant while THHN only has a UL and RoHS approval.

Speak to your electrician or your wire and cable provider about the type of wire you need and the AWG size for the application. Choosing it your self can cause all kinds of problems that will be found during the inspection process so make sure everything is done right the first time.

Advances in business telephone systems have converted telephones from a simple communication device into a way for companies to streamline their operations, increasing efficiency, and resulting in a smoother work flow and a better customer experience. One of the most innovative amongst these new business telephone systems is the Siemens HiPath Series, which offer communications solutions designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses. The HiPath Business Telephone System enables employees to more easily manage the myriad of communications tools that they utilize in a given day by channeling all the information streams of those tools into a single interface.

Additionally, HiPath allows managers and administrators to more effectively direct the work flow of the office by way of real-time electronic status notifications, which indicate which employees are on calls, in meetings, or otherwise indisposed, and which are available, so that incoming calls, requests, and inquiries may be routed to someone immediately able to handle them. This ensures that clients, partners, and colleagues waste less time trying unsuccessfully to reach each other, and improves the customer service experience of clients trying to reach a firm.

For example, when a manager urgently needs to speak with a colleague, the HiPath system may let that manager know that his or her colleague is currently on another call, and allow for the manager to send the co-worker an instant message letting them know that they need to speak immediately after the call. Alternatively, in the event that an employee is late returning from a meeting across town, using HiPath, the employee is able to change their electronic status from their cellular phone, notifying the office that he or she is running late, and automatically changing the voice-mail greeting that persons calling the office will hear, or even forwarding those calls directly to a mobile phone.

When an important client or partner firm calls into an office, needing an immediate conference call, HiPath allows managers to view the online status of employees, and simply drag and drop their names into a conference call box. This will inform selected employees that they are needed in a conference call, at which point the manager is able to send an instant message to the selected employees, giving them the background information regarding the call. Managers are also able to send messages to other indisposed employees, letting them know that they are needed in the conference call once they have finished their current call.

HiPath also offers employees the ability to record calls, eliminating the necessity of participants on conference calls having to split their time between taking notes and actually actively participating in the call. This also allows multi-taskers the ability to come back to a specific point or review a call should their attention become divided during a call.

Another innovative feature of the HiPath business telephone system is the single portal that lists all phone calls, emails, faxes, instant messages, and other communications received while an employee is out of the office. This cuts down on the amount of time needed to organize the various forms of communications, and allows users to prioritize their messages with a simple click of the mouse.

All of these features mean that Siemens HiPath makes offices more efficient, cutting down on time wasted trying to reach someone unsuccessfully, time taken to organize seven different forms of messages, missed calls, customer frustration, and other unnecessary delays in communication. By streamlining one of a company’s most valuable and limited assets, time, HiPath can help free employees from the burden placed on them by multiple communications devices, enabling them to get back to work.