12V DC 3A is something you will find written on different electronic power supplies, ranging from LCD monitors and cell phones, to consoles and portable DVD players that fit in your car.

The inscription refers to the type and voltage of the current that the specific power adaptor or converter can produce. What it actually means is that it provides direct or continuous current of 12 volts and 3 Amps of power. The power supply is the small plastic box (usually black) at the middle of the power line, between your home socket and the appliance it powers.

Having 12 volt DC 3A written on your power supply means that you save a lot of energy with the new appliance you just purchased. In the old days, all of the house-hold electric devices needed 110V or more to function properly, but, thanks to advances in technology, you can now safely use any type of electronic or electric device with just the 12 volts mentioned earlier. This type of current is less susceptible to fire (by short circuits) and it proves to be more reliable, at the same time providing with a large lifespan for your device.

As far as costs go, a 12V DC 3A power supply is usually included with all appliances that need this type of current to function correctly. If your provided power supply stops working you can buy a new one for a very low price. Don’t worry about it, because the expensive ones also come with expensive items and are very unlikely to break. You can find the power supply you need at the store you purchased your electronic device from or you can order it online. Either way, you will not have to spend a fortune for it.

With over 60% of Britain living in hard water areas, the need to descale kettles, coffee machines or replace pipework, boilers and other appliances is a constant problem, because of the build-up of limescale.

So What Causes Hard Water?

Hard water is caused by the high content of dissolved minerals, such as Calcium and Magnesium in the water supply. When the water is heated, the calcium and magnesium ions are separated from the water molecules, these are then attracted to the sides of the kettle or coffee machine, forming the crusty white deposits we know as limescale.

Problems Caused By Hard Water?

Thick layers of limescale around the heating element inside kettles or coffee machines increases the length of time it takes to heat the water and therefore increasing amounts of energy are required to heat the same volume. Thereby, removal and/or preventing the build-up of limescale around the heating elements will also save you money; plus, the flavour of hot drinks, such as tea or coffee, can be affected by the levels of dissolved minerals in the water supply too.

The Solution!

There are a variety of solutions available and are as follows:

Chemical Descalers – come in a variety of different forms. For use inside kettles in the home, the descalers contain Lactic Acid, and, for commercial purposes Phosphoric Acid is used. Horticultural or agricultural users of water in hard water areas, use Nitric Acid injected directly into the irrigation system.

Water Softeners – are Ion Exchange Resin Devices that contain an organic resin primed with sodium ions and as the water passes through the water softener these are then released in exchange for Calcium and Magnesium ions found in hard water areas. Once all the available sodium ions have been exchanged, the resin is automatically recharged in a salt solution containing the sodium ions; this water can only be used for washing and not for drinking or cooking, due to the high salt content.

Electronic Water Conditioners – can come in the form of wrap around permanent magnets that emit a magnetic field or by wrapping a coil around the cold water feed pipe, which is attached to a box of electronics that emit a range of different frequencies. Both these systems cause the metal ions to remain in suspension and not form deposits on the insides of pipes or appliances

EM Ceramics – This is a simple piece of ceramic that has undergone a special process. The resultant piece of ceramic has a powerful effect on the metal ions within the water, preventing them from forming mineral clusters when heated, and therefore the resultant scale. Also, the EM Ceramic has a descaling effect and is able to affect existing limescale deposits causing them to gradually dissolve away.

The Benefits of Preventing Limescale Formation

• Extends the life of pipework, appliances, boilers etc
• Reduces energy costs
• Reduces amount detergents required
• Improves flavour of tap water (Does not apply to Water Softeners)