Most timing mechanisms work by a mechanical device or an electronic device. As you look about your house, you may see a number of modern electronic timing devices. You may notice that your microwave oven has a timer.
If you remember a few years ago, microwave ovens have a mechanical timer to allow you to cook things for a specified amount of time. However, the newer ones feature electronic digital timers. You also may notice the same things with your cooking stove. The old fashion mechanical devices are giving way to the modern electronic ones, and for good reasons.
Benefits of the Electronics over the Mechanical Timer
A very important benefit of an electronic timer is the cost. They are cheaper to manufacture than products that have springs and clockwork parts. Most businesses that manufacture appliances have fierce competition, and cutting costs is an excellent way to stay ahead of competitors.
Efficiency is another important advantage of electronics. Mechanical clock mechanisms can slowly wear over time, and lose their efficiency. Many of these devices also have daily clocks, and it is very important for them to keep proper time. Electronic products are more accurate than mechanical ones, and accuracy is vital for some products.
Another important part to consider is wear, as there is very little to wear out in an electronic timer. However, there are many small parts that can wear out in clock mechanisms. The clock mechanism is subject to friction, and this does not happen within the electronic timer.
Many electronic timing products can be user customized. For example, you can set your alarm clock to any time of the day or night that you want. Most old fashion alarm clocks cannot distinguish between AM and PM, and this can be a problem. It is much easier to set your alarm for five in the morning, and then forget about it. After the alarm goes off, you can reset it for the next day.
If you have a wind up alarm clock, you turn it off when it goes off at five in the morning. Then you must wait until after five in the evening to reset it again. If you do not wait, the clock will go off at five in the evening, as it cannot tell the difference between morning and night.
Disadvantages
There are few disadvantages to digital timers. However, they must have electric power to operate. Yet, most of these problems can be solved with a battery backup system.
Our Conclusion
You will find many applications for state of the art digital timers, these days. They are in many modern appliances, as well as whole house timers and alarm clocks. There are even digital timers online, such as those found on www.OnlineClock.net. Electronic timing devices are cheaper to produce, and more accurate than their mechanical counterparts. They also last longer, and can be customized for user interface. This is why you see more electronic, and fewer mechanical timers in use today.
OnlineClock.net is a website specializing in free online digital timers of all kinds. If you need to use a timer for any purpose, be sure to take a look at the various free time tools found on the Online Clock website.
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