Electricity + Control May 2018

POWER QUALITY, STANDBY + BACK-UP

asWits University, the Electrical Contractors Asso- ciation of South Africa (ECA) and the Department of Labour. A professional body, by definition, is usually a non-profit organisation seeking to further a particu- lar vocation, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession and the public interest. Many professional bodies are involved in the develop- ment and monitoring of specialist educational pro- grammes and the updating of skills.They therefore carry out certifications to show that a particular in- dividual in that industry possesses the necessary qualifications. In this regard, Manas comments, “ELPA aims to assist with providing industry accreditations, certification and benchmarks for quality of design and installation, as well as information and educa- tion on lightning safety.” He notes the following aims and projects carried out by ELPA in its short history thus far: • Certification exams for lightning protection in- stallers, lightning protection design and surge protection installations for electricians who carry out surge protection installations • Other certification exams will follow during 2018, including a first course for testers/asses- sors of lightning protection systems (LPSs). These next certification exams are linked to the launch of the ELPA Certificates of Compli- ance (COC) programme in late 2017. The COC programme involves the inspection of LPSs that are registered by ELPA accredited install- ers and designers. An expected inspection rate of 100% of all registered projects is anticipated • Noting that much of South Africa is subject to high lightning ground flash density, with a con- sequent wide-ranging need for the installation of LPSs, ELPA is making use of online facilities in a bid to nationalise some of its courses. Instal- lation accreditation is the flagship online accred- itation project, to accommodate the substantial number of candidates from around South Africa who want to take the ELPA installation exam. • In addition to the LPS certification exams for designers, installers and inspectors, ELPA will implement a CPD programme to boost elec- trical engineers in the science of lightning protection. Manas notes, “This would be ex- tremely valuable to all electrical engineers, as lightning protection is not a subject included in an electrical engineering degree in South Af- rica, and is normally only offered as part of a post-graduate high voltage study programme.”

Richard Evert ELPA national director des- ignate and (R) Trevor Manas ELPA incum- bent national director.

Conclusion Finally, in demonstrating its ongoing commitment to becoming the recognised National Professional Body for earthing and lightning protection, an ELPA delegation, including Manas and Richard Evert, recently attended the annual conference of United Lightning Protection Association (ULPA)/ LPI (Lightning Protection Institute) in Florida in the United States. “ULPA in the United States was founded in 1936 and as such is now in its 82 nd year. It really was a great privilege for ELPA to be able to attend this world-renowned body of lightning expertise and learn from those who have such a long offi- cial history within the lightning protection indus- try. Saying that, we shouldn’t underestimate the expertise that is present in South Africa, and the ground-breaking lightning research that has taken place in our country since the middle of the 20 th century, through some of the very partners – such as Wits University, for example – that ELPA is proud to partner with. The conference was a very satisfying experience and we at ELPA look forward to continuing our work during 2018 and growing our national presence even further,” concludes Manas. References [1] https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather- news/2017-lightning-deaths-hit-all-time-record- low-in-us/70003784 [2] https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/ gauteng/sa-dangerous-place-for-lightning- strikes-1945114

The fact that South Africa has 300 actual

annual recorded lightning-related deaths is a serious cause for concern.

Enquiries: Claudelle Pillay. Tel. +27 (0) 10 534 6186 or email info@elpasa.org.za Visit www.elpasa.org.za

Electricity + Control

MAY 2018

41