Electricity + Control November 2017

2017 SAEEC 14 – 15 November 2017 Emperors Palace Convention Centre, Johan- nesburg The 2017SAEEC Conference features a convention agenda with seminars and an exhibition on a variety of current topics and a comprehensive overview of ‘Energy Efficiency at Work’. Enquiries: Nikki Nel. Email support@saee. org.za NOT TO BE MISSED

T here is major confusion caused by the general use of the term Consultants. Much as one would hope that distinctions do not need to be made, Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) would like to assist by providing this clarity. You find for example, the Auditor General making a sweeping me- dia statement about the excessive use made of Consultants by Local Government entities. The clarity that is lacking is that this is in positions which should really have been filled by competent people, not cadres without competence. Appointing a Consultant to perform what is a day to day function with the incumbent at work at the same time, should not be allowed. One understands the necessity to get additional insight, specialist advice or temporary additional capacity. This happens to a great extent as a Management Consultancy service and we agree that it needs to be managed better. A necessary distinction, of course, needs to be made when we talk about En- gineering Consultancy services. The need to consider using Consulting Engineering Services is really to provide the capability and expertise which is lacking internally, not to do someone’s job for them. It is ‘outsourcing’, when previously you had the capability and capacity to ‘in-source’. It is a bit of a long story on how we got here but that is an issue for another day. Essentially one appoints an Engineering Consultant to provide a solution to an infrastructure challenge. That Consultant then manages the execution of the project according to time and cost constraints. Whilst there are negative issues in the news on Engineering Consultants, Client bodies should make more use of service providers who are members of Voluntary Industry Associations such as ours. A good example of the value of this is the recent Bell Pottinger case. We too can help keep them honest. Enquiries: Dennis Ndaba. Email dennis@cesa.co.za We invited Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) to Write @ the back. CESA CEO, Chris Campbell, responded with: Let’s get it Right for Engineering Sake!

Waste water Treatment Process Workshop 23 – 24 November 2017 Hilton Hotel, Sandton

The aim of this training workshop is to identify and assess various methods and technologies currently used in waste-water treatment. Enquiries: Email humphrey@trudynamix. com

Africa Energy Indaba 20 – 21 February 2018

Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg Are you an energy innovator or future energy disrupter? Do you represent the latest in energy efficiency, energy conservation, green building technologies or renewable energy solutions? Are you a new or established energy company looking for customers, clients and suppliers? Enquiries: Email louise@energyindaba. co.za POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa 17 – 19 July 2018 Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg A forum that brings together international business leaders and technical experts com- mitted to powering up a continent. Enquiries: Visit www. powergenafrica. com/2018/html

brain block ...

CESA CEO, Chris Campbell.

Question 6 Courtesy: Jochen Gries, WIKA Are CIP and SIP the same thing – what are the differences?

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

Omron.......................................................................33 Phoenix Contact...........................................Insert Schneider Electric.............................................................3 SEW EURODRIVE....................................................IBC Voltex........................................................................7 Wilec..............................................................27 Woodbeam.............................................................29 Zest WEG Group..........................................................19

ABB..................................................................OFC Beckhoff......................................................................IFC Countapulse Controls...........................................................13 Engen.................................................................................9 Gator................................................................................20 ifm electronic....................................................................OBC Marthinusen & Coutts ........................................................23 Mecosa......................................................................35

Answers to Brain Block questions are on our newsletters and website.

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NOVEMBER 2017