Electricity + Control October 2017

Generators & Standby Power Conference 26 & 27 October 2017 Emperors Palace Convention Centre, Johannesburg The following topics will be covered: Health & safety procedures; Contractors and installation regulations; Importing of generators and standby power supplies; Risk and mitigation plans in generator and standby power use; Servicing, Inspection and maintenance; Industry innovations and challenges. Enquiries: Email grace@vukanicomms. co.za NOT TO BE MISSED 2017 SAEEC 14 – 15 November 2017 Emperors Palace Convention Centre, Johannesburg 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 POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa 17 – 19 July 2018, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa is the electricity industry’s forum that brings to- gether international business leaders and technical experts committed to powering up a continent. Enquiries:Visit www.powergenafrica. com/2018.html Electra Mining Africa 10 – 14 September 2018 Expo Centre Nasrec, Johannesburg Bringing you the Future of Mining, Indus- trial, Electrical and Power since 1972. Enquiries:Visit www.electramining.co.za

T he importance of providing compliant lightning protection systems cannot be understated. This is because the primary function of a lightning protection system is to protect human life. SANS 62305-part 3 standard gives definitive guidance as to the requirements for the protection We invited Trevor Manas, National Director, Earthing and Lightning Protection Association (ELPA) to Write @ the back! He tells us that: 'Most Lightning Protection Systems are Non-compliant'

of structures and life hazards. One of these requirements is the com- pliance of the various lightning protection components with the SANS 62561 series of standards, which is a standard adopted by the South African National Standard (SANS) in 2014. Compliant lightning protection components that are tested and man-

‘Certainty through Compliance’.

ufactured in accordance with the SANS 62561 standards are proven to be able to withstand the elec- trical as well as the mechanical strength of a lightning strike for the lifespan of the lightning protection system, which can be a period of twenty years or more. Some lightning protection components can be vulnerable to the full extent of a lightning current (up to 200kA) and therefore the use of non-com- pliant components cannot provide the assurance of safety to humans or the structure they protect. To date, only a handful of South African lightning protection component manufacturers have had their components certified in accordance with the required standards, and they instead rely on price as their basis on which to conduct business. The Earthing and Lightning Protection Association (ELPA) has a firm policy of providing fully compliant lightning protection systems through its members. By using ELPA accredited installers, the safety and quality aspects of the lightning protection are assured. To ensure compliance to the SANS lightning pro-

tection standards, ELPA randomly inspects the lightning protection installations by our accredited installers. ELPA is presently encouraging all lightning protection manufacturers to become involved in the association and, through a combined ef- fort, to assist in obtaining the compliance of locally manufactured lightning protec- tion components. That is why ELPA`s slogan is ‘Certainty through Compliance’. Enquiries: Claudelle Pillay. +27 (0) 11 704 1487 or email info@elpasa.org.za

Trevor Manas, National Director, Earthing and Lightning Protection Association (ELPA)

Apology In the September 2017Write @ the back, the abbreviation LoRa was incorrect and SquidNET should have been SqwidNet. Editor

brain block ...

Question 5 Courtesy: Rob Melaia, Marthinusen & Coutts (a division of ACTOM (Pty) Ltd)

Mecosa.......................................................................48 Phoenix Contact.........................................................41 Pratley...............................................................27 PREI Instrumentation...................................................11 RET Automation Controls..............................................IFC SAEEC Conference.................................................52 SMC Pneumatics...........................................................IBC Trans Electron...........................................................3 VEGA...................................................................47 WIKA.....................................................................51 INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

ACDC Dynamics........................................................OBC Adroit Technologies..................................................Insert CONCO Energy Solutions................................................17 Copper Development Association Africa.............................35 DEHN Africa..................................................................37 Endress + Hauser......................................................OFC H.H.K. Earthing & Lightning Protection Systems...............39 Helukabel.......................................................................31 Instrotech.......................................................................23 Jaguar.......................................................................21 KROHNE..................................................................49

Does only direct current (dc) flow in a dc motor or generator?

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

56 Electricity + Control

OCTOBER 2017