Sparks Electrical News April 2019

Sparks Electrical News now features a dedicated Industry 4.0 section. Turn to page 16 for more

APRIL 2019

E L E C T R I C A L N E W S www.sparkselectricalnewsmagazine.co.za

REGULARS: CONTRACTORS’ CORNER | BUYERS' GUIDE : MOTORS AND DRIVES | FEATURES : MCCS AND MOTOR PROTECTION | CABLES AND CABLE ACCESSORIES | LIGHTING | INDUSTRY 4.0

EMBRACING INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGIES TO MEET GROWING ENERGY DEMAND

E lectricity service providers globally are experiencing rapid change driven by disruptive technologies that are transform- ing traditional energy market structures. Distributed energy resources like wind, solar, and battery storage, supported by their in- creasing cost-competitiveness with fossil-generation and changes in policy and consumer demands, are forcing utilities as well as munici- palities in Africa to find ways to produce, transmit and distribute elec- tricity in a sustainable and efficient manner, or risk losing customers. “The ability to provide reliable electricity contributes vastly to improved healthcare, better education, eMobility and increased economic development,” explains Joseph Mahendran, Black & Veatch Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Manager. “Electric utilities have to embrace smart integrated energy infrastructure that can drive greater efficiency from existing resources, while preparing for the new energy systems of the future.” For example, digital management of distributed energy sources has already begun and brings opportunities for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to augment, and in some cases, compete with traditional utility services. He notes the industry is seeing the beginning of a convergence of IoT, telecommunications, advanced analytics, supply and management of electricity, in which mobile devices can be used to remotely control or switch on and off primary power plant equipment. “These are the innovations that we will see in the energy sector and, as a result, power utilities and municipalities will have to adopt to these technological innovations to be able to operate power systems efficiently to meet consumer demands.” Mahendran says electric utilities are awakening to the power of innovation in terms of generation assets, and with the shift to decentralised, digital grids, the broadening appeal of more affordable renewables and low-carbon power sources. He says decentralisation is occurring through off-grid and micro-grid systems, while renewables, distributed energy and smart grids need new capabilities, new business models and policy guidelines to drive

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CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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HIGH PERFORMANCE SOCKET-OUTLETS AND PLUGS

IP66/67/68/69 degree of protection, in both the quick and screw wiring versions. The range is quick and simple to assemble and wire, and has been restyled as a single, modern, functional line. Included in the High Performance range are the 63 A and 125 A plugs and socket-outs, with a polarity, voltages and nominal frequencies suitable for all systems up to 500 V, in IP44 protected and IP67 watertight versions, multipliers and adapters, very low voltage versions, plus 90°, straight flush-mounting and 10° surface-mounting versions. Main features of the IEC 309 High Performance range: • Safe-lock closure: The ¼ turn screw guarantees practical, simple to use, quick assembly and safe closing thanks to the readily identifia- ble reference system. The reinforced technopolymer of the SAFE-

LOCK system ensures maximum resistance to abrasion adding to a long life expectancy and eliminating the problem of metal clos- ing system corrosion, even in more aggressive environments. The body/grip coupling is solid and effective. • Practical and ergonomic: All the mobile socket-outlet covers have a special shape making them safe and simple to open. The covers can be opened using one hand, which makes plug/socket-outlet insertion practical and simple. • The functional coupling system: The nibbed screw, which is a product requirement for secure socket-outlet covers, is also on the socket- outlets. With their innovative shape, the new products can be coupled to fencing and scaffolding during use in trailing systems.

GEWISS’s IEC 309 High Performance range, available from ACDC Dynamics, is a high-end range of industrial connections delivering performance, functionality and technical features. The range boasts a fully comprehensive assortment of products to create any kind of service or industrial system. The range expands GEWISS’s assortment of 16 A and 32 A mobile plugs, mobile and flush-mounting socket-outlets, with IP44 and

NATURAL GAS A DIFFERENTIATING OPPORTUNITY • Raised earth terminal: The range has an earth terminal that is raised. If a connection cable is accidentally pulled out, the earth cable will be the last to be released, preventing the user from getting an electric shock and avoiding electrical discharge on devices. • The cable clamping system: The external cable clamp, used on all versions, secures the cable and maintains the IP rating in absolute safety, making it easier to close the device by hand, without using any tools. The anti-loosening device prevents the accidental unscrewing or loosening of screws, even when subject to considerable vibration or mechanical stress. The ring nut is unlosable to make wiring easier for the installer. The cable gland can accom- modate a range of cables above regulatory re- quirements, both at the bottom and top. • Nickel-plated pins and contacts: All IEC309 HP range products feature nickel-plated pins and contacts for a more efficient contact on elements subject to a higher degree of oxidisa- tion: the nickel-plating guarantees maximum product life and allows for use in environments with critical climatic conditions (marine envi- ronments) or aggressive substances. • Single pack: Each IEC 309 HP range item is in- dividually blister-packed. This means the prod- uct is always clean in all storage conditions. Each blister pack has the barcode of the prod- uct for easy identification. • Halogen-free: All products are in halogen-free technopolymer conforming to EN50267-2- 2, guaranteeing the utmost safety for people and equipment in the case of fire. A handful of estates in Gauteng offer piped gas as an alternative energy source to their residents. With Eskom’s unstable electricity supply and increasing tariffs, it differen- tiates these estates into an exclusive market, says Laetitia Jansen van Vuuren, Technologies Product Engineer at Energas Technologies. Themajority of the estates are not in close enough proximity to Sasol’s natural gas pipeline and had to settle for LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) storage tanks. LPG is transported by means of tankers to the developments, stored in large underground vessels and piped underground to each home. A few developments with this sort of setup include Steyn City Lifestyle Resort, Waterfall Country Estate and South Hills. Home users thus have a guaranteed gas supply, unaffected by power cuts and load shedding. Natural gas has the potential to replace electricity as the primary energy source in homes. Hot water, space heating, gas cooking and even generators powered by gas are possible. In countries like Europe and America, piped natural gas is a common utility to houses. Energas remains one of the very few capable companies in South Africa with the capacity to help estates with the supply of gas. Enquiries: www.acdc.co.za

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 397 6809

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

APRIL 2019

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH – ANDREW PRATLEY

A NEW CHALLENGE EVERYDAY

Sparks: What major projects have you worked on and what is your greatest accomplishment? AP: I have personally been involved in the development and marketing of many of Pratley’s new electrical products. There isn’t one that stands out above all others, but one of the most exciting of recent times has been the development and launch of Pratley’s Ex e/n certified Rectangular Enviro Box. Sparks: Have you won any awards? AP: As a company we have won several awards over the years, including a Technology Top 100 award and Mogale City Business of the Year. Sparks: Who has been your inspiration or have you had a mentor who has influenced your career? AP: Most of my inspiration is drawn from my grandfather, George ‘Monty’ Pratley, who started the company in 1948. He overcame numerous challenges both personally and professionally to build a successful business. My father, Kim, has mentored me into who I am today. He is a highly dedicated and principled man. Sparks: What, to your mind, is one of the biggest challenges facing the industry at this time? AP: Besides the red tape and over legislation of business in general, getting products certified by the testing authorities has become an enormous challenge. I believe this is largely to do to skill shortages, lack of adequate equipment and in some cases, mismanagement too. Sparks: What do you enjoy most about your job? AP: I enjoy the fact that every day brings a new challenge. Because I get involved in the management of many operating divisions in the company, every day is different. It’s definitely not a boring job. Sparks: How do you motivate your staff? AP: Employees need to be proud of what they do and who they work for. They need to believe in something bigger than simply doing their job each day. We have a policy statement that says, “The performance of our products must exceed all others on the world market.” When they begin to see the proof of that for themselves through their daily work, the motivation flows naturally.

same time, a huge unemployment problem. It may sound a little pessimistic, but I would rather advise a school leaver to enter the market with a mindset that they will not find a job easily. Take charge of your future and never rule out entrepreneurship. Sparks: What is your advice to electrical contractors, electrical engineers or lighting designers? AP: Verify manufacturer’s claims before committing to the purchase. Do not take price at face value. Find products that have features and benefits that will save cost months and years down the line. Remember that safety is not negotiable, and lives can depend on the correct choice. Sparks: What is your favourite quote? AP: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” It is attributed to Albert Einstein.

Andrew Pratley

Sparks: Name three things on your ‘bucket list’ AP: To visit Antarctica, run a marathon, and write a book.

PRATLEY, a truly South African success story, was established in 1948 by George Pratley. Drawing from 70 plus years of experience, the company has filed over 350 patents worldwide and is involved in the manufacturing and marketing of brand leading electrical cable termination products to global markets. Today, the company is still very family-orientated, with George Pratley’s son, Kim, and grandsons, Andrew and Charles, taking the company forward. Sparks Electrical News spoke to Andrew Pratley about the company’s involvement in the electrical industry. Sparks: Where were you educated? AP: I grew up in Krugersdorp and matriculated from Krugersdorp High School. Thereafter I studied IT at Monash University and obtained a BComp degree in 2005. Sparks: When and where did you start your career? AP: I started working at Pratley in 2005 as an IT administrator, although I had numerous holiday jobs at Pratley prior to this. I am currently part of management. Sparks: What are the greatest changes you have seen over the years in the industry? AP: The unfortunate demise of SEOs in South Africa and the skills drain to foreign shores. Also, I believe industry has endured a lot of frustration in recent times when dealing with the SABS, specifically regarding product testing and certification. This has the effect of hampering innovation. growth and provide the flexibility for incumbent service providers to adjust to the marketplace. The transition of traditional networks to smarter grids has been in progress for a while, but the past five years have seen the industry crank up its investment in grid modernisation efforts as advances in sensors and metering have fuelled the rise of data analytics versus catalogue system performance as a means to optimise. “Historically, utilities have battled limited capital resources to build new capacity or replace aging assets. Today, the game has changed as service providers invest in technology to maximise and expand networks capable of supporting the influx of new technologies such as microgrids, electric vehicles and energy storage.” Mahendran explains that energy storage technologies have been advancing for decades, backed by a growing awareness that storage holds the key to unlocking the world’s energy future. As storage technology improves and costs fall, it becomes central to the rise of wind and solar as baseload power sources by eliminating intermittency, a key hurdle in many markets. Looking ahead, he suggests that greater focus will also fall to power delivery infrastructure as traditional central generation baseload units give way to utility scale renewable projects and smaller DERs. More nimble transmission and distribution networks can support the enhancement of natural energy resources such as solar and wind because they readily available and cost-effective, and reduce adverse impact on the environment. “African countries have a great opportunity to develop broader, more progressive guidelines and policies that encourage electricity sector innovation and support the introduction of new technologies at parastatal and municipal levels for modernised electricity generation and reduction in Sparks: How long have you been involved in the lighting industry? AP: I have been in the electrical industry since 2005.

Enquiries: www.pratleyelectrical.com

Sparks: If you could ‘do it all again’, would you change anything? AP: No, I wouldn’t change anything.

Sparks: Would you advise a person leaving school to enter the electrical industry? And why? AP: Yes, but equip yourself with practical skills that are needed by the electrical industry. Find a niche in the market and exploit that through educating yourself. We have a skills shortage in the country, and at the

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EMBRACING INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGIES TO MEET GROWING ENERGY DEMAND

carbon emissions,” Mahendran concludes.

Enquiries: www.bv.com

Joseph Mahendran

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

APRIL 2019

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

4

UNINTERRUPTED POWER SUPPLY HELPS PROTECT HOMES AND BUSINESSES DURING LOAD SHEDDING

L oad shedding is a daily reality in South Africa, and is not only affecting businesses and essential services, but all of us in our homes. Riaan de Leeuw, VP for IT Division – Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric, says it is therefore crucial to protect our homes and businesses against sudden loss of power or surges. “This is particularly true of small to medium-sized businesses, which are more at risk due to their limited ability to maintain security and generate revenue during downtime,” he explains. “And while many people are turning to generators to get them through load shedding, soaring petrol prices mean this is an expensive and not very eco-friendly way to go. However, for both homes and businesses, an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) can protect against downtime,” he adds.

to allow connectivity. He adds that it is advisable to connect printers to a UPS due to power spike during start-up. “Again, users could run between 1000 and 5000 W, depending on extra batteries and the physical load.” There are also solutions to cover advanced small to medium use, which would include one to 20 PCs with monitors, the server, router or switch, and lights if connected to the DB board. “While you would have between 5000 and 20 000W, the same rules apply in terms of batteries and load.” According to him, UPS offers guaranteed power protection for connected electronics, which ensures businesses can keep their doors open and maintain contact with partners and customers. “Remember, keeping Wi-Fi up and running rather than having to rely on cellular data during load shedding gives you a better chance of staying online, for longer.”

UPS solutions protect and save the electronic equipment we rely on so heavily, and are scalable according to different needs, says de Leeuw. For example, a UPS for basic home use will allow a WiFi router to run, cell phone chargers to operate, and the safe shut down of a single PC, below 500 W. “For advanced home, or basic small office use, there are solutions that will enable a TV and/or decoder or game console and surround sound to run. Users would also be able to keep the lights on if connected to the DB board, and between 1000 and 3000 W. In this instance, runtime would depend on additional external batteries and physical load.” For a basic small or home office, there are solutions that will allow between one and five PCs to run, with monitors and the router or switch

“Should power be interrupted, or fluctuate outside safe levels, a UPS instantly provides clean battery backup power and surge protection for sensitive equipment, giving enough time to safely power down non-essential devices and keep critical business operations up and running. It will also provide battery backup power and protection for equipment such as TVs security systems, gaming consoles and mobile devices.” “When selecting the right UPS solution for your needs, consider that a UPS should have an output watt capacity 20-25% higher than the total power drawn by any attached equipment,” cautions de Leeuw. “Moreover, runtime is important, giving an indication as to how long an Uninterrupted Power Supply will be able to power its attached equipment in the event of a power disruption.” Lastly, he advises to test all equipment by unplugging the UPS periodically to make sure all attached equipment stays powered. A PORTAL TO AN EFFICIENT PREPAID DIMENSION L andlords, managing agents, developers and body corporates face numerous manage- ment challenges on a daily and monthly ba- sis. Prepaid electricity simplifies one of the most common, and often complex, of these challenges, ensuring that neither tenant nor owner is left with a large and unexpected electricity bill. One simple, easily installed, prepaid meter is the key to un- locking more efficient management of water and electricity, and ensuring that bills are allocated ac- curately and correctly. Over the past eight years, Citiq Prepaid has made prepaid power its priority – partnering with electricians to install sub-metering systems into buildings and providing property owners with reliable products and innovative technology. To make life even easier, Citiq Prepaid’s portal has been designed provide its various users with access to information so that they can manage their accounts as effectively as possible. The portal gives owners, managing agents and portfolio managers instant access to purchasing information and the ability to administer their meters on demand. Not only is this an ongoing benefit to using Citiq Prepaid, but the ability to access this information on demand means that users spend less time on admin and more time on building their business. “Citiq Prepaid is one of the first prepaid meter providers to offer this level of transactional and administrative detail to its clients via the internet,” says Carel Scheepers, General Manager: Sales at Citiq Prepaid. “Property owners can use the portal to assess their full meter portfolio and really drill down into the specifics of building and individual meters. Using our portal, they gain an immediate and aggregated view per building and a detailed view per meter per month. Reports are provided monthly via email and allow for owners to catch any potential issues and to ensure the seamless running of meter and business.” Enquiries: www.se.com/za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

APRIL 2019

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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WORKING KNOWLEDGE WITH TERRY MACKENZIE HOY

SURGES AND SPIKES IN THE TIME OF LOAD SHEDDING

A t this time of load shedding the authorities switch off lar- gish blocks of load and switch them on again. In general, energising and de-energising a circuit where the load is a few megawatts is no big deal, especially if one is switching on the medium voltage side of a transformer and the load is on the secondary side. However, let's think about a large system of con- nected canals filled with water which is allowed to drain away. When the flood gates reopen the water rushes in and there are many sudden ripples, waves and peaks as the after level stabi- lises. So, while so-called surges and spikes on a power system actually occur very irregularly, they become more frequent and damaging when the supply authority is switching large blocks (tens of megawatts) of load. The most common effect of this is the failure of some piece of electronic equipment, as was the case with our office

in those days and normally survived all but direct strikes and, in my case, I never had any equipment damage due to surges. The point may well have been that the equipment was sufficiently robust not to be damaged, surge arrestor or not, but I did no experiments. Very often damage occurs when an earth connection to a circuit has a high voltage due to a lightning strike and flashes over to other circuits. People try fix tothis by having an array of spikes or an earth mat to try tie the earth voltage to a low value. It won’t work. It is better to have no circuit earth if possible, and then there is no part of the circuit which will develop a high voltage. This is generally against regulations but you can get around that by ‘double insulating’ the circuit and then no earth is required (do let me know if I am wrong). It’s a sensitive topic, but then so is having to replace the 48-inch monitor…

seconds, which is a spike with a rise time of eight micro seconds and a duration of 20 micro seconds. This is known as a class 2 surge protector. A class 1 protector does much the same but protects against lightning as well. One important thing to note is that, like connoisseurs of wine, there are a thousand self appointed experts out there, all of whom will have a different opinion, will correct you on fine points of surge protection and will tell you, forcefully, what will or will not work without ever conceding that they may be wrong. My own experience, growing up in thunder storm country, was to protect sensitive equipment using capacitors from fluorescent lamp circuits. We would wire the capacitors between live and earth and neutral and earth, put them in a box with a cord and plug and plug it into the wall. This, I calculated, would neutralise all surges. The fact was that equipment was not very sensitive

video cards and a large 48-inch display screen. It would have been great if these items had been unplugged, but that requires organisational skills not available in our office. In any event, switching off the computer, screen, printer or whatever does not disconnect the neutral. If the neutral in the power supply system is not disconnected you can get temporary high voltages on the neutral which cause failure. A great idea is to make sure that the neutral is isolated at the same time as the live. In our office, now, we have a two pole isolator which disconnects live and neutral and, thus far, no further problems. There are many ‘surge arrestors’ on the market that supposedly provide protection against over voltage, with some of them being quite good. However, it is a fact that electricity travels 100 metres in one micro second, so if a high voltage appears the arrestor has to operate pretty quickly to avoid damage. It is wise, no imperative, to use a surge arrestor to specification SANS 101421 which will divert high currents that have a waveform of 8/20 micro

The Meter Management Portal offers detailed consumption reports that can be customised per property, building and meter. It also allows for the remote management of costs and offers customers detailed transaction reports. Accessing the portal is simple – the user simply logs in with the details provided by Citiq Prepaid and then has a full view of the data that they require. Should they encounter any issues, they can contact our dedicated call centres and one of our trained support staff will provide them with clear instructions to using the system and getting the most out of the data provided. “All the meter data our system collates is provided to the property owner, giving them a comprehensive view of their properties and allowing for them to make increasingly informed business decisions,” concludes Scheepers. “Tenants can also access the portal to see their personal meter data and understand their own usage requirements and costs.” The Citiq Prepaid portal ensures that the company lives up to its goal of being the most reliable, easy and convenient way of accessing, controlling and managing electricity consumption and usage. The completely South African business is designed to meet the needs of the property market, and continues to do so through innovative products and solutions tailored to the local market’s unique needs.

Enquiries: www.citiqprepaid.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

APRIL 2019

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

6

FLIR LAUNCHES ADDITION TO HIGH-PERFORMANCE THERMAL CAMERA FAMILY

decisions easily. With a 180-degree rotating lens platform, the T840’s ergonomic design helps users to reduce the strain of full-day inspections and diagnose hard-to-reach components at substations and on distribution lines. The unit offers rapid reporting features that help users stay organised in the field. Wi-Fi streaming to the FLIR Tools® app makes it simple to survey issues in real time, while in-camera GPS automatically tags image files with geolocation data to simplify identification and precise documentation.

FLIR Systems has launched the FLIR T840, a new thermal camera in the high-performance T-Series family. The high-resolution T840 offers a brighter dis- play and an integrated viewfinder to help electrical util- ity, plant managers, and other thermography profes- sionals find and diagnose failing components in any lighting conditions to help avoid costly power outages and plant shutdowns. Featuringtheaward-winningdesignoftheFLIRT-series camera platform, the T840 features an ergonomic body, a vibrant LCD touchscreen, and a viewfinder to make it easy to use in any lighting conditions. The 464 x 348 resolution camera incorporates FLIR advanced

Vision Processing™, including patented MSX® image enhancement technology, UltraMax®, and proprietary adaptive filtering algorithms to provide customers with enhanced measurement accuracy and image clarity with half the image noise of previous models. The T840 also offers an optional 6-degree lens that allows professionals to capture accurate temperature measurements on small targets at far distances, such as connectors on overhead distribution lines. Also, advanced, on-camera measurement tools unique to newer FLIR T-Series models, such as one-touch Level/Span and precise, laser-assisted autofocus enable users to find problems quickly and make critical

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 300 5622

PROCESSMETER DOUBLES TROUBLESHOOTING POWER AND LIGHTENS THE LOAD

THE CONSEQUENCES OF HOMEOWNERS USING UNREGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

A ll electrical contractors are required by law to be registered with Department of Labour and ensure that all electrical work is performed in accordance with legislative requirements and any applicable codes of practice and technical standards. This regis- tration entitles them to issue Certificates of Compliance – legally. Unregistered pirate contractors simply ignore such obligations. Do people who employ the services of ‘pirate’ electrical contractors realise that their choice of electrician – usually based on price – may have deadly consequences? Or that the electrical installation may be unsafe but, because of the latent nature of some electrical faults, the danger may not be immediately apparent? Using an unregistered electrician is not only illegal, it can also invalidate insurance cover, and in the event of an electrical fire, the insurer can refuse to pay any claims if the CoC for the property was issued fraudulently by a pirate contractor and/or is not valid and up- to-date to include all alterations that may have been done to the electrical installation. If a claim has been rejected by the insurer, a civil claim against the ‘pirate’ contractor would be futile. Cecil Lancaster, the ECA(SA)’s Regional Director in the Bosveld region, says that although the average homeowner may not read or even be aware of the Electrical Installation Regulations, in South African law the rule ‘ignorance of the law is no excuse’ (‘Ignorantia juris non excusat’) is applied. That’s the bad news. There is no good news. Impunity In South Africa, pirate electrical contractors who operate without being legally registered seem to do so with impunity. Clause 6 (1) of the Oc- cupational Health and Safety Act No 85 of 1993 (incorporated under the Electrical Installation Regulations) states that “no person may do electrical work as an electrical contractor unless that person has been registered as an electrical contractor in terms of these regulations”. There’s nothing ambiguous there; but does the punishment for operating without being registered actually fit the crime? The offences and penalties in Clause 15 of the Electrical Installation Regulations (2009), state that anyone who fails to comply with the regulations “shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a maximum period of 12 months and, in the case of a continuous offence, to an additional fine of R200.00 for each day on which the offence continues …”. This could very well be part of the problem. It’s just a slap on the wrist when compared to other countries. In New York, the criminal penalties for performing electrical work without a license were recently increased from $5 000 to $25 000 and the maximum prison term from six months to one year. In Queensland, Australia, DIY electrical work is regarded as unlicensed electrical work, which is illegal, and has penalties of up to $40 000 for individuals. A breach that exposes an individual to a risk of death, serious injury or illness attracts a maximum penalty of $600 000 for an individual and $3 000 000 for a corporation or five years’ imprisonment. Generally, homeowners don’t have a clue whether electrical work done on their properties is legal or not because they don’t know much about electrical installations and electrical Certificates of Compliance (CoC), and this ignorance leaves them vulnerable and at risk. For homeowners, using an electrical contractor who’s a member of the ECA is a wise choice because while not all electrical contractors are members of the ECA(SA), all ECA members are registered electrical contractors – and their work is covered by the the incoming supply, resulting in a more energy-efficient solution. • PowerFlex 755TM drive system – this allows users to build the system that best fits their needs for regeneration and coordina- tion of multiple motors in common bus configurations. To opti- mise their system requirements and meet power-consumption needs, users can select from a series of predesigned modules. Other new capabilities include an integrated safety module that de- livers several advanced safety functions on an EtherNet/IP network,

ECA’s Workmanship Guarantee.

T he Fluke 787B and 789 Pro- cessMeter™ from Comtest doubles troubleshooting ca- pabilities by combining the power of a safety-rated, digital multimeter and mA loop calibrator into a sin- gle, compact test tool. Based on the trusted measurement capabilities of the Fluke 87 DMM, the 787B and 789 add the ability to measure, source and simulate mA with the accuracy and resolution that can be expected from a Fluke mA loop calibrator, giving users the ideal tool for troubleshooting and calibrating current loop applications. Key features of the 787B and 789: • 20 mA dc current source/ measure/simulate. • Simultaneous mA and % of scale readout. • DMM designed to meet 1000 V IEC 61010 CAT III and 600 V CAT IV standards. • Precision 1000 V, 440 mA true-rms digital multimeter. • Frequency measurement to 20 kHz. • Min/Max/Average/Hold/ Relative modes. • Diode test and continuity beeper. • Manual step (100%, 25%, Coarse, Fine) plus Auto Step and Auto Ramp • Externally accessible battery for easy battery changes. • The 789 has the additional features of 24 V Loop power supply and HART mode setting with loop power (adds 250

Certificate of Compliance FAQs To assist homeowners, the ECA has compiled a list of frequently asked questions about the electrical Certificate of Compliance: How long is an electrical CoC valid for? The Electrical Installation regulations state that a Certificate of Com- pliance is valid for two years for purposes of transfer. Regulation 7(5) states: Subject to the provisions of section 10(4) of the Act, the user or lessor may not allow a change of ownership if the certificate of compliance is older than two years. A CoC is valid for the lifetime of an installation but excludes maintenance items, and if any alterations have been done to the electrical installation, the owner/lessor must obtain a supplementary CoC according to clause 7(4) which states: Where any addition or alteration has been effected to an electrical installation for which a certificate of compliance was previously is- sued, the user or lessor of such electrical installation shall obtain a certificate of compliance for at least the addition or alteration. Who can issue a CoC? Only a Registered Electrical Contractor may issue a CoC after he/ she has inspected and tested the electrical installation and found it to be reasonably safe. If any fault or defect is detected in any part of the electrical installation, the Registered Person must refuse to issue a CoC until that fault or defect has been rectified. Any CoC that has been fraudulently issued by an unregistered electrician is illegal and invalid and could endanger the lives of people and pets and damage or destroy property. How long does it take for an electrical contractor to inspect and test a property in order to issue a CoC? This can take anything between two and three hours. Be wary if an ‘elec- trical contractor’ issues a CoC in 30minutes. Be very suspicious of street pole advertising that offers CoCs for R700 or less. Remember, you get what you pay for. Depending on the location and size of an installation, a legal CoC would cost between R1 500 to R3 000 or more. Do I need a CoC when I do alterations to electrical work? Yes. A CoCmust be issued when any alterations are done to an electri- cal installation. For example, if traditional lighting is replaced by down- lights, the electrical contractor must ensure that a valid CoC is issued for that work. Where any addition or alteration has been done to an electrical installation for which a CoC has already been issued, the user or lessor of that electrical installation must get a supplementary CoC for the addition or alteration. Both CoCs must be kept in a safe place. How do I know if an electrical contractor is registered? If the electrical contractor is an ECA member, he/she is certainly registered because it is a condition of membership. If an electrical contractor is not a member of the ECA, it is best to ask to see his/ her registration certificate from the Department of Labour. If there is any doubt about the registration, take note of the registration number and contact the Department of Labour to verify that the electrical contractor is indeed registered.

ohm resistor). • Fluke Connect® compatibility for wireless data logging (with IR3000FC module) saves time and improves the reliability of maintenance data by wirelessly syncing measurements using the Fluke Connect® system. Preventive maintenance is simplified and ‘reworks’ are eliminated. • Maintenance decisions are made with trustworthy and traceable data. • Access baseline, historical and current measurements by asset. • Move away from clipboards, notebooks and multiple spreadsheets with a wire- less one-step measurement transfer. • Share measurement data with the team using ShareLiveTM video calls and emails.

Enquiries: +27 (0)10 595 1821

EXPANDED POWER RANGE

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION has expanded the power ranges and capa- bilities of TotalForce technology for its Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 755T AC drives. The drives now offer an expanded power range, helping engineers with applications from 7,5 to 4500 kW, improve productivity and reduce their lifecycle costs. The expansion brings harmonic mitigation, regenera- tion and common bus-system configurations to a wider range of high- demand applications. Enhancements include more powerful adaptive control capabilities, which allow the drives to monitor machine characteristics that can change over time and automatically compensate for the changes that occur. An adaptive tuning feature uses up to four automatic tracking notch filters to block resonance and vibration that can impact quality, waste energy and prematurely wear out a machine. The offering includes: • PowerFlex 755TL drive – the PowerFlex 755TL drive uses active front-end technology and an internal harmonic filter to reduce har- monic distortion. The drive is now available from 7,5 to 1400 kW. • PowerFlex 755TR drive – delivering power from 7,5 to 4500 kW, this drive includes both regenerative and harmonic mitigation solutions. The drive helps reduce energy consumption and costs by delivering energy back to

Enquiries: www.ecasa.co.za

an anti-sway feature that helps lifting applications achieve greater stability and permanent magnet motor control for increased energy savings. Combined, these new TotalFORCE technology capabilities help reduce time to commission, optimise performance and enable simplified maintenance and serviceability throughout the full lifecycle of PowerFlex 755T drives for a broad range of applications.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 654 9700

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

APRIL 2019

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

7

INCOMING DEHN AFRICA MD PREPARES TO PUSH NEW FRONTIERS IN LIGHTNING PROTECTION

CUSTOMISEABLE LED HEADLAMP He explains, “In Madagascar, I was involved in the building of a limestone plant and a power generation plant, neither of which were yet operational. My duties involved the design, installation and commissioning of the electrical reticulation system.It suited me to be hands-on and innovative from an engineering design and installation perspective. The job required me to work in Madagascar for three months at a time and I was then able to come home for 10 days, which worked well for me, as I enjoy travelling and, at the time,did not have the family commitments I do today.” Having worked for the company for some 18 months, Oelofse was invited to join DEHN Africa for its launch in South Africa in May 2013. “My interest in lightning protection froman engineering and scientific perspective meant this was a very positive career T he appointment of Hano Oelofse in October 2018 as the Managing Director of lightning and surge protection specialist DEHN Africa, part of Germany-based DEHN + SÖHNE, is bound to move the company into new arenas and geographi- cal locations. Having spent some five and a half years at DEHN Africa already, Oelofse has risen through the organisation’s ranks, from Senior Technical Sales En- gineer at the beginning of his tenure in 2013, to Tech- nical Manager and then Technical Director, as well as taking on the position of interim MD from April to September 2018. Oelofse, who is passionate about the science and art of lightning protection, is comfortable placing himself at the coalface of the engineering world. Having studied Electrical Engineering at the Central University of Technology, Free State, his early professional career included a stint at AngloGold Ashanti as well as time in Madagascar, where he worked on one of the largest nickel and cobalt plants in the world for an electrical company that provided full turnkey solutions.

Hano Oelofse, DEHN Africa

trajectory during 2019 and beyond. “The DEHN global plan for 2025 has been released globally,” he explains, “and DEHN Germany has exciting initiatives and goals in the company’s drive towards growth. At DEHN Africa we are looking forward to playing our part in the global vision. “One of my particular interests at work is my involvement in building and growing the DEHN Africa Engineering Services department, and the company overall. We have a number of exciting initiatives and focus areas within DEHN Africa at the moment, including the recent launch of DEHNinsure as well as our growing focus on the renewables area,” he said.

step for me. I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to become involved with the opening up of the African subsidiary of a fourth-generation, 100-year-old international lightning protection company. “As with my previous job in Madagascar, the requirements of being involved in this new venture spoke to my entrepreneurial spirit and my interests in cultivating an international engineering perspective. At DEHN Africa, we have been involved in working on a number of projects around the world, including within Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia, while in Africa itself we’ve been involved in projects in Madagascar, Zambia, Kenya, Botswana and Namibia, besides South Africa itself, of course.” Oelofse is excited about DEHN Africa’s planned

Enquiries: www.dehn-africa.com

LEDLENSER has introduced a new flagship with the MH11, which for the first time will be controlled using the ‘Ledlenser Connect’ app. The headlamp is posi- tioned at the high end of the product range and, thanks to the app, offers a whole gamut of new functions. These include the ability to set up individual profiles as well as functions such as timer, interval and SOS distress signal. With up to 1000 lumen in Boost mode and 750 lumen in Power mode, the Ledlenser M11 pro- vides considerable light intensity. The MH11 is the first fully customisable headlamp made by the Solingen-based light specialist Ledlenser. With the “Ledlenser Connect” app, the user has a range of new functions at his or her disposal. Users can add up to six functions of the lamp to their individual profiles which, after transfer from the app to the lamp, can be selected at the touch of a button. The timer function has been redeveloped by Ledlenser and represents a milestone in the use of headlamps. Using Ledlenser Connect, time intervals can be pre-set in which the light is switched on and off. Customisable setting options such as slow-dim mean the MH11 can also replace the alarm clock, gently waking up the user with a gradually increasing intensity of light. Users who like to read before bed can use the function to turn the light off after a certain time – ideal for battery-saving use when camping.

Enquiries: www.ledlenser.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

APRIL 2019

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

8

ANOTHER SUCCESS AT ANNUAL OPEN DAYS

HOW BATTERY STORAGE IS CHANGING THE RENEWABLE ENERGY GAME T he mass adoption and implementation of solar en- ergy in South African homes and businesses has been rapidly increasing over the past few years. But, going completely ‘off grid’ has so far been held back by the ex- pense of storing power from renewable sources. But this is changing, as the technology is available, and becoming more affordable, for dramatically reducing the reliance on state utility, Eskom, for electricity in South Africa. While solar energy is an ample resource in this country, the real game-changer will be the ability to store the power generated by day, for consistent use around the clock, says Dominic Wills, CEO of SOLA Future Energy. Wills says solar and storage are becoming more sought- after for businesses in South Africa, which are facing esca- lating cost pressures from ever-increasing Eskom tariffs. He says recent advances in battery technology, and the rapid decrease in costs of such storage components, has meant that the time has come to leave the national grid entirely, particularly for businesses. “In the past, when power was needed, it was provided by baseload power, created by non-renewable energy sources that were burnt to produce power in response to the demand. For generations, we didn’t focus on developing the technol- ogy necessary to store power because fossil fuels were seen as endless sources of power,” Wills explains. He points out that, while solar energy (and other renew- able sources), have received increasing interest globally and in South Africa in the past, innovations in storage have been the hot topic in the recent years due to their game-changing nature for renewable energy. “New storage solutions are emerging that make use of commonly available materials, and nano-technology could potentially improve the power and energy density of batter- ies,” says Wills. “The price reductions of this technology in recent years means that currently a solar PV and storage microgrid, for example, is cheaper than diesel generated power in remote areas. This is a game-changer for off-grid electricity require- ments,” he added. Perhaps the most well-known of these storage battery innovations are commercial applications of the lithium-ion battery, which grew popular for their use in cell phones and electric vehicles. They can be packaged as such, as in the case of the Tesla Powerpack, which contains 16 individual battery pods, each with an isolated dc-dc converter. They support a host of applications that offer commercial con- sumers greater control, efficiency and reliability across the grid. SOLA has been responsible for the installation of a solar energy microgrid on Robben Island, which has produced over 850 000 kWh of clean electricity since its launch in October last year. The project will help reduce the cost of buying and shipping diesel to the world heritage site. The system is able to deliver the entire daytime electricity load for the island, and the solar PV energy generation is supported by 837 kWh battery storage, which makes it possible for the system to keep delivering power on cloudy days and at night. “We’re particularly proud of our Robben Island project be- cause it shows that solar power generation and storage can totally transform the energy accessibility for remote areas, which is particularly applicable to Africa,” says Wills. These projects have shown that energy storage, combined with renewable energy, can deliver the results needed to keep both remote and commercial sites running both practi- cally and affordably. “In the world of decentralised energy supply and produc- tion, we are just scratching the surface of what is possible for both rural and urban businesses. For instance, there are inter- esting projects taking off around the world that use machine learning solutions to choose and balance relevant power sources by anticipating demand based on usage patterns,” says Wills. “This helps to minimise costs and optimise sup- ply which will further enhance the business case for adopt- ing energy storage technologies alongside their renewable energy supplies, making energy storage applicable for both on- and off-grid situations.” “These solutions are becoming more affordable and wide- spread, and we are seeing the commercial sector flock to the reliability and affordability of renewables in general and solar in particular,” says Wills.

H ow does one take a hugely successful trade Open Day show and improve it year after year? CEO/MD of Vermont Sales, Roland Hunt, says, “It is all down to listening to our customers and hear- ing what they want. Along with our sales teams’ input, all this feedback is reported back to us and we make the necessary changes to the show structure. We also need to ensure we have a lot of new and exciting prod- ucts to launch and introduce at the show, along with new brands. This year we introduced four new brands; Halo, Rockler, SAMedia, and Real Steel and a brand-new Tork Craft hand tool range. Included at the show were new ranges of customer display stands, shelving, POP and POS. This year the special priced products were very special.” Leading international brands were well represented, and their displays manned by international experts and local sales staff. All tools and equip- ment were on display and demonstrated so that customers could inter- face with them and handle the tools for themselves. The German power tool leaders, Festool, had a huge display with every power tool in its range on display. New innovative models and upgraded units were on the stand, along with its recently launched new innovative ISC 240 cordless insula- tion saw. Tork Craft introduced its comprehensive new range of hand tools and a host of new power tools. Alpen, Austria’s world-renowned Drill bit manufacturer, launched its technically advanced Force X concrete and masonry drill bits, and introduced a revolutionary new Smash/Sharp dust collector/drill bit combo, a first in the world. Leading international brands, including Olfa, Bondhus, Multi Sharp, Felo, GAV, Air Craft, Bessey,

Kreg, SawStop, RawlPlug, Cadex, Malco, MPS, Miles, ACCUD, Pony, Fixman, Howard, Wedgit, Drill Doctor, Bondic, Nes, Flexipads and Maun introduced exciting new products to their ranges, all of which were on show and now available in leading stores country wide. Four brands made their appearance for the first time at the show. The first being Halo, the world leaders in specialised LED strip lighting. These lighting systems have revolutionised the underground mining world. Through special collaboration with Vermont Sales, these sys- tems are now available to the general public. The product comes in the Halo HP 220 V ac and 12 V dc and is the world’s first portable lighting system. It can be customised to fit any requirement. The supporting features are intelligent temperature and voltage control, surge manage- ment, ultra-power and long life, waterproof, dust proof, flame-retardant and explosion proof. The second new brand is SAMedia, a professional diamond cutting tool range from Germany. The American Rockler fills the third new brand spot with its extensive range of woodworking hardware, and lastly, a new range of hammers and axes from Real Steel completes the new brand line up for 2019 from Vermont Sales. The ultra-quick, professional registration desk was perfectly run, with a team of salesmen meeting the customers on their arrival. Catering was at its best yet again and meals and snacks were served throughout the three days, with a well-manned bar and coffee bar.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 314 7711

LEUZE 10 SERIES OFFERS HIGH TOLERANCE TO DIFFERENT MATERIALS E ngineered with a high tolerance to different materials, the Leuze 10 Series optical sen- sors detects objects and measures distances with an incredible accuracy of +/-30 mm. Available from Countapulse Controls, these high performance sensors have an operating range of up to eight metres. The high tolerance of the Leuze 10 Series sensors further extends to the angle of incidence, the colour, surface structure and brightness of reflective material. This enables the sensor to detect different materials, such as wood or matt as well as glossy metal, and this is possible even under varying environmental conditions. The Leuze 10 Series is also suitable for sensing applications where deep black materials are found or where objects are not ideally aligned or where they are moving rapidly. The highly visible status indicators on the devices makes for ease of use and the sensors also have large control buttons. The LED display has been designed to facilitate step-by-step com- missioning and diagnosis at the press of a button. The compact housing, with integrated recesses for M4 screws or nuts, means installation is possible in applications where space restrictions exist. However, its small size does not impact on the overall performance of the Leuze 10 Series. A comprehensive range of Leuze sensing solutions is available from Johannesburg-based Countapulse Controls. The company can assess any sensing application and provide a fit-for- purpose solution to meet the specific needs of an operation.

Enquiries: www.solafuture.co.za

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 615 7556

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

APRIL 2019