Sparks Electrical News April 2019

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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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