Sparks Electrical News August 2019

AUGUST 2019

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

REGULARS: CONTRACTORS’ CORNER | BUYERS' GUIDE : LIGHTING (LAMPS AND CONTROL GEAR) | FEATURES : MCCS AND MOTOR PROTECTION | ENERGY EFFICIENCY | LIGHTING | INDUSTRY 4.0

SOUTH AFRICAN CABLE GLAND MANUFACTURER WITH A GLOBAL PRESENCE

An aerial view of the CCG cable gland manufacturing facility in Spartan, Johannesburg.

CCG, a company renowned for its constant drive for innovation and product improvement, is in the final phase of testing and third party approvals for a new range of NEC products for the fast-growing and highly demanding oil and gas market in the USA and Canada. This af- ter numerous requests by leading US engineering construction com- panies who have used CCG products in other parts of the world. CCG launched the original Captive Component Gland® in 1972, after a direct request from South African mining companies to solve problems they experienced with cable glands having loose components that were lost or incorrectly fitted in deep-level mining operations. The incorrect fitting of a cable gland can have dire consequences with regards to equipment failure, which leads to lost production and, more importantly, threatens the safety of personnel. Very quickly, the concept of CCG’s Captive Component Gland® was recognised by other industry sectors, especially the hazardous petrochemical, oil and gas industries, as having significant safety advantages over other cable gland designs with loose components. Over the years, the original CCG design has evolved into a comprehensive range of products enabling CCG to become one of the main suppliers of quality cable glands and junction boxes to the global market. Innovative and extensive product range The simplicity of the ‘Captive Component Gland®’ design means that no matter where in the world CCG products are being installed, the simplest of instructions will ensure that all parts are correctly fitted. This concept is important for installations on projects in developing countries where unskilled labour is often used. From the beginning, CCG has placed emphasis on the user’s input to enhance design innovation. CCG’s policy of ‘Built-in Safety™’ and ‘designing out complexity’ has meant that discerning engineers worldwide have recognised CCG’s products for their safety, and time and wastage saving features. By selecting CCG as their preferred cable gland, installers of CCG can truly ‘Install with Confidence™’. New products are constantly added to an already extensive range. Covering the vast majority of cable types and installation applications, the rangemeets the demanding requirements of the power generation, railway, oil and gas, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, military, marine, industrial, construction and mining industries. If a unique cable or installation falls outside the industry norm, CCG is able to design a solution. A recent example is the design of a specialised EMC gland for the Royal Australian Navy’s Air Warfare Destroyer programme. Many of CCG’s designs and patents have been the result of finding a solution to industry requirements and, in addition to its well-known Captive Component Gland® design, the company has received nu- merous international awards and acclaim for its innovative products including its Corrosion Guard®, Posi Grip®, UNITEx™, HTPL and Quick- Stop-Ex Injection Resin® barrier glands.

CCG’s range of Handi-Fit®, Posi-Fit®, ScrewFit® and Utility® junction boxes, which incorporate the same philosophy of ease of use and ‘Built-in Safety™, have become standard throughout the global industrial, mining and petrochemical industries. CCG also has an extensive range of accessories, thread converters, breathers and stopper plugs covering the same wide range of applications as those of its Cable Glands and Junction Boxes. R&D, Testing and certification With R&D facilities in South Africa and the UK, headed by Gerrit Schepers, (an expert in Flameproof equipment design) and Dr. Geof Mood (the IEC recognised authority on cable glands), CCG’s ongoing research, testing and certification pro- cesses ensure that its certificates are always up to date with latest standards. But the company has taken testing beyond the norm and, in many cases, far exceeds industry standards. These include independent third party tests for short circuit and continuous currents, electromagnetic compatibility, low smoke and

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MEETING THE GROWING DEMAND FOR SWITCHES AND SOCKETS IN HOSPITALS CRABTREE ELECTRICAL has recently expanded its dedicated range of sockets and switches for hospitals and medical environments. Launched in 2016 in response to requests from customers who were performing installations at hospitals, Crabtree’s hospital products are available in two ranges, Classic (comprising over 50 products) and Diamond (comprising roughly 70 products).

He says that while in Europe electrical products for hospitals require RoHS compliance and need to carry the CE Mark, this isn’t yet legislated in South Africa. “With Crabtree being part of Siemens, however, our products do attain these standards and we anticipate that medical installations, on the wiring side especially, might soon be required to meet certain stands.” Due to the fact that in hospitals, the loss of power can be devastating, the Crabtree ranges are colour coded according to SANS 164-4 and the new SANS 164 Part 2-1 to ensure that essential equipment is plugged into the correct power supply to ensure it is kept running when hospitals suffer power failures. Crabtree South Africa has steadily grown to become the leading electrical accessories manufacturer in South Africa and a dominant regional player. A wide range of electrical wiring accessories such as switches and sockets (domestic/ commercial and industrial), conduit, trunking and ttings and a t for purpose range of domestic leads and adapters are supplied into the building and construction, and general industrial sectors.

“Our hospital range is continually expanding,” notes Henry Woodman, manager of new products at Crabtree. “Due to the fact that the products are manufactured 100% in South Africa – from design and concept, through to the bending of steel and moulding of plastic, it is relatively easy for us to meet the demands of specifiers and installers, and we can adapt very quickly to market needs.” Current demand stems from the construction of new hospitals, although Woodman says that there is also a market for retrofitting existing facilities. “The ease of installation of our range, being preassembled, is a big time saver. Previously, the components were all modular and needed to be put together on site.”

Manufacture and assembly takes place at the facilities inWadeville andMaseru and several small enterprise development suppliers in Gauteng. Distribution, South African sales and customer service is achieved through its sales team and branches located in Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth, George and Cape Town. Sub Saharan African sales presence in Namibia and distribution in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe are supported by Gauteng (Head Office) and the factory in Wadeville. The Crabtree manufacturing and assembly facilities have been awarded ISO 9001:2015 certi cation and all products produced by Crabtree either carry the SABS mark or are approved for sale by the South African Bureau of Standards, ensuring that all products that bear the Crabtree name deliver quality, safety and reliability.

Enquires: www.crabtree.co.za

SIERRA LEONE CONTRACT FOR LOCAL PANEL BUILDER

JB SWITCHGEAR SOLUTIONS was recently awarded a contract by DRA Global for the design and manufacture of numerous containerised sub- stations mounted on skids and destined for a rutile mine in Sierra Leone. What makes the project unique is the fact that the containerised substations each contain a MV/ LV dry-type transformer, and the required LV panels, which include MCCs, DBs, PLCs, PFC, UPS and fire suppression systems. The containers are constructed with a mid-point split between the transformer and switchgear assemblies, and the completed substations are mounted onto heavy- duty skids to enable them to be moved around the mine site. These substations cover three main areas on the site, namely the booster substations, mining inpit substation and scrubber substation. Operational voltage in this instance is 480 V/60 Hz with a 50 kA fault level. Incomer sizes varied from 1250 A to 2500 A, and variable speed drives up to 350 kW. Connection between the transformer and LV switchgear was done with resin-encapsulated busbars. JB Switchgear supplied its Eagle series panels which are IEC 61439 certified. More than 30 000 tiers of this design have been supplied to sites around the globe.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 027 5804

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PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH – TONY KINSELLA

KEEPING A FOCUS ON QUALITY AND HIGH STANDARDS

Telemecanique, John Veale at Schneider in the UK and Gary Uren with Atkore Unistrut in Europe, have all provided me with great guidance and advice at various points in time. I admire all business leaders that dream big and challenge the norm. People like Reed Hastings, the founder of Netflix, and SA born Elon Musk are interesting and inspirational. Patrice Motsepe of Africa Rainbow Minerals is my favourite South African business leader. Pieter Uys, the founder, retired chairman and previous owner of Strutfast was also incredibly inspirational. Sparks: What, to your mind, is one of the biggest challenges facing the industry at this time? TK: Lack of investor confidence in South Africa is creating a maelstrom of problems for us all. The South African construction sector is in a bad way at the moment and, whilst not in terminal decline, it is certainly under enormous pressure. Suicide pricing and low profit margins are creating a race to the bottom for many large contractors and they are pulling a lot of the supply chain down with them. Sparks: What do you enjoy most about your job? TK: I derive enormous pleasure from seeing the people at Strutfast grow and develop. We have a policy of always trying to recruit from within and this investment in our people pays enormous dividends. Getting customer compliments about my staff is especially rewarding. Sparks: How do you motivate your staff? TK: My leadership style is very much one of encouraged empowerment. I do not micro manage and support the notion that I employ good people to tell me what we need to do, not the other way around. I provide the direction and vision, which is the framework that my team operates within. I think this, along with the development of a no blame culture, allows people to achieve their targets and this achievement is motivational to all. Sparks: If you could ‘do it all again’, would you change anything? TK: With the benefit of hindsight there are a few forks in the road of my career that I may reconsider, but ultimately I am excited at where I am so far in my life journey. Sparks: Would you advise a person leaving school to enter the electrical industry? And why? TK: The electrical industry is one of those ‘lifeblood’ industries that continues to develop. There are always many technology shifts that provide both stimulus and fresh opportunities. Think of the upswing in solar. So yes, I would always advise that a career in the electrical industry would be a good choice. Sparks: What is your advice to electrical contractors? TK: Keep focusing on quality and high standards. Select your suppliers on the same criteria. company with subsidiaries in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Ko- rea, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. This network of dedi- cated professionals, which includes mechanical, chemical, electrical and marine electrical engineers, allows CCG to give an unprecedented level of service, delivery, technical advice and product training to major projects and industries worldwide. Some of CCG’s most recent global successes have been to be nominated as the sole supplier of cable glands, junction boxes and accessories to the following diverse and significant projects: • Kusile and Medupi ESKOM power stations – South Africa.

TONY KINSELLA, Managing Di- rector of Strutfast Cable Man- agement Solutions, started his career as an apprentice electri- cian in 1982. Since then he has worked in South Africa and Eu- rope and has been with Strutfast for just over three years. Despite current challenges facing the in- dustry, he would still advise that a career in the electrical indus- try is a good choice for school leavers.

Sparks: What is your favourite quote? TK: “Change before you have to” – Jack Welch

Sparks: Name three things on your ‘bucket list’. TK: On a professional level, I would like to achieve my goal of spreading the Strutfast business into Australia and South America. On a sporting level I would like to watch the Proteas win a Cricket World Cup (a big ask, I know but maybe in India in 2023?) On a personal level I would like to hike the Camino Santiago, the 800 km walk from east to west of northern Spain.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 473 1212

Tony Kinsella

Sparks: Where were you educated? TK: The greatest part of my education has been at the University of Life! However, I have also studied Executive Leadership through the Jack Welch Management Institute, Strategic Marketing with the Chartered Institute of Marketing in London, Business Management with Damelin and did my N5 electrical engineering at Maitland Technical College in Cape Town. I was schooled at Gifford High School in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Sparks: How long have you been involved in the electrical industry? TK: I started my career as an apprentice electrician in 1982 with a Stewart & Lloyds-owned foundry in Benoni called Salcast. Sparks: What are the greatest changes you have seen over the years? TK: One of the greatest changes without doubt is the availability of information. It is incredible what you can unearth at the tap of a keyboard key. Technological advancements in almost every industry have been exponential and companies that do not embrace innovation soon get left by the wayside. Sparks: What major projects have you worked on and what is your greatest accomplishment? TK: I have been fortunate to have been involved with many large projects both locally and around the world. Among the most interesting have been a Facebook datacentre in Sweden, an Intel mega-manufacturing plant in Dublin and various mining projects in Africa. But without a doubt my greatest accomplishments are my two wonderful children Leanne (26) and Vaughan (23). CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 zero halogen, high impact, corrosion resistance, thermal endurance, UV resistance, DTS-01 deluge and IP68 tests, one of which was on its proven tapered displacement seal to an unmatched depth of 850 m, which was a requirement for supplying the highly specialised ROV Oil and Gas market. CCG also has sitting representation on the relevant ATEX, BS, IECEx, Australian and South African standards committees, which keeps it at the forefront of industry standards. CCG’s products are certified to the latest editions of ATEX, Australian, Brazilian, IEC, IECEx, Korean, Russian and South African standards and have marine approvals with ABS and DNV/ GL as well as approval for use in the London Underground Rail network. Modern manufacturing plant Certified for ISO 9001 quality, ISO 14001 environmental and OHSAS 18001 health and safety listed with UL USA, CCG is the largest and most modern manufacturer of cable glands in the southern hemisphere and one of the largest in the world. It manufactures all its products in South Af- rica utilising latest generation CNC technology and has its own automated electroless nickel plating plant. A truly global company Over the past 47 years, CCG has steadily grown into a respected global Sparks: Have you won any awards? TK: Dad of the Year for the last 26 years running! Sparks: Who has been your inspiration or have you had a mentor who has influenced your career? TK: I have been fortunate to work with many inspirational leaders through my career and people such as Eugene Wannenburg during my time with

SOUTH AFRICAN CABLE GLAND MANUFACTURER WITH A GLOBAL PRESENCE

• KAZ minerals Oktogay Copper mine – Kazakhstan. • Rio Tinto Oyu Tolgoi Copper Mine – Mongolia. • FQM Minera Panama Copper Mine – Panama. • Hobart Class Air warfare destroyers - Australian Navy. • Shell’s QCLNG Gas process plant – Australia. • Origin Energy’s APLNG Gas Process plant – Australia. • SANTOS’ GLNG Gas Process plant – Australia. • Exxon Mobil Altona Refinery – Australia. • Shatin to Central Mass Rail Transit Link – Hong Kong.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 394 2020

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VIRTUALLY UNBREAKABLE TERMINALS

KWIKBLOK® rail-mounted terminals and accessories from Pratley are not only smaller and more compact than ordinary terminals, but are virtually unbreakable as they are manufactured from Polyamide 6.6, which is ex- ceedingly tough. They have an extremely short assembly time owing to the modular and interlocking nature of the products. Kwikbloks® can be mounted on a standard N35 rail simply by pushing the pre-assembled blocks onto the rail, or by snapping a group of pre-assembled blocks onto the rail. Once snapped-on, the feet of the terminals are relieved from stress, which means the plastic will not fatigue. Single-piece housing prevents side thrust on the plastic, which eliminates cracking completely, accord- ing to Pratley Marketing Director Eldon Kruger. The terminals also incorporate unique ‘griplok’ contacts that provide security against any screws coming loose, while the ‘griplok’ shoe makes

for easy wire insertion and protection. The spring-loaded ‘griplok’ shoes ensure secure contact even with cold flow wires, while the roll threaded screws allow for high clamping torque. “We have a wide range of accessories in the range including VL connect- ing straps, VBU supports, VBL removable jumpers, VSK safety covers, VS connecting clamps, IW and iWFK2.5 insulating partitions, SK end clamps, KAW safety covers, VB and SB2.5 connecting links, STB plug sockets, PST test plugs, mounting rails, and G-cartridge fuses,” Kruger adds. In addition, separator blocks can be supplied with a TS plug for easy disconnecting (IKTS4). These serve to open and/or close the circuit eas- ily without removing the conductor. The IKTS4 separator blocks can also be fitted with a variety of useful electronic plug accessories. The IKT10 universal separator can accept test plugs/sockets or removable jumper connection terminals. An HSK50 general strip marker is also available to fit all Kwikblok® sizes. Other technical features of the Kwikblok® range include: • Temperature resistance of 100 °C (continuous) and 170 °C for short periods. • Melting temperature of 240 °C, a dielectric strength of 50 kV/mm. • Comparative tracking index in excess of 400. • Made from self-extinguishing material.

• Resistance to petrol, oils, grease, and alcohols. • Available in Ex e versions for hazardous locations. “We are also able to factory fit Kwikblok® terminals in Pratley junction boxes to our customers’ exact specifications. This saves the contractor a lot of in- stallation time and labour when on-site,” concludes Kruger.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 955 2190

PRO SERIES THERMAL CAMERAS

W hen diagnosing problems, capturing and displaying small temperature variances makes all the difference. Fluke’s Ti401 and TiX501 PRO series thermal cameras, available from Comtest, were recently fine-tuned to make it easier for technicians, engineers and electricians to get to the problem’s root cause faster by identifying hot spots, cold spots and apparent surface tempera- ture differentials with a higher degree of confidence. These IR cameras have increased thermal sensitivity to capture minute differences and the latest Fluke technology for on-screen clarity to make it easy to visualise issues in the field. The Fluke PRO series cameras introduce a leading-edge visual infrared experience with the smartest, most intuitive user interface available to market. The Ti401 PRO thermal camera gives ‘in-focus’ images in a matter of seconds. LaserSharp™ Auto Focus uses a built-in laser distance meter that calculates and displays the distance from the designated target and immediately adjusts the focus. • Users see small details in the image and can dis- cover anomalies faster with 640 x 480 resolution thermal images • The level of infrared and visible light can be ad- justed (on camera) with patented IR-Fusion™ technology • Manage data, capture multiple measurements (mechanical, electrical and thermal) and organise them with Fluke Connect™ software The TiX501 PRO Hi-Res thermal camera allows for near as well as distant images. Interchangeable smart lenses require no calibration of the thermal camera and give users the versatility and image quality needed to conduct inspections in almost any environment. Advanced thermal sensitivity helps find subtle temperature differences easily.

Enquiries: sales@comtest.co.za

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ANTI-SPARKING TOOLS W hen working in areas with a high risk of fire or explosion, it is essential to have specific manual tools: HellermannTyton’s new range of anti-sparking hand tools are the perfect exam- ple, because they are designed down to the smallest detail to ensure professional maximum safety at work. ing tools are available, so obviously the tools you use should fit your application; if you are going into a hazardous environment, make sure that you have the right tools for the job.”

By following these few simple rules, you will ensure that you always have clean and functional tools, and minimise the possible dangers in the workplace. What do you risk not using an anti-sparking tool? There are environments where it is unthinkable to use traditional hand tools, produced in the classic steel alloys, because it would risk caus- ing unsolvable problems. Frictional ignition may occur, if the tool falls or it is rubbed on materials such as cement: the steel alloys linked to the chrome vanadium, in fact, can generate hot sparks at high risk, be- cause they can ignite airborne flammable substances in a moment. This would cause fires or explosions, endangering the lives of everyone in the workplace.

How to best use anti-sparking tools First of all, make sure that all spark-proof tools are thoroughly cleaned and free from rust or ferrous contaminants, which could damage the anti-deflagration properties. Then, you must always remember not to use them in direct contact with acetylene, which, in the presence of moisture, could create highly dangerous explosive acetals. Thirdly, al- ways remember to periodically sharpen all the anti-spark tools follow- ing the normal safety procedures, thus protecting eyes and face and collecting the powders with the appropriate tools. Finally, it is essential to ventilate the premises to remove potentially harmful powders and vapours from the air.

What is an anti-sparking tool? Anti-sparking tools are made in an alloy that ensures that sparks that might arise, with normal use, will not have enough energy to create the ignition of an explosive atmosphere. Regular hand tools are usually made of materials such as chromium vanadium steel alloys, and this does not make them suitable for use in high explosive environments such as automotive, breweries, mines, power generation and petrochemical: in fact, a falling tool could create fatal sparks for the safety of the plant and of those who work there.

Enquiries: www.hellermanntyton.co.za

In cases like this, special anti-spark tools must be used, they should be made of metals such as bronze, brass, copper and aluminium alloys, cop- per and beryllium alloys or Monel, a special copper and nickel alloy. All the alloys used to produce this particular type of tool have a lower tensile strength than traditional materials: this means they have less strength and resistance, are softer and wear out more quickly, but generate cold sparks with a low level of heat that are not able to ignite any substance. The anti-spark tools are therefore ideal to protect against fires and explosions in environ- ments with a high risk rate such as petrochemical and mines. HellermannTyton spark-proof hand tools, are made of Copper-Beryllium (Cu-Be) or Aluminium-Bronze (Al-Bron) and guarantee maximum safety even in extreme situations. They are anti-spark and anti-magnetic, so they can be used safely even in delicate situations and in places where even a single spark could be fatal. The hardness of the Cu-Be is 40% higher than the AI-Bron, so it wears less and has a 40% longer life. The Cu-Be alloy is safer than Al-Bron because its sparks have less energy. Cu-Be can be identified by its reddish/pink colour, while Al- Bron is more yellow. Alloys are sent to BAM German Federal Institute, the only EU certified body which does tests on non- sparking materials, and tests are done in extreme conditions, hundreds of times more demanding that the normal use of tools. The tools are ATEX and 60079-10 compliant (ATEX is named after the French “ATmosphere EXplosible.” EN 60079-10 is the European Standard for determining the classifi- cation of hazardous areas: • Zone 0: An area where an explosive atmosphere is present continuously or for long periods. • Zone 1: An area where an explosive atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation. • Zone 2: An area where an explosive atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation. Ryan Burger, Divisional Product Manager at Heller- mannTyton says that the anti-sparking range will be spec’ed according to needs of certain industries. “As a country, health & safety is coming to the forefront, and tools, such as these, which are predominantly for large corporations, are ideal for environments where companies cannot take a risk. A large range of anti- sparking tools hasn’t been available locally until now, but now we will have a recognised brand backing these specialist tools for the local market.” Globally, he notes, anti-sparking tools are standard in hazard- ous environments, but users do need to be educated locally. “Many people do not realise that anti-spark-

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ACTUM EXTENDS ITS BRAND PORTFOLIO BY ACQUIRING THE BAND-IT

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC CSI EFFORTS RECEIVE DOUBLE AWARDS

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SOUTH AFRICA has once again gained recognition for its efforts in sustainable development, being awarded both first and sec- ond place at the annual SEIFSA (Steel and Engineering Industry Federation of South Africa) Awards for Excellence on 23 May for Best Corporate Social Investment. In addition, on the same evening, Schneider Electric South Af- rica won the Best Business Collaboration France-South Africa at the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FSACCI) Annual Gala Awards. SEIFSA Best Corporate Social Investment Award “At the core of our sustainable development strategy, Schneider Electric South Africa has had an in-depth focus in providing access to energy and ac- cess to education,” noted Zanelle Dalglish, Head of Sustainable Development and Academy for Anglophone Africa. The Isiboniso project has addressed numerous challenges and through strategic partnerships, Schneider Electric has implemented sustainable solutions. Isiboniso Primary School, situated in the impoverished commu- nity of Orange Farm, Gauteng was first introduced to Schneider Electric by Habitat for Humanity. At the time, there was no access to grid electricity, young learners were taught on a floor in a small, dark informal dwelling and there was inadequate supply of food resources for most learners. “Going into this project, Schneider Electric was well aware that the success of this initiative would rest on collaboration with sustainable development part- ners to ensure that the school’s needs are well understood and addressed in a sustainable manner,” said Dalglish. Thus far, Schneider Electric has provided two container classrooms for the young learners and in collaboration with UJ supplied off-grid electrifica- tion through solar solutions, to power the use of computers, printing copiers and lighting in the classrooms. The collaboration between Schneider Electric and the University of Jo- hannesburg PEETS has also enabled a food resilience project at the school for learners deprived of nutrition, with the view of this growing into a full feeding scheme programme for the community, as the project evolves. In addition, safe electricity workshops were run to educate learners on the suitable and safe use of electricity, with electrical plug points installed for the first time in all the classrooms. “Since the start of this project, there has been a significant increase in learners from 150 at project inception to 300 learners currently, which demonstrates the sustainable impact of the project,” continues Dalglish. Second SEIFSA Award Its second SEIFSA Awards entry, French South African Schneider Electric Education Centre (F’SASEC), received the second placed Best Corporate So- cial Investment Award. The F’SASEC network accelerates practical training for potential artisans in the field of energy and consists of the Vaal University of Technology, Sedibeng TVET College, University of Johannesburg, College of Cape Town, Cape Peninsula University of Technology and Don Bosco Mo- zambique, which was recently added to the network. Each centre has received great support from Schneider Electric and the Schneider Electric Foundation, with state of the art Schneider Electric offers and solutions donated to each centre to promote a practical training approach. Schneider Electric South Africa was also recognised as the company that has best displayed a positive social/educational/governmental interaction between communities of France and South Africa. The F’SASEC network was established in 2012 at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) by Schneider Electric South Africa, in collaboration with the Schneider Electric Foundation, Schneider Electric France and the French Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Research. This network introduces advanced teaching methods and training that is in line with the Department of Higher Education and Training’s vision of accelerating arti- sans using state of the art equipment, focusing on preparing young South Africans from previously disadvantaged social backgrounds for the job market, with a particular focus on women. “It was a wonderful night for us. The awards serve as a validation of the power of partnerships and our core belief that access to energy and educa- tion enable sustainable impact,” concludes Dalglish. Professor Suné von Solms from the University of Johannesburg, who forms part the F’SASEC network, Zanélle Dalglish, Head of Sustainable Development & Academy Anglophone Africa Cluster at Schneider Electric and Carina van Zyl, Sustainable Development Specialist at Schneider Electric.

T he Actum Group has successfully expanded and strengthened its industrial brand portfolio by acquiring Banding and Identification Solutions Africa (BISA), the leading distributor of BAND-IT clamping and fastening products in South Africa. The transaction was finalised in November last year. BISA has been the leading distributor of stainless-steel strap- ping and identification solutions since 1993. It is a well-estab- lished business with an excellent name and strong reputation in the local industrial market. As a niche product driven by quality, BAND-IT is a logical and highly beneficial addition to the Actum Group. “Quality is a given across our entire product range, as all of our principals are global leaders in their respective markets,” notes Actum Group director, Kevin Klaff. According to Greg Barron, Actum Group co-director, this partnership was a significant stride forward in the group’s expansion strategy: “This was a very strategic acquisition, as we were already distributing the BAND-IT product in the coastal areas. It has given us the opportunity to offer this product to many other customers in the Actum stable and to build on our existing product line. We are now also in control of the whole channel, from procuring the product overseas, to manufacturing it locally and distributing it. We look forward to synergising our businesses to achieve even greater growth,” explains Barron. BAND-IT Senior Business Executive, Rosa Remendos, is equally optimistic about this new chapter in the BISA business: “It’s all about growth and opportunity. Actum has an excellent reputation in the industry and it’s exciting for us to be associated with a company like this. We’re getting to know the different in- The BISA team and Actum Group directors in-front of Actum’s headquarters, and BISA’s new premises, in Linbro Park, Johannesburg.

Actum Group directors, Kevin Klaff (left) and Greg Bar- ron (right) with BISA’s Senior Executive: Business, Rosa Dos Remendos (middle).

dustries that Actum works with already, such as mining, railways and military, and we are able to offer new and existing custom- ers a wider range of products. We make a good team.” Rosa Remendos joined BISA 14 years ago as Head of Sales and Customers; she has been instrumental in the success the business has seen over the years. Rosa will continue to manage the business under the Actum Group. There will be no changes to the business in terms of structure, trading or bank accounts. Existing supplier and customer relationships will continue as before. BISA is now conducting business from Actum’s premises in Linbro Park, Johannesburg. The Actum Group is best known for its acquisition of Actum Electronics in 2004, Peter Jones Electronic Equipment in 2012, and Dowson and Dobson in 2015. Today the group comprises two main divisions: Actum Electronics, focusing on electronic components and interconnect technology, and Actum Industrial, specialising in industrial products, pneumatics, instrumentation and control and professional tooling. Flagship brands under these divisions include Keyence, Orbitalum, ERNI and Ridgid, to name a few. The Actum Group represents over 110 years of service excellence in its key sectors. Looking to the future, the Actum Group will continue to differ- entiate itself in the marketplace through its niche and integrated product offering, underpinned by streamlined processes, a dedi- cated technical sales team and excellent customer service.

Enquiries: sales@actum.co.za

MEASURE AND MARK SIMULTANEOUSLY

T he new Tork Craft ME07825meas- ure and mark all-in-one tape measure measures and marks, by locking the blade/tape manually then activating the marker on the tape by pressing the attached button. It marks on any material with a special red oil- based ink and can mark up to 50 000 times. The 8 m tape, with a tough carbon steel blade, a reinforced hook and belt catch, is made from durable industrial plastic with a rubberised sur- round for protection.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 314 7711

Enquiries: www.se.com/za

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WORKING KNOWLEDGE WITH TERRY MACKENZIE HOY

MORE KNOWLEDGE ON SOLAR SYSTEMS I am sure many of you out there are looking at the growing so- lar power business and thinking that perhaps this is a goose that can be easily plucked, if you understand the metaphor. How hard can it be? Solar panel, charge controller, invertor, transformer and connection to the main supply. Well... here are some thoughts. Beginning with the panel: There are a number of solar panels, namely Monocrystalline Solar Panels (Mono-SI), Polycrystalline Solar Panels (Poly-SI), Thin-Film Solar Cells (TFSC), Amorphous Silicon Solar Cell (A-Si), Biohybrid Solar Cell and Cadmium Tel- luride Solar Cell (CdTe). The panel salespeople will no doubt ex- plain to you which one you should use and will, at the same time, disguise any disadvantages of the various panels they sell. I won’t write about this other than to say, in my experience Monocrystal- line Solar Panels are the best from a heat deterioration point of view and lifetime duration, and that Cadmium Telluride is toxic. The bottom line is that the panels, when in sunlight, generate a voltage which is about 17 V dc. The output voltage falls as the current increases and falls to zero at the short circuit current of the panel. But do not worry about this – your friendly panel sup- plier will guide you along. The important thing to remember is that

when you buy, for example, an 800 W solar panel, this will typically supply about 26 amps into a 12 V battery and a peak of 50 amps. Smart readers out there will work out that 26 x 12 = 312 W and that 50 x 12 = 600 W, not 800 W. But all the panels are different. The thing to bear in mind is that power output is dependent on how bright the sun is (an absolute maximum of 1000 W/m 2 ) and how much current is being drawn from the panel. Read the graphs supplied with the panel. Whether the solar system feeds into the grid (‘grid-tied’) or charges a battery makes a big difference to the power you get out of the system. Whatever anybody says, batteries are not very efcient, with the exception of Lithium Ion batteries which are ex- pensive. Thus, from the solar panel you have to allow for reduced output due to variations in sunlight and the charging/discharging inefciency of the battery. Some battery suppliers tell you that their batteries are very efcient and will last 25 years, but forget to tell you that this only applies if the battery temperature is kept below 25 °C which, in South Africa , is not very likely. Grid-tied systems are generally a better bet than battery sys- tems, but they do have a disadvantage – namely the grid. Even

a small installation may be connected to a supply which has a fault level rating of up to 10 kA. What this means is that the solar system must be connected to the main supply via HRC fuses – if not, then a short circuit in the solar system will result in some seri- ous damage. The downside with fuses is that people bypass them or unwittingly replace them with circuit breakers, which puts the system in danger. Like many things, it makes a big difference if you get somebody who is a registered professional engineer to have a look at the whole of the proposed solar system and how it will fit into an exist- ing system. One should not only take care of the prospective fault currents, but also of the sensitivity to power dips and voltage vari- ations in grid connection points due to other factors. I know of one system rated at 500 kW which was more often disconnected than connected – it supplied a 630 kVA transformer which produced a big inrush current when connected to the main supply on the medium voltage side. A lot of smart design was necessary before the solar system could get connected and actually stay connected for a whole day. It is a fact that this was in an industrial area which had quite a poor quality of supply. But it happened.

WEARCHECK ACQUIRES RELIABILITY TESTING COMPANY, BOOSTS SERVICES

AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO REDUCE CABLE FAILURES

F aults on underground power cables are almost always dis- ruptive and costly to fix. So there’s a very big incentive to minimise the risk of such faults occurring. One of the most effective ways of doing this is to use partial discharge (PD) test- ing, which looks for the characteristic electromagnetic signature produced by small electrical discharges in air gaps, voids and cavities in cable insulation, and in joints and splices. These dis- charges typically start long before the problems develop into a fault, so detecting them early gives time for action to be taken to avert outright failure. A large percentage of failures on new cables are attribut- able to poor installation work. PD testing before a new cable is energised will reveal many of the issues, such as improper or incomplete stripping of insulation, improper shrinking of in- sulating sleeves, or nicks and cuts in the insulation. The faults can then be rectified, almost always at the installation contrac- tor’s expense, before the cable enters service. PD testing is also an invaluable way of revealing similar issues after repairs have been carried out on a cable. Regular PD testing on in-service cables provides useful data that can be trended or compared with data from similar cables to flag changes that need further investigation. It is also an ex- cellent tool for evaluating suspect cables. Megger’s new PD detector PDS 60 combines many years of field experience, customer demands and innovations in one device. That makes it possible to carry out a VLF test along with a PD diagnosis. This not only increases the reliability of the withstand-test, since partial discharges are simultaneously recorded, but is also cost-effective. If a PD-free cable is detected during the withstand-test, a PD diagnosis for quality control is

no longer required. While no test method can reveal every incipient fault, PD testing is undoubtedly the best form of ‘insurance’ against cable faults that’s currently available. And, considered in the light of the financial impact of a typical cable fault, it's insurance well worth buying.

D urban-based condition moni- toring specialist, WearCheck, has bought Anglo Field Services (AFS), which adds three new established divisions to the company’s comprehensive reliabil- ity solutions portfolio, including non- destructive testing (NDT), technical compliance (TC) and rope condition assessment (RCA).

Enquiries: info@megger.com

The fourth AFS division – asset maintenance management (AMM) – has been absorbed into Wear- Check’s existing Reliability Solutions team, boosting the company’s man- power in this section as well as add- ing technical expertise and additional instrumentation.

Neil Robinson, managing director of WearCheck

Branching into Non-destructive Testing means that WearCheck now conducts a range of analysis techniques through which the properties and condition of a component or system are evaluated without causing any damage to it. NDT methods are gaining popularity because they do not permanently alter the item undergoing inspection, making NDT a valuable tool that can save money and time in condition monitoring and inspections – an ap- proach which dovetails perfectly with WearCheck’s ethos. WearCheck’s new NDT division offers a range of techniques, including eddy-current-, magnetic-particle-, liquid penetrant-, radiographic-, ultra- sonic-, and visual testing. The new rope testing division provides specialist cable strength assessment and is manned by seven of only 12 people in South Africa who are qualified to conduct these tests. The technical com- pliance division provides expert guidance to assist companies to comply with regulatory requirements, and to rectify violations or problems high- lighted during audits. Prior to merging with WearCheck, AFS operated as part of Anglo’s Technical Division under the Anglo Research section, where they provided specialist NDT and materials consultancy services to Anglo Group com- panies and other clients on a global basis. WearCheck is now positioned to offer customers access to an aug- mented portfolio of reliability solutions in a comprehensive one-stop- shop, leading to cost savings and boosted convenience for customers. WearCheck MD Neil Robinson believes that the addition of new services enhances the availability of assets operated by WearCheck customers by expanding the choice of condition monitoring options. “For example,” says Robinson, “the development and implementation of NDT procedures will have a profound impact on keeping operational maintenance costs down for our customers. The incorporation of AFS into WearCheck has been a seamless process so far, mainly because the two companies operate with a parallel devotion to data integrity and a shared dedication to customer service excellence,” said Robinson. “All 30 AFS staff members have been absorbed into WearCheck’s staff complement, adding their invaluable expertise and knowledge to the WearCheck team. From our side, WearCheck extends a heartfelt welcome to all current AFS customers, and we look forward to bringing new field services clients on board as well as giving our existing clients the benefit of our increased reliability optimisation service offering,” he said.

Enquiries: +27 (0)31 700 5460

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DRIVING GROWTH THROUGH INNOVATION TEBOGO MABENA talks about why Citiq Prepaid helped redefine the potential Go Go Green Electrical through transparency, insight and ongoing support.

“We found the best solution with the Citiq Prepaid system. Their service fee is very attractive when compared to other players in the field and the efforts to help us grow in this space has been great! Being able to brand our vehicle with Citiq Pre- paid logos has proven to be a huge drawcard for the business. Mabena has said that the number of customers they’ve brought in as a result of this branding has been noticeable. Citiq Prepaid is raising awareness in the townships and malls, providing ban- ners and brochures and other educational materials that allow the team to connect with potential customers.” “Citiq Prepaid is far better for our customers, they don’t have expiring tokens or insist that the landlord is the only person who can purchase power, and their rates are transparent and solid,” says Mabena. “They bypass many of the issues that our customers face around costs, landlords not being around to help them when they need power, and high bills they don’t understand or deserve. With Citiq Prepaid, they can buy their tokens from anywhere – the list of suppliers is long – and they know exactly what they are buying and they are sure of the units and the costs.” For Mabena, the Citiq Prepaid system eliminates the trust issues that impact on tenant-landlord relationships where the former doesn’t know if the latter is giving them the right value for their money. It offers a level of freedom that people need. “Until now, there has been no way for people to manage their meters or their usage,” concludes Mabena. “With Citiq Prepaid, we can offer people insight into their usage and their costs and we can bring this convenience and transparency into the townships thanks to Citiq Prepaid’s help. They give us the branding, the support, the guidance we need to ensure that our customers walk away happy. Thanks to this we are growing our company in the way we want to, by helping and empowering others.”

Tebogo Mabena and his wife, Millicent, are co-owners of the successful Go Go Green Electrical, a company that provides a variety of electrical contractor and submetering installation ser- vices to the South African market. The company was built on the foundations of solid electrical contractor training and a passion for providing excellent service, and evolved into a business that partners with clients by providing support, advice and solid sub- metering solutions. “We had been running our company for a while when I thought that it would be smart for us to consider moving into the sub- metering arena,” says Mabena. “At first, I wasn’t sure, my research showed that there was a lot of variety in what companies in this space offered and how they supported electrical contractors. We wanted to work with someone who could help us grow our business.” It took an opportunity to pitch for a large commercial space that spurred Mabena into action. He realised that sub-metering was a growing area that would allow the company to expand its focus and own a share of the installation space. After comparing the capabilities of different metering companies and especially the way Citiq Prepaid managed tariffs, he scheduled a meeting with Citiq Prepaid. “We wanted to work with a company that would support our vision of bringing meters into the townships and other rural areas where people constantly struggle to manage their electricity bills, or understand their consumption,” he says. “Often, there are nu- merous families living off one meter so there is no transparency into which family is using the most power, it’s just divided across everyone. I know of someone who, when he goes away, turns off all his appliances, empties his fridge, and then leaves so he can’t be stung with a huge bill. This is a very common problem and one that we would like to change,” he says.

Tebogo and Millicent Mabena, co-owners of Go Go Green Electrical.

Enquiries: www.citiqprepaid.co.za

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ABB TO SUPPORT SOUTH KOREA’S GREENER FUTURE

VERT ENERGY HOSTS SOLAR POWER WORKSHOP VERT ENERGY recently hosted a solar power work- shop at its Johannesburg head ofces, focusing on the latest global trends in sustainable solutions for renewable energy. “This training programme, which was developed especially for our ‘Engineering, Procurement and Construction’ (EPC) contractors, concentrated on the importance of dependable power generation systems used in photovoltaic (PV) technology to convert solar energy to electricity,” says Ryan Rob- ertson, Vert Energy’s sales and marketing director. “The programme highlighted the benefits of incor- porating quality branded electric power generation products into gensets and the essential need for technically competent support, to ensure depend- able performance of every PV system. “Of particular interest to EPCs in this forum, was information about our DEIF generator controls, known globally for critical power and decentralised power applications. These components include gen- set controllers, protection relays and interfaces, as well as switchboards and panels. Advanced control technology features ensure optimum performance, high accuracy, improved safety, minimal mainte- nance requirements and reduced downtime. “The new DEIF automatic sustainable controller (ASC) – the first sustainable control solution for renewable energy of its kind – is a fully-control in- tegrated system, which provides a safe and reliable link between renewable energy inverters and tra- ditional diesel generators. This technology ensures maximum solar penetration and optimum energy savings, even during a utility failure,” says Robertson. Vert Energy teamed up with the DEIF Group over five years ago, as exclusive distributors in sub-Saha- ran Africa of DEIF power and control components for critical power and decentralised power appli- cations. Apart from solutions for solar power, DEIF power management products are used in marine and offshore applications, for wind power and die- sel control, as well as gas and hydro control. DEIF’s ‘green technology’ focuses on energy efciency, fuel optimisation and reduced emissions. In addition to DEIF generator controls, Vert En- ergy also supplies and supports the extensive Leroy Somer range of standard and adapted ac and dc motors, geared/brake motors, as well as LS variable speed drives and alternators. The company is also the authorised sales and support partner for Allight Lighting towers, API/ Covrad GT Heat Transfer, as well as ASCO auto- matic transfer switches and Avtron and Froment load banks. Vert Energy’s electro-mechanical power trans- mission systems are supported by the company’s OEM trained field services team, which offers spe- cialist services that encompass re-assembly, instal- lation and commissioning, inspections and diagnos- tics, as well as on site maintenance and repair.

systems will enable a greener and stronger grid and benefit the local population,and the millions of tourists who visit Jeju Island every year.” ABB will use its VSC technology HVDC Light® for the two converter stations. HVDC is the most efcient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to transport large amounts of electricity over long dis- tances, with minimal electrical losses of around one percent. Its compact design incorporates advanced features like regulating grid fluctuations and fast pow- er restoration in the event of an outage. These features provide economic benefits for the network operator and reliable electricity for consumers.

minimising the risk of power outages. At the Paris Agreement on climate change signed in 2016, South Korea committed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 37 percent by 2030 with Jeju Island leading the way. Jeju is one of the country’s nine provinces and its largest island. It receives most of its power from the mainland through two HVDC links that transport 700 mega- watts of electricity. “ABB is committed to supporting South Korea’s 2030 goal to a significant reduction of its carbon dioxide emissions. Our partnership with KEPCO is an important milestone towards achieving this ambition,” said Claudio Facchin, President of ABB’s Power Grids business. “ABB market-leading HVDC

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), the country’s largest electric utility, awarded ABB Power Grids’ business a large order to build two new con- verter stations. One station on themainland converts the power from alternative current to direct current and transfers the electricity by undersea cable with almost no losses to Jeju Island, where the other sta- tion converts the current back to ac for distribution. The high voltage direct current (HVDC) convert- er stations will provide an additional 200 megawatt (MW) of power to the island, enough to provide electricity to 500 000 homes. The voltage source conversion (VSC) technology will also enable KEP- CO to operate the island’s existing interconnections more efciently by providing further stability and by

Enquiries: www.abb.com

Enquiries: www.vertgroup.co.za

Vert Energy hosted a solar power workshop at its Johannesburg head offices recently, focusing on the latest global trends in sustainable control solutions for renewable energy.

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AUGUST 2019