Sparks Electrical News August 2021

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

6

Instrument for checking electric vehicle charging stations and electrical safety

A s the roll-out of electric vehicles (EVs) gains momentum across the world, EV charging stations are going to become a more com- mon sight. Their prominence will open up a whole new world of opportunities for electrical contractors who will be required to install, maintain and service the charging stations. There are currently around 76 EV charging stations dotted around the country,” says Ryan Burger, divisional product manager – Tools and In- struments at HellermannTyton. “Being a new technology, however, new instruments will be required, and HellermannTyton has the solution.” The MACROEVTEST is a portable device for the verification and con- trol of electric car charging stations (EVSE) in accordance with the IEC/ EN 61851-1 and IEC/EN60364-7-722 standards, and for safety tests in environments civil and industrial CEI 64.8. “There is not another product available that covers all the standards at this time,” he says. The MACROEVTEST, in combination with the EVTEST100 EV adapter, connects to the charging station to allow the verification of the EVSE’s complete functionality and electrical safety. The MACROEVTEST control- ler is attached through a C100EV cable to the EVTEST100 unit, which is connected via a built-in cable with a Type 2 plug to a recharging station. The handheld MACROEVTEST, with its touchscreen display, simplifies communication with the EVTEST100 unit to simulate the presence of a car being recharged. All tests can be performed correctly by simply fol- lowing a guided procedure. Before each test, the MACROEVTEST display shows precisely how to connect the cables and after the measurement it reports the recharging station’s safety verdict as shown by a green or red thumb symbol. Built-in tests for charging stations include continuity tests of the pro- tection conductor, insulation test, status verification, overall ground resist- Hitachi ABB Power Grids announced at the beginning of July that it will be evolving to become Hitachi Energy from October 2021. The decision to change name has board and shareholder consent and coincided with the business’ first- year anniversary since it started operations on 1 July 2020. Hitachi Ltd has an 80,1% stake in the joint venture while ABB Ltd holds the balance. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the global technol- ogy and market leader brings a rich heritage of pioneering breakthroughs, which have helped to increase access to safe, secure and reliable electricity for more than one century. These range from pioneering innovations such as long dis- tance commercial HVDC technology that enables countries to transmit large amounts of power efficiently, with minimum losses over thousands of kilometres while reducing carbon footprint, to providing microgrids and energy storage solu- tions that, when combined with intelligent control systems, ensure reliable distributed power availability. The business has played a leading role in enabling a stronger, smarter and greener global energy system. Today, combating climate change is paramount and one of the most urgent challenges of our times. According to the IEA’s Net Zero by 2050 report, “the path to net zero emis- sions is narrow” and staying on it requires increased invest- ment in infrastructure and, specifically, an ”immediate and massive deployment of all available clean and efficient en- ergy technologies”. By 2030, the world economy is expected to be some 40% larger but consuming 7% less energy to be on track for net zero in 2050. By this time “the energy sector will be domi- nated by renewables” and ”electricity will account for almost 50% of total global energy consumption” – up from about 20% today. An equitable and sustainable energy transition is at the center of this global challenge. Hitachi ABB Power Grids places sustainability at the heart of its purpose: powering good for a sustainable energy future. The transition to the Hitachi Energy name reflects the rapidly evolving energy landscape and the opportunity to create eco- nomic, environmental and social value, with Hitachi enabling the business to position its pioneering and digital technolo- gies to serve existing and future customers, and soopening up opportunities in areas such as sustainable mobility, smart life, and data centers. By combining advanced digital solu- tions and services such as Hitachi Lumada with an energy platform built on unique domain expertise and experience, the business is serving customers and partners co-creating global solutions to solve the global challenge of an inclusive and equitable carbon-neutral future. Toshiaki Higashihara, executive chairperson and CEO of Hitachi, said, “With climate change and increasing natural dis- asters, there is a need to solve three social issues worldwide:

ance, and verification of the RCD’s tripping point for type A, B, and B 6mA. Verification tests and simulations include vehicle not present, vehicle pre- sent/not charging, and vehicle present/charging. Detectable events and anomalies during the recharging phase include simulation of a fault on the protection conductor, the presence of voltages on the EVSE output connector, and verification of the mechanical lock in the charging sta- tion connection (if this function is present). The MACROEVTEST can also simulate various fault conditions, including the interruption of the protec- tive conductor (PE) or an error of the Control Pilot (CP) signal. It can also verify the recharging mode and the encoding of the recharge current by monitoring the pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal. Rated currents of charging cables can be simulated to 63 amp. Tests are provided for RCDs type A, type ac up to 1000 mA and type B. By using the RCDX10 accessory with external jaws provided with the instrument, 10 A RCDs may be tested. Insulation tests can be made at up to 1000 V as well as continuity tests at 200 mA and total ground resistance. With appropriate programming, guided by the touch-screen system, this device can test power interruption, tripping currents, I2t for magneto-thermal switches (MCB) with curves B, C, D, K, and fuses type gG and aM. Other tests include Loop/Line impedance measurements and as- sumed short-circuit current with high resolution (0,1 m Ω ) in TN systems using the optional accessory TIMP57. By using optional external probes, the MACROEVTEST can also measure environmental parameters such as air temperature, humidity and illuminance (Lux). By using an optional transducer, it is also possible to perform measurements of leakage cur- rents, cosphi power factor, power and harmonics. The rechargeable NiMH battery is supplied with an external charger.

“The MACROEVTEST TFT colour display with its touchscreen allows for rapid setting and use of the instrument, showing on its display all alter- natives for performance measurements. The system prompts the most suitable connections to certify correct and reliable test results. All tests can be saved and the data can be transferred via WiFi or optical USB to an external PC,” explains Burger.

Enquiries: www.hellermanntyton.co.za

Hitachi ABB Power Grids becomes Hitachi Energy and broadens commitment to a sustainable energy future

Solar PV installers: The key to a booming solar industry in South Africa

T he installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at homes and busi- nesses is becoming an increasingly attractive option for people looking to re- place or supplement their grid power sup- ply. With loadshedding expected to con- tinue erratically over the coming months, the upward trend of PV adoption is likely to continue. However, it is crucial that these PV systems are correctly installed for the sake of the end user – and for the success the entire solar PV value chain. This may sound alarmist, but the truth is that a poorly installed system is damaging in many ways. Since most of the maintenance problems that affect a PV system start at installation phase, the role of the installer is vital in the success of a system. If the system’s performance is suboptimal, it may lead the user to regret the invest- ment and thus harm the reputation of PV in general. If the system is not compliant with the relevant regulations and requirements, it could cause a variety of issues and also place the installer in legal trouble. If the system is incorrectly installed, it could be hazardous to the end user and cause irreparable repu- tational damage for the installer and for PV as an energy source. Poor installation can also lead to poor return on investment which again diminishes the reputation of using PV and may discourage others from adopting PV systems for their homes or businesses. There is wide variety of issues which could impact public perception of the reliability and credibility of solar PV. This perception, in turn, impacts the success of the wider industry and value chain. It is vital that installations are done professionally and to the quality stand- ard – but it is easier said than done. In an increasingly difficult economic en- vironment, an installer may not have the means to invest in themselves in terms of training and equipment. Many businesses today are focusing on staying afloat and meeting customer expectations for short- term gains. The ability to plan and invest in a longer-term picture can be considered a luxury enjoyed by well-established, mature businesses. Small businesses in the indus- By Svilen Voychev, MD, Valsa

try need to understand what it takes to in- stall a fully compliant, properly functioning system – and ensure they have the right tools for the job. Valsa is excited to help improve the pro- fessional capabilities of our customers in the solar energy installation space. We re- cently launched a cash-back campaign: until December 2021, installers who spend R100 000 with us will qualify for R2500 cash-back to spend on industry-leading tools from Makita and HellermannTyton. This pro- vides installers with the opportunity to pur- chase high-quality tools which they may not ordinarily invest in, especially in the current economic and business environment. This campaign is an important part of our vision for lowering the barriers to entry for new installers in the industry, because it ap- plies to any installer regardless of whether we have done business with them before. With the tools on offer, installers can do their jobs and ensure the installation is streamlined, compliant with industry regulations and ex- ecuted to the customers’ specifications. This ultimately ensures that the installed equip- ment lasts throughout its specified lifetime and will contribute to developing a positive reputation for the PV industry. Solar PV adoption is sure to increase as consumers continue to seek viable power alternatives. Each roleplayer in the wider PV industry has a role to play in ensuring a sustainable and successful business en- vironment. About Valsa With offices in Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Botswana and Swaziland, VALSA Trading’s head office and manufacturing facility is based in Johannesburg and supplies PV solar mounting systems and related PV products throughout South Africa and Africa. Valsa designs, manufactures and supplies mount- ing system solutions for all types of roofs, carports, ground, pole, facade, floating and tensile cable applications. A full range of PV solar energy products is also available.

environment, resilience, and security and safety.” He says Hitachi ABB Power Grids provides a variety of solu- tions that solve these social issues. “By changing the company name to Hitachi Energy, we are further strengthening our commitment to the realisation of a sustainable society. Hitachi and Hitachi Energy will contribute to solve social issues and improve people’s quality of life by realising social innovation in the energy field with customers and partners.” According to Keiji Kojima, president and COO of Hitachi, “To realise a sustainable society, the use of digi- tal technology is becoming indispensable in all fields. In the energy field, power grids are expected to be at the core of innovation since they have high affinity with digital technology, and I am confident that Hitachi Energy will lead this innova- tion.” He says Hitachi will combine digital technologies such as Lumada with Hitachi Energy’s advanced energy technolo- gies to provide innovative energy solutions that create social, environmental and economic values. “The energy landscape continues to evolve and so do we,” says Claudio Facchin, CEO of Hitachi ABB Power Grids. “With our new name, Hitachi Energy, we are broadening our commitment to creating further value for customers, our employees and society. The past year has been demand- ing for everyone, but we look forward with optimism. I am proud of our talented people in 90 countries, and through our passion, authenticity and culture of diversity and in- clusion, we continue on our journey – powering good for a sustainable energy future, pioneering and digital tech- nologies, as the partner of choice for enabling a stronger, smarter and greener energy system. “Hitachi ABB Power Grids will change its name to Hitachi Energy as of October this year. At the same time, we will change our corporate brand to the Hitachi brand and use it for external and internal communications.” The business was formally registered as Hitachi Energy Ltd on 30 June 2021 and is now undertaking the formal process for the global name change.

Enquiries: www.hitachiabb-powergrids.com

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 675 3834

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

AUGUST 2021