Sparks Electrical News July 2021

STANDBY AND EMERGENCY POWER

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Diesel genset market set for modest growth D espite another surge in load shedding, according to Research- AndMarkets.com, the South Africa diesel genset market size is projected to grow at a rate of 2.2% over the next few years. In 2020, the outburst of coronavirus adversely affected the country’s diesel genset market, as the national lockdown enforced by the government led to the suspension of all construction activities and interrupted the production and supply chain of majority of the products. However, the market is expected to revive post-pandemic on account of the lifting of lockdown restrictions and restart of commercial and construction and manufacturing activities in the country. 75.1-365 kVA diesel gensets currently capture the majority of the volume share in the overall market and is expected to register the highest volume growth during the forecast period due to growing power demand in residential and construction sectors. Upcoming mega projects such as the Multi-Modal Infrastructure Project, Johannesburg Airport expansion, Masingita City Mall, The Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit, Engen Refinery expansion, Durban Iconic Tower, Radisson Blu, Durban etc., will also drive the diesel genset market of the country.

Local instrumentation and process control company turns 40

T here is a high demand in the industry to use mobile electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets, which makes the selection of the right mobile so- lution decisive for successful use. Especially companies with workers in potentially ex- plosive areas have special requirements for devices, therefore mobile solutions used here must be designed specifically for the hazard- ous area and meet particularly high safety requirements for the protection of users and equipment. Furthermore, easy integration into the digital infrastructure is a must and the de- vices should make processes more efficient. With the Android Enterprise Recommended standard, Google wants to simplify the search for the right mobile solutions by providing a list of verified devices and services. These solutions meet the highest standards for in- tensive industrial use and have been tested by Google. As the first device certified for Zone 1/21, the new smartphone Smart-Ex 02, of the Pepperl+Fuchs brand ecom, meets the demanding Android Enterprise Recommended verification by Google. Android Enterprise Recommended of- fers consistent, easy deployment and management of mobile solutions through hardware and operating system support, The Comtest Group of Companies, which includes Instrotech and Calog, has always strived to create a working envi- ronment where their staff can grow and achieve fulfilling career paths. An excel- lent example is Joyce Adams, who has 28 years’ service and who started as a ‘Girl T his year, Instrotech celebrates 40 years in the business of providing industrial electronics, instrumenta- tion, calibration equipment and solutions in the process control and instrumenta- tion industry. Founded by Dave Howcraft in 1981, Instrotech has evolved appreciably from offices in Kya Sands, to the Comtest Group HQ in Linbro Business Park, Gaut- eng, when Instrotech was acquired by the Comtest Group in 2010. Pieter Deysel, Instrotech’s MD, says, “Our core vision is to be the preferred and lead- ing provider of locally designed and manu- factured, cost-effective, high-quality indus- trial electronics and calibration equipment, as well as representing international manu- facturers of high-quality equipment for the process control instrumentation industry. “Talking about our local development and technology, Instrotech is constantly upgrading and renovating the product of- fering, ensuring the future longevity of the company. This, in conjunction with our in- ternational suppliers, means we can give our customers the best innovative solution for their applications.” Barend Niemand, Comtest Group MD, says the two companies’ paths crossed in 2009/2010 when Comtest acquired Instrotech and Calog, opening up a new market with new products and enabling the Comtest Group to use local innovation to better support its customers. “I am very proud of the staff who make up the Instrotech team – they’re hard- working, and having pulled through a very tough 2020, we can look back with pride at the tremendous support given by Instro- tech’s staff. Looking ahead, I feel confident we will be able to meet and adapt to mar- ket challenges, and seize any opportunity that arises so that all Instrotech’s stake- holders will reap the rewards.”

Instrotech’s innovation and product de- velopment will be launched this year. One, Instrotech’s Inspecta, is a boiler protection system helping South Africa to keep elec- tricity flowing and the lights on. Installed in the boiler, Inspecta continuously monitors sound to detect any changes which would indicate a steam leak within the boiler. This allows plant operators to identify the affect- ed area and plot the progress of the leak for planned shutdowns. Leanne Cole, Comtest Group marketing manager, who started 17 years ago as a re- ceptionist at Instrotech, says, “Instrotech is keen to continue developing products and solutions to aid our customers. Instrotech has stood by you for the past 40 years, and I’ll bet that it will be here with you for the next 100 years.”

guaranteed Android upgrades and regu- lar security patches. Additionally, a service commitment from the manufacturer for an extended, future-proof lifecycle adds invest- ment security. Also, the quality control of the Smart-Ex 02 and the worldwide support of Pepperl+Fuchs ensure safety during opera- tion. Easy setup and quick deployment Android zero-touch enrolment helps make it easy to set up and deploy corporate mobile devices. The intrinsically safe Smart-Ex 02 smartphone and the Ex-Handy 10 support zero-touch enrolment and 21 different LTE frequency bands. Global Ex certifications like ATEX, IECEx and NEC enable rollouts in almost all countries. Staging, management and real-time monitoring of the Smart-Ex 02 and Ex-Handy 10 can also be carried out via ecom’s new digital products and services. They combine automated staging in device manufacturing, mobile device management and device analytics. Performance even under extreme conditions Designed for a temperature range from -20°C to 60°C, the Smart-Ex 02 can also be used Friday’ and is now an internal sales con- sultant. Adams has loved every moment of working at Instrotech, showing an interest in the engineers’ projects, and soon de- veloped a talent for sales. Joyce is grate- ful to her mentors, Pieter Deysel, Hugh du Plessis and Dave Howcroft, who saw her potential and helped her grow within the company. Hugh du Plessis, R&D director, has also given long service at Instrotech, and along with Pieter Deysel, did his post- graduate, practical year at Instrotech as a workshop technician. “I’m proud to have been with Instrotech for 19 years and to be part of the strategic team making plans for the future, designing and making new products,” says Du Plessis “Now, with the backing of our shareholders, it’s really up to us to drive Instrotech forward into the future.” And what of Instrotech’s future? Several new products featuring

Enquiries: +27 (0)10 595 1831

Enterprise mobility for hazardous areas

under the majority of extreme conditions. Shock and scratch-resistant gorilla glass also gives the smartphone display maximum re- sistance, while even in direct sunlight, users can still easily read the display. A strong bat- tery provides power for 24-hour operation in industrial plants.

Enquiries: www.pepperl-fuchs.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JULY 2021