Sparks Electrical News June 2020

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JUNE 2020

E L E C T R I C A L N E W S

REGULARS: CONTRACTORS’ CORNER | BUYERS' GUIDE : ENERGY MEASUREMENT AND SUPPLY | FEATURES : TOOLS OF THE TRADE | ENERGY MEASUREMENT AND SUPPLY | LIGHTING

A WICKED PROBLEM – THE COVID-19 IMPACT ON SOUTH AFRICAN SMMES

By Theo Mashego, Chief Executive at Mbali International

S ix years ago, after eight years in corporate, I left to try and build a busi- ness in the engineering space. After two years of trading, with close to R1M spent, my partner and I had only two orders to show for the hard work we put in. Funded by Maurice Radebe (Chairman of Sasol Oil) and Jonathan Narayadoo (retired COO of Afrox), having sold the pipedream about building a conglomerate that would also meet their needs to give back and create employment, we were hit by the realities of South Africa’s small business environment and the difficulties of new entrants, espe- cially in sectors at the core of the economy. As I was updating my CV and polishing my formal shoes, an op- portunity to acquire a financially struggling family-owned business was brought to our attention. The business was in line with what we were doing. It had roughly 12-14 employees and there was a level of risk to their job security. Having studied business, and with the sup- port of Mr Radebe and Mr Narayadoo, we had the business acumen; they had the brand, experience and market. Seeing the potential alignment and wanting to make a difference, including with the is- sues of unemployment, I raised money through family and friends who, for a small stake in my vison, were willing to fund the business. Needless to say, the past six years have been the toughest of my life. Not only have I been fighting a fight that I feel I am losing, I have not returned anything to those partners who bought into my dream and vision. To their credit, they continue to support me to date. How- ever, as most reach retirement age, another already in retirement and with the recent impact of COVID-19 on their personal livelihoods, the reality of limited resources is re-emphasised. And like many, we find ourselves with employees that have a lifeline of months at most. Five years into my journey, I looked at what Sipho and Anna Radebe had built as a family business established in 2006, their ac- complishment as Mbali Industrial Solutions, and I also took a look at the business we had acquired in 2014, Unidrive Electric Motors. Re- alising the synergies we had in the businesses and wanting to grow the businesses into a group of companies that could leverage shared resources, optimisation and supply chain efficiencies, we decided to start a journey to house the companies under Mbali International. With a view to having a group of companies that compete inter- nationally, and not just locally, when the opportunity to buy another previously advantaged family-owned business presented itself, we jumped at the opportunity and closed the deal.

As with various acquisitions, integration became a problem and we found ourselves in a situation where one of our employees joined one of the busi- ness’s customers and set up the same shop as us. Understanding our abili- ties and that competition is par for the course, we did not mind the new entrant. However, our new counterparts used our ethnicity to challenge us in

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CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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“W e are here, we are working and we are fighting along with everyone else to come out of this pandemic.” These are the reassuring words of Steve Richardson, Crabtree CEO. The company has, like many in the industry, returned to work during Stage 4 of the lockdown with stringent regulations in place. “We are currently in a cautious state,” he says. “The company is still here to support the market, especially the construction industry, and as we are part of Siemens, we do not see a threat to the business, but it does depend on demand from the market. It is just a case of working our way through it and doing eve- rything in our power to get the correct controls in place in our factories.” Both the Johannesburg and Lesotho manufacturing facilities are up and running with a 30% staff complement as per the government guide- lines. “Since Level 4, we have introduced new shift work and new working How Crabtree is coping during Covid-19

OEM customer base who manufacture the bedheads for ICU and tem- porary hospitals. At the end of last year, Crabtree expanded its dedicated range of sockets and switches for hospitals and medical environments. Launched in 2016 in response to requests from customers who were per- forming installations at hospitals, Crabtree’s hospital products are avail- able in two ranges, Classic (comprising over 50 products) and Diamond (comprising roughly 70 products). “Our hospital range is expanding continually,” notes Henry Woodman, manager of new products at Crabtree. "Because the products are manu- factured 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.”

practices, including putting up physical barriers in factories and coming up with innovative ways to adhere to the regulations, and have probably been manufacturing at around 20% of our normal levels. We are, how- ever, working on ways to increase the output.” Richardson believes that the company will not be able to see the true level of demand for at least a month, but currently do have a number of large export orders into the European Union which are keeping the facto- ries busy. “As a local manufacturer, however, we are up against imported products from China – whose suppliers are unfettered – yet we are stick- ing to the regulations set out by government and are able to meet the current demand". During the first phase of lockdown, the company worked with a skel- eton crew under essential services, providing sockets and switches for its

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 for wiring accessories. “With Crabtree being part of Siemens, however, our products do attain these standards and we anticipate that medical in- stallations, on the wiring side especially, might soon be required to meet these requirements.” Because the loss of power can be devastating in hospitals, the Crabtree ranges are colour coded ac- cording to SANS 164-4 and the new SANS 164 Part 2-1 to ensure essential equipment is plugged into the correct power supply and kept running when hospi- tals suffer power failures. Richardson and the Crabtree management team are happy to be able to get back to the office and oversee the running of the company as it navigates this unchartered territory. “We are, like everyone else, taking it one step at a time,” he concludes.

Enquiries: www.crabtree.co.za

Products from the Crabtree medical range.

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JUNE 2020

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH – NELO NEVES Adapting in a constantly changing environment

I am the first person to walk around and give my staff a hug when something is very well done, a thank you when they have gone above and beyond or a private word when we see that a person is not up to his or her usual standard. We are a family and we act as such and I believe that this keeps my staff firing on all cylinders as no one wants to let the family down. Sparks: Would you advise a person leaving school to enter the lighting industry? And why? NN: Absolutely! As I have mentioned above, the people in lighting are a quality, crazy bunch; clever, motivated, dedicated and, of course, determined. Lighting, with the new technologies coming through, re- invents itself all the time. One day we’re all talking Watts, and now it is Lumens. The designs we create today will be nothing like the ones we’ll offer next year – we constantly have to adapt to going green and lowering consumption with higher outputs. Designers change the trends continuously, for instance, from a retro feel to an ultra-sleek, ultra-modern feel. Today, you might have a design where the light source itself is the feature and tomorrow you’ll see the light output but the source is hidden; it’s a constant evolution.

Sparks: What major projects have you worked on and what is your great- est accomplishment? NN : I have been involved in many projects over the years, from setting up a digital village with Samsung to supplying a million LED lamps to Nam- power in Namibia. My greatest achievement must be successfully raising two beautiful boys and watching them leave the nest and fly high in the United Kingdom where they live today. Sparks: Have you won any awards? NN: No industry awards but I have won multiple staff awards at Philips and Samsung for being the top sales performer. NN: There are two people who are my friends and mentors. The first would be a gentleman called Rod Moulton. He was a big booming man and was my director in the UK when I was working as an auditor across Europe. From trips to Barcelona, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Madrid, Paris and England he carried himself with an air that only a person who is en- tirely content within himself can. Rod allowed me to witness him in the good and bad times and his approach was always measured and assured, never letting the situation dictate his emotions. A brilliant man and one I am happy to call a friend. The second influence on my working career would be Domenico Gargarella, another calm, composed and exception- ally successful sales director who at no point let anything other than the correct way influence his decisions. He was as honest as the day is long and the strength of conviction he had was an absolute joy to witness. NN: Undoubtedly it would be the fact that our borders seem to be so porous and that any junk is sold in South Africa. We do not protect our consumers from light sources that, at best, give a little light and last for a few days and, at worst, could cause a fire. The efficacy claims on more than half the products on our shelves are blatant lies and unfortunately our regulator does little to support the ethical companies trying to sell a good product at a fair price. Ledvance is very proud to say that whatever we say on the box is what you get inside it. Sparks: Who has been your inspiration or have you had a mentor who has influenced your career? Sparks: What, to your mind, is one of the biggest challenges facing the industry at this time? Sparks: If you could ‘do it all again’, would you change anything? If so, what would that be? NN: Absolutely not. I find myself at the head of a beautiful organisa- tion, part of a huge corporate beast but one where we have not lost that small business feel, and for that I am grateful. In my private life I have been married for 23 years, with two beautiful boys and now two adopted daughters, so to say I am a happy man would be a huge understatement. Sparks: How do you motivate your staff? NN: I am in the very envious position of being surrounded by a great bunch of people. Ledvance has its roots in the old Osram, and being a German company, it comes with the German values of quality, honesty and integrity. Everything we do is for the benefit of the brand and our clients. My staff have all bought into that and they live these principles every single day. Since I took over at Ledvance we have only had one staff member leave us, and in these times that is something to be applauded. I also believe in sharing everything with all the different divisions, so to different countries. Vusi Thembekwayo argues that the South African economy is driven by connections over competence and that, as a result, competence exits the country to economies where competence gives them a chance at a better life. Unless this current administration grabs the bull by the horns and creates a conducive environment to run a successful small medium or micro enterprise, South Africa will remain elusive, and transformation a fantasy. As a result, competent talent will continue to leave the country, lessen- ing the constructive minority who are able, needed, and willing to start small businesses to create employment. Unemployment will continue to rise and the devastating impact on life of COVID-19 will result in First World countries acquiring more skill, and opening opportunities for some of our skilled labour. This may also result in a situation that where there could be demand for talent, we may have no supply, again having to look at our neighbours for assistance, only to see them later as enemies steal- ing jobs. Our inability to manage the current situation will lead to even more complex issues in the future. This is a wicked problem and should be treated as such if we are to address the triple ills of unemployment, inequality and poverty currently deepened by COVID-19. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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Nelo Neves

A ccording to Nelo Neves, Managing Director of Ledvance, the South African lighting market is full of exceptional characters and dealing with these long-standing industry leaders is one of the highlights of his job. Even as the MD at Ledvance, a worldwide leader in innovative lighting products, he still learns every day from the com- pany’s clients. Sparks: Where were you educated? NN: I am a Johannesburg South boy who did his schooling at the infa- mous Forest High School before moving to the UK and completing my BComm there through an affiliate of Cardiff University. Sparks: How long have you been involved in the electrical/lighting industry? NN: I have been in many different fields, from finance, to IT hardware to electrical and lighting, the latter for the past six years. Sparks: When and where did you start your career? NN: My lighting career started at Philips as an export sales manager, pro- gressing through the different divisions until I reached the Head of Sales role incorporating export, retail and the trade segments. Sparks: What are the greatest changes you have seen over the years? NN: The biggest change must be the introduction of LED technologies. The reason is that the traditional light sources as we knew them had been around for so long that the market in general resisted the change, and continues to do so. If we had received more support from Govern- ment in implementing the shift from traditional light sources to LEDs, we would have seen an immediate impact on our budgets as we would be saving on electricity costs. Eskom’s load would be reduced by, at the very least, 14% with a potential upside of around 25%. the market. Having focused on quality in all our businesses and service offerings, we did not respond in kind, letting our service, HSSE and qual- ity speak for itself. We now find ourselves in a situation where we made another richer by these acquisitions and re-investments in the business- es; we are poorer, as are our beloved employees due to the challenges caused by the COVID-19 lockdown. South Africa needs to look deep into its small medium and micro en- terprise (SMME) relief programmes. This is an opportune time to review the layout, and tough questions need to be asked. There is no question that with this pandemic, like any other economic depression, there will be transfers of wealth. The question is from who to whom; this needs to be interrogated. The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) should already have put in place an action orientated advisory body rep- resenting the different sectors. The face of that body should be the trans- formation the department would like to see going forward. Regulatory systems driven by the industries should be in place to handle situations like the one we are experiencing. Black-owned companies should not be quoting Steven Biko’s, "Black man, you are on your own," at this time. We should really have tough discussions, quickly followed by action as a country and the South African business community. We must be careful; I have observed young professionals currently in business being frustrated to the point of returning to corporate or moving

A WICKED PROBLEM – THE COVID-19 IMPACT ON SOUTH AFRICAN SMMES

Enquiries: www.mbalisolutions.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JUNE 2020

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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Zest WEG pioneers remote witnessed factory acceptance testing

Lighting is a product that is a basic neces- sity, so you are always engaging, from the con- sumer looking for a single lamp to the 20-floor high rise that will need a full Building Manage- ment Solution. In a nutshell, you will not get bored, ever! Sparks: What is your favourite quote? NN: “If it looks like a lemon, tastes like a lemon and smells like a lemon, it must be a lemon!” Sparks: What is your advice to electrical con- tractors and electrical engineers? NN: I don’t like to offer advice to sectors where I am not qualified; these people offer a fantas- tic service and, generally in South Africa (the reputable companies), they work to a high standard. All I would like them to know is that not all products are equal, and sometimes the I n an innovative ‘first’ to keep a customer’s mining project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on schedule despite the impact of Covid-19, Zest WEG successfully conducted a remote witness test of Medium Voltage (MV) Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) in WEG’s Brazil factory. “These are extraordinary times, and re- quire extraordinary measures,” says David Spohr, business development executive for high-voltage equipment at South African- based Zest WEG. “With the restrictions on international travel, we had to think crea- tively about how to complete this final step in the manufacturing process – the witnessed Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) – before the equipment could be shipped to the DRC site.” Under normal circumstances, these tests would require the customer to travel to Bra- zil and spend a week at the factory witness- ing and signing off a range of detailed test and equipment requirements. The order comprised two 7 MW 3300 V WEG MVW01 VSDs for the ball and SAG mill drive application and two 1,2 MW 3300 V WEG MVW01 VSDs for the HPGR mill ap-

plication. Both applications required non- standard features, namely ‘frozen charge protection’ software on the ball and SAG mill application and a ‘master & follower’ configuration on the HPGR mill application. “It was essential that we did not delay the customer’s project, so we arranged to conduct the witness test using web-based communication software,” says Spohr. “This allowed Zest WEG experts, the engineering contractor and the end-user, all from the safety of their homes in Johannesburg, to communicate with five testing technicians in the WEG factory in Brazil.” Using a high-definition camera and web- based communication software, the factory technicians were able to walk the contrac- tor and end-user through each element of the FAT, with clear and real-time visual im- ages of the test results and equipment on the factory floor. The tests continued for three days, beginning at 13h00 and ending at 19h00 to account for time zone differ- ences. Testing covered three key areas – PLC communication software integration, full functional testing and full load testing. “As with any other witnessed FAT, the

A view of the testing facilities at WEG Brazil.

David Spohr, business development executive, Zest WEG.

influence the way these tests are done in future. “It has shown that the testing can be done to the same standards, but with significant savings in time and cost,” he says.

customer was provided with a comprehensive re- sults report by WEG,” Spohr says. “This enabled the customer to check – in exactly the same way – that the remote FAT results were within the required tol- erances.” Spohr notes that this pioneering step is likely to

Enquiries: www.zestweg.com

Schneider Electric reinforces its sustainability commitments as it responds to the COVID-19 crisis

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Adapting in a constantly changing environment

emergency and longer-term reconstruction actions re- lated to COVID-19 in all the territories in which Schnei- der Electric operates. The Schneider Electric Founda- tion will invite leaders and employees who wish to do so, to donate, and all donations will be matched by the company. Schneider will also invite its other external stakeholders to donate to this fund. Jean-Pascal Tricoire – Chairman & CEO – will per- sonally contribute 25% of his base salary for the dura- tion of the current crisis to the Tomorrow Rising Fund. He is joined by the members of the Executive Com- mittee of Schneider Electric who have committed to contributing 10% of their base salary to this fund for the duration of the current crisis. Schneider Electric, a CAC40 company, does not intend to resort to the exceptional liquidity support schemes that are proposed by the French state to over- come this crisis. In addition, and given the current con- text, Schneider Electric has suspended the buy-back of its shares aligned with the withdrawal of its 2020 guid- ance pursuant to its March 23 rd , 2020 communication. Through these initiatives, Schneider Electric reiter- ates its commitment to sustainability and expresses its appreciation to all of those who are demonstrating extraordinary courage and selflessness in their efforts to fight this pandemic. including handheld devices for measuring vibration data, alignment and balancing. The software also governs online systems for continu- ous monitoring, such as wired multichannel systems and wireless monitoring systems, as well as supporting external user directories such as Microsoft Azure AD and REST API. The software offers a wide range of connectivity options, perfect for smart factories and Industry 4.0 environments. The best-sellers in the range include the Leonova porta- ble vibration analyst tools, the Intellinova online system and the maintenance tools – accessories such as transducers to measure vibration and shock pulse, portable bearing and vibration checkers and the electronic stethoscope. Coupled with WearCheck’s comprehensive condition monitoring programme, the SPM tools provide the expert knowledge needed to evaluate machine condition: a com- plete bearing catalogue, lubricant data, bearing life calcula- tion, evaluation in green – yellow – red, ISO limit values, spectrum and time domain analysis, fault symptom detec- tion, and more. Enquiries: www.se.com

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC is recognised around the globe as an essential business providing service continuity to critical infrastructure such as hospitals, data centres, IT networks, the temperature-controlled food supply chain, energy, transportation, water treatment and vital industries. Ensuring continuity of service, 24/7, to critical indus- tries in all the countries and communities where Sch- neider Electric operates is the Group’s first responsibility and its main contribution to the fight against COVID-19. In this context, the Group is focused on maintaining op- erations to service critical infrastructure, in compliance with health and local government regulations. At Schneider Electric, the health and safety of em- ployees, customers and partners is of utmost im- portance. In response to COVID-19 the Group has enhanced its existing global benefit standards (Life, Health and Family Care) for all of its employees world- wide, for the duration of the crisis. In addition, and consistent with its sustainability commitments, Schneider Electric is actively supporting hospitals and the most vulnerable communities and participating in several other efforts, including boosting the production of ventilators. During these challenging times Schneider Electric would like to announce the creation of a fund dedicated to COVID-19 support as part of the Schneider Electric Foundation. The ‘Tomorrow Rising Fund’ will support Schutte and the WearCheck team have embraced the sophisticated Swedish technology with enthusiasm. “We have already seen how the SPM instruments and systems can add value to our reliability solutions services by yielding additional levels of extremely detailed and accurate data,” he said. “This exciting partnership,” says Schutte, “is in line with WearCheck’s mission – to be a global leader in trans- forming condition monitoring into an ever-evolving market of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT), and artificial intel- ligence. We are pleased to have the SPM brand join us as the leaders on the African continent in innovation within the reliability solutions arena”. Rikard Svärd, SPM Instrument’s global sales manager agrees. “We are confident that WearCheck’s competence, as well as its industry-, customer-, and sales focus, will be an excellent match for our strong portfolio of condi- tion monitoring solutions. We are delighted to partner with WearCheck and look forward to a long and fruitful business relationship that will further strengthen our position in the African market.” SPM’s Condmaster software - the platform via which all the SPM devices interact - supports the full product range

extra you pay will save you a lot further down the line.

Sparks: Name three things on your ‘bucket list’. NN: I’ve been very blessed in my life. I have actually ticked off my bucket list completely; from watching Liverpool beat Manchester United at Anfield whilst sitting in the Kop to base jumping in Berlin and assisting a base- ball match in New York, I have done most of the things that I really wanted to do. Now, the two things that my wife and I still have to do together are Route 66 in the States on a very noisy Café Racer motorbike, and island hop- ing through the many remote islands along the Vietnamese coast.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 207 5600

WearCheck awarded SPM dealership rights

WearCheck staffers, Philip Schutte (reliability solutions manager) (second from left) and Annemie Willer (RS senior sales technician) (fourth from left), visited SPM’s head office in Sweden recently to seal the deal between the two companies.

WEARCHECK , a South Africa-based condition monitoring specialist, is proud to announce a partnership with Swedish condition monitoring instrument manufacturer, SPM, which allows WearCheck to sell and support its world-class products. The full SPM range features portable condition monitoring products, online systems, mainte- nance tools, technologies and expertise, all using techniques that help customers to achieve the highest possible uptime of critical assets – an ap- proach that dovetails perfectly with WearCheck’s.

WearCheck’s technicians have been trained to use, apply and install the SPM equipment, which performs many reliability solutions tech- niques, including vibration measurement and analysis, balancing, orbit analysis and laser shaft alignment, bearing and pulse checking, lubrica- tion assessment and root cause analysis. Philip Schutte, WearCheck’s reliability solutions manager, believes the partnership is set to yield many benefits, and that it enhances even further the two companies’ shared vision of maximising the planning horizon for maintenance and repairs.

Enquiries: www.wearcheck.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JUNE 2020

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

5

You are the most important asset in your business

R unning your own business can be fun, interest- ing and varied. It can also be challenging. You are the centre that holds your company togeth- er. You are the reason your employees come to work in the mornings and the reason why your customers keep coming back. When you have your own business as an electrical contractor it can be incredibly reward- ing, but there is pressure on you to remain financially stable and capable of thriving in a complex economy. Your staff look to you for motivation and validation and your customers look to you for guidance and support. Your job is incredibly important in this industry and your role as leader and expert is of immense value. “Don’t forget that even though you are running a com- pany in incredibly strange times, there is appreciation for what you do and you are of value,” says Carel Scheepers, General Manager: Sales at Citiq Prepaid. “Electrical con- tractors are essential to the future of this economy and the role you play is pivotal in ensuring that people stay connected while they live and work from home.” Value is the central theme that underpins the Citiq Prepaid ethos as a company. Recognising the value in working with electrical contractors to provide custom- ers with relevant and reliable solutions, and ensuring that the company creates value for its customers and contractors. This commitment has played a big part in how Citiq Prepaid has approached the development of its services. “The market is tough. It was tough before the pan- demic, and it is even tougher now. People want more – more control, more value, more service, just more eve- rything,” says Scheepers. “This is understandable. It’s also an expectation that we’ve worked hard to meet, so we already have a full range of solutions available

for our contractors and customers to take advantage of right now.” Citiq Prepaid has invested in value-added services that are designed to deliver high level customer care and that support electrical contractors as they work with the installation of Citiq Prepaid sub-meters. One of these services is the online portal. Designed to of- fer both the tenant and the landlord a ‘bird’s eye view’ of usage and meters, it is an easily accessed tool that helps manage sub-metering and spend. The online portal doesn’t need a steep learning curve to under- stand or use, and it includes reports that can help peo- ple gain a deeper understanding of their utility usage and spend. “We have also invested into a loyalty programme for contractors that work with us,” says Scheepers. “The Citiq Installation Club (CIC) gives money back by re- warding contractors for the number of sub-metering solutions they install. When you have installed enough meters to get 20 points, you get a voucher that you can redeem at your preferred wholesaler. This system was designed to recognise the value of the contractor and wholesaler.” The value principle is further enhanced by the Citiq Prepaid support centre. Citiq Prepaid’s support is com- mitted to speed and quality. Its call centre hours are weekdays between 7am and 8pm, and weekends and public holidays between 8am and 5pm – consistent support when you need it. The company has invested in creating a support network that can help contrac- tors if they have concerns when installing the meters and that can guide customers through every step of the process if they are using a sub-metering system for the first time.

stops working, and we will always recognise the value that the electrical contractor adds to the industry.”

“Our goal has always been to be the most reliable, easiest and convenient way to ac- cess, control and provide electricity,” concludes Scheepers. “We work with our contractors to install and sell meter technology that never

Enquiries: www.citiqprepaid.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JUNE 2020

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

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What to look for when buying a digital thermometer

O of the most significant costs at in- dustrial facilities is energy. While many managers view energy as an unavoidable expense, in reality it is a variable cost that can be monitored and managed to improve the bottom line significantly. Available from Comtest, the local repre- sentative of Fluke, are the 1732 and 1734 Three-Phase Energy Loggers – powerful tools designed to identify sources of electrical en- ergy waste. Easy to set up and use, the loggers capture key measurements – voltage, current, power and power factor– in addition to vari- ables such as temperature. The 1732 and 1734 enable managers to understand energy usage and correlate it to activities. The loggers are also Fluke Connect® compatible. Data can be viewed from anywhere via the Fluke Connect mobile App, potentially reducing the number of times a technician must open a panel while wearing full protective equipment. The 1732 and 1734 include the new Energy Analyze Plus App software, delivering more advanced analysis capabilities to better cor- relate data, and make better decisions. The loggers are rated 600 V CAT IV/1000 V CAT III – the highest safety rating in the industry – for safe use at the service entrance and down- stream. A s the COVID-19 pandemic hit South Africa and panic started to spread, many unscrupulous companies and individuals saw the opportunity to make a quick buck. As is the norm in these circum- stances, numerous people were burned and a lot of money was lost. The best advice is ‘always use a reputa- ble supplier’, yet when people are blinded by opportunity, this advice is often ignored. HellermannTyton has seen it all before. Ryan Burger, Divisional Product Manager – Tools and Instruments, notes that the company had already been supplying thermal imaging cameras and digital thermometers to measure surface temperatures for the electrical industry, but in the first few months of 2020, even the traditional slow-moving items were selling out. “What many do not realise when making a purchasing decision for COVID-19 screening is that there is a dis- tinct difference between surface temperature and body temperature,” he explains. Surface temperature is sus- ceptible to the environment, so if screenings are done in a cold area, the temperature will not be accurate. “We did A mid Makita’s wide and varied range of power tools there are some tools that, although they are niche, really make their mark, and the SG1251J is just such a tool. It is ideally suited to the electrical, plumbing, construction and building industries, providing a quick and effective way of chasing a wall. Here is one of the comments that the company received from a customer regarding the wall chaser combination; “It’s hard to put a value to the huge amount of time and effort I’ve saved since I starting using Makita’s Light Chipper and the Wall Chaser. "Apart from offering excellent value for money, hassle-free operation and being extremely low main- tenance, these tools are making it possible for me to process more jobs in one day than ever before. "Before, I was using an angle grinder as well as a hammer and chisel to access pipes encased in con- crete. The Light Chipper surpasses the capabilities of these tools and works well in confined work areas.” The variable speed electric HM0870C Light Chipper has been adapted for SDS-Max bits and delivers 1 100-2 650 blows per minute, with a 1 100 W motor. The hammer offers a pre-set dial for speed control and 12 hammer bit angle set- tings. Bits are rapidly and easily changed using a

much research and there is a link between the surface temperature, ambient temperature and body tempera- ture. Originally there was an algorithm to do conversions until manufacturers started to implement these algo- rithms into their chips and thermometers.” The problem, however, with using an industrial ther- mometer is that it will generally have a wide measuring range, from -40°C to 1000°C. As a result, accuracy is compromised in the region of 1-3°C, which is not really an issue in an industrial setting, but can make a world of difference with body temperature. Using an existing manufacturer, HellermannTyton has found reliable body temperature thermometers that are accurate up to 0.4°C. “We got in quite early, at the begin- ning of March before the initial lockdown, but the prices were exorbitant; R3000 per unit owing to supply and demand,” he says. A price war then started. Manufacturers in China el- evated prices, daily spam emails from across the world offered thermometers, and more and more companies and individuals jumped on the bandwagon. “Fly-by-

nights started to import products that were fake, with no wiring and no proper electronics inside, and a lot of people lost a lot of money and trust,” says Burger. His advice is to make sure you choose a repu- table supplier that offers after sales support and a warranty. “Ask if the item comes with a medical certificate, ROHS compliance, and importantly, did the companies that imported them receive a CIPC certificate for importation and to deliver and sell the stock?” Although the hype is slowing down there are still many orders coming in. As lockdown went to Lev- el 4 and screening at businesses became a regu- lation, prices dropped to the R1200-1500 range. “I believe that pricing may come down again. Market saturation is the biggest fear at the moment, yet I do not think the bubble has burst – with around a million businesses still to go back at Level 3, the de- mand will still be there,” he says. Importing product at this time, however, has

Compact IR camera with industrial accessories I nstrotech – local representative of Optris – has announced an addition to the Compact Line, the Xi 80 and Xi 400, now with industrial ac- cessories for use in rough conditions. The system has a modular design and as a result, the water cooled housing, the air purge unit and the shut- ter can be used both individually and combined. This stainless-steel shutter is generally used to protect the optics from contamination and for- eign objects. This is particularly important when the infrared camera measures upwards and the measurement objects are above it, such as in the glass industry. With a response time of just 100 ms, the IR camera is optimally protected from falling broken glass. Furthermore, the shutter can be used in intermittent processes so that the optics are exposed to environmental conditions only during the measurement process. A stainless-steel, water-cooled housing and an air purge collar made of anodized aluminum are avail- able so that the compact infrared camera can be used in rough conditions in the industry. Cooling allows for use in hot environments up to 250°C. The air purge unit protects against air particles and prevents condensation on the optics. It can be screwed on in four positions, allowing the air flow to be customised for the application. Integrated into the air purge unit is a silicone window that can be replaced without complex assembly steps if it suf- fers mechanical damage. Burger is adamant that the decision to source quality thermometers was the right thing to do. “It is not exploitation, it is a need. The thermometers helped cover for lost sales over this period, and ensured we could pay salaries. We also know that the stock we have brought in is delivering accurate results and curbing the spread of COVID-19, unlike many of the other products that have been brought into the country. Enquiries: www.hellermanntyton.co.za proved to be a challenge. Firstly, China has tight reg- ulations on exporting thermometers, secondly, ship- ping costs change on a daily basis so it is difficult to work out costs, and finally, to compound matters, South Africa doesn’t accept air freight direct from China, so the stock has to go via Hong Kong, Bah- rain and Dubai, thus there are no guarantees on de- livery time. “Customers get upset because we can- not guarantee a delivery date,” Burger says, “It can be anything from 10 days to three weeks.” Shutter mechanism protects the high- quality IR camera optics Temperature measurement in rough conditions

Electrical loggers help reduce facilities’ energy costs

Industrial dual powered work light with integrated Bluetooth speaker

T he Unilite SP-4500, available locally from Garry Lum- pe Imports, combines a super bright 4500 lumen site light and integrated powerful 10 W Bluetooth speaker. Dual powered, it can be used with its high capacity integrated rechargeable battery and also powered directly through the mains via the intelligent charging/power cable. Constructed from an ultra-tough nylon-polymer, as well as being IK07 shock resistance and 2 m drop resist- ant, makes it the perfect companion on tough job sites. An IP65 rating provides both high dust and water pro- tection and its 140° rotating body and concealed solid hanging hook ensures varied positioning. Finally, the light can be used in conjunction with all Unilite tripods and magnets.

Enquiries: +27 (0)10 595 1821

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 396 4065

The ideal combination for electricians

and a conveniently located front cover efficiently prevents dust from spreading, regardless of the cutting depth. Makita prides itself as staying in touch with worldwide market trends and bringing new and improved technology to the fore on a constant basis, while still keeping the tried and trusted models in the range.

single action slide. A plastic cover on the housing protects the op- erator from electric shock. The unit’s warning light draws attention to switch failure or a break in the cord and a service reminder light comes on when it is time to replace the carbon brush. “The SG1251J 125mm wall chaser cuts straight and has impressive width adjustment, making far neater cuts than I’ve been able to achieve with an angle grinder.” Makita’s SG1251J wall chaser has a nine-stage ad- justable cutting width of up to 30mm for clean edged grooves for channels. This tool incorporates Makita’s Super Joint System that provides smooth and com- fortable cutting work, shock suppression and protec- tion of the mechanical section in the event of the wheel accidentally locking. A soft start feature also suppresses start-up shock, while an auto shut-off system protects the unit from overloading. The blade changing is also simple, while a plas- tic hex wrench holder comes standard with each unit for convenient storage. The wall chaser has a 1 400 W motor and a no-load speed of 10000r/ min. Dust collection is taken care of via an easy connection to a vacuum cleaner (sold separately)

Enquiries: www.makita.co.za

Enquiries: sales@instrotech.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JUNE 2020

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

7

WORKING KNOWLEDGE WITH TERRY MACKENZIE HOY

Fun things you can do with an analogue meter

A digital volt/amp meter is one which has a display that is in digital numerals – in other words, when you measure some- thing, the value you are measuring is displayed as numbers in on a screen. For this to happen, the signal you are measuring has to be electronically manipulated. If measuring voltage then the voltage has to be converted to a digital signal by means of an ana- logue to digital converter and then this has to be fed to a system which allows the digital value to be displayed as a number on a screen. An analogue volt/amp meter has a needle which indicates a value on a scale, like the speedometer of a car. It does not have any electronics – the voltage is scaled down and supplied to the meter via range selection switches. Digital meters came into wide use in the mid-1980s and were popular since they were thought to be

me to explain how... Other advantages of an analogue meter are that you can use it to synchronise generators and that it can recognisably display slowly changing voltages. A digital meter can do this in that the various voltage levels are displayed over time, but the period of change or oscillation is not. Having said all of this, it is unlikely that any electrical person out there will actually go out a buy and use an analogue meter. But you should think carefully about it. During that part of my life when I was working on switchboards and machinery, I found that reading a value from a meter made me think about what I was measuring and made me more aware of inaccuracies than I would have been had I used a digital meter. r. Give it a try. Analogue meters are available and not expensive.

This indicates an inductance is part of that circuit. This means you can check that current transformer circuits are not open circuit and you can check if all three phases of a motor are connected. You can also check if a capacitor is in circuit: you set the analogue meter to measure resistance and connect the leads to each of the wires of the circuit. The needle will swing over to indicate very little resist- ance and then, as the capacitor charges up, the needle will fall back to indicate high resistance. An analogue meter can also show if there is induced ac current in an electronic signal. Set the meter to measure very low dc amps (0-100 mA). If the needle is steady, there is no induced ac current. If it vibrates, an induced current is present. Something which may not be needed these days is to measure the voltage across a dc shunt. An analogue meter can do this, but you will have to contact

accurate and, importantly, lightweight. This last point may not seem to be very relevant, but the analogue meters, such as the Simpson meter or the AVO Mark 8 were really quite heavy – a digi- tal meter fitted neatly into a pouch on your belt. Digital meters had their problems; they had a high internal impedance which means they could produce measurements that were inaccurately high due to stray electrical charges. Many digital meters do not measure voltages with harmonics very well – an ‘harmonic’ is just a superimposed voltage on the measured voltage. An analogue meter measures true RMS (actual value). Things that an analogue meter can measure that a digital meter cannot are the following: In- ductance in a circuit. Sometimes a circuit is ter- minated in an inductance – specifically and of- ten, a current transformer coil. With an analogue meter you set the meter to measure resistance and connect the leads to each of the wires of the circuit. The needle will swing over to indicate very little resistance. Now, reverse the leads. This time, if there is an inductance present, the nee- dle will hesitate a bit and then only swing over. A ction Can EC-90 is a proven and tested fast evaporating electrical cleaner that does not leave a residue, requires no rinsing or wiping, and quickly cleans hard to reach delicate electronic and electrical components. It is recommended for all professional mechanical and electrical engineers. The product effectively removes deposits and tar- nishes, improving conductivity and penetrating into switches and contacts, preventing electrical faults. It is safe to use on all metals, most rubber, plastics and coatings and it is non-conductive, meaning it can be used on electric motor contacts, generator and transformer windings, electrical parts, switch-gear and fuses. About Action Can Action Can provides a comprehensive range of first-class products. Its ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditations demonstrate the compa- ny’s commitment to research, development and manufacturing quality standards. Electrical contact cleaner aerosol spray

Enquiries: www.vermontsales.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JUNE 2020

ENERGY MEASUREMENT SUPPLY BUYER'S GUIDE

8

MANUFACTURERS

CONTACTS

SWITCHGEAR

DBS, MAIN BREAKERS, CIRCUIT BREAK

ABB South Africa Aberdare Cables ACTOM Protection & Control Allbro Alvern Cables Aurora Brother International South Africa Crabtree South Africa HellermannTyton JB Switchgear Solutions Legrand Phoenix Contact Sabelco Schneider Electric South Africa Siemens Superlume Switchboard Manufacturers WEG DISTRIBUTORS Brady SA Comtest Crabtree South Africa Denver Technical Products Electrahertz HellermannTyton Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers Major Tech MCE Electric Phambili Interface Schneider Electric South Africa SG Switchboard Group Stone-Stamcor Superlume Voltex Voltex Lighting Voltex LSis Voltex MV/LV Solutions Waco Aberdare Cables ACDC Dynamics ACTOM Electrical Products Alvern Cables Anglo Allied Engineering ARB Electrical Wholesalers Bellco Elmari Erasmus/Dirk Klynsmith ACTOM Electrical Products Isabel Magalhaes ACTOM Protection & Control Faisal Hoosen Allbro Ryan Allan Alvern Cables Stephen Liasides Anglo Allied Engineering Karin Visser ARB Electrical Wholesalers Sales Aurora Alan de Kocks Bellco Shiraj Wentzel Brady SA Sales Brother International South Africa Munna Desai Comtest Comtest sales team Crabtree South Africa Sales Denver Technical Products Mervyn Stocks Electrahertz Pta-Frank Proude/Jhb – Peet Lourens HellermannTyton Ingrid Nicolaus JB Switchgear Solutions Johan Basson Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers Dominic Kalil Legrand Johan Bosch Magnet Electrical Supplies Kevin Govender Major Tech Werner Grobbelaar MCE Electric Sales Phoenix Contact Carl Coetzer Sabelco Marc Moreau Schneider Electric South Africa Sales SG Switchboard Group Josh Berman Siemens Kruben Bennie and Yullen Govender Stone-Stamcor Zap Wholesalers Zest WEG Group CONTACTS ABB South Africa Customer contact centre Aberdare Cables Annelene Naidoo ACDC Dynamics

Waco Jaco Coetzee Zap Wholesalers Fuaad Vangeria Zest WEG Group Sales METERS

Sabelco Advanced LV electrical assemblies SG Switchboard Group Range of LV switchgear Siemens

Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers CBI, Schneider, Major-Tech, Veti, Swan Legrand Full range of distribution boards up to 6300 A as well as complete range of MCBs, MCCBs and ACBs Magnet Electrical Supplies Full range of DBs, mains breakers, circuit breakers Major Tech Full range of distribution boards including flush-mount Econo boards, surface-mount IP65 boards, IP65 clear/grey enclosures and IP55 junction boxes; specialists in populated ready boards, 3 kA and 6 kA mini circuit breakers, isolator and earth leakage switches MCE Electric Full range of DBs and steel enclosures; Onesto range of DBs, steel enclosures, moulded case circuit breakers and miniature circuit breakers Megger Megger test instruments for circuit breakers Schneider Electric South Africa Series 4 DBs and circuit breakers SG Switchboard Group Range of distribution products Siemens Full range of distribution boards, breakers and protection devices

Full range of LV and MV switchgear Switchboard Manufacturers Full range of LV switchgear and Ring Main Units Voltex Full range of switchgear Voltex LSis Full range of switchgear Voltex MV/LV Solutions Full range of switchgear Zap Wholesalers Full range of switchgear Zest WEG Group Full range of low voltage switchgear LOAD MANAGEMENT

ABB South Africa Full range of meters ACTOM Electrical Products

Single phase direct kWh meters, single- and three-phase; Ct operated kWh meter; single phase kWh meter with cyclometer; single phase meter with

LCD display and polycarbonate cover ACTOM Protection & Control

Three-phase and single-phase electromechanical and electronic meters; Three-phase and single-phase electromechanical and electronic meters; measurement centres; three-phase programmable electronic meters Allbro Meter boxes ARB Electrical Wholesalers Full range of meters Bellco Full range of meters Comtest Full range of Fluke meters Denver Technical Products Range of meters Electrahertz Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers CBI, Schneider, Swan and ACDC Legrand Full range of electrical energy meters including multi-function measuring units Magnet Electrical Supplies Full range of meters Major Tech Compact power analysers, power quality analysers, current loggers, current and voltage loggers, leakage loggers; full range of professional ac and ac/dc clamp meters, compact ac and ac/dc clamp meters MCE Electric Onesto kilowatt hour meters Phoenix Contact Energy meters Full range of meters Zap Wholesalers Full range of meters Zest WEG Group Electronic range of power factor meters and power meters CABLING ABB South Africa Range of cabling Aberdare Cables Flexible Panel Wire (full range of low and medium electric cables also available) Allbro Junction boxes ARB Electrical Wholesalers Full range of cabling Atlas Group Range of cabling Bellco Full range of cables Brady SA Full range of cabling HellermannTyton PV cable (TUV, UI, Dual); high impact, extreme weather conditions Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers Lapp Cable, Innomatic, Atlas Magnet Electrical Supplies Cable labelling Electrahertz Full range of meters HellermannTyton Complete range of meters Invirotel Full range of smart and conventional meters SG Switchboard Group Full range of power meters Siemens Full range of meters Switchboard Manufacturers Full range of power meters Voltex Full range of meters Voltex LSis Full range of meters Waco

ABB South Africa Full range of load management solutions ACDC Dynamics Full range of load management solutions ACTOM Protection & Control Load shedding relays Electrahertz Full range of load management solutions HellermannTyton TDDGT geyser timers; TWST WIFI Smart Timer; TWSTM WIFI Smart Timer; TDDT72L 7-Day Digital Timer Dual Relay Contact Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers CBI, Schneider, ACDC Legrand Full range of change-over and supply inverters Magnet Electrical Supplies Full range of load management solutions MCE Electric Onesto electronic load shed relay LABELLING

Switchboard Manufacturers Full range of distribution products Voltex Full range of circuit breakers Voltex Lsis Full range of circuit breakers Waco Wide range of circuit breakers Zap Wholesalers Full range of DBs, main breakers, circuit breakers, etc Zest WEG Group Full range of DBs, main breakers, circuit breakers, etc MV TO LV TRANSFORMERS

ABB South Africa Full range of MV to LV transformers ACTOM Electrical Products Distribution transformers from 16 kVA to 5 mVA; power transformers from 6 mVA to 315 mVA Allbro Transformer bushings and tap change switches, protection equipment ARB Electrical Wholesalers Full range of MV to LV transformers Aurora Full range of MV to LV transformers Bellco Full range of MV to LV transformers Electrahertz

Bellco Full range of labelling Brady SA Full range of labelling Brother International South Africa Complete range of labelling Electrahertz

Full range of labelling HellermannTyton Large selection of PV Solar labels: Pre-printed, UV stable ink and materials; Heat shrinkable wire identification Thermal Transfer: TLFX DS; Wire identification clip (WIC Markers): Snap on markers; TIPTAG – identification tags for cable bundles – thermal transfer

Full range of MV to LV transformers Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers ABB Legrand

Legrand offers standard and tailor made MV dry type transformers 100 KVA to 20 000 KVA and up to 36 KV transformers. Normal losses and green star

Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers Weidmuller, HellermannTyton, Brady Legrand CAB3 and Duplix cable markers Phambili Interface Full range of labelling Phoenix Contact Wire markers and terminal markers Voltex Full range of labelling Zap Wholesalers Full range of labelling ENERGY BILLING ABB South Africa Full range of energy billing solutions ACDC Dynamics Full range of energy billing solutions Bellco Full range of energy billing solutions Comtest Full range of Fluke power quality meters HellermannTyton

rates solution, high efficiency Magnet Electrical Supplies

Full range of MV to LV transformers Schneider Electric South Africa Electronic LV lighting transformers Voltex Full range of MV to LV transformers Voltex MV/LV Solutions Full range of MV/LV transformers Zest WEG Group Full range of MV to LV transformers NEUTRAL EARTHING REACTORS ABB South Africa Range of neutral earthing reactors PAVEMENT CUBICLES AND BOXES

ABB South Africa Range of pavement cubicles and boxes ACTOM Protection & Control LV municipal, utility distribution and metering Allbro Pole mounted distribution boxes ARB Electrical Wholesalers Full range of pavement cubicles, boxes Bellco Full range of pavement cubicles, boxes Voltex Full range of pavement cubicles, boxes MINI SUBSTATIONS

TEMS100 Energy Meter Single Phase; TR1000P 3-Phase Power Clamp ac/ dc 1000 A; T60 Compliance/3-Phase Network and Power Analyser; T824/ T78 3-Phase Power Analyser; T824 3-Phase Power Analyser and Recorder Invirotel Range of energy billing solutions Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers Ideal Prepaid, Owl Meters, Ellies reader Legrand Legrand multi-function meters offer a precision class 1 for billing applications Magnet Electrical Supplies Full range of energy billing solutions Voltex Full range of energy billing solutions Zap Wholesalers Full range of energy billing solutions BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ABB South Africa Range of building management systems ACDC Dynamics Full range of building management systems Legrand Legrand’s reticulation systems can ne incorporated into a BMS Phoenix Contact Building automation and control Schneider Electric South Africa Full range of building management systems DBS, MAIN BREAKERS, CIRCUIT BREAK- ERS, OVERLOAD

Full range of cabling Phoenix Contact Signal, data and power Superlume IP65 connection glands for external cable connection Voltex

ACTOM Electrical Products Compact mini substations; maximum rating: 22 kV up to 1 000 kVA available in mild steel, fibreglass or 3CR12 enclosures in Type A or B configuration ARB Electrical Wholesalers Full range of mini substations Bellco Full range of mini substations Electrahertz Full range of mini substations Switchboard Manufacturers Manufacturer of mini-subs Voltex Full range of mini substations Voltex MV/LV Full range of mini substations Zest WEG Group Full range of mini substations including specialised vandal-proof mini- substations METERING (MEASURING INSTRUMENTS)

Full range of cables Zap Wholesalers Full range of cables SWITCHGEAR

ABB South Africa Range of LV and MV switchgear ACTOM Electrical Products

SBV indoor equipment, SBV3+3E, SBV4+4E, SBV5+5E, SBV-C, SBV-24; vacuum intern pres, ring main units and extensible switchgear; compact MV switchgear ACTOM Protection & Control LV municipal electricity distribution; metering and distribution enclosures Allbro

Insulators and busbar supports Anglo Allied Engineering Full range of switchgear ARB Electrical Wholesalers Full range of switchgear Bellco Full range of switchgear Electrahertz Full range of switchgear JB Switchgear Solutions Full range of switchgear solutions Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers Schneider, ACDC, Siemens, CBI Legrand Full range of MCBs, MCCBs and ACBs Magnet Electrical Supplies Full range of switchgear MCE Electric Full range of switchgear

ABB South Africa Full range of metering instruments ACDC Dynamics Full range of measuring instruments ACTOM Electrical Products Full range of metering instruments ACTOM Protection & Control Meter test blocks ARB Electrical Wholesalers Full range of metering instruments Bellco Full range of metering instruments

ABB South Africa Full range of DBs, contactors, circuit breakers and relays ACDC Dynamics Full range of DBs, main breakers and circuit breakers ACTOM Protection & Control LV air circuit breakers Allbro Distribution boards and ready boards ARB Electrical Wholesalers Full range of DBs, mains breakers, etc Bellco

Mark Talbot Superlume Willie Garbers Switchboard Manufacturers Josh Berman Voltex Hugh Ward Voltex Lighting Marc Rudman Voltex Lsis Rose Schulz Voltex MV/LV Solutions Sales

Full range of DBs, breakers Crabtree South Africa

Comtest Distribution Full range of Fluke meters

A range of 6 kA MCBs (includes isolators, earth leakages and miniature circuit breakers); a range of 12 and 18 DIN flush mount distribution boards Electrahertz Full range of DBs, main breakers, circuit breakers

Denver Technical Products Range of metering instruments Electrahertz Full range of metering instruments

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JUNE 2020