Sparks Electrical News June 2020

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

6

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