Sparks Electrical News March 2019

Sparks Electrical News now features a dedicated Industry 4.0 section. Turn to page 12 for more

MARCH 2019

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

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

INDUSTRY 4.0 TO TRANSFORM SA’S WORKFORCE

I ndustry 4.0 – smart new automation tools and technologies – is rapidly changing the face of manufacturing and industry around the world. With- out a concerted effort to change industry processes and infrastructure, and upskill the workforce, South Africa risks falling behind the world in its efforts to become a player in the global manufacturing market. How- ever, new industry initiatives are emerging to address the skills short- fall and help propel South Africa into a smarter era of manufacturing. “Industry 4.0 is having a profound impact on the electrical contract- ing industry,” writes Sarah Boisvert in her book, ‘The New Collar Work- force,’ which explores the jobs needed today in the digital world. “No longer are simple installations enough. Customers expect the industry to come fully into the digital world, incorporating technologies that im- prove performance through simulation, real-time tracking, analysis of big data, and more. Our old view of blue-collar workers has to change if we are to provide 21 st -century services to our customers. ‘New collar’ workers need to tap into digital skills, which means specialised train- ing. New digital badges and microcertifications provide just this, and the industry must support innovative programmes that will allow for our staff to rapidly adapt to a changing workplace.” In this era of control and digitisation, new technology requires in- stallation by electrical contractors. The evolution of engaging Industry 4.0 is the next chapter in global industrialisation; it will change the tempo and efficiency of how world production moves, and the elec- trical contractor is at the centre of this, ready to perform a new job: enable systems, equipment, and operations to automate with Industry 4.0, and exploit this lucrative opportunity. Speaking ahead of Africa Automation Fair 2019, which takes place in June this year, automation industry stakeholders said aligning with the global Industry 4.0 revolution would demand a great deal of change and progress in South Africa. A key priority has to be skills. Dave Wibberley, Managing Director at Adroit Technologies, notes that Industry 4.0 in itself is not a ‘silver bullet’ that will change manu- facturing. “Industry 4.0 refers to a set of tools and services. To be ef- fective, these tools and services depend on the necessary resources and knowledge being in place in processes. You need to achieve world-class manufacturing and tooling first,” he says.

Frikkie Streicher, Business Development Manager at process instrumen- tation manufacturer VEGA, says a greater effort is needed to develop the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

2

LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS FOR WATER HEATING SYSTEMS A midst the never-ending Eskom debacle of spiralling tar- iffs, load shedding and tales of corruption, our Legislature has seen fit to bestow on us more onerous legal require- quirements for the installation of new, and the replacement of existing, domestic geysers and other domestic hot water sys- tems. In terms of these standards all parties involved in the pro- duction or manufacture of heating systems are required to en- sure that their respective products are more energy efficient and fall within the so-called ‘B class’ or ‘B Energy’ bracket.

installation is non-compliant with the regulations a certificate of non-compliance will be issued, which explains what the non- compliant aspects of the installation are such that they can be remedied. Enforcement against Manufacturers/Importers The proposed changes will now require businesses manufactur- ing geysers to apply for what is referred to as Letters of Authority (LOAs). Only once an LOA has been obtained can a manufac- turer or importer lawfully trade these newer geysers. To ensure effective implementation and regulation the NRCS has devised a plan called ‘VC Enforcement’ which includes the likes of spot inspections, various stakeholder engagements, more or better consumer awareness and surprise raids on various

ments relating to geysers and other hot water systems. Chantelle Gladwin-Wood, Partner, and Kyle Venter, Candidate Attorney, at Schindlers Attorneys note that whilst there is an obvious need to help our struggling power giant (Eskom) meet the country’s current demand, or at least alleviate it in some way, there is also financial pressure on the purse strings that comes with legislative implementation of new technology. The idea behind the new regulations The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) published amended standards during 2018 that changed the re-

The new geysers in the B class are said to have thicker insulation between the inner cylinder and the outer casting, which subsequently prevents heat loss and reduces one’s energy consumption (and hopefully one’s electricity bill too). In essence, it seeks to achieve the same outcome that a thermal geyser blanket would achieve but on a much larger scale. The new regulations also require that compliance certificates be issued when these newer geysers are installed. If the

business premises. This is notwithstanding the fact that should a manufacturer fail to adhere to prescribed specifications it could warrant the NCRS imposing a hefty sanction either by confiscating the product, destroying it and/or imposing a penalty it deems fit in the circumstances. Enforcement against homeowners The problem homeowners might face (apart from the apparent size difference in geysers which might become an issue in sectional title schemes, because the new geysers are big- ger than their older and less energy efficient counterparts and might not fit into the ceiling or ducted space provided for them) is the risk of a repudiation by their household insurance should they find themselves with a burst gey- ser or any other damages from a burst geyser in the situation where their geyser installation is non-compliant with the relevant standards. Seeing that the law does not require the immediate replacement of all existing geysers but only that those newly installed for the first time, or those replaced, after the regulations came into effect be Class B, a homeowner with an existing but non-compliant geyser will not suffer any harm as a result of these new regulations. But what happens if an installation is non- compliant with the relevant legislation and there is a claim? Will it be repudiated? This issue will not affect geysers installed before the commencement of the regulations in question because the law requires that they be replaced as and when necessary, so if a home owner claims because an old geyser (installed before August 2018) burst and it was non-compliant, this cannot affect the claim. However, if a geyser installed since August 2018 bursts, and is non-compliant, then the insurers might repudiate the claim on the basis of the fact that non-compliance with the prescribed standards rendered the risk profile different and vitiated the cover. Some proponents are of the view that, much in the same way as not having a valid licence disk for your vehicle does not increase your risk of having an accident, having a piece of paper that says you are complaint does not necessarily make you so or alter your risk profile in relation to the risks insured. Others disagree for obvious reasons. If you are uncertain, check with your insurer and/or a plumber that issues compliance certificates. Another important thing to remember is that, to the extent that an insurer can show that the burst geyser/ other form of damage arose form a lack of maintenance/repairs, the damage will ordinarily not be covered by insurance. Conclusion It is always best to err on the side of caution – homeowners should check with insurers whether the geyser installation is covered by their household contents/homeowner’s insur- ance, and if so, check the requirements of the insurer for the geyser specifically, to ensure that they don’t face the repudiation of a claim when an emergency occurs.

Enquiries: www.schindlers.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MARCH 2019

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

3

PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH – RANDAL WAHL

A PASSION FOR LIGHTING AND ITS ROLE IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Sparks: What are the greatest changes you have seen over the years? RW: Disruptive technology has beenby far the biggest influence in the lighting industry; companies that have not embraced the changes have unfortunately fallen away. Offering lighting solutions rather than just products has allowed lighting to become a design element in the built environment rather than just a functional element. The transition fromelectric to electronic has completely changed the lighting field. Lighting controls have become multi-faceted and LED has allowed luminaire designers to control light with far greater accuracy and also to reduce the size of fittings. RW: I think our greatest accomplishment is being able to adapt and embrace change in our industry, not to be arrogant and to listen and learn from lighting designers, architects and electrical engineers. In doing so we have been able to grow our staff from the initial two in the early days to over 275 being directly involved in RLS. Regent has been involved in so many large projects throughout the years, including Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Monte Casino, Emperors Place, Gold Reef City, Madinat Dubai, the Creek Yacht Club Dubai, and more recently Nelson Mandela Square, Mall of Africa, V&A Waterfront and The MARC. RW: Working in a family business, my father, Neville Wahl, mentored me initially with regards to business ethics and instilling the correct values, treating suppliers with the same respect as our customers, making decisions that are long term orientated and always investing in innovation. Robert Alexander, being my partner in the early days, understood the consulting field and opened up many opportunities to develop luminaires for specific projects. His professional experience allowed me to learn and grow as a young person starting out in a new market. I still work closely with Robert and his advice and ideas are greatly appreciated. Sparks: What major projects have you worked on and what is your greatest accomplishment? 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? RW: The biggest challenge facing the industry today must be the financial position of many of the major construction companies. This makes providing credit more difficult as the credit insurers have become extremely risk averse. The other would have to be market sentiment and the reduction in capital expenditure by government as this impacts the downstream suppliers like ourselves.

Sparks: What do you enjoy most about your job? RW: One of the things I enjoy most about Regent is developing product that acts as an import substitution for international and local clients. Challenging our design team and pushing the boundaries has allowed us to develop some world class products. Witnessing staff grow as individuals and seeing many graduate with different qualifications gives me an immense sense of pride. Visiting different parts of South Africa and Africa and actually seeing the impact our lighting has on all the projects we work on makes all the efforts worth it.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Randal Wahl

RANDAL WAHL, Managing Director at Regent Lighting Solutions (RLS) has overseen the growth of the company from one with a desire to de- velop lighting for domestic homes in the early 1990s into a multi-disci- plinary lighting company with world-class design and manufacturing ca- pabilities. His passions include lighting, developing his staff, and his family. Sparks: Where were you educated? RW: I attended Krugersdorp High School and then Witwatersrand Technikon to study Marketing Management. Sparks: How long have you been involved in the electrical industry? RW: I have been involved in the lighting industry since 1992, so 27 years. I started out not knowing much about the industry but believed that an opportunity existed in the family manufacturing business to build a division that offered more value added product than casting components. Sparks: When and where did you start your career? RW: I started at Wahl Irrigation which had begun manufacturing two lanterns, our Classic and Capri, a few years prior. They traded as Wahl Irrigation and started selling these two fittings through the specialised lighting retail network in South Africa.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

INDUSTRY 4.0 TO TRANSFORM SA’S WORKFORCE

‘triangle of training’, we have a small number of engineers at the apex, and a large number of artisans at the bottom. We need to invert this triangle, and produce a far greater number of engineers capable of supporting au- tomation in future,” she says. Efforts are now underway to fast-track this process, developing new curricula for automation engineers and introduc- ing new learning models to upskill employees. Launching the new Intsimbi Future Production Technologies Initiative (IFPTI) NTIP’s Centre of Excellence in Cape Town earlier this year, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said the government was committed to building capacity in response to the impact and opportunities that the 4 th Industrial Revolution will bring about. While funding models and curriculum development are still under dis- cussion, van Coller is optimistic that the new initiative will drive the change the sector needs. “We’re very excited about this, and its potential. It will bring new opportunities for upskilling – gone are the days of being too old, or living too far from a university. This model allows for free, flexible, home-based learning using online tools, along with some facilitator-led learning. Stakeholders are also looking at the necessary infrastructures for participants in rural areas with limited internet access. It presents the hope that we can develop our own advanced automation skills pipeline and stop relying on imported skills,” she says.

automation engineering skills pipeline, to allow South African industry to prepare for Industry 4.0: “Automation engineering is not yet recognised as a separate field in South Africa. We need to step up our focus on automa- tion engineering if South Africa is to achieve its ambitions of becoming a manufacturing giant in Africa.” “We are living in the most exciting time of our lives,” says Chris Leong, Executive Vice President, Global Marketing at Schneider Electric. “A digit- ised world where everything can be connected – products to people, prod- ucts to products, product to cloud or what we like to call IoT. Schneider Electric is leading the Digital Transformation of energy management and automation in homes, buildings, data centres, infrastructure and industries. One of the most important roles we can play is enabling our customers, with our portfolio of partners, to leverage the full potential of IoT to make their businesses safer, more reliable, connected, efficient and sustainable. With EcoStruxure, our IoT-enabled, plug-and-play, open, interoperable ar- chitecture and platform, we can bring this to life to deliver true business value for our customers,” she says. Annemarie van Coller, President of the Society for Automation, Instru- mentation, Measurement and Control (SAIMC), says that while automa- tion presents massive economic growth opportunities, it does threaten the current environment’s workforce structure. “If you look at the current

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MARCH 2019

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

4

TALKING ELECTRICITY WITH ANDREW LUKE DAPSHIS

ELECTRICAL PARANOIA R ecently I bore witness to the second batch of load shedding our municipal supplier so graciously be- stowed on us. The previous batch at the end of last year, showed us all what no electricity means through the scramble most were forced into to accommodate school concerts and end of year functions. Now,without getting into the debate of whether it was political propaganda or supply that was to blame,I would like to highlight the paranoia that industry and business at large entertained. A large number of companies, seeing a literal 4-5 hours of no electrical supply realised it was time to ensure a proper back-up option.. But, like the taxi service on New Years at 2 am, the bottleneck meant only a few could be catered for while the rest were left with up to eight week waiting periods for their high kWA generator to be supplied. Many generator suppliers with an abundance of stock were soon left with nothing on their floors other than a waiting list and a brochure. This was great for the sales side of business but created unnecessary challenges for aftersales departments and technical staff as the installation of these units requires a fair amount of prep work and time to test and ensure supply meets demand i.e., the amps required are the amps delivered. Normally a data logging service would have been set up over a period of time (generally 48 hours) to determine maximum required amperage, but owing to mass paranoia and the need to maintain production,

these steps were missed and incorrectly sized units bought that were either overcompensating for the required load, or overwhelmed by demand during peak periods. Another challenge was that when an automatic change over panel is installed, in most instances the municipal mains need to be isolated, and for this to happen, an already overwhelmed municipal supplier must be contacted. Before load shedding recommenced, it would have taken up to twomonths to get a representative to go to your site and switch off for final connection and testing, meaning that completion in many cases is still controlled by the municipal supply. In-between load shedding periods, there might be a short pause which brings peace back to the chaos, but the finance, time and availability to fix the problems municipal suppliers face means a great possibility for future shedding. In order to ensure your company gets the right product installed correctly, start preparing now, during the pauses. The lesson is to not wait until load shedding starts so companies can avoid being stuck with a waiting time or, even worse, an under spec setup. During these times units are also put to test so technicians work around the clock to sort out breakdowns and get units back online, leaving even less hands for installations and final commissioning. Anyone reading the news or following what’s happening in the country can see what’s ahead, so fail to plan and ultimately you plan on failing.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

A PASSION FOR LIGHTING

I am extremely passionate about Regent and sometimes that passion has been channelled into the wrong areas. As I have become older and more experienced I have become far better at doing the small things better. I firmly believe that Regent’s large dedicated staff component is what sets us apart from many of our competitors; we have committed staff who go way above and beyond to ensure we live by our company values of Trust, Respect, Integrity and Team. I have become a better listener and I trust each staff member and believe in them. The individual counts – I really enjoy the fact that Regent is long term focused and customer centric. Sparks: How do you motivate your staff? RW: I motivate my staff by being myself, by being present and committed to them and Regent, having a deep loyalty to all the staff and believing in our team. To persevere and stay with the problem longer and, above all, live a life of meaning. Never take life for granted as there is always someone worse off than you. Sparks: If you could ‘do it all again’, would you change anything? RW: If I could do it all again, the only thing I would change is that I would have not attacked the individual but rather the situation in the early days, and understand my circle of competence earlier. Sparks: Would you advise a person leaving school to enter the electrical industry? RW: For a young person who is interested in entering the electrical industry, my advice would be that you need to be committed and have a thirst for continual learning as things do not stand still. Be observant and learn from your experiences, and have a positive attitude as that will make all the difference. RW: My advice is that lighting is a critical element to any built environment and that the correct lighting design with the appropriate product will enhance any project. The impact that lighting has in education, retail, office, industrial and commercial applications is often underestimated, and in many instances the incorrect person is making decisions that can have drastic long term implications to a project. Lighting is a medium that, if used correctly, can change people’s lives. Sparks: What is your favourite quote? RW: If you can’t change the person, change the person. Sparks: Name three things on your ‘bucket list’. RW: To watch the French and Wimbledon Open Tennis Championships with my wife, travel the West Coast of America and attend all my children's graduation ceremonies. Sparks: What is your advice to electrical contractors and/or electrical engineers?

Enquiries: www.regentlight.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MARCH 2019

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

5

WORKING KNOWLEDGE WITH TERRY MACKENZIE HOY

HOMEBREW ELECTRICIANS I think those of us in the industry know about the requirements for a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for an electrical instillation. This certifi- cate has problems; if you come across a switch- board that has been modified and you have to install a new circuit breaker, do you write out that your certificate only covers the new circuit breaker or do you tell the client that the whole board has to be wired to specification? Tricky. My advice is: at least inspect the installation and check that it seems ‘reasonably safe’. Make sure the certificate for your work reflects this. Take a photograph of the installation before you leave. I’ll say that again: take a photograph of the installation before you leave.

voltage switch room?” It was a disaster. The sub-station could blow up and catch fire. The insurers were very worried and lawyers had been advised. Terribly concerning. I had done my homework though; I had a letter from the City of Cape Town’s electricity department. In it they referred to my earlier letter and advised that (a) The medium voltage switch room was not part of the building that had been sold, but was City Council property and (b) It had been decommissioned some years earlier and was no longer live. It was being scrapped. So that was that. Always take a photograph – with a newspaper!

At the meeting, James had a packet of 10 x 8 (A4) photographs of the various switchboards we’d worked on. We sat down. He produced the photos. The client brushed them aside. All fake. In fact, he said, they were taken after his contractor had fixed everything. James gave him one of the photographs and a magnifying glass. Telling the client to look closely, he pointed out that in each photograph was a picture of the switchboard and James. James was holding a copy of a newspaper with the date on it. And the date was one day before we had issued the CoC. “Okay,” said the new owner dismissively, “All very well, but what about the medium

vast sum that will be required to refurbish the medium voltage switch room,” a photograph of which was attached. It did look a bit grim: bus bar covers missing, exposed transformer bushings, a clear oil leak from one of the circuit breakers (which, as I recognised, dated from before the Second World War). Two of the protection relays were missing from their cases. A shambles. I got hold of James and told him the story. He and I agreed that the new owner’s contractor had sabotaged the installation to make extra bucks. The scaly dogs. “But,” said James, “Let’s have a meeting with the new client and the new contractor.” So we did. Our client was present and I was a bit fearful.

SAIEE APPOINTS SICELO XULU AS CEO T he South African Institute of Electrical Engi- neers (SAIEE) has appointed Sicelo Xulu as its new CEO. Sicelo will start his three-year term this year, taking over the reins from Stan Brid- gens who has held the position for more than 12 years. A Fellow of the SAIEE, Sicelo Xulu served as President of the AMEU from 2014 to 2016. He is a Professional Engineering Technologist and is a Certified Director with the Institute of Directors of SA (IoDSA). He holds a B-Tech in Electrical Engineering from the Central University of Technology, a BSc Honours from the University of Pretoria and an MPhil in Electrical Engineering (cum laude) from the University of Johannesburg. He has completed an Accelerated Directorship Programme with IoDSA and the Executive Development Programme and Municipal Finance Management Programme with the Wits Business School. Sicelo has worked in a range of electrical engineering capacities, starting his career at Eskom in 1995. He joined City Power in 2002 and worked his way up to become the CEO of City Power in 2012, a position he held until August 2017. The SAIEE’s recruitment panel undertook a rigorous process of interviews and assessments of all the applicants considered for the CEO’s position at the Institute and Sicelo was selected as the best candidate for the post. SAIEE President Dr Hendri Geldenhuys said, “We wish Sicelo all the best in his new role as SAIEE CEO, and we trust that he will enjoy the challenge and help the SAIEE to move from strength to strength in this rapidly changing environment we live in.” Here’s a little story: A client of mine asked me to get a CoC for the whole of a 12 storey building she owned. I contacted my favourite electrical contractor, James, and asked him to fix it up. I said, “It’s being sold, so that which is illegally connected, disconnect. Fix all the missing circuit breaker blanks on the distribution boards, make sure the earth leakages work, refurnish all the neutral connections, check lights for earthing and glanding. And stuff. And take a photo of the installation before you leave”. All this was done. The certificate was produced and the new owner moved in and appointed his own electrical contractor to check the place out. Soon, disturbingly, I heard from my client that the certificate James and I produced was no good. The new owner provided a document which showed photographs of distribution boards with cover plates missing, no labels, neutral wires misconnected, cable glands missing, earth wire missing... you get the picture. My client was very angry. So I showed my client all the photographs we had taken and she calmed down. But the new owner didn’t. He claimed our photographs were false (this was before the days of Photoshop) and that the bill for fixing everything was R500 000. The bill, he noted, excluded, “The

Enquiries: www.saiee.org.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MARCH 2019

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

6

ROTATING LABEL FOR FASTER CABLE TROUBLESHOOTING

B eing able to identify cables quickly can be of major importance in data centres and other industrial settings. Brady Corporation’s new Rotating Label enables users to easily rotate a cable label to make its print legible from any angle, in order to increase troubleshooting speed and efficiency. Brady’s B-427 self-laminating Rotating Label version can increase the speed of cable identification because its print can be read from any angle. The label can be rotated around a cable thanks to a non- adhesive printable zone and a translucent, self-adhesive laminate that is wrapped around a cable. Increasing the speed of cable identification can be of major importance for troubleshooting and helps to avoid time loss or human errors. The new Rotating Label is part of Brady’s reliable, industrial grade labels for cables and components that stay attached and remain legible long after they are applied. They can easily be designed with

Brady Workstation apps to include any text, serial number, barcode, QR code or other data before printing on a Brady printer. Compatible printers include the BBP12, BBP33, BradyPrinter i5100, BradyPrinter i7100, BradyPrinter M611, BMP61 and BMP71. In addition to reliable labels, label design apps and printers, Brady can provide custom identifica- tion solutions through a consultative on-site ap- proach.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 704 3295

CUMMINS INC. CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL YEAR

T hroughout 2019, Cummins Inc. will be cel- ebrating its 100th year. The company, listed as a Fortune 150 company, employs around 60 000 people worldwide, and serves customers in nearly every country across the globe. Cummins products range from diesel and natural gas engines to hybrid and electric platforms, as well as engine systems components, controls, and related tech- nologies, and it continues to develop new advanced products and services. The company’s roots date back to 1919 when Clessie Cummins and business partner William G. Irwin built a business that was one of the first to take advantage of the ground-breaking technol- ogy developed by German engineer Rudolf Diesel in the late 1800s. “Technological innovation is at the heart of what we do,” Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger reiterates. “Cummins is a global technology lead- er with a broad portfolio of power solutions. We will continue to innovate to ensure our customers’ success.” Cummins will further advance diesel and natu- ral gas engine technology, and bring new solutions to market. It is investing in electrified powertrains and developing alternative technologies such as solid oxide and hydrogen fuel cells, and explor- ing new technologies for future growth. In addi- tion, the company continues to develop integrated engine system technologies and controls, and is working with partners to integrate its products and services in the autonomous vehicles of the future.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 589 8512

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MARCH 2019

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

7

RUGGED TOOLS GIVE RELIABLE RESULTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES C onstruction sites are harsh environments for instruments that need to give accurate results time after time, even if they have been dropped, kicked or stepped on. Fluke

construction instruments, which are available from Comtest, include laser levels that are engineered to stay within specification, even after a one-metre drop. Whatever electricians need to be reliably measured, such as distance, temperature, cable location, electrical values to indoor air quality across building sites, Fluke has a range of durable tools to meet the need and deliver guaranteed results. The engineered but simple, intuitive operation of Fluke tools means users don’t need to refer to a manual continuously. This translates to time saved – per measurement – which soon mounts up, meaning cumulative labour cost savings. Fluke’s range of tools specifically engineered for construction sites include:

heating of fuses, wires, insulators, connectors, splices and switches, checks status of motors in HVAC installations.

capacitance and contact temperature. • Fluke 279 FC True-rms Thermal multimeter First-line troubleshooting tool for electrical and HVAC equipment, checks hot spots on high-voltage equipment and transformers, detects

Enquiries: +27 (0)10 595 1821

• Laser distance meters for calculating surface, length, area or volume and hard-to reach areas. • Thermal imaging cameras for inspecting insu- lation in walls, heat losses in HVAC installations, pipes and ventilation, humidity spots in walls and window frames. • Infrared thermometers for measuring tempera- tures in hard-to reach/hazardous areas. • Digital multimeters for checking socket voltage, non-contact circuit voltage, temperature measurement of rooms. • Electrical testers (voltage and continuity test- ers) for checking if voltage is applied to the socket, cables on continuity, residual-current devices (RCDs), identification of live conductors. • Electrical testers: T5 and T6 for checking if a circuit is live before starting work, measure voltages, measure loads on a branch circuit at a service panel, check circuit continuity. • Electrical testers: VoltAlert™ and light for test- ing for energised circuits cables. • Clampmeters: 320SeriesTrue-rms electricians’ general troubleshooting tool (commercial and residential), verifying the presence of load current, ac voltage and continuity of circuits, switches, fuses and contacts. • Clamp meters: 376 FC True-rms ac/dc with iFlex for advanced troubleshooting, log and trend measurements to pinpoint intermittent faults, create and send field reports, safe distance from arc flash zone through Bluetooth connectivity to Apple/Android devices. • Clamp meters: 902 FC True-rms HVAC performs essential measurements for HVAC systems—micro amp for testing pilot light sensors, resistance, ac current, ac/dc voltage, MECHANICAL CLUTCH PENCIL THAT NEEDS NO SHARPENING T ork Craft has added a colour range of Dura leads for its popular mechanical clutch pencil, now added to the black refills are yellow, white and red. The original clutch pencil pack came with three black refills, while the new refill leads are avail- able in separate packs for the red, white, yellow and black. The refills are a mixture of clay and graphite, not harmful lead. Pencils and marking units in the workplace are important items; one is always in need of a marker or pen; the Tork Craft Mechanical clutch pencil has a convenient pocket clip, and being shorter and fits easily in one’s pocket; it also does not need sharpening and will outlast most pencils.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 314 7711

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MARCH 2019

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

8

INNOVATIVE RAPID CHARGING TECHNOLOGY MAKES A DIFFERENCE

HEAVY-DUTY TRUE-RMS MULTIMETER

T he MT1005 from Major Tech is a heavy- duty True-RMS industrial digital multim- eter for measuring ac/dc voltage and cur- rent, resistance, capacitance, frequency (electrical and electronic), duty cycles, diode testing, conti- nuity and thermocouple temperature. The device is equipped with a large 50 000 count, 320 x 240 TFT colour LCD display and provides fast A/D converting sampling time, high accuracy, built-in data logging and trend capture functionality. It offers 4 mA to 20 mA process loop measurements with a percentage reading, and operates in a temperature range of -200 °C to 1350 °C. It traces any equipment interruptions and re- cords the events on the device for future review. Not only does the MT1005 trace interruptions and record the events, it can also memorise data- sheets and transfer this, and other data to a PC or a smartphone via Bluetooth. A True-RMS-meter can measure both pure waves and non-sinusoidal waves more accurate- ly. Nonlinear loads, such as variable speed drives or computers can distort waveforms and an av- erage responding meter can be as much as 40 % lower or 10 % higher in its calculations when measuring distorted waves. The battery-powered multimeter includes a Li-ion rechargeable battery that provides around

six hours of operating time, and the ac adaptor to charge the system is included in the box. A low- battery warning will alert users when the voltage drops below the required operating voltage, and the MT1005 also offers an automatic power-off function that the user can set to between five minutes and 30 minutes – or it can be disabled completely. With a wide range of features and double- moulded housing to ensure it handles tough conditions, the MT1005 is ideal for heavy-duty usage. Major Tech also offers a range of acces- sories for the device, from clamp on adaptors to additional batteries, leads and probes.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 872 5500

MAKITA, through constant research and development, continues to supply customers with industry leading innovative technology. This allows users of Makita 18 V LXT Cordless Power Tools to capitalise on the benefits of the rapid charging system, which results in category leading battery charge times. In essence, the battery spends less time in the charger and extra time working for you. Both the DC18RC fast charger and the DC18RD two port multi fast charger produce unbeatable fast charging times. The chargers communicate with the individual cell in the battery with a built-in CPU that controls the current, voltage and temperature for both rapid and optimum charge. As a result of this charging method, batteries have a longer life and are charged in the best method and time frame. Charge times for the 18V LXT Range (charged from cold) are as follows: The above times do not apply to the 18 V G Series, only to the 18 V LXT Lithium-Ion battery range. There is also an option of purchasing an automotive charger which understandably has a longer bat- tery charging time but can be a valuable asset in your charging arsenal if you don’t have access to an electrical power point. There are currently around ninety Makita 18 V LXT cordless models available to the South African consumer, which include single and twin battery (18 + 18 V = 3 6V) models. The side-by-side twin bat- tery models provide cordless power which is on a par with the Makita’s corded models. Further, Makita cordless innovations include the high performance brushless dc motor that fea- tures in numerous models. Brushless tools have been engineered to provide longer run time, increased speed and power, and longer tool life. This is achieved by monitoring the changing application demands placed on the motor and regulating and adjusting the flow of current and delivering optimum energy output from the battery when needed. Makita 18 V Lithium-Ion batteries and the chargers are sold separately, allowing users to purchase additional Makita Cordless 18 V LXT tools to add to their ranges, and still utilise the existing 18 V Lithium-Ion battery platform. • Makita 1.5 Ah – 15 minutes • Makita 3.0 Ah – 22 minutes • Makita 5.0 Ah – 45 minutes • Makita 6.0 Ah – 55 minutes

EASY CRIMPING DUE TO OPTIMISED TRANSMISSION RATIO

T he Knipex 97 78 180 Crimping Pliers for end sleeves (ferrules) according to DIN 46228 parts 1 + 4 from 0.25 to 16 mm² are available locally through Garry Lumpe Imports. The pliers offer easy crimping because of an optimised transmission ratio, while the light and slim design of the special tool steel, forged, oil-hardened pliers (with a weight of 254 g and a length of 180 mm) offer improved lev- erage for 30 % easier crimping

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 878 2600

cal side surfaces for the firm crimping of sleeve and conductor.

The 97 78 180 performs crimping in marked half-round dies for reliable connections between the sleeve and the conductor with nine particu- larly deep half-round dies (crimp dies) with coni-

RELATIVE HUMIDITY PROBE HANDS CONTROL TO THE USER

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 396 4065

T he Michell HygroSmart HS3 advanced interchangeable relative humid- ity and temperature probe, available from Instrotech, is 100% config- urable, giving users maximum flexibility. It allows for alterations to RH measurements, to keep step with changes or developments in the process. Users can set the zero/span range, output signals and choose from five output parameters (including dew point). All these changes and settings are made on a PC via the application software. The unit can also be or- dered directly from Michell with the probes fully configured to individual specifications. The probe ensures zero process downtime by keeping maintenance to a minimum with an interchangeable sensor. When recalibration is due, the old HygroSmart HS3 sensor is simply exchanged for a new, freshly calibrated one. This procedure allows for the probe to remain installed, and takes only a few seconds to carry out. Using the replaceable sensor ensures that the HygroSmart HS3 probe has a low life-time cost, when compared to fully disposable probes. Alternatively, minor calibration ad- justments can easily be made on any installed HS3 probe, with a 5-point digital trim adjustment via the application software to ensure maximum accuracy without needing to replace the sensor. Designed for demanding industrial conditions, the HygroSmart HS3 probe features a solid corrosion-resistant body, 10 bar pressure sealing and IP67 pressure rating. In addition, it has an accuracy of 0.8% RH, making it among the most accurate and reliable RH probes on the market.

Enquiries: +27 (0)10 595 1831

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MARCH 2019

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

9

LIFETIME WARRANTY OF TOOLS

W arranties can be tricky to get one’s head around because of the terms and conditions under which they can fall. Lifetime warranties become near impossible to carry given the daily toll engineering workman- ship has on tools and instruments. HellermannTyton carries a Lifetime Warranty on most tools and selected instruments and the company’s Tools & Instruments Manager, Ryan Burger, discusses the conditions of the warranty. Which tools are covered under this warranty and why? RB: All tools carry a lifetime warranty, excluding hydraulic and battery operated tools, and gas operated tools. We are confident of the quality and workmanship of these tools. Which instruments are covered under this warranty and why? RB: The instruments listed in the table below have been used in the field for many years with very few issues regard- ing the quality or reliability of their designs. We are confident they will be good for the lifetime of the product, and trust our customers will see these as extra special and reliable products for life.

GET READY FOR ONE OF THE BIGGEST TRADE SHOWS OF THE YEAR P lans are in place to make this year’s Vermont Sales annual Open trade Day from 15-17 th March bigger and better than all past shows, with many new brands, products and product ranges, launches, demos and exciting introductory offers. Customers will see the latest innovative products from Festool, the exciting hand tool range from Tork Craft as well as the 12 V cordless oscillating power tool. Alpen Drills Austria will be launching the Force-X, and there will be new products from leading international brands such as Kreg, Bessey, Felo, Fixman, Olfa, Howard and Energizer. Brands will have their full ranges on display such as Multi Sharp, Rawlplug, Miles, Malco, Pony, ACCUD, Bondhus, Pro Tech, Drill Doctor, Wedgit and the world leader in the safest saws, SawStop. These will be demonstrated at the show and the stands will be manned by local and international experts. “There will also be a great range of new, innovative, instore display material, new shelving, POP and POS from all our suppliers,” says Ryan Hunt, Sales Director at Ver- mont Sales. “Highlights are the international guests and exciting demonstrations taking place over the three days, not to mention our normal introductory deals and special offers, which cannot be missed.” The show offers dealers the opportunity to grow ranges of products for the year ahead. Suppliers from Germany, America, Austria, Japan, Poland, Canada, China, the UK and Africa will be in attendance. This provides an opportunity to gain valuable insights in the market and pick up on world trends on tools and sales. The Vermont team will be laying it on for their customers with full food and refresh- ment service throughout the show days. RSVP at www.vsevents.co.za, click Open Day.

Multimeters

Insulation Testers PSC Loop Testers ELCB Testers

Phase Rotation

High Voltage Testers

T860 T887

THVD series T175HP

TEL28 T1812 TELE10L TEL11

T1825 T1826 T1126

T1132 T1832 T1151

TBM829 TBM811 TBM812

TBM811XEX TBM812XEX

TEL11OLED T1151OLED

Why would HellermannTyton offer a warranty of this magnitude? RB: HellermannTyton has many years of experience with long standing trusted products and their manufacturers. We want to share that relationship with our customers. Why would certain tools and instruments not be covered by this warranty? RB: The tools that are not covered require regular maintenance that falls outside HellermannTyton’s control. Instru- ments that only carry a limited warranty cannot be controlled in the way they are operated or used i.e. operator error or misuse may result in damage to the instrument. Under what conditions will the lifetime warranty not be covered? RB: This warranty does not cover batteries, fuses, or the neglect or misuse of products within abnormal conditions of operation, improper storage, damaged or altered, or the wear of consumable products. What constitutes misuse of the product? RB: When a product has been accidentally damaged, disassembled or stored, operated, altered, or not maintained outside of its intended use and operating instructions, it is considered misuse. If the product has been replaced before, can it be replaced again? RB: Yes, at HellermannTyton’s discretion and after investigation, the warranty of any replaced or repaired product will be reinstated and as new again. If the end-user sells the product to another end-user, is the lifetime warranty still valid? RB: The lifetime warranty is honoured to the invoice and sale from HellermannTyton. If proof of purchase from Hel- lermannTyton can be shown the warranty may be granted. Is there a difference between a warranty and a guarantee? RB: Yes, there is a subtle difference between the two. A warranty defined simply holds the manufacturer responsible to repair, replace a defective product or its parts under certain conditions for a period of time. A guarantee defined simply confirms that the product will perform in a specific matter regarding content, durability and quality of a product. It can be viewed as an after-sales performance promise, valid for a fixed time period. If the obligation is not fulfilled, the manufacturer will then either replace, repair or refund. Will the warranty cover software? RB: No. Because of the nature of software, it cannot be returned or warranted.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 314 7711

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 879 6600

OPEN DAY SHOWCASES COMPLETE SOLUTIONS

C omplete solutions for general industry, con- struction, mining and DIY applications are avail- able from Upat. Customers were given a fore- taste of the latest innovations to be introduced locally at an Open Day hosted at Upat’s Johannesburg head office in New Doornfontein. The benefit of being the local agent for Stabila meas- uring tools, Milwaukee power tools, and fischer fixings is that Upat provides a complete solution for any build- ing site. The core aim of the business is denoted by the acronym POFC (Position, Open, Fix and Close) – which is to help the construction and allied trades ‘Build the bigger picture’. “Upat prides itself on providing high-quality tools and products for every stage of a building project, thereby in- creasing productivity by acting as a single point of con- tact in terms of service support and technical back-up,” Managing Director Richard Kuhlmann explains. A highlight of the Open Day was a demonstration of the DuoPower nylon plug, the most technically-advanced anchoring system from fischer to date. Upat Technical Sales Director Kerry Kuhlmann put the high load strength of the latest technology to the test when he was sus-

pended from the ceiling solely by means of the 8 mm DuoPower plug. “It is important for us to educate our customers about the full advantages of the premium brands we distribute, as well as the fact that these brands enhance each other in the form of a complete solution. We also take this op- portunity to introduce new products to the local market, as this highlights the commitment of the global OEMs to ongoing innovation,” Kuhlmann concluded.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 624 6700

Upat Technical Sales Director Kerry Kuhlmann was suspended from the ceiling at the Open Day.

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MARCH 2019

ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND SUPPLY

10

COST SAVINGS THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY DATA MANAGEMENT SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC has announced enhance- ments to EcoStruxure™ Power, the digital energy management system built on market-leading connected products, edge control software and advisor services. The latest EcoStruxure Power 2.0 architecture is fully certified to ISO energy management standards and compliant with IEC cyber-security standards. New features make low and medium voltage power distribution simpler, safer, and farther reaching for building, industry, and data centre customers. Executive Vice President Building & IT Division. “As the market’s most comprehensive IoT and digital power management architecture, EcoStruxure Power’s frequent system releases continue to deliver more value from sensor-to-edge-to-cloud and improve our customer’s energy performance.” ated cost savings through comprehensive energy data management. Compliance IoT applications for electrical distribution and in- dustrial control systems require IEC cybersecu- rity compliance. EcoStruxure Power’s edge control solutions are leading the field in incorporating IEC 62443-4-2 security assurance. Schneider Electric promotes a holistic security approach to safeguard, assess, monitor and manage customer systems.

AN END-TO-END ENERGY CONDITION MONITORING SOLUTION W eidmuller has introduced a new port- folio of selected energy monitoring components for energy consumption measurement, monitoring and integrated quality analysis of electrical supply networks. Designed for large and small production facilities, Weidmul- ler’s modular and scalable solution provides ener- gy monitoring at all levels from grid connection to production lines and machines, down to individual machine modules. The product portfolio includes the Energy Logger D550, Energy Analysers Series and the Energy Meters Series, all fully integrated with Weidmuller’s ecoExplorer software for visuali- sation, analysis, and remote access and operation. The compact Energy Logger D550 offers a cost-effective solution to simplify and accelerate the collection and transmission of consumption and process data. Unlike devices with a simple S0-interface, Weidmuller’s Energy Logger D550 can collect and save impulse signals from up to 15 measurement devices and forward them via a LAN interface. In addition, Energy Logger D550 can forward measurement values from devices with a Modbus interface over the network. The integrated 32 MB memory ensures long-term measurement data storage. Weidmuller’s Energy Analysers provide comprehensive power quality measurements down to machine level. This includes measurements of consumption, harmonics, frequencies and short-term 230 V ac supply interruptions, as well as recording and storing transient data, all with a single 24 V dc powered device. The energy analysers have PLC functionality for comprehensive programming, and up to 256 MB of integrated flash memory for data storage. Weidmuller’s Energy Meters offer detailed measurement of energy consumption for production facilities. Many of the energy meters feature an integrated display for immediate access to the measurement data that include voltage, current, power and energy demand. Models 610, 750 and D650 feature flash memory for data storage. Weidmuller’s energy monitoring software applications, ecoExplorer and ecoExplorer go provide simple and convenient device configuration and real-time monitoring. ecoExplorer offers users the ability to record and analyse energy data and generate automated rises for MV & LV power systems. The solution is a safer, more cost-effective and reliable alternative to traditional IR thermography. Trends and alerts support predictive maintenance strategies. EcoStruxure Power’s event analysis tools make it easier than ever to get to the root cause faster through user-friendly interfaces. Simpler and deeper data analyses covering all devices and consolidated information improve power system operation reliability. In the new energy landscape, microgrids are critical for facilities with intensifying requirements for resilience, sustainability, and cost savings. The latest EcoStruxure Power architecture uses EcoStruxure Microgrid Operation to manage the network, the Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and the protection systems for increased microgrid stability and efficiency. Such facilities oversee their microgrid control with EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert and Power SCADA Operation in both islanded or normal operating mode. Enquiries: +27 (0)11 254 6400

Extension of ISO Certification The latest EcoStruxure Power architecture has obtained ISO50001, ISO50002 and ISO50006 certification making it the first comprehensive digital power management system to receive this internationally-recognised endorsement. Con- formity to these ISO standards supports custom- ers to use energy more efficiently, bringing associ-

“All businesses today are committing to improved efficiency and uptime, while reducing risks, such as electrical fires, by meeting the latest standards and regulations,” said Philippe Delorme,

EcoStruxure Power’s fully integrated sensor- to-edge-to-cloud solution prevents electrical fires by continuously monitoring temperature

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MARCH 2019