Sparks Electrical News March 2022

MARCH 2022

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

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ECA(SA) REMAINS COMMITTED TO ONLINE AND FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING IN 2022

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

T he ECA(SA)’s Technical Adviser, Anthony Schewitz, says the ECA re- mains committed to providing train- ing for electricians in the low to medium voltage industry. The courses are aimed at young electricians to guide them through the Installation Rules (Papers 1 and 2) and the more seasoned electrical contractor who wants to brush up on his or her skills or offer a new service such as solar PV or even MV switching services. SANS 10142 cover-to-cover course The ECA has some new and exciting ven- tures planned for 2022, such as the SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course, which is a ‘journey’ through the whole of SANS 10142- 1 (Ed 3) from cover to cover and will be held over 20 sessions of about two hours each, twice a month. Anthony Schewitz will co- present the course, which is targeted at both the licensed electrician who wants a deeper understanding of the code of practice and at students who would like to go through the entire code before writing exams. Installation Rules The Installation Rules Course has been split into two separate parts to better pre- pare the candidate for Papers 1 and 2. The course will be conducted by Johnny Cunniff

16: CoC Refresher course 18: SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course 23: CoC Theory course April 04: MV (ORHVS) course 05: MV (ORHVS) course/Construction Reg- ulations course 06: MV (ORHVS) course/Safety File course 07: MV (ORHVS) course 08: MV (ORHVS) course/SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course 20: CoC Theory course 22: SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course 25 – 26: PV Solar course May 05–06: Earthing,LightningandBondingcourse 12: CoC Refresher course 13: SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course 17: CoC Theory course 18 – 20: MIE Installation Rules course 23 – 27: MIE Unit Standards course 27: SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course

and offered in a ‘hybrid environment’ (online and face-to-face at the same time).

Master Installation Electrician students As more electricians are upskilling and working towards a Master Installation Electrician qualification, the ECA offers an MIE Installation Rules course and the MIE Unit Standards course to assist these students in furthering their knowledge and qualifications in the field. Online and face-to-face The courses will be both face-to-face and online although a few will remain as online only to reach electrical contractors across the country. Please watch the website for news on upcoming courses as well as ar- ticles in Wired that will give updates on the format of upcoming courses as the pandem- ic rules may change over time.

Here is the training calendar for 2022:

March 01 – 02: Installation Rules course (Paper 1) 04: SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course 07 – 08: Earthing, Lightning and Bonding course 09 – 11: Installation Rules course (Paper 2)

June 02 – 03: PV Solar course

10: SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course 20 – 22: Installation Rules course (Paper 1) 23: CoC Theory course 24: SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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Developing a quality culture across solar PV in South Africa

ECA(SA) REMAINS COMMITTED TO ONLINE AND FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING IN 2022 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

B y 2030, total installed PV capacity in South Africa is expected to reach 8 400 MW. However, if we want sustainable growth, we need to ensure that we develop and implement quality infrastructure for solar PV sys- tems. “Embedding a culture of quality is vital if we want to unlock the huge economic potential of solar technologies,” says Richard Doyle, Managing Director at Juwi Renewable Energies and speaker at the recent Solar Power Africa conference in Cape Town. Doyle moderated a session entitled “Minimise risk and enable quality assurance”, which outlined the steps already taken towards establishing and evolving a culture of quality excellence in the South African value chain. Doyle was joined by leading renewable energy experts David Raphael, Technical Director, SOLINK and Faure van Schalkwyk, Head of Solar PV Train- ing, SUNCybernetics who shared best practice as well as international learnings that should shape and influence South Africa’s solar sector. “When we talk about quality assurance, it isn’t just about enhancing solar technologies. It is how we improve the reliability of large solar PV systems over their productive lifetime. That is from design to installation, through operation and maintenance

and of course disposal of the system. By embed- ding quality and safety standards, we will see max- imum value delivered to the life of a solar plant. This will also reduce the risk for investors, policy makers and consumers,” says Doyle South Africa has seen a transition from the utility scale solar PV market towards the resi- dential, commercial and industrial (RCI) mar- ket segments. The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) estimates that more than 1200 MW of Small-Scale Embed- ded Generation (SSEG) solar PV projects have been installed across the RCI markets. Based on these estimations, there are some 160 000 pro- jects completed across South Africa. “The growth of the sector is of course to be welcomed, but with these additional projects coming on stream, it is of national importance that we ensure quality of installation, quality of connection and the quality of the energy output” “We need to ensure that all practical steps are taken to build a culture of quality that sees manu- facturers, installers and operators adhere to best practice and ensure safety and quality across the value chain,” Doyle adds

21 – 27: Master Installation Electrician MIE Rules course 23: SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course 29 – 30: PV Solar course October 07: SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course 17 – 21: MV Switching course 18: CoC Theory course 21: SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course 26 – 28: Installation Rules course (Paper 1) 31: Installation Rules course (Paper 2) November 01 – 02: Installation Rules (Paper 2) course 08: CoC Refresher course 10 – 11: Earthing, Lightning and Bonding course 14: SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course 22: CoC Theory course 28 – 29: PV Solar course 30: SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course Note: The the dates are provisional and should be confirmed with Leola Schroeder at the Highveld Regional office on +27 (0)10 271 0686. For more information about the training courses, contact Leola Petersen on +27 (0)10 271 0686 and cell phone chargers – for up to seven hours. To complement the Solarsmart Home ESS range, Creslow has introduced storage cabinets to store the battery system. These cabinets are available in 3, 4, 5 or 6-unit configuration. Creslow’s forklift industrial lithium batteries have integrated smart capabilities and are compatible with existing chargers, so there is no need to invest in spe- cific chargers or Smart chargers. The rapid charging capability means these batteries can be charged for short periods of time during working hours, typically during the lunch period and when the machine is not being used. This is an important advantage over con- ventional lead-acid batteries that require between six and eight hours to fully charge. Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium phosphate batter- ies do not contain any acid. There is therefore no risk of acid spills, which is major safety concern in industry. In addition, disposal of lead-acid batteries must be con- trolled, to ensure toxic elements are not released into the environment. Because lithium does not produce any heat or fumes, which is common with lead-acid, these batteries are recommended for warehouse en- vironments. All Creslow’s products are enhanced by a specially configured Battery Management System (BMS) that controls over charging, over utilisation and other criti- cal maintenance procedures, to significantly extend service life of the battery. Safety features Safety features include an automatic cut off when the battery is fully charged or depleted. Creslow’s lithium cells have a safe working temperature for suitability to cold storage and chill room environments. These units have a discharging temperature from -35⁰C to 65⁰C and a charging range from 0⁰C to 65⁰C. The Creslow team assesses market trends and in- troduces new products to meet specific demand. Au- tosmart, with all the benefits of Lithium technology, has recently been released for use in golf carts and caravans. Creslow Energy Solutions has engaged with part- ners in Europe to ensure the highest standards within international best practise for battery design. These clean energy products are available through- out the country from a network of specially selected distributors and are supported by the Creslow Energy Solutions team.

27 – 29: Installation Rules course (Paper 2) 30: Earthing, Lightning and Bonding course

July 01: Earthing, Lightning and Bonding course 06: CoC Refresher course 08: SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course 20: CoC Theory course 22: SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course August 04 – 05: Solar PV course 12: SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course 22 – 26: MV (ORHVS) course 24: CoC Theory course 26: SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course 29: Construction Regulations course 30: Safety File course

September 01 – 02: Earthing, Lightning and Bonding course 05 – 09: Master Installation Electrician Unit Standards course 09: SANS 10142-1 cover-to-cover course

Enquiries: www.solarpowerafrica.za.messefrankfurt.com

15: CoC Refresher course 20: CoC Theory course

Locally manufactured clean energy solutions Creslow Energy Solution s – a local manufacturer of clean energy storage systems– has recently been es- tablished in South Africa.

“By utilising the latest technology in our clean en- ergy storage products, we provide an environmentally friendly and sustainable solution for the safe and ef- ficient storage of renewable energy that can be used when required,” explains Kriban Govender, Managing Director, Creslow Energy Solutions. “Solar off-grid en- ergy systems are gaining popularity in South Africa, as a form of renewable energy that is clean, emission and noise-free, sustainable, safe and cost efficient. “The Creslow team is committed to the production of high-quality products, that meet stringent inter- national and local quality, safety and environmental specifications. We also strive to source locally manu- factured components and to enhance the creation of job opportunities and skills upliftment. “Our advanced battery systems have been devel- oped for use in businesses and households to optimise energy requirements and to ensure the continuity of operations during power outages. We have also devel- oped highly efficient industrial lithium batteries, specifi- cally for forklifts, golf carts and E-bikes. “Creslow’s clean energy storage systems operate in two ways – either as a battery backup system that works in conjunction with an inverter, or as an off-grid system that also requires an inverter and solar panels. In each case, it is critical that the system is installed by a certified technician. “Although our forklift battery systems provide up to 900 AM (Amp Hours) with 52 V (Volts) as stand- ard, these battery capacities are not limited. A critical advantage of Creslow’s solutions is that each battery can be customised to suit specific requirements. Our specialists, with a thorough understanding of distinct South African conditions, are geared for the develop- ment of energy storage solutions to suit local condi- tions and market requirements.” A range of options Creslow’s modular approach for the Home Energy Storage Systems (ESS) market range allows battery packs to be connected in parallel, which means any specific total capacity can be achieved. Market as- sessment indicates that for a typical large home to be off-grid, approximately 4 x 5 kWH battery packs are necessary. For backup systems required during load shedding, a single 5 KWH battery ensures the continuity of essen- tial services – including the fridge, TV, lighting, Wi-Fi

The Creslow Energy Solutions management team from left: JS Spies, Sales Director, Kriban Goven- der, Managing Director and Barney Van Rooyen, Engineering Director.

Enquiries: www.energysolution.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MARCH 2022

SPARKS DIGITAL

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How to become a smart home installer T he tide is changing. The term ‘smart home’ can be heard more and more frequently, and this is not just by people working within the electrotechnical industry. This shift is the result of consumers being confronted with products to turn their home into a smart home from all angles. There is a whole host of smart gadgets available for the house – smart thermostats, smart lights, smart TVs, smart kettles… the list goes on. In the last five years, the visibility and awareness of smart technol- ogy has increased dramatically but, unfortunately, the vast amount of information that is now flooding the Internet has not necessarily lead to a better understanding of what a smart home actually is. There are still many misconceptions, doubts, and even fears, about the benefits of smart technology. In this article, we aim to provide some clarity and explain how electricians and electrical contractors are perfectly placed to step into this emerging market to grow their business by offering smart home services. What is a smart home? Before we get stuck into why you should look at becoming a smart home installer, what customers want and what steps you ought to take, it’s best to create a common understanding about what a smart home actually is and what all these devices that carry the word ‘smart’ actually do. The Oxford dictionary defines a smart home as a “home equipped with lighting, heating, and electronic devices that can be controlled remotely by smartphone or computer.” It’s no wonder that such a loose definition leads to confusion and doubt about whether a smart home is really of benefit. For the pur- pose of this article we will define a smart home as a ‘home where tasks that a homeowner usually carries out manually are taken care of automatically through the intelligent use of technology.’ Think of autopilot mode in an airplane: it assists the pilot by taking care of many menial tasks automatically. We believe that a smart home should be the same, improving the quality of life for the homeowner without much interaction required. What do homeowners want? To set yourself up as a smart home installer and to be successful you don’t just need the technical skills, but also to know what your customers actu- ally want. It’s no good specialising in installing smart fridges that order the milk if nobody wants them, and believe us, they don’t! Recent consumer research revealed that 71 per cent of homeown- ers would sacrifice another feature in their home – such as a second bathroom or summer house – for smart home automation. Heating/ cooling, lighting and security are the top three key growth areas for the so-called digital homes market. A surprising result – given all the smart home gadgets that are targeted directly at the consumer and the DIY market – is that the report also revealed that 66 per cent of homeowners are looking for a professionally installed system. How can I get involved? Now that you know why you should become a smart home installer and what the public desires to have in their homes, let’s take a look at how you can set your business on course to ride the wave. Firstly, don’t be scared of something new or of not knowing all the answers. Smart homes are still new to most people and there are very few companies that already have all the skills required to jump straight into this market. Creating a smart home requires various skills and as you can see from the following pie chart, there are many ele- ments that contribute equally to a feature-rich, holistic smart home. Most companies that are becoming smart home installers come from one of these areas and are now branching out of their original area of expertise to offer smart home solutions that incorporate sev- eral of the above elements. This doesn’t mean that a company that used to install burglar alarms will now, as part of their smart home offering, start to install the plumbing for a heating system. You have to imagine the smart home solution to be more like a layer that sits on top of all the different areas. You can let the plumber do the pipework and commission the air con system, and only take control over the system once the plumbing is done. As an electrician or electrical contractor, you are in the perfect posi- tion to do so, since you already have a sound understanding of elec- trics. You can build on this foundation to learn new skills and expand

those aspects of a smart home you offer as you go along. You don’t need to know everything at once and you don’t need to be an expert at everything. Which leads us to the second point … Start small – finish big Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Over-promising and then not be- ing able to deliver is never good for business. If you’re newly getting into smart homes then start with what you know. If you are familiar with small electrics, then maybe start out by offering smart lighting systems, but ini- tially refrain from offering full AV streaming and multi-room audio, since these require advanced networking skills. Setting clear expectations with a customer and being able to meet or exceed these will set you on the right path. Since this is still a small industry it is important to make a good name for yourself and instil confidence in your clients. This will lead to more business and larger installations with more smart home features. At the same time, your own skills and confidence will continue to grow. Educate yourself and pick your tools As mentioned right at the start of this article, this industry is growing – and so is the amount of information and products out there. When starting out, this can be very overwhelming since every solution promises to be ‘the’ best thing ever. You cannot possibly know how to install every single system and it is thus important to pick which one(s) you want to work with and become an expert in them. To help you sift through the options, first decide which area of smart home automation you want to get started with. Is it lighting, heating or security, etc.? Next decide if this is all you ever want to do, or if – rather than looking at a dedicated solution for one aspect of smart homes – you prefer a solution that will grow with you and covers multiple aspects of a smart home. This should narrow down your list of possible manu- facturers and products. Then consider contacting the manufacturer to find out about their support for installers and the training that they offer. If a manufacturer does not offer the chance for you to see their products, or doesn’t provide technical support, a clear installers’ pro- gram or training, then we would advise to stay well clear of them since you will be left on your own when installing their products. Keep up to date with the industry – advise your client There are many off-the-shelf or DIY smart home products out there and it’s these products that are fuelling the industry. It is their products (Hive, Nest, Echo, etc.) that have probably sparked your client’s interest and they will likely look to you for answers. It is therefore important that, even if you do not install these products, you ensure that you are well informed about them, so that you can advise your clients appropriately. Urging your clients to keep an open mind about these trendy prod- ucts and explaining the limited functionality or lack of integration in contrast with a professional system will put you in good stead, likely resulting in larger jobs for your company. Following this information and pieces of advice will help you make a successful start as a smart home installer and make the most of the opportunities in a growing market.

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MARCH 2022

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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Zest WEG delivers its biggest mobile substation yet

How to protect electrical devices

L everaging its considerable in-house expertise and local manufacturing capability, Zest WEG recently custom designed and manufactured one of the largest mobile substations ever built in South Africa. The 50 MVA mobile substation – destined for Guinea – includes a dual voltage rated mobile trans- former produced by WEG in Brazil, according to Ber- nard Mitton, engineering team leader for integrated solutions at Zest WEG. The substation will be com- missioned early in 2022. “This is a full turnkey project procured by Robust- rade in Dubai for the Utility Company of Guinea, called Electricité De Guinée,” says Mitton. “Our in-house team co-ordinated the electrical, civil and mechanical designs, as well as the engineering solutions for the customer.” The full project includes three trailers of equipment, and allows the end-user to step down power from the main national grid at various geographic points as required. High voltage power is tapped from existing overhead line with a specifically designed and manu- factured tee-off solution connecting the supply into the mobile substation, where it is stepped down from 110 kV or 60 kV to 20 kV or 30 kV depending on requirements. “From the 50 MVA mobile substation, the supply is then distributed to a 30-20 kV mobile switching sta- tion, containing an incomer and five feeders,” he says. “Mini-substations can be fed directly, or a cable can feed to a junction box in the field, usually where there is an existing cable in the ground.” As part of the project, Zest WEG designed and sup- plied a cable reel trailer with all power and control ca- bling needed for the mobile transformer and mobile switching station. Included on this trailer are 30 kV field junction boxes to assist with the cable connection between exiting cables already installed and the sup- ply cables from the mobile switching station. These boxes allow for up to three feeder cable connections. The advantage of this design, he notes, is that the junction box becomes a termination point. The termi- nation ends of the on-site cable do not need to be re- done, and all that is necessary is a bolt-on connection. “This mobile substation solution is suitable for both temporary and permanent installations, so it can be used in a range of applications,” Mitton says. “For emergencies, it can replace an existing substation transformer in the event of failure, and for standby ap- plications it can handle temporary overloads at sub- stations.” It can also be put to use during routine mainte- nance, to manage the loads of existing substations The Sappi Skills Centre was officially opened in Feb- ruary 2018 by the CEO of Sappi Southern Africa Alex- ander Thiel. This training facility has seen more than 240 learners graduate from the various programmes which include basic electrical, carpentry, home mainte- nance and welding. Currently there are 61 learners in the Sappi Appren- tice Programme who are involved in various stages of phase training with 12 of these learners scheduled to complete their discipline-specific trade tests later this year. The Sappi Skills Centre will also be inducting a fur- ther 15 apprentices for the 2022 cohort, with 10 of these learners coming from Sappi’s flagship Pre-Apprentice Programme. The Sappi Skills Centre is resourced with experienced trainers in the fields of electrical, instrumentation and me- chanical engineering. In addition to the community train- ing, technical training is provided for apprentices, techni- cians-in-training, engineers-in-training and various skills development courses for employees across all Sappi KZN Mills. The skills centre is currently accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QTCO) as an Electrical Skills Development Provider (SDP).

during load shedding P ower utility Eskom has, since the start of the year, been implementing load shed- ding on a frequent basis. This is due to a shortage of generation capacity following the breakdown of two generators. Load shedding in- creases the risk of damage to compressors and motors, such as fridges and pool pumps, which adds unnecessary maintenance and replacement costs for already cash-strapped South Africans. Dr Andrew Joannou, Business Development Manager: Engineering & Innovation Technol- ogy at CBI-electric: low voltage says that volt- age instability before and after load shedding are among some of the harshest negative effects on our electrical grid. “This means that there may be voltage fluctuations that are either higher or lower than the standard voltage supply of 230 V ac.” He adds that these high and/or low voltages can damage appliances and the best way to pro- tect against this is to only allow voltage to the ap- pliance once it has stabalised. “With smart home automation devices, users can quickly and easily set a minimum and maximum ‘safe operating voltage range’ via an app. Hence, if the voltage is not stable, the smart device will police the volt- age levels and only allow power to the load (ap- pliance) when it is within a safe operating voltage range.” CBI-electric: low voltage, previously known as Circuit Breaker Industries or CBI, is located in Jo- hannesburg, South Africa. CBI-electric: low volt- age is a supplier of quality low voltage electrical distribution, protection and control equipment. The foundations of CBI were established in 1949 as a joint venture within the then Heinemann Electric Company in Trenton, New Jersey, USA. After a merger with Fuchs Electrical Industry dur- ing 1986, a new company called Circuit Breaker Industries (CBI) was created. CBI-electric: low voltage is fully owned by Reunert, which is listed on the JSE. Over the past 10 years CBI-electric: low voltage has established itself as a supplier of specialised precision protection products in niche markets around the world. Based on the success of this strategy, the majority of our production output is exported.

of components,” says Mitton. “The substation’s trans- former was specifically designed and manufactured by WEG in Brazil for mobile applications.” Other special features include bushings made of composite silicon rubber, as well as an advanced me- chanical and electrical safety interlock system. The modular design simplifies on-site installation, as all equipment has been pre-fabricated, pre-wired and pre-tested before shipping. “This enhances the reliability of the solution, which translates into high availability and less maintenance,” he says. “It also simplifies the transport, logistics and commissioning.” The order for the mobile sub-station was placed just before the Covid-19 lockdown in early 2020, so the project had to be managed under challenging condi- tions. The factory acceptance testing of key compo- nents, for instance, could not be done in person due to travel restrictions – so this was successfully done through virtual platforms across different time zones. “All in all, we embraced the new communication technologies and proved once again that we could deliver to customer requirements even under unprec- edented conditions,” Mitton says. “Being able to meet the stringent requirements of Electricité De Guinée, through close collaboration with the Robustrade team, ensured the project was a suc- cess, proving this solution suitable for use across the region,” he concludes.

being maintained, repaired or inspected. This mini- mises the delay in taking out the unit due to load and other system constraints. The mobile substation can even be used to provide power for large project sites or mining sites of high importance. He highlights that the design and construction of solutions for mobile applications, including mobile generators, is one of Zest WEG’s strengths. The ex- pertise and capability within the business allows these units to be custom-designed to suit customer require- ments. In fact, none of the mobile solutions provided to date have been identical. “We have acquired valuable experience from many years of designing, manufacturing and supplying mobile solutions in modular configurable designs – mainly for Africa and Latin America,” he says. “These are not off-the-shelf products, but are cus- tom-engineered solutions to technically comply with user’s specifications, integral requirements, the op- erational environment, logistical requirements and the safety of the operating personnel.” The mobile substation includes innovative design features such as the integration of several functions into a compact, modular design. New technologies such as hybrid circuit breakers have been employed, along with disconnectors, earthing switches, ring-type current transformers, inductive voltage transformers and surge arresters. “All the functionalities are included in a single pre- fabricated solution, while space requirements for switchgear bays are reduced through high integration Trevino Sunker, Skills Centre Manager, stated that he was humbled by the enthusiasm of the young learners who were given the opportunity to develop themselves. “We have a number of success stories of learners who walk through these doors, not knowing fully what to expect and through their drive and tenacity, they walk out with a skillset that they can use to find employment, become entrepreneurs or become part of the Pre-Ap- prentice Programme. The Sappi Skills Centre is driven to uplift and empower our employees and community with specific and specialised skills that will supply a work- force that is both competent, efficient, and employable for the country’s growing needs,” he added. Brian Andrew, Managing Director for RS Components SA said that the company appreciated the opportunity to assist Sappi in achieving their goal to upskill the youth of South Africa. “Initiatives like this fall in line with RS Components’ global vision of inspiring and empowering the next generation of technicians and engineers. There is always a demand for skilled artisans such as electri- cians, handyman and mechanics and with the training that Sappi provides the additional option of starting your own business. At RS we’re really proud to be involved in such an uplifting programme and we look forward to seeing more young people being trained and employed in South Africa.”

Enquiries: www.zestweg.com

Enquiries: www.cbi-lowvoltage.co.za

RS Components supports SAPPI with skills development S appi’s Skills Centre in KwaZulu-Natal has recently received a donation of much-needed equipment- ranging from tools, safety gear and electronics valued at over R60 000 from RS Components South Africa.

Enquiries: www.sappi.com/sappi-skills-centres

Recruits simulating electrical work.

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MARCH 2022

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

5

WORKING KNOWLEDGE WITH TERRY MACKENZIE HOY

Electric cars, and what they mean for electrical contractors U ntil now it’s all been fairly simple. Motor cars are run on internal combustion engines and have 12 V electrical systems. Various me-

number of urban South Africans who live in apart- ments or in the many areas where houses have no off-street parking. There is discussion of getting body corporates to supply charging positions to parking bays. Dream on. No, what will have to happen is the creation of ‘charging parks’ where you can ‘fast charge’ your car in 30 minutes or ‘slow charge’ it elsewhere. These charging stations will have to be able to de- liver very high currents and will have to be signed off and maintained by somebody. Thus, the same thing applies to charging stations; we don’t right now have enough artisans who can be trained to do this. I think that, candidly, for all the trumpets and balloons which herald the age of the electric car, it’s not going to shoot the lights out in South Africa. The prices (which, like those of cell phones, may fall) are too much right now. To drive 400 km and stop for an hour on the way is not really going to work. So, perhaps maintenance will never become an issue anyway . we’ll carry on as we have before.

sans in South Africa. Recent statistics indicate that the average age of artisans in South Africa is 55 years, while the num- ber of young people being trained to produce the next generation of artisans is only a fraction of what the country needs. And note, this is without the electric car requirements. A further difficulty is the number of young artisans emigrating. This totals about 90 000 in 2021 and will continue. The requirements to maintain an electric car are set by the manufacturers. If the maintenance is to go beyond diagnosis and replacement, then the electric car technician must have some verifiable skills. This means the OEM of the electric car must provide the training or alternatively provide a person with the nec- essary training. Inevitably this will mean that electric car maintenance will be costly. A further issue is that of charging the car. There is much mention of “charging at home” which sounds so convenient and cool but really won’t apply to the vast

maintenance is required. If the electric car breaks down it will be fixed by diagnosis and replacement – change the battery, inverter, variable speed drive, motor, fuses etc and off you go. However, this is still a job which will require some skill. The ques- tion is (a) do we have people with these skills? and (b) are there enough of them? The first question is easily answered; despite the complexity of electric cars, they are no more complex than many existing machineries found in the food processing, printing, manufacturing and other sectors. We have electri- cians and technicians who deal with the mainte- nance of these quite adequately. Batteries, inverters, variable speed drives, motors, fuses and so on are not new to South Africa and have been maintained very well for a number of years. The answer to (b) is … no, there are not enough people with the required skills to maintain electric cars. It has been noted by deputy secretary general of the ANC, Jessie Duarte, that there was shortfall of 40 000 qualified arti-

chanical specialists look after the mechanical bits and auto electricians look after the electrical bits. The maximum voltages are 12 V/24 V dc. This is not high enough to cause a fatal electrical shock (although the ignition system can give you a surprise). Thus, there are no regulations regarding the wiring of a motor vehicle. Auto electricians must be at least 18 years old, Graduate NQF Level 4 with Mathematics and Physical or Engineering Science, have complet- ed a one-year apprenticeship and have a national certificate proving completion of the relevant auto electrician course. Enter electric cars. These do have high voltages – of the order of 300/400 V ac. They have vari- able speed drives and very large batteries which can deliver very high currents of the order of 300 amps. Now it is quite obvious that, hopefully, little

Wear your safety protection! F ew of the trade professions has a higher likelihood for disaster or even death than the electrical trade. Any voltage from 50 V and up is con- sidered a risk. Wherever possible, switch off the electrical system be- fore any close work. Electricity is a very unforgiving friend of the electrician! Undertaking live electrical work is regarded as one of the most hazard- ous jobs of all. In fact, doing live line work requires limited active time so as to keep the mind in a clear state. Tired and worn out from excessive work, a single lapse in judgement could very easily be your last! Shoes Having a good quality shoe is very important, as the ground/earth is part of the electrical system in general. We do not readily identify with this aspect of the electrical supply system; it has the centre phase/neutral/earth common at the supply transformer. There are a few circuits that are required by legislation to have human protection added via an earth leakage device but not all are. Good shoes keep one stable while doing the task at hand, one slip and all may be over for good. Never be bare footed! Clothing Always have as much of your body as possible covered by a good quality fab- ric, preferably fire rated. Synthetic fibres are prone to melting onto your body causing extensive burns! Replace these at regular intervals as washing may reduce the fireproof claims. There is constant risk of flash burn if the circuit breakers trip, cause secondary flashover or insulation failure. This may not be so likely on small domestic or commercial panels but as these get larger as in factories/plants the risks get progressively greater. Electrical gloves There are suitable gloves for working at certain voltages but these should rather be a last resort fix as one does not exactly feel all that safe using them. Extended use tends to build up sweat which can be a problem too. If you do make use of these, safely store them away from sharp objects in your tool box. Replace at recommended intervals. Eye protection Having a good clean view of the task at hand is important but all live work must be done with suitable eye cover to prevent eye damage if there is a flashover. Flashovers are very quick to develop and the metal is rapidly va- porised and extremely hot. You need to ensure that this never comes into contact with your face or body without adequate cover. Flash suits There are many large industrial plants which have standing orders that no live substation/DB room may be entered without a full flash suit being worn by the operator. Persons without may only enter once the area is made safe. Discussions on why they have reached this step is usually because they have had some tragic event in their past and lost some staff. Plan Always plan exactly what you are going to do before starting live work, stay focused and you will be safe. Stop and replan if the task is not going to plan.

Pratley stands firm with international and local market growth S hipping and supply-chain issues have led to a global shortage of a range of items and commodities. “The world is shopping around at the moment, and we have seen fairly substantial inter- national interest in all of our products,” comments Pratley CEO Andrew Pratley, who was recently featured on CNN’s Marketplace Africa.

launched later in the year. We like to think of ourselves as a research and development company, and it certainly lies at the heart of what we do.” Well-known as a leading adhesive producer, Pratley’s electrical division is also a global leader in electrical termination equipment, particularly cable glands, junction boxes and related accessories for hazardous locations. “In keeping with our policy, the types of products that we produce tend to be unique and highly innovative, with features and benefits that out-perform others on the market. We invest a lot in research and development in this area, and have our own highly advanced in-house electrical testing laboratory and personnel,” ex- plains Andrew. Commenting on the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Andrew ac- knowledges that 2021 proved to be a tough time for most businesses. “Indeed, the difficult challenges that South African businesses face on a daily basis, especially from a regulatory point of view does not help, either. However, challenging times have proved to also be times of rapid innovation and opportunity. “In many cases, we have managed to dramatically streamline pro- cesses and improve product formulations or designs. We also have our incredible employees, who have contributed to our strong growth in adverse times. We are fortunate to be in a relatively strong posi- tion going into 2022, and we plan on being around for a long time to come,” concludes Andrew.

Exports showed significant growth for Pratley in 2021, with new dis- tributors appointed in Europe and the Middle East. “Companies that can offer quality, innovative products at good ex-store service levels will benefit from the fallout of the pandemic.” In this regard, Pratley has a policy of maintaining a 95% ex-store service level, which has contributed to its success in 2021. “We experienced a fairly good uptick in adhesive sales towards the end of 2020 that was sustained going into 2021. With many staying at home and working from home due to the lockdowns, a greater degree of attention has been given to DIY projects and repairs,” notes Andrew. Pratley continues to see strong growth from the automotive repair market, especially in the informal sector. “We work hard to build loyalty in this market, which has been using our products for many years. Customers trust the brand and believe in the reliability of our products. This sector will be one of our main marketing focus areas in 2022.” It was an eventful 2021 for the company, which also commissioned Africa’s most advanced perlite filter aid facility and launched Perco- lite® perlite filter aid for the food, beverage, and chemical industries. On the electrical side, it launched a new range of flameproof cable glands that make use of Pratley’s Taper-Tech® flame-seal technol- ogy. “We believe that these glands are game-changers in the market,” says Andrew. Pratley also completed the construction and commissioning of a new technologically-advanced adhesives packaging facility. This fol- lows a marked increase in domestic and export sales and gives room for future growth capacity. “We certainly see sustained growth for 2022, especially from our export markets,” notes Andrew. In addition, Pratley’s electrical division has some innovative prod- ucts in the pipeline that it expects to launch in the first half of this year. One, in particular, will be a world-first, reveals Andrew. “We are also looking at some exciting new adhesive and mineral products to be

Enquiries: www.pratley.com

By Kevin Flack

Flack has recently retired from industry and believes he still has valu- able in-depth knowledge of the South African electrical landscape due to wide experiences gained in his 45+ years working career. In these trying COVID-19 times, Flack can provide online training to keep your staff up to date on all aspects of circuit breaker deployment. Email kevin.flack@outlook.com

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MARCH 2022

TOOLS AND INSTRUMENTS

6

Keep safe with the MT310 Earth Leakage Tester

Fluke Calibration 9190A Ultra- Cool Field Metrology Well delivers best-in-class stability

protects the user against the fault and any potential harm. It is therefore imperative for contractors toensure theirworkmanship is up to standard and that the protective device is, in fact, in good working order. Apart from a good earth connection, a working ELCB or Earth Leakage unit is required by law to ensure the user’s safety. To ensure that this crucial part of the installation is working correctly, the contractor / registered person or any competent person to test it with a reliable Earth Leakage tester. Major Tech’s upgraded MT310 Earth Leakage Tester is a compact, lightweight, and easy to use socket polarity and earth leakage tester that tests 3-wire 230 V ac circuits and earth leakage circuit breakers. A unique feature in this new version of the tester is the ac Voltage indication on the LCD display. It also features an adjustable milli-amp (mA) trip setting with a separate test button. The unit can be set from 10 mA (used for testing saturation and to eliminate nuisance tripping) to 35 mA. The meter is supplied in a durable double injection moulded rubber housing, which protects it from the knocks and bangs of everyday use. The MT310 socket ELCB tester ensures the electrician of correct wiring in residential or industrial applications in accordance with SANS 10142. Additionally, the bright neon indication assists the user in confirming the wiring status of the circuit under test. Simply plug the MT310 into a wall socket and the results are clearly displayed. For additional user safety, the MT310 is rated CAT IV 300 V and CAT III 600 V. mode change lever that is located on the top of the motor housing has four setting options –the lock-on position for continuous chiselling applications; a trigger position for intermittent chiselling applications; a bit angle setting and then of course the rotation with hammering. A soft rubberised D-grip handle and side handle provides added comfort and greater control, while minimising hand fatigue and pain. It also reduces the level of vibration absorbed by the operator. The HR4013C has a red LED service light that indicates when to replace the carbon brushes. The HR2631F with anti vibration control The HR2631F Rotary Hammer is powered by an 800 W motor and produces speed and efficiency during drilling, chiselling and demoli- tion operations in concrete. The Anti Vibration technology built into this specific model will produce unrivalled lower levels of vibration. This is achieved by using active vibration absorbers and a damper spring that absorbs the reaction force caused by the drill bit at the moment of impact. Another great feature on the HR2631F is the rotation reversing system using a brush holder unit. The advantage of this system extends the life of the carbon brush by 2.7 times longer that the existing models, protecting the brush from dust and debris and providing the same speed and torque even in reverse. The one-touch sliding chuck allows for quick and easy bit changes. This three operation mode rotary hammer with its easy to operate operation mode change lever (located on the top of the gear housing) enables the user to switch between rotation and hammering modes and vice-versa without rotating the chuck. There are 40 different bit-angle settings that are adjustable without a chisel adaptor and then of course the rotation with hammering. The HR2631F has a LED job light that illuminates your work area. The Makita HR2631F and HR4013C, with their low level of vibration will make a substantial difference to both user and project alike, enhancing operator comfort and productivity. Enquiries: sales@major-tech.com

E lectrical equipment can pose a significant, even life-threaten- ing risk to people when mishandled, installed incorrectly or not maintained properly. Many electrical contractors are tasked with installations, repairs or modification of electrical systems, but fail to inspect their work according to SANS standards once completed. As specified in SANS 10142-1: 2020 section 5.2.3, “People, animals and property shall be protected against harmful earth fault currents by protective measures …” This safety standard is there to ensure that in the event of a fault, the protective device opens the circuit and T he HR4013C Rotary Hammer from Makita is powered by a 1100Wmotor and produces super speed and efficiency during drilling, chiselling and demolition operations in concrete. The Anti Vibration technology built into this specific model will produce unrivalled lower levels of vibration. This is achieved by using active vibration absorbers, and damper springs absorb the reaction force caused by the drill bit at the moment of impact. The level of vibration is further reduced by completely separating the machine holding section from the motor/transmission section. Therefore, when the machine moves the handle stays still, similar to how a shock absorber works on a motor vehicle. One of the extra features of the HR4013C is the soft no load function that reduces the vibration of the tool body when idling and accordingly decreases the amount of vibration to the operator’s hands. It also minimises the deflection of the bit tip when you begin to chip. The one-touch sliding chuck allows for quick and easy bit changes. Due to rotary hammers being used in rugged applications, Makita has focused on the safety aspects of both the operator and the tool. A torque limiter has been built in to ensure stable torque control that stops the rotation of the drill bit in case it hits against any reinforcing bars, thus preventing possible muscular injuries to the operator or damage to the tool. This 2-mode rotary hammer with its easy to operate operation

Comtest is offering the Fluke 9190A Ultra-Cool Field Metrology Well, a small, lightweight and accurate dry-block calibrator with best-in-class stability. The 9190A is ideal for pharmaceutical, biomedical and food processing applications that demand strict quality control and regulatory process compliance, including on-location validation and calibration of RTDs, thermocouples, thermometers, and other temperature sensors. The 9190A conforms to EURAMET cg-13 guidelines for best measurement practices for temperature dry-block calibrators. This ensures that the 9190A specifications for accuracy, stability, axial (vertical) uniformity, radial (well-to-well) uniformity, loading, and hysteresis have been thoroughly and carefully defined and tested. It has a wide temperature range (-95 to 140 degrees Celsius) to cover the coldest and warmest temperatures required in pharmaceutical, biomedical and food processing applications, operating at ultra-cold temperatures not typically available with a calibration bath. The 9190A uses no bath fluids, keeping clean rooms clean, making it easier to transport, and delivering faster heating/cooling rates. It offers best-in- class temperature stability (+/-0,015 degrees Celsius) for consistent, accurate results. The 9190A with ‘process’ option features 4 – 20 mA connectors, a reference thermometer input, 4-wire PRT/RTD input with an accuracy of +/- 0,02 degrees Celsius, and a reference sensor control to minimise the effects of the axial gradient when a reference PRT is aligned with short sensors.

Rotary hammer drills that combat vibration

Enquiries: sales@comtestco.za

Calog and Instrotech are moving

Enquiries: www.makita.co.za

Instrotech and Calog Instruments moved into Comtest House Group Headquarters in Linbro Park, Gauteng, at the end of January 2022. Instrotech distributes and manufactures a range of process control instrumentation and specialised systems to the South African and inter- national markets. Calog Instruments creates high quality process con- trol instrumentation and industrial electronics designed to control one or more system parameters, such as temperature, flow rate, weight or position. Pieter Deysel, Instrotech MD, says, “This move will equip Instrotech and Calog Instruments to better support and service our valued customers and suppliers. “We have enjoyed doing business with our loyal clients and appreciate their support. We look forward to welcoming clients, old and new, to our new premises,” Deysel added. All other contact details for both Instrotech and Calog remain the same.

Enquiries: sales@instrotech.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MARCH 2022