Sparks Electrical News May 2018

MAY 2018

www.sparkselectricalnewsmagazine.co.za

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

REGULARS: CONTRACTORS’ CORNER | BUYERS’ GUIDE | PEOPLE ON THE MOVE | FEATURES : DBs, SWITCHES, SOCKETS AND PROTECTION | ENERGY EFFICIENCY | LIGHTING

ACQUISITION OF CRABTREE

From left: Ralf Gerharz, Jim Currie, Collin Perumal, Steve Richardson, Marius Van Schoor, Henry Woodman and Jannie de Lange

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C rabtree South Africa (Pty) Ltd (a Division of Siemens) has con- cluded the purchase of the Crabtree business and its associat- ed Lesotho operations from Powertech Industries (Proprietary) Limited, a division of Allied Electronics Corporation Limited (Altron). The Crabtree business, originally established in 1947, named Crabtree South Africa (Pty) Ltd, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens (Pty) Ltd, with the day to day management of the business handled by Elec- trium Sales Ltd., a Siemens company. Up until 1989, the Crabtree South African business was part of Crabtree Electrical Industries Limited based in the UK, which now trades in the UK as part of Electrium Sales Ltd, in turn owned by Siemens since 2006. Crabtree is one of South Africa’s chief manufacturers of low voltage wiring accessories, cable systems and power cords and predominantly operates within the South Africa construction market, with some sales to the Sub Saharan Region. “What we have is a business that is really strong when it comes to its people, and their expertise and knowledge. It needs some key investments in new products and equipment to be able to put itself on the front foot in terms of offering a stronger product offering for the South African market,” said Steve Richardson, Integration Manager for the Crabtree acquisition. While business acquisitions often have a negative connotation, this merger is seen in a positive light, with Crabtree South Africa re- joining a larger group, with no plans for absorbtion into the larger group company. “We have already started to invest in the business, and will continue to do so. The main structure of the company will remain in place,” explained Jim Currie, Head of Operation from Electrium. “We will be relying on the experience of the local staff and management team, so there will not be a ‘revolution’, more of an evolution over a period of time.” “We plan to make the changeover as seamless as possible, and we

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH – RAJA MOUDGIL

THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY: AN EXCITING PLACE TO BE

Sparks: What drew you to the electrical industry? RM: There were two reasons. Firstly, it touches everyone’s lives on a daily basis, and secondly, it is an industry where you see new innovations every couple of years. One thing that is constant in the electrical industry is change, and when there is change there is a lot of learning that has to take place, which keeps you fresh. It’s a very exciting place to be. Sparks: What are the greatest changes you have seen over the past two decades since you entered the industry? RM: Major changes have been from a commercial side where it has gone from commodity-selling to solution-selling. Our aim is to make the lives of every human being better. Lighting impacts your health, affects your moods and impacts your business. In a restaurant, for example, if they use good lighting, it can attract more customers to the restaurant and improve business. In your home, the type of lighting you use in the evenings is important as it can help you sleep better. Sparks: What major projects are you currently working on? RM: We are currently working on a number of LED street light products where we are trying to change street lights from conventional lamps to LEDs so that they give a better quality of light at night. The light pillars come with sensors so they only turn on when needed, and when there is no traffic, the lights dim by 30%. When a light goes off or needs some repair, it automatically notifies the hub that the light has gone off. We are now in a very interesting space where we are trying to provide these solutions to the government bodies who are the key decision makers. We are also working on a couple of projects using connected lighting in various buildings using smart lighting which works through IoT (Internet of Things), where through an app or controller you can control the lights for an entire building; you can change colours, you can change levels, switch on and switch off lights at the touch of a button. There are a few important buildings which we are currently working on. We’ve also launched a product called ActiveSite – this product is the first ever cloud-hosted connected lighting systemfor remotelymonitoring, managing, and maintaining architectural LED lighting installations. ActiveSite protects your brand and lighting system investments by ensuring optimal lighting system performance. Sparks: Who has been your inspiration over your career? RM: There have been various people for whom I have worked throughout the organisation, and with the help of them I have been able to develop myself to reach this level. I can’t name one person but there have been

a lot of people who have played a key role in my learnings. Philips is known to nurture a lot of talent and we have produced a number of people who have been key pillars in the lighting industry. Sparks: With your experience, do you now find yourself mentoring others in the company? RM: One of my key objectives is to groommy successor and also build a strong succession pipeline at all the levels. So that is part of my job; to create more leaders for Philips.

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Raja Moudgil, Philips Lighting

RAJA MOUDGIL, Philips Lighting Country Leader for Southern Af- rica and Ghana, joined the company just before the turn of the mil- lennium, and after almost two decades growing the company in his native India, he has now embarked on a new challenge in South Africa where he is aiming to ensure that LEDs become a standard across the region. Sparks: Where were you educated? RM: I grew up in India where I did my Bachelor of Commerce and then an MBA in Marketing and Finance. I joined Philips in December of 1999 and have carried out various roles in the company; in sales, marketing, product development and commercial leadership roles. I was heading up consumer sales in India before taking this role. Sparks: What has your impression been of South Africa so far? RM: It is an amazing country with a very rich culture and a lot of diversity. There has been a huge amount of learning, interacting with different types of customers from the different, diverse cultures. There are huge growth opportunities in the region.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ACQUISITION OF CRABTREE BY SIEMENS

time, when sentiment in Southern Africa is on the up there is a new optimism in the respective markets,” said Richardson. “The South African market is a mature and competitive market, but with Crabtree’s local expertise and Siemens’ support we anticipate growth. We look forward to the challenge ahead and to a new lease of life for Crabtree, and for a renewed vigour in the housing market.” Jim Currie notes that the company is committed to local manufacturing, an aspect which sets it apart frommany of its competitors. The pair emphasised that the overall aim is to bolster Crabtree’s offering for its three core customers: “The wholesalers are going to see more products and inventory to support their businesses; the specifiers will have new products to meet the high specifications standards required; and for contractors, we aim to continue to be their default brand for quality and reliability.” Launch event To celebrate the union and the launch of Crabtree South Africa, the company hosted an event on April 20 at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg. Currie and Richardson

will be investing in new equipment and inventory which we hope will lead to an increased level of stability in the market,” confirmed Richardson. “We want to support our current route to market and recognise that it is the lifeblood of the business. We are going to add to the critical mass of local manufacturing. With the reduced levels of past investment in the business, the product range has not been refreshed for some time, something Electrium is keen to address.” Crabtree serves a broad range of construction customers through an excellent established electrical distributor network. Together with market access to African markets the acquisition provides Siemens with significant manufacturing know-how, with facilities in Wadeville and Lesotho. “It is really important we maintain the manufacturing capability within South Africa, and achieve critical volumes to warrant having the equipment,machinery and test labs available locally. By bringing in export volumes and the extra demand via the linkup with Electrium, we are securing the future of SADC manufacturing for the Crabtree brand,” said Richardson. “The acquisition has come at an opportune

Jim Currie and Steve Richardson

addressed attendees, made up of Siemens and Crabtree staff, customers and the media, where the future plans for the business were outlined. Magician, Colin Underwood, acted as master of ceremonies for the event, while the Ubumbano Cultural Group, a non-profit organisation which focuses on developing talent and skill amongst the youth of Katthorus, added a South African flavour to the event with their vibrant and colourful traditional dancing.

Enquiries: www.crabtree.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MAY 2018

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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25M LONG MCC PANEL FOR WATER TREATMENT PLANT

NEW PRODUCT SOLVES HEADACHE FOR ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

S witchboard Manufacturers Natal has com- pleted a 25m-long MCC panel for the ex- tension to Reeston Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape. The contract was awarded by S.A.M.E Water (Pty) Ltd, which has worked on projects such as Olivantsvlei and Bushkoppies WWTW. The panels were manu-

SCADA system. SM Natal has been manufacturing MCCs and MV panels in addition to its regular low voltage pan- els since 1997 and is fully equipped to handle low voltage projects of all sizes.

factured under the guidance of SM Natal’s direc- tors Shane O’reilly and Mark Rabie. SM Natal utilised Siemens equipment for the project and ensured that each motor starter was equipped with a Simicode Electronic Overload. Both the motor starters and the Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) were connected via Profinet to the PLC and

Enquiries: +27 (0)76 512 3912

C ontractors are often presented with a common problem during the installation of 4 x 4, 4 x 2 and round boxes. While the installation methods of round boxes may differ from those of 4 x 4 and 4 x 2 boxes, the prob- lem of debris, mortar and concrete getting into the conduits and boxes remains a daily struggle. This can, at times, lead to time wasted and/or lost man-hours on-site. Poly-Plug has a range of three different products to combat this issue, as well as downlighter plugs for ceiling installations. Poly-Plug has been designed to fit perfectly into each respective box in the ‘wet’ construction phase and can be removed at an electrician’s discretion, leaving his box perfectly clean and free of any mess, thus resulting in a clean, quick and efficient instal- lation. When boxes are being set in place by build- ing contractors, they are not always set at the same depth and the electrical contractor is not always on-site to manage this. Poly-Plugs are produced 600 mm in length to allow an electrical contractor to asses each box individually and cut the Poly-Plug to the correct length, allowing for reduced wastage. Once a wall has been plastered, the electrical contractor is able to remove the Poly-Plug with ease, using a screwdriver or any other sharp object, revealing a clean box of the correct shape and size. Poly-Plug, therefore, eliminates having to rely on a plasterer to provide an opening, of the correct re- quirements, for plugs or switches destined for each application. These boxes are sometimes completely hidden as a result of this process, as builders often refrain from leaving boxes protected or leaving box positions clearly marked. With regards round boxes set in concrete, traditionally, wet cardboard has been used to fill round boxes to prevent any debris from remaining in the box after plastering. This method has, time and time again, proven to be unreliable and time- consuming. Poly-Plug Round and Downlighter plugs are a quick and effective method of achieving an easily-workable space for a neat installation of round boxes and downlights. 4 x 4, 4 x 2, Round and Downlighter Poly-Plug products have been cleverly designed for easy in- stallation and a faster finishing process. No longer having to be concerned about blocked conduits, upon arrival on-site, will allow for quicker turna- rounds on jobs, while allowing for faster, profession- ally finished installations of plug points, downlight- ers and switches.

Enquiries: denim@excitedistribution.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MAY 2018

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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AFRICA IDEALLY POSITIONED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

W ith the commercial launch of more than 210 solutions and services in Johannes- burg in April, ABB is unlocking value for the African continent, enabling customers to take full benefit of accelerated growth helped by the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. ABB Ability™ creates powerful solutions and ser- vices that deliver opportunities to increase produc- tivity and cut costs in countries that could leapfrog outmoded western models of industrialisation and become true digital leaders. “Africa has an historic opportunity to accelerate growth and development and realise its full poten- tial with the emergence of new technologies,” said

grids are extending access to electricity. The micro- grids can be monitored and controlled remotely via an ABB Ability™ wireless network. Automation and robotics are driving productiv- ity increases in the industry that help businesses to be competitive in regional and global markets, while digital technologies are providing access to those technologies and markets. The Mogalakwena plati- nummine in the South-African province of Limpopo, for example, uses advanced remote diagnostic ser- vice (RDS) from ABB’s Centre of Expertise in Zurich. New technologies are improving transport links both within Africa and with the rest of the world, as well as making transport and infrastructure more sustainable and efficient. ABB Ability™ works by gathering and analysing data from customers’ operations and then applying to that data, the knowledge and expertise gained from ABB’s vast global installed base of 70 million connected devices and 70 000 control systems. “With the resulting intelligence, ABB’s customers not only optimise their operations, they can use the insights to develop new business models, for instance by usingdigital technologies toovercomedistance and operate across borders,” Chunyuan Gu concluded. INVESTMENT IN GENERATOR FLEET C onsistent and reliable electrical power sup- ply is an absolute necessity for the smooth functioning of all sectors of industry and modern society. Over the past few years in South Africa, there has, however, been growing uncertain- ty about the reliability of regular ac mains supply. This has seen the demand for so-called ‘prime’, or primary power rental, increasing. In addition, new developments in industry have also increased the demand for reliable prime power. However, equipment rental companies have to maintain a fine balance between having sufficient equipment available for rental, while ensuring optimal fleet utilisation. “Recently, we have experienced a substantial increase in the demand for our generators across the many sectors which we supply – including the events and film industry, petrochemical, power generation, general construction and many other sectors too. In order to address this demand, we have added 52 new Atlas Copco generators to our rental fleet, from 60 kVA right up to 500 kVA,” says Rand-Air’s Fleet Manager, Craig Swart. “The addition of 52 new generators is also a commitment to our customers to ensure that they have prime power available as and when they need it,” says Rand-Air Marketing and Communications Manager Byrone Thorne. Thorne explains that while Rand-Air does supply customers with generators for standby power – for example during power outages or emergencies – the company mainly supplies customers with ‘prime power’ or generators that will be used as a primary power source and not just for standby or backup power. In terms of new features, Rand-Air has introduced an updated controller so its generators are able to communicate and operate synergistically in parallel or in series. “We have invested considerably to ensure that we always provide our customers with the very latest in technology. This is particularly relevant to those with high amperage requirements: for example, running two 500 kVA in series to obtain a combined 1000 kVA output,” says Swart. “Features such as the updated controllers and generator-mounted DB also bear testimony to our continual investment in customising or modifying our equipment to better serve the needs of our customers,” Swart emphasises. Enquiries: www.abb.com

advantage of new technologies,” said Leon Viljoen, Managing Director of ABB South Africa. “Training and preparing the next generation of en- gineers is pivotal for the continent. That is why ABB has joined forces with the Wits University in Johan- nesburg and why we have a number of other pro- jects across the continent.” With ABB Ability™, businesses and entrepreneurs in Africa have the tools and the means to compete in global markets. By taking advantage of ABB Ability™, Africa will be able to build robust industries capable of competing with rivals in other parts of the globe. On the power side, renewables, high-voltage transmission technologies, digital grids and micro-

Chunyuan Gu, ABB’s President for the Region Asia, Middle East and Africa. “As a pioneering technology leader, serving utilities, industry and transport and infrastructure providers, ABB is the ideal partner to help customers in Africa realise the tremendous pro- ductivity and performance improvements that digi- talisation delivers.” Underlining Africa’s opportunities and ABB’s key role in unlocking value for its custom- ers through automation is the 40-percent rise in 2017 orders across all the divisions, sub-regions and channels. “Africa has the world’s most youthful population. This combined with improving economic fundamen- tals, places the continent in an ideal position to take

Enquiries: www.randair.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MAY 2018

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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WORKING KNOWLEDGE BY TERRY MACKENZIE HOY

VARIABLE SPEED DRIVES

L et me start by introducing myself as a first-time contributor to this widely read magazine. I have been an avid reader for the past three years and it is an honour to contribute to a magazine I have read, both in hard copy and soft copy. As an electrical inspector on electrical installations, I have had great exposure in understanding why so many people are electrocuted or injured because of unsafe installations. The greatest pain is realising that these victims could have paid for an experienced, knowledgeable contractor to carry out these repairs or installations. It has been a learning curve for me as well, because my own work has been critiqued, but at the end of the day, it all depends on how you handle that criticism. Do you take it negatively or do W hen I started work in my 20s, there was no real way of vary- ing the speed of an ac motor. It was not too difficult to vary the speed of a dc motor – you just adjusted the field voltage or the armature voltage or both. Ac motor speeds were difficult to adjust. The desirability of adjusting ac motor speeds was one of cost – dc motors were more expensive and had higher mainte- nance costs compared to ac motors. There were some smart ac motors which had variable speeds, notably the Schrage motor which is essentially a combination of wound rotor induction motor and frequency convertor. It was complex and expensive and is not used much today. In the 1980s, and more so in the 1990s, ac variable speed drives became available at a reasonable cost. These drives soon became available

and recover their hard-earned cash. Often, clients suffer the loss of having to pay a different contractor to rectify any faults they might encounter later on at their properties. I will, in future, include photographs of some of the installations which I have come across – without naming and shaming – to show how badly some of these properties with COCs have been wired. Lastly, let me remind clients that it is their right to demand proof of registration for a contractor with the Department of Labour to ensure that a contractor can carry out such work. Alternatively, the Department gives cards to accredited persons with that person’s registration number with the Department of Labour. With this in hand, a client can phone their nearest which target deployment in opera- tor alarm systems and have been de- signed for mounting on a control panel in a standard 22 mm panel cut out. The new IP69-rated XB5K range of buzzers is available in illuminated and non-illumi- nated options and in red or amber col- ours. The devices operate from a choice of voltages – 24 V or 120 V ac/ dc or 230 V ac – and offer dual alarm capabil- ity with sound or light systems that can harmonics are. So I will tell you – it is the representation of main power supply waveform distortion in the form of frequency spectrum components. Oh! I could bite my tongue! I’ve given away the secret... Power supply waveform distortion is not actually terribly serious. Experts will tell you that this can cause the power supply to computers to fail. If so, it has not been my experience. Nonetheless, this does not stop VSD suppliers selling to organisations harmonic filters which cost a lot of money and make a very loud and annoying noise. There are some uses of VSDs which are not so well known. One of these is to get a very large motor up to speed against a relatively weak supply. It’s like this; let’s say you want to get a 500 kW motor up to speed against a weak supply. You get a 20 kW VSD and hook it

purchasing a property, and voila, all hell breaks loose. You ask if a COC was issued prior to them moving in, and they gladly supply you with this, but as you go through what was done by the previous contractor and what is recorded on the compliance certificate, the details are glaringly different. Some of the original contractors are willing to engage after contacting them, but most of them are not reachable or they keep giving flimsy excuses. It is more difficult for those ‘contractors’ who are not even registered by the Department of Labour, as they fear the legal repercussions that may follow if clients exercise their legal right to sue. Many clients are not even aware that the COC is legally binding and is protected by law, meaning they can sue contractors for shoddy workmanship motor going half speed even if it wasn’t delivering rated power since its fan was not doing enough cooling. Thus you had to use bigger motors than you actually need. A further problem was that if a VSD was used to drive a motor driving a fan then, again, since fan airflow is proportional to the cube of fan speed, the VSD control was really only over the range of 95% to 100% of rated speed. Further problem: the VSD had to synchronise with themotor and themain supply – if there was a power dip the VSD would trip and shutdown – which is not the case for direct drive systems which just slow briefly and reaccelerate (the platinum mine, Lefko, near Brits, suffered this problem). Further problem: harmonics. Now it happens that a lot of people have heard the word ‘harmonics’ and many know this to be, um, bad, but not that many actually know what ing new blue and green caps for non-il- luminated functions, to deliver a highly contemporary appearance to machine control interfaces. The products are robust and offer a pleasant touch for operators, enhancing the perceived quality of machines and panels without significantly increasing costs. In addition to the XB5F range, Sch- neider Electric has also introduced a new series of illuminated buzzers,

you stand up and do something about it? Remember, some people criticise you to demoralise you, but always try and take the positives out of a situation and move on. I have also been called out to sites – which I would have not inspected at all – to issue compliance certificates because the property owner wants to sell the property and needs a certificate urgently for his or her property to be registered. This is so prevalent in the industry and more often than not, a lot of inspectors fall prey to this and end up issuing these certificates without carrying out the inspections. This is the danger our industry now faces in its day-to-day operations. It is then, after having problems at the property, that the new owners will call me in, barely a few months after in sizes of up to a few megawatts and were fairly inexpensive. The ac variable speed drives (VSDs) brought both convenience and problems: they were convenient since it became possible to change the speed of ventilation fans to suit requirements, without the use of energy inefficient mechanical dampers. It was also possible to control pumps to produce constant flow or constant pressure, and lift and elevator controls became simpler and easier to maintain. There were many applications where speed control assisted the optimisation of production lines and it became possible to accurately synchronise conveyer belt systems. On the other hand, since ac motors are fan cooled and since fan cooling is proportional to the cube of motor speed, it was possible to overheat a modernised design with no compromise on performance. Aimed at a wide selection of indus- trial applications including use in the chemical industry, food and beverage production, packaging industry, auto- motive industry and building automa- tion, Schneider Electric has focused on the robustness of the new XB5F range. The range has particularly been designed to meet the performance

up to the mains and the 500 kW motor terminals. You wire a bypass contactor across the VSD, then hit the ‘start’ button. The VSD will go into current limit and the 500 kW motor will start to turn. After about 15 seconds the VSD will trip. No worry. Push the reset and start again. The process of current limit and the 500 kW motor turning (now a bit faster) will recur. Keep at it until the 500 kW motor is at about 75% speed and close the bypass contactor. Voila! The motor will run up to speed. Do note that (a) this does work and that (b) it is not a process for the faint hearted...

ON THE GROUND WITH JONAS E MUKUPO

THE ISSUES ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS FACE

Department of Labour offices to confirm with them first before having their properties worked on by dodgy or unregistered contractors, saving them money, heartache, and sometimes, injuries or a life.

By Jonas E Mukupo, MJ Total Power Solutions (IE31227)

NEW FLUSH-MOUNT PUSHBUTTONS FOR MODERN CONTROL PANEL DESIGN

either be continuous or intermittent, de- pending on system wiring. This extension to the Harmony range fromSchneider Electric enables RS to offer themost comprehensive portfolio available globally of industrial pushbuttons, switches and pilot lights. The NewHarmony range of control-panel pushbuttons is now available from RS Components.

ELECTROCOMPONENTS has an- nounced availability of more than 150 new lines of flush-mount pushbuttons from the Harmony XB5F range from Schneider Electric. Designed for con- trol panels and targeting panel builders, machine builders and maintenance en- gineers, the new plastic range features a

Enquiries: za.rs-online.com

requirements of machines and electrical control panels in harsh environments and is compliant to IEC and UL international standards. Fea- turing IP ratings of IP66, IP67, IP69 and IP69K, and extend- ed temperature ranges from –40 to +70 °C, the range has also seen improved mechani- cal endurance and shock re- sistance characteristics. As well as offering in- creased performance across the Harmony range, the latest devices include an evolution in aesthetics with a redesign that offers a more mod- ern look and feel. The XB5F range is available in a plastic body version and comes in a vibrant colour palette, includ-

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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SPENDING ON SMART CITY TECHNOLOGIES IN AFRICA ON THE UP

S pending on the technologies that enable Smart City initiatives is forecast to reach $1.26 billion for Africa and Middle East region in 2018, according to the latest insights from International Data Corporation (IDC). In the first release of its Worldwide Semiannual Smart Cities Spend- ing Guide, the global technology research and consulting firm provides a detailed look at the technology investments associated with a range of Smart Citie's priorities and use cases. As these initiatives gain traction, IDC expects spending in MEA to accelerate over the 2016-2021 forecast period, reaching $2.30 billion in 2021. Cities across the region are implementing digital transformation initia- tives within urban ecosystems' financial and social outcomes. In IDC’s view, a Smart City begins to be developed whenmultiple smart initiatives are coordinated to leverage technology investments across an entire city, use common platforms to decrease service time/maintenance costs, share data across systems, and tie IT investments clearly to smart missions. Smart City programs are enabled by 3 rd Platform technologies, and emerging technologies are accelerated in the city ecosystem to deliver innovative solutions in very specific areas.

The strategic priorities in MEA that IDC believes will see the most spending in 2018 are sustainable planning and administration and in- telligent transportation. Intelligent traffic and transit, digital permitting, licensing and inspections, and Smart Cities platforms will be the region’s largest use cases in terms of spending in 2018, followed by in-car camera systems, smart kiosks, and fixed visual surveillance. The worldwide market for technologies enabling Smart Cities is ex- pected to grow at a five-year compound annual growth rate of 18.6% over the 2016-2021 period, and MEA is one of the regions that will see the fastest spending growth, with a CAGR of 21.2%. “2017 could be considered as the coming-of-age year for Smart Cities in the region,” said Jebin George, programme manager, IDC MEA. “The concept is being widely discussed and adopted in the region, early suc- cess stories are starting to emerge, almost all greenfield developments are incorporating smart technologies by default, and nations are develop- ing a common vision around the Smart City concept. The region is now getting into an exciting phase of the Smart City journey, characterised by wider adoption and faster growth.”

Enquiries: www.idc.com

REIPPP SIGNING A SYMBOL OF HOPE FOR SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS

ISOLATOR RANGE FROM EUROLUX

M inister Jeff Radebe’s signing of 27 outstanding Renewable En- ergy Independent Power Pur- chase Agreements on April 4 signifies the government’s commitment to economic growth and prosperity in South Africa. The outstanding Power Purchase Agreements formed part of the fourth round of REIPPP, South Africa’s world-renowned renewable energy procurement programme. “This signing has been a long time coming, and it’s a monumental moment for the South African renewable energy industry,” says Dr Chris Haw, Chairman of SOLA Future Energy, whose subsidiary company Aurora Power Solutions devel-

adoption will reduce the cost of electric- ity for households and businesses in the long run.” Renewable energy sources have a cheaper levelised cost of energy (LCOE) than coal and nuclear and their adoption shows the country’s commitment to in- ternational economic trends. The signing is expected to create at least 61 000 jobs over the next few years. Dr Haw explains that the signing also shows the government’s potential inter- est to move ahead with “Small Scale” IPP projects (SPP), a programme similar to the REIPPP but for smaller projects that contain a higher degree of local owner- ship. “The small IPP projects have huge potential to encourage eco- nomic growth. They have a sharp focus on BBBEE, local procurement, and local operation, which means that the economic spinoffs for lo- cal economies will be more pro- nounced per megawatt procured,” Dr Haw points out. S outh Africa’s new plug and socket standard, SANS 164-2 or ZA Plug, has become man- datory for new installations, the SABS has confirmed. This means that any new buildings erected must incorpo- rate electrical sockets that conform to the new standard. An amendment to the wiring code introduced in 2016 stated that the ZA Plug would become semi-mandatory for new installa- tions in March 2018. Each new plug point must have at least one socket that can accommodate a ZA Plug, it said. The amendment came into effect two months early, said the SABS, and from January 2018 all new installations must incorporate the ZA Plug. The ZA Plug has the same hex- agonal profile as the Europlug seen on cellphone chargers, but includes an earth pin. It is substantially more compact than South Africa’s three- prong plug standard, and has much Enquiries: www.solafuture.co.za

oped 170 mW worth of solar PV projects that are currently in preferred bidder sta- tus and have been awaiting execution. Since 2015, after three successful rounds of procurement, the programme has stalled despite significant capital in- vestment and job creation that had been created. However, the low cost, low carbon advantages of renewables have now been recognised by the South African govern- ment as critical to the country’s future. Dr Haw adds that this signing shows that the South African government is committed to the country’s economic de- velopment. “Renewables are cheaper and more sustainable forms of energy. Their

EUROLUX launched the new isolator range in mid-2017 to complement its existing range of electrical products. The iso- lators, which are used for air-conditioners, pumps and motors, are weather proof and carry an IP rating of 66. The isolators come in the following ranges: 1 pole, 2 pole, 3 pole and 4 pole.

Enquiries: www.eurolux.co.za

NEW SOUTH AFRICAN PLUG STANDARD IS MANDATORY FOR NEW INSTALLATIONS

thinner pins. Adoption of the standard has been slow, however. Gianfranco Campetti, the chairman of the working group that looks after the standard, said industry has been slow to respond and use the stand- ard in essential products. He said the appliance industry in particu- lar has been slow to provide goods with the new plug. The switch When the IEC first began develop- ment on IEC–906–1, which became IEC60906–1, it was trying to estab- lish a universal plug and socket sys- tem. Despite its efforts, commercial and political interests caused the standardisation initiative to fail in Eu- rope – and Brazil and South Africa are the only countries to have adopt- ed the 250 V standard. However, Bra- zil deviated from the standard by de- livering either 127 V or 220 V mains using the same socket.

Japan and the United States have plugs and sockets that are compatible with the IEC’s envi- sioned global standard for 125 V sockets. Talk of adopting the new standard locally began in South Af- rica in 1993, and a version of SANS 164–2 that dates back to 2006 is available online. According to the SABS, the ZA Plug appeared in South Africa’s wiring code (SANS 10142–1) during 2012. Old standard still legal Although it is now required to inte- grate sockets which comply with the ZA Plug standard in new buildings, the old standard remains legal. The wiring code amendment also does not affect existing buildings, including homes. It is therefore not currently necessary for South Africans to switch the electrical sockets in their homes.

Source: www.mybroadband.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MAY 2018

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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HOW US AND SA LIGHTNING DEATH STATS COMPARE L ast year, lightning deaths in the United States reached an all-time low in that coun- try’s recorded history. This is according to the American public has been made aware of the dangers of lightning and knowing when and where to find shelter.

“In contrast,South Africa has a disturbingly high number of lightning fatalities annually. While the average number of local annual lightning deaths is not always easy to estimate, due to such factors as the unrecorded deaths of homeless people and those who are killed by lightning and buried quickly due to cultural beliefs, the South African Weather Service has nonetheless estimated a figure of over 300 recorded deaths every year, while acknowledging that this figure could, in fact, be skewed higher. The fact that South Africa has some 300 actual annual recorded deaths, as verified by mortuaries, is a serious cause for concern.” Manas says that ELPA is determined to implement all programmes necessary, including educational, in its quest to become South Africa’s recognised National Professional Body for earthing and lightning protection, and make serious inroads into the improved protection of life and property. ELPA was officially established in June 2017, after two years of hard work by lightning protection industry experts from around the country, and is supported by various institutions such as Wits University, the Electrical Contractors Association of South Africa (ECA)

a year-end report published recently by the Na- tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which cited a total of 16 deaths across the US. This was seven fewer than the previous record low of 23 (2003) and significantly below the previous year’s total of 39 for 2016. Lightning fatalities in America first started being recorded in the 1940s. When lightning fatalities first started being recorded in America, the annual number of deaths reached as high as 432 in 1943. Following the institution of the American National Weather Service’s (NWS) Lightning Safety Campaign in 2001, about 55 lightning deaths occurred each year, based on the previous 10-year average. That death toll has now reportedly been cut in half, as the current 10-year average is 27 deaths per year. “When you consider the geographic size and population figures of the United States as a country, these latest figures are highly commendable,” says Trevor Manas, the national director of South Africa’s Earthing and Lightning Protection Association (ELPA). “The continuing trend in the drop in lightning fatalities figures in the United States is ascribed to an improved educational outreach and public awareness, as F inding the right software to perform that unique task can be a nightmare. Here are tried and trusted apps and systems for your business’s operations to get you going in the right direction. CRM – Customer Relations Management BluWave CRM – From R350 per user/month BluWave is a cloud-based customer relationship manage- ment tool that gives you complete views of your custom- ers. It includes tracking email conversations by customer, doing web based email marketing promotions and auto- matic import of CRM Software leads from the Internet straight into the Application. Find it here: www.bluwave. co.za/cloud-CRM-software Freshsales – From $19 per user/month Freshsales is the fourth addition in the Freshdesk prod- uct lineup, and a quality CRM designed for high-velocity teams to keep track of contacts while solving their inquir- ies. Satisfied sales teams describe it as the single contact management hub that helps them stay in control of thou- sands of leads, while still providing a simple and easy- to-navigate interface. Find it here: www.freshworks.com/ freshsales-crm Pipedrive – From $15 per user/month Pipedrive is a web-based Sales CRM and pipeline man- agement solution that enables businesses to plan their sales activities and monitor deals. Built using activity- based selling methodology, Pipedrive streamlines every action involved in converting a potential deal into a suc- cessful sale. Pipedrive provides sales team’s full visibility of different sales pipelines, as well as the progress through stages for each deal. Find it here: www.pipedrive.com Production and Time-Tracking Management Trello – From $12.50 per user/month Trello is an online kanban tool that helps teams collabo- rate and manage work. It’s a solid, flexible system, but it’s less powerful than traditional project management soft- ware. Find it here: www.trello.com BOSEnterprise – from R550 per multi-user li- cense/month BOSEnterprise is business software that is custom installed to help streamline and simplify complex op- erations, specifically in manufacturing and production. Built-in functionality includes production dashboard for real-time updates of production through its stages, time-tracker per user, per task, to accurately track costs, time, and productivity, plus a host of other valuable

Richard Evert, ELPA national director designate and Trevor Manas, ELPA incumbent national director

and the Department of Labour. In demonstrating its ongoing commitment to becoming the recognised National Professional Body for earthing and lightning protection, an ELPA delegation, including Manas and Richard Evert, recently attended the annual conference of United Lightning Protection Association (ULPA)/ LPI (Lightning Protection Institute) in Florida in the United States. “ULPA in theUnitedStates is now in its 82 nd year. It really was a great privilege for ELPA to be able

to attend this world-renowned body of lightning expertise and learn from those who have such a long official history within the lightning protection industry. Saying that, we shouldn’t underestimate the expertise that is present in South Africa, and the ground-breaking lightning research that has taken place in our country since the middle of the 20 th century,” concludes Manas.

Enquiries: www.elpasa.org.za

11 OF THE BEST APPS AND SOFTWARE FOR YOUR SME

business-centric functions – invoicing, management reports, financials and CRM. Find it here: www.quick- easysoftware.com/bos-enterprise/ Harvest – From $12 per user/month In addition to strong time tracking, Harvest boasts a beautiful interface and good customer service. However, the software has limited invoicing features and is unsuit- ed for product-based businesses. In addition, Harvest’s pric- ing plan can get expensive if you have multiple users, and the software’s expense tracking is far behind what other in- voicing programs offer. If you are a service-based business looking for strong time tracking, Harvest might be a good option for your business. Find it here: www.getharvest.com QuickBooks Pro is aimed at all business sizes, from small to medium, to growing businesses. QuickBooks Pro is the starter package, but is by no means an ‘entry level’ prod- uct. The Pro suite has everything you need to run a suc- cessful business. QuickBooks Pro has the ability to be up- graded to the more advanced versions as your company grows and needs more advanced options added. Find it here: www.quickbooks.co.za WorkflowMax – From $25/month WorkflowMax provides a cloud-based business solution for creative agencies, architects, engineers, surveyors, lawyers, IT companies, construction firms, consultants and anyone else who bills by time. Find it here: www.workflowmax.com Freshbooks – From $19.95/month FreshBooks is cloud based accounting designed exclu- sively for the self-employed. Automate tasks like invoic- ing, organising expenses, tracking your time and follow- ing up with clients in just a few clicks. Find it here: www. freshbooks.com ERP and MIS Software SAP Business One – For $1400 per user as a one- time cost, $410 per user/year for a subscription SAP is enterprise resource planning software developed by the German company SAP SE. SAP ERP incorporates the key business functions of an organisation. You can connect SAP ERP with SAP cloud solutions: Finance, Hu- man Resources, Sales, Marketing, Procurement. Find it here: www.sap.com SysPro – Cost subject to customer’s needs SysPro calls their ERP systems Business Process Man- Invoicing and Accounting QuickBooks Pro – From R4 500 once-off

changes to trigger actions. Enforce your qual- ity and inventory control processes. Create ac- curate estimates without human intervention. Process e-commerce orders based on busi- ness rules and your CRM data. Notify sales about stock issues. Notify customers about delivery status. Find it here: za.syspro.com

agement (BPM). Simplify your tax reporting. Produce financial disclosures. Pay bills. Cre- ate invoices. Create regulatory documenta- tion dynamically. Create an audit trail. Con- trol information access with tighter security. Automate orders based on demand triggers and out-of-stock alerts. Enable engineering

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MAY 2018

DBs, SWITCHES, SOCKETS AND PROTECTION

11

SAVE SPACE AND COSTS WITH THE WORLD’S FIRST CONTACTOR WITH INTEGRATED FAILSAFE CONNECTION

SAVE TIME AND SPACE Feed-in terminal for N busbars with Push-in connection

With the new PTI-16- NLS-FI feed-in terminals from Phoenix Contact, neutral busbars are con- tacted easily and without tools. The 3 x 10 mm busbar is mechanically secured by a locking tab. At the side, the busbar has a cover protecting it from touching.

U sers or specifiers of low voltage assemblies in the market today should understand that it is the responsibility of the assembly manufacturer to prove compliance and take full responsibility for the completed assembly. However, the user or specifier is required to have a basic understanding of the stand- ard, the concepts, the parameters and the verification methods to ensure that the proof of compliance presented by the assembly manufacturer is acceptaAble. Some of the main considerations: • Identifying and understanding the applicable standards. • Understanding the responsibility and the differences between the original manufacturer and the assembly manufacturer. • Categories of assemblies available on the South African market. Applicable standards Firstly, it should be clearly stated that there is a difference between standards currently applicable on the international market and those applicable on the South African market. Internationally, the IEC 60439 series of standards was officially withdrawn in October 2015, after running its mandatory five year transit period, and replaced with the IEC 61439 series of standards. The IEC 61439 series of standards is divided into various section and are all linked with IEC 61439-1 General Rules that are applica- ble to all the relevant sections: • IEC/TR 61439-0:2013 – Guidance to specifying assemblies • IEC 61439-1:2011 – General Rules • IEC 61439-2:2011 – Power switchgear and controlgear assemblies • IEC 61439-3:2012 – Distribution boards • IEC 61439-4:2012 – Assemblies for construction sites • IEC 61439-5:2014 – Assemblies for power distribution • IEC 61439-6:2012 – Busbar trunking systems • IEC 61439-7:2011 – Assemblies for specific applications such as Marinas, camping sites, market squares and vehi- cle charging stations In South Africa, the complete IEC 60439 and IEC 61439 series of documents have been issued as SANS documents and both series of documents are still available. However, in South Africa additional standards have been issued and are referred to in the Wiring Code SANS 10142-1:2017 Edition 2 Table 4.1.: • SANS 1973-1:2017 – Type tested assemblies with stated devia- tions and a rated short circuit withstand strength above 10 kA. • SANS 1973-3:2017 – Safety of assemblies with a prospective assemblies(MTA) with a rated short circuit current above 10 kA and a rated busbar current of up to and including 1600 A ac and dc. • SANS 1973-1 is a document based on IEC 60439-1 (not IEC 61439 series) with additional national deviations applicable to South Africa only – an assembly tested to IEC 60439 and/or IEC 61439 series does not comply with SANS 1973-1 unless these additional deviations have been addressed. • SANS 1973-3 is a stand-alone document that has no relation- T he size S6 to S12 range of tried and tested contactors from 55 to 250 kW (AC-3, 400 V) has been expanded by ver- sions suitable for direct control from fail-safe controllers. This makes the coupling level superfluous. The new contactors are also available with non-removable, lateral auxiliary switches to enable fulfilment of Swiss Accident Insurance Institute (SUVA) requirements. The new contactors constitute the logical extension and fur- ther development of the SIRIUS modular system in the area of safe switching. They are the first contactors on the market which are equipped with an input for fail-safe signals. It is now possible to attain SIL CL2 with just one contactor, or SIL 3 with two contactors in series according to IEC 62061. The big advantage of this solution is that it saves on ad- ditional, possibly positively-driven coupling relays and makes evaluation of the safety information considerably easier. This reduction in coupling relays is also a huge plus point for non-safety applications. Whereas previously space, money and wiring expertise were required in order to operate contactors with power ratings above 55 kW using controllers, both functional and safety switching can now take place by direct activation. Tools such as the Safety Evaluation Tool help you to quickly find the right contactor and safely configure your application. short circuit current of up to and including 10 kA. • SANS 1973-8:2017 – Safety of minimally tested

Cross sections up to 16 mm² can be connected with this feed-in terminal. The large-surface marking option provides for clarity in wiring. Thanks to the inte- grated end bracket and support bracket function, additional space is saved in the installation distributor. A 2.3 mm standard test point for easy testing is also included. The new feed-in terminals are compatible with the Phoenix Contact installation system.

The SIRIUS modular system helps to build safe applica- tions. The portfolio also includes a large number of other SIR- IUS Safety components which enable quick and easy setup of all your safety solutions: • Safety relays (SIRIUS 3SK1, 3SK2) • Accessories (Z connectors) • SIRIUS 3RM1 motor starters and ET 200SP motor starters • SIRIUS ACT command and signalling devices can be con- trolled by PROFINET and emergency stop.

Multi-level terminal blocks for building installation save space

The installation terminal blocks from Phoenix Contact impress with their low and compact design. Using them, building installations can be set up in a quick and space-saving way. The new UTI 6 multi-level terminal blocks are suit- able for conductors up to 10 mm².

Enquiries: +27 (0) 11 652 2000

IEC 61439: WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVING COMPLIANCE?

ship with any IEC standard and is applicable to South Africa only. • SANS 1973-8 is a document based on the concepts of IEC 60439 (not IEC 61439 series) and its very limited testing requirements are not related to IEC 60439-1 and are applicable to South Africa only – an assembly complying with this standard complies with no IEC standard. Original manufacturer and assembly manufacturer These definitions were introduced in the first edition of the IEC 61439 series of documents and have been included in the SANS 1973 series of documents since 2008. Original manufacturer: The organisation that has carried out the original design and the associated verification of an assembly in accordance with the rel- evant assembly standard. The following is the list of design verifi- cations that are normally carried out by the original manufacturer: • Strength of materials - (resistance to corrosion, properties of insulation materials, resistance to UV, lifting, mechanical impact and marking). • Degree of protection of enclosures (IP). • Creepage and clearance distances. • Protection against electric shock (continuity test and short circuit test on protective circuit). • Incorporation of switching devices. • Internal electrical circuits and connections. • Terminals for external conductors. • Dielectric properties. • Temperature rise limits (assembly, main and vertical distribution busbars as well as all functional units). • Short circuit withstand strength (main and vertical distribution busbar as well as conditional short circuit testing on all func- tional units). • Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). • Mechanical operation. Assembly manufacturer: It should be noted that the original manufacturer and the assembly manufacturer could be or will most likely be different organisations or maybe different departments within an organisation. It is the responsibility of the assembly manufacturer to establish whether the new assembly being offered contains any deviations from the verified design and associated testing performed by the original manufacturer. In other words, the assembly manufacturer is required to establish any deviations on every new assembly and in the process prove compliance to the relevant standard. The assembly manufacturer then be- comes the original manufacturer for those deviations and is required to prove compliance. Categories of assemblies In view of the responsibility of the assembly manufacturer, it is very important to identify the categories of assemblies being sold on the South African market as this will affect some or all the design veri-

Double function shafts on each level ensure a time-saving three-phase dis- tribution in the terminal strip. Every terminal point can be clearly marked and seen in every terminal block mounting position. All neutral conductor disconnect terminal blocks are fitted with a robust, screwless disconnect slide for easy and secure N disconnection. It latches in the end positions. The UTI installation terminal blocks with screw con- nection are compatible with the installation system of Phoenix Contact and have the same system features as the Clipline complete terminal block system. fications initially performed by the original manufacturer. The categories listed below assume that the selection of switchgear, the installation, and the wiring of the switchgear is completed in South Africa. The main assembly categories can be summarised as: • Assembly system that is designed, verified, manufactured and fully assembled in South Africa. • Assembly system that is designed, verified and manufactured ,in a foreign country and fully imported as loose parts and re-assembled locally but without any testing in South Africa. • Assembly designed, verified but partly manufactured in South Africa and in a foreign country and re-assembled locally but without any testing in South Africa. • Assembly designed, verified and manufactured in a foreign country and fully imported as loose parts and re-assembled locally but tested in South Africa. • Assembly designed, verified and partly manufactured in South Africa and in a foreign country and re-assembled locally but tested in South Africa. Conclusion The above summary provides users and specifiers an overview of the current applicable standards on low voltage assemblies, defining the responsibility of the original manufacturer as well as some main consideration in reviewing proof of compliance. Other considerations will be: • Understanding the parameters within each standard. • Implementation of the applicable standard. • Interpretations of test report. • Understanding and implementation of associated standards such as: 1. IEC/TR 61641: 2014: Guide for testing under conditions of arcing due to internal fault. 2. IEC/TR 60890:2014: A method of temperature rise verification of low voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies by calculation. 3. IEC 60865-1:2011: Short circuit currents – Definitions and calculation methods. 4. IEC/TR 80865-2:2015: Short circuit currents – Examples of calculations. SABELCOElectrical designs andmanufactures a full range of fully customisable, low voltage assembly solutions. These are supplied pre-assembled and pre- tested and comply with all local and international standards. Enquiries: www.phoenixcontact.com

Enquiries: info@sabelco.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MAY 2018