Sparks Electrical News November 2018

NOVEMBER 2018

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

www.sparkselectricalnewsmagazine.co.za

REGULARS: CONTRACTORS’ CORNER | BUYERS' GUIDE : STANDBY AND EMERGENCY POWER | FEATURES : CABLES AND CABLE ACCESSORIES | STANDBY AND EMERGENCY POWER | LIGHTING

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR TOPS ESKOM ACADEMY CLASS

University of Limpopo Vice Chancellor, Professor Mokgalong; Nompilo Vilakazi; and Eskom Development Foundation Chairman, Chose Choeu.

N ompilo Vilakazi, owner of Sibani Holdings, is the highest achiever in the 2018 Eskom Contractor Academy. With an average of 89%, Vilakazi topped the class, which had a total of 176 graduates, all of whom were either Eskom contractors or suppliers, or entrepreneurs who had participated in other Eskom initiatives. Among other things, Vilakazi’s company undertakes electrical connections, MV/LV line construction, pole changing/installations, electrical maintenance, and safety campaigns. The company is based in Hillcrest, near Ethekwini and mainly services Eskom across KwaZulu-Natal. Twenty eight year old Vilakazi started the company in 2014 and also uses it to promote one of her biggest passions, youth development and empowerment. Currently studying towards her Business Management degree at Mancosa, the ambitious Vilakazi knows the importance of empowering herself first before she can help other young people by motivating and creating jobs for them. She says the Contractor Academy helped enrich and broaden her knowledge. “I’m happy to be the best student in my class but more than anything else, I hope this excellence can spill into my business. As a young entrepreneur running a small business, I need to be able to plan the execution of my projects well and also know my way around the project and financial management side of things. The course really helped in reminding me how important that is, and it is going to help me grow the business.” The eight month academy is one of the Eskom Development Foun- dation’s key initiatives and part of the organisation’s commitment to en- terprise development, skills development, job creation and poverty al- leviation. The academy upskills people in projects, people and financial management, business sustainability, Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ), supply chain management, legislation and technical acumen, all of which form part of the modules. Eskom Development Foundation CEO, Cecil Ramonotsi, says the academy is an integral part of Eskom’s corporate social investment programme as it seeks to enhance quality of life of South Africans. “Many small and medium enterprises have benefitted as a result of their owners getting training from the academy, and some have even gone on to successfully secure contracts with Eskom. Since 2010, 645 contracts worth over R3 billion have been awarded to stu- dents/graduates of the academy. By equipping entrepreneurs such as Nompilo with the skills they need to build sustainable businesses, we believe that the country can begin to address some of its challenges,” says Ramonotsi.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Eskom Development Foundation Chairman Chose Choeu said through initiatives such as the Contractor Acade- my, Eskomwould help find solutions to the country’s challenges of poverty and unemployment. “This training will help the entrepreneurs and their businesses not only to improve their communities but also the South African economy as a whole,” said Choeu.

Enquiries: www.eskom.co.za

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PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH –MARCEL KELLY

KEEPING IT SIMPLE

complex issues on site.

Sparks: What is your favourite quote? MK: “Get busy living, or get busy dying,” Steven King.

Sparks: Name three things on your ‘bucket list’. MK: I would like to visit Disney World in the USA, go surf the pipe in Hawaii, and go on a beach holiday in Thailand.

Enquiries: www.woodbeam.co.za

Marcel Kelly

W ith over two decades in the industry, Marcel Kelly, Sales Engineer at Woodbeam, a local company delivering substation protection,metering,auxiliary relaying,SCADA,and automation and Ethernet networking systems and solutions, still enjoys working in the evolving, dynamic environment that is the electrical industry.

MK: Martin Bell at SPDL; the gravity he brings to a meeting and/or presentation is really impressive.

Sparks: What, to your mind, is one of the biggest challenges facing the industry at this time? MK: With advances in the complexity of devices, comes the greater need for specialists and skills.

Sparks: Where were you educated? MK: I studied at Cape Technicon.

Sparks: What do you enjoy most about your job? MK: Meeting lots of different people with vastly differing needs.

Sparks: How long have you been involved in the electrical industry? MK: I have worked in the industry for 22 years.

Sparks: How do you motivate your staff? MK: I motivate staff with a fairly complex incentive scheme, and by assisting wherever I can. Sparks: If you could ‘do it all again’, would you change anything? If so, what would that be? MK: I would have become a dentist. They charge like wounded buffalos! Sparks: Would you advise a person leaving school to enter the electrical industry? MK: I would, mainly because it is a fast changing and forever evolving dynamic environment in which to work. Sparks: What is your advice to electrical contractors and/or electrical engineers? MK: Keep it simple, I prefer to go home and sleep at night, not solving

Sparks: When and where did you start your career? MK: I started in 1996 at what was then Nampak Mono Containers in Cape Town. Sparks: What are the greatest changes you have seen over the years? MK: The biggest change for me has been the transfer from analogue to digital technology. Sparks: What major projects have you worked on and what is your greatest accomplishment? MK: Quite a few, most notable include the Transnet signals infrastructure upgrades and PRASA traction.

Sparks: Who has been your inspiration or have you had a mentor who has influenced your career?

TALKING ELECTRICITY WITH ANDREW LUKE DAPSHIS

UPDATING TO BECOME OUTDATED F or many years now companies have been depending on PLCs, IPCs and PACs to improve production lines in every facet

Group coined the term Programmable Automa- tion Controller. A PAC combines the capabilities of an IPC with a PLC, in essence, two or more processor-based devices linked together to auto- mate control over multiple pieces of equipment. There is no IPC, PLC or PAC that does not basi- cally perform the same function – control. It all depends on what is required by the customer or installation. More memory, more function, better speed or better price; all these factors and more determine which is best for the required opera- tion. Since the 1960s we have progressed to the point where one controller can multitask across numerous machineries. As future generations of mechatronic engineers, specialist electricians and robotic programmers try to find quicker, cheaper and faster ways to produce, there will always be a next model, another programming language or an additional electrical device to stun and amaze. To think for a second that we have reached the pinnacle of progress is ludicrous. We still have much to improve and many more updates to come our way.

relay-based systems. By the end of the 1980s it had been continuously adapted as remote (single processor controlling Inputs/Outputs) and distributed (multiple processors controlling Inputs/Outputs) inputs and outputs became the norm as technical staff moved to more control- lable, dependable solutions to their automation requirements. The limitations of PLCs became obvious once it was possible to program them via a personal computer. This lead to the birth of the IPC (Indus- trial Personal Computer), which was supposed to ‘take over’ the industry in the 1990s but wasn’t adaptable enough to make the impact expected. The IPC is built to handle hazardous environ- ments, high temperatures, etc. Much higher in cost than normal personal computers because of the specialised hardware required – and its sometimes compact size – it was not, in its early days, seen as a necessity by most of industry. Yet, as time progressed and new advancements were made, it become more cost- and user-friendly. Come 2001, a company called Arc Advisory

of manufacturing, from cars and computers to loaves of bread. Everything has turned to auto- mation and robotics, advancing the process and putting more faith in machinery than in human counterparts. Recently, one of the major players in automa- tion released its latest IPC range with a claim that it would never need updating and would be able to cover all a company could possibly need for its automation requirements. This statement goes against everything we have seen in our quest to find an as close to per- fect solution as we can to streamlining manufac- turing via robotics and automation. But, before we get into the pointless argument of which is best, let’s get to know the contestants a bit better. As the pioneer controller in the automation in- dustry, the programmable logic controller (PLC) is most well-known. It has been around since the end of the 1960s and was introduced to replace

NOVEMBER 2018 SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE MOTOR PROTECTION E lectronic Motor Protection relays are designed for motor applications where efficiency and reliability are essential. From simple or basic on the motor’s thermal characteristics under loaded motor operation, phase failure due to a short or con- tact failure, motor slowdown due to load, damage when the motor locks or even motor reversal due to incorrect motor wiring possibly during an installation or replacement.

The Hyundai HGMP N60I Series Electronic Mo- tor Protection Relay from MCE Electric provides operational reliability with real-time super-fast data processing based on a 32-bit ARM core chipset. It also utilises Rogowski current transformers that easily surpass conventional CTs providing the high precision measurements required to better protect electric motors. The N60I will ultimately provide maximum motor runtime under any load. The N60I has multiple protection relay func- tions complete with overload warnings and a real-time load rate display. The trip history log and intuitive display allow users to ana- lyse, breakdown and effectively troubleshoot

protection to advanced motor protection applica- tions, they use dedicated functions and communica- tion to manage motors more effectively. Electronic Motor Protection Relays replace old legacy thermal overload protection units. Electric motor faults occur on a daily basis and Electronic Motor Protection Relays efficiently pre- vent motor burnouts, saving on costly repairs and replacements, and preventing expensive downtime. We can summarise the relay’s functionality by saying it provides protection from overload damage based

What you need is sensitive built-in current detec- tion that allows for immediate recognition of phase loss and identification of the trip cause, allowing you to take action to eliminate the fault quickly and ef- fectively even if the motor is running at low loads. Electronic Motor Protection Relays are superior, uti- lising real-time precision monitoring and data pro- cessing at high speed.

problems as they arise. The cumulative operating time counter allows you to effectively plan your mo- tor maintenance schedule and, as we all know, good maintenance is key to operational reliability. What if the earth leakage becomes damaged or there is some other kind of ground fault? The Hyun- dai N60I will react within 50 msec tripping the motor instantaneously. You can also set a delay time for a particular motor’s start-up requirements by setting overcurrent protection based on a hot or cold curve. Cold being defined as a period of operation after a period of inactivity and hot after sufficient heat has been applied to the motor for a sustained period. With the Hyundai N60I you can also perform a live relay test check that does not loose energy to the circuit. The N60I’s reset functionality also al- lows you to perform a manual reset, electrical re- set or automatic reset using the built-in timer. The N60I is a separated unit comprising the main unit and display unit. The main unit can be set to rail mount or screw type to suit the panel environment. The separate display unit can be in- stalled on the front of the panel for easy monitor- ing and unit programming. The Hyundai N60I Electronic Motor Control Protection Relay from MCE Electric delivers supe- rior current reliability, measurement data and mo- tor protection. Mark Wilson, who has served as Chairman of ACTOM since 2008, resigned from this posi- tion at the end of August 2018 for personal rea- sons. In announcing Wilson’s resignation, Group CEO Mervyn Naidoo said Andries Mthethwa, the group’s Deputy Chairman, will serve as Acting Chairman until Wilson’s successor is appointed. Wilson will continue to serve as a strategic advi- sor to ACTOM’s senior management and remains involved as a shareholder. Paying tribute to Wilson’s legacy as Group CEO and Chairman, Naidoo said: “Mark was instrumental in the creation of ACTOM in its present form. It remains an absolutely phe- nomenal business, despite the prevailing challenging economic environment. The en- trepreneurial culture and management phi- losophy that has been developed in ACTOM is unique in South Africa, and is a model that has achieved superb outcomes for all stakeholders over the years. “Mark has nurtured and developed many Divisional CEOs in the group, including myself, during his tenure,” he added. ACTOM’s turnover increased by 664% un- der Wilson’s leadership since his appointment as Group CEO 22 years ago. The Group has diversified and expanded significantly through a series of strategic acquisitions of local groups and businesses operating in allied fields, as well as through substantial expansion of the group’s existing production, repair, project management, and maintenance and service operations. Dur- ing that time it also became a majority South African owned group, with black empowerment stakeholders acquiring a substantial shareholding, which today stands at 51,3%. MARK WILSON RESIGNS AS CHAIRMAN OF ACTOM Enquiries: www.mce.co.za

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 820-5094

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

NOVEMBER 2018

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INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS KEY TO GROWING AFRICA’S POWER GENERATION

A s African countries work to develop their power generation capacity in the most cost effective ways, the key will be to find inte- grated solutions that attract investment throughout the value chain. According to Alastair Gerrard, Integrated Solutions Executive at Zest WEG Group, the energy sector on the continent is seeing a growing number of power- related projects funded by recognised lenders and financiers. The African Development Bank, for ex- ample, has committed to fund $12billion for energy development in Africa over the next five years. “Energy investment needs to target the whole value chain, including local content and supplier

A complete integrated 12,5 mW continuous diesel power generation plant in Mozambique, designed for harsh operating conditions associated with graphite mining.

development as well as local skills development and the building of manufacturing capabilities,” says Gerrard. “This focus will lead to improved skill levels and more self-sustainable economies, which can contribute towards the projected return- on-investment in the projects themselves; the ap- proach will also promote further investment on the continent.” He emphasised that project developers in the public and private sector therefore need to partner with companies that understand these require- ments and have the capability to provide cost ef- fective and reliable power generation solutions. “At Zest WEG Group, we are acutely aware of the needs, challenges and dynamics of the African continent,” he says. “We are continuously looking at new and innovative ways to contribute towards the stimulation of investment in all markets, in- cluding the power generation sector.” Such innovation is particularly important in an environment where electrical infrastructure is not always available or well-maintained. These fac- tors often preclude the development of large scale power generation projects. The energy opportuni- ties that are presented therefore require extensive analysis, in which the needs must be clearly un- derstood, and all constraints and challenges un- packed before the most appropriate technologies are selected. “In this context, solutions must be carefully customised to suit the need, and may require a combination of different resources to fuel a power plant, making up a hybrid power generation solu- tion such as diesel combined with solar,” he says. “These hybrid systems then need to be supported by the right electrical infrastructure.” As specialists in integrated energy solutions, the Zest WEG Group can meet these requirements through the products it supplies, the equipment it manufactures and the services it provides. A recent project was to provide a 12,5 mW con- tinuous power diesel generation facility – to be po- tentially expanded to 20 mW – to a graphite mine in Mozambique. The complete integrated solution included containerised power generators, an ‘elec- trical house’ (E-house) with medium voltage board and control room, with generator synchronisation and plant control system. Also provided were all the supporting ancillary systems including the fuel and oil systems, the cooling system, and the air fil- tration and pressurisation system. “The majority of the main power plant equip- ment was sourced within the Zest WEG Group,” says Gerrard, “while the plant installation was also conducted by our construction company within the group.” Gerrard highlighted the group’s cutting-edge technology and a strong portfolio of skills and ex- perience as a basis from which to provide custom- engineered and fit-for-purpose solutions. “With 38 years of experience in Africa, we have a team of qualified experts dedicated to the development of the business on the continent,” he says. “Our footprint is a testament to our commitment. Apart from our head office and manufacturing facilities in South Africa, we have a fully-fledged branch in Ghana, registered entities in several African coun- tries and a wide network of distributors and agents across Africa.”

Enquiries: www.zestweg.com

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

NOVEMBER 2018

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ABB AND NOBEL MEDIA ANNOUNCE INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP

WHEN IT COMES TO INNOVATION, THINK OUTSIDE THE BOXER

spire the next generation of extraordinary pioneers. We look forward to working closely with Nobel and to involving our customers, employees and commu- nities around the world in this exciting endeavour.” “The Nobel Prize stands for the power of ideas and the making of a better world through knowledge and science. Committing to these values is more impor- tant than ever, a responsibility we share with ABB,” said Mattias Fyrenius, Chief Executive Officer of Nobel Me- dia. “In order to handle our time’s greatest challenges, strengthening the ties between the business commu- nity, policy makers and academia is key, which makes me proud to announce the partnership with ABB.”

ous general public around the world. The ABB-Nobel Media partnership aims to share knowledge broadly, inspire people to engage in science and shed light on our time’s greatest challenges. As a pioneering technology leader, ABB will bring deep scientific and innovation experience and commitment into the partnership. ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer commented, “We are delighted to become a Nobel International Part- ner to celebrate the visionaries who are shaping the world and writing the future. Nobel and ABB share a deep commitment to innovation and the power of ideas, and we are inspired by this opportunity to spotlight the ground-breaking work of Nobel Laure- ates, to celebrate science and discovery and to in-

ABB AND NOBEL MEDIA have announced an international partnership, bringing together two respected organisations committed to the devel- opment of innovation, education and scientific re- search, and making ABB one of a select group of Nobel International Partners. Nobel Media, an entity within the Nobel Founda- tion, extends the reach of the Nobel Prize tomillions of people around the world through inspirational events, digital media and special exhibitions and activities related to the legacy of Alfred Nobel and the achievements of the Nobel Laureates. Through these activities and events – including global Nobel Prize Dialogue gatherings – Nobel Media reaches and engages students, decision makers and a curi-

Enquiries: www.abb.com

T oday’s myriad passenger vehicles are de- signed for sprawling urban landscapes to quickly, efficiently and without too much fuss get commuters from point A to B.. Gone are the days when commercial vehicles were viewed as large unwieldy and unfriendly modes of transportation. We have entered a new era of the re-imagination of commercial vehicles and Peugeot is at the forefront of this innovation. The trend is to give vehicles that are luxurious and hardy enough to be categorised as business tools – the best of both worlds. Besides its ‘boxy’ good looks and superb handling, Peugeot’s Boxer was subjected to a multitude of im- portant quality tests: • 4 000 000 km of rolling on all types of terrain, including rough roads, to test the engine and en- sure its optimum reliability. • 500 000 shutter break cycles and 1 500 hours in a climatic chamber. • Salt water corrosion test. As a commercial vehicle, the Boxer is used for a range of applications. From small to large business- es, regardless of its uses, the Boxer is designed to be relied on. To maximise the load space, Peugeot’s designers haven’t wasted a single cubic centimetre. The wheel arch, for example, is as small as pos- sible and its clearance has been optimised to give the largest, effective load width (a width of 1.422 m at the wheel arch for a maximum interior width of 1.87 m). Even more impressive and convenient, the Boxer can be converted into a 19 seater taxi, an am- bulance, a chassis cab or simply remain as a panel van. The various configurations depend entirely on the unique business requirements. The Boxer offers a comprehensive range of active safety features, including: ABS with EBD, ESP with Load Adaptive Control, Power Steering, Hill Assist and Driver Airbag to name a few. No matter what your needs, the Peugeot Boxer is a perfect ‘out of the box’ commercial vehicle that fits into your business plans seamlessly. There are two Peugeot Boxer variants: • Boxer L2H1 2.2 HDi BVM6 – 3.3 Ton: R467 900 • Boxer L4H2 2.2 HDi BVM6 PUMA - 4.0 Ton: R497 900

Enquiries: www.peugeot.co.za

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EMPLOYERS AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

I n South Africa, stringent Labour Laws have created something of a mine- field for employers to navigate when it comes to disciplinary procedures. While protecting the rights of the employee is paramount, employers who are not com- pletely up to date with the relevant legis- lation could find themselves in hot water. Research reveals that employers lose about 60 percent of cases referred to The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) by disgruntled employees or their union representa- tives. Losing a CCMA case has three dis- tinct drawbacks: the employer is usually found to be financially liable; the business’ reputation is damaged, and a record of wrongful-dismissal or treatment made; and precious business hours are lost while attending CCMA hearings, hamper- ing productivity and morale. According to Thomas Matthee, Man- aging Director at NeTrec, there are four main reasons why employers lose CCMA cases. “The first reason is that they do not follow the correct disciplinary proce- dures. Whether this is due to ignorance or done intentionally makes no differ- ence – in the eyes of the law, ignorance is no excuse. The second shortcoming oc- curs when employers fail to act consist- ently, for example, when one employee is more harshly disciplined than another for a similar offence. Thirdly, employers lose cases because they fail to hold a proce- durally fair hearing. There are strict steps to follow, and if not adhered to, the em- ployer is in trouble. The last is the failure to maintain a reliable and accurate docu- ment trail throughout the entire discipli-

CANNABIS IN THE WORKPLACE

S ince the legalisation of the possession and use of cannabis for private purposes by the Constitutional Court, many concerns have been raised about what this would mean in the workplace. Employers want to know how they will ensure that people do not come to work under the influence of cannabis, while employees fear they could be subjected to unsafe and unwarranted behaviour from colleagues who then attempt to blame the legal use of cannabis at home as the catalyst and expect to be exonerated from their actions as a result. Michael Opperman, CEO of Omni Labour Consultants, ex- plains that employers must ensure they have policies and procedures in place to ensure that employees are sober at work. You have to read and understand the judgment of the Constitu- tional Court very clearly in this regard. Judge Raymond Zondo said he had “... concluded that the limitation is not reasonable and justifiable in an open and democratic society based on human dignity, equality and freedom”. He then made an order declaring the relevant provisions about the use of cannabis constitutionally invalid where it criminalises the use or possession of cannabis, in private by an adult for personal consump- tion. It is clear that the private use is allowed and the argument would be about when the use of cannabis is private. To start with, ‘private’ would not mean any public place or place of work. At the workplace, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) and Regulations 1031 section 2 A would apply regarding intoxication. According to Section 2A, an employer should not permit anyone who is, or who appears to be, under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, to enter or remain in a workplace. People in a workplace are not allowed to be under the influence of or have in their possession, use or offer other people intoxicating liquor or drugs. Employers can only allow people who use medicine to perform duties if its side-ef- fects do not constitute a threat to the health or safety of the employee or other employees. Therefore an employee, who is contractually bound to the employer during certain hours, has to adhere to the employer’s rules, regulations and policies in the workplace, including undergoing the same or simi- lar sobriety tests for cannabis as with any other narcotic or alcohol- related transgression. The most important aspect is that employers’ policies should em- brace the concept of sobriety in the workplace. There should be a zero- tolerance policy for any use of non-medical, controlled, mind-altering substances. If recent usage can be determined by testing the employee, any em- ployee entering the workplace with a trace of alcohol, cannabis or any other non-prescription drug would fall foul of company policy, as well as the regulations made in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The same or similar sobriety tests can therefore be conducted in the workplace for being under the influence of cannabis as with any other narcotic or alcohol related transgression. Section 8(1) of the Health and Safety Act states that employers should provide and maintain, as far as possible, a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of their employees. It is com- mon cause that the enforcement of sobriety is reasonably possible. The consequences for employers allowing someone to work with tools and clients outweigh the risk of tolerating the use of cannabis at work or its presence in an employee’s systemwhen at work, because the employer carries the risk if anything goes wrong. However, safety is not the only possible motive for an employer to have zero-tolerance for alcohol or unauthorised narcotics in the system of an employee at work. Other aspects of working when under the influence of any mind-altering substance include that it could affect an employee’s better judgement in terms of social transgressions, such as bringing the employer into disrepute when inappropriately dealing with a client. There is also the possibility of miscalculating in terms of accounting, stock and design, which could be regarded as not acting in the best interests of the employer, or negligence in performing designated duties.

disciplinary policies and procedures – and adheres to relevant legislation. As it is an online system, it is accessible from any location, at any time.” The highly customisable system al- lows employers to track all disciplinary processes throughout the entire organi- sation, from the first offence onwards. With reliable checklists, electronic tem- plates, and outcome recommendations, it also ensures that employers maintain procedural fairness and remain well within the confines of the law. It is a unique, user-friendly, affordable, and subscription based solution designed for SMEs and enterprise customers. “With electronic records kept of all sup- porting documents and evidence relat- ing to offences and disciplinary action taken, the tool drives disciplinary action that is corrective and progressive, con- sistent and procedurally fair,” concludes Matthee.

nary process. Complete documentary evidence is essential to success.” To a certain degree, the disciplinary process is designed to do just that; help employees unlock their true potential. “In many cases, the purpose of the dis- ciplinary process is to correct employ- ees’ paths, to help them improve in their position and learn from their mistakes,” says Matthee. “Yet, too often, employers approach discipline incorrectly, leading to costly CCMA cases, further disgruntled employees, and a sour experience for all parties.” As one of the exhibitors at the recently held HR Indaba, NeTrec used the platform to launch its innovative iRate software platform, designed to empower line man- agers to take control of their department’s human capital discipline processes – the right way. “The one-of-a-kind, online in- dustrial relations discipline management system guides businesses through the entire disciplinary process,” says Matthee. “This ensures HR follows well governed

Enquiries: www.iratehr.co.za

HANDY HEAD TORCH OFFERS HIGH VISIBILITY

T he Unilite HL-1R rechargeable head torch offers a maxi- mum output of 125 lumens from its high power Cree white LED. As well as the white LED, the HL-1R features two 3 mm red LEDs that provide red light to preserve night vi- sion and a flashing red light to attract attention. Powered by a built-in 520 mAh Lithium polymer rechargea- ble battery, the HL-1R has a run-time of two hours in high mode. Recharging the unit is easy; simply insert the micro USB cable into the side of the head torch and the other end into a USB port or a USB mains/car adaptor. A red LED will illuminate to show charging is in progress and will turn green once charging is complete. The easy pushbutton micro switch cycles through the white settings with each press in the order of high, mid and low. To change to red settings simply press and hold the button with the light on and cycle through red, red flash and red SOS with each press. If left in any setting for longer than three seconds the next press will turn the light off. The last colour setting is remembered, so if you leave it in red mode, you will not ruin your night vision with the white light if you switch it on intending to use red lighting.

A hinged bracket allows the HL-1R to be adjusted downwards within a 45° angle so you can direct the light source where it is needed most. The high visibility technology means you will always be seen, which is useful when working in an industrial environment. And the fully adjustable non-slip silicone lined headband helps keep the head torch secure on your head or on a hardhat. The handy storage pouch is great for when your head torch is not in use as it keeps everything together and protects it from getting scratched. Ideal for electrical contractors, the Unilite HL-1R is available through Garry Lumpe Imports.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 396 4065

MEDUPI UNIT 2 SYNCHRONISED EIGHT MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE GE POWER AND ESKOM have announced that Medupi Unit 2, the fifth out of the six units at the power station, has now been successfully synchronised to the national grid. With five units already synchronised, Medupi’s plant capacity increases to deliver 4 000 mW, enough to power nearly three million households, reaffirming its position as the largest power station in South Africa and fourth in the world. Abram Masango, Eskom’s Group Executive for Group Capital, said: “The achievement of Unit 2 first synchronisation, eight months ahead of the June 2019 schedule, marks a key milestone towards full commercial operation of the unit. Lessons learnt on previous units were implemented on Unit 2, leading to the swiftness in delivering first power. This is an amazing achievement, taking us closer to completing the entire Medupi project, as we will be left with one unit.” Upon completion, the power station will produce a total of 4 764 mW to meet the electricity needs of 3.5 million households in the country. In addition, since 2007, GE in partnership with Eskom has invested over R1 billion to empower local businesses and trained over 300 students on technical, artisans and engineering skills. Forty percent of the workforce trained as pipe fitters, welders and electricians were sourced from the province, and 60 percent were youth.

The legalisation of the pri- vate use of cannabis therefore does not in any way exonerate employees from their duties at work, the policies applica- ble in the workplace and the legislation that governs mis- conduct as a result of being under the influence of can- nabis at work. For further information, contact Michael Opperman on +27 (0) 83 747 5672.

Enquiries: www.GE.com/Power

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

NOVEMBER 2018

CABLES AND CABLES ACCESSORIES

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STRUCTURED CABLING SYSTEM INCREASES DATA TRANSFER SPEEDS

passes technical consultation and system support.

optimum efficiency, ensuring optimisation of energy. Installation and maintenance is simplified by the new connector locking system and automatic pull-out sliding cassettes. With this system, it is possible to remove connectors without having to disconnect the cords. This system is fully compatible with other Legrand solutions, in- cluding new LCS³ enclosures and Power Distribution Units (PDUs), designed for simple set-up and system integration. Wall-mounting cabinets can be fitted anywhere where aesthetic quality is important. Legrand’s new cord locking system, which prevents accidental dis- connection, is an important safety addition to C13 and C19 sockets. For enhanced safety and optimum control, specially designed protec- tion accessories enable control of the power supply at the outlets, of- fering protection against over-voltages. The local operation enhances its electrical and digital building infra- structures with a comprehensive solutions-based service that encom-

LEGRAND’S electrical and digital solutions for building infrastructures – which encompass control and connection interfaces, cable man- agement, energy distribution and data distribution networks – are de- signed to efficiently manage lighting, energy, networks and building access. The Legrand Group has made a substantial investment in the de- velopment of high-performance structured cabling systems that meet the demands of rising data volumes exchanged in buildings, the es- calation of networks and the need for higher data speeds, as well as guaranteed continuity of service. New to the range is the LCS³ structured cabling system, developed by Legrand to address the challenges of performance, scalability and efficiency in communication networks for data transmission. The LCS³ copper and fibre optic cabling system, which facilitates easy installation, enables increased data transfer speeds in server

Enquiries: www.legrand.co.za

COMPACT RUGGED CONNECTORS T he Molex Squba range of 1.80 mm sealed wire-to-wire connectors are designed to fit into small spaces while offering IP67 protec- tion against liquid, dust and dirt. Squba supports cur- rents up to 6.0 A carried over No. 24 to No. 22 AWG wire, delivering more power over such a small wire gauge than other connector systems on the market. Electronics engineers in the consumer, industrial and transport sectors are expected to incorporate ever greater functionality into their designs, making it difficult to squeeze all the required components into the available space. Many applications also experience wet or dusty conditions. With a terminal pitch of just 1.80 mm combined with IP67 protection, the Squba connector system ensures a reliable connection even in space- constrained, harsh-environment applications. The Molex Squba wire-to-wire connector system comprises plug and receptacle housings and crimp terminals that can be assembled in 2- to 10-circuit configurations, including void options for 3-, 5-, 7- and 9-circuit requirements. Maximum voltage is 125 V, with dielectric withstand tests indicating less than 5 mA leakage current. rooms, data centres, audio visual systems, worksta- tions and small IT environments. This system also meets the requirements of Local Area Networks (LANs). The copper system offers 25 Gbps and 40 Gbps (Ethernet applications) and the fibre optic system, which is the transmission medium that enables a larger bandwidth to be used than copper cables, provides transmission speeds of 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps (Ethernet applications). Copper and fibre optic systems are suitable for MTP/MPO high den- sity applications, up to Cat.8. The copper range encompasses connectors, patch panels and patch cords and connectors. New tool-less RJ 45 connectors ensure a perfect connec- tion within a few seconds, guaranteeing optimum performance of the link from the patch panel to the workstation. These components are colour-coded for identification of each category. (Cat.5e is grey, Cat.6 is blue, Cat.6A is yellow and Cat.8 is aqua). Copper system patch panels are available in flat and angled versions, with up to 48 ports per unit. These patch panels have been designed for opti- mised space, allowing easy maintenance and ena- bling future upgrades. Other features include a fast push-button extraction facility and a cable guiding system that ensures neat cable management. LCS³ fibre optic connectors are installed using a small patented splicer that prepares, cleaves and splices the fibre, also offering heat protection. Newly designed fibre optic panels and drawers are available in versions from 96 connectors per unit to 144 con- nectors per unit. These panels have sliding drawers and a fast push-button system for easy maintenance and upgrades. The LCS³ system offers modularity via sliding drawers that enable a mix of fibre optic and copper, while increasing the number of connection points. New rack servers provide greater flexibility and

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 691 9300

NOVEMBER 2018 SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

CABLES AND CABLE ACCESSORIES

10

INDUSTRY FIRST BRASS COMPRESSION CABLE GLAND

MORE EFFICIENCY WITH AUTOMATED CABLE IDENTIFICATION

A new Taper-Tech® brass compres- sion cable gland for all circular unar- moured cable has been launched by Pratley. This latest technology eliminates the need for cable-damaging, weak-back bushes. Each gland size can also accommo- date an unmatched range of cable sizes and withstand a whopping 150 m of water head pressure – an industry first. The Taper-Tech® clamping system features a differential taper design. Using specially- formulated, high-performance, compression- set resistant rubber, the gripping force of the bush increases proportionally with the axial load on the cable. This means that the cable remains safely secured, even at very high pull- out loads, without damaging the cable. Another major advantage of the new Ta- per-Tech® brass compression cable gland is its industry beating IP68 ingress protection rating, which provides for a whopping 150 m of water head. “We believe there’s no other cable gland that performs to this level on the world market,” says Pratley Marketing Direc- tor Eldon Kruger. The new Taper-Tech® compression cable glands are manufactured from nickel-plated brass. They can accommodate all circular cables with outside diameters from 3 mm to 73.8 mm, in addition to an array of non-circu- lar cables when fitted with appropriate bushes. The glands are supplied complete with nipple gaskets and nickel-plated brass locknuts. The IP68 rating means that the Pratley Taper-Tech® brass compression cable glands seal the bore automatically against the ingress of pressurised water and ambient moisture. In addition, gland sizes 00, 0, 1 and 2 are also available ex-stock with Pg and Npt threads. Pg and Imperial threads can be accommo-

I ndustries that work with large vol- umes of cables and are in need of cable traceability and identification can increase production efficiency with Brady Corporation’s complete and automated cable identification solutions. Cable sleeves and wraparound la- bels can be applied up to 10 seconds faster with Brady’s automated cable identification solutions. The Wraptor A6500 can print and wrap a label around a cable in five seconds, saving time in cable production when trace- ability and identification requirements need to be met. If you identify ca- bles with sleeves, Brady can offer the BSP45 Automated Sleeve Applicator to remove sleeves from their liner and apply them on a cable by activating a foot pedal. Sleeves can be printed with great accuracy and precision using the BradyPrinter i7100 or with the BBP72 Sleeve Printer to print both sleeve sides simultaneously. Dedicated wraparound labels and sleeves are available for maximum re-

dated by means of Pratley adjustable cable glands fitted with compression conversion kits and thread adaptors. Exceptionally thick gland plates can also be accommodated by fitting adjustable glands with long nipples. With over 65 years’ experience and a plethora of patents under its belt, Pratley prides itself on the local production of highly- innovative cable glands, junction boxes, and related accessories. Those variants for use in hazardous locations comply with interna- tional IECex Standards for Ex n, Ex e and Ex d explosion protected equipment. Many Prat- ley cable glands and boxes also comply with the European ATEX directive. Pratley market-leading products serve the industrial, mining, construction, petrochemi- cal and consumer markets in many countries. Pratleymanufactures over 1500 products,has filed more than 350 patents worldwide, and is an ISO 9001:2015 accredited company.

liability when using Brady’s automated identification solutions. The labels and sleeves themselves are of good qual- ity and can resist challenging industrial environments. The B-472 self-lami- nating vinyl label offers abrasion, fuel, oil and outdoor resistance and comes in a wide range of colours, and the B-499 nylon cloth wraparound label adds dirt, heat, cold and chemical re- sistance. Both these labels work seam- lessly with the Wraptor A6500. For the BSP45 Sleeve Applicator, Brady recommends its B-342, B-7646 and B-7641 sleeves which include diesel resistant or low smoke zero halogen properties. All identification materi- als have been tested using standard ASTM test methods for optimal reli- ability. Technical data sheets are avail- able from Brady’s website. Easy label and sleeve design sup- port is available via Brady Workstation apps that come with a 30 day free trial period. Simply select the apps you need after trying them. Features include adding text, symbols, serialisa-

tion, barcoding and much more. Brady also offers great technical support via customisable service agreements which can include on-site installa- tion and setup of solutions, preventive maintenance, training and fast re- sponse on top of a standard one year warranty.

Enquiries: www.pratley.co.za

Enquiries: www.bradysouthafrica.com

ON THE GROUND WITH JONAS E MUKUPO

CABLE TYPES AND SELECTION

W e all know the importance of cables in the electrical field – or any other field which in- volves transfer of electricity or data signals from one point to another – but this issue I am focus- ing on electrical flow from point of supply to point of control and, lastly, point of outlet. These three sections (point of supply, control and out- let) are a chapter on their own and here I will be focusing on the different types of cables at our disposal for our day-to-day life, be it in house, industry or outdoor wiring installations. I will focus on armoured and non-armoured cables and, as the names imply, the armoured cable comes with protection against mechanical damage, either as a sheet of aluminium wrapping around the main con- ductors or wires wrapped around the entire length for damage protection, just under the outer rubber sheath. On the non-armoured type, the cables have no protec-

tion from mechanical damage and hence the installa- tion methods differ. Armoured cables can be buried in the ground, clipped to a wall or run in a tray, and the same can be done with twin and earth cables, bearing in mind that protection against damage has to be considered. Depending on the installation method used, there are a number of factors to be considered. As an example, if a cable is buried un- derground, its ambient temperature will tend to be lower than that of a cable clipped directly to a wall and exposed to the elements. Technically, current carrying capacity is determined by these factors, meaning a cable in cool ground can carry more current than it is rated for, while a cable exposed to the sun for much of the day can be de-rated to reduce its current capacity. I will not delve too much into the technicalities and formulae used for this, but as an example, a 1,5 mm 2 twin and earth cable, used mainly for lights fed with a 10 A breaker, can carry 20 A if

the same cable is buried un- derground. This is where the temperature and soil resistiv- ity come into play. The next consideration, which we sometimes do not get right, is the selection of the cables for a specific task or use. For domestic use, we have the so-called ‘house wire’ and this comes in dif- ferent sizes depending on its desired use. Because ‘house wire’ does not have any protection against mechani- cal damage, the installation methods used differ from armoured cables. In this case, the cables must be installed in a wire- way. Wireways can be in the form of conduits (PVC or metal), trunking or Sprague. Law permits electricians to run house wire without con- duits (open wiring), but under certain conditions. Open wir- ing must be not be installed under thatch, in roof spaces intended for storage or with- in 1 m of trap doors, and it must be visible throughout

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

NOVEMBER 2018

CABLES AND CABLE ACCESSORIES

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INSTALLATION TESTING THAT PROTECTS APPLIANCES, WIRELESSLY SHARES DATA G rowing concern for public safety and the increasing complexity of today’s fixed electrical installations in domestic, commercial and industrial premises places extra responsibility on electri- cal test engineers who are charged with verifying conformity to South Africa’s Certificate of Compliance (COC) safety standards. models in the series comply with specific parts of this norm. They are designed to carry out the tests specified, and all local standards and regulations in the safest and most efficient way. only tester with patent pending ‘Insulation PreTest’. If it detects that appli- ances are connected to the system during test, it will provide a visual and audible warning and stop the insulation test, avoiding potentially serious/ costly mistakes and eliminate accidental appliance damage.

Comtest offers the Fluke 1660 Series Installation tester with Fluke Connect®, which includes the 1664 TM Installation Tester – the only in- stallation tester that helps prevent damage to connected appliances dur- ing insulation tests, and also allows users to send test results wirelessly via smartphone directly from the field. It is lightweight, and features a unique ergonomic ‘curved’ form which, when carried by the neck strap, makes operation in the field more comfortable. Work safer, protect the installation under test, share results: The Fluke 1664 FC is the only installation tester that protects connected appliances from damage during insulation tests, and allows users to share test re- sults wirelessly by smartphone with co-workers or customers. Insulation PreTest: The Fluke 1664 FC Installation Tester is also the

Fluke Connect®, ShareLive™ calling and Fluke Cloud™ storage Share- Live™ video calls: Users save time by eliminating data entry through wire- lessly syncingmeasurements directly from the 1664 FC and sharing with a remote team using Fluke Connect®. Having access to measurements simultaneously at the inspection site and the office allows faster decision making and real time collaboration between teammembers. Cloud stor- age allows users to retrieve stored results whether in the office or out in the field, to make urgent decisions in real time. Data can also be imported into Fluke DMS to process and generate certificates.

SA’s electrical contractors are well versed in the verification require- ments of the COC, and that the audit should be carried out in the follow- ing sequence: 1. Visual inspection 2. Testing of the following: • Continuity of protective conductors. • Insulation resistance. • Protection by separation of circuits. • Floor and wall resistance. • Automatic disconnection of supply. • Polarity. • Functional performance. In addition to this, the following tests are under con- sideration: • Electric strength test. • Voltage drop.

Enquiries: +27 (0)10 595 1821 or sales@comtest.co.za

The basic requirements for test equipment used in installation testing consists of general requirements for test equipment, specific requirements for com- bined measuring equipment and the specific require- ments for measuring/testing: • Insulation resistance. • Loop impedance. • Resistance of the earth connection. • Resistance to earth. • RCD performance in TT and TN systems. • Phase sequence. • Insulation monitoring devices for IT systems. Fluke 1660 Series Multifunction Installation Testers measure equipment which fully fulfils the require- ments as described above, and the three different

its run so that people can see its position. Em- phasis should be on prevention from mechani- cal damage. There are various non-armoured cables or flexible cables as well. We have heard of flexible cables or captyre, ‘Figure 8’ or rip cord cables, to name a few. These also come in different sizes and, again, the correct choice for purpose of use is of paramount importance. However, these cables are not used in an electrical installation, unless for extension leads or on portable elec- trical machinery or appliances where positions change regularly, but protection against me- chanical damage need not be over emphasised. Lastly, I touch on armoured cables. These come with mechanical protection as alluded to earlier. The armour can also be used as sup- plementary earth, meaning it can be used as an additional earth to the main earthing conductor. Armoured cables also come with a colour strip which is usually on the outer rubber sheath. It can be red, green, white, purple or have no colour at all. On the outer rubber sheath you can find information such as cable size, number of cores, the manufacturer’s name and sometimes the year of manufacture. The subject of cables is very broad and the environment in which you want to use the ca- ble is indicated by the colour strip on the cable sheath, such as a hazardous environment or fire prone area. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer for advice on which cable to use.

NOVEMBER 2018 SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS