Electricity + Control July 2017

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A s usual, there is much to write about as we pass the middle of 2017. There have
been some wonderful trade shows, some intriguing political developments,
massive strides in the State Owned Enterprise space, and the launch of the
Earthing and Lightning Protection Association (ELPA). And on a personal note I gave my
first lecture in a cocktail club where the host sends you a glass of wine as your five-min-
ute signal. Absolutely marvelous!
I was privileged to have been asked to say a few words at the launch of the Earthing and
Lightning Protection Association (ELPA). In my speech, among other issues, I reflected
on the profound South African contribution that has been made in the field of lightning
and lightning protection. This contribution should never be underestimated.
ELPA is an initiative that needs to be supported. There has long been a tendency in
South Africa for the critical aspect of earthing and lightning protection to be passed off
to contractors and installers who may or may not be adequately versed and educated in
the subtleties of proper system design.
This is not often an issue as most installations are pretty much by-the-book; but many
are not. I would argue that an increasing number of installations require levels of design
expertise that work beyond the simple approach and guidelines of the standards.
As lightning is a statistically defined phenomenon, all may appear well – until something
goes horribly wrong. In the case of a lightning protection system failure, the conse-
quences may be dire.
ELPA sets out to actively ensure that the installer and contractors working in the ar-
eas collaborate, support, and educate each other. This involves input from those with
well-developed international links and so forth – but fundamentally speaks to the next
chapter in the South African lightning protection industry.
Education is the basis of all that we aim to achieve and we can never allow that process
to be anything less than world-class. Dare I suggest that, in some respects, we have lost
that desire in the basic education space? Do not get me wrong, that process is served
by some of the most well-informed and dedicated human beings I have ever had the
privilege of working with – but I harbour a deep-seated concern that our attention, as
society, has been allowed to drift off from what we are doing in this space.
Ian Jandrell
Pr Eng, BSc (Eng) GDE PhD,
FSAIEE SMIEEE
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Wendy Izgorsek
Adél JvR Bothma
Helen Couvaras
Heidi Jandrell
Karen Smith
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Wilhelm du Plessis
Ian Jandrell
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