Sparks Electrical News August 2017

• MCCs and motor protection • Energy Efficiency • Lighting FEATURES

AUGUST 2017

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

Contractors’ corner | Buyers’ guide | People on the move REGULARS:

UTILITY MAINTENANCE FLYING HIGH

Electrical utilities have a new weapon in their war against downtime: Drones. Unmanned aerial systems, or drones, are offering a cost-effective alternative to manual inspections of often hard to reach infrastructure, and are promising a future in which reactive maintenance makes way for predictive operations. While this may sound like a solution employed only by extremely high-tech and well-funded companies, drones are already being used by South African utilities, mines, renewable energy companies and civil engineering firms. Braam Botha, head of operations at UAV Industries explains that drones are replacing extremely expensive helicopter flights as well as laborious manual operations, offering better results at a fraction of the cost. “Using drones to conduct inspections of electrical infrastructure is extremely cost effective, as there is less manpower and less time required, while yielding greater accuracy in the data captured.” Drones allow for real-time inspection and immediate sharing of the results, and because they use HD and infrared imaging, drones obtain much more detailed information that might never have been picked up on manual inspections. The fact that the drone is flying into sometimes hazardous areas means there is a safety benefit for workers as well. Botha adds that South Africa has some of the most stringent drone regulations in the world, and as a result, organisations requiring the use of drones often outsource the job to companies like UAV Industries, which has the skills of trained drone pilots as well as the correct drones for the job. “We import specialised inspection drones that have been modified for industrial inspections. Owing to the numerous metal elements involved in a boiler inspection, for example, a commercial drone, such as those available in the shops, is not suitable as it has not been modified to eliminate the risks of external interferences that could be caused by metal elements during flight.” Boiler inspection simplified Without a drone, the procedure for inspecting a boiler would involve shutting down the boiler in order to conduct a first manual inspection. Scaffolding would then have to be built around the boiler, which would require signoff from the relevant safety and security department or team before it could be used. There would then need to be a further manual inspection of the boiler to identify the problem, and these findings would be shared with the relevant engineers to decide on a solution. This is a time consuming procedure, with a high running cost due to the downtime of the boiler, the required manpower and the number of steps required to determine the results of the inspection. “UAV Industries’ partners have reported up to seven days of boiler ‘down time’ during these types of manual inspections, which can drain up to R1 million of a company’s revenue,” says Botha. “Using a drone, there is no need to shut down the boiler for nearly as long. A visual inspection is made initially and pre- flight safety checks are done according to SACAA regulations. Within 20minutes,a drone should be able to take off to conduct an aerial inspection of the boiler under normal conditions. The scaffolding and manual inspection are eliminated completely, saving significant time and cost,” he explains. Using infrared and HD footage, drones can provide real- time data which can be sent to the relevant engineers almost instantaneously. They are then able to make a final call on what needs to be done. This means that within a few hours, the boiler can be up and running effectively again. No more pylon climbing Power line maintenance for electric utilities is expensive, dangerous, and time consuming. Many have started using

This image was taken with a drone, and is a blade in a boiler with the problem highlighted.

thermal hot-spot recognition, which uses a thermal camera to inspect power lines for high-impedance areas. As a result of the fact that these high-impedance areas generate more heat than the surrounding “Using drones to conduct inspections of electrical infrastructure is extremely cost effective, as there is less manpower and less time required, while yielding greater accuracy in the data captured.”

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PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH: LINDSAY VAN DEN BERG

YOUR ATTITUDE, NOT YOUR APTITUDE WILL DETERMINE YOUR ALTITUDE

investment. Volatile exchange rates are impacting all industries reliant on raw materials. Lack of investment in the country from government and private organisations means that infrastructure development and growth of businesses in general is slowing. This results in less work being available and companies holding back on investing in innovation and business development initiatives. There are fewer and fewer skilled tradesmen in the industry– tool- makers, draftsmen, etc. as younger generations see these career paths as less glamorous than professions trained through universities. The rate of change in the industry is likely to accelerate exponentially as technology advances faster than ever before. Staying ahead of the LvdB: I enjoy the dynamic landscape of the electrical industry – no day is the same – and the relationships I have formed over the years. Day-to-day interaction with my staff, suppliers and customers has always been a great motivation. Bergstrom has formed a unique company culture and I enjoy working with great, diverse people who have a distinctive sense of humour and passion for what they do. Sparks: How do you motivate your staff? LvdB: By encouraging them to set personal and professional goals. I give them regular feedback on projects won or lost. I have an open door policy. Sparks: If you could “do it all again”, would you change anything? If so, what would that be? LvdB: On a personal note, I would have loved to have played more golf! Unfortunately, between family and business it has been hard to find the time to get onto the golf course. Sparks: Would you advise a person leaving school to enter the electrical industry? And why? LvdB: Yes, the industry offers career opportunities in many different areas, appealing to various personality types. There really is something for everyone. Sparks: What is your advice to electrical contractors and/or electrical engineers? LvdB: Know the strengths and capabilities of the companies and people you partner with. Partnering with companies that complement yours will lead to the successful completion of projects; Use reputable lighting companies and get in touch with OEM manufacturers for information on their components and latest technology – staying curve will become more and more challenging. Sparks: What do you enjoy most about your job?

abreast of what is currently available is key; Using the correct product for the correct application will make all the difference; and finally, drinks are always on suppliers! Sparks: What is your favourite quote? LvdB: ‘Your attitude, not your aptitude will determine your altitude’ (Zieg Ziglar). Sparks: Name three things on your ‘bucket list’ (things you want to do before you ‘kick the bucket’). LvdB: Play golf at Pebble Beach, see the great migration on the Serengeti plains and take a trip to the Arctic to see the glaciers.

Lindsay van den Berg

LINDSAY VAN DEN BERG, managing director of Bergstrom Industries, has been in the lighting business for three decades. She thrives on the dynamic landscape of the electrical industry and enjoys working with her staff for their distinctive sense of humour and their passion for what they do. Sparks: Where were you educated? LvdB: St Andrews School for Girls and Wits University. Sparks: How long have you been involved in the electrical industry? LvdB: I have been involved in the lighting and electrical industry for 31 years. Sparks: When and where did you start your career? LvdB: I started my career in an audit and accounting firm. When Chris van den Berg founded Bergstrom in September 1986, I became the financial director. I have been involved in all aspects of the company – production, design, customer relations and supplier service. For the past three years, I have been the managing director. Sparks: What are the greatest changes you have seen over the years? LvdB: The integration of technology into luminaires. When Bergstrom was founded, T5 seemed to be the future of lighting. It amazes me how far we have surpassed this technology in such a short time. The advances have enhanced lighting functionality and efficiency, and improved living comfort. One of the greatest breakthroughs in

technology is the niche of human-centric lighting. This has shown lighting to be beneficial to sight, and also to a person’s emotional response throughout the work day. Sparks: What is your greatest accomplishment? LvdB: I have brought up three amazing children and have been blessed with five grandchildren. My daughters have become my closest advisors and my son has joined me in the lighting industry – he has a passion for the industry and is a great asset to the Bergstrom team. Sparks: Who has been your inspiration or have you had a mentor who has influenced your career? LvdB: My interest and love for the lighting industry came from Chris, my husband, who had a remarkable knowledge of reflector and lighting design. His legacy of quality and innovation in lighting has led the direction of the company for over 30 years and will continue to be a cornerstone in future. My father, Hugh Caroline, is my greatest inspiration in business. He has constantly been inmy business life guiding my financial decisions and helping me maintain a balance between family and work life. I can honestly say I would not be where I am today without his guidance and influence. Sparks: What, to your mind, is one of the biggest challenges facing the industry at this time? LvdB: I feel that there are a couple of challenges facing our industry today: Inferior products are increasingly being imported and used due to cost pressures and lack of knowledge of the cons of using poor quality products. Customers frequently end up being turned off LED technology altogether, having experienced problems with low quality products. The instability of the South African economy, especially as it relates to exchange rates and international and local

A SAFEhouse Guide to

electrical installations: The electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC)

For extra copies contact: Tel: +27 11 396 8140/396 8251 info@safehousesa.co.za

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AUGUST 2017

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By Erika van Zyl, national communications manager, ECA(SA)

ECA(SA) WARNS ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY: BEWARE OF SCAMMERS

F raudulent requests for quotations (RFQs) and orders, supposedly from government departments, are costing South African business owners hundreds of thousands of rands. Scammers send fictitious RFQs from what appears to be a government email address, using a fake RFQ form with the government department’s logo and contact details. The requests are usually ‘urgent’ and the whole process is concluded within a short space of time and, once the fraudsters have the goods, they disappear, leaving the supplier out of pocket with nothing to show for the ‘transaction’.

Port Elizabeth scam It has come to the notice of the ECA(SA) that there is a tender fraud syndicate operating in the Port Elizabeth area. According to one of the companies that was conned out of R282 000, a woman, who called herself Nomsa Methembu, contacted the company pretending to be from the Department of Energy in Tshwane. She told the company she needed a quote and sent a quote request. Once the company had sent a quote, she sent them a ‘quote acceptance’. The company supplied the goods and Nomsa Methembu disappeared with a number of solar inverters. Lucas Bowles, regional director at the ECA(SA)

to come to terms with being conned out of his hard- earned money. Bowles says the con artists lie low for a while and then the process is repeated, using a different Government Department logo and address for the next victim. Bowles warns: “These tenders are part of a huge scam by criminals who operate behind the scenes and defraud unsuspecting individuals and businesses and I urge members not to respond to these emails under any circumstances. “The SAPS and Hawks have been informed of this and we hope that the guilty persons will soon be apprehended, charged and put behind bars.” In another recent scam, a Port Elizabeth con- tractor paid R230 000 to a so-called govern- ment department and lost all of his money to the scammers. Scam alert A ‘scam alert’ on the websites of the National Treasury Central Supplier Database for Government, and the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation issues this warning: “The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluationwouldliketowarnprospectivesuppliers/ bidders about an alarming scam … which seeks to request suppliers to submit quotations to the Department or charge a non-refundable fee for supplier registration forms, quotations or tender documents. The DPME does not charge any fees for supplier database registration forms, quotations or tender documentation; therefore, all prospective suppliers/bidders are cautioned to contact the DPME when they suspect any scam​ as well as when fictitious purchase orders placed for goods or services and DPME’s name are being used. Business owners are advised that, “… while Government is working closely with authorities to thwart these fraudsters, it still remains the responsibility of the business owner to ensure the tender is legal. Should you fall victim to a tender scam, you cannot hold the relevant Department liable for your losses . If you do receive a tender request, and you are still unsure about its legitimacy, it’s always wise to give the mentioned Department a call (use the contact number as listed on the Department’s website) to verify. If you know of any fraudulent tender activities please report them to the Tender Fraud hotline 0800 701 701. Confidentiality is guaranteed.” The website warns companies to “verify all the RFQs and orders by calling the respective departments using the Departmental contact details listed on their respective websites to verify authenticity prior to responding to any RFQs or orders to avoid falling prey to these fraudsters”. The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) has posted a scam alert on its website: https:// www.thedti.gov.za/news2015/Fraudulent%20 Requests%20for%20Quotations.pdf Bank details scam Scammers have devised other ruses to con people out of their money. In February this year, the Financial and Assert Forfeiture Investigation (FAFI) Unit of the Hawks recovered R2,2-million that was defrauded from Amatole Water in East London. According to Hawks spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Netshiunda‚ Amatole Water had contracted Malambo Construction to render services. However, before Amatole Water could pay the construction company, Amatole Water received what looked like genuine correspondence from the service provider informing them of a change in their banking details. Amatole Water then transferred an amount of R2.2-million to the newly provided bank account but were perplexed when representatives from Malambo Construction enquired about when their money would be paid. It was then discovered that someone had fraudulently changed Malambo Construction’s banking details without their consent. FAFI, in collaboration with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), traced the account and recovered the money. An investigation was launched to trace the people behind the fraud.

East South Cape region, explains the fraudster’s modus operandi: “The ‘successful’ tenderer is asked to order parts or equipment from the recommended ‘supplier’ who, supposedly, will deliver the goods directly to the Government Department. The tenderer is also asked to pay for the goods on the basis that the tenderer would then submit a claim to the Department once the goods have been delivered to their offices. Needless to say, neither the Government Department nor the supplier can be traced after the tenderer has paid the ‘supplier’ for the goods,” says Bowles, adding: “They vanish into thin air and you end up with an unhappy, embarrassed and out-of-pocket ‘tenderer’ who has

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AUGUST 2017

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ELECTROMECHANICA INTRODUCES ITALIAN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION SYSTEMS

C embre SpA area manager Paolo Baldo, recently visited South Africa recently as part of a delegation to conclude a distribution agreement with ElectroMechanica (EM), and to demonstrate its extensive product range to potential customers. According to Baldo, Cembre SpA prides itself on the fact that it produces every component in its products; from design to manufacturing and servicing, in-house. “We seldom rebrand other company’s components as our own. We have to be sure of the quality of the products we sell, and

marking range to label and identify a range of electrical and automation components, from wires to panels, push buttons, and circuit breakers. “Whilethere isaplethoraofconsumableproducers, there are few making both the consumables and the printers themselves from scratch as we do. Again, we own the proprietary technology that makes up the entire system, which has proven to be very good for us in terms of growth,” Baldo explains. Lastly, Cembre SpA produces speciality products for the maintenance of railway lines. Traditionally, electrical rail contacts are welded to provide the

the only way to guarantee this is if we manufacture everything ourselves,” he says. TheItalianOEMspecialises inelectricalconnection systems that combine a copper connector, a die, and a tool in a single integrated package. “We sell a total system as opposed to a standalone product. If you have a bad connector and a good tool, the result remains a faulty electrical connection and vice versa. Our systems approach is predicated on our commitment to the highest product quality possible,” Baldo says. Cembre SpA also manufactures an industrial

necessary energy transmission between the cable and the rail itself. However, this process was highly dependent on the expertise of the worker carrying out the welding process. “We tried to figure out how to make the process more reliable, and less dependent on external factors such as human labour and climatic conditions,” Baldo stresses. The innovation Cembre SpA has come up with in this regard involves extruding a copper bush into a pre-drilled hole, which results in the external surface of the bush being tightened and sealed against the hole surface, in order to provide the necessary electrical contact. Baldo explains that Cembre SpA was approached by EM to become its exclusive distributor in Southern Africa after CEO Dave van den Berg began using some of its products locally. “This coincided with our own strategy of moving away from projects themselves to broader-based distribution. The advantage of projects is their size, scope, and duration, but they are highly sensitive to economic conditions and financial uncertainty.” Africa remains a key focus for Cembre SpA, Baldo says. “Mediterranean Africa is more akin to Europe, while Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be driven by South Africa itself. Overall it is a market with a huge potential for growth.” Commenting on his visit to South Africa, Baldo reveals that there has been much interest in the Italian manufacturer’s innovative products, testament to EM’s strategy of introducing only the best and highest-quality technology available globally. UTILITY MAINTENANCE FLYING HIGH equipment, they are visible on the thermal camera and can signal that there is a fault on the power line. While thermal cameras can be used by a person on the ground, this can be laborious and time- consuming. It is also almost impossible when power lines are located above rugged terrain. Botha says drones are being used to great effect in monitoring power lines. “With power lines, there can be magnetic GPS interferences. However, owing to the sophisticated camera lenses that UAV Industries uses, we are able to fly at a safe enough distance from a power line, which negates the necessity for a specialised inspection drone. This means we are able to use a consumer-based drone with a special camera lens attached.” Thanks to the use of drones, these types of assessments and inspections no longer require expensive equipment and dangerous acrobatics. With tight profit margins and safety becoming increasingly important to utilities, drones are ensuring efficiency and situational awareness, as well as the ability to identify easily avoidable problems such as loosening electrical cables, missing screws and so on. Now carrying the same technology used by helicopters, drones can reveal the smallest risks in the electrical grid, allowing utilities to focus their maintenance budgets where it matters most, and prioritise the actions necessary to mitigate those risks and avert power outages and downtime. With the cost and time saving benefits they offer, it would not be hard to picture a future in which utilities could put smaller drones on every single truck, allowing them to do site inspections quickly and easily. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Enquiries: www.em.co.za

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MAGNET ATX APPLETON HAZARDOUS APPLICATIONS M agnet’s range of components for use in hazardous applications encompasses Appleton ATX instrumentation, electrical corrosive environments, for example, on offshore rigs and also in high-temperature industries, including mills and refineries.”

ATX's range of ‘increased safety’ lighting products includes fluorescent lighting, bulkhead lights and flood lights, as well as strobe and beacon fittings. Magnet also supplies robust electrical controls, enclosures andpanel-boards. Switches,high-visibility pilot lights and customisable control interfaces are designed for easy and accurate operation, to prevent user error and increase production efficiencies. Explosion proof plugs and sockets ensure that portable equipment in hazardous environments has access to safe, secure and reliable power by preventing the possibility of sparks, arcs and

control devices and lighting products. “With the presence of hazardous substances, such as flammable gases, in many facilities, it is critical that electrical products provide proper protection to workers and the environment,” says Brian Howarth, managing director of Magnet. “Appleton products, which conform to stringent quality and safety specifications, have been designed to safely illuminate work operations where there are explosive fumes and to deliver power safely to critical production machinery. “Magnet’s Appleton ATX sockets, plugs, junction boxes and lighting products have been engineered for protection against heat and spark induced ignition. These products withstand operation in ROCKWELL AUTOMATION SEEKS MANUFACTURERS COMMITTED TO SAFETY EXCELLENCE Nominations for annual Manufacturing Safety Excellence Awards For the fifth year, Rockwell Automation is accepting nominations for its Manufacturing Safety Excellence Awards. Each year the awards celebrate best-in- class manufacturers that make safety an inherent value in their company culture, compliance proce- dures and use of machine-safety technology. The due date for nominations is August 18, 2017. “Ideal candidates for these awards are companies demonstrating the vital role that safety has in improving overall productivity and operations,” says Mark Eitzman, safety market development manager, Rockwell Automation. “The 2016 winners – Dana Incorporated, MESNAC and OCME – showed strong leadership in their commitment to improving safety and productivity.” Manufacturers, industrial producers, machine builders and system integrators are welcome to enter a nomination form. Winners will be selected based on the three key pillars of a comprehensive safety programme: a strong safety culture, well-executed compliance procedures, and effective use of current, machine-safety technology. These awards also recognise companies that seek to improve collaboration between engineering and EHS departments to help drive down injury rates while also improving productivity. “Winning the award in 2016 was proof to our customers around the globe that safety matters to us, both in the machines we make and internally at our own company,” said Mingjin Yu, vice president, MESNAC. “This validation means we can help show our customers that safety doesn’t have to impact productivity negatively.” The 2017 winners will be announced in the third quarter of this year and will join an esteemed group of past winners including Bevcorp, The Clorox Company, Corning Environmental Technologies, General Motors, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC), Proctor & Gamble and PepsiCo Inc.

Magnet supports its extensive range of electrical products for explosion protection with a technical advisory, installation, maintenance and support service throughout Southern Africa.

accidental disconnections. The watertight explosion proof fittings have double arc-proof chambers and colour coded housings to prevent the connection of plugs into incorrect voltage receptacles. These receptacles have interlocks to guard against accidental disconnection while the power is still being supplied.

Enquiries: www.magnetgroup.co.za

Enquiries +27 (0)11 654 9700

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AUGUST 2017

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CESA AON – CELEBRATING ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE

MAKITA’S DHP481ZK – ALL THE POWER YOU NEED

THE DHP481ZK 18 V Lithium-Ion cordless impact drill driver, which has the latest innovative technology including a brushless motor and is Makita’s most powerful drill/driver to date, provides a hard torque of up to 115 Nm. Its compact body style means that the machine measures 205 mm from the front of the chuck to the back of the body and weighs in at 2,4 kg – which is a useful advantage when working in confined spaces. The dual LED lights on the front of the tool provide good illumination even in dark places. The variable speed model is capable of drilling 16 mm in masonry, 76 mm in wood and 13 mm in steel. The tool offers up to 31 500 impacts per minute, an electric brake and features all-metal gear construction that ensures high transmission durability. There are also 21 torque settings to choose from, the DHP481ZK is capable of drilling larger holes with ease. As has become expected from Makita, the model has an ergonomically designed handle with a rubberised soft grip and now has the added feature of a battery gauge on the tool, which indicates at a glance the amount of charge the battery has left.

engineering solutions. This challenge is often compounded by clients expecting unreasonable discounts on professional service fees, whilst the risks related to overly aggressive bidding remain that of the service provider. “Competition is good and always encouraged but surely there is a tipping point where quality is compromised and risks unduly increase. Such practice is unsustainable for our industry and clients need some level of education on the real value of such services,” Campbell added. “It’s our role at Aon South Africa to support a healthy consulting engineering industry whilst ensuring that the most professional and qualified teams are used to provide such services to minimise the risk exposure to both the consultant and the client every step of the way,” says Terence Williams, CEO of Aon South Africa. The Engineering Excellence Awards honour outstanding performance in a wide range of categories, including large and small, as well as local and international projects. They also acknowledge visionary clients as well as future leaders in the industry through the Young Engineer of the Year Award.

THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS SOUTH AFRICA (CESA) Aon Engineering Excel- lence Awards dubbed the ‘Oscars of the engineering world’ will be held on the 16 th August 2017 at Vodacom World, in Midrand. The event organised by CESA and sponsored by Aon South Africa is one of the highlights in the engineering and construction industry calendar. This year over 47 submissions were received. The awards function is widely attended by the engineering who’s who of South Africa including, consultants, contrac- tors, suppliers, academics, related insti- tutions as well as client bodies from the public and private sectors. The awards provide CESA an opportunity to showcase the extent to which local built-environment professionals provide the best in engineering expertise. “The occasion is about recognising and thanking all the participants for their role played in the country’s infrastructure development, a key requirement for economic growth of our country,” says Chris Campbell, CEO of CESA. An enormous responsibility rests on the shoulders of consulting engineers in delivering cost effective and appropriate

The DHP481ZK is supplied with a belt clip, large side handle, depth gauge and the space for bit holder storage on the tool. Everything fits neatly into the carry case provided. The model is compatible with the Makita 6.0 Ah (55 min. charge time), 5.0 Ah (45 min. charge time), 4.0 Ah (36 minutes charge time), 3.0 Ah (22 minutes charge time) and 1.5 Ah (15 min charge time) batteries. The batteries and the charger are sold separately.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 878 2600

THE MODERN COMMERCIAL FACILITY BUILDS ON STANDARDS “ A s various solutions used by facilities (CCTV, HVAC, access control) continue to advance rapidly and begin to converge with IT and other external systems, the key to optimised facility and security management is having a standards-based building management system (BMS) platform in place. With the ability to integrate multiple systems comes greater control, and better management of risk.” So says Neil of Johnson Controls. The choice of BMS platform is key as it forms the foundation of, and is the command centre for facility management. It needs to be able to access data from disparate systems, facilitate the analytics needed to make smarter decisions, and provide a central communication hub for systems. What is critical is that organisations select a world class solution that is continuously evolving. While there are pros and cons to the selection of all specialised systems, putting the right framework in place is half the battle. By making use of a platform that keeps pace with new developments and constantly integrates new standards and technologies, organisations will be able to utilise new technologies as they emerge, while ensuring the orchestration of the entire system. To ensure they have the range of features and functionality they need, as well as a future-proof platform that enables them to scale and grow, organisations would do well to seek out BMS providers that have a large client base and industries, and a strong track record with ongoing investment in R&D. Security should also be a factor to consider. With open systems, standards-based platforms make integration easier. However, organisations should select integrators that are also aware of security issues. Use of more digitally-based technology and the increased integration of IoT devices and data provide new entry points for threats and these need to be well managed. To optimise security, the commercial business environment needs a BMS with an intelligent platform that incorporates world-class standards – those that all modern systems, from CCTV to access control and HVAC management systems, are built on.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 921 7141

DESIGN ANY LABEL WITH BRADY WORKSTATION APPS

BRADY CORPORATION has created a digital platform that offers professional, intuitive apps to design quality product and cable labels and safety signs. Label designs are easier, faster and quickly adaptable to new label norms owing to centralised updates. Brady Workstation offers practical label design for a wide range of professionals. Simply select the apps you need, download the 30-day trial and purchase when satisfied. Available apps enable users to automate label creation, including data imports and complex sequences, and to design custom labels and signs for cables and products, protected label templates, text-only cable labels, CLP chemical labels, safety and facility signs, lockout procedures and pipe markers. The workstation works with a range of Brady desktop and portable printers. Connect a Brady printer to an internet connected computer to access and print the label templates and functionalities. The label printers also offer bi-directional communication with the workstation and will inform users if they have to switch label materials to print specific label designs.

Every Brady Workstation app can be downloaded, tested and purchased separately. Additionally, it also includes several label design suites that combine apps frequently used by specific professionals. Suites for wire identification, product identification, safety and facility identification, data automation and protected label templates are all available with considerable app bundle advantages.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 704 3295

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FUNNY HOW YOU START DOUBTING … GETTING TO GRIPS WITH SANS 10142-1 BY HANNES BAARD

I n the previous instalment we digressed from the Electrical Installation Regulations 2009 forming part of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993), to take a quick superficial look at the latest Code of Practice for The Wiring of Premises, SANS 10142-1:2017 Edition 2, which was published and came into effect in March 2017. The idea was to have a brief look at the new edition and then revert to the Electrical Installation Regulations and carry-on from where we left off with the requirements for the Registration of Electrical Contractors. At a later stage, we would then look at SANS 10142-1:2017 Edition 2 in more detail. But after spotting the error with reference to the Electrical Installations 2012, instead of 2009, I have decided to complete the intro pages, to satisfy that wannabe detective (with a touch of OCD?) in me … So here we are, SANS 10142-1:2017 Edition 2 – brand spanking new. At first glance, it appeared as if all the previous SANS 10142-1 amendment baggage had been dropped. I refer, of course, to the multiple references to clauses that have been dropped, vertical lines next to paragraphs indicating changes, document date references in the top right- hand corner that from one page to the next, can reference 2003, 2012, 2008 and others. It must have been very confusing for the person not working with this SANS Code on a daily basis, or having to consult SANS 10142-1 for the first time. Pardon me for sounding a little negative when I say this, but for the past fourteen years, since SANS 10142-1:2003 Edition 1.1, the introduction read: “Introduction In this edition, an attempt has been made to move towards the IEC codes: extra low voltage (below 50 V) and d.c. applications (up to 1,5 kV) have been introduced as new requirements owing to the ex- tensive usage of, and increased fire risk that results from, high load currents.” The above quote is copied verbatim from the latest edition. How is it that we still come across words like “an attempt has been made” and “introduced as new”… after all this time? Something else that has bothered me for a while is found in the second black-bordered text box in the Introduction – the one dealing with the OHS Act. Depending on your exact time in space, it can be rather contradictory, and I quote: “Because this part of SANS 10142 is continually updated, problems can arise on which version of the standard will be applicable when a contract is signed. The date of approval of the latest revision

A second issue is that of socket outlets. Currently, there is no compulsory requirement to install SANS 164-2 sockets. But, as from 2018, it will be compulsory to install socket outlets that incorporate at least one SANS 164-2 socket – either singularly or in combination with the current standard 3 pin 16 A socket.

or amendment of this part of SANS 10142 will be the implementation date of the revision or the amendment. The applicable version of this part of SANS10142 istheonewiththelatest implementation date before the contract date. So contracts signed before the approval of an amendment shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the unamended standard. If an existing installation is extended or altered, such extension or alteration shall comply with the provisions of this part of SANS 10142 that were applicable at the time of the erection of the extension or alteration.” Now the above makes perfect sense. The fact that we have a current publication date, namely March 2017 for Edition 2, makes explaining what I mean a little easier. Many contracts are signed a few weeks or even months before the contractor moves onto site. Here I am thinking perhaps of a fairly large Government, infrastructure or housing project where the tender closed in, say, December 2016 and the contractor only happens to be allowed to go on site in, say, May 2017 owing to negotiations and procurement timelines. The contract signed of course, is the one containing all the conditions prevailing at the time of tender… namely SANS 10142-1:2012 Edition 1.8. In this case, the contract is signed in December 2016 and construction only starts in June 2017… with completion perhaps only in 2018 or 2019. At first, it seems quite simple – the Code applicable in the above example would be SANS 10142-1: 2012 Edition 1.8. But wait . in the very next paragraph that condition seems to be ignored and SANS 10142-1: 2017 Edition 2 appears to be the applicable Code. “The edition of the standard that was applicable at the date of erection of an electrical installation is to be considered the edition defining the requirements applicable to that particular electrical installation.” Let me illustrate … according to the 2012 Edition 1.8, there are no requirements to have water heaters on earth leakage (6.16.2), but in 2017 Edition 2, water heaters require earth leakage. “At first glance, it appeared as if all the previous SANS 10142-1 amendment baggage had been dropped.”

contractor and enter such registration into the national database: Provided that such person – (a) has a fixed address and a telephone; and (b) employs a registered person in a full-time capacity, or is himself or herself a registered person. Please take careful note of (4)(b)… the keywords are: “employs … full-time” and “himself/herself a registered person”! Annex 3 of the Electrical Installation Regulations 2009 is the official application form used to register as an Electrical Contractor. All the above items and more, are addressed in the application form, for example, the Particulars of the Applicant, particulars of registered persons in the employ of the contractor and supporting documentation to substantiate the information supplied, to name a few. Electrical Installation Regulation 14 mandates the R120 application fee. You can register for up to three years at a time and the Electrical Contractor Registration may be

Coming back to the example. Where there are additions in 2021 to an installation completed in 2018 or 2019 . it may well be that a less informed accredited person at that time might insist that the original CoC is not valid. It is funny how you start doubting and questioning each and every nuance of what is written, when you find a few grey areas before you have even reached the ‘contents’ page.

withdrawn in terms of Regulation 12. Thanks for visiting. Till next time…

Well, that’s that for the moment. We will return to the rest of SANS 10142- 1: 2017 Edition 2 after my promised look at the registration of the Electrical Contractor. The Electrical Installation Regulations has the following to say about the electri- cal contractor registration topic: Electrical contractor 6. (1) No person may do electrical installation work as an electrical contractor unless that person has been registered as an electrical contractor in terms of these Regulations. (2) Any person who does electrical installation work as an electrical contractor shall register annually in the form of Annexure 3 with the chief inspector or a person appointed by the chief inspector. (3) An application for registration as referred to in subregulation (2) shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation 14. (4) The chief inspector or a person appointed by the chief inspector shall register any person referred to in subregulation (1) as an electrical

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

AUGUST 2017

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

10

MAJOR TECH CELEBRATES 25 YEARS MAJOR TECH TURNS 25 THIS YEAR. To commemorate this milestone, the company is releasing a limited edition digital multimeter – the MT25. “The MT25 digital multimeter is a compact handheld unit that provides fast and accurate measurements on an oversized high contrast LCD display with a bargraph and backlight,” says Werner Grobbelaar, sales manager at Major Tech. Grobbelaar says the specially designed multimeter is housed in a double-moulded plastic casing with an IP67 waterproof design for safety and durability. The meter performs multiple functions that include ac/dc voltage, ac/ dc current, resistance, continuity, capacitance, frequency, duty cycle, temperature and diode test. The MT25 is tested for use in CAT III 600 V and also offers the added convenience of a built-in LED flashlight and tilt stand. Features include: • Compact size

ELPA EXAMINATION DATES ANNOUNCED

D ates have been announced for the first round of ELPA (Earthing, Lightning and Protection Associa- tion) examinations. These will take place on 16, 17 and 22, 23 August 2017. One of ELPA’s main functions is to certify installers, designers, and assessors of lightning protection systems. The certification of lightning protection installers is an important step in the provision of valid CoCs for the lightning protection installation. Certified ELPA installers will provide certainty that a high level of competency is adhered to on all installations. In order to maintain these high installation levels, ELPA will randomly inspect installations of accredited installers. The additional accreditation of lightning protection designers and assessors will take place early in 2018. It is therefore vitally important that lightning protection installation companies obtain ELPA accreditation of their installation personnel.

Flir Systems received the “Red Dot: Best of the Best 2017” product de- sign award for its newly redesigned Flir Exx-Series advanced thermal imaging cameras. Established in 1955, the Red Dot Award is one of the most sought-after quality marks for excellence in product design and Flir is proud to be in the company of other prominent trendsetters in the design of products.. While the sleek handheld thermal cameras were selected for their superior ergonomics and aesthetics, they also provide vivid imagery, focus accuracy and an intuitive interface packaged in a rugged, pistol- grip format. The improved point-and-shoot style design and updated technology allow the Flir Exx-Series to deliver a higher level of per- formance, helping professionals to achieve more in their working day. DESIGN AWARD FOR FLIR

• Measures ac and dc voltage up to 600 V • Measures ac and dc current up to 10 A • Temperature measurement from -20 °C to 760 °C • IP67 dust and waterproof • Impact protection • 4000-count LCD display with a bargraph and backlight • Auto range with manual override Standard accessories include a soft carrying case, MT810 test leads, MT660 temperature probe and an instruction manual.

For further information contact Claudelle Pillay on +27 (0) 11 704 1487 or email info@elpasa.org.za.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 872 5500

Enquiries: www.flir.com/exx-series

PROFESSIONAL WETSTONE TOOL SHARPENER

ACTOM WINS ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT SECTOR ‘TOP 500’ AWARD

M ulti Sharp’s Wetstone offers four sharpening angles with a built-in water cooling system that gives fine edges and preserves the steel temper. The kit comes with all the quick-clip-on adapters to sharpen wood chisels, plane blades and small tools. Also included with the system are guides to sharpen

knives and scissors at the correct angle and full step by step in- structions are included in the kit. All powered by the electric drill. The compact unit and system uses re-circulating water to elim- inate over-heating of the blade edges, loss of steel temper and bluing. Fill the built-in reservoir with water, turn on the power drill

and a continuous film of water cov- ers the face of the grinding wheel. The system quickly re-sharpens even badly damaged chisels, plan blades and wood craving tools owing to the high-powered torque of the electric drill. The special clamp firmly holds the blades at the selected angle, 25° to 40°, for a precision ground edge. The traditional leather strop, part of the kit, removes burrs for a razor- sharp edge. The tool rest feature gives a firm base for re-sharpening, repointing and re-edging a range of small tools; wood carving and turning, chisels, bradawls, screwdrivers, centre punches, scribers, gouges, etc. Marked angles on the tool rest indicate the tip angles. The blade capacity is 10 to 60 mm wide and sharpening angles cater for 25, 30, 35, 40 degree tips for primary and secondary bevels, plus rebate chisels. The grinding wheel is a high-quality aluminium oxide, constructed on glass-reinforced nylon and tested by DDIY.

ACTOM was named – for the second year in succession – as Top Performer in the Electrical Equipment sector in the Top 500 Companies Awards in South Africa for 2017. The awards, organised by Topco Media, publishers of the business-to- business publication Top 500, were announced and presented at the Awards function staged at Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, on March 21, 2017, marking the ninth successive year of the existence of the competition and this year marking the ninth edition of the Top 500 South Africa’s best-managed companies. The key criteria by which the five top performing companies in each of a total of 100 different sectors are selected each year are financial performance, empowerment, policy and commitment and alignment to government’s mandate centred around skills development, CSI enterprise development and various other differentiators. The assessment and selection of candidates for the Top 500 Compa- nies Awards are done by Topco’s research department in conjunction with the University of Cape Town’s development policy research unit, which sets up rigorous criteria for organisations that see themselves as being among South Africa’s best-managed companies. In the latest edition of Top 500, Fiona Wakelin, the publication’s Editor, revealed that the Awards had 25% more content and five times the number of clients than their predecessor. “This is a fine reflection of the robust nature of the best-managed companies in South Africa, many of whom have shown remarkable resilience, and indeed growth, under difficult global, regional and national economic circumstances,” she concludes.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 314 7711

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 820 5094

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

AUGUST 2017

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

11

WORKING KNOWLEDGE BY TERRY MACKENZIE HOY DEALING WITH UNEXPECTED EARTH LEAKAGE TRIPS

BOSCH LAUNCHES NEW GENERATION OF 18 V ROTARY HAMMERS Anyway, having got the advice of a consulting engineer, the person called an electrician who said the ELU was faulty and should be replaced. This was done but the problem did not go away. I told the T he latest additions to the Bosch range of rotary hammers with EC mo- tors generate an impact energy of 2.6 joules, which is 50% more than the current strongest 18 V rotary hammer. The GBH 18V-26 Professional and GBH 18V-26 F Professional are the latest additions to the Bosch range of rotary hammers with EC motors. Campbell Mhodi, Bosch Professional Power Tools senior brand manager explains that the high performance makes them comparable with corded tools such as the GBH 2-26 Professional. The EC motor is highly efficient and completely maintenance-free and users can choose between a model with a fixed chuck and a model with a changeable chuck, which is also supplied with a keyless chuck for round shank drill bits. To allow installers to stay in control even when carrying out work on hard materials, such as drilling into reinforced concrete, Bosch has equipped the GBH 18V-26 Professional and the GBH 18V-26 F Professional with KickBack control. If the rotary hammer turns suddenly or unpredictably on its drill axis, as can occur if the drill becomes jammed in reinforced concrete, the inte- grated sensor shuts off the motor in a fraction of a second. This prevents unexpected kickback of the tool, thereby reducing the risk of injury. In addition, the integrated electronic precision control (EPC) feature supports tradespeople when drilling into delicate materials such as tiles. If the EPC function is activated, the maximum power of the rotary hammer is limited to 70%, with a slower run-up. This enables professional tradespeople to work in impact mode from the start of their task by omitting one work step. The bit is prevented from slipping off when the user starts to drill, and precise results can be achieved quickly and easily. When developing the new generation of 18 V rotary hammers, Bosch also redesigned the shape of the tools and optimised them for ergonomic work. The handle is now in line with the drill axis on both tools. This ‘L’-shape re- duces the effort and fatigue involved during working. In addition, both rotary hammers feature efficient vibration damping. A damping element uncouples the main handle from the hammer drive, reducing vibrations actively. To enable tradespeople to work in building stock in a dust-free environment, such as when retrofitting light fittings, Bosch now offers the new 18 V rotary hammers with an active integrated dust extractor. The GDE 18V-16 Profes- sional can simply be attached to the rotary hammer when required. It has its own motor, also supplied with power by the rotary hammer battery. To allow drilling to be carried out easily and cleanly using dust extraction, the dust ex- tractor has an automatic power on/off function. It starts automatically at the same time as the rotary hammer. However, to ensure optimal dust extraction, it continues to function for two seconds after the drilling operation is ended. The integrated HEPA filter also provides reliable dust protection and, like the dust container, can be cleaned and emptied in just a few easy movements. Further features include an LED light on the housing to illuminate the work- ing area, as well as an l 6.0 Ah battery. With its accompanying GAL 1880 CV Professional quick charger, the battery is fully charged in 50 minutes, which is 30% faster than the previous model. The new GBH 18V-26 will be available from Bosch selected dealers from September 2017 onwards. T he other day, someone in my office had a problem with the dis- tribution board at home. It “kept tripping”. I established that the earth leakage protection relay (ELU) was tripping. The person said they would switch it back on again and it would be okay for about an hour after which it would trip. I was asked what I thought the problem could be, and to establish this I asked the standard questions, which are as follows: (a) Has any- body recently worked on the distribution board? (b) Have you recently connected a new power point? (c) How old is the distribution board? (d) Have you recently purchase a new appliance? Just by simple questioning, one can get to what a problem might be. If the board is ten years old or more, it may be that the ELU is faulty. If there’s a new appliance, it could be faulty, or otherwise faulty workmanship could be the issue. I told the person to unplug everything in the house to see if the board still tripped. Thereafter, I suggested, they plug the appliances in, one by one, and see what happens.

by the following: (a) Earth leakage won’t reset: live is down-to-earth . (b) Earth leakage trips intermittently but is often okay for a day or two: faulty appliance . (c) Earth leakage trips intermittently every hour or so: neutral is down to earth somewhere . (d) Earth leakage trips generally at night or in the morning at about seven or eight: circuits protected by earth leakage protection are overloaded: typically coffee machine, kettle, microwave and heater, all on. Other thoughts: If you take your voltage meter and measure from earth to live on the circuit breakers in a distribution board and you get voltage then you should not get voltage from earth to neutral. If you do, this means the neutral is broken somewhere. If you have a cable that is three core and you measure the voltage from the earth to live at 110 V and earth to neutral at 110 V, then the cable earth is not connected to earth. Finally, never disconnect the neutral wire of a circuit in a distribution board if the circuit is live. You will subject whatever is connected to the circuit to a high-voltage. Furthermore, if you’re working on a distribution board make sure you have solid earth cables and connect them to the live wires of the board while you’re working on it. The earth you can see is the earth you can trust.

person to tell the electrician to turn the distribution board power supply off, remove all the neutrals from the neutral bar and voltage test them with an ac insulation tester to see if any of the neutrals was down to earth. If any were, then part of the return current would be travelling through the earth and bypassing the earth leakage protection relay which then, measuring an imbalance between live and neutral, would trip. The person relayed this to the electrician who ignored the advice and told the person that the problem was one of the outside plugs, which the electrician replaced. This still did not solve the problem. Finally, the person asked me to explain why they should insulation test the neutrals while disconnected from the neutral bar. I explained that it really didn’t matter why–the point was that all the neutrals should only be connected to earth via a single neutral from the main power supply on the neutral bar. And if this was not the case, the earth leakage protection would trip. Klaar! The electrician replaced the distribution board, rewired some of the wiring and said the problem was fixed. It was. For this he charged R6000. Nice work if you can get it. Just about all unexpected earth leakage protection trips are caused

ALTRON SELLS CRABTREE TO SIEMENS AG, SUBJECT TO REGULATORY APPROVAL

JSE listed Allied Electronics Corporation Limited (Altron) has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Power Technologies Proprietary Limited (Powertech), has entered into an agreement whereby it will sell Crabtree Electrical Accessories (Crabtree) to Siemens AG. Crabtree produces and distributes low-voltage components for the South African construction market, including light switches, power outlets, cable routing

systems, and adapters. The sale of Crabtree forms part of Altron’s plan to exit its manufacturing operations and focus on its information technology and telecommunications business. The transaction is subject to the grant of approvals by the relevant competition authorities.

Enquiries: www.altron.com

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

AUGUST 2017

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