Sparks Electrical News June 2019

JUNE 2019

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

REGULARS: CONTRACTORS’ CORNER | BUYERS' GUIDE : ENERGY MEASUREMENT AND SUPPLY | FEATURES : TOOLS OF THE TRADE | ENERGY MEASUREMENT AND SUPPLY | LIGHTING | INDUSTRY 4.0

DE-RISKING SOUTH AFRICA’S TRANSITION TO A NEW ENERGY FUTURE

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O n the African continent, there is appetite for major infrastructure developments that are hampered only by challenges of capacity, whereas the picture is almost inverse in South Africa. “We are sitting on a GDP growth rate of 1.5% at present that affects infrastructure investment, and which was further exacerbated by an investment freeze as businesses adopt a wait-and-see approach ahead of the elections in May,” says Tshepo Mofubetsoana, Broker Centre Manager – Construction & Engineering Division at Aon South Africa. “Although there is no disputing the economic facts and constraints right now, there is a dire need for infrastructure development in the energy sector in South Africa, especially in light of Eskom’s current capacity woes that are adversely affecting the entire economy,” he adds. While government is working to address operational, structural and financial challenges surrounding Eskom, there is a clarion call from all stakeholders to transition to renewable and alternative energy sources where feasible to do so. Major renewable energy projects in the Northern Cape and Kimberley are nearing completion, but there has been little movement in this space in the rest of the country, largely due to a lack of policy direction and failure to leverage the potential of Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Labour relations are also strained with unions adding their voice to the topic of job preservation amidst government’s decision to unbundle Eskom into three separate operating units. “There is no denying the fact that renewable energy is a major disruptor in the sector, but instead of seeing it as a threat, it should be viewed as an opportunity for the labour market to upskill in order to offer meaningful participation, while embracing the job creation aspects of this change in mindset. Whether we expect Eskom to be the supplier to the national grid, or we change our

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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THE FALL OF JDL ELECTRIC: FROM THE CEO T he liquidation of JDL Electric earlier this year caused its staff and creditors unintentional suffering. On February 4 th 2019, employees were informed that the company was being closed. Within 24 hours, one of the country’s largest banks had filed a High Court order to liquidate JDL Electric, seized all assets and stock, and barricaded all operations. But how did this happen? CEO, Lee Kritzinger revealed all to Sparks Electrical News, without prejudice, in an open letter to the industry:

they would consider our request but needed further securities. The directors signed sureties and cross company guarantees. Notarial bonds were drawn up at our cost. After this,the bank declined the additional finance and instead demanded we reduce the existing limit by R30k per day. At the beginning of February 2019, high court orders were issued within 24 hours of a rejected turnaround strategy presented at our investment bankers’ offices. The bank instructed us to voluntarily liquidate or, informed us repeatedly we would see the “other side of the bank”. We asked for the opportunity to sell off the stock for cash to give the creditors as much as possible back. The request was accepted, and rejected the following day. The bank was nervous that our landlords also had a claim to everything on the premises. They wanted to “perfect their loans”. On Monday the 4 th February 2019, the companies were chained and

locked and auctioneers began loading stock and assets. No record was made of what was being removed and I witnessed fragile stock being damaged carelessly in the process. This was one of the most emotional days of my life, witnessing 38 combined years of mine and my father’s hard work, destroyed before my eyes. I sincerely apologise to all the families who suffered through this catastrophe, including my own whose lives have been turned upside down. I have found jobs for many of my staff and I have met with many suppliers to apologise for what happened. JDL gave its suppliers decades of continuous support and many of them received millions annually from the JDL Group, whose gross income was around R250m per annum.

“Let me begin at the end. 120 families lost their sources of income. Directors are receiving summons’, because they signed personal sureties. My home, vehicles and assets have all been auctioned. I cannot be a director of any company for many years to come. Why? JDL Electric applied for additional finance for our group of companies in order to get up to date with our suppliers. Our investment bankers said that

The 10 nails in the JDL coffin

1. Phones: Our call centre, traditionally respon- sible for two thirds of our turnover, only had two lines available from September 2018, compared to the norm of 24. We were losing an average of 200 incoming calls per day. 2. IT: Our ERP system server sat in a secure data centre that only allows access to “white listed” IP addresses. We were trying to op- erate 40 phones and 50 computers off an LTE router with a sim card while waiting for a fibre connection deadline that was pushed back weekly. Every time the signal dropped, a new static IP address would automatically be issued, and our data centre access would be blocked for 48 hours while the new details were submitted for access. Our landlord’s ‘preferred’ internet solution provider could not adhere to its commitments, due to an In- ternational merger and a five-month backlog at its sites. Contracts were signed at the end of September 2018 and a three to four week turnaround time quoted. Five months later, after a 50% drop in sales and a R6m loss in- curred, a belated personal apology was sent by the CEO. Still no fibre. 3. Drugs/theft: 10% of our staff complement tested positive for hard drugs. These habits and associated behaviours were fed by stock theft. It has come to my attention that several staff members had syndicates within the organisa- tion. The January 2019 stock take revealed that there was over R2.5m worth of missing stock, since the previous check in September 2018. Suspicious activity was reported in 2018 to a director but this information was never shared in any subsequent board meeting. 4. Bad debt: R5m worth of bad debt had to be written off from people I trusted and supplied without credit insurance cover. 5. Buyouts: Over R1.3m worth of special buyout stock was paid for and mostly hidden away in our stores. Staff and/or clients ordering incorrectly, then not bothering to send the items back for credit. 6. Dead stock: Uncontrolled procurement. R6m worth of stock that had zero movement for six months or more, purchased, paid for and gathering dust on the shelves. In 2017, we also wrote off R2m of dead stock. 7. R7m of upfront COD payments: Made to one of our regular cable suppliers for three months’ worth of stock. The supplier deliv- ered R2m worth of stock and then declared it could not deliver anything further, owing to lack of funds or stock. 8. Interest: A loan was taken for trade finance and funds flowed out to the group of compa- nies. The interest servicing this debt was over R500k per month. 9. Insurance cover: We had R240k worth of fraudulent card transactions that were re- versed four months later. Our provider refused to accept accountability and insurance did not cover fraud. The R2.5m of missing stock would also not be covered, since our fidelity cover was only R150k. We were paying R120k a month for credit and short-term insurance that we could not use, due to certain T&Cs. 10. Moonlighting: Some staff members were running their own companies on the side, whilst being paid a salary by JDL. Some were supplying JDL clients directly. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JUNE 2019

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH – CAREL SCHEEPERS

THINKING ON YOUR FEET IS THE GREATEST ASSET

Sparks: What are the greatest changes you have seen over the years? CS: How the Internet of Things (IoT) has changed the electrical game.

build silos – be agile; support quality and service, not just price.

Sparks: What is your favourite quote? CS: The bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity to grow. Sparks: Name three things on your ‘bucket list’. CS: Big tuna fishing, visiting the Serengeti, and visiting the Rainbow Mountains in China.

Sparks: What major projects have you worked on and what is your greatest accomplishment? CS: Metering systems is my strength, from major plants in medium voltage to Citiq Prepaid and prepaid solutions. Sparks: Have you won any awards? CS: In the medium voltage space: to be the first person to land a dry type transformer deal in South Africa as well as selling the most solid insulated switchgear worldwide with Schneider Electric. Sparks: Who has been your inspiration or have you had a mentor who has influenced your career? CS: My inspiration and drive comes from a personal space – always striving to be the best for my nearest and dearest. Sparks: What, to your mind, is one of the biggest challenges facing the industry at this time? CS: Adaptability is key to any sector – this is not only a trend as it was in late 1990s-2000s. Today it is vital for survival, and that includes the IoT, diversifying, and branching out. Sparks: What do you enjoy most about your job? CS: The ability to be handed a challenge, and building the solution. Every day at Citiq we find new challenges in this emerging market. Thinking on your feet and overcoming obstacles at a rapid rate is what makes the Citiq story such a success. Sparks: How do you motivate your staff? CS: First, one has to recognise the talent, then place that talent where it will benefit the person and the company equally – youwill always havemotivated and happy employees and a successful company with this recipe. Sparks: If you could ‘do it all again’, would you change anything? If so, what would that be? CS: There are so many ways to answer this question – at the end of the day, ask yourself, “Am I happy where I am right now?” If yes – great job. If no – move, you are not a tree. Sparks: Would you advise a person leaving school to enter the electrical industry? And why? CS: I would absolutely advise anyone to join the electrical industry. Why? Everything works with power! Sparks: What is your advice to electrical contractors or electrical engineers? CS: Don’t isolate yourself, align yourself with the best in the industry. Don’t engineering sectors that currently have the capacity to undertake these major and complex projects,” says Viterenwa. The reality is that the Renewable Energy Sector will continue to grow significantly faster than any predicted national and international economic growth indices, providing significant opportunities for developers and operators alike. Demand by governments and individuals for a secure supply of cleaner and cheaper alternatives to fossil fuels is escalating, along with the introduction of tightening emission reduction targets. But renewable energy projects come with significant and complex risks and, in most instances, massive financial requirements and contractual liabilities due to the debt financing models in place. “Seamless insurance cover is a key requirement of any renewable energy construction project, right from the planning and early works stages and between marine cargo transits, construction All Risks, delay in start-up, operating property damage and business interruption, as well as all third-party liability exposures. Renewable energy insurance products cover the main lines of insurance such as property, engineering, marine and liability while additional special types of insurance can be made available such as credit, political and weather risks, errors and omissions, and directors and officers cover,” concludes Mofubetsoana.

Enquiries: www.citiqprepaid.co.za

Carel Scheepers

CAREL SCHEEPERS, General Manager: Sales at Citiq Prepaid, has worked in the electrical industry for over 26 years and finds great satis- faction in building the solution to challenges. Every day new challenges emerge, and it is these that keep him motivated. Sparks: Where were you educated? CS: I received my Electrician’s Qualification from the Mining Industry & Engineering Trades Board in 1995. I then furthered my studies by obtaining a Diploma in General management from PenTech in 1998.

Sparks: How long have you been involved in the lighting industry? CS: I have been in the electrical industry since 1993.

Sparks: When and where did you start your career? CS: I started my electrical apprenticeship in Port Elizabeth at PPC Ltd, a leading supplier of cement, lime and related products in southern Africa.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 attitude, everyone should be trying to find a workable solution,” adds Michael Viterenwa, Account Executive for construction and engineering at Aon South Africa. Global sentiment supports green energy, while reinsurers have gone so far as to re-evaluate their stance on coal mining. The Paris Agreement signed in 2015 by United Nations members called on all members to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases as quickly as possible. This led to insurance giant Zurich announcing that it would stop offering insurance to mining and power generation companies receiving more than 50% of their revenue from coal, joining a growing list of global insurers taking steps to distance themselves from the ravages of coal in the wake of climate change concerns. South Africa is currently behind the curve of investment in renewable energy; however, this is set to change with the President’s recent announcement of Eskom’s unbundling into three units of generation, transmission and distribution. “This bold move paves the way for IPPs to sign power purchase agreements with the new ‘transmission’ company that will evolve from Eskom’s unbundling. While it will take a few years for the new transmission business to be fully operational as a separate entity, it will launch South Africa on the path to renewable energy infrastructure development, which will be well-received by the construction and

Enquiries: www.aon.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JUNE 2019

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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ZEST WEG GROUP HELPS FARMERS FIND GOOD ‘GROUND’ – ELECTRICALLY

A ccording to Zest WEG Group, there are mis- conceptions around what constitutes ‘earth’ (or ‘ground’) and ‘neutral’ connections and not understanding the differences can create serious problems when connections are made from on-site transformers or other sources. This more often than not leads to earth leakage systems underperform- ing and compromising the safety of the equipment and operators. Johan Breytenbach, transformer sales specialist at Zest WEG Group, says that the neutral connection in an electrical installation is designed to carry current all the time, while the earth connection is only supposed to carry current for a short period to trip

the feeding transformer. Earthing is therefore a vital part of electrical installations to ensure that circuit breakers will trip under fault conditions. Safe and legal installation needs to start with the selection of the right transformer, with a star configuration to allow the connection to the neutral point. Installation by a qualified and experienced technician is then ideal, to ensure optimal performance. The correct earthing or grounding of electrical currents has a number of important benefits apart from the main concern around safety. It protects equipment and appliances from surges in electricity – commonly from lightning strikes or power surges – which bring dangerously high voltages of electricity into the system. Good earthing will ensure that excess electricity will go into the earth, rather than damaging equipment. Zest WEGGroup’s product line-up includes low and high voltage electric motors, vibrator motors, variable speed drives, softstarters, power and distribution transformers, MCCs, containerised substations, mini substations, diesel generator sets, switchgear and co- generation and energy solutions as well as electrical and instrumentation engineering and project management services.

is a conductor that provides a low impedance path to earth so that hazardous voltages do not find their way to the equipment. Under normal conditions, the earth connection does not carry any current. Neutral, on the other hand, is a circuit conductor that normally carries current back to the source. Neutral is usually connected to earth at the main electrical panel or meter, and also at the final step- down transformer of the supply. Neutral is also the connection point in a three-phase power supply to connect cable termination in order to gain single phase power. In a three-phase circuit, neutral is usually shared between all three phases, with the system neutral being connected to the star point on

your protection switch. “Where this is not understood and the installation is not done correctly, the trip system will not work properly. In addition to this, stray currents are created that could cause other problems,” he says. Experience has shown that many farmers use the neutral connection as the earth when they do an electrical installation, and this is not correct. Current carried on a grounding conductor can result in significant or even dangerous voltages on equipment enclosures. For this reason, the installation of grounding conductors and neutral conductors is carefully defined in electrical regulations. In alternating current (ac) electrical wiring, the earth

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 723 6000

KEY PRODUCTS FOR POWER-FACTOR CORRECTION TO CUT ENERGY COSTS P ower-factor correction is a mechanism to reduce operating costs associated with electricity consumption. Some of the key advantages here are reduced kVA charges, im- proved plant efficiency and network voltage, and reduced overloading of cables, switchgear, and transformers. The power factor is simply the ratio of actual power (known as active power) used in a circuit, expressed in kW, to the mains power drawn, ex- pressed in kVA, ElectroMechanica (EM) Product Manager Artur Socha explains. Large industrial, commercial, or retail operations can have maximum demand charges applied to their electricity bill. Improved power factor relates to immediate savings on the demand charges. Even sites that have switched to renewable energy sources such as solar still need to take power fac- tor into account. To determine the estimated savings that can be realised by installing a Power Factor Correction system, Socha reveals that EM recently launched a Power Factor Correction calculator to allow cus- tomers to determine savings if they are being pe- nalised on their electricity bills with a maximum demand charge. The EM Power Factor Correction calculator is available at http://www.em.co.za/site/ pfc/pfc.html.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 249 5000

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JUNE 2019

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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WORKING KNOWLEDGE WITH TERRY MACKENZIE HOY

TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD BEAR IN MIND AS AN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

Y ou know how it is that you 'Google' something and lists pop up? Lists like ‘Ten things you didn’t know about the royal family’ and ‘10 things to do when you like Donald Trump’? So, here are ten things not to do to keep you safe at work in the electrical world. 1. Don’t wear a watch or jewellery. Take your rings and chains and watches (and studs and piercings) off and put them away safely when you get into your overalls. At some stage of your career you will reach out near live terminals and the ring or the watch will touch them. You can lose a finger or burn your wrist. If you have a pendant, at some stage it will get caught in moving machinery. Don’t argue. Finding out the hard way is ... um, hard. 2. Wear a hard hat. In 40 years of engineering, my hard hat has never been needed to protect me from anything falling on my head. Nothing has fallen on my head. So far. But, when I first put on my hard hat, I didn’t know this would be the case. I still go to

When the driver climbs onto the crane he will be electrocuted. 10. When opening a busbar chamber, do so gently. Take the cover off and let the chamber ‘breathe’. Very often, flammable gases form in such chambers and explode if there are any naked flames in the vicinity. Remember, if there is no ‘source of ignition’, one will soon turn up ... Then there is all the other standard stuff: if you can’t see the face of the truck driver, then the driver can’t see you; get somebody to hold the ladder; if you can’t get somebody then you shouldn’t be working alone; don’t stand on forklift forks to lift you up; and finally, that most often ignored of rules, don’t work on a circuit if it is live. No matter who, no matter what or no matter how, a live circuit is a threat to you. Nobody should make you undo live cable tails, live wires or terminals. Just don’t do it.

pull away reflexively and your hand won’t grasp it reflexively. 7. Wear goggles and gloves when grinding. Heavy gloves for grind- ing with an angle grinder, garden gloves for a grinding wheel. If you are grinding aluminium, the doctor will never get a splinter out of your eye with a magnet. Think about it. 8. Never enter a closed compartment without a gas test. On a mine, four artisans decided to steal lead weight from inside a metal barge. Gas from oil was in the barge and they all died. If you have to enter a closed compartment without a gas test, make sure your will is up to date. 9. Do not let a crane park under a power line. If you see a crane parked under a power line, find the driver and tell him to move it. If the driver refuses, find the safety officer and tell him. The danger is that at some stage the driver will lift the crane jib into the power line and the line won’t trip since the crane tyres insulate the crane.

site and put on my hard hat. It is better to have something stopping you hurting yourself and not need it, than the other way around. 3. Isolate the circuit yourself or watch somebody doing it before you start work on it. If someone tells you the circuit is isolated, check. Use your padlock to lock their lock. Leave a note saying you are working on the circuit. 4. The safe earth is the one you can trust. The safe earth is the one you can see. Buy jumper leads and use them as earths. Never work on an un- earthed circuit. 5. You think some wires or terminals are live? Buy a neon tester which lights up if the circuit is live. It works through cable insulation. 6. If you have to touch a bare conductor, do it with the back of your hand. If it is live your arm will IMPRESSIVE NEW SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS SAVE MILLIONS T he Austrian Ambassador officially launched two of the largest sub-Saharan solar sys- tems in Johannesburg in May. These SOL- TRAIN (Southern African Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative) projects, a district heating plant for Wits University residences and a solar process heat plant for the Klein Karoo Inter- national (KKI) tannery, will save millions in energy costs over the lifetime of the plants. SOLTRAIN in South Africa is managed by the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Stud- ies at Stellenbosch University, and the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), in partnership with AEE-Institute for Sustainable Technologies (AEE INTEC) from Austria. SOLTRAIN is a regional initiative on capacity building and dem- onstration of solar thermal systems. Wits Junction The Wits Junction district heating project combines solar, co-generation and gas heating technologies, servicing 14 student residence buildings with hot water from one centralised hot water plant room. The installation includes 600 m 2 solar heating plant with 10 m 2 Austrian collectors. There are 1 103 students in the 14 buildings, with an average consumption of 94 000 litres of hot water per day. Peak demand is in the morning, averaging 30% of daily consumption, with a maxi- mum demand of 28 200 litres in an hour. The sys- tem supplies the entire hot water demand, including kitchens, laundry, cleaning and other domestic uses. Each student has his/her own kitchen and there are some centralised service rooms for cleaning staff. Since the system was commissioned, the com- plaints of not having hot water have reduced by 98%. The estimated cost savings are R40 million over the next 20 years and already the University has seen substantial electricity savings over the trial period of eight months. As the electricity cost from the co-generator is equal to municipal cost, the thermal energy is free and the centralised plant requires a lot less maintenance intervention, hence less costs.

Enquiries: www.soltrain.org

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CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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SEEN AT THE A-OSH EXPO A-OSH EXPO turned nine in 2019 and took place from 14 to 16 May 2019 at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand. A truly proudly South African show, the expo provided holistic access to all things related to wellness and safety at work. This included health-at-work programmes, environmental issues, personal and protective equipment, working at height, and hazardous equipment and chemicals. The valuable seminar theatre sessions were free-to-attend, and the exhibitor stands gave visitors access to the newest products and services with many exlusive launches at the show. For the first time this year, there were three shows under one roof – A-OSH EXPO once again co-located with well-respected security and fire exhibition, Securex South Africa, which is now in its 26 th year. In addition, the Facilities Management Expo, which showcases products and services associated with property and building management and maintenance, was also co-located.

Nathan Potgieter and Richard Huyerman from Citiq Prepaid at A-OSH EXPO 2019.

Part of the large team from ACDC Dynamics who were highly visible at the event.

Enquiries: www.aosh.co.za

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THE FALL OF JDL ELECTRIC

After D-Day, three large interested players in the in- dustry moved swiftly, performing their due diligence calculations. After two weeks, the highest bid of R26.2m was made for the JDL group of company’s names, assets and debtors’ book. The replacement value of this was over R60m, but the group still owed its creditors for the stock, which was the main reason the bank refused to issue any umbrellas during the storm. The bid that would at least have given credi- tors nearly half their money back was declined by our investment banker’s attorney, due to a technicality of the law. It was devastating to accept that these funds could not flow back to the creditors. At this stage, I fear that 10c in the Rand is optimistic. Why did we decide to move? In March 2018, after three consecutive record months, a unanimous board decision was made: JDL Electric would expand. This would include moving to a 6500 m² facility and opening satellite branches. Our current parking and storage facilities were not enough to satisfy our client’s demands and survey results revealed 80% of our turnover was within a small 15 km radius. What does the future hold? I am blessed to have been given an opportunity to continue doing what I love, albeit, working for someone else. For the past 25 years, electrical wholesaling has been all that I have known. The electrical industry is as tough as any out there. The upside is that one sells essentials that are required in both new and maintenance installations. We are not selling non-essential, or luxury commodities. My advice to the industry is to be careful when making the leap from an SME to a large enterprise. Help addicts who want to be helped. Get rid of the rest. Make sure you have only the right people working with you, who are honest and love what they do. Manage your overheads diligently and do not let free loaders take advantage of your kindness. Stay away from debt! Once again, I apologise to staff, suppliers and clients who have suffered. I wish you all the best and hope you are able to get your lives back on track and prosper once again.” Were you affected by the liquidation of JDL? Email your comments to Sparks Electrical News at sparks@crown.co.za for publication in a future issue.

Enquiries: info@keyelectric.co.za

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NO MORE NASTY SURPRISES: PREPAID SUB METERS BENEFIT EVERYONE M anaging electricity and water consump- tion can be time consuming and costly for landlords and the tenant. Everyone wants

to know exactly how much has been used and how much is owed so they can budget effectively and ensure that neither of these critical utilities is cut off for any reason. For the landlord and the tenant, fight- ing over usage and money owed can be the biggest cause of frustration and can often damage the rela- tionship. Nobody needs the tedium of admin or the upset of conflict every month. One very simple way to resolve the conflict and re- move the possibility of nasty surprises is to install a pre- paid submeter. It’s easy and effective, it provides visibility intousage and costs,it allows for seamless payment and perhaps most importantly, it takes away the admin. “Thousands of property owners, managers and body corporates have invested into prepaid sub me- ters to minimise the complexities that come with utility management,” says Carel Scheepers, GM: Sales at Ci- tiq Prepaid. “With Citiq Prepaid, access is gained via our website that allows for a myriad of reporting and trans- parency. The strength of the vending system allows for daily, weekly, monthly reporting with the option of customisation. Our solution is designed to make every part of the process as easy and efficient as possible.” The extensive Citiq Prepaid offerings include the Citiq Installation Club (CIC) – a carefully curated loy- alty programme designed to support contractors and installers, strategically placed call centres, a country- wide recharge network and hands-on customer sup- port. With Citiq Prepaid, there are no more nasty sur- prises, but plenty of benefits, such as: • Reliable, high-end technology: The Citiq Prepaid meters have been developed using the best

system takes away the pain that often comes with managing and controlling water and electricity usage, making every part of the process as simple as possible. There is clarity into costs and payments, and every part of the process has been designed to make utility management convenient and reliable. This is why Citiq Prepaid is the leading choice for landlords, tenants, body corporates and homeowners in South Africa.

• Precise budgeting and cost management: The Citiq Prepaid online portal provides instant access to purchasing information and allows the landlord, managing agent or owner to manage their accounts with precision. There is no chance of a nasty surprise at the end of the month. • “Our website offers insight into the specifics of buildings and individual meters,” says Scheepers. “Users gain an immediate and aggregated view per building and a detailed view per meter per month.” • Easy utility payment and collection: Citiq Prepaid’s

possible parts and partners, assuring the tenant, landlord, property owner and installer of absolute reliability. The hardware is trusted and rugged, delivering the right levels of service daily. The vending and administration software has been developed in-house by Citiq Prepaid and is constantly evolving and adapting to what the market needs and wants. • “We continually fine-tune our features and capabilities so we can assure our customers of the most intelligent solutions,” adds Scheepers.

Enquiries: www.citiqprepaid.co.za

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JUNE 2019

TOOLS OF TRADE

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NEW RANGE OF BATTERIES FROM MAJOR TECH

Major Tech, a well-known and respected brand in the electrical indus- try in South Africa, has launched its own branded range of batteries that are available in electrical wholesalers, hardware stores and other DIY outlets. Major Tech has been selling batteries for many years, but the batteries sold in the past were not sold under the Major Tech brand and the company was not in control of the quality of manufacturing. Since Major Tech is known for the quality of its products and back- up service, the company decided to launch a new range of batteries under its own brand. As Major Tech branded products, people purchasing the batteries have the assurance of quality of design and reliability. The new Major Tech batteries are one-of-a-kind as they have been customised for the South African market. The instructions on each pack are written in English, Sotho, Zulu and Afrikaans to en- sure they reach the broadest section of the coun- try possible.

FOLDING KNIFE FOR ELECTRICIANS T he Knipex 16 20 50 SB folding knife for elec- tricians is a universal folding knife for eve- ryday use which is available locally through Garry Lumpe Imports. The Electricians’ Folding Knife, quickly available to hand, is suitable for all the usual cutting tasks electricians face. The handle is made from robust, shock-resistant plastic and is ergonomically de- signed for a comfortable grip and easy guidance, enabling good power transmission during use. A tether attachment at the handle’s end allows a fas- tener to be attached; it is also suitable for use with other Knipex Tethered Tools. Easy opening is guaranteed thanks to the prac- tical diamond-shaped grip on the blade, while the tool is durable and robust with a top quality, extremely sharp and stable stainless steel blade made in Solingen, Germany. The Maxi Alkaline range of batteries is cost ef- fective, delivering long-lasting performance and is available in a variety of sizes. In the 1.5 V category, the AAA and AA batteries are available in packs of four, while the C- and D-size batteries are avail- able in packs of two. Major Tech has also released a square PP3 Maxi Alkaline battery operating at 9 V, which is avail- able as an individual item. For remote controls and other wireless devices, an A23 battery operating at 12 V is also available in packs of five or as an individual item. The more affordable Super Heavy Duty range of batteries is available to hobbyists and people looking to run everyday devices. As with the Maxi Alkaline batteries, they are available in a variety of sizes. The AAA and AA batteries are available in packs of four, while the C- and D-size batteries are available in packs of two. The 9 V PP3 batteries are available as individual items. To make it easy to differentiate the two ranges, the Maxi Alkaline range is recognisable as a sil- ver battery with an orange stripe, while the Super Heavy Duty batteries are silver, with an orange stripe and a blue top. Although the two ranges are available at dif- ferent price points, they have been manufactured to the quality standards Major Tech is known for. The company conducted an in-depth search for a manufacturer that could deliver the quality of bat- tery required, and the range will be supported by Major Tech’s nationwide footprint. Enquiries: www.major-tech.com

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 396 4065

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JUNE 2019

TOOLS OF TRADE

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NEW PORTABLE THERMAL CAMERA FOR INDUSTRIAL INSPECTION

LEATHERMAN LAUNCHES THE NEXT GENERATION OF MULTIPURPOSE TOOLS

Leatherman Tool Group has announced the launch of the Leatherman Free Collection, the most extensive product launch in Leatherman’s 35-year his- tory. “Tim Leatherman invented the multipurpose tool in his garage 35 years ago. Soon after, the ‘Leatherman’ tool became synonymous with the multitool category,” said Ben Rivera, president and CEO of Leatherman Tool Group. “Over the past three and a half decades, we have empowered customers around the world to solve problems and, in many cases to save the day. Now in 2019, we are reinventing the category Tim invented 35 years ago with the introduction of Leatherman Free, a collection of tools that will take Leather- man and its users’ experience to the next level.” The new collection features a first-of-its-kind magnetic architecture. This cutting-edge technology integrates magnets into the design making it easier for users to open, handle, and close the tools and eliminating the need for nail nicks. Plus, the internal locking system reduces wear and tear on the indi- vidual implements which makes the Free tools even more durable than their predecessors. Free tools offer the ultimate sensory experience with the smooth haptics as well as the distinct 'click' each tool makes when an implement is locked into place and ready for use. The click provides confidence in the tool’s func- tionality. All tools made on the Free platform include: • Access to all implements from the outside of the tool. Plus, the elimination of a nail nick, which required a fingernail to deploy the tool. • A proprietary magnetic architecture ensuring smooth, frictionless deployment of the implements. • A new locking system that drastically reduces friction coupled with new elastomer springs making this collection the most durable Leatherman hasever produced. • Epic haptics that allow each tool to open and close seamlessly with a distinct noise providing confirmation that the tool is open and ready for use. • Textured signature design to provide a distinct look and offer enhanced grip. Launched in April 2019, the Leatherman Free P series leads the new col- lection. The new series is made of 420 steel to create a lightweight, durable, pliers-based multipurpose tool. The Free P2 and P4 tools feature many of the same implements found within classic Leatherman tools, but with new features and technology. The outside features the Free signature design, and the inside of the tool features a revolutionary magnetic architecture that allows the tool and its im- plements to open and close seamlessly. Leatherman engineers designed the tool so all implements are easily accessible from the outside of the tool and do not require a fingernail to deploy each implement, making them easier to access. The new architecture also provides smooth haptics as well as a distinct clicking noise to provide auditory confirmation that the tool is open and ready for use. The Leatherman Free T2 and T4 tools, available in July 2019, feature eight to ten high-functioning tools in a convenient, packable size, making them per- fect for everyday carry. The pocket tool features Free’s signature design, epic haptics, and the distinct click signalling that that the tool is open and ready for use, as well as the proprietary Leatherman magnetic architecture which allows each tool to open and close without tension. New locking technology makes the tools easier to open and significantly reduces wear and tear on the individual implements. The Leatherman Free K Series, available in August 2019, is a collection of multipurpose knives. Designed for the folding knife user who wants multi- purpose functionality, the primary implement in this collection is a 3.35-inch, high-quality 420 steel blade ready for just about everything. The K series features Leatherman Free design including epic haptics, distinct click to pro- vide auditory confirmation that the tool is open and ready for use, proprietary magnetic closures with premium aluminium handle, and eight additional tools located within the handle.

Users can also get the preferred level of infrared for each image with the 3.5” LCD touchscreen that offers IR-Fusion™, blending a visible light image with an infrared image to more easily locate problems by simply sliding a finger across the screen to adjust the setting. Key features of the PTi 120 Pocket Thermal Imager include: • Automatically organise and file thermal images with Fluke Connect Asset Tagging. • Fully radiometric thermal imager gives measurement data to the pixel with 120 x 90 infrared resolution (10 800 pixels). • 3.5” LCD touchscreen display for easy troubleshooting. • -20 °C to +150 °C temperature measurement range. • Six colour palettes. • IP 54 enclosure rating.

Comtest recently launched Fluke’s new PTi 120 Pocket Thermal Imager for easy troubleshooting and industrial inspection. Com- mon sense dictates that the bigger the problem, the more urgent the need to solve it. Fluke’s Pocket Thermal Camera is the user's first line of defense for easy troubleshooting on the job. It is small enough to carry around, every day, and always at hand. It is rugged, can stand up to dirt and water, and can survive a 1 m drop. Users can have the power in their pocket to make enhanced infrared inspections, and quick temperature scans of electrical equipment, machinery and other assets. Connect Asset Tagging automatically saves thermal images to the correct folders, eliminating the tedium of sorting and organis- ing infrared images. By simply scanning an asset’s QR code or barcode, the infrared image and all of the applicable date and time stamped information will be stored to predefined folders. This data can be sent via WiFi or automatically uploaded once users connect to the network or computer via USB.

Enquiries: +27 (0)10 595 1821

Enquiries: www.leatherman.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JUNE 2019

TOOLS OF TRADE

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TOUGH, DURABLE BIT SETS AND INNOVATIVE TOOL BIT HOLDERS B est known for driver bits and internation- ally popular screwdrivers, Felo was the first company to manufacture screwdrivers with signed to last and reduce slipping, thus protecting sensitive valuable surfaces from scratches. ficient. The Felo AllStar is available as a single unit, but is also available in the various AllStar specialist bit packs.

The range also includes an industrial bit range catering for all types of screws and fasteners. All the ranges are offered in various lengths from 72 mm to 150 mm, plus an extra slim option to fit certain heads. The Felo AllStar bit holder is a unique mag- netic bit holder; this double magnetised holder secures the screw like no other, giving users automatic adjustment of the bit to the depth of the screw head. A genuine one-hand opera- tion holder for driving in screws upside down, it also offers a quick and easy replacement of bits, making work a lot safer, faster and more ef-

Felo Profi Bit box sets are also available, includ- ing the full range of specialist bits, plus a selection of boxed sets. “Felo’s comprehensive range covers all one ever needs when it comes to bits,” says Ryan Hunt, sales director at Vermont Sales. “Its range covers total market needs as well as all the specialist’s bits, such as Tamper Proof Torx bits that are normally not available but a must-have if you do repairs to electrical tools and household equip- ment.”

BOVA UNVEILS DCR SAFETY FOOTWEAR RANGE The Torsion collection offers a comprehensive range of specialist bits, while the Felo Challenger range of diamond coated bits and TiN Plus, rec- ognised by their gold finish, will give the complete package, as they are durable, top quality and de- S afety footwear manufacturer Bova show- cased its latest safety footwear offering at A-OSH and PowerGen this year, featuring in- novative dual compound rubber (DCR) soling tech- nology that will better address the specific safety needs of the extreme and demanding environments in which the products are intended for use. Peter Gerbrands, Group Marketing Manager at BBF Safety Group, which manufactures and dis- tributes the Bova brand says, “Bova has earned a reputation for manufacturing safety footwear that is engineered for purpose rather than applying a one-size-fits all approach”. He explains that differ- ent personnel within the same industry often require different levels of protection and, therefore, different specifications. Until now, those working in extreme and hazard- ous conditions relied on footwear comprising either a single density Vulcanised Rubber sole, Nitrile Rub- ber sole or a dual density Polyurethane/Rubber (Pu/ Rubber) sole. While single density Rubber soles provide the wearer with the necessary protection in these harsh conditions, they cause discomfort owing to their heavy nature and lack of a midsole. PU/Rub- ber soles have answered the demand for a lighter boot with improved comfort through the inclusion of Polyurethane in the mid-sole, but this has simulta- neously compromised the durability of the products in the face of extreme environments. Gerbrands adds, “The challenge for us was to find a way to bring together the benefits offered by both these soling technologies, whilst eliminating their short-comings. This resulted in the development of a new range of safety footwear that demonstrates our leadership in continuous improvement and technological advancements". DCR is an innovative soling technology that uti- lises two different layers of rubber where the soles are directly injected onto the uppers for a superior bond, increasing the longevity of the product. By removing Polyurethane from the PU/Rubber product offering, and replacing it with a lightweight Rubber, the company has eliminated the destructive effects caused by hydrolysis in the face of fluctuat- ing temperatures and damp, harsh conditions. This increases its durability to the level of Nitrile Rubber sole footwear whilst maintaining the comfort that dual density soling products offer. “Due to the complexity of the sole injection, this technology is only available through a handful of manufacturers around the world and, until now, has not been manufactured on the African continent, re- sulting in an imported boot with an expensive price tag,” Gerbrands says. DCR soling technology offers a variety of benefits, including 300° C direct and radiant heat resistance, a 100% waterproof sole, resistance to acids, oils and chemicals, superior slip resistance, enhanced pen- etration resistance, superior abrasion resistance and shock absorbency on impact. two-component handles and the TiN-bit. Many DIYers and workers in industry are aware of the problem of not having the correct bit for the job; Felo solves this with its range of bits, holders, spe- cialist bit types, impact holders, and double mag- netised magnetic holders for securely holding the bit and screw.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 314 7711

Enquiries: +27 (0)31 710 0400

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JUNE 2019

ENERGY MEASUREMENT AND SUPPLY

BUYER'S GUIDE

12

MANUFACTURERS

CONTACTS

SWITCHGEAR

BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

ABB South Africa Aberdare Cables ACTOM Protection & Control Allbro Alvern Cables Aurora Brother International South Africa Crabtree South Africa HellermannTyton JB Switchgear Solutions Legrand Phoenix Contact Sabelco Schneider Electric South Africa Siemens Sollatek Electronics Superlume Switchboard Manufacturers WEG DISTRIBUTORS Brady SA Comtest Crabtree South Africa Denver Technical Products Electrahertz HellermannTyton Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers Major Tech MCE Electric Phambili Interface Schneider Electric South Africa SG Switchboard Group Stone-Stamcor Superlume Voltex Voltex Lighting Voltex LSis Voltex MV/LV Solutions Waco Aberdare Cables ACDC Dynamics ACTOM Electrical Products Alvern Cables ARB Electrical Wholesalers Bellco Elmari Erasmus/Dirk Klynsmith ACTOM Electrical Products Isabel Magalhaes ACTOM Protection & Control Faisal Hoosen Allbro Ryan Allan Alvern Cables Stephen Liasides ARB Electrical Wholesalers Sales Aurora Alan de Kocks Bellco Shiraj Wentzel Brady SA Sales Brother International South Africa Munna Desai Comtest Comtest sales team Crabtree South Africa Sales Denver Technical Products Mervyn Stocks Electrahertz Pta-Frank Proude/Jhb – Peet Lourens HellermannTyton Ingrid Nicolaus JB Switchgear Solutions Johan Basson Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers Dominic Kalil Legrand Johan Bosch Magnet Electrical Supplies Kevin Govender Major Tech Werner Grobbelaar MCE Electric Sales Phoenix Contact Carl Coetzer Sabelco Marc Moreau Schneider Electric South Africa Sales SG Switchboard Group Josh Berman Siemens Kruben Bennie and Yullen Govender Sollatek Electronics Nick Allen Stone-Stamcor Mark Talbot Zap Wholesalers Zest WEG Group CONTACTS ABB South Africa Customer contact centre Aberdare Cables Annelene Naidoo ACDC Dynamics

Superlume Willie Garbers Switchboard Manufacturers Josh Berman Voltex Hugh Ward Voltex Lighting Marc Rudman Voltex Lsis Rose Schulz Voltex MV/LV Solutions Sales Waco Jaco Coetzee Zap Wholesalers Fuaad Vangeria Zest WEG Group Sales METERS ABB South Africa Full range of meters ACTOM Electrical Products

ACTOM Electrical Products SBV indoor equipment,SBV3+3E,SBV4+4E,SBV5+5E,SBV-C,SBV-24; vacuum intern pres, ring main units and extensible switchgear; compact MV switchgear ACTOM Protection & Control LV municipal electricity distribution; metering and distribution enclosures Allbro

ACDC Dynamics Full range of building management systems Legrand Legrand’s reticulation systems can ne incorporated into a BMS Phoenix Contact Building automation and control Schneider Electric South Africa Full range of building management systems Sollatek Electronics Automatic voltage protection, spike, surge, over and under voltage protection

Insulators and busbar supports ARB Electrical Wholesalers Full range of switchgear Bellco Full range of switchgear Electrahertz Full range of switchgear JB Switchgear Solutions Full range of switchgear solutions Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers Schneider, ACDC, Siemens, CBI Legrand Full range of MCBs, MCCBs and ACBs Magnet Electrical Supplies Full range of switchgear MCE Electric Full range of switchgear Sabelco Advanced LV electrical assemblies SG Switchboard Group Range of LV switchgear Siemens

and voltage stabilisers, regulators and voltage optimisation DBS, MAIN BREAKERS, CIRCUIT BREAKERS, OVERLOAD ABB South Africa Full range of DBs, contactors, circuit breakers and relays ACDC Dynamics Full range of DBs, main breakers and circuit breakers ACTOM Protection & Control LV air circuit breakers Allbro Distribution boards and ready boards ARB Electrical Wholesalers Full range of DBs, mains breakers, etc Bellco

Single phase direct kWh meters, single- and three-phase; Ct operated kWh meter; single phase kWh meter with cyclometer; single phase meter with

LCD display and polycarbonate cover ACTOM Protection & Control

Full range of DBs, breakers Crabtree South Africa

Three-phase and single-phase electromechanical and electronic meters; Three-phase and single-phase electromechanical and electronic meters; measurement centres; three-phase programmable electronic meters Allbro Meter boxes ARB Electrical Wholesalers Full range of meters Bellco Full range of meters Comtest Power quality and energy tools from Fluke Denver Technical Products Range of meters Electrahertz Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers CBI, Schneider, Swan and ACDC Legrand Full range of electrical energy meters including multi-function measuring units Magnet Electrical Supplies Full range of meters Major Tech Compact power analysers, power quality analysers, current loggers, current and voltage loggers, leakage loggers; full range of professional ac and ac/dc clamp meters, compact ac and ac/dc clamp meters MCE Electric Onesto kilowatt hour meters Phoenix Contact Energy meters Full range of meters Zap Wholesalers Full range of meters Zest WEG Group Electronic range of power factor meters and power meters CABLING ABB South Africa Range of cabling Aberdare Cables Flexible Panel Wire (full range of low and medium electric cables also available) Allbro Junction boxes ARB Electrical Wholesalers Full range of cabling Atlas Group Range of cabling Bellco Full range of cables Brady SA Cable labelling Comtest Full range of cabling HellermannTyton PV cable (TUV, UI, Dual); high impact, extreme weather conditions Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers Lapp Cable, Innomatic, Atlas Magnet Electrical Supplies Cable locator Electrahertz Full range of meters HellermannTyton Complete range of meters Invirotel Full range of smart and conventional meters SG Switchboard Group Full range of power meters Siemens Full range of meters Switchboard Manufacturers Full range of power meters Voltex Full range of meters Voltex LSis Full range of meters Waco

Full range of LV and MV switchgear Switchboard Manufacturers Full range of LV switchgear and Ring Main Units Voltex Full range of switchgear Voltex LSis Full range of switchgear Voltex MV/LV Solutions Full range of switchgear Zap Wholesalers Full range of switchgear Zest WEG Group Full range of low voltage switchgear LOAD MANAGEMENT ABB South Africa Full range of load management solutions ACDC Dynamics Full range of load management solutions ACTOM Protection & Control Load shedding relays Electrahertz Full range of load management solutions HellermannTyton TDDGT geyser timers; TGTLC load control relays Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers CBI, Schneider, ACDC Legrand Full range of change-over and supply inverters Magnet Electrical Supplies Full range of load management solutions MCE Electric Onesto electronic load shed relay Sollatek Electronics

A range of 6 kA MCBs (includes isolators, earth leakages and miniature circuit breakers); a range of 12 and 18 DIN flush mount distribution boards Electrahertz Full range of DBs, main breakers, circuit breakers Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers CBI, Schneider, Major-Tech, Veti, Swan Legrand Full range of distribution boards up to 6300 A as well as complete range of MCBs, MCCBs and ACBs Magnet Electrical Supplies Full range of DBs, mains breakers, circuit breakers Major Tech Full range of distribution boards including flush-mount Econo boards, surface-mount IP65 boards, IP65 clear/grey enclosures and IP55 junction boxes; specialists in populated ready boards, 3 kA and 6 kA mini circuit breakers, isolator and earth leakage switches MCE Electric Full range of DBs and steel enclosures; Onesto range of DBs, steel enclosures, moulded case circuit breakers and miniature circuit breakers Megger Megger test instruments for circuit breakers Schneider Electric South Africa Series 4 DBs and circuit breakers SG Switchboard Group Range of distribution products Siemens Full range of distribution boards, breakers and protection devices Sollatek Electronics Automatic voltage protection, spike, surge, over and under voltage protection

Switchboard Manufacturers Full range of distribution products Voltex Full range of circuit breakers Voltex Lsis Full range of circuit breakers Waco Wide range of circuit breakers Zap Wholesalers Full range of DBs, main breakers, circuit breakers, etc Zest WEG Group Full range of DBs, main breakers, circuit breakers, etc MV TO LV TRANSFORMERS

Voltage optimisation LABELLING

Bellco Full range of labelling Brady SA Full range of labelling Brother International South Africa Complete range of labelling Electrahertz

ABB South Africa Full range of MV to LV transformers ACTOM Electrical Products Distribution transformers from 16 kVA to 5 mVA; power transformers from 6 mVA to 315 mVA Allbro Transformer bushings and tap change switches, protection equipment ARB Electrical Wholesalers Full range of MV to LV transformers Aurora Full range of MV to LV transformers Bellco Full range of MV to LV transformers Electrahertz

Full range of labelling HellermannTyton

Wide selection of PV solar labels (pre-printed,UV stable ink and materials); heat- shrinkable wire identification thermal transfer; wire identification clips (snap on markers); TIPTAG identification tags for cable bundles, thermal transfer

Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers Weidmuller, HellermannTyton, Brady Legrand CAB3 and Duplix cable markers Phambili Interface Full range of labelling Phoenix Contact Wire markers and terminal markers Voltex Full range of labelling Zap Wholesalers Full range of labelling ENERGY BILLING ABB South Africa Full range of energy billing solutions ACDC Dynamics Full range of energy billing solutions Bellco Full range of energy billing solutions Comtest Power quality and energy tools from Fluke Invirotel

Full range of MV to LV transformers Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers ABB Legrand

Legrand offers standard and tailor made MV dry type transformers 100 KVA to 20 000 KVA and up to 36 KV transformers. Normal losses and green star

rates solution, high efficiency Magnet Electrical Supplies

Full range of MV to LV transformers Schneider Electric South Africa Electronic LV lighting transformers Sollatek Electronics Voltage stabilisers, regulators and voltage optimisation Voltex Full range of MV to LV transformers Voltex MV/LV Solutions Full range of MV/LV transformers Zest WEG Group Full range of MV to LV transformers NEUTRAL EARTHING REACTORS ABB South Africa Range of neutral earthing reactors PAVEMENT CUBICLES AND BOXES

Range of energy billing solutions Khanyisa Electrical Suppliers Ideal Prepaid, Owl Meters, Ellies reader Legrand Legrand multi-function meters offer a precision class 1 for billing applications Magnet Electrical Supplies Full range of energy billing solutions Voltex Full range of energy billing solutions Zap Wholesalers Full range of energy billing solutions BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Full range of cabling Phoenix Contact Signal, data and power Superlume IP65 connection glands for external cable connection Voltex

Full range of cables Zap Wholesalers Full range of cables SWITCHGEAR

ABB South Africa Range of pavement cubicles and boxes ACTOM Protection & Control LV municipal, utility distribution and metering Allbro Pole mounted distribution boxes

ABB South Africa Range of LV and MV switchgear

ABB South Africa Range of building management systems

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JUNE 2019