The installed base of equipment using Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) in the electric utility industry continues to increase. However, the environmental concerns surrounding the use of this gas, and the maintenance requirements of gas filled equipment, demands responsible practices and methods when using SF6.

Take note
•Even though environmental concerns are a hot-topic at the moment, the use of SF6 in equipment continues to increase.
•The lack of a good alternative to SF6 will dictate stricter future regulations regarding its use.
•Improve leakage rates of SF6 from equipment: Keep the good stuff in, keep the bad stuff out.
About the authors

James Cowling currently holds the position of sales and services director at Martec. Lenny Shaver currently holds the position of senior product manager at LumaSense Technologies. James can be contacted on (011) 326 2708 or james@martec.co.za.

Hamilton Visiferm DO sensors Monitoring poisonous gas Microprocessor-based natural gas moisture analyser CO2 monitor for indoor air quality Hygienic housings for the food industry Gas emission control

Fully automated process sequences permit effective transport and processing times for industrially manufactured goods. These processes generally demand defined movement sequences in parts of the technical equipment. These are functional components of the whole, and must therefore be integrated into the system of the energy, control and auxiliary functions of the entire machine or plant. Economic function and reliability of the entire system depend to a great extent upon the quality of this combination. This article introduces these systems, but focuses on the special requirements of cables in such applications.

About the author
Volker Hüber is products manager of cables and wires at U.I. Lapp GmbH, Stuttgart.
Lapp can locally be contacted at (011) 201 3200.


Take note
*Most manufacturing processes require the use of a power chain.
*Cables for use in a power chain have special characteristics which include ruggedness and flexibility.
*Environmentally-friendly cables are available for use in power chains.

Fibre optic communication cables are the preferred solution for installation requirements in harsh industrial environments and where fast communication over long distances is a priority. This article looks at how fibre optic cables are constructed, the different types and installation considerations.

Take note
•Fibre optic solutions are cost effective.
•Fibre offers complete immunity to EMI.
•Fibre optics are suitable for use in harsh environment where communications must be guaranteed.


About the author
Bob Petrie is the owner of Throughput Technologies, the local representatives for Westermo.
Bob can be contacted on (011) 705 2497 or bob@throughput.co.za.

Panel feed through terminals Maintaining cables in the field Effortless positioning of wires Analogue system adapter for faster wiring Glanding that improves productivity Dragchain system

Frequently, attempts are made to use varistor-based Class I Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) for the protection against full-duration lightning currents with the wave shape 10/350 ?s. It is argued that the response time of a varistor is shorter than the response time of a spark gap, and that nowadays, the discharge capability of varistor-based SPDs is high enough to replace Class I spark gaps. Such varistor-based Class I SPDs are frequently referred to as ‘combination arresters’, intended to provide adequate protection for power supply systems.

Take note
•The discharge capability of varistor-based SPDs should be high enough to replace Class I spark gaps.
•Measurements have shown that varistor-based Class I SPDs do not protect efficiently against 10/350 ?s surge currents.
•Varistor-based Class I arresters are not able to replace modern high-performance Class I spark gaps which allow low residual voltages even with long-duration surge currents.


About the author
Holger Heckler has his Dipl.Ing. He is responsible for technical support on the Trabtech brand of Phoenix Contact in Blomberg, Germany.
For more information locally, contact Tony Rayner, product manager – Trabtech surge and lightning protection, Phoenix Contact SA (011) 801 8200 or tonyr@phoenixcontact.co.za.

We all use it, we all need it, we cry when we don’t have it – electricity – a necessity in our daily lives. However, electricity can kill! Most fatalities arise from contact with overhead or underground power cables. Sub-standard electrical installations and faulty electrical appliances can lead to fires and even death and injury to others.

Take note:
•Always try to remove or reduce potential hazards to personnel.
•When working on de-energised installations or equipment always follow the five safety rules.
•Make sure that your safety equipment is reliable, suitable for the application and complies with the relevant national or international standards.
•Remember that live working may only be performed by qualified personnel or professionally instructed persons.


About the author
The information in this article was supplied by Johan van Staden, sales manager of the HV Division at Surgetek.
Johan can be contacted on (011) 792 1303 or info@surgetek.co.za.

Electronic tester for surge arrester monitoring Easy and convenient mains analysis Demand drives expansion Best practices in lightning and earthing Ensuring protection against power surges

Many excellent products have been developed in South Africa. One such product is CSense, a software platform that allows for the development and deployment of realtime applications to troubleshoot variation in Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and to improve processes.

About the author
Dr Jacques Ludik is an executive director and co-founder of CSense Systems. Apart from his current COO and CTO responsibilities, he is focused on business development in Australia and Asia as well as specific international OEM business opportunities.
Jacques can be contacted on (012) 347 3110 or jacques.ludik@csensesystems.com.

Take note
•CSense’s ability to fast track and automate process improvement
•CSense bridges the crucial gap between noticing production problems and understanding the causes, allowing you to configure appropriate actions for the operator to solve these problems.

Wireless technology offers many advantages for today's industrial organisations, yet the process control industry has not yet begun to use wireless to its full potential. Properly implemented, wireless technology can minimise costs and allow organisations to improve on-site efficiency and safety.

Take note
•Wireless solutions can be used in process control applications.
•Spread spectrum technology makes a system less vulnerable to noise, interference and intruders.
•Wireless solutions are cost-effective and secure.


About the author
The information in this article was supplied by Paulo da Silva, the IM&C regional sales leader at Honeywell.
Paulo can be contacted on (011) 695 8031 or paulo.dasilva@honeywell.com.

Nano board provides endless expansion options Ethernet connectivity and data management for Siemens S5 PLCs Order on-line through EthernetDirect Experion meets cyber security standards Profibus version of Sendix encoders Give your motor management systems a sixth sense Comprehensive programmable industrial router Scalable open-source high-level language controller

A paperless world Engenius brings engineering alive Solutions day success Specialist company for industrial wireless formed HellermanTyton Mindbender Winner June 2007 Wavecom and Sunlink announce a strategic alliance Wonderware announces breakthrough experience

Prepaid wireless success in international market A lamp that lasts, and lasts, and lasts... Comtest distributes Rigol Hiprom represents E+H in Rustenburg Alstom wins biggest share of equipment contracts Cooling solutions partnership ABB wins $17 M mining contract Fanless vehicle computer receives reader award