The success of an oil analysis programme is significantly affected by how well maintenance staff understand the oil analysis programme. This article gives an insight into the different factors which can influence the effectiveness of oil analysis and thereby assist companies to get the best results therefrom.

Take note
• Oil analysis works on the principle of establishing normal wear trends.
• When an undetected failure occurs it is important to investigate the cause fully.
• Oil analysis depends on the integrity of the samples and information supplied.
• Feedback from users is all-important.


About the author
John Evans is diagnostic manager for the WearCheck division of Setpoint Technology Group. He holds a BSc (Chemistry) from Southampton University, UK. John began his career with the Caterpillar agency in Botswana, establishing oil analysis laboratories in Gaborone and Harare. He then moved to De Beers in 1986 to build oil analysis laboratories on the Jwaneng and Orapa diamond mines in Botswana. He ran the Orapa laboratory for three years and was responsible for integrating oil analysis into the mine's maintenance planning system before joining Wearcheck in 1989. With 25 years experience in the oil analysis business, John is involved in diagnostics, customer support, training, technical writing and managing remote diagnostic facilities for companies running their own oil analysis laboratories. He has recently co-authored a book with Trevor Hunt entitled 'The Oil Analysis Handbook'.
John can be contacted on 031 700 5460.

Water sensors for liquid detection
New ash monitor for on-line realtime measurements
Oxygen analyser system
Detecting a trace
Miniature air velocity module

The access network is growing in complexity. More intelligence, more circuits, and more services are moving to the network edge. Fibre To The x (FTTx) deployments push the fibre plant closer to the home and require higher performance copper plant and home wiring technologies to deliver new broadband services. This new level of complexity in the field puts increased pressure on those in the outside plant who must install, provide, comission and maintain new types of circuits and services.

Take note
• The access network is growing in complexity.
• Optical communications systems require specialist test tools
• Fibre optic is becoming more popular in industry.

About the author
Jean Ponchon, PhD Physics (University of Grenoble, France), began his career with JDSU 20 years ago as a software engineer. He then progressed to project manager for telecommunication test systems and has held the position of product manager for fiber optic monitoring systems since 2000.
JDSU is locally represented by Comtest and can be contacted at 011 254 2200 or info@comtest.co.za

The global increasing demand for electrical energy forces further use of decentralised renewable generation units. Continuously rising consumption overloads—both with distribution grids and power stations—have serious consequences on power availability, security and quality. Consequently, technically feasible solutions for remote electrification are required that meet the demands for sustainability.

About the authors
Dr.Ing. Werner Kleinkauf is a Professor at the Institut fur Elektrische Energietechnik (IEE-EVS) at the University of Kassel in Germany. Gunther Cramer and Dr Mohammed Ibrahim hold senior positions within SMA Technologie AG in Germany.
SMA Technology is locally represented by SolarCon and can be contacted via 011 444 7403 or dieter@solarcon.co.za.

IPCs in RDP overhead line power distribution
Cables for VSDs
Quick-connect technology
Small but robust terminal blocks
M12 plug connectors with THR connection
Industrial Ethernet RJ45 connector

Co-ordination of Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) implies the reduction of residual energy in a surge as it penetrates deeper into a building or structure. The major component of the surge current must be diverted to ground at the point of building entry so that any downstream SPDs need only divert smaller currents. This co-ordination is reliant on the voltage clamping characteristics of the various SPDs.

About the author
Paul van is the LV sales manager for Surge Techology and has been active in the surge and lightning protection industry for over 20 years. He also serves on the SABS and IEC technical committees regarding lightning protection standards and is regarded as a specialist in this field. Paul can be contacted on 011 792 1303.

Take note
• Ensure that the correct product is used for the application required.
• Surge arresters alone should not be used when a combination of lightning current arrester and surge arrester is what is actually required.
• Following these guidelines will eliminate the risk of suffering unnecessary damage.

Vigirex: protecting your distribution systems
Energy and data protection range
Industrial earth leakage protection relays
Modular multi-pole surge arresters
Over-voltage suppressors for transmitters, signal and supply cables

Data transmission via cables is cost-effective, safe, and reliable - if the cable installation is static. Industrial automation often includes highly dynamic processes, which place great challenges on cable-based installation. This is why the interest in wireless data transmission is growing so rapidly.

Take note
- Wireless communications in industry is growing due to industrial automation often including highly dynamic processes.
- As electromagnetic waves are not subject to wear and tear, wireless communications offers considerable advantages in industrial processes.
- Methods will soon be avaible to support a defined quality of service for wireless connection.
- Bluetooth is a rugged and reliable transmission technology.

About the author
James White studied Electrical Engineering at the Bloemfontein Technikon. He currently holds the position of product manager: Automation Southern Africa at Phoenix Contact. He has vast experience in automation with the focus on fieldbus systems.
James can be contacted on 011 801 8200.

The mining industry in South Africa has played an important role in our economy. Initially, a fairly simple system was used to extract raw minerals such as gold, with a large emphasis on labour. However, this industry has since evolved into a giant and the business - which includes operations, finance, HR, stock and more - has become multi-facetted. Information Technology (IT) has been a key enabler but it's not yet the 'silver bullet' it promised to be.

About the author
Cassim Parak has an NDip in Electrical Engineering (light current) and is a veteran of the ICT industry with about 18 years experience. He currently holds the positions of CEO of e.com institute and is Chairman of e.com institute holdings as well as of HC Institute Africa.
Cassim can be contacted on 011 262 4262, info@ecominstitute.com or visit www.ecominstitute.com.

Take note
• Accurate and timeous information that better informs decision making at an operational level is essential if operational performance and efficiencies are to be enhanced for mining organisations to remain competitive.
• ICT cannot be positioned as a business driver; it must be an enabler of the mining business.
• A good approach to remain competitive is to identify the real business requirement to enhance efficiency, productivity, quality, human resource and financial management of an organisation—and from this point develop and build an information system to enable the growth of the organisation.

Web-based applications to simplify data centre decision making
Next generation high speed digital radios
Moeller controls dune dredging
Collaborative wall solution
New EtherCAT fieldbus model
Graphic display for setting mobile machines
Omron reaches a new 'mill' stone in networking speed
Positioning control in fieldbus nodes

Launching Eplan Electric P8
Iritron takes great strides forward
Rockwell hosts biennial Automotive University
Eskom 'rubber stamps' Meissner
Endress + Hauser wins R&D 100 Award
Alstom Power Systems wins local GIS substation contracts
Global re-alignment for Siemens
Power transmission components to reduce energy consumption

Howden orders RBF switchgear
Honeywell honours distributors
Yokogawa consortium wins pollution control order
GE and Mubadala in partnership