Eco-Power meters protect environment
Solar and wind back up office building
Solar Power Programme
Joule of Africa

Why do motors fail? Most people in industry have an answer to this question. The more experienced answers will usually provide significant detail which will possibly include the failure-inducing stresses, but most answers will probably include a breakdown of the individual components of rotating electrical machines (rotor, stator, bearings etc). Others may even go further and extend the reply to include ‘root causes’ such as inadequate lubrication, overload, unprotected stall, overheating and so on. All replies will be correct but no matter how thorough and well-researched - in reality how useful are these analyses at reducing failures if they don’t address the real root causes?
This article proposes a lower level of root causes which are argued to be far more effective in real prevention of failure, maintenance management, life extension and total cost of ownership of rotating electrical machines.

Take note:
o Motors fail for a variety of reasons – some models are better understood than others
o It is generally accepted that the most often cited failure is the bearing factor
o A number of key factors must be considered when attempting to reduce motor failures

Every generation grows up with a technology regarded as proven and robust and has to face challenges where this technology needs to be superseded. At the turn of the century, steam was in and the internal combustion engine and electricity began competing. Today we face this scenario at many levels - from heavy engineering to IT.

Take note
o Many proven technologies exist, but it is always important to consider how they can be improved upon
o The mining industry, where safety is paramount, is cautious about changing technologies where a proven track record exists.
o Energy usage and reliability issues can make a convincing case for redesign.
o Using electric energy in a mine lashing system reduces the power consumption to one third of the traditional value.

Gigavac introduces 350+AMP GX200 sealed contractor
Protection relay - simple yet robust
Protect wound rotor motors on winches and cranes
Wilec distributes Empath
Phase comparators get SABS nod
New series for railway applications
SmartWire gateway for Modbus
Voltage detectors for electrified rail networks
Prevent motor damage

Contrary to popular belief, Johannesburg’s new high-tech CCTV surveillance cameras are ‘live’, watched by specially trained monitoring staff on a 24/7 basis. They ‘read’ body language to spot criminals intent on unlawful acts – and will despatch a roving reaction team to nab them. Covering most of the city centre, Joburg also uses the cameras for city management, like traffic, power and water – an example for other cities in South Africa.

Take note
o Johannesburg’s CCTV surveillance cameras are monitored 24/7 by highly trained staff.
o The preference was for an integrated proactive solution as it can prevent unhappy situations and also monitors various city services.
o There are more than 200 digital video cameras connected to a sophisticated monitoring centre via optic-fibre cables.
o Within a year, the centre has proved to be effective, having captured on camera more than 11 000 incidents.

The ability to do live maintenance on an intrinsically safe system is a major benefit of the technique. It is difficult to test an instrument system with the power removed and difficult to do a meaningful ’gas clearance certificate’ that covers the whole of the area affected by a system. Consequently live working is very desirable. There are, however, factors, other than gas ignition, that have to be considered whenever an instrument system is taken out of commission and consequently local safety practices such as ‘permits to work’ have still to be observed.

Take note
o Intrinsically safe equipment can generally be repaired.
o Maintenance and repair activities require skilled personnel and must undertaken in compliance with various codes and guidelines.
o The relevant IEC standards provide excellent guidance on how to proceed.

Explosion proof fluid heater reduces cost of manufacturing marine distress signals
Flame monitor with SIL 3 approval
Wolverine evolves to ring, bus and serial
Wireless and web-enabled I/O modules
Next major step in hazardous area instrumentation
Isolated repeater
Ideal switch for demanding environments

BMG achieves BEE certification
Not just 'ffluke' Citect field operations joins Schneider automation
Trinity Telecomms appoints security distributor in Namibia
Announcement at GE Day
SANEA Awards - call for nominations
Endress+ Hauser launches 4th Dr Georg Endress Training Facility at UJ
Mr Technology
Emergency lighting
Process control courses by Michael Brown
ABB South Africa reports 45% revenue growth
PneuDrive Challenge 2009
Reinforcing service commitment
Council name and chairman change

Solid state lighting (SSL) in the form of light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been described as a disruptive technology for the lighting industry. Huge Research and Development (R&D) investments are being made to solve the remaining technical issues and as volumes increase, prices of LEDs should come down by 10% a year or more. Today LEDs are already growing fast in numerous applications including displays, signs and traffic lights, car indicators and brake lights, plus specialist markets like theatre lighting.

Take note
o LED lights are already used in a number of applications such as traffic lights and vehicle lights.
o LEDs allow the creation of lighting solutions in places and in ways which were not previously possible.
o LEDs represent the most significant development in lighting since the invention of the electric light more than a century ago.

In order to host a ‘Proudly South African’ World Cup in 2010 attention to detail is essential. This article highlights some of the detail that needs to be taken into account, relating specifically to the main field lighting within the new stadiums, such as the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, and the electricity supply chain to these 2010 match venues.

Take note
o Supply of electrical energy during the 2010 World Cup is an important matter – and one which will have an impact on the world view of South Africa.
o Accountability of energy supply lies with Eskom, the municipality and the stadium owners.
o Ensuring the continuity of supply is a team effort and requires the use of proper standby and control strategies.

Launch of energy efficient 'safety' lamp
Free soccer fridges from Comtest
New approach to helipad landing light

SANS 10142-1 first appeared in 1978. At that time it was known as SABS 0142. This is the 30th year since that first appearance. Since SANS 10142-1 is a dynamic document that is in daily use and applicable in our developing society, amendments are necessary to ensure ongoing appropriateness. This is the first of a three-part article that reviews this document.

Take note
o The document, now known as SANS 10142-1, first appeared in 1978 as SABS 0142 – the Wiring Code.
o The latest release of SANS 10142-1 was published in 2008 and included technical and editorial updates.
o Notwithstanding concerns that numerous amendments to SANS 1012-1 have been introduced over the past 30 years, these are essential and ensure better safety.

Dry-well calibrators are widely used as temperature standards in many calibration laboratories and in various industrial fields. It’s well-known that the axial temperature uniformity of a dry-well calibrator is generally worse (usually much worse) than that of a liquid bath. How much do these vertical temperature gradients really affect your calibration? Why would you consider metrology wells as an alternative to both dry-wells and fluid baths?

Take note
o Dry-wells are good instruments, but the axial temperature difference cannot be ignored.
o Metrology wells employ a dual-zone control strategy to avoid this axial temperature difference.
o Metrology wells offer a ten to twenty times improvement in axial temperature uniformity.

New vision system - simple and smart
Easty-to-use laser distance meters
Improvement in gas analyser performance
Industrial ADSL/modem router
Multi-purpose radiation meter
Telecontrol master
Real-time production organiser
Large cross-sections conveniently wired
Real-time integration of radiation detection instruments
New temperature and humidity chart recorder

GE Day
Lapping it up
Electro-tech and equipment roadshow

From this year, Frost & Sullivan expects to see an increase in the price of valve and actuator products from domestic market participants aiming to meet revenue targets whilst suffering decreased operating margins due to a significant increase in cost of sales. Moreover, the manufacturing sector has been hit hard by falling domestic demand and the deepening global recession, which has eroded demand for exports.

Take note
o The valve and actuator market has grown significantly over the past couple of years.
o Currently the South African valve and actuator market is worth about R2,2 billion.
o Growth in this market sector is expected over the next seven years.

Desuperheaters prevent energy waste at paper mill
Valve and actuator sales in South Africa on the up