The history of our species is a testament to the works of countless engineers. The importance of engineers to any society has historically been of great importance, and as we become more dependent on technology, that trend is only likely to increase over time.
With this in mind, the industry as a whole is required to remain well-informed and to be the driving force behind the development of new and innovative solutions for the betterment of all.
As an industry-leading publication it is our mandate to present readers with content that is not only current and informative but also pioneering and original. With this in mind, the October issue of Electricity + Control investigates the benefits and shortcomings of UV and IR in diagnostic inspection of lines and substations and considers options on how best to mitigate high voltage stresses at substations.
We also explore several sensor technologies that can help ensure food safety and take a closer look at a wireless solution for tank level monitoring.
Further to this, we delve into the development of next generation cable accessories and the optimising of water transfer system with VSDs, not to mention the latest product news and pertinent industry happenings.
UV vs IR in diagnostic inspection of lines and substations
Roel Stolper, CSIR
Years of experience in line inspection have indicated that there is still no single best technology that meets every need, i.e. there is no diagnostic sensor that will detect and locate all the possible different faults that may appear on a line. Given this fact, it is probably correct to state that the ideal inspection tool is one that integrates different types of sensors into a single instrument.
Sensor solutions in food safety
Brandon Topham, RET Automation Controls
Product recall is costly not only in terms of lost revenue, wasted materials, and production time but also in terms of brand reputation and brand loyalty. The sooner food safety issues can be addressed and mitigated, the lower the risk of a large-scale recall. This article outlines three of the most common food hazards that can result in recall and describes several sensor technologies that can help ensure food safety in each scenario.
Developing next generation cable accessories
Ruben Grund and Michael Zerrer, Pfisterer
Power distribution networks are changing rapidly as integration of renewables as well as creeping urbanisation require updated concepts in power infrastructure. Compactness is no longer only desirable but a crucial performance requirement. Similarly, downtime has to be minimised while safety aspects are more complex.
Optimising water transfer system with VSDs
Christo du Plessis, Zest WEG Group
AngloGold Ashanti has for years been at the forefront of pursuing energy reduction initiatives and has worked closely with universities and energy efficiency institutions in the past. Driven by this culture, it was imperative for the company to improve a water transfer system at its Vaal River operations in the North West province.
Surge protection of substations
Jonathan Woodworth, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Protecting substations from lightning and switching surges that lead to insulation flashover has been a key issue for as long as there have been power systems. While this need has remained constant over 100+ years, options on how best to mitigate high voltage stresses have changed quite substantially.
A wireless solution for tank level monitoring
Information provided by RET Automation Controls
Storage tanks can be found in a wide variety of locations and environments, from indoor or outdoor installations to above or below ground. Properly monitoring and managing levels inside these tanks can help improve efficiency and increase productivity and profitability. Read this article to learn about the advantages of wireless tank level monitoring.
