SAIEE Smartgrid conference
The South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) will host a Smart Grid Conference at the Eskom Academy of Learning in Midrand from 23 to 25 February to address the technology and business aspects of smart grids. The conference will provide a platform for industry to discuss cutting edge innovations in smart grid technology including addressing how the current electricity network can be converted into a smart grid. An impressive list of international and local experts will be speaking and participating in discussion at the conference. Click here for more details about the conference.
The ECA(SA)’s senior staff members and the 2016 Operational Team: Tembe Mwemba (national finance manager); Pierre Foot (regional director, Western Cape); Shantonette Pillay (regional director, KwaZulu-Natal); Pieter Du Toit (regional director, Free State); Cecil Lancaster (regional director, Bosveld); Stephen Khola (labour relations and human relations director); Lucas Bowles (regional director, East South Cape); Louis Pretorius (regional director, Highveld); and Mark Mfikoe (national director).
Personality of the Month
STEVE Hoffman, the general manager at Eurolux in Linbro Park, Johannesburg, started out his career as an electrician working for a contracting firm before he moved into the lighting industry. Always smiling and quick to laugh, Steve is a people person of the first order. He has a genuinely pleasant disposition and a positive outlook on life that is contagious so it is not surprising that, over the past three decades, he has forged enduring working relationships with clients and colleagues alike.
Happy Holidays promotion – all the winners!
Turn to pages 18 and 19 in this issue to see the names of all the prize winners!
Columns
In February, Terry Mackenzie Hoy’s column, Working Knowledge, discusses PILC and XLPE cables and the problems associated with ‘dendritic water trees’. If you are going to use XLPE cable, use South African made products, says Terry. Read why …
Hannes Baard moves on the Electrical Installation Regulations this month, starting at the beginning (where else?) at Regulation 1 – the definitions before tackling the sections on ‘Certificates of Compliance’, ‘Electrical Contractor’ and ‘Electrical Installation’.
In February, Mark Mfikoe reveals that the ECA(SA) now has an app that will allow the public to find a registered electrician on their smartphones …
Mark Palmer’s column in February explains all about the ‘plugged in’ premise and how this relates to compliance. He explains ‘electrical installation’, ‘point of consumption’ and’ point of outlet’, This is another ‘must read’ from Mark.
Every year, Nick du Plessis has to turn aspiring electricians away because they don’t have the right subjects – and this is due to a lack of guidance, he says. The criteria for entry into the new electrical qualifications state that mathematics and science are required subjects – so it is important to guide youngsters as young as 13 to choose their subjects wisely.
Contractors’ corner
This regular feature covers new products and industry news – and this month it includes an invitation from the South African National Energy Development Institute to South African organisations that use an ISO 50001 certified energy management system to enter for a new global award. Zest WEG Group Africa announced extended product guarantees across all WEG products. You can read about DEHN Africa’s two day workshop on high voltage resistant insulated conductors at their Johannesburg offices; Magnet’s launch of a new range of energy efficient lighting products and Garry Lumpe Imports’ precision cable cutter.
Energy efficiency
GeoSolar, part of the GeoGroup, recently covered 240 m2 of carport roofing with solar panels – a Schneider Electric specified solar system. ACTOM Power Transformers received an order for a large batch of transformers for wind turbine generators for three new wind farms being established in the Northern Cape as part of the national renewable energy programme.
Buyer’s Guide
The February buyer’s guide lists manufacturers and distributors of products and services that cover the spectrum of distribution boards, switches, sockets and protection from clamps and saddles to switches and isolators and from surge protection devices to fuses and circuit breakers.
Lighting
New products, lighting installations and technological advances are highlighted in the regular lighting feature. In February we feature Legrand’s Arteor wiring devices that provide complete solutions for modern lighting management. Magnet’s solutions for the newest Boxer Superstore in Cape Town used the latest energy saving lighting products, and Eurolux introduces a range of pendants that bring flair and panache to modern living spaces.
