Electrical students make the grade against all odds
Well-known hospitality and gaming group, Peermont Hotels Casinos and Resorts, contributes millions of Rands annually to the communities surrounding its business units and, on September 1, the group’s second CSI Awards took place at Emperors Palace.
Among those recognised were students from the Peermont Lesedi Skills Programme, which provides youth from disadvantaged communities an opportunity to work while they learn at places such as Emperors Palace. Six young people who completed their NQF Level 4 electrical learnerships through the programme are: (front) Johan Ginge; Given Molefe; Clinton Sekate; (back) Sboniso Myeni; Portia Miya; and Tshepo Mbhalati with Nick du Plessis (left) of P&T Technology, the company that assists with the electricians’ skills training. (Photograph by Yolanda van der Stoep)
NCC and NRCS launch joint investigation into unsafe electrical devices
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) and the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) have launched a joint investigation into the unsafe safety critical electrical devices that were sold by convicted importer, Abdool Kadar Omar Khan during 2009 and 2011.
Khan’s conviction in a landmark case at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on June 2 this year sent shock waves through the electrical industry when court papers revealed that the people who live and work in at least 25 000 properties face the “significant risk” of fire, electrocution and death.
Sparks Personality of the Month
Refilwe Mokgosi is the deputy director of logistics and technical services at the City of Tshwane’s Energy & Electricity Department and she wears other hats as the AMEU vice-president elect and chairperson of Women in Electricity (WIE).
Refilwe is as passionate about improving the electrical industry as she is about gender equality and, as chairperson of WIE, she is fully committed to making a positive contribution towards driving the AMEU mandate in creating an enabling environment for women to participate in the electricity sector. Guided by powerful mentors in the electrical industry, Refilwe is an ambitious and enthusiastic ‘student’ who works extremely hard to achieve her dreams and to pave the way for future generations of women who will step into the historically male-dominated arena of electrical engineering.
Columns
In his October column, Working Knowledge, Terry Mackenzie Hoy indulges in a little retrospection about some hair-raising experiences he has had during his long career, and appeals to young electricians to “observe and think” when confronted with anything that doesn’t make electrical sense ...
In the October issue, Hannes Baard’s column, Getting to grips with SANS 10142-1, is about “properly qualified supervision and control on the work site” and what the Electrical Installation Regulations 2009, which form part of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993), have to say about this subject.
In his October column, for the benefit of those who may still be in the dark about Accredited Inspection Authorities (AIAs), Mark Palmer sheds some light on AIAs and the role they play in the South African electrical industry.
Nick du Plessis’ column on training and education will be back next month.
In the October issue of Sparks Electrical News, Mark Mfikoe, the national director of the Electrical Contractors’ Association of South Africa, discusses Tosca Labs v CCMA 2012 where the Labour Court found that a breathalyser test is not enough nor sufficient to prove that an employee is under the influence of alcohol.
Contractors’ Corner
This regular feature contains industry news and articles about new products – and, in the October issue, we cover ABB’s range of low-voltage soft starters; Comtest’s tester that simplifies safety compliance testing; the ECA(SA)’s presidential awards; Legrand’s programmable time switches; the North West University’s solar car; the opening of Wearcheck’s new lab in Zimbabwe; and ACTOM’s order for compact voltage transformers.
There’s an informative article on lightning protection for sports grounds and Marthinussen & Coutts brag about a mill motor that was repaired ‘chop-chop’. Makita’s new industrial power cutter is featured along with Allbro’s range of SMC enclosures and Brady’s label printer, which makes cable identification easy.
Buyers’ Guide
The October buyer’s guide lists manufacturers and distributors of products and services that cover the spectrum of MCCs and motor protection – from fans and controls to cable glands and cabinets.
Motor Control Centres and Motor Protection
In October’s feature on MCCs, readers will find a few interesting articles: Zest WEG Group’s announcement that its low voltage switchgear now complies with Type 2 coordination; Magnet’s thermal imaging service; ACTOM’s acquisition of WPI Power Solutions; the Bosch GIS measurement&document app; and Megger’s TDM 45 Series for the testing an diagnosis of MV cables.
Lighting
New products, lighting installations and technological advances are highlighted in the regular lighting feature. In October, we feature the Gewiss Smart [4] system; OSRAM’s ultra flat DALI LED drivers for ultra flat luminaires; LED Lighting’s ‘clever’ product specification at the Vaal Mall and Eurolux’s ‘uber stylish’ Eglo indoor pendants. BEKA shows off its smart lighting solution at a hospital’s resource centre in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape and discuss the illumination of Century City Square in Cape Town. SLV’s Bokkat outdoor floor stands with chip-on-board technology are also featured along with Major Tech’s LED floodlights with IP65 protection. There is an article by Tristão Abro of Relight Energy on Warehouse Lighting – what works and what doesn’t work; and Warwick Webber, MD for Aurora South Africa talks about the Enlite QuaZar floodlights that offer increased savings without compromising on aesthetic appeal.
