AUTOMATION THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS | JUNE 2017
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AUTOMATION
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS | JUNE 2017
wattnow | june 2017 | 1
CONFERENCE EXHIBITION
18-20 JULY 2017
SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE,
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
FUTURE TRENDS
FOR AFRICA’S POWER SECTOR
Off the back of a very successful conference last year, important new trends to feature on the
POWER-GEN & DisitribuTECH Africa programme will include, finance and investment,
the digital technology revolution, industry sustainability, asset performance management,
renewable technologies and utility management.
VIEW THE INTERACTIVE CONFERENCE GUIDE ONLINE
WWW.POWERGENAFRICA.COM
3,000+ 75+ 60+ Sub Saharan Free Networking Targeted B2B
Attendees Exhibitors Africa VIP Delegation Receptions Matchmaking Service
Host Utility:
Owned & Produced by: Presented by: Supported by: Supporting Association:
2 | wattnow | june 2017
26 AFRIKABOT INTO RURAL SCHOOLS
AFFORDABLE HARDWARE FOR ALL
FEATURES 32 INDOOR AUTOMATION
A MATURITY FRAMEWORK
40 ANALYSING RIBBON BOND IN CELLS
REQUIREMENTS HAVE CHANGED OVER THE PAST DECADES
26
SAIEE CPD ONLINE
44
SAIEE EDUCATION & BURSARY FUND
46
THE CASSINI-HUYGENS MISSION
48 40
wattsup 8 48
CALENDAR
65
WATT?
60
LOOKING BACK... JUNE
62 62
saiee @saiee wattnow | june 2017 | 3
Managing Editor
Minx Avrabos | minx@saiee.org.za
TECHNICAL EditorS
June is here - the days are shorter
Derek Woodburn
Jane-Anne Buisson-Street and the nights are becoming longer
M Crouch - well, for some of us. You’d never
say we are having winter, with the
Contributors maximum temperatures around
V Mukherjee
J Santagate
the mid-20’s in Johannesburg. It’s
M Ntshangase rather nice.
D Basson
J Buisson-Street I share with you feedback on my recent Israel trip - an experience I will
never forget. Read more on page 20.
EVENTS
Gerda Geyer | geyerg@saiee.org.za
This issue of wattnow features Automation, with the first feature article
CPD & course accreditation on Robotics. AfrikaBOT is a Robotics Competition taking place in
Sue Moseley | suem@saiee.org.za October 2017 in Township schools. Read more about the story behind
AfrikaBOT on page 26.
MEMBERSHIP & TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP
Ansie Smith | smitha@saiee.org.za
Page 32 features an Automation article, discussing Indoor Autonomous
ADVERTISING Mobile Robots. We look at the difference between ‘autonomous’ and
Avenue Advertising
‘mobile’ robots.
T 011 463 7940 | F 086 518 9936 | E barbara@avenue.co.za
Publisher We look at “Analysing Ribbon Bond in Silicon Solar Cells” on page 40.
South African Institute of Electrical Engineers Technology and requirements have changed in the last few decades,
and to stay abreast with technology and demand, this test was done.
SAIEE HEAD OFFICE
P.O. Box 751253 | Gardenview | 2047
T 011 487 3003 | F 011 487 3002 The SAIEE runs an online CPD program. We give you more information
E wattnow@saiee.org.za | W www.saiee.org.za on this on page 44.
Office Hours: 8am-4pm
Page 48 gives you a lovely article written by Dudley Basson. He never
disappoints with his take on the Cassini-Huygens Mission to Saturn! A
fantastic read.
SAIEE 2017 Office Bearers The July issue features ‘Nature’ - anything to do with Solar, Wind,
President Jacob Machinjike
Deputy President Hendri Geldenhuys Earth, Fire, Lightning. If you have an article ‘gathering dust’ on your
Senior Vice President George Debbo computer, send it to me. You never know, you might just earn a CPD
Junior Vice President Sy Gourrah credit for your submission.
Immediate Past President T.C. Madikane
Honorary Treasurer Viv Crone
Honorary Vice President Ben Kotze Herewith the June issue, enjoy the read!
Chief Executive Officer Stan Bridgens
ISSN: 1991-0452
South African Institute of Electrical Engineers. All material is strictly copyright and all rights
are reserved. Reproduction without permission is forbidden. The views expressed in this
publication are not necessarily those of the SAIEE. E&OE
Visit www.saiee.org.za to answer the questions
4 | wattnow | june 2017 related to these articles to earn your CPD points.
wattnow | june 2017 | 5
2 017 SA I E E P R E S I DEN T IAL A D D RE S S
“The first rule of any
technology used in
a business is that
automation applied to an
efficient operation will
magnify the efficiency. The
second is that automation
applied to an inefficient
operation will magnify the
inefficiency”.
It is an honour to be of service. The weeks and months ahead are very
JACOB MACHINJIKE important in the political space and the
The wattnow theme for this month is governance of various organisations.
2017 SAIEE PRESIDENT
‘automation’. Communities require service provision
and we should pay attention to this for a
Bill Gates once said, and I quote, “The first stable society. South Africa is in a technical
rule of any technology used in a business recession, and concerted efforts should go
is that automation applied to an efficient towards stimulating the economy. One
operation will magnify the efficiency. The area to assist in reversing the negative
second is that automation applied to an economic growth, is to build investor
inefficient operation will magnify the confidence. We need more good news
inefficiency”. stories and we should not magnify bad
stories due to the ‘automative’ nature of
In my Presidential address I touched social media. We require concerted efforts
on aspects of the role of the engineering to think, speak and act positively about
professional in complex decision making. our country. The world should see us in
Challenges are many and that presents our positive light, in terms of what we have
call to action. Engineering practitioners achieved, and what we can become.
should immerse themselves in all aspects
of society and help come up with the SAIEE, its members and corporate
required solutions. You are problem partners have an important role to play in
solvers. The internet of things provides the provision, growth, development and
huge opportunities for us to do things sustenance of the much required skills to
in better, faster and cheaper ways. I am grow the economy and to resolve society’s
looking forward the SAIEE/Eskom co- challenges. Thank you for your support
ordinated Smart Grid conference of 19th- and involvement in making a meaningful
21st September 2017. Let us make this contribution.
conference a success on our journey to
make South Africa, and southern Africa,
great.
J Machinjike| SAIEE President 2017
6 | wattnow | june 2017 Pr. Eng | FSAIEE
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wattnow | june 2017 | 7
CURRENT A FFA I R S
CONCO’s success gained in SA renewable energy market opens doors
A wind farm for which CONCO undertook the electrical BOP and grid connection.
CONCO, Africa’s largest power encompassed wind turbine reticulation large scale complex renewable energy
infrastructure service provider with 30 years’ where it connected over 300 turbines projects. The company plans to take this
Africa-wide experience in transmission, to the grid, wind turbine pad-mounted extensive experiential base in renewable
distribution and power infrastructure transformer kiosks, facility SCADA and projects into the rest of the continent.
development, has successfully completed power plant controller solutions, network
the electrical balance of plant for over nine stability equipment required to ensure grid It also opens doors for CONCO to expand
wind farms and four solar photovoltaic code compliance, substations and overhead into other IPP projects such as oil, gas,
(PV) parks in South Africa including grid lines. CONCO’s services included in- nuclear and co-generation.
connections. This work forms part of the house design, commissioning and project
South African government’s renewable management. Social responsibility
energy independent power producer Renewable energy projects, like any
procurement (REIPPP) programme. Despite the challenges and risks involved, other CONCO projects, have a social
all wind and solar projects were completed responsibility aspect to them. Examples
REIPPP programme - wind within the specified time and CONCO include the donation of science laboratories
For bid windows one, two and three, further proved its reliability as a trusted to a school where CONCO also conducted
CONCO secured the electrical balance supplier by complying with the economic teacher training in order to help improve
of plant work of 68%, 40% and 70% development obligations pertaining to jobs, maths and science, as well as the
respectively, of the total megawatts allocated local content and preferential procurement. refurbishment of an entire school and
per window. The company’s expertise This marks CONCO’s success in handling crèche.
Latest EtherCat There were a strong emphasis on Omron’s
Sysmac motion solutions, comprising
Many organisations already focus on how
to benefit from it, but extracting maximum
solutions, IOT devices robotics and visual inspection control, value requires a big data approach.
Victor Marques, Country General Manager,
from Omron take highlights. “Historically, AAF has always Marques highlights that Omron’s presence
centre stage at African had a good reach into all of our relevant has appealled directly to customers on
industries. Of course, we also have the the lookout for cost-effective and highly-
Automation Fair 2017 correct target market attending our stand.” innovative solutions that meet, and even
Omron’s EtherCat solutions and Internet exceed, their requirements. “We are looking
of Things (IOT) devices took centre stage The scope of AAF 2017 has evolved with the to target OEMs in particular, and food &
at the African Automation Fair (AAF) inclusion of IOT as one of the latest and most beverage end-user customers,” Marques
recently. pervasive trends in the automation industry. points out.
8 | wattnow | june 2017
Sustainable development can be enabled by decolonisation of
knowledge, says UJ’s Prof Saurabh Sinha
At the height of #FeesMustFall, disgruntled
students challenged leaders of the
University of Johannesburg on what it is
that universities are doing to decolonise
knowledge. When they started discussing
it, it became obvious that there was no
consensus on what students meant by that,
said Prof Saurabh Sinha on Wednesday 10
May 2017 at the Bunting Road Campus of
the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
He was the keynote speaker at a public From left: Mr Mabuza, INCOSE; Mr Motsoasele SAIEE; Ms Cornelius, SAIEE; Prof
lecture organised by engineering Sinha, UJ and IEEE; Mr Setlhapelo, SAIEE; Prof Naidoo, UJ and SAIEE; Mr Oosthuizeen,
professional bodies, INCOSE and SAIEE. INCOSE SA; Mr Ramutumbu, SAIEE.
Prof Sinha is the Executive Dean of the budget to provide services such as universal “The challenge to provide universal higher
UJ Faculty of Engineering and the Built university education for all, is not available. education can become overwhelming. But this
Environment, as well as IEEE Educational So the enormous challenge is to provide is where one needs to be the change, instead
Activities Board Member and co-founder services to these people at reasonable cost, of waiting. We can’t wait for government to
of the IEEE Engineering Projects in he said, which makes innovation critical. develop a policy or a framework. We can’t
Community Service (EPICS-in-IEEE) And yet, there is a very successful example wait for industry.’’
programme. “In November 2015 while of providing essential services to poor
protest actions were taking place, I had and isolated people. In this case, there “Instead, our thinking is to act, delivering new
the opportunity to speak with one of our were no affordable centralized services initiatives through sustainable partnerships.
students at UJ. I said ‘why do you propose available to many. By decentralising the An example of this is to gradually infuse
#feesmustfall for all?’ I know of some delivery of required infrastructure, mobile final year and postgraduate projects with
individuals who would be able to fund their phone services succeeded in reaching community service components. In this
children’s university education,” said Sinha. even remote locations on our continent. way, research and development can be
Mobile telephony spread incredibly quickly embedded in society through engineering
The student explained that he has to across the globe, including Africa, using a students implementing projects with
convince people that he is worthy of higher hybrid of existing technologies and roll-out communities to meet their needs,” he said.
education and that he needs sponsorship. mechanisms. “The multidisciplinary approach then brings
He said that applying for a student loan about the development of knowledge from
requires that you disclose the extent of your “This success points to a potential overlap communities and thus also contributes
poverty, which takes one’s dignity away. between decentralisation, sustainable to contextualised knowledge production
“It becomes clear that the access to higher development and decolonization of inclusive of socio-economic, techno-
education is really restricted in South Africa, knowledge”, said Prof Sinha. Similarly, it economic and cultural context,” said Sinha.
particularly for some with high potential. has been shown in water and electricity
As an example, UJ received over 120 000 provision, that engineering innovation UJ is exploring models for a full range
applications for first-year admissions for to produce low-tech solutions can offer of online courses for undergraduate and
2017.” high-impact solutions. In this approach, postgraduate studies, to further develop
centralisation is not replaced. Rather, accessibility to higher education. “These
The income and fees reality is that in South the idea is to develop complementary are tough economic times requiring us to
Africa, as of 2016, the top 1% of earners and hybrid technological solutions for be innovative. We must seek to be locally
hold 19% of the income in the country, sustainable development to the poorest relevant and internationally competitive.
according to the World Wealth and Income in our nation. “In this way, we can, at The decolonisation of knowledge expands
Database. However, though popular reasonable cost, reach those who are most our approach to be locally relevant yet
demand asks for it, a large enough national underserved in South Africa and other parts internationally competitive” concluded Prof
of the continent,” he said. Sinha.
wattnow | june 2017 | 9
CURRENT A FFA I R S
Trafo Brings Advantages hazards related to oil-filled units,” says
Claassen.
Of Dry-Type Transformers
The rise in awareness of safety at work in
To Africa all sectors of the economy has led to greater
utilisation of safer technologies like these.
Modern manufacturing efficiencies and
“Dry-cooled transformers are categorised as
greater market demand has narrowed the
F1 in terms of international fire resistance
price gap between dry-type transformers
ratings, making them low-risk as they are
and traditional oil-filled units, giving
self-extinguishing and flame-retardant by
customers around Africa the opportunity
nature,” he says.
to benefit from the many advantages of
tried and tested dry-type technology.
The technology also serves a growing
demand for more energy -efficient solutions,
According to Trafo Power Solutions David Claassen, Managing 14
especially as the price of electricity has
managing director David Claassen, these irector of Trafo Power Solutions.
risen dramatically in South Africa and
transformers are safer and more efficient
many economies on the continent. down, although forced air options can also
than their oil-filled equivalents, factors that
be employed where necessary if ambient
make them a cost effective and versatile
“End-users will benefit from the reduced temperatures are high.”
choice in a range of applications and
energy consumption of these transformers,
sectors.
which is another factor that has attracted Less maintenance is another advantage;
attention to these units in new and existing dry-type transformers are low in
“The high safety rating of dry-type
markets,” he says. “The higher efficiency of maintenance and could last for 25 years
transformers allows them to be installed
the cast resin design means lower electricity without significant attention, while oil-filled
indoors, avoiding the cost and inconvenience
bills, and also lowers heat losses. These units transformers require regular maintenance
of the special structures normally required to
therefore require only a minimal movement including oil sample analysis to ensure
accommodate the safety and environmental
of air across the windings to cool them operational consistency and safety.
New Fluke electrical of electrical energy waste. Easy to set up
and use, and capture key measurements
loggers can help — voltage, current, power, power factor,
and other variables like temperature, the
reduce facilities’ energy 1732/1734 enable managers to understand
costs their energy usage and correlate it to
One of the most significant costs at their activities. The new loggers are also
industrial facilities is energy. While many Fluke Connect® compatible. Data can
managers view energy as an unavoidable be viewed from anywhere via the Fluke
expense, in reality it is a variable cost Connect mobile app, potentially reducing
that can be monitored and managed, the number of times a technician must electrical energy waste. These new loggers
significantly improving the bottom line. open a panel while wearing full protective are easy to set up and use, and capture
equipment. key measurements - voltage, current,
Fluke, locally represented by Comtest, now power, power factor, and other variables
has the Fluke 1732 and 1734 Three-Phase The new Fluke 1732 and 1734 Three-Phase like temperature - to enable managers to
Energy Loggers - powerful tools that are Energy Loggers are powerful tools that are understand their energy usage and correlate
designed to more easily identify sources designed to more easily identify sources of it to their activities.
10 | wattnow | june 2017Elsie Pule Awarded Saiee Companion
At the SAIEE Power and Energy Section meeting held on Thursday
on 1st June 2017, Stan Bridgens, CEO presented a Certficate
of Companion Membership to Elsie Pule, ESKOM HR Group
Executive.
This prestigious award (of which currently there are only four) is by
invitation of the SAIEE Council for any person who has rendered
important services to, or to the benfit of, electrical engineering in
commerce, finance, law, science or other activities.
Elsie was instrumental in directing Eskom resources in the ground
breaking SAIEE initiative, together with the Nelson Mandela
Metropolitan University (NMMU) and the Durban University
of Technology (DUT) in providing the P1 & P2 Work Place
Experience portion of their tertiary curriculum enabling them to
graduate.
This scheme designed specfically to address the skills shortage From left: Elsie Pule, SAIEE Companion with
in SA, would not have been possible without the assistance and Stan Bridgens, CEO - SAIEE.
cooperation of ESKOM and the Tertiary Institutions that involved
a tripartite agreement. To date, this scheme has enabled about 110 technologists and technicians for South Africa.
candidates to acquire the required experience in the work place.
The SAIEE is indeed fortunate to have Elsie Pule as a Companion
The potential to expand this arrangement with other employers is - this professional association with other employers augers well for
huge, in the drive to providing skilled and competent engineers, serving the Electrical Engineering fraternity.
CESA celebrates a professionals in South Africa. focused platforms of interaction that could
be utilized to address areas of development
decade in unearthing CESA’s YPF Chairperson Amanda that were identified as lagging by these
Masondo-Mkhize points out that June young practitioners.
future engineers is a significant month that is used to
commemorate the role of youth in the The Job Shadow Initiative takes the form
In its quest to promote engineering as a
liberated society that we live in today. of a poster competition, from which the
career of choice, Consulting Engineers
“To ignite and commemorate the resolve of three best posters describing the learners’
South Africa (CESA) and its Young
those gallant students. I would like to urge experience having spent time with a
Professionals Forum (YPF) has for the
all CESA member firms to partake in the member company receives the recognition
past decade celebrated Job Shadow Day
Job Shadow Initiative and allow high school at the CESA Aon Engineering Excellence
with the aim of attracting South Africa’s
pupils to experience ‘A day in the life of a Awards, which will be held on 16 August
learners into becoming the country’s future
Consulting Engineer’,” proclaims Masondo- 2017.
engineers.
Mkhize.
In 2016, Royal HaskoningDHV was the
The initiative is geared towards showcasing
Since 2008, CESA’s Job Shadow Initiative winner of the CESA Job Shadow Poster
the engineering profession, particularly
has reached over 15 000 learners from Competition with UWP Consulting and
consulting engineering as an exciting career
previously disadvantaged backgrounds. In Nako ILISO as the runners-up.
option and also serves as a call to action
2004 CESA established a young professional
for Engineering Corporates to develop
forum to expedite the development of For more info, visit www.cesa.org.za
a pipeline of much needed engineering
practicing young professionals by creating
wattnow | june 2017 | 11CURRENT A FFA I R S
High Efficiency Motors “Repairs and replacements are especially
costly and time consuming for mines in
Are Big Cost Savers remote locations, so these motors are designed
to operate reliably under harsh operating
As Africa’s mines work to hold down costs
conditions,” he says. “An important aspect
and extract more value from their assets,
of the design in the WEG Top Premium
modern high efficiency motors from Zest Edson Cristofolini, Zest WEG Group
Efficiency IE3 range, for instance, is the Class
WEG Group are helping to cut energy bills African Business Development Executive.
H Insulation with class B temperature rise.”
and maintenance.
This provides a buffer of 60°C between which comes with an IP66 rating; this is the
Almost two-thirds of the power consumed
the motor windings average operating highest level of protection before entering
by the mining sector is associated
temperature and the actual motor the category of submersible motors.
with electric motors, so these items of
insulation capability, protecting the motor “Taking into account that many mine
equipment are important for mines to look
where quality of power varies or where sites often do not have extensive workshop
at when demanding savings, according
ambient temperatures are very high. facilities, the motors are designed for easy
to Zest WEG’s Group African business
installation and maintenance, with solid feet
development executive, Edson Cristofolini.
This robust design also provides a service and increased terminal box sizes that allow
factor of 1.15, allowing a motor to be easy connections,” he says.
“Where an old 55 kW motor is operating
overloaded by up to 15% continuously
24 hours a day and seven days a week, we
without compromising reliability. With He emphasises that it is worthwhile
estimate that a mine can save over to 20
the lower losses and the reduced operating for mines to prioritise the total cost of
MW a year by replacing it with a new WEG
temperature of these high efficiency motors, ownership with high quality design and
Top Premium Efficiency IE3 motor,” says
bearing temperatures are also lower. efficient performance in their choice of
Cristofolini.
motors, with reduced maintenance and
“Lower bearing temperature means that less operational costs, as the capital cost makes
These savings add up when considering
grease is used, and the intervals between up only about 2% of the motor’s cost of
how many motors are operational on a
the re-greasing of bearings are longer,” says operation over a 10 year life. According to
large mine, he says. Apart from reducing
Cristofolini. Edson, the WEG Top Premium Efficiency
energy consumption, the WEG IE3 motors
IE3 motor range offers the lowest Total
also contribute to mine profitability
Dust and water ingress is prevented by Cost of Ownership for the mining sector in
through their long life, low maintenance
the unique WEG W3 Seal arrangement, Africa.
and reliability.
Signalling the end for intersections experience signal downtime
each day. Ageing signal infrastructure and
Elaine Jack, City Improvement District
Manager for SCMD, says: “We have invested
Sandton traffic woes lack of secure electricity supply account for in measures to ensure that key traffic signals
The Sandton Central Management roughly 25% of faults reported daily. in the district are always on. Also, we have
District (SCMD), in conjunction with partnered with the JRA on a number of key
Johannesburg Metropolitan Police However, proactively addressing the initiatives, including a traffic signal forum
Department (JMPD) and Traffic Freeflow, electricity supply to traffic signals, where we actively engage with both the JRA
continue to work towards significant Sandton Central has already sponsored six and Eskom technicians in order to reduce
improvement to traffic signals and traffic uninterrupted power supply (UPS) units the time traffic signals are down. We work
flow in Africa’s financial hub. According to for traffic signals at key intersections in its closely with JRA management and traffic
the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA), on well-managed precinct. engineers to relook traffic signal timings to
average roughly 50 of Johannesburg’s 2,135 ensure the best traffic flows too.”
12 | wattnow | june 2017Research aims to make support the development of a paradigm
to look inside that black box, by getting
decisions to humans. StarCraft is a staple of
competitive electronic gaming.
artificial intelligence the program to explain to humans how
decisions were reached. Later stages of the project will move on
explain itself to applications provided by DARPA that
Eight computer science professors in
“Ultimately, we want these explanations may include robotics and unmanned aerial
Oregon State University’s College of
to be very natural – translating these deep vehicles.
Engineering have received a $6.5 million
network decisions into sentences and
grant from the Defense Advanced Research
visualizations,” said Alan Fern, principal Fern said the research is crucial to the
Projects Agency to make artificial-
investigator for the grant and associate advancement of autonomous and semi-
intelligence-based systems like autonomous
director of the College of Engineering’s autonomous intelligent systems.
vehicles and robots more trustworthy.
recently established Collaborative Robotics
and Intelligent Systems Institute. “Nobody is going to use these emerging
The success of the deep neural networks
technologies for critical applications until
branch of artificial intelligence has enabled
Developing such a system that we are able to build some level of trust, and
significant advances in autonomous
communicates well with humans requires having an explanation capability is one
systems that can perceive, learn, decide and
expertise in a number of research fields. In important way of building trust,” he said.
act on their own.
addition to having researchers in artificial
intelligence and machine learning, the The researchers from Oregon State were
The problem is that the neural networks
team includes experts in computer vision, selected by DARPA for funding under the
function as a black box. Instead of humans
human-computer interaction, natural highly competitive Explainable Artificial
explicitly coding system behavior using
language processing, and programming Intelligence program. Other major
traditional programming, in deep learning
languages. universities chosen include Carnegie
the computer program learns on its own
Mellon, Georgia Tech, Massachusetts
from many examples. Potential dangers
To begin developing the system, the Institute of Technology, Stanford, Texas
arise from depending on a system that
researchers will use real-time strategy and University of California, Berkeley.
not even the system developers fully
games, like StarCraft, to train artificial-
understand.
intelligence “players” that will explain their
The four-year grant from DARPA will
Decreasing fibre professional services company specialising
in networks, data centres, security and
“Operations, such as installing optical
connections, that require skilled labour or
installation costs building management systems. long hours need to be managed,” explains
Ntisana. “This is particularly important
South Africa is currently experiencing If the country is to replace its 5 million when moving from long distance networks to
phenomenal activity in the roll-out of fibre copper cables with fibre optics, the cost will short distance distributing access networks,
optic cables. While no-one disputes that the be roughly R60 billion, according to figures in which instance access networks’ optical
installation of fibre presents tremendous recently released by Finance24. connections increase six times, resulting in
opportunities, the question being asked is high labour costs.”
how will this demanding initiative affect “It is vital that fibre network installation
consumers’ Internet connection costs? be carried out in the most efficient, yet It is therefore vital to select the most
cost-effective, manner possible,” Hemphill suitable optical connection. It appears that
With speeds of up to 100 Mbps, fibre will continues. previously, connector technology usage
provide unsurpassed Internet speeds. It is was not based on the required application
also exceptionally reliable, highly secure Athi Ntisana, Engineer, EES Live, but on the readiness and availability of
and able to withstand testing weather provides some insight into where and how technology. Currently, access networks
conditions. performance can be optimised and at the have three technologies to choose from,
same time costs contained. He states that namely fusion splicing, mechanical splicing
“However, this large-scale, challenging roll- a high cost component in the roll-out of and factory pre-terminated. Fusion splicing
out comes with a hefty price tag,” cautions fibre impacting on both CAPEX and OPEX has been largely used to date.
Bradley Hemphill, Managing Director is that of labour for high volume fibre
of EES Live (Pty) Ltd. EES Live is a connections.
wattnow | june 2017 | 13CURRENT A FFA I R S
Kone and hasan parts to fix the problem, before anything
occurs. The real-time chat can be heard
The humanized response might be along
the lines of: “you’re five degrees above
& partners Let The at the Machine Conversations website, average, but it’s a hot day outside, you’re ok”.
created by hasan & partners, where visitors
Elevators Do The Talking can select an elevator and tune into the A typical elevator conversation might
KONE Taps IBM Watson to let the world
discussion with KONE Cloud. continue: “Slightly off on landing at floor six”;
hear machines in conversation.
or “Idle on floor zero. Perfect temperature at
Machine Conversations is a way to show 22.6”; “Slightly elevated door noise”. Replies
Elevators have been given a voice to have
people exactly what Internet-connected from the KONE Cloud might be: “I’m
conversations in real time, enabling people
elevators would say, if they could be heard. monitoring that, still normal. Keep going”.
to hear machines talk.
It has been produced to support KONE’s
24/7 Connected Services, which uses Tobias Wacker, creative director at hasan &
Helsinki-based creative agency, hasan &
the IBM Watson IoT platform and other partners, who came up with the idea said:
partners, worked with KONE to connect
advanced technologies to bring intelligent “Machine Conversations is creativity with a
selected elevators in different countries
services to elevators and escalators. purpose, where we’ve leveraged Internet of
around the world.
Things technologies and the power of IBM
Predictability and responsiveness are Watson IoT to show how problems can be
The elevators have their operational
vital for maintenance. In hot countries, detected before they happen. We wanted
information translated into English so they
an elevator may experience a rise in to give the elevators and the cloud realistic
can converse continuously with KONE’s
temperature, which the data could be voices, now we see and hear them in action
cloud network using IBM’s Watson IoT
misinterpreted as mechanical overheating. it is an addictive experience and strangely
platform.
compelling.
Machine Conversations lets people hear
The elevators send data from sensors
how an elevator can tell the KONE Cloud: Machine Conversations is an innovative way
and controls about their day-to-day
“I’m running slightly hot, temperature at to promote our 24/7 Connected Services.
performance. That data is collected and
28 degrees”, with Watson’s algorithms Watson’s cognitive capabilities will help us
processed, sent to the cloud, and given
reviewing the data to decide whether action take elevator and escalator services to a new
a voice. Ultimately if a fault is detected, a
is required. level identifying issues before they occur.”
technician can be dispatched with the right
14 | wattnow | june 2017ACTOM Protection
& Control signs on
new protection and
automation principals
ACTOM Protection & Control (P&C), a
division of ACTOM (Pty) Ltd, has greatly
extended its protection and automation
product offerings for the local electricity
distribution sector by bringing on board
two reputable international companies as
additional technology principals.
ACTOM Protection & Control personnel seen with an automation panel demonstrating
The newcomers are Arcteq of Finland,
Arcteq and NovaTech integration are (from left): Joe Steyn, Technical Specialist; Elizabeth
which produces and supplies protection
Senatle, Product Manager, Protection Products & Systems; Andrew Perkin, Senior Design
equipment, and NovaTech located in
Engineer; and Herman Maré, Technical Specialist, Automation.
the United States, which specialises in
automation equipment. P&C signed an offerings is already proven. P&C, Arcteq and who is well known in the local market as a
exclusive local distributorship agreement Novatech are already geared to providing foremost authority in arc protection. They
with Arcteq at the end of 2015 and with ongoing service and support to the market.” will be able to offer Arcteq relays directly to
NovaTech early last year. the market and will through ACTOM provide
Referring to the technology agreement customers with additional services such as
The business unit retains its longstanding with Arcteq, he commented: “We are very engineering, design and commissioning of
partnerships with its existing protection and excited about our collaboration with Arcteq. protection systems,” Hoosen added.
automation principals for the transmission Its in-house engineering capabilities as well
and distribution markets. as its close collaboration with First World Arcteq’s globally best known products are
universities has resulted in a product offering the AQ-100 stand-alone ARC protection
“P&C is known for the level of service and addressing the challenges of the modern range, a reliable fast-acting ARC fault-
support we provide in the market for all the electricity network. clearing device that is well-suited to local
products that we distribute. We are proud conditions in both medium- and low-
of our ability to understand the complex “We are pleased to be able to respond to voltage applications. Combined with
requirements of our market and ensure that end-user demand for a modern reliable Arcteq’s AQ-1000 and AQ-2000 ARC-
our OEM partners appreciate them and work protection platform which is flexible, user- quenching devices, it introduces a new
towards a satisfied customer,” said Marius friendly and forgoes legacy programming level of safety in the municipal, mining and
van Rensburg, P&C’s Sales Manager. interfaces in favour of current future proof industrial markets.
interface methods. Our clear advantage is
“In the protection market the OEM often that we are supported by a dynamic and The 0.2S measurement accuracy and
relies on strong local support to grow its highly experienced partner whose team has 3.2kHz sampling frequency makes the AQ-
offering. ACTOM P&C has been evaluated many years of experience in this market and 200 series products five to 10 times more
by both of our new partners, who are is willing to further enhance its solutions to accurate than any conventional protection
convinced of our capabilities in this regard.” suit our customer requirements,” Hoosen device. For the first time a protection device
stated. can be used for billing level measurements
Faisal Hoosen, P&C’s General Manager, or accurate station level energy sum
said: “The new distributor arrangement P&C is partnered by arc protection calculations. The high sampling frequency
enables us to provide a bigger choice of specialists Arc Protection Technologies of 3.2kHz, combined with a storing
products to the local substation automation in bringing Arcteq relays to the attention capacity of up to 100 fault records provides
market. Both companies’ products are of the local market, as well as offering a more information for fault analyses than
innovative and state-of-the-art and the range of additional services. “Arc Protection any conventional protection device has
compatibility between their respective Technologies is headed by Rodney Bristow, ever been able to produce.
wattnow | june 2017 | 15OBITUA RY
IN MEMORIAM
Victor Anton Raynal
It is with deep regret that we report that SAIEE
Fellow, Victor Raynal passed away in March 2017.
completed this professional attachment, camp illuminations for the endless rows
he turned down lucrative job offers in the of match box houses, Victor recalled the
UK and other Commonwealth countries delight of residents who were not only
to resume working for the JCC. able to get home more safely, but able
to sit out on the pavements to read the
While he was with Ferranti, he married newspaper and that children could do
Jean Stuttard, who worked as a paymistress their home-work at no cost. He recalled
in the company. Two years after Jean was many curious events when electricity first
Victor was born in Mozambique to tragically killed in a car accident in 1955, became available to a population who had
become the third generation of a family he married Margaret Bailey, also from no prior access in the late 20th century.
that had engaged in the electricity supply Oldham; Basil de Ferranti, with whom
industry in Southern Africa since 1898. he had become friends, attended this Victor achieved many academic and
His grandfather and father had worked wedding. professional qualifications. He became
for the Electricte De France Company in a member of the Council of the South
Mauritius and then Mozambique. When Returning to continue his career in the African and UK Royal Institutes of
his father died of malaria when he was 8 JCC in 1955 he held various electrical Electrical Engineers in 1970 and was
years old, he was sent to boarding school engineering positions before being appointed to the National Coordinating
at Marists Brothers in Johannesburg. He appointed as Assistant City Electrical Commission (Niemand) setting
completed secondary school at the age Engineer (Distribution) in 1970. standards for new residential townships.
of 16 and started a 5 year apprenticeship He authored three major papers for which
with the Johannesburg City Council This responsibility involved providing he received awards entitled: “Cable Fault
(JCC). reticulation for a high population density Location”, “Insulating Oil in Relation to
area of about 500 square kilometres, the Maintenance of Power Transformers”
Realising that he had potential, the JCC which included Soweto. At that time it and “A Modern Approach to Reticulation
awarded Victor a scholarship which was the largest peri-urban conurbation in of Residential Townships”. He was
enabled him to do a degree in Electrical Africa, housing an estimated one million awarded Fellowship of the SAIEE in 1976
Engineering at the University of the inhabitants, whose source of energy came and Fellowship of the UK IEE in 1979. In
Witwatersrand, where he graduated in from burning fossil fuels, the effluent 1994 he received a 50 years membership
1950. He then had a professional training from which blew over into the then award by the SAIEE.
attachment with Ferranti in Oldham, Whites’ only Johannesburg.
England, which was at that time one of the Due to the frustration of non-progression
largest electrical engineering distribution However, Victor saw the electrification of in his career, Victor took early retirement
equipment manufacturers in the world. Soweto not only as a solution to regional from the JCC at the age of 55. He then
He recalled that Ferranti was developing air pollution, but also as a means to worked for Croswell Engineers until he
the world’s first commercially available provide improved access to development went into semi-retirement in 1989 in the
computer and he considered whether he opportunities for inhabitants. Victor Cape, but continued working on part-
should develop his career along that path. developed ultra-high street lighting to time projects until recently.
However, Victor was very committed to provide vandal proof illumination for
using his engineering skills to develop vast areas economically; although these He leaves behind his widow Margaret; a
the infrastructure in Africa. When he may have looked like concentration daughter, a son and 8 grandchildren.
16 | wattnow | june 2017THIS IS NOT A DOCUMENT
YOU CAN ALWAYS TRUST
A number of electrical products used by consumers and installed in buildings for use by occupants are subject to compulsory
specifications in order to protect people. These requirements also have the effect of protecting assets.
The Letter of Authority (LOA), issued in good faith by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS)
on the strength of a product’s test report by an accredited laboratory, is usually produced by distributors as proof of
compliance with regulations and their safety requirements.
For one or more of the following reasons, and possibly others, this is not always the case:
1. Unscrupulous manufacturers and distributors submit specially-prepared, “golden samples”, solely for the purpose of obtaining
the LOA.
2. Manufacturers’ quality-control processes may be, or may become, deficient.
3. Changes in a product’s internal design, or materials and components used, may render it non-compliant, whilst its appearance
remains the same and compatible with its description on the LOA.
4. Errors and oversights by the testing laboratory, whose report is the basis for the LOA.
5. Fraudulent test reports and Letters of Authority produced by unscrupulous suppliers *
This reality and, amongst other reasons, the regulator’s inability to conduct effective surveillance of the market to monitor
compliance, results in the proliferation of sub-standard electrical products.
What to do? See the SAFEhouse website for a Guide to the Regulation of Electrical Products.
*Resellers of products may accept photocopies of LOAs as proof of compliance and not bother to validate them. Validation is difficult if not impossible.
SAFEhouse members have signed a code of conduct: Your assurance of commitment to offer only safe electrical products.
SAFEhouse membership is suppliers’ assurance to customers of responsible behaviour and of customers’ safety as a priority. SAFEhouse members regulate themselves.
SAFEhouse is primarily a communications association that informs customers of safety requirements and occurrences of non-compliance with such requirements.
The SAFEhouse Association is a non-profit, industry organisation
committed to the fight against sub-standard, unsafe electrical products.
For more information contact:
As at 26/01/2017
Barry O’Leary: Tel: 011 396 8251 | Email: barry.oleary@safehousesa.co.za
Pierre Nothard: Tel: 011 396 8140 | Email: pierren@safehousesa.co.za
www.safehousesa.co.za
A MEMBER OF THE Hudaco GROUP
wattnow | june 2017 | 17N EWS
Solar just became
safer with the PV
GreenCard
Installing a rooftop Although solar PV has become are proficient and compliant with all
increasingly popular in the residential, of the relevant national and municipal
solar photovoltaic commercial and industrial market electrical regulations.
(PV) system was for segment over the last several years, there
has until now there been no industry- On completion of an installation, a
many years considered wide, standardised PV licensing system certified PV GreenCard installer will
an expensive luxury or registration process. For this reason issue the client with both a digital and
SAPVIA worked with industry to physical document that details all of the
but this is no longer develop the PV GreenCard as a means specifications of the solar PV system
the case. Drastic to promote quality and safe Solar PV as well as a checklist that all of the
reductions in the installations within the industry. required installation steps have been
completed to the required standard.
cost of solar panels The PV GreenCard is a safety This document can in turn be used
coupled with rising certification, a quality assurance as proof of compliance for insurance,
standard, and training programme finance, and regulatory purposes.
electricity tariffs and for solar PV installers. The most
uncertainty of supply important aspect of the PV GreenCard “At the moment we are seeing the
is peace of mind that your Solar PV residential, commercial, and industrial
have made solar PV
installation complies with industry and sector growing at about 5MW per
increasingly attractive international best practice and installers month, and this will rise significantly as
to both residential and meet minimum internationally bench- soon as the new small-scale embedded
marked quality and safety standards. generation regulations are finalised. As
commercial energy a result we have shifted our focus more
users. Access to a database of qualified and towards the development of the rooftop
verifiable solar PV installers via the PV market over the last two years” says
GreenCard website is another way that SAPVIA Chairman, Davin Chown.
we promote access to safe and reliable
PV installations. One of the reasons that PV is so
popular in the residential space is that
The quality and safety of a certified PV it is relatively inexpensive and quick to
GreenCard installer is are assured via install. “All you really need to put PV on
the specialized education and training your roof is a certificate of compliance
provided to solar PV installers prior for insurance purposes. There are
to them being certified and registered professional installers who will install
on the PV GreenCard database. This from 1kWp (4 panels) to over 1MW (over
certification means that these installers 4000 panels) on a roof,” says Chown.
18 | wattnow | june 2017The PV GreenCard serves as a national PV GreenCard is peace of mind that
standardized “as built report” that should your solar PV installation complies
be issued with every small-scale Solar PV with industry and international best
installation. practice and installers meet minimum
internationally bench-marked quality and
With a PV GreenCard in your hand you safety standards. Access to a database of
have peace of mind that your solar PV qualified and verifiable solar PV installers
installation complies with South Africn via the PV GreenCard website is another
industry and international best practice. way that we can promote access to safe
and reliable PV installations.
The PV GreenCard is a safety certification, Our partners have been critical
a quality assurance standard, and training in the development of this quality
programme for solar PV installers. initiative and we are grateful for the
assistance of Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Quality and safety are assured via the Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ),
specialized education and training BSW Solar, GreenCape, SARETEC.
provided to solar PV installers prior DGS Berlin has worked closely with us
to them being certified and registered as development partners together with
on the PV GreenCard database. This various government departments and
certification means that these installers SAPVIA members who have contributed
are proficient and compliant with all throughout the development process.
of the relevant national and municipal
electrical regulations. The small-scale embedded generation
revolution is already underway and as
On completion of an installation, a the industry body we have a crucial role
certified PV GreenCard installer will to play in ensuring that installations
issue the client with both a digital and standards are of a high quality and
physical document that details all of the comply with municipal and national
specifications of the solar PV system as electrical regulations.
well as a checklist that all of the required
installation steps have been completed to For more info, visit
the required standard. This document can www.pvgreencard.co.za
in turn be used as proof of compliance
for insurance, finance, and regulatory
purposes.
The most important aspect of the
wattnow | june 2017 | 19N EWS
I am terrible with names, and to everyone’s delight, I called them by their country of origin:
From left: WiFi (He was always seeking signal wherever we went), China; Alejandra (Mexico); Me; Carina (Venezuela);
Ron Gerstenfeld, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Korea; India; Brazil; Kenia and Ethiopia. ‘Columbia’ had already left, when this photo was taken.
My Israel Visit
March 2017
I had the privilege of being invited by the
Israeli Embassy to attend the 5th Access Israel
Convention 2017, in Tel Aviv, in March 2017. I was
super-excited to have the opportunity of visiting a
country on my bucket-list.
BY | MINX AVRABOS
The last supper
Day 1 The Sheba Rehabilitation Hospital is Israel’s national
I had not realised that our Sunday is the Israelis’ centre of rehabilitation. They offer long-term and life-
Monday, so I arrived in peak-hour traffic, and got to long treatment, rehabilitation programs in areas such
the hotel late to meet fellow journo’s from across the as orthopaedics, neurology, respiratory, psychiatry,
world. I eventually managed to get hold of the tour geriatric and trauma. They have the national
guide, who organised a taxi for me to be able to meet responsibility for the long-term treatment and care of
up with them. the most difficult and complex cases in Israel, such as
injured soldiers and terror victims.
Our first stop was at the rehabilitation centre of the
Sheba Hospital, where we met with various personnel The Sheba Hospital is also the pioneer in
who make a difference in the lives of people living Rehabilitation Technologies. They are devoted to
with disability. moving the rehabilitation field forward through
20 | wattnow | june 2017research, education and the development The convention included a number
of life-saving therapies and technologies. of sessions, such as Smart Cities;
They are globally renowned for their App Accessibility, Media Document
specialized laboratories and centres, where Accessibility, and Technological
they develop innovative technologies in Presentations.
rehabilitation medicine, including Virtual
Reality Training Facility, the Computerized DAY 3
Motion Analysis Laboratory, and the and best practices, specifically designed for We were treated to a day-off by visiting
Isokinetic Laboratory. organizations and business, who seek to the Dead Sea and Jerusalem. This was an
hire and employ people with disabilities. experience I will never forget.
The Virtual Reality Training Facility This, as well as the technological means by
incorporates the latest advancements in which to serve the people with disabilities, Bordering Israel, the West Bank and
computerized technology, sensors and including the elderly population. Jordan, is a Salt Lake whose banks are more
video analysis to speed the rehabilitation than 400m below sea level, the lowest point
of patients who have lost a leg, for James Thurston, Vice President, G3ICT, on dry land. Its famously hypersaline water
example, through immersion in a fully Global Strategy & Development discussed makes floating easy. In addition its mineral-
reactive virtual and physical environment. accessibility of Smart Cities – the rich black mud is used for therapeutic and
The Computer Assisted Rehabilitation technological aspect. This peaked my cosmetic treatments at local area resorts.
Environment employs a pioneering interest as we are busy organising the The surrounding desert offers many oases
technology called Computer Assisted second SAIEE Smart Grid conference. and historic sites.
Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN). It The rapid worldwide growth in Smart
is a breakthrough multi-sensory system Cities programs creates unprecedented We went to lunch at a restaurant, halfway
for diagnostics, rehabilitation, evaluation opportunities for governments, citizens, between the Dead Sea and Jerusalem,
and registration of human balance and technology companies. This significant called: “Last Chance” – aptly named when
characteristics and movement control. The growth also risks deepening a substantial the owner decided that this is his last
system enables the creation of a variety of digital divide for persons with disabilities chance in making a living in a very remote
experiences in a controlled and repeatable and the aging population. There is a area. Brilliant food and service!
environment, by using several virtual compelling case for human rights and
reality principals. business issues for infusing accessibility Jerusalem was bursting with vehicles,
into global Smart Cities programs. colour and people. Everywhere we went,
DAY 2 Governments who deploy accessible we were accosted by vendors selling their
Because this world is currently in the midst technology in their Smart Cities initiatives goods. I happened to buy two beautiful
of the 4th Industrial Revolution, the 5th will have more innovative, equitable and pashminas (scarves).
Access Convention focussed on how to impactful results across key program areas,
ensure the digital era is accessible for all. including e.g. in education, healthcare, and We took a walk to the Wailing Wall, where
Access Israel also serves as an accelerator for transportation. Technology companies Tomer Zur, our tour guide, shared an
start-ups. They have assisted 30 companies who include accessibility and inclusion as insider’s perspective of Jerusalem with us.
to launch products for people with part of serving Smart Cities worldwide, will The Western Wall, Wailing Wall or Kotel, is
disabilities since their inception. According have an edge over competitors not doing an ancient limestone wall in the Old City of
to the latest Israel statistics, 2 billion people so. They will be providing products and Jerusalem. It is a relatively small segment of
will need a device for disability by 2050. solutions that support rich, personalized, a far longer, ancient retaining wall, known
citizen-centric services serving a broader also in its entirety as the “Western Wall”.
Various speakers at the conference shared population, and are usable in a wider The Western Wall was built by King Herod
their insights into a range of technologies variety of environments. in 20 BC, during his expansion of the
wattnow | june 2017 | 21You can also read
