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Issue No 76                                                                                        February 2014
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In this issue...
- New plug and socket system for SA
- New compulsory specification for luminaires
- State of the skilled labour force: an engineer's perspective
- Focus on Leon Viljoen, new CEO of ABB
- Amendments to the Main Collective Agreement
- Spotlight on the Illumination Engineering Society of South Africa
- Vector Inbox
- Infrared LED technology for touchscreens
- SA digital laser a world first
- Automatic energy optimisation for efficiency, precision system control.
- Energy efficiency for machines: the smart choice for motorisation
- Largest ever maritime salvage challenges engineers
- Reasons for using controlled mechanical brakes - part 2
- Commercial heat pumps: a retrospective M&V case study
- Truths about UPS safety
- ECA News
- Industry news
- Company, product, project & service news
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 Published by

 

EE Publishers

 

P O Box 458
Muldersdrift
1747
South Africa

 

Tel: 011 543 7000
Fax: 011 543 7025

 

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www.ee.co.za

 Copyright

Copyright 2014

EE Publishers (Pty) Ltd
All rights reserved
  

  
Mark Botha
SA gets new plug and socket system 
by Mark Botha, editor 
 

The Wiring Code has identified SANS 164-2 as the preferred standard for plugs and socket systems in SA and it is now expected that this configuration will be phased in on new installations as of next year... (more)

Connie Jonker
New compulsory specification for luminaires
by Connie Jonker, IESSA technical adviser 

The compulsory specification VC 8055 has been replaced by VC 9012 following a request by industry. Previous specifications had the disadvantage that each stakeholder applied a different focus to safety requirements... (more) 
Brian Turner State of the skilled labour force: an engineer's perspective
by Brian Turner, retired engineer

The powers that be cannot seem to understand why we have a major shortage of skilled people in South Africa. Unfortunately, this is not something that has occurred overnight but rather started back in the 1980s... (more) 
Leon Viljoen
Focus on Leon Viljoen, new CEO of ABB
by Mike Rycroft, EE Publishers

"Business should be a lot more involved in discussions with government to determine the direction and future of this country. Business is sometimes quick to blame, but we are not involved enough in discussion"... (more)
Danfoss
Amendments to the Main Collective Agreement
by Lucas Bowles, ECA(SA)

Amendments to the Agreement have been finalised and submitted to the Department of Labour for approval. They include changes to rules on wages, leave bonus, the collective bargaining levy, overtime and allowances, among others... (more)
Spotlight on the Illumination Engineering Society of South Africa 
by Mark Botha, editor

The Illumination Engineering Society of South Africa (IESSA) promotes the science, technology and art applied in the field of lighting. It facilitates international information exchange while promoting sound lighting and market practices in the interests of the public... (more) 

Vector Inbox

This month, our readers express their fears at losing engineering skills in consulting practices and call for a scrap metal Act to help curb copper theft... (more)
Infrared LED technology for touchscreens
Information from Osram
  
The advent of high-efficiency infrared LEDs has made intuitive and robust touchscreens for various devices and controllers attractive to both industry and the end-user... (more) 
SA digital laser a world first
by Hans van de Groenendaal, EE Publishers

Researchers at South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have developed the world's first digital laser. This development oaves the way to many new applications for laser technology... (more)

Automatic energy optimisation for efficiency, precision system control
Information from Danfoss

Drive manufacturers have attempted to improve the low speed efficiency of motors, but most products require tedious manual adjustment. "Automatic energy optimisation", a promising innovation, offers a solution... (more)
Energy efficiency for machines: the smart choice for motorisation
Information from Schneider Electric

Machines are designed according to performance criteria and productivity but the rising cost of energy demands new strategies in terms of machine design... (more) 
Largest ever maritime salvage challenges engineers
by Edwina Ross, IDC Technologies 
 
Righting the ill-fated liner Costa Concordia off the environmentally-sensitive Tuscan coast in the Mediterranean Sea has challenged engineers tasked with conducting the world's largest maritime salvage project ever... (more)
Reasons for using controlled mechanical brakes - part 2
by Grant Ray Sutherland, 1958

Taken from the ICMEESA archives, this article discusses a calliper-type brake gear to operate with oil-controlled spring units for even distribution of pressure and wear. Controlled retardation speeds up the winding cycle of AC and DC winders with safety... (more) 
Commercial heat pumps: a retrospective M&V case study
by R Larmour, University of Cape Town
 
Aspects of the measurement and verification (M&V) of a commercial energy efficiency project including optimal data usage; target specification and the possible effects of the subsidy structure on M&V credibility... (more)
Truths about UPS safety
by Bob Lauricella and Zach Greenhaw, Eaton

When working with data centre and commercial facility power systems, shocks of 100 to more than 2000 mA are possible. Energised electrical equipment may also present the risk of arc flash... (more) 
ECA News
 
Industry news 

Company, product, project & service news