ECD Solutions Mar/April 2015

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ECD SOLUTIONS

MARCH/APRIL 2015

FROM THE EDITOR After around two decades of existence, blue

CONTENTS

LEDs were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2014. Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura’s invention revolutionised lighting technology and facilitated the creation of white lights that are now used everywhere, from smartphones to light bulbs.

While the award-winning LEDs have been

4

Solar standard changes - how they affect you

10

Tips for improving staff productivity

around since the 1990s, there has been a gap in our understanding of how they actually work, according to John Buckeridge of UCL Chemistry. Buckeridge, in collaboration with groups at the University of Bath and the

11 Comms + Data

13

Clearing the conduit confusion

24

NBN and alarm monitoring

Daresbury Laboratory, recently uncovered the mystery of why blue LEDs are so difficult to make, by revealing the complex properties of their main component - gallium nitride using sophisticated computer simulations.

“The key ingredient for blue LEDs is gallium nitride, a robust material with a large energy separation, or ‘gap’, between electrons and holes - this gap is crucial in tuning the energy of the emitted photons to produce

29 Electrical Distribution

31

Water blocking in cables - the what, why and how

40

tart-up develops cars that track energy leaks in S homes and buildings

completely. The breakthrough, which won the ingly large amounts of magnesium.”

44

Doing business in Australia: anti-bribery

55

Making the most of the big data era

60

Electrical system for floating LNG facility

blue light. While doping to donate mobile negative charges in the substance proved to be easy, donating positive charges failed Nobel Prize, required doping it with surprisThese long-lasting, energy-efficient diodes have already helped many Australian businesses, home owners and government bodies achieve significant energy and cost

Cover image credit: © Professional photographer Matt Irwin

savings. This issue’s front cover features one

63 Efficiency + Renewables

such project - a dynamic lighting installation

65

Six retrofitting trends to watch for

features a 14 m ‘Melbourne’ sign in the fore-

68

Solar 2015

68

Top lighting experts to gather in sydney for SPARC 2015

70

Centralised vs decentralised power systems

at Melbourne Airport. The landmark project court; 140 m double-sided light projections beneath the elevated roadway; 60 m canopy lighting within pedestrian bridges, plus light in shell canopies and trees; and an interactive ‘Light Shower’ that bathes visitors in blue light, inspired by research into its effects on the circadian rhythm. Turn to page 66 to read more about the project.

Mansi Gandhi - Editor mgandhi@westwick-farrow.com.au

NOW in DIGITAL! Your copy of ECD Solutions is now available as an online eMag.

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SOLAR STANDARD CHANGES

- HOW THEY AFFECT YOU Dan Atkins*

4 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

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The AS/NZS 5033:2014 - Installation and Safety Requirements for Photovoltaic (PV) Arrays standard has just been updated and the changes came into effect on 6 February 2015. This article details the key updates and explains how they affect installers.

Heavy-duty conduit within buildings When the previous version of the AS/NZS 5033 standard was released in 2012, one of the key changes that shocked the industry was the requirement to use heavy-duty (HD) conduit to protect all DC wiring in a building. This requirement was introduced with an aim to reduce the risk of short circuit by providing additional mechanical protection.

The latest version of the standard has reduced the scope of this requirement, providing a more practical method of achieving the desired protection. The areas requiring HD conduit are now limited to those that are not clearly visible, specifically, ceiling spaces, wall cavities and under floors. In other areas of a building, cabling is more visible and therefore there is a lower risk of damage. Nonetheless, DC PV cables within a building, but not within these cavities, need to be protected with medium-duty (MD) conduit. While fewer areas will now require HD conduit, the change may not have a significant impact on PV installations in the domestic market. Cabling is often run within cavities in order to hide ‘ugly’ conduit - this leaves only a short length at the inverter that can be in MD conduit.

To avoid changing between different types of conduit, such as MD, HD and UV-

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resistant conduit, some installers choose to use UV-resistant HD conduit at all times (Figure 1). Although using only UV-resistant HD conduit increases the cost of materials, it increases the durability of the system and may reduce the installation time. The revised HD conduit requirements will have a significant impact when PV systems are installed on sheds and commercial buildings, where cavities are not used to run DC cabling. In these installations, it is now possible for the installation to be completed without HD conduit. In addition, non-domestic buildings are permitted to be exempt from using HD conduit where the installation method otherwise achieves the objective of minimising short-circuit risk. An example of this may be the use of cable trays. However, it will be difficult to demonstrate adequate protection - so, a safer alternative would be to adhere to the same requirements as domestic installations.

For more information, see AS/NZS 5033:2014 4.3.6.3.2.

Bonding cabling requirements Since the release of AS/NZS 5033:2012, earth cables for bonding the array have been required to be 4 mm2. This led to installers running 4 mm2 earthing cables, independently, all the way from the array to the main switchboard. However, the 2014 release of AS/NZS 5033 has brought to light that the 4 mm2 requirement was to ensure mechanical durability of the earth cable at the array and therefore the 4 mm 2 minimum is not necessary at the AC side of the inverter. It further specifies that the earthing cable from the array frame can be connected to the AC earth conductor at the inverter. However, in doing so, installers need to ensure that the earthing system will not be interrupted if the inverter is removed and that the cable is of sufficient size according to the system rating and type.

For more information, see AS/NZS 5033:2014 4.4.2.2.

AC and DC segregations clearly defined Although AS 3000:2007 covers segregation of circuits, it does not directly refer to segregation of AC and DC. With AS/NZS

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 5

© iStockphoto.com/George Winkens

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he latest update includes several positive changes and clarifications but, compared with the 2012 release, the changes are minimal. Standard updates like these are a necessary hurdle for an industry that is constantly growing in size and experience, and encounters an ever-broadening range of products. Global Sustainable Energy Solutions (GSES), with its extensive experience in PV training, design and inspections, is regularly involved in discussions over practical methods that installers can use to implement the latest standards and guidelines. This article describes the key changes to the standard.

Please note that not all changes are included here, so GSES recommends that installers read the standard for themselves to ensure they are aware of all current requirements.

STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS TO REMOVE INCONSISTENCY, AS/ NZS 5033:2014 SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THE DISPLAYED VALUES SHALL REPRESENT THE PV ARRAY MAXIMUM VOLTAGE AND THE SHORTCIRCUIT CURRENT AT STANDARD TEST CONDITIONS.

Figure 1: UV-resistant HD conduit - a good option for achieving compliant conduit throughout the PV installation.

Figure 2: AC and DC installed in separate conduit and enclosures. This is the most effective way to achieve compliant insulation barriers between AC and DC circuits.

5033:2014, additional requirements have been introduced, specifically for AC and DC segregation. It is not only clear that AC and DC need to be segregated, but insulation barriers have also been clearly specified as the means of segregation. Insulation barriers between AC and DC must be equivalent to double insulation and IP4X. The only exception to this is when cabling is outside enclosures, where 50 mm separation can be used. Within 50 mm, an insulation barrier will be required.

A simple way to abide by these requirements is to install AC and DC in separate enclosures and separate conduit (Figure 2).

Installing AC and DC in the same enclosure, with a compliant insulation barrier, is difficult to achieve. The IP4X rating requires the barrier to prevent penetration of objects with a 1 mm diameter or greater. In addition to this, AC and DC switchgear cannot share the same mounting rail, unless it is constructed from a non-conductive material. It will be difficult for barriers installed within enclosures to follow these requirements, unless purpose-made, compliant enclosures are used.

For more information, see AS/NZS 5033:2014 4.4.4.3.

are already using HD conduit and installing isolators within enclosures with lockable flaps. However, if a lockable room is used for providing restricted access then these precautions are not necessary.

For more information, see AS/NZS 5033:2014 1.4.61 and 3.1.

Restricted access Another significant addition to AS/NZS 5033 in 2012 was the voltage rating for domestic systems limited to 600 V and restricted access for non-domestic systems greater than 600 V. In many instances, this has resulted in installation of large cages around the inverter, isolators and cable runs. However, the 2014 version of the standard provides clarification that reduces the need for installing these cages. It now states that, if HD conduit is used on all accessible cabling, up to and including the inverter terminals, and the DC isolators and protection devices are in enclosures - only accessible with a tool - then there is no need for additional barriers. This will save installers a lot of work, especially if they

6 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

Matching parallel strings In addition to matching modules connected to the same maximum power point tracker (MPPT), AS/NZS 5033:2014 now requires that strings connected in parallel have a maximum variance in open circuit voltage of 5%. Although this may seem minor, not adhering to this can result in circulating currents between strings, even when the system is isolated. This could lead to a potential hazard if the circuit is disconnected without adequate protection (such as a load-breaking DC isolator). A difference in voltage between strings with similar modules can be caused by the variance in manufacturing tolerance, where power ratings of each module can vary up to ±3%.

Modules deteriorating over time can then compound the difference. Therefore, installers upgrading old systems with new parallel strings need to pay particular attention to this requirement.

For more information, see AS/NZS 5033:2014 2.1.6.

DC-conditioning units and microinverters As previously stated, one of the key drivers of updates to the standard is the introduction of new products to the industry. In line with this, AS/NZS 5033:2014 has included specific requirements for DC-conditioning units (also known as power optimisers) and microinverters (Figure 4). However, please note that power limits and installation methods have been set for these product-specific requirements, so it is important that they are read carefully before using these products.

For more information, see AS/NZS 5033:2014 2.1.5 and 4.3.12.

One of the main benefits of these new products is that individual modules can be orientated in different directions, owing to the ability of these products to track the maximum power point (MPP) of each module independently. The previous standard only considered the scenario of a string of modules connected to a single MPPT and therefore did not allow for the flexibility of these new products. With AS/NZS 5033:2014, systems that incorporate devices that track the MPP of each module, such as DC-conditioning units and microinverters, are exempt from the requirement for all modules in a string to be in the same orientation within ±5°. This is particularly useful for installing on roofs with small areas facing different directions.

For more information, see AS/NZS 5033:2014 2.1.6.

Another point the previous version of AS/NZS 5033 did not address was whether a load-breaking DC isolator was required between DC-conditioning units and the inverter. AS/NZS 5033:2014 now specifies that load-breaking DC isolators are required as normal; however, the isolator’s rating may be matched to the inverter’s maximum input ratings, as long as the DC-conditioning units will not exceed these ratings under normal and first fault conditions. As for microinverter systems, the previous standard already specified that load-breaking DC isolators are not required, but in AS/NZS 5033:2014 certain criteria must now be met by the microinverters for this to apply.

For more information, see AS/NZS 5033:2014 2.1.5 and 4.3.12.

As DC-conditioning units and microinverters have unique electrical characteristics, it has been unclear how they should affect the labelling and signage displayed. However, AS/NZS 5033:2014 has now specified labelling requirements that are appropriate for these products. For DC-conditioning units, the voltage and current displayed on the fire emergency information signs are to be equal to the maximum input ratings

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STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS

Figure 4: Left: Enphase microinverter. Right: SolarEdge power optimiser (a DC-conditioning unit). These types of products are now covered by AS/NZS 5033:2014 of the inverter, consistent with sizing the load-breaking DC isolator. For microinverter systems, displaying these ratings is generally not necessary as the voltage is usually the same as for other AC electrical systems (240 VAC). To allow for this, AS/NZS 5033:2014 has specified a fire emergency information sign for microinverters that does not include system ratings. Furthermore, as microinverters have a simple shutdown procedure, the method of isolating the system has also been incorporated into the fire emergency information sign and therefore a separate sign for the system shutdown procedure is not necessary.

For more information, see AS/NZS 5033:2014 5.4.1.

Signage Uncertainty around fire emergency information signs has not been limited to DC-conditioning units and microinverter systems. Even for standard PV systems, the conditions used for calculating the displayed system ratings have varied.

To remove inconsistency, AS/NZS 5033:2014 specifically states that the displayed values shall represent the PV array maximum voltage (at minimum temperature) and the short-circuit current at standard test conditions (STC) (provided by the module manufacturer). This means that measurements taken during commissioning are not to be displayed on these signs. It also further specifies that, where multiple arrays are installed, the voltage shall be the highest value present and the current shall be the sum of all array currents. These clarifica-

8 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

tions will help to provide consistency in the industry and more reliable information for emergency workers.

Another requirement introduced in 2012 was the warning regarding DC isolators not de-energising the PV array and array cabling. GSES has observed many PV systems installed since this update that have not included this warning, sometimes owing to the installer not being aware of the requirement or using up old-stock labelling kits. In AS/NZS 5033:2014, shutdown procedures have now been given their own clause and the required warning needs to be black writing on a yellow background.

An example shutdown procedure has also been displayed in the standard. These changes to the standard may assist in the uptake of this requirement, including the new colouring. Installers need to ensure that the labelling kits they use are updated to meet AS/NZS 5033:2014.

Although installing the correct labelling and signage is important, where they are displayed is also vital. AS/NZS 5033:2014 has included several adjustments to the labelling and signage requirements that help ensure they are installed in practical and visible locations. For example, the labelling of conduit has been simplified from being required at each end and each change in direction, to being required at every 2 metres, consistent with the cabling labels. Furthermore, the labelling needs to be visible. This means that, if conduit is fixed to a wall, the solar labelling needs to be facing out. Installers should review AS/NZS 5033:2014 5 Marking and Docu-

mentation, to confirm they are installing labels in appropriate locations.

For more information, see AS/NZS 5033:2014 5.

Keeping on top of changes To assist PV installers in keeping on top of changes in the industry, like these necessary standards updates, the Clean Energy Council has put in place a continuous professional development (CPD) program. GSES also provides professional development days at locations around Australia, which give installers the opportunity to achieve the annual requirement of 100 CPD points in a single day. Topics covered in recent GSES professional development days include commissioning, maintenance and fault finding; responding to solar tenders: technical content; and PV module power conditioning and control devices. *Dan Atkins has worked with GSES as a Project Engineer and Photovoltaics (PV) Systems Inspections Manager since 2011.

He has completed a Bachelor of Engineering in Renewable Energy at the University of New South Wales. As Inspections Manager, Dan is responsible for the oversight of PV installation audits around Australia, including technical review of inspection outcomes and the management and training of PV inspectors. He has invaluable experience in assessing Australian PV standards and has provided technical consultancy services to regulatory authorities.

Global Sustainable Energy Solutions (GSES) www.gses.com.au

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TIPS FOR IMPROVING

STAFF PRODUCTIVITY John Raffaele*

Improving productivity is a common concern for most businesses; in particular, finding ways to help employees make the best use of their time in the office.

M

aking it easier and more rewarding for staff to do their job well is much more time- and cost-effective than outlaying vast sums on additional employees or new systems.

Below are five tips for improving staff productivity: • Motivate staff – While remuneration is an important factor in job satisfaction and staff retention, there are a number of other contributors to job satisfaction. Research has suggested that employees increasingly value factors such as a flexible workplace, additional time off, or recognition and praise. Ensuring that workplace complaints are heard and seriously considered is another significant factor in staff motivation. Additionally, increasing individual accountability for tasks will improve work ethic and increase people’s sense of achievement.

• Expand skill sets – Rotate employee tasks wherever possible.

Staff will develop a more diverse skill set, people will feel that they are making career progression and it will increase employee engagement. Assigning one staff member as a trainer or mentor to others is a great way to demonstrate confidence in someone, while simultaneously giving the business an opportunity to evaluate their leadership skills before a promotion.

• Time management – A common complaint from employees is wasting time in meetings that they do not feel they need to be at. Encourage staff to keep meetings to a minimum and to question whether they need to attend. Similarly, returning phone calls and responding to emails is not just time-consuming but can also be extremely bad for employee productivity. Constant interruptions break people’s concentration and can be very distracting. Encourage staff to have specific times each day that they return phone calls and emails to help improve productivity and concentration.

10 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

• Digital organisation – It is easy to equate a ‘paperless office’ with an ‘organised office’, but that isn’t always the case.

If staff have difficulty locating computer documents or programs, this can be a significant barrier to productivity. Additionally, it creates a sense of disorder that can impact their perception of management. Organising the company’s digital workplace, and encouraging individual staff members to be similarly organised, can go a long way in improving productivity.

• Productivity software – There are a lot of new productivity software products and apps that are designed specifically for the workplace. Some of these are even created for specific industries or roles. Examples of helpful software products or apps include digital time trackers, to-do lists, productivity monitors and project management software.

*John Raffaele, Partner Business Advisory Services, Consulting Services, HLB Mann Judd. Raffaele has over 15 years’ experience working predominantly with privately owned businesses and investment firms, advising and consulting across a wide range of business issues. A key focus of his work has been assisting privately owned businesses to implement realistic, workable and sustainable growth plans, particularly in relation to managing growth from a financial and strategic perspective. Other key areas of focus include succession and estate planning, strategic taxation advice, and debt and equity raising.

HLB Mann Judd www.hlb.com.au

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© iStockphoto.com/andrey pavlov

BUSINESS ADVICE

© freeimages.com/profile/martwork

CABLES AND CONDUITS

CLEARING THE CONDUIT CONFUSION

Lawrence McKenna*

One of the greatest concerns to the health and safety of registered cablers is a complete disregard of the Australian Standard AS 1345-1995 ‘Identification of the contents of pipes, conduits and ducts’ by the electrical industry.

T

here is also a lot of confusion about the colour and use of conduits. There are rules and standards for the compliant use of conduits and failure to comply can have serious consequences, such as heavy fines, imprisonment and/or licence disqualification.

The new workplace health and safety laws have redefined ‘due diligence’ and introduced significant changes to officers’ responsibilities and liabilities. To clarify, officers (includes a person, corporation, director, manager or employee) are seen as exercising due diligence if they take reasonable steps to ensure that they: understand the nature of the operations and the associated hazards and risks; and have appropriate resources and processes for risk and hazard elimination or minimisation.

The defence to the charge of not performing due diligence is a ‘reasonable excuse’. This means that the person had a reasonable excuse for failing to exercise due diligence. What constitutes a reasonable excuse is determined based on the facts of the case and the court’s assessment of what the community would regard as reasonable, ie, a reasonable knowledge of hazards and risks in the industry in which you work have been met. The following example illustrates the severe consequences of ignoring AS 1345.

One Sunday morning, a data centre design manager involved in a refurbishment project gets a call from the data centre facility manager saying, “You need to get here now! The data cabler has

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electrocuted himself. The police are here.” On arrival at the data centre site, the design manager sees organised chaos - police, ambulance, WorkSafe and the ACMA. He wonders why ACMA is on the incident site. As he looks for a place to park his car, he thinks about all the meetings and reviews he will have to attend and all the paperwork that he will have to submit. He wonders about how the event may have happened and worries about the consequences. The WorkSafe investigators determine that the cabler cut through a white conduit printed with ‘Electrical’, instead of the white one next to it, printed with ‘Communications’. The data centre manager is held liable and charged with negligence causing fatality. The project manager and designer are also under investigation, and expected to be charged. The design manager faces possible imprisonment or massive fines. This is not an exaggeration or scare mongering. What would you have done to prevent something like this happening to you? Or if you were in this situation, how would you have protected yourself from prosecution?

The answer lies in understanding and correctly applying three areas of legislation: the WHS Act, the Crimes Acts, the Telecommunications Act plus Australian Standard AS 1345.

The Australian Standard AS 1345:1995 ‘Identification of the contents of pipes conduits and ducts’ (based on international standards) specifies the relevant colours for hazardous services.

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 13

CABLES AND CONDUITS

THE MANDATORY WIRING RULES, AS/CA S009:2013, STATE THAT CONDUIT COLOURS SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH AS 1345.

Table 1: AS1345 base identification colours for pipes.

To state the obvious again, these standard colours are used to identify hazardous services provided in conduits. It should be clearly noted that the basic colour scheme for pipe identification has remained the same in AS 1345:1995 as it was in the 1982 edition, ie, conduit colour schemes have not changed in 33 years.

Furthermore, the mandatory Wiring Rules, AS/CA S009:2013, state that conduit colours shall be in accordance with AS 1345. The base identification colour is a single colour intended to provide immediate information on the contents/hazard within the pipe.

When applying the base identification colour, the pipes, conduits or ducts can either be painted completely with the identifying colour or they can be regularly banded with the identifying colour. Now, would this be regarded as a ‘reasonable knowledge of the hazards and risks in the industry in which you work’?

Of course - this requirement has been around for 33 years, so it is reasonable knowledge.

The other great concern is the significant lack of understanding of the Telecommunications Act by the electrical industry (electrical engineers, designers and installers). To explain how this supports a charge of not performing due diligence, allow me to outline the key definitions and sections within this 18-year-old Act, before running through a typical building service installation.

Under Section 7 (Definitions) of the Act: • Telecommunications network - means a system, or series of systems, that carries, or is capable of carrying, communications by means of guided and/or unguided electromagnetic energy.

14 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

The reference to the carriage of communications by means of ‘unguided electromagnetic energy’ refers to communications by means of radiocommunications - Explanatory Statement Telecommunications Regulations 2001. This definition states that a telecommunications network does not only include fixed line networks, it also encompasses radiocommunications networks.

As an example: LTE/4G carrier networks.

• Communications includes any communication (a) whether between persons and persons, things and things or persons and things; (b) whether in the form of speech, music or other sounds; (c) whether in the form of data; (d) whether in the form of text; (e) whether in the form of visual images (animated or otherwise); (f) whether in the form of signals; (g) whether in any other form; and (h) whether in any combination of forms.

• Line means a wire, cable, optical fibre, tube, conduit, waveguide or other physical medium used, or for use, as a continuous artificial guide for or in connection with carrying communications by means of guided electromagnetic energy. This definition is a little ‘tricky’. It should be noted that a line includes the cable pathway (conduits, cable tray, ducts, etc - other physical medium used in connection with carrying communications). This means that a registered cabler shall install the (non-carrier) comms cable pathway.

• Connected, in relation to (a) a telecommunications network; (b) a facility; (c) customer cabling; or (d) customer equipment.

Includes connection otherwise than by means of physical contact, eg, a connection by means of radiocommunications.

The above point is not very clear, but the connection by means of ‘radiocommunications’ is very important. This means that if you have a network controller with a 4G card in it, it is considered to be ‘connected’ to a telecommunications network. Everything installed after it is customer cabling and needs to be installed by a registered cabler.

Now that we’ve understood the key definitions, let’s apply them to the key clauses of the Act; Section 20 and Section 21.

Section 20 states that ‘Customer cabling means a line that is used, installed ready for use or intended for use on the customer side of the boundary of a telecommunications network.’ The most significant word in this clause is the word ‘intent’. It does not matter if the line will be connected to a telecommunications network at the time of installation, or in the planned future. If the line, during its installation life, has the potential to connect directly or indirectly to a telecommunications network, it is Customer Cabling.

In the ‘age’ of interconnectivity, it is a foreseeable certainty that this will happen during the life cycle of a line.

Section 21 states that customer equipment is: (a) any equipment, apparatus, tower, mast, antenna or other structure or thing that is used, installed ready for use or intended for use on the customer side of the boundary of a telecommunications network; or

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CABLES AND CONDUITS

The manufacturer also strongly supported this view. The system was eventually networked but a rat chewed the cables.

The network equipment was damaged. A communications technician went out to the site to fix/replace the damaged network card.

He was replacing the box, so he disconnected the line, not expecting dangerous voltage travelling through, and touched it. There were no major injuries but he spent a day in hospital on a heart monitor. He was lucky, the injuries could have been a lot worse.

(b) any system (whether software based or otherwise) that is used, installed ready for use or intended for use on the customer side of the boundary of a telecommunications network.

Now let us apply these definitions and sections from the Act to a real scenario. An experienced electrical engineer, with supervision from a principal electrical engineer designed a networked lighting control system. The instruction by the manufacturer and designer was to install the CAT5 cable to the sensors in with the LV power cable, in the same ‘electrical’ conduit, all coming back to the switch room. The sensors were on the same light poles as the lights. The conduit had electrical printed on it. The argument was: it would save money and this is how it had been done for 15 years. In addition, the electrician will do the maintenance.

Lawrence McKenna (CPEng NPER RPEQ RBP), Principal Telecommunications/ICT Systems engineer, Jacobs.

Lawrence has over 25 years of telecommunications and ICT systems industry experience. This experience includes voice networking (including PABXs, regionalwide networks), telecommunication and transmission networks (optical fibre and microwave radio), structured cabling designs, WAN/CANs, LANs and audio-visual, security, and radiocommunication systems. Lawrence is currently a member of the following standards committees: Standards Australia CT-001 (Communications Cabling); Standards Australia CT-002 (Broadcasting and related services); International Telecommunication Union ITU-T SG5 working group; and International Telecommunication Union ITU-R ARSG-5 working group.

Jacobs www.jacobs.com

COMMS + DATA

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testing for POTS, ADSL1/2/2+, VDSL2, HDSL, HDSL2 & 4, ISDN,

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T1, E1 and DDS communications services.

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The CopperPro configuration is designed for POTS applications

Easily mounted and dismount-

including voltage, opens, shorts, balance, RFL, VF noise and loss,

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and lower scorelines for easy

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Features include: replaces up to 16 traditional test sets; time

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domain reflectometer (TDR) feature allows precision fault location;

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includes TN2100 remote terminator; lightweight, handheld design.

and its special rib pattern design

TechRentals offers set-up and download service for this product.

allows flexible wire placement.

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COMMS + DATA

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Fibre-optic connectors for harsh environments HUBER+SUHNER has launched the Q-ODC-12 remote radio interface family, a portfolio currently consisting of four connectors, the QX plug, the QY extension, the QZ square socket and the QW hexagonal socket. Designed to be the smallest and most robust products in their class, the connectors are said to have the highest fibre density - based on the proven QN push-pull mating system, Q-ODC-12 connectors are similar in size to the two-fibre Q-ODC but can connect up to 12 fibres in one mating step.

The connectors are waterproof, dust-proof and corrosion-resistant. They

Next-GEN MICRO/MINI OTDRs

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Environment monitoring system The ENVIROMUX-5D advanced server environment monitoring system from Network FUSION SPLICER

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Technologies Incorporated (NTI) utilises sensors to monitor critical sever room environmental and security conditions. When an environmental sensor goes out of range of a configurable threshold or a security sensor is triggered, system administrators will be notified via email, alarm beacon, front panel LED indicators, web page notification, network management (SNMP) software or SMS. The system provides two internal sensors for temperature and humidity, five RJ45 ports for connecting external sensors, five digital (dry contact) inputs and two relay outputs. The environmental sensors include: air, duct and pipe temperature sensors, humidity sensors, liquid/water and smoke detectors. Security sensors include a range of power, motion, vibration and intrusion detectors.

The system can monitor (ping) up to 64 IP addresses to determine if critical server or network equipment is up and running. IP surveillance cameras can be viewed simultaneously via a web interface and event-triggered IP camera snapshots can be

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sent via email. Two USB ports allow the system to send alerts via USB 3G modem or download log data to a USB drive. The system is powered via a 240 VAC power adapter. An optional rechargeable SLA battery can provide back-up power for 2 h of operation.

Interworld Electronics and Computer Industries www.ieci.com.au

18 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

COMMS + DATA

Security solution The entry-level, plug-and-play TruVision TVN10 solution provides customers with the opportunity to enhance their existing alarm systems.

This is an important release for Hills as the network video recorders can be integrated to the Tecom series software such as Security Commander 2.1 and Forcefield 7.1. TruVision will provide video verification on alarms triggered from these access control systems. The video integration in the

Multi-contact physical connector

Tecom management software enables common alarm, ac-

AFC’s MCPC (multi-channel physical contact) fibre-optic cabling system is

cess and video management tasks to be performed from

suitable for any outside plant, industrial, mining and infrastructure application.

a single user interface. This simplifies operation for the

These IP-rated connectors use MT ferrule technology to deliver a high

end user by allowing visual verification of alarms and other

fibre count in a smaller footprint compared to traditional cylindrical connec-

occurrences, such as door access events.

tors. The MCPC is hermaphroditic (non-gender specific) in design to allow

Video footage can be linked to alarm events to provide

for easier daisy chaining of assemblies, where longer lengths are required.

visual verification of the reported alarm. This means that

Features include: all metal construction; bayonet coupling with red locking

users can instantly recall footage based on an event, rather

nut, suitable for fixed or permanent installations; MCPC receptacles (bulk-

than having to manually search through hours of footage.

heads) can accommodate 2.0 mm fibre over sleeving or standard distribution

The retrieved footage can then be exported directly to a

or breakout simplex cable pigtails; plug strength exceeds 130 kg tensile

USB key.

load when utilising AFC’s MT optimised distribution or breakout style cables.

Hills

AFC Group Pty Ltd

www.hills.com.au

www.afcgroup.com.au

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 19

SPONSORED CONTENT

Deploying remote PoE devices

A basic, yet often overlooked issue in deploying small cells is how to get electrical power to the device.

Discussions of small cells tend to focus on the challenges of RAN integration, backhaul and spectrum management.

However, every small cell or DAS antenna needs electrical power, and arranging access to power can be costly and cause a logistical dilemma for many remote sites.

T

he location of small cells

socket is available, who owns it and is it

is very different to that of

secure? Power rights must be individually

base stations. Small cells

negotiated with each building owner

are often placed on the side

and utility company. Sometimes the site

of buildings, on lampposts

owner and the closest power owner

and utility poles, in shopping malls

may be different, further adding to the

and stadiums, at transport hubs or on

complexity of site acquisition and the

outdoor street furniture. The diversity

resources required. Let us look at an

of the environment and the increased

example. A major carrier in South Korea

number of sites pose different challenges,

is planning a small cell deployment to

and access to electrical power becomes

supplement 4G services in Seoul. Fibre is

a far greater challenge than for traditional

not the problem - Seoul is very densely

tower and rooftop sites.

fibred. The problem begins when the

AMDOCS recently published a white

carrier negotiates access to power. Some

paper estimating the costs involved in

utility companies and building owners

rolling out small cells. About 38% of the

want the carrier to install electrical

total cost consists of network planning,

meters (paid for by the carrier) at each

site survey, planning permission and

small cell for usage-based billing.

site leasing activities. Clearly, there is

All of this adds significant cost and

opportunity for improvement.

time to a deployment. At the Small

The lack of a conveniently located

Cells World Summit 2013 in London,

electrical socket next to the small cell

one speaker presented the results of

device is the problem. Alternatively, if a

a field trial of small cells on a main

thoroughfare in London. He stated that gaining access to power was one of the biggest obstacles on the project, and that the trial organisers had seriously underestimated this issue. Similar experiences abound from other field trials and deployments.

One solution to this challenge is to deploy a powered fibre cable - a single cable that combines copper and optical

TE Connectivity’s powered fibre cable system combines traffic backhaul and electrical power in a single cable, for distances up to 3 km.

fibre, so that electrical power can be delivered remotely. The cable provides fibre connectivity for backhaul while simultaneously powering the device.

TE Connectivity’s powered fibre cable system can carry power over distances of 3 km or more from a central power source, in effect acting like a long extension cord to the small cell. The system incorporates everything needed to power and communicate with a small cell - including the power supply, a hybrid cable and a remote powering unit that corrects for DC line loss to eliminate the need for electrical design calculation.

A single 1RU power supply can feed 32 small cells. UPS power can also be installed at the central location, providing battery backup to many small cells. On

Key advantages of the system include: • The powered fibre cable system from TE has a reach greater than 10 times the distance of PoE+ (Power over Ethernet) cables. The ability to transport power further makes it possible to place small cells exactly where they are needed to focus wireless capacity.

• By combining power and fibre communications into one system, local powering is no longer needed. This eliminates the complexity of determining how to obtain power from building owners, utility companies or municipalities.

• TE estimates that this system can reduce up-front planning and engineering time for many small cell deployments by 50% or more.

• The system simplifies installation. Remote powering units can be factory terminated onto the hybrid cable with exactly the correct connectors for a given small cell.

the device side, a universal interface breaks out the fibre (single mode or multimode) and provides PoE+, 12 V

powering a 25 W device at distances

or 48 V power options to the device.

of more than 1 km with 12 AWG cable

Lightning protection and an optional

* Four modules total per power supply

media converter to copper Ethernet are

for 32 cables per power supply

available. The system meets NEC Class II

• Cable and fibre management - TE offers

and SELV standards.

an array of cable and fibre management

Site acquisition is already an inherently

options to suit your network connection

difficult process. The theoretical RF plan

needs

for the small cell (12 V or 48 V for fibre fed devices) • Provides three separate levels of electrical protection per ITU.T K21 and Telcordia GR-1089 • SELV and NEC Class II compliant, designed for a ‘no electrician needed’ installation

is constrained by the suitability of the

Hybrid fibre/copper cabling

Universal interface closure

site (from the site survey), options for

• 12 AWG (2 mm) and 16 AWG (1.2 mm)

• IP56 outdoor rated

backhaul, negotiation with site owners and cost. Why let access to power pose an additional constraint in the planning process? With TE Connectivity’s powered fibre cable system, it does not have to.

conductor size options • From one to two optical fibres, G657.A2 singlemode or OM3 multimode • Outdoor rated and indoor/outdoor Riser/LSZH rated options

• Houses electronics, power termination, fibre management and cable termination • Unobtrusive installation • Designed for a variety of optical and

The powered fibre cable system

• No special cable access tools needed

power outputs to match virtually any

consists of the following:

• Uses commonly available flat cable

commercially available small cell or

Power and fibre distribution elements

installation hardware

• -48 Vdc power supply

Universal interface termination point

* 1 U height, 19″ or 26″ standard rack

• DC/DC conversion electronics

mounted

• Eliminates electrical engineering cal-

other low-power network access device.

* Modular in units of eight cable

culations by converting the received

TE Connectivity

outputs. Each output capable of

voltage to the correct DC voltage level

www.te.com/enterprise

5 Events for critical communications users and industry

Important dates for your diary ...

Sydney

Melbourne

Sydney Showgrounds

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

3-4 June 2015

NEW for 2015 –

1-3 December 2015

Comms Connect PERTH

26 March 2015 – Pagoda Resort and Spa In conjunction with ARCIA, the team behind Comms Connect will for the very first time convene a one-day conference in Perth, to be held on 26 March, 2015.

A series of case studies and technical presentations will be followed by training workshops, networking drinks and ARCIA’s annual industry dinner.

Tickets for the ARCIA Networking dinner can be booked via ARCIA.org.au or by visiting http://bit.ly/CCPerth as part of a package when you book your conference and training workshop delegate pass.

For enquiries on either please contact: Katherine Lewis or Lisa Crossley on 02 9487 2700 or events@commsconnect.com.au.

What can you expect?

• Case studies — mining, public safety, local councils • Technical presentations • Networking Drinks • ARCIA annual industry dinner

• Half Day Training Workshops: – Radio over IP – Addressing ICT migration and integration with evolving critical wireless technologies

Perth registration now open - visit http://bit.ly/CCPerth to reserve your space In association with:

Magazine partner:

Organised by:

For further information regarding speaking or sponsorship at Comms Connect events in 2015 please

CALL OR EMAIL PAUL DAVIS +61 2 9487 2700 / pdavis@westwick-farrow.com.au

www.comms-connect.com.au

work

Benefits of industrial wireless in IP surveillance networks

The benefits of industrial wireless networks in IP surveillance are growing significantly. Wireless technologies allow easy transmission of digital surveillance videos in outdoor and remote areas. In harsh environments, enterprise wireless networks are unable to satisfy the high demands of connectivity and reliability; therefore, industrial-grade wireless network devices are designed for dealing with the requirements of these demanding environments.

Industrial wireless is well suited to providing a remote monitoring link to cameras located in an isolated area.

Long-range industrial wireless is also suitable for linking buildings together in rural areas where installing physical cables such as fibre optics is not cost effective.

Today’s industrial networks face a set of difficult communication challenges. Ensuring reliable mobile connectivity for vehicles and equipment is critical.

The device should not only survive under extreme temperatures but also the constant shock and vibration of mobile applications. Standard networking protocols such as latency, jitter and packet loss are also of high concern when selecting suitable equipment for IP surveillance systems.

Antaira Technologies’ wireless networking devices are designed to solve commonly encountered connectivity issues. The constantly increasing rate of traffic causes serious congestion issues in network throughput. Antaira wireless products have a built-in IEEE 802.11n standard

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

to improve bandwidth to 300 Mbps, a much faster throughput than the ones found in the IEEE 802.11 a/b/g standards. With a continued focus on advancements, Antaira Technologies is also looking into the most upto-date wireless standards. Wireless features such as the emerging IEEE 802.11ac protocol will increase the maximum available bandwidth to speeds of up to 1.3 Gbps.

Furthermore, wireless devices have been adopting more advanced security protocols such as WPA2, IEEE 802.11i and IEEE 802.1x to ensure that the privacy of data transmission is protected. The combination of IP surveillance with wireless technology results in a reliable and more secure alternative to hardwired applications and offers the following features: eliminating installation costs; mobile application by applying 3G /4G; flexible network scalability options; easy to deploy by using user-friendly designed configuration; supports different modes (AP/Repeater/Router); remote monitoring for surveillance.

The advantage of using industrial-grade wireless network devices is that they not only provide environmental benefits but also offer high bandwidth connections and advanced security options. Both of these factors are ideal for creating pointto-point connections between locations where traditional hardwiring is not suitable.

Industrial-grade equipment is the only practical solution in mobile applications, where the constant shock and vibration exerted on the equipment would quickly cause failures in commercial equipment that has not been tested or certified for shockand vibration-prone environments.

The advantages of using a wireless network with IP surveillance systems are endless. According to statistics, Asia has had a tendency to be the leader in the world of security when it comes to the most up-to-date technologies. Over the next 10 years, as reported by Allied Market Research, APAC will see the most growth in the IP surveillance industry with an estimated market size of 57 billion. With the rapidly growing market, users will encounter a growing number of applications that will require rugged equipment for their applications. This continued expansion of IP surveillance systems in industrial environments will prove the undeniable importance of industrial-grade networking equipment.

Antaira Technologies www.antaira.com.tw

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 23

NBN AND ALARM MONITORING John Fleming, General Manager

Last year, Federal Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull directed NBN Co to use the most costeffective technologies to deliver a minimum of 25 Mbps to every premise by 2020. What this means is that a large portion of premises that were to get fibre to the premises will now instead get what is known as the Multi-Technology Mix model.

T

he Multi-Technology Mix model can be broken up into three key technologies: fibre to the basement (FTTB); fibre to the node (FTTN); hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC).

Now that contractual terms have been finalised with Telstra and Optus, network connections to the National Broadband Network (NBN) are expected to accelerate. NBN Co has commenced planning, design and construction for FTTB services to 6000 premises in Sydney, Melbourne and the Australian Capital Territory.

43 apartment blocks with 6000 premises in total will be the first to be connected to the NBN through FTTB. NBN Co expects approximately 2000 premises to be ready by the end of March 2015. It comes over a year since NBN Co commenced trials of FTTB technology in Melbourne.

NBN Co has said that the average download speeds for the trial users were 89 Mbps down and 36 Mbps up over the vectored digital subscriber line (VDSL) and will be looking to get FTTB customers connected quickly. NBN Co will likely commence offering commercial FTTN products to retailers in the third quarter of this year, while services on the HFC networks will begin being sold in March 2016.

NBN Co’s new rollout methodology will determine, area by area, which technology is most suitable. NBN Co will look at each of the potential technology choices for that area, the cost for each technology in that area, and estimated revenues and net present

24 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

value for that area. A survey will be conducted to see what kind of condition the existing copper is in.

The technology implemented in specific areas will be based on what offers the best-value solution for that area. For example, it is unlikely that in an HFC area, NBN Co would use both HFC and FTTN services.

What does this mean for over-the-top services such as security and medical alarms?

Firstly, unlike the fibre network, where everyone received a free battery backup unit from NBN Co in their home, the FTTN and HFC networks will terminate at the existing phone or cable wall socket in the home.

NBN Co will not be installing any internal equipment. Instead, it will be up to retail service providers (RSPs) - for example, phone and internet providers - to supply modems to customers for selfinstallation, much like ‘naked DSL’ today (though some premium providers may still offer professional installation for clients who prefer it).

It’s not yet known to what extent NBN Co will be putting battery backup out in the FTTN and HFC networks. Unlike the fibre network which was purely passive - simply light travelling over glass cables - the FTTN and HFC networks require many electrically

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

SECURITY SYSTEMS

3G MODULES WILL ALLOW SECURITY PROVIDERS TO CONTINUE TO MEET AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS FOR ALARM UPTIME DURING BLACKOUTS. THEY ARE AVAILABLE AS ADD-ONS FOR MANY ALARMS, EVEN THOSE THAT WERE NOT ORIGINALLY PLANNED WITH

© Péter Mács/Dollar Photo Club

WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY IN MIND.

powered devices throughout the copper street network. Although NBN Co will no doubt deploy some batteries in the field to meet its national availability targets, it probably won’t cover every single line in every single circumstance.

As a result, the security industry won’t be able to rely on its equipment being able to make calls over an NBN service during a local power blackout.

Analog telephony products will also no longer be offered - only voice over internet protocol (VoIP) fixed-line phone services will be offered. As VoIP encodes audio into a digital form and then slices the audio into data packets and sends them over the internet, it can’t be assumed that equipment that worked well on the analog copper network will work exactly the same way over a VoIP service.

NBN Co does have a test lab in Melbourne where equipment can be tested free of charge against the various providers’ VoIP services over the NBN fibre network, but with the upcoming FTTN and cable networks, this will add a great many test scenario permutations into the mix.

Additionally, because analog phone services are being discontinued, once a user switches over to the NBN, any existing phone sockets in a home or business will no longer be connected to a phone service. If a customer wanted to keep their alarm connected to a fixed-line phone service, a registered cabler would need to

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

attend and reconnect their existing phone sockets to the voice port on the new modem.

All these factors combined mean that wireless (3G/4G - bearing in mind Telstra has announced the shutdown of the 2G network in 2016) becomes a very attractive and viable migration path for existing security alarm systems in NBN switchover areas. New security installations would also benefit from using a wireless alarm transmission solution.

This method allows the security system to operate independently of the service provided by the RSP and is not compromised by any changes in their service offering.

3G modules will allow security providers to continue to meet Australian Standards for alarm uptime during blackouts. They are available as add-ons for many alarms, even those that were not originally planned with wireless connectivity in mind. To find out more about the best options for the alarms that you service, speak to your hardware supplier. The service call, hardware and attendant data costs involved with this will be an issue for many in our industry. However, it also provides a good opportunity to engage with your customers with new offerings. For example, security companies providing monitoring services could consider offering customers a new contract by bundling the upfront cost into a 24- or 36-month monitoring contract.

With the decision to roll out a Multi-Technology Mix model, expect to see a marked pick-up in the rollout of the NBN over the coming year.

Important information for cablers The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) requires any cabler performing specialised cabling work - aerial, underground, optical fibre, structured, co-axial or broadband - to hold the necessary competencies relevant to performing that cabling work. Significant penalties apply.

ASIAL is a cabling registrar accredited by the ACMA to offer cabling registration services under the Telecommunications Act 1997.

ASIAL www.asial.com.au

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 25

COMMS + DATA

Cable carrier The igus Chainflex cable range with GL certification is approved for use in offshore and mining applications.

The Chainflex (350 mm interior link height) was specifically developed for the most demanding applications where electrical cables and large hydraulic hoses must be guided and protected on missioncritical equipment. With attributes such as its high strength-to-weight ratio, resistance to grease, oil, sea water, dirt, other debris, sun and

IP video surveillance solution

temperature, it is a suitable alternative to traditional heavy-duty steel

Ethernet Australia has released the Digiever Pro+ series, Digiever NVR

carriers. This addition to the E4 range of heavy-duty plastic cable

Pro+ and Pro series to meet the increasing storage space demands

carriers combines the features and benefits of its predecessors in

for high-resolution IP video surveillance.

the E4 range, such as low noise, modularity, and ruggedness into

Digiever NVR Pro+ and Pro series supports WD Purple 6 TB or

the “All for One” energy chain.

Seagate Enterprise Capacity 6 TB 3.5 HDD to vastly expand video

The new-generation cable management system offers design

storage capacity. It also supports Enterprise Capacity 3.5 HDD series

improvements such as a 33% increase in the unsupported span ca-

and WD Purple series providing a range of storage options from 1 to

pabilities of the energy chain and a 133% increase in tensile strength.

6 TB high-capacity HDDs.

Other performance enhancements such as enlarged wear sur-

Ranging from 1- to 8-bay HDD storage capacity, the Pro+ and

faces for extending life, noise-dampening features and accessories

Pro series offers a diverse choice to build a surveillance system to

including the Push Pull Detection System (PPDS), which monitors

a maximum storage capacity of 48 TB in a single server. With the

forces on the chain during operation, offer a complete solution for

addition of a DIGIARRAY storage expansion unit, Digiever NVR can

machine builders.

support up to 96 TB - the maximum total storage capacity per unit.

Treotham Automation Pty Ltd

CrispTech Pty Ltd

www.treotham.com.au

www.crisptech.com.au

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26 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

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www.ECDsolutions.com.au

COMMS + DATA

Ethernet switches Belden’s EESX20 and EESX30 managed Hirschmann embedded Ethernet switches (EES) are claimed to allow automation devices to be quickly and reliably equipped with gigabit switch technology.

The EESX20 and EESX30 switches can be mounted on the main circuit

Cloud-based, oneplatform network monitoring system

board of automation devices with an Ethernet interface. In addition, by eliminating the need to worry about challenging switch technology, both development processes and time to market are reduced, allowing manufacturers to concentrate on core capabilities.

VeEX’s VeSion is a cloud-based,

The switches offer a range of performance features, including: eight Fast Ethernet ports (EESX20) and

one-system platform for network

two additional gigabit uplinks (EESX30); extensive management functions, combined with the industrial

monitoring. VeSion integrates RF

HiVision network management software, allow for convenient start-up and diagnostics; fast redundancy

monitoring systems (return and

procedures, as well as port and cyber security.

forward), advanced DOCSIS moni-

Belden Australia Pty Ltd

toring, DOCSIS Burst demodulation,

www.belden.com

sweep, ethernet, MPEG, and workflow and asset management system, all under one umbrella.

VeSion’s one-system concept is said to reduce network troubleshooting and problem resolution time significantly. Bringing VeSion to the network, VeSion integrates VeEX RF monitoring, maintenance and fulfilment solutions into ‘one’ cloud-based platform. Results can be accessed anywhere, anytime and at any location using a common web browser or mobile apps.

A user can review uploaded test results, system alarms, live traces and be able to perform on demand tests as required.

Benefits include: flexible distributed architecture for easy expansion, increased reliability and reduced system downtime; secured IP connection for access from any location with internet connection via tablets, web access or VeEX portable test sets; interfaces with VeEX portable test sets to enable sweep, ingress and digital signal measurements for complete single-person return path troubleshooting.

Additional features include: true return path QAM analyser and tracer with Bursty QAM demodulator; upstream testing qualification and troubleshooting; workforce and asset management, data enrichment, mapping; web, tablet or field meter access; sweep (forward and return).

TelecomTest Solutions www.telecomtest.com.au

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 27

COMMS + DATA

Telecommunications cabling infringement notices Paul Stathis, CEO

Under the Telecommunications Act 1997, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is responsible for technical regulation of telecommunications customer equipment and customer cabling. Where breaches of the regulations occur, the ACMA has the authority to commence corrective action against alleged offenders.

Firstly, the ACMA advises alleged offenders of any breaches and the steps needed to comply with requirements. If unsuccessful, the ACMA can escalate the regulatory action by issuing alleged offenders with a Telecommunications Infringement Notice, setting out the nature of the offence, the penalty amount and the maximum penalty a court could impose for it.

Infringement notices are a better alternative to prosecution and subsequent legal representation in court, imposing lower penalties than the maximum penalty a court could impose for such offences. In addition, when the penalty is paid, the matter is disposed of without any admission of guilt or a conviction, whereas in court, a criminal conviction may be recorded with the potential for significant harm to business and personal reputation.

Offences Infringement notices cover: • connection of unauthorised customer equipment to a telecommunications network or installation of unauthorised cabling products; • labelling telecommunications customer equipment or customer cabling with the ‘A-tick’ without satisfying relevant standards or documentation requirements; • unauthorised use of protected symbols; • supply of unlabelled telecommunications customer equipment; • performance of unauthorised telecommunications customer cabling work; • breaching the Telecommunications Cabling Provider Rules 2000; and, • contravening cabling licence conditions.

Penalties Penalties are linked to penalty units under the Crimes Act 1914 and currently, one penalty unit equates to $170.

Example 1: If an individual performs unauthorised cabling work, an Infringement Notice imposes 12 penalty units ($2040) for each offence, whereas the maximum penalty a court may impose on conviction of the offence is 120 penalty units ($20,400).

Example 2: If an individual supplies unlabelled customer equipment that should be labelled, an infringement notice imposes 12 penalty units ($2040) for each offence. A body corporate would have 60 penalty units ($10,200) imposed for each offence. The maximum penalty a court may impose on conviction of the offence is 100 penalty units ($17,000).

Those who believe they have not committed an offence should provide a written statement showing why they believe they haven’t committed an offence, and any material that should be taken into account in the ACMA’s consideration of the matter. The ACMA will then provide written notification advising withdrawal or non-withdrawal of the infringement notice.

In deciding on the matter, the following factors are considered: • Material provided by the individual.

• Circumstances in which the offence mentioned in the Infringement Notice is alleged to have been committed.

• Whether the person has been convicted previously of an offence against the Telecommunications Act. • Whether an infringement notice has previously been given to the person for an offence of the same kind as that in the infringement notice.

• Any other matter the authorised person considers relevant to the decision.

If the penalty is not paid within the prescribed timeframe, the ACMA may commence prosecution action, taking the matter to court. www.bicsi.com.au

Modular PTP Grandmaster The OSA 5335 Modular PTP Grandmaster is a scalable and high-performance IEEE 1588v2 standard compliant Grandmaster Clock for distribution of frequency, phase and time synchronisation over packet-based network infrastructure including IP/MPLS, Carrier Ethernet, PON and DSL networks. Its carrier-class design provides high client capacity and a wide range of redundancy options to deliver scalable performance and maximum availability.

The device is designed to deliver precise and reliable frequency, phase and time-of-day information in telecommunications, media broadcast and power utility communications applications.

The device comes with universal input modules accepting a wide range of input signals. It can be equipped with up to two GNSS input modules, each supporting GPS and GLONASS to achieve precise synchronisation, therefore enabling operators to meet Stratum 1 requirements without the need to install and manage external receivers or Cesium reference clock sources.

Its modular design accommodates up to three highcapacity PTP modules enabling a total capacity of more than 3000 remote PTP slave clients. Each high-capacity PTP module includes a hardware-based PTP engine with highly accurate time-stamping and supports more than 1000 PTP slave clients in IP unicast mode according to the ITU-T G.8265.1 Telecom Profile.

For management and performance assurance, the SyncViewPlus management software provides powerful fault, configuration, inventory, performance and security management of the device through an intuitive graphical user interface either locally or from a remote location.

Benefits include: ITU-T G.8272 Primary Reference Time Clock; supports Synchronous Ethernet timing signals including the Ethernet Synchronisation Message Channel (ESMC) and optional NTP server; intuitive graphical user interface enables full management via SNMP and TL1.

TelecomTest Solutions www.telecomtest.com.au

28 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Fluke Connect ™ The largest system of connected test tools in the World.

Fluke Connect™ is a system of wireless

Fluke Connect benefits:

The Fluke Connect App

test tools, which when connected to a

• Supervisors can review measurements,

ShareLive™ video calls.

smart phone app, allow maintenance

respond to questions, mentor their staff,

Share measurements with other team

technicians, electricians and reliability

and approve repairs without visiting the

members in real time.

engineers to capture, store, and share

inspection site, all with ShareLive Video call.

TrendIt™ graphs.

data across their entire team without leav-

• Technicians spend less time writing down

Create and view graphs right on the phone.

ing the field. It provides instant access

measurements and entering them into the

EquipmentLog™ history.

to data and measurements from smart

computer. Records are more complete and

Automatically associate measurements with

phones to review images, check reports,

accurate when transferred effortlessly from

equipment so historical data is in one,

spot trends and more, helping teams get

the test tool to the app and saved with

easy-to-access place.

their jobs done better and faster.

AutoRecordTM. No more clipboard needed.

AutoRecord™ measurements.

More than 20 Fluke tools connect wire-

• Teams can make better decisions faster

Instantly save measurements and images

lessly — via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi — with

by having field access to the measurement

to the phone and cloud.

the Fluke Connect app to add measure-

history of each asset using EquipmentLogTM

Fluke Cloud™ storage.

ments and thermal images to the Fluke

on the app – with or without cellular access.

Securely access equipment records at any

Cloud™ database. That data is directly

•Utilises existing smartphones and an ex-

time, relying on state-of-the-art electronic

entered into the database eliminating

ternal, high-security Fluke Cloud database

surveillance, multi-factor access control

the need to write down measurements. It

to reduce the cost of implementing a reli-

systems, built-in firewalls, encrypted data

can be assigned to specific equipment to

ability program, which in turn leads to better

storage and secure access specifically

maintain and long-term history. Readings

long-term maintenance, higher productivity,

designed to protect data.

can be shared in real time via ShareLive™

and fewer unplanned failures.

video calls with team members in other

• Improves electrical safety by allowing

parts of the plant and work orders with

technicians to connect wireless test tools

Download the Fluke Connect App

measurements added can be issued via

and then step away from the energised

FREE today.

the app so the team can see the precise

equipment or close the panel door and

problem.

use their smart phone to monitor readings.

®

ShareLive™ Video Calls

TrendIt™ Graphs

EquipmentLog™ History

www.fluke.com/au/connect

AutoRecord™ Measurements

Fluke Cloud™ Storage

Contact Fluke Australia for your FREE demonstration: +61 2 8850 3333

auinfo@fluke.com

www.fluke.com.au

Š iStockphoto.com/Marco Hegner

CABLES

WATER BLOCKING

IN CABLES - THE WHAT, WHY AND HOW

The primary objective of water blocking in cables is to prevent the entry and migration of moisture or water throughout the cable.

W

hen moisture is introduced into areas of installation it can cause premature failure of the cable, accessories or electrical equipment. There are two ways moisture or water may ingress a medium voltage (MV) cable: Radial ingress - In the case of radial ingress, moisture or water enters the cable either by permeation through the protective layers (sheaths) or through any breach of these sheaths (mechanical damage). Once water has entered the cable it then travels longitudinally through it.

Longitudinal ingress - In the case of longitudinal ingress, moisture or water enters the cable through ineffective end capping or poorly made joints or terminations (especially if jointing pits etc are flooded).

Anatomy of Australian MV cables There are two types of MV cables used in the Australian market, specifically three-core and single-core constructions, that are manufactured in accordance with AS/NZS 1429.1.

The cross sectional drawings overleaf show the respective constructional make-up of both types.

Observations It can be seen from these cross-sectional drawings that both the three- and single-core cable constructions have areas internally where water may progress through the length of the cable.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

These areas are: For three-core cables: The gaps between the screen wires over each core; the central void; the filled interstices (or outer voids, filled with non-hygroscopic polypropylene fillers); and the compacted conductor.

For single-core cables: The gaps between the screen wires over the core; and the compacted conductor.

Longitudinal water blocking Three-core cables are more difficult to longitudinally water block than single-core cables. This is due to the fact that the large interstitial areas in the cable cannot be effectively blocked using fibrous filling materials. There are constructions utilising extruded filling compounds but these have proven cost prohibitive and are not in general manufacture or use in the Australian market.

Generally for three-core cable constructions, the accepted level of longitudinal water blocking in the Australian market is semiconductive water swellable tapes (SCWST) under the core screen wires. Additionally, the inclusion of water-blocked conductors may be considered. Refer to AS/NZS 1429.1 clause 2.14 Water-blocking (optional) for further guidance on this matter.

Single-core cables lend themselves to more efficient longitudinal water blocking than their three-core counterparts. The gaps between the screen wires in the single-core cables can be effectively blocked using water swellable tapes (WSTs). WSTs effectively prevent water

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 31

CABLES

Single core

Three core

ingress into cables. The standard format for this process being that SCWST is first applied over the insulation screen and, following this, a non-conductive water swellable tape (NCWST) then applied over the screen wires. Again, the inclusion of water-blocked conductors may be considered as a countermeasure.

Radial water blocking In the case of radial water blocking, there are many preventive methods available to cable manufacturers. These methods can be utilised for both single- and three-core cable constructions, which include: • Extruded non-ferromagnetic sheaths - lead, stainless steel, aluminium or copper being the most commonly used.

• Hermetically sealed tapes applied longitudinally under the sheath layer(s).

• Low-permeability polymeric sheaths such as HDPE.

high resilience to radial water penetration. The HDPE compounds used in modern cable construction are pipe grade with excellent mechanical properties. Three-core cables sheathed with HDPE (with and without WSTs in the individual screens) are used for direct buried application by many Australian power utilities.

Test for effectiveness of water blocking AS/NZS 1429.1:2006 Appendix C defines the water penetration test required to be met for all cables claiming compliance to that standard. In the test, a prepared cable sample is subjected to the exposure of a 1000 mm head of water for 24 hours, after which time 10 heating cycles (to a maximum of 100°C) shall be applied over an 8-hour period with the water head maintained at 1000 mm.

The cable is deemed effectively water blocked if there is no leakage at the cable ends at the conclusion of the test.

Metallic non-ferromagnetic sheaths & barrier layers Summary The traditional non-ferromagnetic sheath found in cables, lead, has been in use for over 100 years in cable production. Lead was the favoured sheath for paper-insulated cables because it is an impervious barrier to both water and hydrocarbons, although corrosion can occur when in direct contact with alkaline soil.

Over the last two decades, alternative designs for cables have been developed using extruded aluminium, copper sheaths and longitudinally applied foil tapes. These alternative designs have the advantage over lead in that they do not suffer the same OHS and environmental pollution concerns as lead.

Low-permeability polymeric sheath compounds Cables sheathed with the correct grade of HDPE demonstrate a

Although modern cables are supported well by compound and technological development, paramount to the effective exclusion of water and moisture in any cable are the pre- and post-installation techniques applied by the installer. Ineffective protection of cable ends in exposed situations should be avoided. Every effort should be made to ensure cable pits and conduits are not flooded and that at time of pulling, effective mastic-filled end caps should be used to avoid force flooding the cable with water. Cable ends should be secured above any high water level in the installation pending final works.

Prysmian Cables & Systems Australia Pty Ltd www.prysmian.com.au

Pre-wired LED COB array holders

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

The Molex SlimRay Pre-Wired LED COB array holders simplify

Power outage monitoring solution

the LED installation process and reduce assembly time

iSocket Systems has introduced the iSocket power outage monitoring solution,

with compression contacts that eliminate hand soldering.

an intelligent socket that plugs into a power point and immediately notifies the

Quality issues such as cold solder joints and operator

user when the power fails in a remote location. This allows people to take the

variation arise from hand-soldering wires to LED COB

appropriate action. The plug-in device uses mobile networks and is certified

arrays. Molex’s LED array holders eliminate those issues

for use in Australia. iSocket can send power failure alerts by text message

with compression contacts, providing consistent results

to up to 10 pre-programmed numbers. The device is compatible with Telstra,

when installing LED COB arrays into suitable applications.

Optus and Vodafone mobile networks, which means that almost all Australian

Applications include: area lighting, downlighting, linear

territories are covered. Just plug it into a power point and send the message

lights, parking lot lights, pendant lights, roadway lighting,

“ALERTME” to the device and it is ready for action.

track lighting and wall packs.

iSocket Systems

Molex Premise Networks Pty Ltd

http://www.isocket.com.au

www.molexpn.com.au

32 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

© iStockphoto.com/Guido Vrola

NEWS HAGER GROUP ACQUIRES CABLE MANAGEMENT BUSINESS

to help our customers utilise intelligent data in order to make their buildings smart, to address their business efficiency, technology and financial challenges.”

He also has a solid understanding and skillset in the technical aspects of building services, HVAC and critical energy management of smart and integrated connected facilities. His knowledge spans across multiple sectors including commercial, residential, education, health, IT, telecom and public construction projects, and this appointment places him in the perfect position to drive change.

Rocavert has played a critical role across Schneider Electric’s Buildings business since he joined the organisation back in 2008.

Hager Group has acquired Bocchiotti, an Italian family-owned cable management company.

“This acquisition reinforces our position in the field of cable management and means that we are gaining a fantastic addition to our present offer to provide better solutions to our customers,” explains Daniel Hager, CEO of Hager Group.

The acquisition will enable Hager to strengthen its presence in France and Italy. It will also allow the company to embark on new activities in North America, a region in which Bocchiotti is also active.

“We are proud that our company is now becoming a member of Hager Group and joining a sustainably successful family-owned company. A family character, similar values and shared visions are important prerequisites for achieving integration and ensuring successful growth together,” said Cesare Bocchiotti, one of the two founders of Bocchiotti Group.

SNOWY HYDRO ORDERED TO PAY $400K IN PENALTIES

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC BUILDINGS BUSINESS APPOINTS NEW VP Schneider Electric has appointed Jay Rocavert as vice president for Schneider Electric’s Buildings Business in Australia.

Rocavert has over 20 years’ experience in working across the buildings services technology industry and has a proven track record in building and managing high-performance teams to transform customers’ businesses by increasing sustainable profitable growth.

“Customers are now facing increasing complexity across their facilities, with many systems, both disparate and integrated, gathering an ever-increasing amount of data. However, the real challenge is knowing what to do with this data to achieve overarching business goals,” said Rocavert.

“My aim in this role is to educate customers on the importance of utilising data and revolutionise their experience in working with Schneider Electric. We want to act as a supportive partner 34 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

The Federal Court of Australia has ordered by consent that Snowy Hydro pay total penalties of $400,000 for failing to comply with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) dispatch instructions in contravention of the National Electricity Rules, in proceedings brought by the Australian Energy Regulator. These are the first court-ordered penalties for a breach of the National Electricity Rules. The Court declared by consent that Snowy Hydro had breached the National Electricity Rules on nine occasions in 2012 and 2013 by failing to comply with dispatch instructions issued by AEMO. On each occasion, Snowy Hydro generated more power than the dispatch instruction required.

“This is an important outcome for the national electricity market. Failures to follow dispatch instructions will usually affect other market participants and can have serious implications for security of the power system,” said AER Chair Paula Conboy.

“This decision also highlights the AER’s ongoing focus on compliance with dispatch instructions and the AER’s determination to take appropriate enforcement action to deal with non-compliance. The message to market players is clear - the obligation to follow dispatch instructions is a critical provision of the National Electricity Rules and the AER takes non-compliance very seriously,” Conboy said.

The Court also ordered by consent that Snowy Hydro appoint an independent compliance expert to review the accuracy of Snowy Hydro’s internal documents relating to the compliance with dispatch instructions. Snowy Hydro was also ordered by consent to make a contribution to the AER’s costs.

In conjunction with these orders, Snowy Hydro also provided an enforceable undertaking to the AER regarding the operation of generators under certain conditions. The undertaking is the first enforceable undertaking accepted by the AER under the provisions of the National Electricity Law. www.ECDsolutions.com.au

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CASE STUDY

Nexans’ Direct Electrical Heating technology selected for two Norwegian sea fields

S

tatoil, on behalf of Wintershall, has signed a contract with Nexans for the supply of direct electrical heating (DEH) technology. The DEH riser will connect the Kristin and Maria fields in the Norwegian Sea with the Kristin platform, ensuring the constant flow through pipelines.

The delivery, worth approximately €13 million, will replace an existing DEH riser cable from the Kristin platform. The new riser cable will connect the Kristin platform with a subsea connection box and will contain four cores to enable the operation of one DEH line to the Kristin field and one to the Maria field.

Direct electrical heating is a flow assurance method used on many pipelines. The method is based on controlling the temperature on the pipeline by passing electric current (AC) through the steel wall of the pipeline, thus preventing hydrate and wax formation. At more than 300 metres depth, the water is just above 0°C. In addition, Nexans has also been awarded a subcontract by FMC Technologies for a dynamic control umbilical system for

the same project. Floating platforms like Kristin feature a riser system containing flexible production lines, water injection lines, gas injection/lift lines, umbilicals controlling the subsea templates and electrical cables for heating the pipelines.

Dirk Steinbrink, Nexans senior vice president high voltage and underwater cable group, said, “The award of both of these contracts highlights Nexans’ expertise in subsea cables and direct electrical heating systems.”

Krister Granlie, executive vice president hybrid underwater cables, added, “Nexans is pleased to be working with Statoil and Wintershall on this project. We are looking forward to continuing our longstanding relationship with Statoil.”

Production of the DEH riser will start during autumn 2015, with delivery taking place during second quarter of 2016.

Olex Australia Pty Ltd www.olexcables.com.au

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

Scissor lifts Genie has expanded its 69″ wide compact rough terrain electric scissor lifts.

The Genie GS-2669, GS-3369 and GS-4069 BE hybrid scissor lifts provide users with a true ‘start to finish’ machine.

In the early stages of construction, the scissor keeps itself charged and can supply 240 VAC power when on-site power is not available. As the jobsite progresses, it can switch to hybrid or electric to meet rough terrain or indoor slab environments. This type of versatility ultimately leads to higher utilisation for rental companies. The Genie GS-2669 BE hybrid scissor lift provides a lift capacity of 680 kg. The bi-energy hybrid scissor lifts are available in 7.70, 9.75 and 12.12 m models. All units provide the ability to drive at full height for jobsite efficiency and uptime. A 1.52 m slide-out deck on all three models provides end users with plenty of room to accomplish what they set out to do. The simplified 3-4-5 link stack design provides commonality across the entire range to help simplify parts stocking for fleet owners.

The Genie BE scissor lift series features two operating modes. This selectable feature meets the needs of both outdoor jobsites with no on-site power, and indoor jobsites with sensitive noise and emission environments.

When the power management hybrid operation is selected, the system automates the charging function of the integrated generator, maintaining the battery charge and allowing the operator to focus on getting the job done. All models are also equipped with an onboard charger for wall power charging. An optional feature supplies 240 V, 10 A power from the integrated generator to the platform. End users can power additional tools from the scissor without needing on-site power. The series’ AC sealed electric drive motors provide full performance in both operating modes.

Genie Australia www.genieindustries.com.au

36 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

LED flat panels Junction boxes

Suitable for installation in 15 and 24 mm T-bar ceilings, the VersiTile slimline LED flat panels allow

JT Day’s IEC Ex-certified

for easy retrofit into existing suspended ceilings.

hazardous area and in-

The panels are suitable for use with daylight

dustrial junction boxes from

sensors to adjust to change in light levels and

manufacturers such as Wei-

space requirements.

dmuller and Hawke International

Featuring optical polycarbonate for optimal light

are suitable for use in arduous

distribution, the panels are also suitable for office

environmental conditions.

environments where light plays an important role

With local assembly and modifications

in employee wellbeing and performance. Other

carried out in JT Day’s Perth-based workshop, custom-

features include: up to 5500 lm, 3000-6500 K;

ers can be assured of a quick delivery to meet any urgent require-

dimmable and non-dimmable; IP44 rated; rear

ments. JT Day’s estimators offer high level of technical support

of panel is IP20 rated; CRI (Ra) 80+; 40,000 h

and offer turnkey solutions with customer-specific configurations.

lifetime to L70.

In-house capabilities also include marking, printing and labelling.

The Colour Xchange (CX) models, specially

The junction box range includes over 30 different sizes and

designed to create biodynamic lighting with

depths and is available in predominantly 316 stainless steel and

independent dimming and colour temperature

GRP. The box includes a humidisorb satchel, a self-regenerating

adjustment, allow users to change colour tem-

desiccant that protects the internal components from humidity

perature to suit their mood, task and natural

and corrosion.

circadian rhythm.

JT Day Pty Ltd

Aurora Ltd

www.jtday.com.au

au.auroralighting.com

performa 2 revised, redesigned & renewed

performa 2 has arrived...

Boasting a new aesthetic design and an improved, more robust construction, the performa 2 range of panelboards provides more space for wiring and incomer cables, along with a secure 3 point door locking system. An extensive offer, with unique features, combined with our comprehensive range of circuit protection, meters, time clocks, AOB 3 phase earth leakage & control devices, all pre-fitted & wired if required - means your solution to efficient energy distribution has arrived.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

www.hagerelectro.com.au

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 37

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

Electrical safety again called into question after Perth tragedy Malcolm Richards, CEO

As we collectively mourn the loss of two of our own after the Galleria Shopping Centre explosion in the West Australian capital of Perth, questions are being raised around how such a tragedy could occur, and how we can all make sure it never happens again.

On 2 February, four electrical workers went off to work as usual, unaware that by midafternoon two would be dead and two others would be in critical condition with injuries that will take years to heal. As the men ran out of the building on fire, mothers with children playing in the neighbouring park and passers-by became emergency workers - forced to get a fire hydrant open in order to pour water onto the victims. These witnesses will also be affected for years to come as they deal with the emotional after-effects of being caught in the midst of such a distressing situation. It’s believed the men - employees and subcontractors of an electrical firm based in Wangara that specialises in high-voltage electrical work - had been working in an area of the shopping centre near an electrical transformer when it exploded.

It’s a scene every single member of the trade fears, and the tragic deaths of 22-year-old Matt Hutchins and 30-year-old Alan Cummins, and the shocking injuries inflicted on the 50-year-old and 48-year-old survivors, have raised more questions than there are answers. The men’s employers, High Energy Service, are naturally devastated and doing everything in their power to work with the relevant authorities to try to find out how this tragic event unfolded. The nation’s electrical industry is subject to some of the most stringent safety requirements in the developed world - so while the investigation ramps up, we should all be taking some time out to question our own business operations. Are we all doing every single thing we can to make sure we are 100% compliant? What safety mechanisms do we have in place to make sure our staff go home to their families every night? And what arrangements do we have to be assured we’ve ticked every box if something outside of our control was to happen?

As we watch these young men’s families try to pick up the pieces and the families of those injured facing years of helping with their recovery, we would like to see every business undertake a full safety audit, followed by the implementation of a safety management plan. Each state has its own system - for example, WorkCover Queensland offers a list of accredited auditors, South Australians have the Office of the Technical Regulator and Victorians have access to Energy Safe Victoria.

MEA also has a specially designed and sophisticated health, safety, environment/energy and quality (HSEQ) management system that’s an affordable option to run as an add-on, fee-for-service alongside MEA membership. It’s an integrated safety management system that we designed for the electrical industry to ensure the protection of both staff and customers through a series of checks and balances. We want to make sure that every employer, contractor or sole operator in this country is carrying out their duties under the current national workplace health and safety requirements. Once implemented, the program dramatically reduces the risk of accidents and ensures the safety of workers. It also increases business productivity, customer satisfaction and product and service quality, and reduces errors and costs; but at this point in time, the most important thing any of us can do is move swiftly to make sure our safety systems are up to scratch so that every person who heads off to work in the morning returns home safe and sound.

Master Electricians Australia www.masterelectricians.com.au

Termination tool The DataGate 4 Pair Termination Tool offers faultless gas-tight termination of the four pairs of the cable simultaneously. The tool frame and termination heads are supplied as separate units, allowing the installer to terminate both UTP and shielded jacks simply by changing the termination heads.

Designed specifically for use with Molex DataGate, Keystone and C6A shielded jacks, the termination tool frame accepts either the UTP termination head (for termination of the UTP DataGate and Keystone jacks) or the C6A termination head (for termination of the C6A shielded DataGate jacks).

In order to terminate Molex Mod-Clip UTP jacks, the company has introduced the Mod-Clip UTP 4 Pair Termination Frame, designed for this purpose. The tool frame is supplied unloaded onto which the UTP termination head is fitted. The MOD-Clip tool frame is required for termination of UTP MOD-Clip Jacks only. This 4-pair tool frame is distinguishable by the yellow jack pusher assembled into the frame. The frame includes a red jack pusher. The jack is placed over the eight wires that have been securely seated in the relevant termination head.

The cable wiring schematic label and jack position diagram present on the termination tool frame guide the user to ensure foolproof positioning of the jack prior to termination. The termination head is then pivoted into the cutting position and the handles depressed for termination and cut-off. The result: wires that are firmly and accurately seated and neatly trimmed in one simple operation.

Molex Premise Networks Pty Ltd www.molexpn.com.au

Cable stands Adept Direct’s A Frame cable stands ensure the cable, wire or lead is dispensed easily without excessive tugging and prevents reels of cable rolling around when electricians or telecommunications personnel are installing lines.

Adept Direct has released an extra heavy-duty version of its proven A Frame cable stand. This stand is designed to handle large cable rolls up to 1.5 m dia. and has a safe working load of 150 kg. At 1 m wide, the cable stand will hold and dispense most rolls of cable, neatly and safely.

The cable stand incorporates most of the features of AdeptDirect’s other cable handling tools including - galvanised tubular steel cable support axle; powder-coated safety yellow finish; multi-use - can be utilised for reels or rolls of any product: power lead, rope, hose, etc; multiple cable drum reel capacity for plastic, timber or steel reels; collapses down for easy transport and storage.

Adept Direct - Cable Rollers & Lead Stands www.adeptdirect.com.au

38 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Cable Assembly @ Ampec

Local manufacturing capabilities for cable assembly with a fully equipped factory

Ampec Technologies specialises in manufacturing of custom design cable assemblies at our local factory in Sydney.

We also have overseas manufacturing partners to cater for high volume production.

Our experienced team is at your service.

e sales@ampec.com.au w www.ampec.com.au

Production team trained to IPC/WHMA-A-620A

Fully automatic cut, strip and crimp machines

High mix low volume and quick turnaround

+61 2 8741 5000

© iStockphoto.com/pagadesign

THERMAL IMAGING

DRIVE-BY HEAT MAPPING MIT spinout Essess has developed cars that can quickly track energy leaks in thousands of homes and buildings.

T

he start-up deploys cars with thermal-imaging rooftop rigs that create heat maps of thousands of homes and buildings per hour, detecting fixable leaks in ‘building envelopes’ windows, doors, walls and foundations - to help owners curb energy loss.

About the size of a large backpack, Essess’s rig includes several long-wave infrared radiometric cameras and near-infrared cameras. These cameras capture heat signatures, while a LiDAR system captures 3D images to discern building facades from the physical environment. An onboard control system has software to track the route and manage the cameras.

On the software side, computer vision and machine-learning algorithms stitch together the images, extract features and filter out background objects. In one night, the cars can generate more than three terabytes of data, which is downloaded to an onboard system and processed at the start-up’s Boston headquarters.

Combining those heat maps with novel analytics, Essess shows utility companies which households leak the most energy and, among those, which owners are most likely to make fixes, so they know where to direct energy-efficiency spending. This may include sending customers the thermal images of their homes along with information on the fixes that could offer the most return on investment.

The start-up also works with the US Department of Defense to help identify energy-wasting buildings on its bases. And schools, municipalities, oil refineries and other organisations have hired Essess to scan their facilities and find, for instance, fixes that might affect their heating bills in the winter, have a short payback period or are within a certain budget. Essess’s analytics can answer those questions, as well.

“We’ve made thermal imaging very automated on a very large scale,” says Essess co-founder Sanjay Sarma, the Fred Fort Flowers and Daniel Fort Flowers Professor in Mechanical Engineering, who co-invented the technology.

Founded in 2011, the start-up has since mapped more than four million homes and buildings in cities across the United States for military, commercial and research purposes.

thermal-imaging cars came to Sarma in 2009, when a company sent an employee to his home with a handheld thermal-imaging device — which took longer than expected.

“I remember thinking, ‘Wouldn’t it be easier to just throw it on a car and drive by the house?’” Sarma says. But there were many challenges. “Very expensive thermal cameras had lower resolution than your smartphone camera,” Sarma says. Such cameras cost about $40,000 at the time.

Then, in 2011, Field Intelligence Lab student Long Phan PhD ’12 made key innovations to the rig that allowed low-cost cameras (about $1,000) to produce high-resolution thermal images.

Among other things, this included an algorithm called Kinetic Super Resolution — co-invented with Sarma and MIT postdoc Jonathan Jesneck — that computationally combines many different images taken with an inexpensive low-resolution infrared camera to produce a high-resolution mosaic image.

That year, Sarma, Phan, and Jesneck launched Essess to further develop the technology, estimating that by making homes just 2% more efficient, billions of dollars could be saved.

Not just finding the culprits These early innovations to the hardware have “enabled Essess to have this large-scale, software-analytics approach,” says Sarma, who is now Essess’ board director. For utility companies, this means pinpointing home and building owners who are more or less likely to implement energy-efficient measures. To do so, Sarma helped develop software that brings in household and demographic

Essess’s thermal-imaging rig, mounted on a car’s roof, includes long-wave infrared radiometric cameras, nearinfrared cameras, and a LiDAR system to capture 3D images. Image courtesy of Essess.

Revving up Essess Traditional energy audits usually involve sending one employee to a home to manually scan and record leaks. In fact, the idea for

40 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Ground Resistance

GONE MOBILE CLAMP-ON TESTER MODELS 6416 & 6417 We got you covered.

Both models display voltage and sound an alarm when potential unsafe conditions exist

In the dark? No problem.

6416 & 6417 have a large, multi-function, bright yellow organic display visible in all lighting conditions

More storage.

Conduct field surveys, retrieve and analyze readings from up to 2000 measurements

Usable in more environments.

Selectable test frequencies provide accurate results in both resistive and inductive environments

A simple solution to read your measurements

MODEL 6417 is available with an Android™ application for easy data programming, downloading, printing and e-mailing test results from your mobile device. With its mobile GPS capability, users are now able to easily locate the site associated with the measurements.

RESULTS, ON THE GO!

IP 40

Rated

sales@aemc.com

www.aemc.com

THERMAL IMAGING

HVAC SYSTEM EFFICIENCY IS AFFECTED BY THE SYSTEM ITSELF, BY HOUSEHOLD BEHAVIOURAL FACTORS — SUCH AS THERMOSTAT AND WINDOW USAGE — AND, FINALLY, BY THE BUILDING ENVELOPE.

A heat map of a home captured by one of Essess’s thermal-imaging cars. Image courtesy of Essess. data — such as information on households’ mortgage payments, age of tenants, number of children, and utility bills.

Based on data from across the US, for example, a household with three children is around 8% more likely to seal up leaks compared to a household with two children, Essess President and CEO Tom Scaramellino says.

“It’s not just figuring out who the worst culprits are — who’s wasting the most energy — because there are customers that can be wasting energy, but they’ll never fix it,” he says. “There’s the actual energy waste and the psychological component to do something about it. Those are two distinct analyses we layer on top of one another.”

Results for utilities companies indicate, for instance, which zip codes have homes with the leakiest attics and, among those, which owners are most likely to install attic insulation. Through this process, called the Thermal Analytics Program, utilities can better target customers for energy-efficiency marketing campaigns and other outreach programs, Scaramellino says.

Another thing setting Essess apart, the start-up claims, is its ability to accurately measure the efficiency of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, which consume around 50% of energy used in homes and buildings.

HVAC system efficiency is affected by the system itself, by household behavioural factors — such as thermostat and window usage — and, finally, by the building envelope. But companies measuring HVAC efficiency, by reading meters and using other data, have no building-envelope scans, so they can’t really determine if the envelope is indeed the culprit. Essess, on the other hand, has all that information.

“If we see high meter usage that corresponds to really high HVAC load, but see a really strong envelope, we know there’s probably

something going on that’s abnormal and has to be addressed by an HVAC contractor,” Scaramellino says.

Reality: a tough customer Sarma and his team faced significant challenges. The infrared cameras needed daily calibration, thanks to temperature differences, vibrations, and being left out overnight, among other things. And constant tweaks had to be made to the GPS system that required more sophisticated software.

“Then you’re driving around and you realise your cables are rusting,” Sarma says. “We realised we couldn’t keep the cameras out overnight, so we had to make them easily detachable and reattachable.” There’s also the software. “You get the system running and realise there’s a tree in front of the building and, in the image, it’s hard to figure out where the tree is and where the building is,” Sarma says. That’s when they had to install the LiDAR system, to better differentiate building facades from the surrounding environment.

What was perhaps the most surprising and challenging aspect, Sarma says, was finding how closely coupled the hardware was to the software.

“This is truly mechatronic,” he says. “A small change to the hardware could have profound effects on the software. You may say, ‘We’ll switch the frame rate of the cameras to catch more data,’ but that changes everything else in the software. You really have to think about everything together.” Now in its fourth iteration, the technology’s constant refining for real-world applications has helped Essess develop a sophisticated system, Sarma says. “Reality is a tough customer to wrestle down,” he says, “but that’s what engineering is all about.”

Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.mit.edu

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

CT analyser

First-aid kit Compact, lightweight and practi-

The Ponovo PCT200i CT/PT Analyser claims to

cal, the First Aid Works general-

accurately test all types of instrument transform-

purpose first-aid kit contains all

ers using low-frequency and variable-frequency

the essential items required to

methods. It is available to rent from TechRentals.

treat many common injuries.

Short testing times combined with Windows

The product is contained in a

PC ensure that analysis and reporting for multiple

durable nylon fabric bag, complete

transformers is a simple and efficient task for HV

with a convenient pop-open belt

engineers. Other features include: test M/P/TP types, as well as bushings and GIS

loop enabling the kit to be worn

styles; ratio check 30,000:1 to 45,000:5 (± 0.1%); knee point check up to 30 kV;

on the belt. This ensures ease of

test in accordance with IEC60044-1/6 and ANS/IEEE C57.13.

access at all times.

TechRentals

Vision Safe (PPE)

www.techrentals.com.au

www.visionsafe.com.au

42 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

DOING BUSINESS IN AUSTRALIA: ANTI-BRIBERY Greg Williams and Tobin Meaghe

The recent ICAC investigation against a former Ausgrid engineer, who allegedly received cash and other benefits from contractors bidding for work with Ausgrid, highlights the need for reform. This article highlights the risks posed by corruption and provides an overview of anti-corruption laws.

C

orrupt conduct both here and overseas is caught by Australian laws. Strengthened by the enactment of new offences, increased penalties and larger budgets, regulators around the globe have been increasingly aggressive in the investigation and enforcement of anti-bribery and corruption laws. Australia is no exception.

The consequences of breaching these laws can be serious.

In a number of cases overseas, severe penalties (including incarceration) and fines have been imposed on individuals and corporations for direct involvement in bribery and corruption, breaches of relevant legislation and/or failing to mitigate the risk of bribery and corruption by implementing a robust compliance program. Indeed, the consequences are more far-reaching and include reputational damage as well as a loss of confidence amongst employees and business counterparts.

As the global economy becomes increasingly integrated, regulators are also cooperating across international boundaries and focusing on high-risk regions. This means that as well as being subject to Australian anti-bribery and corruption legislation, Australian companies and directors (or companies doing business in Australia) must also understand legislation in other jurisdictions.

The most relevant jurisdictions are the United States and the United Kingdom, which have particularly onerous provisions coupled with strong enforcement and prosecution cultures.

44 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

Both locally and globally, the potential for corporate liability has seen an increased focus on the development and implementation of compliance programs. Implementing an appropriate anti-bribery compliance regime is critical to demonstrate a culture of compliance.

Corruption risks in Australia Transparency International’s 2013 Corruption Perception Index lists Australia as the ninth least corrupt country in the world. While this ranking may give the perception that Australia is a comparatively low-risk environment, there has been a recent focus on anti-bribery and corruption following a series of high-profile cases, including: • the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption’s (ICAC) investigations into Australian Water Holdings Pty Ltd which have resulted in the resignation of the Premier and several Ministers of the New South Wales State Government; • the first criminal prosecution under Australia’s laws prohibiting the bribery of foreign public officials of Securency International Pty Ltd and Note Printing Australia Pty Ltd; • the Australian Securities and Investment Commission’s (ASIC) civil actions against six former officers of AWB Ltd; • the Australian Federal Police’s (AFP) investigation into Leighton Holdings Ltd regarding alleged foreign bribery offences; and • the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption.

Australia is a party to the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention

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BUSINESS ADVICE

missions cannot charge individuals or corporations with offences, they have wide-ranging investigative powers. Reports following an investigation can be given to the police for further investigation, parliament or released publicly.

© iStockphoto.com/David Jones

Domestic bribery Bribery of a Commonwealth public official It is an offence under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) to dishonestly provide or offer to someone (directly or indirectly) a benefit with the intention of influencing a Commonwealth public official in the exercise of their duties or where the receipt of the benefit would tend to influence a Commonwealth public official in the exercise of their duties.

“Benefit” is broadly defined to include any advantage and is not limited to money or property.

“Commonwealth public official” covers all employees of the Commonwealth and any Commonwealth authority.

Penalties

(which provides the international framework for laws dealing with transnational bribery) and is therefore subject to ongoing progress reports. While the OECD’s Phase 3 Report on Implementing the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention in Australia (October 2012) welcomed recent efforts, it clearly signalled that Australia must work harder through investigation and enforcement to stamp out foreign bribery.

As a consequence of these matters, local and international stakeholders (including the legislature, NGOs and the media) are paying closer attention to Australia’s level of commitment to the war on bribery and corruption.

Law enforcement Given the federal nature of the Australian system of government, there is no single government anti-corruption policy. Each jurisdiction has different laws (statute and common law) to deal with bribery and corruption.

The investigation of bribery and corruption offences is divided between the AFP, ASIC and the state and territory police forces.

An investigation is referred to the relevant Director of Public Prosecutions who then decides whether to prosecute the matter.

In addition, there are a number of independent commissions at both the federal and the state level to investigate possible corruption of public officials (including politicians) and police. The ICAC in New South Wales is an example of such a body. While these com-

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Individuals found guilty of bribing a Commonwealth public official face up to 10 years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to AU$1.7 m.

For companies, it’s the greater of a fine of up to AU$17 million, a disgorgement penalty of up to three times the value of the benefit reasonably attributable to the conduct or (where the value of the benefit cannot be determined) up to 10% of the annual turnover of the corporate group.

Similar offences exist for Commonwealth public officials who receive such bribes/corrupting benefits, or abuse their public office.

Persons who aid, abet, counsel or procure the commission of an offence by another person are taken to have committed the offence.

Finally, conviction for bribery offences could lead to possible penalties or forfeiture of profit under proceeds of crime legislation.

State/territory public officials There are offences in state and territory laws for corruptly giving or offering an inducement or reward to an agent for doing or not doing something regarding the affairs of the agent’s principal. It is also an offence to aid, abet, counsel, procure, solicit or incite the commission of these offences.

The penalties differ in each state and territory but for individuals can include a fine and/or up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Bribery offence at common law It is also an offence at common law to offer or receive any undue reward to or by any person in public office in order to influence that person’s behaviour in that office.

Commercial bribery Generally speaking, the above state and territory laws prohibiting the giving or receipt of corrupt commissions or rewards also ap-

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 45

BUSINESS ADVICE

GREATER CARE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN WITH PROVISION OF GIFTS/HOSPITALITY TO AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC OFFICIALS THAN TO PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYEES.

ply to rewards given to employees or agents of private or public companies and individuals.

An employee who receives a bribe will likely also contravene the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and faces a pecuniary penalty of up to $200,000, a disqualification order or a compensation order.

Foreign bribery Australia implemented the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions in 1999 by enacting the anti-bribery and corruption provisions in the Criminal Code.

Under the Criminal Code, it is an offence to provide or offer to someone (directly or indirectly) a benefit that is not legitimately due to that person with the intention of influencing a foreign public official in the exercise of their duties in order to obtain or retain business or a business advantage.

“Foreign Public Official” includes employees, contractors or officials of a foreign government department or agency, a foreign controlled company or public international organisation, members of a foreign military or police force or members of the executive, judiciary or magistracy of a foreign country.

Australian authorities can prosecute companies and individuals for such offences provided a sufficient connection can be established between the entity under investigation and Australia. More specifically, the conduct constituting the offence must occur wholly or partly within Australia, or wholly or partially on board an Australian aircraft or ship. The offence will also apply where the conduct is committed wholly outside Australia, but at the time of the offence, the person who is alleged to have committed it is an Australian citizen, a resident of Australia or an Australian corporation.

Defences are available in two circumstances: • where the conduct was lawful in the foreign public official’s country (in the sense that it is permitted or required by written law); or • where a payment is a facilitation payment made to expedite or secure the performance of a routine government action of a minor nature and the payment is of minor value.

“Routine government action” excludes a decision about the awarding of new business, continuing existing business, or the terms of new or existing business. To rely on this exception companies must demonstrate that they have appropriate recordkeeping procedures which include adequately recording the value, date, recipient and the purpose of any transaction with a foreign public official. Australia is currently considering removing the “facilitation payment” defence from the statute book.

The foreign bribery offence gives rise to obvious compliance risks for companies doing business in high-risk environments in particular where those activities are carried on by agents, or through joint venture vehicles. Thorough due diligence and ongoing monitoring (together with the existence of an anti-bribery compliance program) will help to minimise risk in this area. Penalties under

46 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

the Criminal Code for foreign bribery offences mirror the domestic bribery offences for bribery of a Commonwealth public official.

Corporate liability Under the Criminal Code, corporations can be held to be criminally responsible for the conduct of a corporate agent in a range of situations, in particular where the corporate culture directs, encourages, tolerates or leads to breaches of the legislation, or where the company fails to create or maintain a corporate culture that requires compliance with the legislation.

Gifts/hospitality to Australian public officials Greater care needs to be taken with provision of gifts/hospitality to Australian public officials than to private sector employees. Australian public officials are usually subject to additional guidelines.

For example, each Commonwealth, state and territory government has its own public service with its own code of conduct. These codes of conduct are often supplemented by agency-specific codes of conduct.

There are no “generally allowable limits” for gifts/hospitality to public officials, although some agency-specific codes of conduct may specify dollar limits. Although it will depend on the applicable guidelines, generally speaking:<br>• gifts of more than token value, or excessive hospitality, should be avoided; and<br>• it will usually be inappropriate to pay for transport or accommodation of a public official (without prior approval from the relevant agency).

What next for Australia?

In September 2011, the Commonwealth Government announced a commitment to developing a National Anti-Corruption Plan. Despite a public consultation process which concluded in 2012, a national plan has yet to be released. Nevertheless, it is hoped that this will eventuate and that Australia will see a stronger and more cohesive approach to corruption.

As more and more Australian businesses continue to expand into offshore markets, and with the AFP declaring foreign bribery a key organisational priority, it is likely that there will be more foreign bribery prosecutions in Australia in coming years.

This article is taken from Clayton Utz’s Doing Business in Australia, the essential guide for investors and business exploring commercial opportunities in Australia. The article is intended to provide commentary and general information. It should not be relied upon as legal advice. Formal legal advice should be sought in particular transactions or on matters of interest arising from this article. Persons listed may not be admitted in all states and territories.

Clayton UTZ www.claytonutz.com

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Register now @ www.ACIconnect.com.au

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Keynotes: Transforming Australian manufacturing — it’s all about the customer John McGuire — Global Industry Director, Aurecon Smarter analytics — predictive asset optimisation and your industry Joanna Batstone — VP and Lab Director, IBM Research-Australia + CTO, IBM ANZ IoT and Industry — perfect match or perfect storm?

Chris Vains — Business Unit Manager - Automation Systems, Siemens Future Networks Forum: What does the future hold for industrial communications in the era of IoT, big data, cybersecurity and the cloud? Featuring experts from: • PROFINET & Profibus Australia • FieldComm Group • EtherCAT Technology Group • ODVA LIVE Theatre: held on the expo floor, featuring technical and application presentations from leading vendors

Tech MiniLabs: • Lightning and surge protection • Process control loop tuning • PLC ladder logic • Troubleshooting Industrial Ethernet networks • Nuts and bolts of AS/NZS 3000 wiring standards • Troubleshooting Modbus protocol messages • Investment planning and considerations for ACI projects • Intrinsic safety considerations for ACI operations • Harnessing IoT

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ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

Power controller ABB is helping commercial and industrial buildings optimise power consumption with the Emax 2 Ekip power controller, load management software. It is an exclusive option of the Emax 2, a smart low-voltage air circuit breaker that has been recognised

by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) a rating system for green buildings.

To manage energy consumption, the power controller switches electricity supply off to non-essential equipment and back on again as soon as acceptable power levels are reached. Intelligent decision-making is achieved with software that uses complex algorithms to decide when it is appropriate to switch the power, while maintaining the overall functionality or productivity of the connected equipment.

Replacing existing traditional breakers with the Emax 2 has the potential to achieve annual savings of 5.8 million MWh. Savings with the power controller can be estimated using the online Power Controller Calculator and more in-depth technical information can be found in the Emax 2 portal.

ABB Australia Pty Ltd www.abbaustralia.com.au

Heat stress software Katestoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s software program Heat Manager forecasts when workers are more likely to suffer from heat stress.

The program can determine how much water should be made available to workers and how to reschedule work rosters during extreme heat events. Heat-related illnesses include heat rash, heat cramps, dizziness or fainting,

Wireless, remote data logger

heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and a worsening of existing

The SCADAPack 50 data logger is designed

medical conditions.

for monitoring applications when power

On a daily basis, the program is capable of autonomously running thousands of risk assessments for a

and network access is either unavailable or prohibitively challenging.

workplace, and alerting managers to issues before they

Compact and self-powered, the device

arise. By reviewing decades of weather data for a site,

monitors and logs analog, discrete and

and profiling individual job conditions, the program is able

Modbus process inputs.

to build a baseline risk profile for a workplace, on a job-

Benefits include: easy interfacing to SCADA

by-job basis. The program can then estimate lost work

host - any 3G GSM modem compatible with Hayes

hours due to heat stress, for each worker on each job.

commands can be used on the reception (host);

For each risk assessment, the program builds a Heat

maintenance-free with up to five-year autonomy - once

Safe plan that calculates required water per worker, and

the SIM card is activated and configured, no intervention is

total water per shift. The forecasts enable site managers

required during its entire battery life. The robust enclosure is

to plan water rations when working away from running

IP68 rated; quick installation enables cost-effective deployment

water. Regular breaks in heavy physical labour are im-

- process data is monitored and stored locally in the device

portant to avoid heat stress.

and transmitted to the host according to user-configurable

The program can optimise breaks during the best times

requirements. Configuration can be easily done either locally

of the day and in the right duration, to minimise total

through the infrared data port or remotely; wide variety of

break time, thereby maximising productivity.

markets and applications.

Katestone Pty Ltd

Schneider Electric

www.katestone.com.au

www.schneider-electric.com

48 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

Power and energy data logger The PEL 100 series is a one-, two- (split-phase) and threephase power and energy data logger. The product is suitable for electricians, engineers and contractors doing work in the

Multimeter

area of building and system monitoring and upgrades, as well

For electricians and electronics engineers who

as residential and overall energy audits.

are concerned about protecting the environ-

All vital energy data is measured, recorded and analysed, and

ment, the Lutron DM-9882G ‘Green Power’

reports can be generated with minimal configuration time and

smart multimeter is a suitable alternative to

effort. The instrument’s design enables it to be installed inside a

battery-powered devices.

load centre panel (including the current sensors) and still allows

The unit features a built-in, wind-up

the door to close on most panels. The series measures and

generator. By simply lifting the handle and

records three voltage inputs and current inputs, watts, VARS,

winding for 10-20 s, the user will obtain

VA and energy (kWh and kVA), power factor (PF), displacement

10 min of power, thus avoiding interruptions

power factor (DPF), crest factor, frequency and THD.

during jobs due to a flat multimeter battery.

Energy costs can be calculated and displayed quickly and

The product also features a hybrid power

easily by inputting the unit cost for a kWh into the software. Data

function for those occasions where winding

is stored on a removable SD card. The included DataView soft-

is not practical, allowing it be powered by

ware provides the ability to view data from several hundred PEL

a 9 V battery.

100 series instruments on a local network or over the internet

For safety, the device meets CAT III-600V. Measurement

allowing the user to evaluate energy usage anywhere in the world.

options available include ACV, DCV, ohms, Hz, overload ±

AEMC Instruments

350 DCV and 350 ACV. There is also a continuity beeper. The

www.aemc.com

built-in smart function ensures fully automatic range selection.

ADM Instrument Engineering Group www.admtech.com.au

Keep customers coming back!

We offer full colour custom printed AV wallplates, volume level controls and rack panels for installers with low minimum order requirements and fast turn around.

Your logo here!

Our in-house production department offers virtually any combination of AV wallplate you need for your job, supplied with a full colour logo imprint so your customers know who to call.

You can also get your logo printed on 19” rack panels and volume level controllers.

Minimum order just 50pcs. Our bulk buying power means you can have your own branded product for about the same price as competitors blank versions.

GET A SAME DAY QUOTATION! Send your requirements & logo file to design@altronics.com.au

Call us today. 1300 780 999 www.altronics.com.au • Sydney • Melbourne • Brisbane • Perth • Adelaide

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DISTRIBUTORS Pty. Ltd. Proudly manufacturing in Australia since 1976.

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 49

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

Fixed-mount thermal imagers FLIR Systems has announced a fixed-mount thermal imager. The FLIR AX8 combines thermal and visible

NMI-approved energy meters Control Logic now offers the Itron ACE2000 type 292 single-phase and the EM214 type 900 three-phase energy meters that are NMI-approved.

The ACE2000 single-phase meter with integral real-time clock is a compact, cost-effective meter offering complex tariff functionality. It can handle up to six tariff registers and can calculate and display maximum demand for each tariff. Thanks to batteries, the LCD display is available without mains power.

The EM214 type 900 is a compact three-phase meter with internal tariff control. The meter is easy to install, test and read. It also has strong anti-fraud features - the meter cover is sealed for life and there is a log book of past events. Both the DC meters are rated at 100 A. Control Logic Pty Ltd www.control-logic.com.au

cameras along with the company’s proprietary MSX technology in a compact package, and is easy to install in space-constrained areas for automated and uninterrupted condition monitoring of critical electrical and mechanical equipment.

Enabled by the company’s Lepton micro thermal imaging camera core, the AX8 provides early detection of temperature-related issues in electrical and mechanical equipment, guarding against unplanned outages, service interruptions, equipment failure, and fire. The AX8 is a suitable sensing solution for continuous condition monitoring and early fire detection without the need for pe-

Energy meters The Socomec range of energy meters offers an extensive selection of meters to suit all energy management applications.

The Socomec Countis E range of kWh meters with integrated RS485 Modbus RTU communications complements the existing Socomec energy metering range.

The range includes single-phase 32 and 80 A and three-phase 63 A direct connect meters. The RS485 Modbus communication ports allow direct reading of kilowatthour energy data.

Meters have a digital LCD display, Class 1 accuracy with non-volatile memory.

The RS485 connection on the meter simplifies installation wiring. Installation space is also reduced as devices like pulse collectors are not required. The meters can be combined with any energy monitoring network for recording kilowatt-hour energy consumption.

IPD Group Limited www.ipdgroup.com.au

riodic manual scans.

The thermal imager has 4800 active temperature points per image, provides streaming temperature data over industry-standard interfaces (Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP) for easy analysis, has a built-in web interface, and includes a full suite of analysis and alarm functions that automatically send alerts when the device detects elevated temperatures.

Measuring 54 x 25 x 95 mm, the thermal imager integrates easily into electrical installations or any manufacturing environment. The device’s streaming thermal, visual, and MSX

Fuel management solution Forum Enviro’s Fenic Alpha fuel management solution enhances fuel combustion in engines to reduce consumption and emissions. There are a range of Fenic Alpha models, designed to suit a variety of land and marine engine types.

video is output in standard MJPEG, MPEG, H.264 formats, adding multipurpose image capabilities.

With all of these features in a compact form factor, the thermal

The Fenic Alpha works in one of two ways: an Ion Pass Through and Pass Tube

imager addresses the condition

(IPPT) where fuel is ionised as it travels through rare earth elements to improve com-

monitoring and safety needs for many

bustion; or, an Ion Power Sheet that is placed before engine air intake to produce an

environments, including the process

oxidising effect. The full range of Fenic Alpha fuel-saving devices enables all types

and manufacturing industries; data

of fleet businesses to improve their fuel efficiency in light vehicles to heavy-duty

centres; energy generation and distri-

industrial vehicles, including land vehicles and heavy equipment, airport equipment

bution; storage facilities; refrigerated

and container trailers/lifters/port cranes.

warehouses; and engine rooms.

Forum Group

FLIR Systems Australia Pty Ltd

www.forumgroup.com.au

www.flir.com.au

50 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

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ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

Three-phase powerquality analysers The PowerPad III Model 8435 is a three-phase power-quality analyser that enables technicians and engineers to measure and carry out diagnostics and power quality work on one-, two- or threephase networks. Four voltage input terminals and four current input

Circuit breaker analyser The ISA CBA 1000 circuit breaker analyser, available to rent from TechRentals, is a complete solution for EHV, HV and MV circuit breaker testing.

The analyser features a powerful motion and speed analyser (single analogue transducer) with 3 trip/1 close coils. Results and analysis can be viewed directly on a large graphical display. Other features include: 16 timing channels (six main, six resistive and four auxiliary); stand-alone functionality; timing accuracy 100 µs ±0.025; and internal

terminals are provided. It is IP67

memory for 250 test results and 64 predefined test plans.

waterproof rated when recording

TechRentals

with cover closed.

www.techrentals.com.au

The analyser has 2 GB of memory for storing trend data.

Additional internal memory is conveniently partitioned to let the user store alarms, transients, inrush and snapshot data synchronised or independent of each other. The user can store up to 50 screen snapshots, up to 210 captured transients that contain four cycles for each active input, and 10,000 alarm events from up to 40 different parameters. Trend data can also be recorded for days, weeks or even months. Inrush current can also be captured and stored.

Other features include: measurement of TRMS voltages up to 1000 Vrms AC/DC for 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-wire systems; measurement of TRMS currents up to 6500 Arms (sensor dependent); direct measurement of neutral current and voltage; frequency measurement (40 to 70 Hz systems); measures energy VAh, VARh and Wh; 65 µs/ sample transient recording.

The analyser captures up to 210 transient occurrences on all V and A inputs, and records and displays trend data as fast as once per second for one month up to 25 variables. It measures harmonics (referenced to the fundamental or RMS value) for voltage, current or power up to the 50th harmonic.

Free DataView software is included for configuring real-time display and report generation.

AEMC Instruments www.aemc.com

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 51

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

Emergency DC charger Connector protection solution

Magellanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emergency DC charger is a solution for avoiding any loss of DC power in

The igus Conprotect solution is designed for sensitive con-

substations. The unit has a light, compact and

nectors in industrial applications. This protection against

portable design and combines an advanced,

mechanical loads for standard USB connectors is as-

reliable battery charger and lightweight, high-

sembled in a few steps and without tools. This also

efficiency lithium batteries.

prevents inadvertent unplugging.

The charger operates from a 240 VAC input,

For even better protection for USB connectors in

providing dual uninterruptible 110 V/20 A and

industrial environments, Conprotect has a protective

24 V/25 A or 48 V/25 A DC power. The unit is

enclosure that is easily clipped in only a few steps.

to be kept connected to mains at all times to

Two knurled screws give the connection added reliability.

make sure that the batteries are charged and

This rugged and protective enclosure for connectors can also be used with a coupling for flying connections.

are available at full capacity when needed.

The charger weighs approximately 80 kg

In order to make assembly as easy as possible, the lids of Conprotect

and the batteries weigh 65 kg. The four lithium

are made from identical parts that fully enclose the connector by hand.

battery modules can also be easily unplugged

The screws are then simply clipped in. Users can conveniently order and

and removed to make the unit even lighter

retrofit the Conprotect on existing connections.

when going up steps. The battery modules

Treotham Automation Pty Ltd

can be reassembled and plugged in once in

www.treotham.com.au

the substation in <1 min.

Magellan Power www.magellan-power.com.au

Cert # 2765.01 & 2765.02

52 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

work

Electrical contractor achieves efficiency gains with enterprise software

For Queensland electricians Prue and Andrew Aranovitch, the dream of business ownership was turning into a nightmare until they found simPRO Enterprise software.

Their Caboolture-based business, Mr A Electrics, had three vans on the road and was profitable, but they were run ragged because their organisational system was paper based. Andrew, who carried the company diary, was exhausted because he had to take calls all day as well as be on the tools. “He was trying to shuffle the jobs on his paper diary while he was up a ladder, while he was in someone’s ceiling or driving along in the truck. It was inefficient and it was also extremely dangerous. We even had a number of times where Andrew fell asleep at the wheel coming home from work.”

Being small business owners, they also faced a big challenge when taking a break. As they were heavily involved in every aspect of the company, it was difficult for them to switch off. “It would do so much damage to our business that it would take us three weeks to get back to where we were before we had a week off,” Prue said. “So you get to that stage where you just don’t have time off.” simPRO Enterprise enabled Prue and Andrew to automate the operational processes of estimating, scheduling, project management, purchasing, catalogues and invoicing. simPRO’s electrical software is job centric, instantly providing a snapshot of every quote, every project and every maintenance or service job. Enterprise leverages business owners’ time and provides greater

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

control and direction for the business. By proactively controlling materials and labour costs, business owners can avoid margin erosion and enjoy a more profitable business.

Because of the software, Prue and Andrew have been able to train an office manager to do the vast majority of the work that used to keep them tied to the office, while mobile technicians use the simPRO Connect add-on to access the system at the worksite using their tablets.

Since implementing simPRO Enterprise, Mr A Electrics has grown into a bigger and more profitable business with six vans and 20 employees; and instead of being more stressed, Prue and Andrew are more relaxed.

They have just returned from a seven-week holiday in Europe with their children. They enjoyed a five-week trip to India two years ago and an extended vacation in Brazil. They have a busy life outside work with Prue being president of the P&F Association at their children’s school and Andrew coaching a local junior soccer team.

“To put it in a nutshell, the thing that simPRO has given Andrew and me is the ability to have choices,” Prue said.

Nowadays, for companies performing ‘do-and-charge’ style work like Mr A Electrics, simPRO has a specialised solution called simPRO Service. Company managers can sign up to a free 14-day trial. simPRO Software www.simPRO.com.au

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 53

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

Clamp meters RS Components’ ISO-TECH ILCM03A and ICM30R clamp meters are designed for making safe and non-intrusive current measurements in a range of electrical, panel and equipment maintenance applications.

Clamp meters are suitable tools for making spot checks and verifying system conditions before deploying more specialised tools and incurring additional costs. The ILCM03A is primarily geared towards current leakage detection, while a key feature of the ICM30R is its ability to make true-RMS AC current readings. Both devices also offer reliable and accurate voltage and resistance measurements as well as continuity testing for circuit breaks.

The ILCM03A clamp meter is a highly portable device with

ISO appliance inlets

compact dimensions of 210 x 62 x 35.6 mm. It also has a

NHP has released ISO appliance inlets to complement

single large rotary function-selection switch enabling one-

the existing range of ISO plugs and sockets.

handed measurement and a large backlight 3.75-digit LCD

The ISO appliance inlets comply with the requirements

with an analog bar graph, making it a tool that is easy to use

of AS/NZS 3123:2005 and AS/NZS 3120:2011. This range

and easy to read in any environment. The meter also offers a

of round pin inlets includes as standard a unique safety

large-jaw design that enables non-intrusive current measure-

lock-off feature, which prevents unauthorised connection

ment on cables and wires that are up to 30 mm in diameter.

of an incoming supply through a lockable cap mechanism.

The ICM30R clamp meter integrates dual hall sensors to

When matched with the corresponding ISO extension

provide reliable and accurate current measurements, and

socket range, the patented lock-off mechanism prevents

provides the true-RMS AC current value of both pure and

the unauthorised disconnection of loads by locking both

distorted waveforms. The meter is also a highly portable and

appliance inlet and extension socket together.

easy-to-use and -read device that features a special hand-

The ISO appliance inlet and ISO extension socket lockoff mechanism is suitable for use with industry-standard

guard design, which provides additional user protection that prevents direct contact with electrical conductors.

padlock hasps of Ø 4.5 mm and Ø 6.5 mm.

Manufactured and tested to international standards, both

Available in both flat and round pin configurations and

ISO-TECH clamp meters are rated to CAT II 600V and CAT

ranging from 10 to 50 A, the inlets are suitable for a

III 300V, according to IEC 61010. The meters come with a

wide variety of applications. All ISO appliance inlets are

three-year warranty and are available to purchase direct from

available in both grey and resistant orange.

RS stock globally.

NHP Electrical Engineering Products Pty Ltd

RS Components Pty Ltd

www.nhp.com.au

www.rsaustralia.com

ProTag PrimeTest Elite Australia’s Most Advanced Test & Tag System

High Definition

Colour Display

In-Built Camera with Flash

USB for Data

Up/Down Load

Bluetooth For

Printer & Scanner

The new ProTag Elite System tests portable appliances & RCDs, takes asset photos, prints Elite UV resistant test tags & downloads results to PC. Mains & battery powered.

Faster testing & asset management for mining, construction, factories & workshops.

Sydney

Melbourne

Tel 02 9519 3933 Tel 03 9889 0427 Fax 02 9550 1378 Fax 03 9889 0715 email testinst@emona.com.au

54 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

Brisbane

Tel 07 3275 2183 Fax 07 3275 2196

Adelaide

Perth

Tel 08 8363 5733 Tel 08 9361 4200 Fax 08 83635799 Fax 08 9361 4300 web www.protag.com.au

EMONA www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Š Nmedia/Dollar Photo Club

BIG DATA

MAKING THE MOST OF

THE BIG DATA ERA Francois Vazille, Vice-President for IT Business, Schneider Electric

The need to process and store information is increasing exponentially. It is estimated that Australian internet traffic will nearly triple from 2013 to 2018. Globally, we have moved into a period termed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the internet of everythingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, or the interconnection of computing-like devices with existing internet infrastructure.

This means that by 2020 there will be 50 billion connected devices - nearly seven devices per person.

T

his proliferation of devices, among other trends, is fuelling larger and complex data sets - known as big data - which many organisations are using to solve their challenging business problems. Big data and services as a trend is growing rapidly.

IDC forecasts that it will grow at 27% compound annual growth rate through 2017 - six times faster than the overall ICT (information and communications technology) market.

Big data has great potential, but to be of use it must be processed and analysed, and data centres are necessary for this. This growth trend will result in unnecessary energy burn, some of it from electricity generated from fossil fuels, which can result in poor outcomes for underprepared companies and for the environment.

Leveraging the opportunity Broadly defined, big data and its infrastructure requirements take in everything from consumer trends like video streaming over mobile broadband to enterprise-class analysis of data gleaned from smart equipment, sales trends or consumer digitisation behaviour.

When big data is harnessed and managed effectively, it can provide an organisation with timely insights, real-time monitoring and forecasting of events. This includes ability to find, acquire, extract, manipulate, analyse and connect data to inform on organisations actions and reactions in real time.

There are multiple factors to consider when it comes to data centre solution providers leveraging the benefits of big data. These include: the move from CAPEX to OPEX; the increase in high rack density; quality of service is network driven and based on bandwidth; and, energy management and DCIM have become key to setting the dominant players apart.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

The move from CAPEX to OPEX The early days of big data came at a time when many companies were under tight capital budgets due to the lasting impacts of the global financial crisis. For big data to be utilised there was need for massive capacity, but most companies were unable to lay out the CAPEX to build their own data centres directly.

Since then, there has been a major increase in co-location data centre providers, as well as large companies offering cloud-based solutions. This movement has allowed many organisations to meet the requirements on an OPEX basis.

For data centre solution providers, the move from CAPEX to OPEX has been a huge change. Rather than selling equipment to companies that are building their own data centres, the solutions industry must now help other technology providers to create a reliable infrastructure to offer to organisations.

To make use of this trend, data centre solution providers need to focus on helping co-location providers to expand, while assisting telecommunications companies to protect and modernise their mobile broadband offers.

Additionally, data centre solutions providers also need to work to help the remaining traditional data centre providers to build highly efficient, modular data centres. This simplifies the integration of IT systems, data centre physical infrastructure (DCPI) and other systems like security or building management so those operating an on-site data centre are still able to take advantage of the perks big data can offer.

Dealing with density Big data has also resulted in much higher density in traditional data centres. High-density data centres can be harder to run, not

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 55

BIG DATA

THE MODERN DATA CENTRE SOLUTION PROVIDER A L S O N E E D S TO C O N S I D E R T H E E N E RGY MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY OF THE DATA CENTRE.

only due to their higher, hotter and denser loads, but also due to virtualisation as their loads are also rapidly shifting.

This trend means that data centre solution providers can add value by offering updated DCPI solutions such as modular data centre pods for rapid expansion, containment cooling, data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) and dynamic cooling software that easily links with virtualisation engines to coordinate DCPI with the dynamic IT loads.

Efficient data centres The modern data centre solution provider also needs to consider the energy management and operational efficiency of the data centre.

For companies that are supplying cloud and co-location options, their data centre facilities and network infrastructure need to be highly available, efficient and secure in order to compete in the increasingly crowded market of such services.

For the data centre solution provider, this means that the importance of energy management and DCIM has been elevated as a way of setting data centre providers apart. However, to support big

56 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

data delivery, it is not just the data centre that needs to be efficient and highly available, it is also the related network infrastructure.

Data centre solution providers can help co-location organisations to build out edge points of presence to support big data and cloud computing, while helping telecommunications providers to modernise their hubs to support mobile broadband.

So what do these examples show data centre solution providers?

In order to make the most of the big data trend, the data centre solution provider must become the big data infrastructure partner and advisor and help co-location providers to build out and reliably operate their infrastructure, while also helping more traditional enterprises to transition into the new era.

With this approach, the data centre solution provider can help the modern tech or co-location provider to reach their goals while leveraging the big data trend for its many organisational benefits.

Schneider Electric IT Business www.apc.com

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

Position switches Suitable for a wide variety of applications across all forms of plant manufacturing, Schmersal PS116 position switches are compact, robust and versatile.

With a symmetrical design, variety of contact configurations and a great selection of repositional actuators, the PS116 offers flexible and reliable solutions for a multitude of applications.

Mounting Blocks

for Sheds, Garages, Factories, Commercial Properties...

PURLMATE P3650 ®

Its dimensions allow installation in confined spaces to monitor the position or presence of moving parts, workpieces or conveyed materials.

All switches have positive opening NC contacts making them suitable for use in safety circuits up to PL e (ISO 13849-1) and CAT 4 (AS 4024.1).

Control Logic Pty Ltd www.control-logic.com.au

Suits all 64mm Top Hat Purlins

w neCnZ MATE

®

P3750

Envirotouch switches The Envirotouch timer-based switches allow easy, point-ofuse control of lighting and electrical devices. The switches are said to deliver financial savings and reduced carbon emissions.

The range includes multiple preset, countdown timer options or cycles, so with the press of a button the switch will automatically turn off the light or appliance after the desired time.

Typical applications include control of indoor and outdoor lighting, electric heaters, fans, heated towel rails and mobile air-conditioning units. The switches are suitable for any area that can benefit from controlling lighting and electrical devices, particularly classrooms, offices, hospitals, aged care

Suits all ‘C’n’Z’ Section Purlins BOTH FEATURE: Easy to install Accepts 25mm conduit at each end Supplied with blanked off 20mm Reducers Slotted holes for accurate installation Prevents dust and vermin accessing at rear Provides installation for GPO’s, Switches and Data Sockets

facilities, universities, government buildings, retail shops, high-rises, halls and staff kitchens. The switches can also be used with plug-in appliances via a 3-pin socket to give intelligent control.

An additional feature is an imminent ‘turn-off’ indicator, which dims the lights to warn that turn-off will occur in

Ampere Electrical Manufacturing Co. Pty. Ltd. 174-176 High Street, Prahran,VIC 3181

3 min. The switches must be installed by qualified electricians.

who else would you trust!

Thermofilm Australia

Tel (03) 9510 4333, 9510 2428 Fax (03) 9510 5940 Toll Free 1800 AMPERE (1800 267 373) www.ampere.com.au

www.thermofilm.com.au

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 57

CASE STUDY

Infrastructure provider achieves 54% energy savings

U

rban infrastructure service provider Jamshedpur Utilities and Services Company (JUSCO) has launched a ‘Green City’ initiative for Jamshedpur, the largest city in Jharkhand and a major industrial zone in eastern India.

The company recognised the many advantages that LED street lighting can bring to the cityscape. Following a thorough assessment process, JUSCO chose GE Lighting as its preferred partner to upgrade the existing conventional streetlights. With the new lighting solution, JUSCO is expected to achieve energy and maintenance savings of around 54% a year.

A total of 400 units of 250 W high-pressure sodium vapour lamps in the city were replaced with the sophisticated GE Palm street lighting system using 130 W LED streetlights.

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

GE Palm offers a dual advantage of optimum light and outdoor lighting effect providing more power costeffectively. With its remarkable styling, adaptability and other design features, GE Palm adds an aesthetic element during the day and provides superior light output at night.

T h r o u g h ‘ G r e e n i s g r e e n’ , Ecomagination is GE’s commitment to technology solutions that save money and reduce environmental impact for our customers. Aligning with JUSCO’s ‘Green City’ initiative, GE lighting has driven innovation and growth of profitable environmental solutions to meet JUSCO’s demands for more energy-efficient products and solutions to tackle the challenging environmental issues.

GE Lighting www.geindustrial.com/asia/

Switches Available in Fast Ethernet and gigabit versions, the IE200 series Industrial Ethernet switches are suitable for applications in challenging environmental conditions such as elevator engine rooms and external or harsh environments.

The series meets the high reliability requirements demanded by industrial applications such as IP video surveillance, intelligent transport systems and building management integration for both indoor and outdoor use. The switches have been developed to support a broad range of critical infrastructure applications and environments where a highly reliable, feature-rich solution is required.

The series is available in 6- or 12-port models, with or without Power over

LED weatherproof floodlight The 20 W LED Weatherproof Floodlights are suitable for outdoor recreational spaces, BBQ areas, security and architectural applications.

The floodlights have 40,000 h average rated life and offer 1368 lm light output. Other features include: powdercoated die-cast aluminium construction; tempered clear-glass diffuser; colour temperature: 3800 K; inbuilt driver for direct connection to 240 V supply; prewired to 1.5 m flex and plug. The product includes 1 x 20 W LED module.

Ethernet Plus (PoE+) support, and includes a broad range of features and functionality. Both models are DIN rail mounted, resulting in reduced space and mounting complexity when compared to a standard rack.

As many new applications today are IPv6 ready, and with the number of connected devices expected to increase, the IE200 series will feature native IPv6 support, in a future release of firmware, to ensure support for the largest number of devices across a broad range of applications.

Along with support for more traditional features such as port-based VLANs, IEEE 802.1p QoS, 802.1x port security, link aggregation, and port mirroring, the series also supports innovative features such as Ethernet Protection Switched Ring (EPSRing) and Allied Telesis Management Framework. EPSRing provides greater ring resilience in comparison to traditional technologies, ensuring network functionality is restored in the event of failure with negligible impact on users or applications.

Allied Telesis International (Aust) Pty Ltd www.alliedtelesis.com.au

Crompton Lighting Pty Ltd www.crompton.com.au

58 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

IP cameras The Hills Video Security Professional IP Series consists of commercial-grade and feature-rich NVRs and IP cameras to suit professional installations. All cameras in the range offer HD video footage through high-quality, 3-megapixel lenses. Low light illumination and true day/night technology provide optimal viewing capabilities in difficult conditions, especially night recording.

Customers will have the option to purchase bullet, eyeball, dome or mini-dome cameras and 4-, 8- or 16-channel NVRs, making the professional series suitable

Heavy-duty external CAT 6 cables Garland’s heavy-duty external CAT 6 cables have

for commercial, retail, warehouse, and educational applications where users require

been designed to suit Australian conditions. The

differing scales of surveillance and monitoring.

UTPL6JFSWANY cable offers protection of steel wire

The company says the series has been designed to make it as easy as possible to install and operate the cameras and NVRs. Plug-and-play and Hills auto-config set-up allows the NVR to be found online using a QR code - removing the need for port forwarding and saving integrators time and money.

armour, a hard nylon termite barrier and jelly-filled water resistance.

With Garland’s UTPL6JFSWANY, the user can run underground cable between buildings, connect

A mobile app for iPhones and Androids allows users to log on to see live

external IP cameras to security systems, create ro-

footage from 4-16 cameras. It is also simple to upgrade the NVR firmware once

bust Industrial Ethernet applications, protect against

it is installed through the company’s one-click process, over the network using

termite and rodent attacks, and reduce accidental

the Hills Firmware server.

or reckless damage to external category cabling.

Key features include: up to 2048x1536 resolution; full HD 1080P real-time video;

Suitable for use in data transmission systems

DWDR/3D DNR/BLC; PoE connection; plug-and-play with Hills NVR.

operating up to 1 Gb including 10BaseT, 100BaseT

Direct Alarm Supplies

and 1000BaseT Ethernet systems.

www.das.com.au

Madison Technologies www.madisontech.com

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 59

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR

FLOATING LNG FACILITY

A

BB has won a contract worth more than $50 million to supply the electrical system for one of the world’s first commercial floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facilities, and the second to be owned by Malaysian oil and gas company Petronas.

It will be called ‘PFLNG2’.

Japanese engineering contractor JGC Corporation awarded the contract in the fourth quarter of 2014. JGC is part of a consortium that is building the facility for Petronas, along with Samsung Heavy Industries of Korea. Under the terms of the contract, ABB will support the optimisation of the facility’s electrical side by designing, manufacturing and supplying transformers, switchboards, motorcontrol centres and power management system. In addition, ABB will also manage the installation of the equipment and ensure the electrical supply is integrated with systems it is powering.

ABB’s fully engineered electrical system solution incorporates the latest technologies adapted to the offshore environment; it is a safe solution that ensures reliable electricity throughout the plant for the PFLNG2 to meet its demanding performance requirements, said ABB Process Automation Division President Peter Terwiesch.

FLNGs have long been considered an attractive concept, and a recent report by Douglas-Westwood estimated the market to be worth $64 billion between now and 2020. The agility of FLNGs allows oil and gas companies to exploit fields that would otherwise be uneconomical and their environmental impact is minimal

60 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

compared with conventional production platforms and pipelines.

The PFLNG2 will be built at Samsung Heavy Industries’ yard in Geoje, Korea, in 2015. When operations start in 2018, the facility will be moored over the deepwater Rotan gas field located off the Malaysian coast. It is designed to produce 1.5 million tons of LNG annually for at least 20 years before it requires a dry dock. FLNG plants resemble container ships but are fitted with all necessary equipment to receive, liquefy and store natural gas extracted from offshore fields.

The FLNG plant transfers LNG at sea to carriers that deliver it directly to the markets. The machinery and controls supplied by ABB for PFLNG2 will be accommodated in two electrical houses, or e-houses, that stretch as high as a five-storey building. These prefabricated steel substations designed by ABB ensure the equipment remains safe from the corrosive marine environment as well as hazardous gas and provide a safe environment for the operation crew. One particular challenge when designing systems for FLNG facilities is to make them compact enough to fit in a confined area. Floating facilities must include every process element of an onshore plant, including the means to generate the power necessary to compress the gas within limited space while still meeting demanding performance targets.

ABB Australia Pty Ltd www.abbaustralia.com.au

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

Adjustable LED Concord’s Myriad adjustable twin LED luminaire has a tilt of 25° with a beam angle of 24°. Smaller in form factor than most accent downlights due to its compact LED technology, the luminaire is suitable for high-end residential properties, receptions and hospitality environments and is a suitable halogen replacement. Total power consumption for the Myriad adjustable twin LED is just 30 W with each single engine accounting for 15 W. It is available in black and white internal trim with white or silver bezels and three colour temperatures - 2700, 3000 and 4000 K. Depending on the colour temperature the lumen output for the Myriad adjustable twin LED is 1054 lm (2700 K), 1304 lm (3000 K) or 1354 lm (4000 K) with a LOR of 100%.

Both modules within the Myriad adjustable twin LED can be titled directly to where the light is required, and in different directions, which gives greater flexibility in applications where lighting requirements often change, such as hospitality and retail environments.

With an average life of 50,000 h, the Myriad Adjustable LED is a low-maintenance solution and with a CRI of 85 is suitable for environments where colour reproduction is important. The luminaire is also IP20 and IK02 rated and a range of plaster up accessories is also available to complement any interior decor.

Sylvania Lighting Australasia www.sla.net.au

High-output area light By incorporating TrueWhite Technology, the Cree Edge high-output area light brings 90 CRI colour quality and performance to outdoor area lighting applications.

The lights are suitable for use at airports, car dealerships, parking areas, petrol stations, recreation and public venues.

Other features include: utilises BetaLED technology; low-profile modular design; rugged aluminium housing; exclusive Colorfast DeltaGuard finish; CCT: 5700 K standard, 5000 K, 4000 K; CRI: minimum 70 CRI (4000 K and 5700 K), 90 CRI (5000 K).

Advanced Lighting Technologies www.adlt.com.au

SUNCLIX

TOOL-LESS DC CONNECTION The simple, safe, reliable and re-usable one-piece DC plug connector. Simple connection without the need for special tools via innovative spring force technology.

The perfect solution for stress-free field assembly of cables from 2,5 mm² to 16 mm².

INSERT stripped conductor

CLOSE spring by pushing down

TIGHTEN cable gland - ready

www.phoenixcontact.com.au | 1300 786 411

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 61

© iStockphoto.com/selimaksan

SAFETY TIPS

HEALTH & SAFETY

TIPS FOR TRADIES

As Australia’s hundreds of thousands of tradies settle back into work for 2015, the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is urging employers and workers to make health and safety a priority to reduce the $60 billion spent on work injuries each year.

N

ow is the time to review occupational health and safety procedures to ensure a safe year ahead, said APA National President and physiotherapist Marcus Dripps. “While workplace injuries are on the decline, each year we spend billions of dollars on work-related injury and illnesses, many of which should be prevented. And tradies are among those highest at risk,” Dripps said.

“This is the time of year to review your safety procedures, retrain and educate your staff, develop a supportive return to work culture, and make sure you’ve got the best measures in place to prevent injuries,” said Dripps. Research shows one in five serious workplace-related injuries involve a tradie. Sprains and strains (42%) and musculoskeletal disorders (14%) are also the two highest workrelated injury or disease claims, with body stress (40%) being one of the prime cause for these injuries. Tradies are also among one of the largest proportions of occupations with the highest incidence of early retirement.

“If you do injure yourself, our message is simple: stop ignoring aches and pains and seek treatment immediately,” Dripps said. “Often we’ll see tradies with injuries that could’ve been managed well before they became serious. It’s unfortunately a common mentality of the sector that needs to change.”

The APA is urging trade workplaces to make health and safety a priority and confirm their involvement in Tradies National Health Month for 2015 via www.tradieshealth.com.au.

Dripps has also shared the APA’s tips for preventing long-term disability and work loss through: 1. Intervening early and identifying needs: Seeing a health professional like an APA physiotherapist is important for identifying the injury, seeking initial treatment and referring to appropriate management immediately.

2. Evaluating and treating clinically: Clinically evaluating and providing

62 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

a range of physiotherapy treatments can potentially reduce disability and promote return to activity, including work.

3. Focusing on early return to work and work maintenance outcomes: Research shows greater return to work success with programs that include workplace arrangements aimed at facilitating return to work.

4. Developing a supportive workplace culture: Studies on people six months post-surgery have shown the rate of return to work was nearly twice as high for workers who perceived a higher level of ‘people-oriented culture’ in the workplace and higher safety culture including ‘active safety leadership’.

5. Developing targeted education and self-managed active rehabilitation: Providing active rehabilitation, such as graded physical exercise, and resuming activities workers may have stopped also helps. Physiotherapists are well placed to inform, educate, guide and support the worker to restore function and achieve timely and effective return to work.

6. Integrating into the workplace: The best return to work results come from incorporating the program into the workplace and providing worksite ergonomic assessments. Workplace interventions lead to almost two and a half times faster results for returning to work.

7. Monitoring and reviewing regularly: Monitoring and reviewing the worker’s progress against return to work goals and risk factors is important. Physiotherapists can match suitable duties to the worker’s capabilities and implement regular upgrading of work hours and suitable duties to assist in recovery.

8. Evaluating the outcomes: It’s important to evaluate the results and incorporate what’s been learnt into workplace occupational health and safety programs to prevent similar incidences occurring.

Australian Physiotherapy Association www.physiotherapy.asn.au

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

The future of home energy monitoring ...

Intellisocket is the world’s smartest power outlet. Combining energy monitoring, home automation and safety into one package makes for a universally flexible device, suited to many applications.

• Wi-fi Connected • Smartphone Controlled • Automated Power Saving • Energy Monitoring • Home Automation

Typically home automation and energy monitoring devices are built specifically for adding function and flexibility to home power distribution. We felt that if we are building a power outlet, why not address the obvious concern of high voltage electricity and the dangers associated with electrical outlets. After lengthy discussion and consulting with our development & engineering team we are pleased to announce that the Intellisocket will add an additional layer of safety to your home. With 3 on-board safety features, your Intellisocket empowered home will be a safe place for your family and friends.

• Over-current protection • Residual Current Protection • Foreign Object detection

In addition to the residential version, we are working on releasing a commercial Intellisocket.

The commercial model will include some additional features: • 240VAC 15Amp capacity • External Temperature Probe (or other sensor) • Battery Backup • On-board Data Logging Combining power consumptions with temperature (and other parameters) data provides a powerful insight to overall device efficiency and acts as an unparalleled tool for preventative maintenance.

Find out more!

5 Waler Cres, Smeaton Grange NSW 2567 hello@intellisocket.com.au

© iStockphoto.com/MACEIJ NOSKOWSKI

MARKET ANALYSIS

SIX RETROFITTING TRENDS TO WATCH FOR Commercial buildings with a high NABERS rating deliver 10.5% more investment returns compared to buildings with a low NABERS rating, according to The Property Council. With benefits like that, it is important to keep abreast of changes in the fast-moving retrofitting industry. Here are some trends we can expect to see in 2015.

Lighting In 2013, 83% of all retrofits in Melbourne were lighting upgrades, according to the Melbourne Retrofit Survey. This was bolstered by the Victorian government’s Energy Saver Incentive program that offers rebates to commercial buildings that retrofit their premises with energy-efficient lighting.

Taking a ‘whole house’ approach Perhaps energy-efficient lighting is the low-hanging fruit of retrofits.

Could it be businesses go for low-cost solutions, such as lighting, and avoid implementing extensive retrofitting solutions? ClimateWorks is concerned that building owners will think improving lighting means that they don’t need to take a ‘whole house’ approach with integrated solutions. However, there are other extensive retrofit measures - such as HVAC, cogeneration and ventilation - that individually have much longer payback periods.

According to the report, outstanding green buildings with high NABERS and Green Star ratings combine a bundle of energyefficient retrofits with both short- and long-term payback scenarios.

This means it’s more commercially viable and energy efficient to install a mix of short- and long-term measures, like energy-efficient lighting and CHP plants.

Cogeneration Cogeneration is a big growth area, which coincides with the simultaneous decline in the number of boiler upgrades. CHP installations were up to 5% in 2013 from 1% in 2011. Yet it seems that the long-term benefits outweigh any investment concerns.

The analysts forecast the global cogeneration equipment market to grow at a CAGR of 9.4% over the period 2012-2016, according to Research and Markets.

Green financing As at 30 June 2014, the CEFC had contracted investments in over $900 million in projects with a total value of over $3 billion.

Since the federal election, the Abbott government has introduced legislation three times to effect abolition of the CEFC. Abolition

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

legislation has twice failed to pass the Senate. CEFC is an essential part of the industry that ensures a strong pipeline of investment proposals for projects across Australia.

“We’re providing a range of financing options and financing programs tailored to suit commercial property needs,” said the CEFC’s CEO Oliver Yates, “whether you’re looking to improve the energy productivity of your building as part of a broader upgrade or looking to benefit from the energy cost savings through solar power.”

Key drivers for retrofits Around 39% of building owners invest in energy-efficient retrofits because an asset is worn out or faulty. The remaining 31% of building owners adopted retrofits to improve the energy efficiency of the facility. Surprisingly, however, the attraction of new tenants and retention of existing tenants were the key drivers for installation only 21% and 12% of the time, respectively. There is a misconception that applying for funding is a lengthy process.

Plus the financial and environmental outcomes for retrofitting buildings is overwhelming. In 2015, let’s all say cheers to a new year where the industry finally grapples with the slow-moving beast called retrofitting.

Competition Just like in the sporting arena, Sydney and Melbourne have burgeoning green building and retrofitting industries that are in healthy competition with each other. The NSW government has focused its efforts on the Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) while the Victorian government focused on its well-designed Smarter Resources, Smarter Business program. Policy-making will always be in a state of flux and change. Hopefully, 2015 will be the year when the policy unequivocally shifts towards encouraging investment and employment in the green retrofitting sector. This will mean huge opportunities for energy auditors, technicians, engineers and energy reclaim specialists.

Evo Energy Technologies www.evoet.com.au

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 65

T

he forecourt and main terminal facade at Melbourne Airport have undergone a transformation with a dynamic lighting installation that provides ambience and entertainment and welcomes travellers to the world’s most liveable and friendliest city. The installation was carried out by Mint Lighting Design and ENTTEC. The landmark project covers 12 individual sites programmed as one to create an intricate, synchronised light show that boasts more than 40,000 pixels and 57 universes to control and schedule them.

In total, 2140 individual products were designed and installed. Key elements include: 14 m ‘Melbourne’ sign in the forecourt; 140 m double-sided light projections beneath the elevated roadway; 60 m canopy lighting within pedestrian bridges, plus light in shell canopies and trees; and an interactive ‘Light Shower’ that bathes visitors in blue light, inspired by research into its effects on the circadian rhythm.

Specialised programming across the 12 integrated sites has been designed to celebrate important days in the multicultural calendar, including Australia Day, Diwali, Chinese New Year and Christmas. The installation can be reprogrammed to mark other events and significant milestones as required.

Mint Lighting Design Director Adele Locke said white light was banned from the design. “I had to determine a way to use

coloured light that was sophisticated, dynamic and, critically, not overwhelming for weary travellers.”

Improving pedestrian navigation was essential.

“Using blue lights over entrance doors and colour-coded light for bus shelters provides travellers with more directional cues. The sequence of colour change also provides staff with a more playful work environment,” she said.

The control network required to bring this ambitious project to life comprises five different technologies: wired DMX; Ethernet; fibre optic; wireless ethernet PtP link; and wireless DMX link.

ENT TEC founder and General Manager Nicolas Moreau said it is among the company’s most sophisticated installations in its 15 years of worldwide installations.

“The sheer scale of the site, access issues and the number of control channels needed (over 40,000) meant that we had to use every tool in the box.”

The roadside linear site was the largest and most challenging.

“Not only was a significant amount of light needed to light the roadway structure, a pixel pitch of 160 mm was required of full RGBW over the 300 m run,” Moreau said.

Image credit: © Professional photographer Matt Irwin

CASE STUDY

Lighting upgrade for Melbourne Airport

Mint Lighting Design www.mintlighting.com.au

UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX STADIUM INSTALLS LED LIGHTING The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ, has installed LED stadium lights from Ephesus Lighting. The facility is the first NFL venue to illuminate the playing surface exclusively with LED lighting, according to Amy Casper, CEO of the Syracuse-based company.

The University of Phoenix Stadium installed just 312 Ephesus Stadium fixtures to replace more than 780 metal halide fixtures. The new lights use just 310,000 watts of energy compared to the 1.24 million watts needed to power the previous system.

Each Ephesus LED light provides a significant increase in illumination compared to traditional metal halide lights like the ones that were installed at University of Phoenix Stadium when the venue opened in 2006. LED lighting also provides brighter and more uniform light that eliminates shadows on the playing surface, creating a better stage for players as well as for both fans in the stadium and those watching on high-definition television. “The capabilities of LED technology have changed the way we view sports lighting,” said Joe Casper, founder and CTO of Ephesus Lighting. “This was a great opportunity to showcase our innovative lighting technology in a venue known as a leader in introducing new ideas to the sports marketplace.”

66 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

On average most venues experience a 75% reduction in overall sports lighting energy consumption in addition to reduced load on the airconditioning system to offset the heat generated by metal halide lights.

Additionally, LED lights can be turned on and off with the flick of a switch, whereas metal halide fixtures require a 20-minute warm-up period. This on/off feature also allows facility operators to create light shows for fan entertainment. “We are excited that so many sports and entertainment venues have seen the light and made the switch to LED lighting over the past two years,” said Mike Lorenz, president of Ephesus Lighting. “The feedback from fans, players and broadcasters at venues all across North America who are using our LED sports lighting reinforces that LED is the premier lighting solution for sports and entertainment venues.”

“We selected Ephesus after careful consideration of all the other available options. We are confident that their solution will improve lighting for the athletes, fans and broadcasters, all while reducing energy consumption and eliminating conventional sports lighting maintenance expense,” said Peter Sullivan, general manager and regional vice president for Global Spectrum at University of Phoenix Stadium. www.ECDsolutions.com.au

© freeimages.com/profile/I-Jack

© Alexander Pastuckh/Dollar Photo Club

© iStockphoto.com/vidia © iStockphoto.com/almagami

SOLAR 2015

More than 4000 solar enthusiasts are expected to converge on the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre to attend the 53rd annual Australian Solar Council Industry Conference & Exhibition.

T

he event, to be held on 13-14 May, features free-to-attend conference streams focusing on Australian renewable industry and innovation; market intelligence; policy and future direction; investment potential; installer best practice; innovation and research; latest products and technologies. The event will deliver expert analysis and opinion and display the latest products and technologies, with a focus on energy storage, efficiency, solar hot water and efficient lighting. The conference hosts a continuous stream of free-to-attend presentations from industry experts, covering diverse topics from current policy and market analysis to financing of projects and industry case studies, along with government representative updates. This year the Australian Solar Council will be putting on this event, independent of any international partners.

The event also includes professional development and training sessions that will be presented by leaders in their field. Co-located with

Solar 2015 is the free-to-attend Energy Storage Exhibition showcasing emerging ingenuity: a glimpse of the near future, the exciting and enticing world of energy independence; technology that transforms the energy sector; the latest and best storage technology solutions.

Solar 2014 attracted a record 3200+ registered delegates from 25 countries over the two days. Delegates had the opportunity to view 70 exhibitors and attend three concurrent conference streams focused on industry and policy, scientific and research, and solar installer professional development training, organised in conjunction with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Participant feedback confirmed that Solar 2014 was bigger and better than ever, incorporating a strong industryfocused conference program, a well-organised exhibition and unlimited networking opportunities.

For more information contact: Sharon Oliver, Solar Conference Manager Phone: 0418 202 870 | Email: sharon@solar.org.au | www.solar.org.au

TOP LIGHTING EXPERTS TO GATHER IN SYDNEY FOR

SPARC 2015

wonderful opportunity to experience the very latest in lighting design and technology.” The event 2015 features an educational seminar program alongside a cutting-edge exhibition of global developments and future directions in lighting which can assist attendees with their professional development requirements. SPARC 2015 speakers include:

S

PARC 2015 has announced speakers for the upcoming event, with an impressive line-up of both internationally and nationally renowned experts in lighting design, education, research and architecture.

The international lighting event, which will be held at Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island, from 27-29 May 2015, will once again align with Vivid Sydney - the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest annual celebration of light, music and ideas.

“SPARC will enable thousands of participants to experience the latest in lighting technology through leading-edge lighting exhibitions and will provide a world-class seminar of invited speakers,” said SPARC CEO Bryan Douglas.

“For those within the design, lighting design, industrial design, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, building and project management, facility management, and major end users of architectural, retail and commercial lighting sectors, SPARC offers a

68 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

• NIST Fellow, Sensor Science Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Dr Yoshi Ohno, who will present on colour preference-based LED lighting.

• Associate Professor of Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University and Co-Director at the Center for Climate and Energy Decision-Making (CEDM), Dr. Inês Azevedo, who will be presenting on consumer choice for lighting products and the feasibility of DC circuits for lighting.

• Senior Lighting Technician at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Simm Steel, who will be presenting a session on museum lighting.

Additional speakers include: • Marc Ledbetter, discussing early lessons learned from the introduction of SSL to the market.

• Roger Sexton and Mark Elliott, presenting on light and colour in the built environment.

• Dr Christophe Martinsons, talking about the potential health issues of solid-state lighting.

• Professor Georges Zissis, presenting the results of quality testing of residential LED lamps.

• Anthony Di Mase, discussing daylight in the built environment.

• Dr Alan Prest, presenting on international standards for lighting products.

For more information, visit www.sparcevent.org or contact info@sparcevent.org

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 69

ENERGY STORAGE CONFERENCE

CENTRALISED VS DECENTRALISED POWER SYSTEMS Will energy storage be the catalyst to changing from centralised to decentralised power systems?

T

he Australian Energy Storage Conference seeks to answer this question. The conference will take place in Sydney on 3-4 June 2015 at the Australian Technology Park and will focus on all areas of the energy storage industry.

It includes a free trade show of industry suppliers. Presentations from well over 40 speakers will range in topic from affordable battery storage for the evolving grid, to off-grid telecommunications solar plus storage projects, to grid resiliency and microgrid lessons learned in the US from MW-scale flow battery deployments. Also featured will be grid implications of electric vehicle (EV) charging and innovative thermal energy management for buildings. The conference will feature a diverse range of energy storage projects and case studies from across Australia and from overseas.

Mary Hendriks, industry executive of the Australian Energy Storage Alliance, commented that “New energy storage technologies will be of little use unless the policies and standards are in place for benefit of all the stakeholders.” She added, “Supporting investment and developing sound policies for the implementation of energy storage technologies is essential to build competitive energy supply systems for Australia’s

70 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

future.” The conference includes a session on understanding the Australian regulatory market and developing policy and standards for energy storage. Donald McPhail, network strategy and policy engineer, Ergon Energy, will present at the session and will discuss Ergon’s corporate strategy for facilitating the uptake of battery energy storage systems (BESS) on its network, specifically around working with the existing regulations and coordinating connections through standards and policies. The comprehensive program includes experts from ABB Australia, Aquion Energy, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Enphase, Ergon Energy, Lend Lease, Tritium and other key industry companies, who will be speaking on the latest technology specific to their speciality. Speakers with extensive industry knowledge and unique perspectives will participate in this two-day event in Sydney. Complementing the conference will be the free-to-attend Australian Energy Storage Exhibition, with a focus on energy storage industry at all levels - for utilities, energy businesses, building management and the emerging electric vehicle markets.

For registrations, please visit: www.australianenergystorage.com.au

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

EFFICIENCY + RENEWABLES

Energy management portal

Canopy light

Energy Action has launched a

nesses the freedom to light their site exactly as they choose. The

client portal, enabling its cli-

light is suitable for petroleum stations, soffits, drive-through ATMs,

ents to view their energy usage

and hotel/airport drop-off centres.

data, analytics and reports at

The CPY Series Canopy Light is a modern lighting system that gives busi-

The light provides a safe, comfortable, visually appealing environment.

the touch of a button. Powered

Featuring a slim, low-profile design, the light can mount onto virtually any

by the Activ8 technology plat-

canopy or soffit and offers the option of a flat or drop lens to meet the vertical and

form, the online hub provides

horizontal illumination performance needs of the end application. It is designed for easy, quick and reli-

Gold Clients with an extensive

able installation and requires no maintenance. With typical commercial usage of 12 hours a day at the

array of energy usage data

national average of $0.12 kWh, the light can deliver a payback period of less than two years - significantly

and associated costs, through

lower than the typical metal halide solution. Other features include: minimum 70 CRI; CCT: 5700 K (±500)

a range of intuitively designed

4000 K (±300); 13,000 or 8000 lumens light output; 0-10 V dimming control; optional sensor control.

online dashboards and reports.

Advanced Lighting Technologies

The portal provides a portfolio dashboard view of sites

www.adlt.com.au

and extensive reporting func-

Now Featuring the Energy Storage Conference

tionality, which are all easily accessible for ad hoc report generation and data analysis.

The Client Portal can be accessed via the Energy Action corporate website, which leads to the Client Portal Gateway that demonstrates the extensive scale and breadth of Energy Action’s business in Australia. Energy Action cur-

Proudly presented by

rently procures over 20,000

at the MCEC at 2 Clarendon St, South Wharf

small and large procurement sites across a range of industries, and over $900 million dollars of electricity spend and 600 million MWh of energy annually.

Key energy statistics like CO2 emissions, peak demand and power factor are all readily available, along with an energy bill breakdown, cases under management and any credits achieved or savings identified through Energy Action’s bill validation or network tariff review service.

After the initial rollout of phase 1, further upgrades are scheduled to ensure the innovative design and functionality of the client portal remains dynamic to meet the future energy management needs of larger energy users.

Energy Action

Wednesday May 13 and Thursday May 14, 2015

53rd Annual Exhibition and Conference | www.solar2015.com.au

What’s on offer • A hall full of industry exhibitors and stands showcasing: Leading solar panels and inverters, solar hot water and solar heating, installer expertise, battery makers and solar storage, electric vehicles, LED lighting and low energy appliances, specialist building materials, renewable energy trading agencies, higher education providers, research posters and more.

• Energy Storage Council conference and pavilion co-located with Solar 2015 for delegates’ convenience • Industry and Policy sessions: Gain insights from policy makers and prominent industry specialists and scientists who shape, drive and influence solar energy advances in Australia and across the world.

• Professional Development and Training: Presented by leading, long-term and highly regarded solar specialists.

Note: Session attendees gain CPD points.

Solar 2015 is proudly sponsored by

“Solar power is an unstoppable force and all serious players will gather at the Australian Solar Council’s Solar 2015 to see, learn or present the latest developments in our fast-paced, game-changing industry.”

Your Solar 2015 contacts: Kirsty:

0411 415 442 kirsty@solar.org.au

Sharon: 0418 202 870 sharon@solar.org.au Phone:

+61 4 0980 2707

Email:

info@solar2015.com.au

Web:

www.solar2015.com.au

Attend the Solar 2015 Show - it’s FREE! Be in the know. Support your industry body that is devoted to and passionately supports the solar industry across all levels.

www.energyaction.com.au

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

MARCH/APRIL 2015 - ECD SOLUTIONS 71

CASE STUDY

Lighting solution for executive club lounge

W

hen Haworth, a designer and manufacturer of adaptable workspaces, was looking for a sophisticated modern lighting control solution for The Porter, Sydney’s premier business executive lounge, it approached Philips Lighting.

Haworth recently collaborated with Lend Lease - manager of 1 O’Connell Street - to develop part of the building’s lobby area into an adaptable and flexible workspace, suitable for a dynamic range of business, community and social activities.

Haworth and Philips have fostered a strong and productive strategic alliance over a number of years and have recently collaborated on several core-level projects, including a dynamic shared workspace in the Parkview Green building in Beijing. Consequently, it was natural that Haworth elects to leverage Philips’ Dynalite control systems expertise once again to provide a solution for the new project at 1 O’Connell Street - The Porter.

A.B.N. 22 152 305 336 Head Office Cnr. Fox Valley Road & Kiogle Street, (Locked Bag 1289) Wahroonga NSW 2076 Australia Ph: +61 2 9487 2700 Fax: +61 2 9489 1265

The challenge

Art/Production: Tanya Scarselletti, Odette Boulton

Haworth’s challenge for 1 O’Connell Street was to transform 600 m2 of lobby space into a flexible and adaptable workspace that would help support the ongoing business needs of existing building tenants as well as new users. All too often, the lobbies of similar commercial buildings are simply given over to unimaginative retail ventures and food courts.

The Porter design brief called for an exclusive business club lounge area, separated into a series of distinct working areas - The Studio, an open area designed for workshops, presentations and interactive meetings; The Atelier, a technology-enabled room for workshops, training seminars, video/audio conferencing and focused meetings; The Library, a serene hotdesking area also set up for video/audio conferencing; and The Lounges for more informal meetings, equipped with wireless presentation screens.

The lighting/automation design, developed in close collaboration between Haworth and Philips Lighting Solutions Manager Vessi Ivanova, needed to reflect the overall design ethos of The Porter, complementing the requirements of the different spaces. The lighting plan focused on realising the best possible balance between form and function, and this was achieved through a combination of architectural and feature pendant LED lighting to create the desired ambience, with Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) LED luminaires delivering task-specific illumination.

Circulation Manager: Sue Lavery circulation@westwick-farrow.com.au

The solution The switching of the feature and architectural lighting is achieved via two Dynalite DDRC1220FR-GL relay controllers, while the dimming for the 120 DALI addressable luminaires is controlled through a 3-channel DDBC320-DALI controller. The DALI luminaires are installed on a suspended track, which delivers both a contemporary look and ultimate flexibility. One of the many benefits of a DALI system is that it allows luminaires to be regrouped easily. The use of suspended lighting tracks allows luminaires to be physically repositioned without the need for rewiring.

An additional DDRC810DT 8-channel relay controller enables motorised blind control through the Dynalite system, while a DNG232 RS232 network gateway allows full two-way integration between the lighting control system and the AMX protocols used by the AV systems in the videoconferencing and meeting rooms. The use of DUS704C universal sensors and the DDTC001 Timeclock facilitates automated scene control based on both operating hours and the occupancy status of various areas. The award-winning AntumbraButton user interface further enhances the elegance of the solution, while the DTP170 Color Touchscreen provides an intuitive supervisory interface for the entire system. The various elements of the system are interconnected through the robust DyNet RS485 network, and the system was commissioned using EnvisionProject commissioning and management software.

Benefits The finished system’s ease of operation belies its underlying sophistication, perfectly matching the overall design ethos of The Porter. The AV integration provides an example of this, with a single button press simultaneously turning on the AV systems, closing the blinds and optimising the lighting levels. Automation settings simplify operation for both staff and visitors, providing an inherently energy-efficient system that is both unobtrusive and intuitive to use. Moreover, the DALI protocols deliver the flexibility to allow lighting moods to be adjusted easily through preset scenes, while facilitating future layout changes without the need for costly rewiring.

Philips Dynalite www.dynalite-online.com

72 ECD SOLUTIONS - MARCH/APRIL 2015

Editor: Mansi Gandhi mgandhi@westwick-farrow.com.au Chief Editor: Janette Woodhouse Publisher: Geoff Hird Art Director/Production Manager: Julie Wright

Copy Control: Mitchie Mullins copy@westwick-farrow.com.au Advertising Sales: National Sales Manager - Nicola Fender-Fox Ph: 0414 703 780 nfender-fox@westwick-farrow.com.au NSW, QLD, VIC - Mark Ryu Ph: 0404 803 356 mryu@westwick-farrow.com.au SA - Lachlan Rainey Ph: 0402 157 167 lrainey@westwick-farrow.com.au WA - Mandi Grubisin Ph: 0468 840 739 mgrubisin@westwick-farrow.com.au New Zealand - Mark Ryu Ph: 0800 442 529 mryu@westwick-farrow.com.au ASIA - Lachlan Rainey Ph: +61 (0) 402 157 167 Subscriptions: For unregistered readers - price on application If you have any queries regarding our privacy policy please email privacy@westwick-farrow.com.au

September 2014 Total CAB Audited Circulation (Aust + NZ) 6,629 (67% personally requested) ECD Solutions: ISSN 2201-2702 Printed and bound by SOS Print & Media

All material published in this magazine is published in good faith and every care is taken to accurately relay information provided to us. Readers are advised by the publishers to ensure that all necessary safety devices and precautions are installed and safe working procedures adopted before the use of any equipment found or purchased through the information we provide. Further, all performance criteria was provided by the representative company concerned and any dispute should be referred to them. Information indicating that products are made in Australia or New Zealand is supplied by the source company. Westwick-Farrow Pty Ltd does not quantify the amount of local content or the accuracy of the statement made by the source.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

DETA - a genuine choice!

Low Profile Switches & Power Points

The low profile ‘S-Line’ electrical accessories series is a sleek and elegant style from DETA, making an impressive addition to the contemporary Australian home.

Available in White and 304 Grade Stainless Steel with black or white inserts.

Striking form and a sophisticated finish

Low Profile 4.5mm

PVC Conduit & Accessories DETA has you covered with its large range of conduit and accessories.

Meeting your demands for quality and price. Helping you to ensure your installations are completed to your satisfaction.

DETA’s product range meets all Australian safety standards. We back you through friendly customer service and technical support.

Quality engineering and manufacturing ensures a product you can trust

Switchboard & Circuit Protection DETA’s power distribution products deliver to the market a range of versatile Din rail enclosures, MCB’s and 30mA RCBO’s suitable for Domestic and Commercial applications.

All products are available in a range of sizes and current ratings and comply with Australian & New Zealand Safety Standards.

Complies to Australian Safety Standards

Please view our website for the complete range or contact our friendly customer support for more information.

03 9982 5111

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custservice@detaelectrical.com.au

© VOLTEX 2015