ECD Solutions Jul/Aug 2013

> Safety

Complete safety, for the lifetime of your installation, guaranteed.

> Simplicity

Easy to design, easy to install, easy to operate and upgrade.

> Efficiency

Reduces diagnostic and repair time; provides the highest continuity of service

Exclusive new features give you the safest, simplest, and most efficient installations.

Acti 9™ guarantees safety, installs easily, increases service continuity and streamlines your workflow Available only from Schneider Electric™

What makes the Acti 9 so special?

Designed and built to the highest standards, Acti 9 is the result of five generations of low-voltage industry experience. With 21 new patents, its innovative features give you many industry-unique benefits. For example, it offers complete safety: VisiSafe provides reinforced insulation on iC60 miniature circuit breakers and iID residual current circuit breakers. The downstream circuit is always safe, regardless of overvoltage conditions, wear or operator experience. Combined with its Class 2 front face, where clearances are more than twice the industry standard, it exceeds even the most demanding safety requirements.

A better use of energy, from start to finish.

Acti 9 also gives you unmatched efficiency in your day-to-day operations. VisiTrip lets you identify a fault in one glance, so you can quickly diagnose, resolve and reclose circuits. Plus, super immunisation of its RCDs guarantees the highest continuity of service and electrical immunity, even where switchgear contends with electromagnetic or chemical interference.

Component selection is easy, design is simplified and upgrades are painless.

As new installation standards emerge or building requirements are modified, Acti 9 easily scales to meet your needs. And because it is 100 per cent recyclable, you can meet any environmental requirements and minimise impact through your installation’s lifetime of use and eventual recycling.

Patented features offer industry-unique benefits like unprecedented safety, even in the most demanding environments.

Super immunisation Guarantees the highest continuity of service and electrical immunity.

VisiTrip™ Identifies faults in a single glance for fast diagnosis, resolution, and reclosing.

VisiSafe™ Guarantees the downstream circuit is always safe, even in overvoltage conditions.

Class 2 front face Guarantees risk-free handling during the lifetime of the installation.

Discover how robust automation, control and monitoring of energy usage can deliver up to 30% energy savings Visit www.SEreply.com Key Code 53243K © 2013 Schneider Electric. All Rights Reserved. Schneider Electric and Acti 9 are trademarks owned by Schneider Electric Industries SAS or its affiliated companies. www.schneider-electric.com • 998-3630_AU

CLIPCOM 26590

ECD SOLUTIONS

FROM THE EDITOR

JULY/AUGUST 2013

CONTENTS

The lighting industry has come a long way since Thomas Edison first introduced the commercial incandescent bulb around 134 years ago. The energy-hungry incandescent lamps are going dark as their more efficient counterparts, light emitting diodes (LEDs),

4

The SSL revolution carries on

8

Tips to improve business efficiency

gain wider market acceptance.

As we all know, the LEDs have a longer life expectancy, consume less energy and offer better light quality.

With the technology continuing to evolve at lightning speed, it seems like every few months we hear of new developments in

11 Automation + Security

13

Wireless ‘smart-skin’ sensors

18

Electrical equipment for machine safety

Heineken’s LED beer bottle; a flashlight

20

Integrate to combine - CEDIA Expo and InfoComm International

powered using the heat from your hand;

LED technology. A few recent LED innovations include: an LED-fitted soft eye contact lens developed by UNIST researchers;

and an LED-powered privacy visor. These innovations may not present opportunities for electrical contractors, but they are

21 Comms + Data

fascinating nonetheless. There are several

23

Top of rack versus structured cabling

duced that would be of great interest to

28

Testing in the enterprise: how hard can it be

30

PoE is more than just remote powering

other innovative LED products being introcontractors. For example: Philips recently announced a new innovation: a tube lighting (TL) replacement TLED prototype that

Cover: ©iStockphoto.com/Diego Bervejillo

produces a record 200 lm/W of high-quality

39 Efficiency + Renewables

41

Reveal the potential of your power network

44

New energy management standard

48

International Standard for solar led laterns

white light (compared with 100 lm/W for fluorescent lighting and just 15 lm/W for traditional light bulbs).

Technological advancements like these and an increasing need for greater energy efficiency are creating opportunities for electrical contractors. However, the influx of manufacturers and resellers with little indus-

49 Electrical Distribution

50

Transition to a low -emission future

54

Motoko Ishii lights

62

Top six places for energy losses in commercial buildings

69

Optimising voltage to improve efficiency

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

http://www.ECDsolutions.com.au/latest_issues

try experience, and the lack of standards are presenting challenges. It is now more important than ever for contractors to stay up to date with the latest industry develop-

ments, and remember that the industry is still evolving.

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

THE LED REVOLUTION CARRIES ON Mansi Gandhi

4 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

©iStockphoto.com/hemul75

LEDs, or light emitting diodes, have been around for decades but factors such as reduced costs, improved luminous efficacy and faster switching are leading to widespread use of this technology in the commercial, residential and industrial lighting market.

T

he solid state lighting (SSL) revolution is well underway.

The market adoption of the SSL technology, used in diverse applications including general lighting, traffic signals and automotive lighting, is increasing at a record pace around the world.

The US Department of Energy expects LED lighting to represent 74% of US general illumination lumen-hour sales by 2030.

“By 2027, widespread use of LEDs could save about 348 TWh, compared to no LED use, of electricity: this is the equivalent annual electrical output of 44 large electric power plants (1000 mW each) and a total savings of more than $30bn at today’s electricity prices.”

LEDs and OLEDs (organic LEDs), both forms of solid state lighting, are set to transform lighting as we know it, says Bryan Douglas, CEO, Lighting Council of Australia. “Solid state lighting is a highly adaptable technology, capable of brilliant and variable colours, is energy efficient and has a long lifetime, making it ideal for practically all forms of lighting.”

LEDs and lighting controls While all the current excitement is about LEDs, a quieter revolution is going on with lighting controls, says Douglas. “Modern lighting controls have enormous potential to save energy. Being electronically based, they are also highly suited to use with LEDs. In fact, the full potential of LEDs may only be realised with sophisticated

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

lighting controls. We can expect to see far greater use of lighting controls in the future.”

Mark Centofanti, product manager lighting, Clipsal by Schneider Electric, shares a similar view. Lighting accounts for around 11% energy use in buildings, and lighting controls not only help home and business owners improve energy efficiency but they also help cut costs, he says. Currently most lighting controls are mounted on the walls - in the next few years, these controls will move into the lights themselves, he adds.

It is all about the transition from conventional to LED lighting, and with it a dramatic increase in the take-up of lighting control technologies, says Richard Shepherd, marketing manager, Philips (Australia). “We’re seeing the switch from lighting to lighting solutions across the entire spectrum of projects, from homes to offices to industrial installations and everything in between.”

Due to the rapid take-up of LED, Philips is anticipating energy-efficient technology to make up about 50% of the company’s global lighting sales by 2015, up from 25% last year.

Contractors’ role Electrical contractors play a key role in further driving the uptake of the solid state lighting technology. “Because of the variability in quality, it is important that they understand the attributes of any solid

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 5

XXXXXXXXXXX EFFICIENT LIGHTING

WHEN RECOMMENDING LIGHTING FIXTURES, CONTRACTORS NEED TO BE MINDFUL THAT THEY ARE MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE END USER, USING PRODUCTS THAT ARE SUITED TO THE SPACE AND/OR THE APPLICATION, AS WELL AS MEETING AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS.

state lighting product before selecting or recommending it,” says Douglas.

When recommending lighting fixtures, contractors need to be mindful that they are meeting the needs of the end user, using products that are suited to the space and/or the application, as well as meeting Australian standards, suggests Shepherd.

“It is important for contractors to always compare like for like when making product recommendations. There are a number of LED-only, non-traditional suppliers entering the LED market so contractors need to factor LED quality, optics, heat management and system efficiency into their decision making.

“Take a consultative approach with each customer when recommending lighting.

Lighting has an enormous part to play in how we engage with a space so consider how you are satisfying a ‘light’ requirement rather than a ‘lighting’ requirement.”

as a course in Electrical Energy Efficiency 21876VIC, according to NECA. Following training, contractors can apply for accreditation as an EcoSmart Electrician.

The association also runs a BCA Lighting (Commercial) course to help contractors understand the Building Codes of Australia.

Candidates interested in enrolling in this course must have completed the Lighting Module of EcoSmart Electricians training or Lighting for Living course or equivalent.

Separately, MEA has recently launched the Master Electrician Energy Efficiency course for those wanting to build their business by entering the energy-efficiency market. “During the course you will learn to prepare, plan, carry out and complete the implementation and monitoring of environmental and sustainable energy management policies and procedures,” according to MEA.

Stay enlightened

Training and education will not only help contractors acquire knowledge and grow their business, but it can also go a long way in getting rid of the counterfeit products from the market.

In any industry where there is a rapid transition from one technology to another, it is not uncommon for there to be issues, says Shepherd. “End users have and should have certain expectations when it comes to LED lighting. One way to respond to the issue of counterfeits is for contractors to always compare like for like when making product recommendations.”

“There are a lot of people buying lights on the internet and reselling them. They are causing some confusion in the marketplace and there is a lot of uncertainty about the quality of these components,” says Steve Cahill, general manager, en-

Electrical contractors who keep up to date with the latest lighting trends and regulations by regularly visiting government, industry and lighting manufacturer websites as well as supplementing knowledge through upskilling courses will be well placed to support the update of new technology, says Shepherd.

Industry associations such as National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and Master Electricians Australia (MEA) offer various courses covering LED technology and energy efficiency. In 2012, NECA EcoSmart Electricians reviewed its training program and updated it to include new technologies such as lighting controls and energy management systems and the rapidly evolving LED technology market. It is now delivered under the training package

6 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

Fighting the fakes

Lighten Australia. This is causing a lot of turmoil and is giving the industry a bad reputation, he says.

The proliferation of low-quality, poorperforming products has led Lighting Council Australia to introduce a certification program for LEDs - the Solid State Lighting Quality Scheme, said Douglas. A minimum set of critical parameters is reported by participating suppliers to accurately reflect the performance of their products. The scheme participants provide test reports or other evidence verifying their claims.

Lighting Council Australia registers the product on a database on its website (www. lightingcouncil.com.au) and authorises use of a label indicating conformance to the parameters.

Douglas suggests that if contractors are in doubt they should look for the Solid State Lighting Quality Scheme label or at the very least ensure that the product is from a reputable supplier. They should look for a warranty period of at least three years and preferably longer.

Government initiatives The government has introduced minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) on a range of lighting products over the past 15 years or so, notes Douglas. While the Australian Government was the first in the developed world to phase out incandescent GLS lamps, to date, however, there is no regulation stipulating the energy-efficiency requirements of LEDs, he adds. “This will change, however, with the government foreshadowing a number of measures to ensure that LEDs meet MEPS and quality requirements. Lighting Council Australia will work closely with the government on implementation.”

Other initiatives that will encourage the move to more efficient lighting technologies include: voluntary take-up of Green Star Certification and mandatory CBD requirements, combined with government incentives such as IPART (Independent Pricing & Regulatory Tribunal of NSW) and VEET (Victorian Energy Efficiency Target) to create energy-saving certificates for energy-efficient projects (lighting retrofits), says Shepherd.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

© www.sxc.hu/admeijer

BUSINESS ADVICE

TIPS TO IMPROVE BUSINESS EFFICIENCY Jodie Curtis

In the current economic climate, it is more important than ever for businesses to improve efficiency and strengthen growth. Below are some tips from accounting firm HLB Mann Judd to help businesses operate efficiently.

T

here are a number of steps that business owners and managers can take to increase efficiencies, which should result in improved profitability for their business. These involve both reducing or controlling costs, and ensuring a better marketing focus to increase sales.

1. Key performance indicators: KPIs are those elements that the business has identified as vital to its success. They could include: sales figures; customer retention; aspects of the manufacturing process; or turnover. Calculating and reporting KPIs in a timely manner provides a snapshot of actual business performance, allowing any issues to be identified before they have a major effect on the bottom line.

2. Business plan: It’s important for the future success and growth of a business to invest the time in creating a business plan. Business planning allows a vision for the business to be created and measurable goals established so that the vision can be achieved. Benefits include: clarity and focus in the direction of the business; greater ability to make continuous improvements and anticipate issues; greater confidence in decision-making. Those who already have a business plan should review it regularly and update as needed.

3. Cash flow: Creating cash flow forecasts allows better understanding of when money is coming in and going out, so that any delays or shortfalls can be managed. Focusing on the following will help with managing cash flow: • Debtors - invoice promptly, invoice progress payments, offer discounts for prompt payment, offer different payment options and follow up outstanding debtors • Creditors - negotiate credit terms, take advantage of discounts, do not pay earlier than required.

• Inventory - keep accurate and timely records, replace slow-moving products, and mark down dead inventory for quick sale.

4. Customer retention: Encourage customers to keep coming back by ensuring their needs are met and providing quality service. Do what you said you would do; communicate regularly; give the customer the opportunity to provide feedback; implement a loyalty or referral program. Effective cross-selling and bundling techniques can increase the average dollar spend by each customer.

5. Best practice: If the business’s processes were developed many years ago and the comment “this is the way it’s always been done” sounds familiar, it may be time to review processes. Best practice

8 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

means adopting the best ways of working to achieve business objectives, for instance by: keeping up to date with what competitors are doing and benchmarking against other successful businesses; encouraging a culture of innovation and creativity; making good use of technology.

6. Supplier arrangements: There are often opportunities to negotiate better terms with suppliers. Businesses should review current supply contracts and take advantage of any discounts for prompt payment or extended payment terms. They should also seek competitive suppliers and get comparative quotes.

7. Banking relationships: Meeting with the business’s banker to discuss current facilities and business position enables a better understanding of the terms of current facilities as well as other available facilities. For example, there may be better interest rates available, reduced fees, more convenient ways to pay, or the availability of credit to assist with cash flow.

8. Employees: Engaged employees are more productive and committed to a business, and this can have a positive impact on business performance. Businesses could improve employee engagement through: effective communication; mentoring programs; delegating responsibilities; providing opportunities for advancement; empowering employees.

9. Go green: Adopting environmentally friendly processes is good for the environment and may also lower operating costs. Strategies include: implementing paperless procedures such as electronic filing of emails or electronic billing and banking; printing double-sided and re-using scrap paper; switching off lights and computers at the end of each working day; substituting incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps; installing timers or thermostats to maximise efficiency of air conditioning.

10. Productivity: There are only so many hours in a day and therefore productive days are important for efficiency and success. Mark Twain said “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Business owners and managers should develop the habit of “eating a frog” by starting on the most difficult task (or the task you are most likely to procrastinate on) and persevering until it is complete. Clean and sort the email inbox to save valuable time, write down a task list, prioritise based on importance, complete unfinished work and consider delegation of tasks to others.

HLB Mann Judd www.hlb.com.au

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 9

© iStockphoto.com/Rustem GURLER

dia

ry

Brisbane Solar Professional Development Workshop

2013 Electrical Industry Conference

31 July 2013 - Skills Tech Eagle Farm, Qld, Australia www.solar.org.au

23-26 September 2013 - Las Vegas www.masterelectricians.com.au

Arc Flash Conference

Electrical Safety in the Resources Sector Conference

Aug-23 Oct 2013 - Various venues www.idc-online.com/cons

The Future of HVAC 2013 13-14 August - Shed 14, Central Pier, Docklands, Melbourne www.airah.org.au

NECA SA Industry Gala Awards 23 August 2013 - Adelaide Convention Centre

October 2013 - Perth www.informa.com.au

All-Energy Australia Exhibition & Conference 9-10 October 2013 - Melbourne www.all-energy.com.au

www.neca.asn.au

2013 E-Oz Annual Conference

Hager B&R’s Annual Contractor Events

21 October - Sofitel Gold Coast www.ee-oz.com.au

10 September 2013 - Bunbury; 12 September - Perth; 10 October 2013 - Mackay www.hagerbr.com.au

10 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Clipsal's innovative LED lighting offers superior heat sink design and complete dimming compatibility.

SENSORS

© Georgia Tech Photo: Gary Meek

WIRELESS SENSORS FOR REMOTE INFRASTRUCTURE MONITORING

As thousands of bridges, parking garages and other structures age, improved methods for detecting deterioration could save lives and prevent economic disruption.

R

esearchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology are developing novel technology that would facilitate close monitoring of structures for strain, stress and early formation of cracks.

Their approach uses wireless sensors that are low cost, require no power, can be implemented on tough yet flexible polymer substrates, and can identify structural problems at a very early stage.

The only electronic component in the sensor is an inexpensive radiofrequency identification (RFID) chip.

Moreover, these sensor designs can be inkjet-printed on various substrates using methods that optimise them for operation at radio frequency. The result would be low-cost, weather-resistant devices that could be affixed by the thousands to various kinds of structures.

“For many engineering structures, one of the most dangerous problems is the initiation of stress concentration and cracking, which is caused by overloading or inadequate design and can lead to collapse - as in the case of the I-35W bridge failure in Minneapolis in 2007,” said Yang Wang, an assistant professor in the Georgia Tech School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “Placing a ‘smart skin’ of sensors on structural members, especially on certain high-stress

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

hot spots that have been pinpointed by structural analysis, could provide early notification of potential trouble.”

Wang is collaborating with a team that includes Professor Manos M Tentzeris of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Roberto Leon, a former Georgia Tech professor who recently moved to Virginia Tech. The work is supported by the Federal Highway Administration.

The Georgia Tech research team is focusing on wireless sensor designs that are passive, which means they need no power source.

Instead, these devices respond to radio-frequency signals sent from a central reader or hub. One such reader can interrogate multiple sensors, querying them on their status at frequent intervals.

The researchers’ approach utilises a small antenna mounted on a substrate and tuned to a specific radio frequency. This technique enables the antenna itself to function as a stress sensor.

As long as the structural member to which the antenna/sensor is affixed remains entirely stable, its frequency stays the same. But even a slight deformation in the structure also deforms the antenna and alters its frequency response. The reader can detect that change at

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 13

SENSORS

once, initiating a warning months or years before an actual collapse.

“A key benefit of this technology is that it’s completely wireless,” Wang said. “It doesn’t require a battery and you don’t have to climb around on bridges running long connecting cables.”

The research team has developed a prototype strain/crack sensor that has been successfully tested in the laboratory, Wang says.

The simple device consists of a small piece of copper mounted on a polymer substrate, plus a 10-cent 1 x 1 mm RFID chip. The chip is used to distinguish each individual sensing unit from others. The simple sensor architecture allows it to be made at very low cost and to potentially be deployed in large quantities on any bridge.

Inkjet-printed circuits More sophisticated designs are in the works. Tentzeris’ team is tackling an approach that produces strain sensors using different applications of inkjet printing technology.

One such design uses a silver-nanoparticle-based ink that is applied to a flexible or semiflexible substrate, says Rushi Vyas, a PhD student working with Tentzeris. The ink lays down a structure that can change properties in response to strain.

A second approach involves the use of inkjet-printed carbonnanotube-based structures, Vyas says. In this case, the nanotubes themselves produce an altered response when subjected to deformation.

In laboratory testing, the team’s prototype sensors have demonstrated high sensitivity in response to even slight changes in metal structures, Wang says. The sensors have been able to reliably detect a degree of deformation change as low as tens of microstrains (one microstrain equals 0.0001%, or one part per million) and they can continuously monitor stress accumulation until the metal develops a severe crack.

One issue still being addressed is the capacity of the passive sensor to respond to a reader. A reader transmits a radio-frequency beam to a sensor, which utilises that received energy to reflect a signal back to the reader.

But this technique can be rather inefficient, Vyas says. A signal from a reader might travel 15 m, yet the sensor’s response might

only travel back 3 m. One issue is that readers are limited by FCC regulations, which govern how much power can be transmitted to the sensor.

Increasing the power What’s needed are ways to supply a sensor with a power source that would increase the range of the response signal. Batteries are not preferred because they can be undependable and require periodic replacement.

A Georgia Tech team that includes Tentzeris and Vyas is researching ways to gather power from ambient or electromagnetic energy in the air, such as television, radio, radar or other manmade signals found in Earth’s lower atmosphere.

Scavenging experiments utilising TV bands have already yielded power amounting to hundreds of microwatts. Multiband systems are expected to generate one milliwatt or more - enough to operate some small electronic devices such as low-power wireless sensors.

Tentzeris noted that smart-skin technology may soon help to enable a broad range of applications. These could include not only real-time stress monitoring in bridges, factories and buildings, but also new and extremely lightweight aircraft with self-sensing/selfdiagnostic capabilities, and battery-free methods for monitoring structures after major disasters such as earthquakes or hurricanes.

“The wireless strain sensor could prove to be an effective, low-cost and easy-to-scale solution to a very important need,” Tentzeris said.

“A simple device - consisting of an antenna, an inexpensive RFID chip and some power-boosting technology - could quietly monitor at-risk structures for many years and then send back a real-time warning if there’s suddenly a problem.”

This research was reported in IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, Volume 11, 2012, and International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials, Volume 2, 2011. Parts of this research were also presented at ASME 2012 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems (SMASIS) and several other conferences.

NEW PRODUCTS

T-slot cylinder For applications with high load currents up to 500 Ma, the family T-slot cylinder from ifm efector now features corresponding sensors. They can be reliably adapted to all common cylinder types.

The self-locking mechanism and easy positioning in the T-slot allow comfortable one-hand installation. The sensor is fixed by a combined head screw, which provides strain relief.

A wide selection of adapter accessories means the T-slot sensor can be fixed to almost every T-slot, clean line, tie rod, integrated profile or trapezoidal slot cylinder. Applications include industrial environments such as packaging or handling machines. ifm efector pty ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T213

14 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Power Manager software update Eaton has announced the latest version of its Intelligent Power Manager software with NetApp Data Ontap operating system integration. The update allows users to monitor and manage NetApp fabricattached storage (FAS) systems and facilitate a graceful shutdown to protect data integrity in the event of an extended power outage.

The update builds on Intelligent Power Manager’s plugin for VMware vCenter Server, which is certified VMware Ready and simplifies data centre management by providing the ability to monitor and protect hypervisors directly from the vCenter dashboard. When using the integrated capabilities of Intelligent Power Manager with VMware vSphere, users can configure

Substation switchgear module ABB has announced enhancements to the PASS (Plug and Switch System) range of high-voltage hybrid switchgear modules for substations. The modules are designed to improve safety for operators and electrical maintenance workers by ensuring that high-voltage (HV) equipment in substations can be isolated, earthed and locked out safely and securely.

ABB’s PASS Hybrid modules are now available with an innovative mechanical key interlocking system which ensures it can only be switched in the correct operating sequence.

The modules can also be isolated and earthed remotely before personnel enter the substation to perform maintenance tasks. Once inside the substation, operators are then able to perform a simple, error-free, mechanical operating procedure which is carried out at ground level ensuring that the equipment is isolated, earthed and locked out safely and securely.

This safe and simple interlocking system for PASS Hybrid modules allows safe and efficient operation, particularly in the mining industry. The modules perform well in harsh operating conditions as the critical components are encapsulated in a

hosts to consolidate non-critical workloads to extend battery run time. Eaton’s software is also capable of triggering VMware’s Site Recovery Manager to start a planned migration to a back-up site to maintain data integrity when the primary site experiences an extended power loss.

In addition, the latest version introduces a generic Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) driver that is designed to enable monitoring of all devices supporting the industry standard protocol. By using the SNMP driver, users and integrators can extend the scope of Intelligent Power Manager’s monitoring capabilities for enhanced visibility into the operating status of IT assets.

grounded aluminium tank which is filled with pressurised SF6 gas. This also increases safety as it reduces the need for personnel to interact with the HV equipment for either planned or unscheduled maintenance.

PASS is a family of compact, prefabricated high-voltage modules for substations, providing the flexibility to incorporate the functions of circuit breaker, disconnector and earthing switch and instrumentation current/voltage transformers. It is a 72-420 kV hybrid version of air insulated switchgear (AIS) and gas insulated switchgear (GIS), which is manufactured in ABB’s factory in Lodi, Italy.

The compact module can save up to 60% space when compared to conventional substations and

Eaton Industries Pty Ltd

possesses a major benefit in extension and/or

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T787

refurbishment projects.

ABB Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T609

16 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Self-testing emergency lighting The Clevertronics Clever-test range of exit and emergency lighting is designed to provide electrical contractors, specifiers, building owners and occupiers with a cost-effective and thorough means of testing emergency and exit luminaires individually and automatically, in accordance with the mandatory requirements of Australian Standard AS/NZS 2293.2 section 3 ‘Inspection and Maintenance Procedures for Single Point Systems’.

Clever-test emergency luminaires are programmed to perform 90 min discharge tests at 6 month intervals automatically. This allows maintenance personnel to complete the test and only a quick visual inspection of the status indicator on the individual unit is required to determine a pass or a fail.

No data cable network or PCs are required, so the extra cost of installing a computerised testing system is eliminated and the ongoing costs of attended manual testing are drastically reduced.

Discharge test status is provided via an LED indicator.

The Clever-test option is available for most Clevertronics emergency lighting products.

Clevertronics Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T114

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Security cameras FLIR Systems has released the ultra-compact D-Series and the FC-Series S thermal cameras.

The D-Series multi-sensor thermal security cameras are suitable for ultra-compact networked, outdoor dome enclosures.

The cameras provide precision pan/tilt control as well as fully programmable scan patterns, radar slew-to-cue, and slewto-alarm functionality. Fully enabled for control and operation over IP and serial networks, the series combines a thermal imaging camera with a colour CCD camera.

TCP/IP compatible electronics are integrated in the camera.

This also means that the cameras can now be can be mounted in ball up and ball down position, giving users more flexibility.

The FC-Series S is a network-ready fixed-mount camera.

The camera is available in 320 × 240 and high-resolution 640 × 480 formats. The FC-Series S comply with the ONVIF 2.0 standard and can therefore easily be connected in a network to work together with other sensors.

FLIR Systems Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U239

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 17

WORKPLACE SAFETY

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT FOR MACHINE SAFETY © www.sxc.hu/sougata

Morand Fachot, IEC etech

Equipment such as machine tools and robots has been used extensively in a variety of manufacturing sectors for decades. Individuals working with, or in close proximity to, these machines are reliant on their safe operation for protection, as are nearby installations.

A

ny industrial machine that may cause accidents must be safeguarded. The addition of electrical equipment such as electromechanical sensors and switches that can activate safeguarding mechanisms - to keep operators at a safe distance or halt operation automatically in case of danger - can prevent accidents occurring or reduce their severity.

Among the many IEC TCs that prepare International Standards for these devices, IEC TC 44 is notable as it aims to protect users from the risks posed by all kinds of machines by preparing standards for electrical equipment associated with machinery.

Industrial machines may be powered by kinetic, electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic energy. Whatever the source, there are often similar safety issues. By adding electrical equipment, individuals can be prevented from coming too close to, or interfering with, machinery in operation. The addition also enables machines to be shut down in case of malfunction or failure. The added equipment may help prevent injuries or even death occurring.

International Standards developed by TC 44 include general and specific requirements for different types of electrical equipment used with machines. They may concern indication, marking and actuation - including visual, acoustic and tactile signals - as well as the location and operation of actuators.

TC 44 International Standards also cover ESPE (electro-sensitive protective equipment), such as various kinds of AOPDs (active optoelectronic protective devices) and other equipment designed to detect human presence. TC 44 was created in 1957 to develop safety-related standards for electrical equipment associated with industrial machines, particularly machine tools and large machinery. Its present activities comprise three main elements: preparation of International Standards relating primarily to non-portable electrotechnical equipment and machinery systems, including machinery assemblies; preparation of International Standards for electrotechnical equipment and systems relating to the protection of persons from specific machinery hazards, taking into account a

18 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

coordinated systems approach; coordination with ISO (International Organization for Standardization) on all matters concerning the safety of machinery.

The following technology tends have an impact on the TC’s work: safety functions; functional safety, including software; development and application of smart sensors; remote diagnostics of plant and equipment; use of communication networks (bus systems) for machinery safety-related control functions; cableless control; switching devices on semiconductor basis.

Market trends also drive safety considerations. Industrial machines are not produced, traded and operated in a single country but globally. International customers expect to be presented with common solutions that can be used in several countries. This allows them to harmonise their sites and plants globally to rationalise their production procedures and to save costs through the globally organised purchase of production equipment. These TC 44 International Standards are increasingly applicable worldwide.

For developing International Standards covering a wide range of equipment, TC 44 is organised into 4 WGs (Working Groups), one Project Team that looks at requirements for the electrical equipment for machine tools, 7 MTs (Maintenance Teams) for existing standards, and a JWG (Joint Working Group) with ISO TC 199: Safety of machinery.

TC 44 aims to keep its International Standards up to date to reflect new and changing technologies and to ensure they are state of the art at the time they are drafted. It states that it will work with ISO TC 199 to merge IEC 62061 and ISO 13849-1 into a dual logo IEC/ISO standard. As industrialisation extends to more and more countries, and automation is introduced to all sectors, the safety of industrial machines, which are traded on a global scale, becomes ever more important. The work of IEC TC 44 experts, which is constantly being updated and expanded, will, therefore, remain essential to ensure that the safe operation of machinery throughout the world continues to increase.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

AUDIO VISUAL IT

INTEGRATE TO COMBINE CEDIA EXPO AND INFOCOMM INTERNATIONAL Integrate will return to the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre from 27 to 29 August 2013. This year’s show, delivered in association with InfoComm International and incorporating the CEDIA (the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) Asia Pacific Expo, will showcase the latest in integrated AV IT and electronic systems.

F

or the first time, Integrate will bring the commercial and residential sectors together in one complete industry event to create Australasia’s most influential hub for networking, education and technological innovation.

The new-look event will showcase the latest industry trends and technologies in AV IT for the education, government, corporate, healthcare, venues and events, retail and worship sectors, alongside the very best in residential technology including audio, video, lighting, entertainment, home networking, energy management, automation and more.

The show will host more than 500 brands, including AMX, Extron, Hills SVL Group, Kramer, LG, Jands, Production Audio Video Technology, Alloys International, Kordz and Philips Dynalite.

InfoComm University will return in 2013, bringing the latest global trends and insights from InfoComm 2013 in Florida, with a series of seminars and manufacturer forums. This year’s program will culminate with a keynote from InfoComm’s new Executive Director and DEO Dave Labuskes.

20 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

In addition, CEDIA training will offer three days of education, certification and manufacturer product training from industry experts, including: John Dahl, Director of Education at THX Ltd; Chris McGowen, Senior Consultant at Len Wallis Audio; and Clare Ward, CEDIA Asia Pacific Executive Director.

For the very first time in the event’s history, Integrate 2013 will present a series of real-life application simulations on the show floor, where visitors can experience technology working in situ.

Back by popular demand, the Technologies for Worship Pavilion - sponsored by Technologies for Worship Magazine - will provide technicians, volunteers and house of worship staff with the chance to participate in a series of workshops and seminars.

With the biggest show floor in its history, event organisers say Integrate 2013 is the definitive industry event in the Southern Hemisphere.

Free online registration and more information is available at www.integrate-expo.com.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

C S a t a d s m m Co olleen) (c

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 21

CASE STUDY

Prysmian installs HVAC cables for 660 MW Hudson project

T

elecom cable systems company Prysmian Group has

The Hudson Project is of strategic importance for the City

achieved ‘substantial completion’ of the underground

of New York where energy load is constantly increasing. Now

and submarine power link between New York City

it can help replace resources that may be retired over the next

and the New Jersey transmission grid known as the

several years as well as strengthen the overall reliability of the

Hudson Project. The link is now in commercial operation.

power supply system in NYC as a long-term infrastructure asset.

Under a contract worth in excess of $175m awarded by

It is also expected to provide New York City customers access

Hudson Transmission Partner in November 2011 as part of a

to more diverse sources of power, including renewable sources

larger contract awarded to the consortium of Prysmian and

and natural gas.

The project is the second major power transmission

supply and installation of a 345 kV high voltage alternate current

infrastructure project built by Prysmian in the New York and New

(HVAC) land and submarine transmission line running along a

Jersey areas in recent years, following the 2007 completion of

total route of approximately 13 km to transfer 660 MW of existing

the 500 kV Neptune project. In the US, also, in 2010, Prysmian

power from the transmission grid in Ridgefield, New Jersey to

completed successfully the construction of the Trans Bay Cable

New York City. Siemens built the back-to-back converter station

project, a 200 kV HVDC submarine power link between the cities

located in Ridgefield, NJ.

of Pittsburg, CA and San Francisco.

© www.sxc.hu/manisi

Siemens Energy, the Group was responsible for the design,

Prysmian installed a bundle of three high-voltage submarine

“We are proud of this new achievement that sums up to our

cables and two optical fibre data transmission cables under a

already long-standing track record of activity in New York City,”

portion of the Hudson River using its own cable-laying ship Giulio

stated Marcello Del Brenna, CEO of Prysmian Powerlink, “from

Verne. The submarine cable system was buried in a bundle below

the first high-voltage underground cables in the early 30s to

the river bottom at depths ranging from 10 to 15 feet using the

the more recent state-of-the-art submarine interconnections.”

Prysmian-designed hydro-plow machine. The submarine cables

North America represents a key area for the Group. “We are

were produced at Prysmian’s Arco Felice, Italy, plant.

strongly committed to support the development of the entire

All high-voltage land cables were produced at Prysmian’s VCV

region’s electrical infrastructure with unprecedented efforts as

factory in Abbeville, South Carolina, and installed by Prysmian’s

the Group’s prompt intervention at the Bayway refinery located

installation services group located in New Jersey. The Prysmian

on New York Harbour in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

US content in the project was completed by the supply and

demonstrated,” remarked Hakan Ozmen, CEO of Prysmian Group

installation of land fibre cables produced in the Lexington fibre-

North America.

optic cabling facility. In New York City, the underground cable system was installed under city streets for approximately 0.64

Prysmian Cables & Systems Australia Pty Ltd

km to the ConEd West 49th Street substation.

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U443

22 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Š www.sxc.hu/martwork

DATA CABLING

TOP OF RACK VERSUS STRUCTURED CABLING

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for data centre cabling. To make the decision-making process easier for data centre professionals, CIOs and IT managers, the Communications Cable and Connectivity Association details the pros and cons of structured cabling versus top of rack.

D

ata centre cabling configuration choices are impacted by a number of factors including the need to lower power consumption and ensure efficient cooling of critical equipment, as well as by budget constraints and management structure. Below are some factors to consider.

System design and topology When the first data centres were built, end user terminals were connected via point-to-point connections. This was a viable option for small computer rooms with no foreseeable need for growth or reconfiguration. As computing needs increased and new equipment was added, these point-to-point connections resulted in cabling chaos with associated complexity and higher cost. In response, data centre standards like TIA-942-A and ISO 24764 recommended a hierarchical structured cabling infrastructure for connecting equipment. Instead of point-to-point connections, structured cabling uses distribution areas that provide flexible, standards-based connections between equipment, such as connections from switches to servers, servers to storage devices and switches to switches.

With today’s high-performance servers and virtualisation, more applications can be delivered from a single rack of servers than

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

ever before. In response, several switch manufacturers recommend a top of rack (ToR) configuration where smaller (1RU to 2RU) edge switches are placed in the top of each server rack (or cabinet) and connect directly to the servers in the rack via short preterminated small form factor pluggable (eg, SFP+ and QSFP) twinaxial cable assemblies, active optical cable assemblies or RJ45 modular patch cords.

ToR significantly increases the number of switches and reduces the initial amount of structured cabling. It is often recommended for its rack-at-a-time deployment, ability to limit the use of copper cabling within racks, support for east-west (ie, server-toserver) traffic and rack-level management capabilities. Both TIA 942-compliant structured cabling and ToR have advantages and disadvantages. When selecting the cabling configuration to best meet the needs of the data centre, it is important to examine the impact that structured cabling and ToR have on overall total cost of operations, as well as other trade-offs.

Manageability considerations With structured cabling, patch panels that mirror switch ports and server ports connect to corresponding panels in one or more central patching areas or zones via permanent (or fixed)

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 23

DATA CABLING

links. Also referred to as distribution areas, these patching areas may be located at the end or in the middle of a row of cabinets. Moves, adds and changes (MACs) are accomplished by repositioning patch cord or fibre jumper connections at the central patching area. The fixed portion of the channel remains unchanged and switches and equipment are left untouched and secure. This creates an ‘any-to-all’ configuration where any switch port can be connected to any equipment port. Furthermore, structured cabling can be field terminated to any length to maintain a clean, slack-free appearance.

In a ToR configuration, switches at the top of each rack connect directly to the servers in the same rack, requiring all changes to be made within each individual rack (or cabinet). This eliminates the use of central patching and reduces the amount of structured cabling in the data centre. MACs in a ToR configuration can be more complicated and time consuming - especially in large data centres with hundreds of cabinets. Changes must be made in individual racks or cabinets, rather than at one convenient central patching area. Identifying the specific rack or cabinet requiring the change can be a complicated process.

ToR can be a solution for data centres where individual racks of servers and their corresponding switches need to be managed as their own entity or segregated by application.

ToR does not allow network administrators to keep switches separate from server administrators, which can be problematic when these groups manage switches and servers separately and when switches must remain protected for security purposes.

equipment upgrades. The core physical layer infrastructure or the fixed portion of the cabling channel is typically installed once, as long as the minimum standards recommended fibre and copper cabling are used.

In a ToR configuration using small form factor pluggable twinaxial cable assemblies, distance between the switches and the servers is limited to a length of seven metres in passive mode. While this is not a problem if each rack will always be managed as an individual unit, these short lengths can restrict the location of equipment if needs change. Structured cabling lengths can be up to 100 metres, allowing flexible equipment placement.

Interoperability concerns

Interoperability and the open systems concept is the ‘bedrock’ of cabling industry standards. Data centre managers expect and value interoperability to fully leverage their existing cabling investment by ensuring performance and a competitive market regardless of which vendors’ equipment and cable designs are selected.

Unfortunately, some switch vendors now require their proprietary cable assemblies for connecting ToR switches to servers when using small form factor pluggable twinaxial cable assemblies. Some ToR switches are designed to check vendor security IDs on cables and either display errors or prevent ports from functioning when connected to an unsupported vendor ID. While this helps ensure that vendor-approved cable assemblies are used with corresponding electronics, it can limit data centre Scalability and upgrade considerations design options by locking data centre managers into a propriA widespread switch upgrade with ToR impacts many more etary solution. This is a substantial change from the industry switches than with structured cabling and requires equipment standards-based fibre connectivity and copper connectivity at the network core to have the port densities and bandwidth successfully deployed in data centres for decades. capacity to support the increased number of switches. An individThird-party independent testing by University of New Hampual switch upgrade with shire’s Interoperability Lab structured cabling can inBECAUSE TOR SMALL FORM FACTOR PLUGGABLE TWINAXIAL (UNH IOL) proves that pascrease connection speeds CABLE ASSEMBLIES ARE TYPICALLY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN sive small form factor plugto multiple servers across gable twinaxial cable assemCOPPER PATCH CORDS IN A STRUCTURED CABLING SYSTEM, COSTS several racks in the data blies from cabling vendors CAN ESCALATE EVEN FURTHER DURING UPGRADES AS SOME pass interoperability testing centre. An upgrade to an individual ToR switch imEQUIPMENT VENDORS REQUIRE USE OF THEIR CABLE ASSEMBLIES with several vendors’ ToR proves connection speed switches that are designed AND FORCE CABLE UPGRADES WITH EQUIPMENT UPGRADES. to only the servers in to display errors. These tests that rack. demonstrate that proprietary ToR switches using short-distance, small form factor plug- cables are not necessarily required. This may not be the case gable twinaxial cable assemblies cannot support autonegotiation. for switches designed to actually prevent ports from functionBecause the twisted-pair cabling used with structured cabling ing altogether when connected to an unsupported vendor ID. is backwards compatible, it supports autonegotiation where individual ports can switch between a 10 and 1 gigabit opera- Maintenance, equipment and cabling cost tion depending on the connected equipment. Autonegotiation With a ToR switch in every cabinet (or two for dual primary enables partial switch or server upgrades on an as-needed and secondary networks), the total number of switch ports basis, enabling a cost-effective migration over time. Without depends on the total number of cabinets in the data centre, autonegotiation, a switch upgrade requires all equipment con- rather than on the actual number of switch ports needed to nected to that switch to be upgraded simultaneously, incurring support the equipment. This can nearly double the amount of switches and power supplies required, compared to structured full upgrade costs all at once.

Because ToR small form factor pluggable twinaxial cable cabling. Unlike passive structured cabling, ToR switches require assemblies are typically more expensive than copper patch power and ongoing maintenance. cords in a structured cabling system, costs can escalate even further during upgrades as some equipment vendors require Communications Cable and Connectivity Association use of their cable assemblies and force cable upgrades with www.cccassoc.org

24 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Fibre testing The JDSU MTS-4000 with ODTR module E4136FCOMP-MA combine together to create a powerful unit for fundamental fibrequalification tests, including bidirectional testing, IL/ORL tests and acceptance testing. The unit is said to cut testing time significantly, with fewer connections and disconnections, automatic continuity check and an intelligent fault finder.

The unit is available to rent.

Included with the unit is the P5000i Fiber Scope and FiberCheckPRO software, which eliminate guesswork and allow fast, easy and objective testing. The Fiber Scope and FiberCheckPRO software improve quality and flow of work by enabling inspec-

UPS

tion of fibre end face quality at the push of a button and ensure

The Eaton 5S UPS is an affordable power

industry standards are met with an immediate pass/fail analysis.

protection solution for workstations, busi-

The unit features: NBNCo FCOMP auto test sequence; make

ness telephony, network devices and point-

one connection, one-touch automated measurements; real-time

of-sale equipment environments.

continuity check and automatic product pairing; step-by-step

Equipped with an energy rating of 500-1600 VA, the UPS provides effective power protection even in

wizard lets users reference initial IL/ORL tests; manage fibre and cable results.

TechRentals offers a configuration and download service for

disturbed electrical environ-

this product.

ments. Voltage fluctuations

TechRentals

are automatically corrected

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S829

using an AVR device without the requirement for batteries. In addition, the 5S also provides effective protection against damaging surges.

The UPS offers robust p r o t e c t i o n a g a i n s t n e tworked equipment from ‘back door’ power surges entering through ethernet, internet or telephone lines. The system’s periodic, automatic battery testing ensures early detection if a battery needs to be

MTP patch panel

replaced.

Warren and Brown Technologies’ high-density MTP patch panel is designed

All models come bundled with a USB

to accommodate up to 120 LC connections within a 1U panel. The panel

cable for PC connection and are compat-

accepts up to five high-density MTP/MPO modules of up to 24 LC connec-

ible with Eaton UPS power management

tions each, giving a total capacity of 120 fibre connections in only 1RU.

software. The compact UPS can be in-

Each module accepts incoming fibres from either MTP trunk cables or

stalled vertically over or under a desk or

breakout cables. The plug-and-play MTP/MPO cabling system utilises all

horizontally under a screen.

pre-connectorised products so no field splicing is required.

Eaton Industries Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U409

The subrack is purchased separately and MTP cassettes are purchased as required according to cabling requirements.

The panel is available with any connector interface: SC, LC, LC Duplex, Quad, etc. It is available in multimode OM3 and OM4, as well as singlemode OS2.

Warren & Brown Technologies Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U408

26 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

©iStockphoto.com/Banks Photos

NETWORK TESTING

TESTING IN THE ENTERPRISE: HOW HARD CAN IT BE?

Tim Jefferson General Manager, Enterprise Solutions, Spirent

You get a patch or an upgrade for your firewall from the vendor. They say it fixes that one problem that’s been bugging you for the last few months. But you can’t just install the update, right? You have to test it first.

N

o problem. You upgrade the backup firewall, throw together a few scripts to hit it with traffic and use a packet sniffer to make sure the right stuff comes out the other end. Simple, right? Maybe not.

Before you go live, you have to make sure that the patch: 1. fixes the problem, 2. doesn’t break anything else, and 3. still gives you the throughput and performance you need.

Will your script verify the function and performance of all the features your organisation depends on? Will it generate stateful TCP conversations? Both inbound and outbound traffic flows? SSL in an HTTPS flow?

As you dig deeper, you find more questions than answers. If you find a problem, will your vendor accept the results of your homegrown test scripts? How do you know the problem isn’t with your scripts instead of the device? For example, can you demonstrate how much transaction latency is created by the traffic generation process and how much by the firewall?

The testing process is more than just discovering performance limits. Testing is about delivering the assurance and confidence that a sys-

28 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

tem will perform at a given level. At the core of testing is the concept of acceptance, which can be achieved by testing for real-world scenarios.

Vendor data sheets promise that their network devices will perform at very high speeds. However, real-world performance depends on how the device is used - what the actual traffic flows are on the hardware and software in use. And despite what the data sheet says, one thing you know for sure: they didn’t test it on your network.

Your network was designed specifically to address the needs of your organisation, its geographic reach, its mix of users, applications and mission-critical processes, its requirements for response time, throughput, redundancy and failover.

Enterprise network and application testing: how hard can it be? Actually, if you have the right tools, it can be fairly painless.

For more information on how to tame the complexity of testing in the enterprise, download the Spirent white paper, New Ideas for Enterprise Testing.

Matrium Technologies Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T099

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/Devonyu

POE IS MORE THAN JUST REMOTE POWERING Scott Penno, Australia Country Manager, Allied Telesis, looks at how power over ethernet (PoE) can benefit SMEs and argues that it’s about far more than pushing power through LAN cables.

T

he ethernet has been connecting PCs, servers, switches and printers for more than four decades. In the space of 40 years, it has undergone a remarkable series of evolutions that have enabled it to deliver so much more - opening the way for applications such as keyless entry systems, videoconferencing, IP security cameras and voice over IP (VoIP) to mention but a few.

The network is now busier than ever and while the organisations are maximising all available bandwidth, they are not necessarily maximising power efficiency.

Not many businesses recognise that PoE

30 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

is capable of far more than simply feeding power down a cable. It offers a range of advantages including cost and power savings, business continuity, improved control and better system backup.

Cost savings One of the main benefits of PoE is the cost savings. Using ethernet to deliver power reduces the time and cost of installing separate cabling, AC (alternating current) outlets and wall sockets. Plus it eliminates the need for a dedicated UPS for individual devices connected to the ethernet.

Green credentials Whether motivated by environmental concerns or rising energy costs, most business users have good intentions to ‘go green’ and reduce power consumption.

We’ve made some headway, as evidenced by the increasing number of people who turn the lights off as they leave their office in the evening. Yet the vast majority of people don’t think twice about leaving phone chargers or laptop power adaptors plugged in, even when the device is not using the power source.

How many offices can switch off networking or networked equipment like wire-

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

CABLING

A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER CAN MAKE POWER-RATIONING DECISIONS CENTRALLY FOR ALL POE DEVICES BY CONFIGURING THROUGH THE SWITCHES. IN THE CASE OF A FULLY INTEGRATED SYSTEM WHERE POE IS USED TO POWER ACCESS POINTS AND DOOR ENTRY AND INTERCOM SYSTEMS, SMES CAN DEVELOP A MANAGEMENT SYSTEM INTELLIGENT ENOUGH TO POWER DOWN POE DEVICES WHEN THE PROPERTY IS EMPTY.

less access points, IP phones or surveillance cameras? Probably one in a million. This is where PoE comes into picture. PoE-powered devices can be powered on or off remotely, giving far greater control while maintaining the level of high security that devices like surveillance cameras need. Powering off selected devices ensures you only pay for power that you’re actually using.

PoE can provide power to VoIP phones for emergency use and enables a business owner to power down phones at selected times simply by using software controls, saving the business energy and money.

Take, for example, a company with 200 employees using VoIP phone systems across the business. Each phone handset consumes between 2 and 7 W of power each day when not in use. If the business uses PoE to power down equipment for 12 hours overnight, on weekends and during personal and public holidays, it could save as much as 8736 kWh over the course of a year. In the process, it would reduce the company’s annual power bills by more than $2500.

Access to difficult locations PoE-powered devices require less cabling compared to AC-powered devices. They are, therefore, easier to install and replace, and more convenient to use. What’s more, fewer cables results in a cleaner look. With a PoE adaptor there’s no need for an AC outlet at the location of the endpoint.

PoE also provides easier access to hard-to-reach locations or where there is a lack of space for power deployment, such as external walls or interior ceilings.

In locations such as this, a business won’t have AC power, but may have devices that require power. PoE eliminates the need for high-voltage cabling.

Maintaining an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) Nobody wants to run the risk of losing business data, which is why most businesses carefully protect their access to traditional power through the deployment of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices.

What is not so widely realised is that with

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

PoE, businesses can use UPSs to protect much more than a server.

Consider an IP phone system. In the event of a power cut, all IP phones plugged into a wall outlet will lose power. If the endpoints are powered through a central PoE switch, however, and if the PoE is plugged into a UPS, power is maintained and the system is protected.

Control over power and the network It’s a fact of life that at some stage IT equipment may stop working and enter a state where it cannot listen to NMS commands. This is where PoE boasts significant advantages over AC. When PoE-powered equipment hangs, the IT administrator has greater control and can easily power cycle the equipment.

PoE also enables better control over the network. A small business owner can make power-rationing decisions centrally for all PoE devices by configuring through the switches. In the case of a fully integrated system where PoE is used to power access points and door entry and intercom systems, SMEs can develop a management system intelligent enough to power down PoE devices when the property is empty.

Futureproofing the network With standards improving all the time, devices are becoming more energy efficient and networks are becoming more powerful. The result? We’re not that far off being able to manage and power the entire IT system from servers to user devices as a single entity. That’s great news for resource-stretched SMEs or for organisations where people regularly leave their power supplies plugged in, draining power even when their laptop battery is fully charged.

PoE will continue to gain momentum as additional compatible devices are developed and new applications emerge.

Allied Telesis International (Aust) Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U202

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 31

NEW PRODUCTS

Industrial ethernet switches with priority ports

Touch-screen HMIs

Advantech EKI-3000 se-

The Delta Electronics DOP-B series touch-screen HMIs

ries industrial unmanaged

are 65K colour TFT screens offering high performance

switches are claimed to

and an economical user interface for automation and

be the first to market with

control applications.

dedicated priority ports

The HMIs are available in six sizes from a nominal

and offer up to 60% reduc-

4.7″ up to 10″ and with a number of versions including

tion in power consumption

built-in ethernet and high-resolution wide screen. All

and smart diagnostics. The

screens are supplied as standard with serial commu-

switches support gigabit

nications interface (RS232/RS485-422) and USB client,

data transmission, making

with larger screens providing USB host, SD memory

them suitable for a range

card and optional ethernet. Up to four communication

of industrial automation functions.

interfaces can be used simultaneously and it provides

Priority ports prioritise the traffic coming over the ports and delay data that is less immediately necessary over the remaining ports. This can be useful in high bandwidth applications such as video streaming where latency could cause problems.

In energy-sensitive applications where power consumption is a factor, these switches come with advanced power-saving functions that save up to 60% on power consumption by shutting down ports that have no link and budgeting power based on the length of the ethernet cable. This is part of the IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Standard.

The switches are available with 5- or 8-port ethernet switches in both 10/100 and gigabit versions. For applications that do not require the benefits of gigabit

seamless communication with Delta PLCs, VSDs and

ethernet but still require priority ports, energy saving and

servo drives in addition to supporting over 20 other

quick diagnostics, Advantech has available the EKI-3525

brands of PLC. The multilingual display provides up

and EKI-3528 models which have 10/100 Mbps ports.

to 16 languages, enabling equipment manufacturers

Advantech Australia Pty Ltd

to easily tailor the screen for different markets without

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U413

the need to reprogram or design.

Screen design and configuration is achieved with DOPsoft editing software with a wide choice of element icons, a user-friendly tool bar and flexible recipe function. It also offers screen management and multiscreen editing. The Delta eServer data collection software allows transfer of production data via ethernet into user-defined Excel files and Delta eRemote software allows viewing and monitoring of the HMI screen on a remote PC via ethernet and remote control of processes. All of the Delta software is provide free of charge.

Mechtric Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U181

www.krausnaimer.com.au SYDNEY MELBOURNE Tel: (02) 9797 7333 Tel: (03) 9720 9777 Fax: (02) 9797 0092 Fax: (03) 9720 9766

BRISBANE ADELAIDE Tel: (07) 3252 8344 Tel: (08) 8371 1443 Fax: (07) 3252 1497 Fax: (08) 8371 0901

Linked with an Australian Wide Distribution Network

32 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

CASE STUDY

Fire-resistant cable technology to improve safety

C

able manufacturer Olex, in partnership with CSIRO, has developed a new technology for making fire-resistant electrical cables.

An Australian-developed plastic cable coating material that transforms into fireproof ceramic in a blaze has the potential to be a genuine lifesaver. Ceramifying polymers have a host of potential applications in fire prevention in buildings, ships, vehicles and industrial and defence equipment. The story began when Olex Australia challenged the multidisciplinary CRC for Polymers team to design a revolutionary fire-resistant electrical cable that could keep electricity flowing in a fire at temperatures above 1000°C. Conventional polymers (a type of plastic), which cover electrical wiring, typically melt between 100 and 200°C and disintegrate completely at about 300°C. The solution was to combine the properties of a polymer with those of a ceramic, allowing the standard operation of the system under normal conditions, while transforming to a ceramic in the event of a fire. As the polymer melts and disintegrates in the heat, at the same time the ceramic forms a solid protective insulating layer, preventing short circuits and enabling circuit integrity. During a fire, the cable’s ceramic insulation maintains the integrity and continuity of circuits for building safety systems such as emergency lighting, alarms, pumps and fans that are vital for safe evacuation and firefighting.

In the event of a fire, this unique technology will significantly

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

improve safety. The cables’ ceramic shield maintains the integrity and continuity of circuits for essential services such as alarms, pumps and fans that are vital for safe evacuation and firefighting.

When these cables are exposed to fire, the polymer melts. But instead of disintegrating, additives within the plastic react during combustion and solidify to form a ceramic layer over underlying electrical wires.

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 33

NEW PRODUCTS

Infrared temperature sensor Temperatures up to 1350°C can be easily measured with the infrared temperature sensor from ifm efector. It is also equipped with an integrated display and operating unit. Easy pushbutton programming ensures quick use. Additionally, the sensor features scratch-resistant precision lenses for minimum sensitivity to scattered light.

Infrared temperature measurement is used where temperatures can only be measured indirectly (ie, without contact). The sensors detect infrared radiation emitted and convert them to an output signal. If the detected temperature is above the set switching threshold, the switching output is set and the switching status of the LED is displayed.

The switching thresholds and output configurations can be set and be easily reproduced by means of the button and the display.

Clearly visible LEDs always indicate the switching status. During operation, the display shows the current measured value percent.

All three types have a high-quality precision lens, which is a prerequisite for precise switching. The lens withstands rough environments, eg, steelworks. ifm efector pty ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T210

Table for technicians The TechTable from Tech Innovations Australia is a technician table designed specifically for the telecommunications industry. Designed by technicians for technicians, the TechTable provides a holistic work space solution and addresses all the tasks installers perform each day.

The TechTable’s features improve a technician’s efficiency, performance and comfort, providing up to a 24% increase in daily productivity and drastically eliminating manual handling risks associated with terminating LAN infrastructure cabling.

The table’s features include a flexible design for easy daily transport, padded carry bag and a set-up time of less than a minute. The TechTable dimensions have been engineered to address tight work spaces in cluttered computer rack environments, telecommunications rooms and data centres.

Efficiency and performance are improved as technicians are able to: mount a patch panel to the table for faster loading and consistent terminations, feed cables into supplied cable guides for easy and accurate cable cutting, tie the cables with assistance from incorporated cable tie assembly points, terminate cables on a patch panel premounted in a horizontal stable position, operate 110 punch down and other tools on a strong anti-recall surface. The tedious task of terminating cables becomes up to 24% faster and more consistent. Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A and Cat7 copper and all fibre cables can be terminated with supplied TechTable accessories.

The TechTable also comes with a strong, attachable, hard top which, when mounted, provides a good-sized working platform for accurate splicing of fibre cables, easy polishing, testing and all other tasks. The TechTable incorporates a large tool tray to keep required tools organised and within regular reach.

The TechTable claims to reduce common manual handling risks, neck pain, shoulder pain and lower back pain that occurs while repetitively terminating data cabling on a daily basis. The TechTable is specifically designed at variable optimum manual handling working heights, allowing all technicians to perform tasks at waist height and easily rotate between standing and seated positions. The TechTable is also height adjustable, allowing technicians to terminate at their comfortable height.

Tech Innovations Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T332

34 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Standardised, certified modular data centre Rittal’s RiMatrix S, a standardised, certified modular data centre, is an alternative to individual data centre construction, reducing the planning and implementing costs of traditional data centres.

The data centre is claimed to have a delivery time of six weeks, as a consequence of the data centre modules’ high level of standardisation. RiMatrix S is assigned in blocks.

If the server modules are used in conjunction with a cooling unit from Rittal, the system reportedly offers a PUE (power usage effectiveness) of up to 1.15. For each kilowatt of power that the servers take up, 15% of additional energy is used; for instance, for climate control and uninterruptible power supply, Rittal says.

The system is flexible: users can connect their own resources via the clearly defined transfer points for energy, climate control and network. According to Rittal, if the data centre is installed in the user’s facilities, all the components are in the correct order and can be mounted immediately, giving a functioning infrastructure that allows applications and services to be used within a short time. This can minimise the time to market.

The modules are available in versions with six (Single 6) or nine (Single 9) server racks, which can be combined to form larger units. It draws on the existing Rittal IT modular product line, incorporating predefined modules, including server and network enclosures, climate control and power supply.

Administrators can use the same monitoring and control tools with each RiMatrix S module, even if the modules are mounted at different locations. This can reduce training time, make service and IT management easier and free up administrator resources.

Rittal offers a RiMatrix S Configurator on its website, where clients can calculate whether speed, installation and standardised processes outweigh any possible disadvantages from the reduced customisation.

Rittal Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U405

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 35

NEW PRODUCTS

NECA attracts and rewards young talent Barry Jackson The electrical industry, like most industries, is witnessing rapid technological advancements. Given the fast pace of change, it’s important for electrical contractors to learn new skills to keep up with the demands of the job. Contractors are increasingly assessing opportunities to improve their business and financial skills and we, at NECA, are constantly looking at ways to further improve the training our apprentices receive.

The association is not only helping contractors stay informed and competitive but it is also playing a role in encouraging young students to join the challenging and rapidly changing industry. NECA has a number of initiatives, specifically targeting at school leavers, to attract the talent early. One such initiative is supporting the Australian Government publication, Job Guide, for Year 10 students. NECA also supports the Guide to Your Career wall chart which is distributed free of charge to the career advisers and counsellors at all secondary schools and reaches up to 175,000 Year 12 students. The association also runs a School Students Awards program. The aim of this program is to acknowledge students with considerable talent or passion for the electrical and communications industry, while also demonstrating the range of career options the industry can offer.

There are two categories of awards: • Commitment to Industry - this category is targeted towards those students following a school-based apprenticeship or similar vocational path who have demonstrated a keen commitment to pursuing an electrical career.

• Innovation - this category includes students who have demonstrated excellence in electrical-related categories and have developed innovative solutions to challenges.

These awards are open to students enrolled in years 9, 10, 11 and 12 at a secondary school in Australia. Principals, teachers and industry representatives are invited to nominate students.

The winners receive up to $1000 with the overall winners in each category receiving a travel allowance for themselves and a guardian to attend the event.

Separately, NECA also hosts the Trade Teacher Awards program to recognise the critical role played by trade teachers. The awards are open to teachers currently employed by either a public or private registered training organisation and who teach technical subjects as part of the Electrical Trades course. In this program, the teachers must be nominated by a colleague, team leader or a head of department.

The nominees are assessed in three key areas: excellence in teaching, innovative practice and client satisfaction - both learners and employers. The winner receives $5000 made up of both cash and professional development allowance. This year’s winner will be announced in conjunction with NECA’s National Apprentice Awards in Sydney on 27 November 2013.

If you know someone who might be eligible for these awards, request them to go to www.neca.asn.au for more information.

And if you’re a contractor wanting to improve your business skills, please speak to our membership teams to see what courses are currently available. www.neca.asn.au

Online cable testing system EA Technology has launched an instrument for identifying defects in live cables of distribution voltages. The CableData Collector works by testing for partial discharge (PD) activity - small discharges that result in damage to the cable, and if left unattended will lead to insulation failure.

The instrument quickly detects PD activity in live cables by measuring radiofrequency currents. It works with most types of single- and three-phase insulated cables at distribution voltages, up to several kilometres in length.

Information about PD activity is recorded by the CableData Collector hardware and can be sent to EA Technology for expert analysis.

Alternatively, users can purchase EA Technology’s software package to perform their own data analysis. In either case, they will have access to clear reports on cables affected by PD activity and recommendations for remedial action.

CableData Collector instruments are supplied as complete, readyto-use kits, with radiofrequency current transformers (RFCTs), cabling, USB-powered data collection unit and carry case, together with optional software, training and factory technical support. Kits are also available for rental, or EA Technology engineers can provide cable testing as a site service.

EA Technology www.eatechnology.com

I/O modules The SafetyBridge I/O modules from Phoenix Contact expand the network-independent SafetyBridge system in terms of flexibility, functionality and application areas. The modules include a safe input module with added inputs, as well as a new logic module with extensive functional upgrades.

The logic module can now communicate with up to 16 remote safe I/O modules. Together with the input modules featuring 16 safe inputs each, a SafetyBridge island can encompass up to 256 safe inputs.

Up to 31 such islands can be operated from a standard control unit.

These systems are able to exchange safety signals with each other.

SafetyBridge technology is therefore suitable for installation in largescale and modularly structured machines and systems.

There are 14 different safe function modules in total, ranging from a simple emergency stop through to various muting blocks. The safety solution is independent from the network and the control units, which makes it flexible when it comes to integrating functional safety into machines and systems. The safe modules mixed with non-safety inline I/Os, can be distributed across the network below a range of different standard control units.

Phoenix Contact Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T783

36 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Video encoder solution for large installations The Axis Q7436 video encoder blade and the Axis Q7920 video encoder chassis from Axis Communications are suitable for demanding locations such as airports and railway stations, and for city surveillance.

The solution allows customers with large-scale analog CCTV installations to connect their cameras to an IP network, giving instant access to digital benefits, including intelligent video capabilities, remote access and scalability.

The video encoder blade has support for 60/50 fps, providing smooth video even in high-motion scenes. It delivers multiple, individually configurable video streams from each channel, at full frame rate in all resolutions. Furthermore, this 6-channel video encoder blade offers features such as reduced noise, enhanced sharpness and optimised contrast.

The Axis Q7920 is a rackmount encoder chassis, providing an expandable solution for migrating large-scale analog installations to network video. It holds up to 14 hot-swappable video encoder blades supporting up to 84 analog cameras.

The Axis Q7920 video encoder chassis also maximises reliability with its power and network redundancy. The solution features RJ45 ports as well as SFP slots.

Axis Communications (S) Pte Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U049

Core i7 embedded box PC Interworld Electronics has released the AEC-6877 Intel Core i7/i5/Celeron-based embedded controller from Aaeon. The AEC-6877 is a high-performance standalone embedded PC featuring fanless operation, compact size, robust construction and low power requirements.

AEC-6877 can be supplied with an Intel Celeron B810 1.6 GHz, an i5-2510E 2.7 GHz or an i7-2710QE 2.1 GHz multicore processor to provide a state-ofthe-art embedded computing platform. All AEC-6877 models are equipped with two SODIMM sockets supporting up to 8 GB of DDR3 system memory, two gigabit RJ45 ethernet connectors, four USB 3.0 ports and two RS232 ports for communication. A 2.5″ SATA hard drive can be internally mounted for operating system and data storage while an internal CFast slot supports the next-generation CompactFlash storage cards. Models with one PCI Express (x4) slot or two PCI slots are available.

The AEC-6877 provides up to three independent video outputs via two DisplayPort connectors plus one VGA or one DVI video output. The fanless design of the AEC-6877 reduces the possibility of airborne corrosive or conductive materials entering the system to provide a long-term reliable industrial computing solution.

The AEC-6877 operates from a wide range 9 to 30 VDC supply making the AEC-6877 suitable for embedded vehicle systems as well as digital signage and factory control applications.

Interworld Electronics and Computer Industries Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T422

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 37

NEW PRODUCTS

ACMA cabler competency requirements

Paul Stathis, South Pacific CEO

The changes to the ACMA’s competency requirements for Registered cablers addresses concerns within the cabling industry that cablers may not have the appropriate skills required to perform specialised cabling work (ie, beyond the scope of a base Registration) for the current and emerging cabling environment. This means from July 2014, cablers will need to have the necessary competencies in whatever specialist field of cabling they’re working in.

Until now, specialist cabling such as optical-fibre, coaxial and structured cabling could be installed by Open Registered cablers without any specialist competencies (although these were readily available and cablers were encouraged to acquire them through further education). However, they will no longer be voluntary as of July 2014.

Put simply, if you work on specialist cabling, you’ll need proven competency in that speciality. If you don’t work in a particular speciality, you won’t need that competency. For example, if you install Category 5 or 6 data cabling, you’ll need a Structured Cabling competency added to your Open Registration. If you only install telecommunications cabling, your Open Registration will cover this and you won’t need additional competencies. If you decide to install structured cabling in the future, you will need to acquire that competency.

Consider the following scenarios that best describe your circumstances to determine what you need to do before July 2014: Open Registration with no endorsements: If you’re not installing specialty cabling, you won’t need to do anything extra. Simply maintain your Open Registration and it will remain as is. If you’ll be working on structured, fibre or coax cabling as of July 2014, you’ll need to acquire the appropriate competencies through training and/or assessment.

Open Registration with Cat 5/structured, fibre or coax endorsements: Holding any of these old endorsements means you won’t necessarily need any additional training in that specialty, as they’re equivalent to the corresponding new competencies. When renewing registration after July 2014, your current endorsements will be listed as competencies. To do other specialist cabling, you’ll need to acquire the relevant competencies through training and/or assessment.

Restricted Registration: Restricted cablers must attain the new Broadband competency if they want to perform specialist cabling work. This is for residential premises point-to-point work only and doesn’t apply to Open Registered cablers. Endorsement training modules won’t be recognised after June 2014. To acquire competencies from July 2014, cablers will have to be assessed by registered training organisations (RTOs) as ‘competent’ for cabling specialties.

Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL): RPL processes and decisions are performed by RTOs, who are required by the ACMA to ensure that credit for prior learning - vendor or classroom-based training or industry experience - is accurately mapped to relevant competencies. Cablers with vendor certification should notify the RTO as part of their RPL assessment. Vendors will now have to align their certification training to competencies if they want them ACMA-recognised - as only RTOs will be able to issue formal certifications and statements of attainments.

If you need training to secure competencies, ACMA-approved training providers are listed at: www.brca.asn.au/pdfs/CPR%20 Accredited%20Training%20Providers.pdf. www.bicsi.asn.au

38 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

Modular enclosure solution The xMetering modular enclosure solution, from Bremca, is suitable for commercial, industrial, domestic, indoor and multi-tenancy metering applications.

The enclosures are 625 mm wide and are designed to fit a 600 mm wide insulated meter panel. Other features include: 1.6 mm zincseal steel construction; durable powder-coat cream ripple finish; heights are variable (975, 1300, 1625, 1950 mm) depending on the specifications required.

The system complies with Australian state metering specifications.

Bremca Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U234

USB to serial converters The USO9ML2 and USOPTL4 are USB to serial converters. The USO9ML2 provides a virtual RS232 port while the USOPTL4 is RS422/485 compatible. The converter simply needs to be plugged into an available USB port on a computer or USB hub and the device will show up as an additional COM port in the Windows Device Manager.

Commercial and industrial equipment such as point-of-sale peripherals, medical devices, scientific instrumentation, laboratory equipment and other devices are often used in environments where surges, spikes and ground loops are likely to occur. The built-in 2 kV optical isolation provided by the USO9ML2 and USOPTL4 will protect sensitive equipment used in industrial environments.

Both models provide full-speed (12 Mbps) USB 2.0 support allowing connectivity with modern computer technology. The USO9ML2 RS232 port uses a DB9 male connector wired as a DTE with full hardware handshake support while the USOPTL4 provides screw terminal connections. Dip switches allow the USOPTL4 to be configured for 2- or 4-wire, RS422 or RS485 modes. By supporting both 2-wire RS485 and 4-wire RS422/485 communications, these devices are suitable for applications requiring long-range or multidrop capabilities.

Both converters can handle standard asynchronous data rates up to 460.8 Kbps.

Each unit comes with a 1 m USB cable and a driver disk. Drivers support Windows platforms up to Windows 7 in 32- and 64-bit implementations.

Interworld Electronics and Computer Industries Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U422

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Cost of Generic Downlights

• • • • •

Cost of Barricade

POWER MANAGEMENT

©iStockphoto.com/urbancow

REVEAL THE POTENTIAL OF YOUR POWER NETWORK

As energy-intensive businesses continue to operate in today’s constrained environment, the need for effective energy management is greater than ever. Due to Australia’s strong economic growth, some sectors are still seeing an increase in electrical energy emissions, as shown in the National Greenhouse Accounts released in April.

A

lthough power is a critical element for any business, no matter what industry, it needs to be reliable and economically sustainable. With organisations increasingly using more power, managing it efficiently can be a challenging task. Traditional power-management solutions such as switch gear, circuit breakers and metering devices are all key elements to managing energy usage. However, relying solely on these to keep track of usage could mean that businesses miss the opportunity to run their operations even more efficiently.

Poor power management in a business presents a number of risks. Without a clear understanding of what state the electrical infrastructure is in, there is no visibility of what is happening inside a facility in terms of energy usage. This could lead to reliability issues with power availability if problems are not tracked and monitored, which could have a huge impact on business if power fails.

Additionally, without visibility across the infrastructure, businesses are unable to identify where money is being spent on energy.

Organisations regularly face challenges in maintaining or even increasing profits. Energy is a significant and often overlooked expense that can represent a substantial area of opportunity.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Once energy usage and its related costs are exposed, the potential for releasing large amounts of wasted money can be realised. Reducing these costs can help firms survive tough times in the short term while reducing financial risk and strengthening competitive positioning into the future. Energy management is one approach in which businesses can easily keep track of usage and monitor spending more effectively.

The concept of energy management can be a daunting task, especially when it means moving away from traditional or wellknown tools and systems that are already in place. With multiple elements such as maintaining power system reliability, complying with evolving emissions regulations and reducing the risks posed by volatile energy prices, energy management can seem nearly impossible to achieve.

However, power management doesn’t need to be a difficult task.

Combined solutions are available that allow businesses to improve operational, cost and energy efficiencies, increase reliability and availability of power and improve asset optimisation.

Moving away from traditional power-management tools towards more complete solutions that offer an integrated, fully scalable and

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 41

POWER MANAGEMENT

reliable power-management system allows businesses to improve the electrical distribution system’s reliability, from medium voltage to final distribution. This is done by using advanced software that provides central monitoring, control and analytical functions, combined with customised applications where needed. Opting for a complete mechanical, electrical and digital system that is modular and interoperable allows improved continuity of supply and enhanced safety for people and equipment.

By using the information that these systems provide, businesses have the opportunity to make decisions on how best to minimise costs and energy use without affecting overall business operations. This increases the financial and operational efficiency of an enterprise, which is one of the key limitations of traditional power-management solutions.

When choosing a power-management system, a key consideration is compatibility with third-party systems. Businesses may have some traditional management solutions already in place, so third-party integration should be a priority in order to seamlessly integrate and leverage all systems.

However, not all businesses operate in the same way and infrastructure varies, meaning power-management requirements will be different. It is important that a solution is flexible in order to adapt to unique business requirements as well as the changing environments within organisations.

A key consideration should be to ensure power-management systems are fully integrated, complete solutions that offer flexibility to meet individual business requirements and help solve challenges.

For example, if a data centre was concerned about escalating energy usage, by using a flexible solution it could implement predesigned power-management solutions that include the ability to verify and track power usage effectiveness (PUE), in addition to

resolving issues such as battery maintenance, run-time variations and integration with fuel-management systems. Using an advanced power-management system means the data centre would have the necessary information to identify where and when energy is being used and make informed decisions about the best solutions to reduce power consumption and save money on operating costs.

When considering the capabilities of a power-management system, it is important that businesses are able to quickly and easily monitor, analyse and control the entire network to ensure visibility. Power-management solutions that comprise integrated hardware, communications and software components that unite disparate power infrastructure elements are one way a network can be closely tracked and monitored. By selecting seamless technology that underpins the solutions, both management and front-line personnel have the personalised tools needed to make timely, cost-trimming energy decisions without sacrificing reliability or operational efficiency.

In a world where businesses are constantly searching for a competitive advantage, complete power-management solutions have the ability to support this by providing a more advanced system compared to traditional power-management solutions. When implementing an advanced system, businesses have the potential to achieve energy savings of up to 30%.

Power management is a concern across all industries, and an issue that is unlikely to disappear in the future. It is important for all businesses to be mindful of the power they use, and consider options that give them complete visibility. Not only will it improve on cost savings, benefiting the business overall, but it also means regulations can be adhered to in the future. Schneider Electric (Aust) Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U516

NEW PRODUCTS

Safety alarm The SolaGrid audible alarm is a safety device that alerts solar power users if an earth fault affects an inverter.

The alarm is powered from a 230 VAC singlephase control circuit - 1 A max. A single alarm will

LED downlight

track and alert an earth fault from multiple inverters. The user can then check the inverter displays

Brightgreen has released the D900 v1.5 downlight, which the com-

to determine which inverter carries the fault. The

pany claims has the LED with the highest CRI (95) on the market.

alarm provides both visual (red flashing light) and

CRI, or colour rendering index, rates a light source from 1-100

audible (beeping -74 dB @ 1 m) alarm of a fault

based on how well it illuminates colours. Brightgreen claims the

at the inverter.

enhanced D900 Curve and Cube surpass the brightness of a pre-

The alarm complies with the new AS/NZS

mium 50 W halogen to make interiors look brighter while reducing

5033:2012 Standard (clause 3.4.3). The standard

electricity bills. The operating power of the Curve is 15.7 W. The

stipulates that the external alarm must repeat at

fittings feature 70,000 lifespan and built-in thermal monitoring.

least once per hour until the fault is cleared.

Brightgreen Pty Ltd

Solar Inception Pty Ltd

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T295

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T738

42 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

©iStockphoto.com/Cristian Baitg

NEW ENERGY MANAGEMENT STANDARD

Today, more than ever, reducing energy use is a crucial issue for the success of any business.

Managing energy consumption can help a business beat rising energy costs, comply with greenhouse gas legislation and improve its reputation.

I

SO 50001 is an international standard that equips businesses with the latest best practice in energy management. It was developed by energy management experts from more than 60 countries across the world.

ISO 50001 will help businesses to: • Understand their energy usage.

• Create action plans, targets and energy performance indicators.

• Identify, prioritise and record opportunities for improving energy performance.

• Save money on energy costs.

According to BSI Group, ISO 50001 can help organisations of all types - public sector, governmental, corporations, small or medium-sized businesses across all sectors and countries save money by reducing their energy costs.

Features and benefits of ISO 50001 include: • Reduce costs: reduce energy costs via a structured approach to identifying, measuring and managing energy consumption.

• Reduce GHG emissions: meet current or future voluntary and/or mandatory energy efficiency targets or greenhouse gas emission reduction legislation and stakeholder expectations now and in the future.

• Secure energy supply: understand the business’s energy risk exposure and identify areas of the organisation at greatest risk.

• Improve business performance: drive greater productivity by systematically identifying and prioritising the most

44 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

cost-effective technical solutions and effecting behavioural change to reduce energy consumption.

• Engage top management: position energy management in the boardroom as a key issue for investment.

• Formalise energy policy and objectives: promote an energy management policy and embed energy efficient thinking in the business.

• Integrate your management system: align an energy management system (EnMS) with existing management systems for incremental benefit.

• Drive innovation: develop opportunities for new products and services in the carbon-constrained world of the future.

An effective EnMS provides a business with confidence that it is in control of its significant energy impacts. It demonstrates an innovative and forward-thinking approach to customers and prospective employees.

Like other ISO management system standards, certification to ISO 50001 is possible but not obligatory. According to ISO (International Organization for Standardization), some organisations decide to implement the standard solely for the benefits it provides, while others seek certification to show external parties they have implemented an EnMS. Some sections of ISO 50001 are available to view on www. iso.org.

BSI Management Systems Aust/NZ Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U517

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Plug-in connectors for PV systems Phoenix Contact has introduced Sunclix DC device connectors to their product family for photovoltaic applications. Designed for up to 1500 V and 40 A, the connectors are conceived to address future market requirements and are compatible with all of the connectors belonging to the Sunclix product family.

The preassembled connectors are available with cables in red, blue or black, with lengths up to 350 mm. When installing them in a housing, a positioning groove ensures that the connector profile is uniformly aligned. The device connectors are in compliance with the DIN EN 50521 standard and offer IP68 protection when inserted.

Phoenix Contact Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S076

Energy management software The eXpertPower Plus software from SATEC provides a solution to control and manage energy data. The software provides a web-based interface with applications as well as service orientated architecture that provides customers with the interfaces to incorporate energy data for corporate portals, data mining systems, SCADA and programming interface (API) which allows access to energy data to analyse the user’s data via third-party systems.

Managing energy information is vital for controlling operations and making strategic decisions. Alarms and reports are user definable for many measurable parameters such as volts, amps, watts, vars, demand, power factor, energy data, etc.

The software can interface with third-party metering devices via Modbus protocol. Gas and water meter information can be displayed. Historical trends tools include all the functions for historical analysing and assessment, scroll between time ranges by day, week, monthly along with min/max values.

SATEC (Australia) Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U165

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 45

NEW PRODUCTS

PV string monitoring The Fronius String Control 250/30 DCD DF string monitoring system has been specifically developed to meet the requirements of central inverters. With a current-carrying capacity of 250 A and maximum input voltage of 1 000 V, the device is suitable for the monitoring of photovoltaic systems that use Fronius Agilo inverters.

Module strings can now be professionally monitored and their data compared. Up to 30 module strings can all be connected together on one DC main line. This early fault detection feature prevents loss of yield.

If a problem such as shading, module failure or broken or chafed cabling occurs in one or more strings, the relevant monitor-

PV array DC isolators

ing system informs the opera-

The original enclosed Kraus & Naimer DC isolator has

tor immediately. As the cables

been improved. The 1500 VDC switch disconnector is

are connected directly to the

now available in a larger IP67 enclosure to increase

DC main line (V terminals) installation

space for wiring. The IP67 enclosure is UV resistant and

can be carried out without any special tools. The all-pole

can be mounted sideways with no fear of water ingress.

fuse protection of the strings on the DC side complies with

Fully compliant with IEC60947-3 and AS5033.2012, this

standards in Australia, Great Britain and France.

DC isolator is still available in the original enclosure that

The integrated, externally accessible DC disconnector

was released in 2010, and also a DIN mount version.

ensures safe isolation of the PV generator from the inverter.

With more than double the room inside and new

With a separate DC power supply available as an option, the

improved jumper bridges, the device is now easier

device is suitable for distances of more than 100 m between

to install.

the solar modules and the Fronius monitoring system.

DKSH Australia Pty Ltd

Fronius Australia Pty Ltd

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U518

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T999

LED emergency light The Clevertronics ELIFE economy lifelight is a purposebuilt LED emergency light that uses only 2.2 W power. The units are specially designed using the latest in LED technology and are claimed therefore to deliver superior light output compared to conventional quartz-halogen fittings.

The range delivers: an improved classification of C0=D20 C90=D20 giving an additional 29 m2 coverage; low-cost maintenance, high-performance emergency lighting solution; a slim-profile lamp head that offers aesthetic appeal and suits most applications’ lifetime lamp warranty; tamper resistant, so no dome is required.

Its features include: head size without adaptor plate 95 mm and with adaptor plate 145 mm; coverage of 198 m2 at 2.7 m ceiling height; recessed and surface-mounted versions are available in the range.

Clevertronics Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U386

46 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

48 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

lighting | efficiency | HVAC&R | power quality

TRANSITION TO A LOW -EMISSION FUTURE The HVAC&R industry is often described as a notoriously fragmented - and sometimes invisible or overlooked industry. However, recent developments such as the carbon-equivalent levy and the ever-increasing need to lower emissions have forced the industry to pull together and find its voice. This voice has taken the form of the proposed PRIME Roadmap for HVAC&R, a document that, although still in its early stages, is slated to act as a guide for those who influence the future of HVAC&R - meaning everyone from ‘the man in the van’ to top consulting firms.

T

he proposed PRIME Roadmap for HVAC&R was released earlier this year, during the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) Industry Summit 2013. Compiled by those in the industry for those in the industry, PRIME sets out the main priorities that need to be addressed in order to lower emissions caused by the HVAC&R industry.

In the lead-up to the AIRAH Industry Summit 2013, AIRAH, with the assistance of many of the stakeholders who attended, developed a 150-page draft discussion paper. It was from this discussion paper, says AIRAH CEO Phil Wilkinson, M AIRAH, that a far more important document emerged: that of the proposed PRIME Roadmap for HVAC&R. “PRIME represents the five pathways to transition to a low-emission future for our industry,” Wilkinson says. “All proposed solutions from the discussion paper have been divided into five categories: Professionalism, Regulation, Information, Measurement, and Emission abatement.” Wilkinson agrees that in many ways, the HVAC&R industry

50 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

is still fragmented, a fact that makes progress towards lower emissions much more challenging. In order to overcome this challenge, the industry needs a strategy - which is where PRIME comes in.

“The purpose of PRIME isn’t to immediately solve all of the issues faced by the industry or to mandate the essential steps that the industry must take to be environmentally and commercially effective,” says Wilkinson. “It isn’t that simple. But there is a need for a common voice, an agreed direction and a set of agreed pathways - all of which the draft road map represents.”

The HVAC&R sector is both a significant consumer of energy and contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. An estimated 24% of Australia’s emissions are directly attributable to the built environment.

Of that 24%, HVAC&R services are significant consumers - to the order of 30 to 50%. On top of that, 3-5% of Australian emissions are directly attributable to the refrigeration cold chain; and 1-3% of Australian direct emissions are attributable to refrigerant leakage.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

EFFICIENT HVAC&R

‘Information’ recommends producing a “low-emission HVAC&R street directory” or IP repository, making all validated energy-efficiency information available in the one place. It also covers the need to increase awareness of life-cycle costing and the total-system design approach, as well as recommending training for architects and the development of ammonia-use fact sheets.

PRIME’s ‘Measurement’ category covers benchmarking and rating tools, maintenance records, design standards, and the validation of product claims, among others. Finally, the ‘Emissions Abatement’ section looks at best-practice installation, codes and standards, leakage issues and the whole gamut of how emissions could be scaled down.

THE NEED TO TRANSITION TO LOW-EMISSION HVAC&R HAS BECOME SELF-EVIDENT. BUT IT’S NO LONGER A QUESTION OF ‘WHY’ - THE FOCUS IS NOW ON THE ‘HOW’ AND ‘WHAT’ OF LOW EMISSIONS, WHICH IS WHAT PRODUCED THE PRIME ROADMAP.

©iStockphoto.com/MADDRAT

Wilkinson says that with these figures in mind, it’s clear that the HVAC&R industry needs to make this transition to low-emission practices and technologies. “Governments are demanding it, the environment needs it, and society is expecting it,” says Wilkinson.

The PRIME Roadmap offers a clear and detailed way forward, with executable actions that will lead to lower emissions and a more skilled industry, Wilkinson says. Within the five categories that make up the letters of PRIME, individual actions are ranked by priority and potential for reducing emissions.

Under the ‘Professionalism’ category, PRIME earmarks actions such as the formation of a unified “umbrella group” of industry representatives, as well as the need to invest in group training schemes and more apprenticeships. The ‘Regulation’ category covers actions such as logbook programs and shared intellectual property (IP), as well as mandatory coefficient of performances (CoPs), among others.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

But pulling such a comprehensive document together wasn’t easy.

In the lead-up to the summit, AIRAH asked industry stakeholders to comment on the industry issues raised in the draft discussion paper created earlier in the year, and to focus on potential solutions. “From there, these solutions were then allocated into the five PRIME subject areas,” says Wilkinson. “They were further divided by priority, complexity, potential for emission reduction, and resources that might be contributed.

“The development of the proposed PRIME Roadmap brought the HVAC&R industry together, and now there is a groundswell of support for the pillars underpinning it,” Wilkinson says. “Our vision is for a highly skilled and professional Australian HVAC&R industry that is safe, cost effective and environmentally effective.”

Wilkinson says consolidating a multitude of viewpoints and bringing the industry together to discuss it represents a formidable task. “The need to transition to low-emission HVAC&R has become self-evident,” Wilkinson says. “But it’s no longer a question of ‘why’ - the focus is now on the ‘how’ and ‘what’ of low emissions, which is what produced the PRIME Roadmap.” For now, the proposed PRIME Roadmap for HVAC&R is continuing to be refined, with issues such as trends, resourcing and timescales still being considered by stakeholders and industry representatives.

AIRAH board director Bryon Price, M AIRAH, oversaw the development of the road map, alongside other key stakeholders and contributors. “Our industry has influence and control over a significant component of mankind’s impact on the Earth via emissions and carbon usage,” Price says.

“We have the responsibility and capacity to do something about this. But we also have the responsibility to plan for an HVAC&R industry that is productive and prosperous. We think PRIME could be a pivotal component in accomplishing this.”

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 51

NEW PRODUCTS

Safety light curtains Safety light curtains from ifm efector, with thermowell and an IP 69K protection rating, are designed without corners and edges. They possess properties which are required in hygienic as well as robust applications.

The safety light curtains and light grids have been developed in accordance with the current standards and certified by TÜV Süd. They conform to the requirements of type 2/SIL 2 or type 4/SIL 3 with ranges of 6, 9 or 15 m. They are suitable for primary guarding or access prevention. ifm efector pty ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T211

Circuit breakers The Acti 9 range is the fifth generation of circuit breakers from Schneider Electric and has been engineered to adapt to the most challenging of networks. It has been developed for both commercial and industrial industries and is said to be the first offering that allows connectivity at the final stage of electrical distribution.

The range provides a highperformance modular system that includes advancements in safety, load monitoring and control. It allows for efficient building management, eliminated downtime and an even more competitive business.

The range includes miniature circuit breakers (MCBs), residual circuit devices (RCDs), surge arrestors and a complete range of electrical system protection monitoring capabilities including energy meters, contactors, impulse relays, indication and tripping auxiliaries and remote auxiliaries.

Product features include: VisiSafe green strip which indicates the safe position of contacts; VisiTrip red indicator which can easily identify and diagnose faults and see the status of the network; Class 2 front face ensures clearances between breaker surfaces and internal parts are more than double the industry standard.

Other features include: Reflex iC60 module, an all in one concept, that combines the function of an MCB and contractor that can easily communicate with programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and building management systems; Smartlink that offers comprehensive monitoring and visibility to help determine critical power loads in final distribution boards.

Schneider Electric (Aust) Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U385

RFID reader The Ha-VIS RF-R200 RFID reader has been added to HARTING’s auto-ID solution range. The RFID reader is a mid-range reader, ie, it has been optimised for read ranges up to 2 m.

Typical applications are tool identification, identification of manufactured goods on production lines, logistics, description of transponders at work or production places.

Available models include: RF-R200 with RJ45 interface and PoE; RF-R200 with USB interface for office use; RF-R200 module (only board without housing) for integration into machines or other products.

Features include: 500 mW transmitter power; supports automatic transmission of the acquired transponder information to a computer; supports an external antenna; internal antenna (read range up to approx 20 cm); IP30; minimum footprint when installed on top hat rail in switch cabinet.

HARTING Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T860

52 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Emergency lighting The Clevertronics L10 Lifelight Pro is a purposebuilt LED non-maintained emergency light that has become one of the most energy-efficient units in the Australian market. The unit is specially designed using the very latest in LED, electronics and lithium battery technology to reduce the energy consumption to less than 0.9 W. The Clevertronics L10 range of emergency and exit lighting incorporates the latest lithium battery technology and claims to deliver: twice the battery life, twice the maintenance-free period (designed for 10-year maintenance intervals, compared to the 4 to 5 years current best practice), one of the most energy-efficient emergency lighting products on the Australian market and the first truly sustainable emergency lighting - batteries containing no toxic heavy metals or carcinogens.

Three core elements are engineered to deliver twice the maintenance-free operation: the application of 10-year lithium iron phosphate battery technology; state-of-the-art, latest technology, solid state LEDs; power supplies and drivers engineered to outlast the life of the LED and battery.

The L10 lithium option is available for most Clevertronics emergency lighting products.

Clevertronics Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T432

SEE BEYOND

TEMPERATURE The NEW Fluke VT02 Visual IR Thermometer.

Fluke does one thing better than any other measurement company. We listen to our customers.

This is what we heard: First, develop a low-cost solution that combines the convenience of an IR thermometer with the visual advantage of a thermal imager.

Plus, make it easy to find hot and cold spots while scanning across a surface, and if possible, make it so we can blend both an infrared and digital image.

Done.

www.fluke.com.au

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 53

LIGHTING DESIGN

© www.sxc.hu/thesaint

MOTOKO ISHII LIGHTS UP SPARC 2013 Alice Richard

Can lighting design have a social, environmental and cultural impact? Motoko Ishii believes it can.

S

peaking at SPARC International Lighting Event 2013, Ishii gave a brief history of Japanese lighting design from the 1970s to the present day, describing her design aesthetic and the impact good lighting can have.

Returning to Japan from working in Europe in the late 1960s, Ishii established her lighting firm, the Ishii Motoko Design Office, becoming the first freelance industrial lighting designer in Japan at the time. Not only was she a pioneer in her field, she was also a female designer in a heavily male-dominated industry, at a time when a woman’s place was considered to be anywhere but on a construction site.

Ishii’s work on Tokyo Tower earned her international attention.

To address rapidly dwindling ticket sales to the structure, Ishii was hired to redesign the tower’s lighting arrangement. The result was unveiled in 1989. Positioned in and around the tower’s frame, 176 floodlights illuminate the structure. From 2 October to 7 July, sodium vapour lamps are used to bathe the tower in a warm orange glow. From 7 July to 1 October, metal halide lamps throw a cool white light over the tower.

Ishii tries to express a sense of season in her lighting design, as seasons are important to Japanese culture. The choice of warm colours and warm whites during the winter months serves to offset the cold weather, Ishii says, while the cool white light used in summer provides a foil to the hot weather.

Despite taking her work seriously, Ishii also injects a sense of playfulness into her designs. The Tokyo Tower, and many of her other designs, are lit in different colours for special events and holidays. The Tokyo Tower received a ‘diamond veil’ for its 50th anniversary: 276 lights in seven colours distributed across the tower’s four faces gave the effect of a glittering diamond.

Just this week, Ishii said, the Tower was lit with blue to wish the Japanese soccer team luck.

54 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

Ishii has worked extensively lighting up important Japanese buildings and monuments since establishing her business. In this instance, Ishii believes lighting has a social, not just a practical purpose. Lighting structures that were previously invisible at night attract more tourists in the evening, which stimulates spending and can enliven areas of a city. Highlighting historic buildings and monuments can also strengthen and promote cultural heritage, Ishii said.

While lighting draws attention to a building at night, Ishii says it’s important that the lighting design doesn’t detract from a building’s beauty during the day. Particularly with traditional buildings, she says it’s important that the lighting hardware be placed in such a way as to be invisible at best, or unobtrusive at the very least.

Ishii takes a structure’s surroundings into consideration when designing lighting. For instance, she designed the lighting for the Shanghai World Financial Center to be deliberately ‘quiet and elegant’ in contrast to the busy, loud Shanghai skyline, bringing a Japanese aesthetic to the Chinese city.

Ishii was commissioned to design the lighting for the recently reopened Kabuki-za theatre in Tokyo. The building’s facade is illuminated in a white light that varies in warmth with the seasons and time of day. The theatre’s traditional roof tiles are lit from above with LED lighting on the top floor of the adjoining 130 m Kabuki-za Tower, designed to resemble moonlight.

Despite the extensive lighting arrangement, the use of LEDs makes the lighting efficient to operate: the electricity cost comes in at around $1.50 per hour of operation. Most of Ishii’s recent work employs LEDs, solar panels and often wind power. While the solar panels don’t produce electricity for a lighting arrangement when it’s needed, Ishii said they feed clean energy back into the grid, which then supplies mains electricity for the lights’ operation at night.

Ishii’s presentation was an interesting insight into the history of Japanese lighting design - and its future.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Connect with Australia’s leading manufacturer of Green Star Certified cables.

Prysmian Cables & Systems are leaders in the manufacture of energy, data and telecommunications cables and supply businesses across Australia and around the world.

We’re also proud to be Australia’s largest manufacturer of Green Star Certified cables after recently receiving Green Star Certification for our work in minimising environmentally harmful materials in the built environment and reducing the amount of these materials going into landfill and water systems.

A trusted Australian company whose products are manufactured to Australian standards and now have Green Star Certification, Prysmian is the one to connect with to ensure your success in today’s environmentally-focused marketplace.

Call your Prysmian Business Development Manager today to discuss Green Star.

Customer Service Centre Ph: 1300 300 304 Fx: 1300 300 307 | Email: sales.au@prysmiangroup.com | www.prysmian.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Thermal imaging camera The TC7000 IR Camera from CorDEX is claimed to be the only intrinsically safe radiometric thermal imaging camera that is ATEX and IECEx certified. It is suitable for use in oil and gas, mining and hazardous dust environments where

Hybrid power solutions

safety is imperative.

The TC7000 can be used to scan for hotspots

Caterpillar’s hybrid power systems for telecommunications applications are

in refractory linings, pipe insulation, steam traps,

designed to reduce operating costs.

electrical systems and switchgear, tank insulation

Features include: factory-built and factory-tested system; remote monitoring,

and level, motor bearings, gearboxes, electrical

control and alarms; multiple, small components operating in parallel to enhance

connections, pipe trace heating and missing or

reliability (PV charge controllers, rectifiers, solar panels); removal and replacement

degraded insulation.

of major components without power interruption; vandal-resistant enclosures;

The camera can also be used to test for meth-

AC convenience outlet for powering technician laptop computer; and auxiliary

ane presence in water and sewage processing,

power outputs for utilisation of excess electricity produced by solar and wind.

the presence of jet fuel in the aerospace industry,

These solutions incorporate components such as: solar photovoltaics (PV);

and dust and inflammable vapours in the pharma-

wind turbines; robust long-life batteries; diesel or gas generator sets. These

ceutical industry.

solutions are said to reduce fuel consumption and are suitable for applications

ECEFast

in remote areas and can be customised to exact specifications.

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U414

Energy Power Systems Australia (EPSA) www.energypower.com.au

56 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

THE SWITCHMODE POWER SUPPLIES YOU WANT NOW FOR LESS AT SOANAR 45W

60W

120W

240W

Directional antenna Narda Safety Test Solutions has extended the range of application for its Interference and Direction Analyzer down to very low frequencies with a new loop antenna. The antenna is particularly suitable for detecting interference caused by switching power supplies or data transmission over electricity supply lines.

The new loop antenna for the Interference and Direction Analyzer IDA-3106 covers a frequency range from 9 kHz up to 30 MHz. Its typical antenna factor of 47.5 dB(1/m) at 1 MHz gives it unusually high sensitivity. This makes it particularly suitable for tracing defective or poorly screened switched mode power supplies or electrical controls that generate interference fields, for identifying interference due to data transmissions made using the power line carrier technique or for demonstrating interference with other signals in the very low frequency range (VLF), eg, using the time signal of the DCF77 transmitter.

The IDA-3106 was developed for identifying and localising

IN STOCK NOW

NEW DIN RAIL SERIES

electromagnetic signal sources. Its applications cover the areas of telecommunications and security. Intrinsic as well as external interference needs to be traced and eliminated in communications.

When it comes to security, the device can trace unknown sources and identify potential dangers. On its own, the IDA can determine the direction of the source on the basis of a horizontal scan and

AC/DC DIN RAIL SWITCHMODE POWER SUPPLIES OUTPUT OUTPUT OUTPUT ORDER POWER VOLTAGE CURRENT NUMBER (W) (V) (A)

shows the bearing on a polar diagram. The IDA calculates the position of the interference source from several bearing results and displays it automatically. Users can optionally display freely available electronic maps, so that the source can be traced right down to its location in a particular street, similar to a navigation system. The IDA provides a room plan that can be edited to enable localisation within a building, eg, in a conference room.

The basis for finding the location of an interference source is provided by a GPS receiver in the measuring set and the electronic compass in the antenna handle, which determine the direction, elevation and polarisation. Antennas optimised for different frequency ranges are available; these can be attached horizontally or vertically to an ergonomically designed handle.

The IDA-3106 Basic Unit is a handheld device for on-site use that

45W 60W 120W 240W

12V

3.75A

SD-45-12

24V

2A

SD-45-24

12V

5A

SD-60-12

24V

2.5A

SD-60-24

12V

10A

SD-120-12

24V

5A

SD-120-24

24V

10A

SD-240-24

48V

5A

SD-240-48

DIMENSIONS (W x H x D) (MM)

LIST PRICE

78 × 93 × 56

$32.55*

78 × 93 × 56

$38.70*

65.5 × 125.2 × 100

$64.65*

125.5 × 125.2 × 100 $109.60*

(30W & 75W also available - call for pricing)

• Wide power range 30W to 240W • Universal AC input voltage 90-264VAC • Voltage tolerance +/-1% • Adjustable output voltage +/-10% • High efficiency & reliability • 100% full load burn-in

• Cooling by free air convection • LED power indicator for power on • International safety approvals • Local stock • Low cost solution • 2 year warranty

weighs less than 3 kg, including battery. The antenna and handle together weigh under 1 kg, as the power supply is from the basic

* Price excludes GST and ONLY available to approved business and/or trade customers.

Bulk pricing available on request.

unit. The battery can be hot-swapped without interrupting operation.

Air Met Scientific Pty Ltd

www.soanar.com

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T119 RANGE - RELIABILITY - STANDARD - CUSTOM

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

info@soanar.com AU 1300 365 551 NZ 0508 765 956

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 57

CASE STUDY

Managing disasters at the emergency operations centre

W

hen a natural disaster or major incident occurs, it is vitally important that emergency services personnel have a safe and secure base from which to manage their response and recovery operations. With this requirement in mind, the Queensland Government has constructed a new emergency operations centre to provide front-line staff with enhanced capacity to meet increasing operational demands and to support large-scale disasters.

The Queensland Emergency Operations Centre (QEOC) houses the State Disaster Coordination Centre, State Operations Coordination Centre, 24-hour Emergency Management, Queensland Watch Desk, Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) and Queensland Fire Rescue Service communications facilities, the Queensland Clinical Coordination Centre and the department’s Geographic Information Services.

To e n s u re e ss e n t i a l services can perform their jobs to minimise the risk and impact of accidents, emergencies and disasters, the centre required a comprehensive, reliable electrical system, integrating lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The system had to be energy efficient, provide natural ventilation where possible and offer the highest practical occupant satisfaction rating, noting that many of the occupants would be working round the clock in very stressful situations.

Electrical contractor Mark Bridger from Integrated Systems Group, a Clipsal Platinum Partner, was contracted to complete the integration of the project. Clipsal by Schneider Electric and Schneider Electric products were chosen for the project.

The QEOC comprises a three-building data and communications centre and a commercial office building. The centre has been designed to accommodate 60 staff during normal operations and 200 staff at peak demand periods.

Targeting a five star Green Star rating for the project, energy efficiency was a priority for the client. To help meet this objective, a Schneider Electric ION enterprise energy management system was fitted at the site. The PowerLogic ION meters can monitor and log devices, record analog and digital inputs, as well as send alerts to notify if there is a problem with the system.

The energy metering is operated through the Schneider Electric BMS and the installation of the system, integrated into the Schneider Electric low-voltage switchboard and circuit breakers, ensures the Queensland Emergency Operation Centre complies with the standards needed to gain efficiency accreditations.

In addition to the energy-efficiency reporting, the energy management system has also been utilised to rectify power quality issues at the site. Soon after the tenants moved into the building, they experienced power fluctuations, which were causing some concern.

Through the ION enterprise system the cause of these fluctuations was identified and then resolved, saving the QEOC money and protecting their power requirements.

58 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

Schneider Electric uninterruptable power supplies were also used in the project to ensure that critical equipment is still able to be used in the event of a power outage.

Employee comfort is of the utmost importance, so a Clipsal by Schneider Electric C-Bus system with integrated lighting, blind control and light-harvesting sensors has been installed at the building to maintain a suitable working environment. General office lighting, which is controlled via Clipsal DSI dimmers wired through relays, has been dimmed to 90% output, while still maintaining an appropriate level of light in the area. This setting means that energy is being saved by not running the lights at full power.

In the QAS communications centre, the light fittings are more than 10 metres above the floor. To reduce any downtime incurred when the lamps need replacing, the light fittings have been split into two groups of six channels. Only one group of six channels is needed at a time, and a push-button switch has been installed so workers can easily and quickly swap between light groups.

This backup means that the first lighting group can be replaced in a prompt, but relaxed time frame.

Each workstation has its own individual task lighting, operated via local motion sensors. After 10 minutes of inactivity at the workstation, the lights automatically switch off. Lights in the corridors between the communications building and the disaster management centre are controlled by a PE cell. Once the PE cell detects that natural lighting is below 200 lux, then lighting in the level-two walkway, the darkest walkway in the complex, is turned on. When the same PE cell detects that natural light has dropped below 100 lux, the rest of the walkway lighting is turned on. Similarly, a PE cell has been located on the roof of the communication building.

When the PE cell detects higher than 2000 lux, all blinds on the north side of the building drop down. Workers can raise the blinds manually after this point if they would prefer natural light. The blinds will only drop automatically once every day. In addition to this, the blind controls within these areas are on a key-lockable switch.

The C-Bus lighting has also been integrated into the Schneider Electric BMS system and a third-party security system. C-Bus links to the BMS via a BACNET gateway, with areas split into zones. Once any lighting group within a zone is on, a C-Bus command is sent to the BMS to turn on the relevant air-conditioning zone. Once all lighting groups within the zone are off, a C-Bus command is sent to the BMS to turn off the relevant air-conditioning zone. C-Bus integrates to the third-party security system via RS232 connections. Once a signal is received from the security panel indicating that the building is armed, C-Bus then turns off all lighting groups. In the event of a security breach, C-Bus turns on all lighting within the building.

Clipsal Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T979

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

PoE rectifiers The CP2000AC54TEP and CP2725AC54TEP PoE rectifiers from GE provide 40 and 50 A of 48 V power, respectively. These rectifiers are created for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for use in the design of enterprise-class switches and routers.

Complying with IEEE’s (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3 standard for 2250 V isolation, these power supplies are used in enterprise devices that are often required to run PoE+ smart building systems, such as badge scanners, 802.11n wireless access points, laptops, radio-frequency identification devices, pan-tilt-zoom security cameras, video phones and point-of-sale terminals.

Portable volt meter

GE’s PoE rectifier compliance with the PoE+ standard enables OEMs

The SEW model ST-2001 digital, 10,000 count LCD DC

to provide more than 25 W of power per ethernet port from the data

and AC volt meter with 100-division analog bar-graph

centre switchgear, nearly doubling the amount of power delivered via the

arc and backlit display is suitable for laboratory use,

standard PoE port. In addition, the increased power delivery expands

engineering applications and service work.

the current PoE functionality to a host of new applications and devices, while operating at more than 96% power efficiency.

The SEW ST-2001 has a minimum resolution of 10 V on the 100 mV range. The instrument has five ranges

The new solutions are easily integrated into switch architectures that

to 1000 VDC and 800 VAC RMS. It is suitable for AC

support multiple redundant rectifiers on a common DC bus in various

measurements to 400 Hz, making it suitable for many

redundancy schemes including N+1 or N+N arrangements. In addition,

communication and aviation applications. The instrument

flexible communication interfaces enable the switch designer to choose

has an IP54 housing and is available with an optional

the most effective way to communicate with the power supplies.

protective holster.

GE

Power Parameters Pty Ltd

www.ge.com

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T379

Sensorless Vector Control Drives

0.75kw to 400kw

• LCD keypad offers a user-friendly operation interface. The display screen can be defined by the user with TP-Editor soft.

• Quick setting, user defined parameter management, and parameter copy functions make the installation fast and easy.

• Modular design for flexible extension and ease maintenance.

• Built-in BACnet and MODBUS. Various optional communication cards such as ProfiBUS-DP, DeviceNet, MODBUS TCP, EtherNet-IP, and CANopen.

• Long-life design.

• The PCB (Printed Circuit Board) coating enhances the reliability and durability.

• Fire mode and Bypass functions provide safe operation in an emergency.

• Useful functions for pump and fan applications, such as: PID control, sleep/wake up functions, flying start, and skip frequency.

• Multi-pumps control functions, such as: fixed time, fixed quantity, circulating controls. The driver can control a maximum of eight pumps at the same time. An optional relay extension card is available depending on the pump quantity.

• Built-in PLC 10K step and Real time Clock.

www.mechtric.com.au Perth 08 92480410 / Adelaide 08 83472499 / Melbourne 03 97064599 Sydney 02 96745511 / Brisbane 07 32743327

60 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Harsh-environment connector The Han HMC connector series from HARTING is said to be the first to combine the properties of more than 10,000 mating cycles and protection against harsh environmental conditions in one complete connector.

Devices and machines that are employed in different locations and that often are connected several times a day, eg, in the medical sector and the laboratory and test engineering sector, require reliable connectors.

THE SWITCHMODE POWER SUPPLIES YOU WANT NOW FOR LESS AT SOANAR

The connector meets these most demanding requirements.

The increasing modularisation in machine construction and automation is leading to a rising demand for connectors that have been developed 240W

for a large number of mating cycles. The HMC connector series is suitable for all of the applications. The connectors are also suitable for use

100W

in tool and other interchangeable systems.

The connectors are based on the Han industrial connectors, meaning that

60W

all already existing processing tools can also be used for the Han HMC. The series consists of: HMC housings; HMC connector inserts with

25W

crimp connection in four different versions; HMC crimp contacts in two sizes; diverse Han-Modular modules together with the Han HMC crimp contacts; and two different docking frames.

The HMC housings are equipped with a durable locking reel in order

IN STOCK NOW

to continue to provide the connector with IP65 protection against dust and water after more than 10,000 locking cycles. In order to be able to offer more than 10,000 mating cycles, the connector inserts contain highperformance grounding contacts. The crimp contacts are equipped with a special HMC gold surface and constant spring force. These properties ensure the connector’s good function - also after 10,000 mating cycles.

HARTING Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T762

AC/DC ENCLOSED SWITCHMODE POWER SUPPLIES OUTPUT OUTPUT POWER VOLTAGE (W) (V) 25W 60W

Power quality analyser TechRentals has the Fluke 435 3-Phase power quality and energy analyser available for rent. The ana-

100W 240W

OUTPUT ORDER CURRENT NUMBER (A)

DIMENSIONS LIST (L x W x H) PRICE (MM)

12V

2.1A

SE-25-12

24V

1.1A

SE-25-24

12V

5A

SE-60-12

24V

2.5A

SE-60-24

12V

8.5A

SE-100-12

24V

4.5A

SE-100-24

12V

20A

SE-240-12

24V

10A

SE-240-24

98 x 97 x 35

$28.77*

159 x 97 x 38

$38.37*

199 x 98 x 38

$44.77*

215 x 115 x 50

$71.20*

lyser is used to locate, prevent and troubleshoot power quality problems in three- and single-phase power distribution systems.

The analyser introduces an energy loss calculator which provides the ability to monetarily quantify energy losses through the Flukepatented Unified Power Measurement algorithm. This technology measures and quantifies energy losses due to harmonics and

• Wide power range 25W to 500W • Universal AC input voltage 85-264 VAC • Voltage tolerance +/- 1% • Adjustable output voltage +/- 10% • High efficiency & reliability • International safety approvals

• Safety standards (EN60950-1) • EMC standards (EN55022 Class B) • Low cost solution • Local stock • Local engineering and sales support • 2 year warranty

unbalance issues, and allows the user to pinpoint the origin of energy waste within a system.

The 435 has a waveform capture of 100/120 cycles (50/60 Hz) of each event that is detected in all modes, and the automatic

* Price excludes GST and ONLY available to approved business and/or trade customers.

Bulk pricing available on request.

transient mode captures 200 kSa/s waveform data on all phases simultaneously up to 6 kV. The 435 is also Class-A compliant with

www.soanar.com

the IEC 61000-4-30 standard.

info@soanar.com AU 1300 365 551 NZ 0508 765 956

TechRentals

RANGE - RELIABILITY - STANDARD - CUSTOM

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T749

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 61

©iStockphoto.com/freeflow

TOP SIX PLACES FOR ENERGY LOSSES IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS A considerable amount of energy loss in commercial buildings is temperature related. An obvious issue is hot or cold air leaks, but many other systems and pieces of equipment also waste energy in terms of heat.

U

nlike regular digital cameras that capture images of the visible light reflected by objects, thermal imagers create pictures by detecting infrared energy or heat.

The thermal imager then assigns colours based on the temperature differences it detects.

With a small amount of training, most people can use a thermal imager to readily spot abnormal heat flow patterns and follow the heat trail to find the source of the energy waste. The technique works best when used by people who already possess a good working knowledge of the structures and systems being scanned so that they can better interpret the temperature variances they see on camera.

Fluke Australia has provided a list of the top six places to look for energy losses in commercial buildings together with details on how to detect these leaks using a thermal imaging scanner.

1. Building envelope The ‘building envelope’ refers to the building structure as well as the climate controls within it. The envelope is what separates the outside environment from the inside and it’s frequently imperfect.

The problem with building envelope inspections is that the degree of temperature variance detected may often be very small, only a few degrees in some cases.

The best time to scan is during a heating or cooling season when there is a large difference in temperature.

Similarly, beware of solar loading, wind, precipitation and other environmental factors which could mask or distort potential problems. For instance, be careful to understand the direction and amount of heat flow when scanning an exterior wall if the sun is shining on it.

62 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

What to scan • Roofs - Wet roofing insulation loses much of its R-rating.

This means heat can escape or enter the building much easier through wet insulating materials. In addition to looking for moisture issues, scan the roof surface and follow temperature differences to possible air leak entry/exit points.

• Walls between conditioned and unconditioned spaces, including outside walls - Due to the natural flow of air with different temperatures, significant air leaks tend to occur at the top and bottom of conditioned spaces, where air either enters or escapes a structure.

• Construction joints and connections - For example, at floor slabs that extend outdoors there are often heating or cooling losses by conduction through the slab.

• Penetrations of the building envelope such as pipes, conduits and chimneys - Uninsulated or unsealed gaps often exist around roof and wall penetrations.

• Door and window frames and seals - Locate air leaks around windows and doors caused by worn or missing seals.

2. Boilers Boilers are the heart of steam and hot water heating systems.

What to scan • Refractory and insulation - Thermal imaging makes the in-service monitoring and inspection of the condition of refractory linings for performance issues possible.

• Fan motors - As with motors in other applications, check for impeded airflow, electrical unbalance, overheated bearings and failing insulation.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

THERMAL IMAGING

• Pumps - Look for hot bearings, leaking seals and, as with fans, motor faults.

• Valves - Thermal imagers can identify blocked valves that are nominally open and leaking valves that are nominally closed.

• Electrical connections - As with other kinds of systems, look for loose or corroded connections that increase resistance.

3. Motors and generators Electric motors are one of the biggest energy consumers in any facility. Overheating and malfunctioning motors and generators tend to indicate mechanical or electrical inefficiencies that lead to unnecessary energy use and sometimes even failure. Since generators are, in a sense, ‘reverse motors’, diagnostics are similar for both kinds of units.

What to scan • Airflow - In fan-cooled motors, restricted airflow can cause general overheating often manifesting itself on the entire housing.

• Electrical unbalance - A common cause, a high resistance connection in the switchgear, disconnect or motor junction box can usually be pinpointed by an infrared inspection and confirmed using a multimeter, clamp meter or a power quality analyser.

• Bearings - When thermal images reveal bearing housings with abnormally high temperatures, either lubrication of the bearing or its replacement is often called for. Beware that over-lubrication can cause abnormal heating as well.

• Insulation - Look for higher than normal housing temperatures in areas associated with windings. For each 10°C rise over the maximum rated temperature of a motor, approximately half the life of the motor is lost due to insulation failure.

• Electrical connections - As with electrical connections in HVAC systems, look for loose or corroded connections that increase resistance. Heat losses due to high-resistance connections means that your energy is being given off as heat instead of being used for useful work.

4. Steam heating systems Today, steam systems are more common in industrial settings than commercial settings, but some commercial buildings still use them for central heating.

Where to look and what to look for • Steam traps - Check traps using both thermal imaging and ultrasonic testing. Each technology works better than the other for certain traps and trap configurations.

• Radiator coils - Check for obvious steam leaks in radiators and at all visible pipe and joint connections.

• Steam lines and valves - Look for signs of leaks and blockages and for blow-by at valves that are supposed to be ‘closed’.

• Condensers - Look for leakage of outside air, which reduces the condenser’s vacuum, thereby decreasing its efficiency.

5. HVAC system The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is usually one of the biggest energy consumers within a facility.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

What to scan • Ductwork and registers - Even the highest rated HVAC system wastes energy without a well-sealed duct system.

With thermal imaging one can see the thermal pattern of air loss or gain in ducting and also monitor registers to determine whether heating or cooling output is optimal.

• Fans and blowers - These mechanical elements are, of course, motor driven. In fans and blowers, mechanical imbalance will manifest itself in overheated bearings and other components. Thermal images of these systems can also identify shaft misalignment in couplings between the motor and fan.

• Electrical connections - Loose or corroded connections increase resistance at the connection point, resulting in increased energy costs.

• Compressors and coils - Regular inspections of the compressors and coils can also help reduce energy costs. A malfunctioning compressor can have a different thermal signature than a properly operating one. If coils are blocked or cooling fins are clogged, improper airflow and heat exchange can take place. This can greatly impact system efficiency and also further reduce component lifespan.

A COMMON CAUSE, A HIGH RESISTANCE CONNECTION IN THE SWITCHGEAR, DISCONNECT OR MOTOR JUNCTION BOX CAN USUALLY BE PINPOINTED BY AN INFRARED INSPECTION AND CONFIRMED USING A MULTIMETER, CLAMP METER OR A POWER QUALITY ANALYSER.

6. Electrical system Many people don’t realise that electrical systems can actually waste money. As components degrade and resistance increases, waste occurs.

What to scan • Distribution panels - Check for unbalance in circuits and loose and corroded connections at breakers, contacts, fuse clips and buss work.

• Transformers - Be aware that if the temperature of one electrical leg on a transformer is significantly hotter than the others, that leg may be failing.

• Lighting control circuits - Check all wiring splices and connections at fuses, switches, in panels and at the fixtures.

Be aware that thermal imaging can also be used to monitor low-voltage control circuits.

As the price of thermal imagers has come down, it is claimed that most facilities can now recoup the cost of purchase in terms of energy savings within six months. Incorporating infrared inspection into regular maintenance in commercial buildings can provide significant energy efficiencies and also help to identify and prevent expensive failures.

Fluke Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U397

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 63

NEW PRODUCTS

Preventing electrical hazards

Malcolm Richards, CEO

As anyone associated with the electrical industry will know, working with electricity can be a high-risk and dangerous affair if proper precautionary measures are not employed.

Yet we are continuing to see an increasing amount of unlicensed and illegal electrical work taking place across the country which has caused severe electrical injuries and in some cases even fatalities.

Master Electricians Australia (MEA) has, in the past, urged contractors and tradies alike to employ stricter safety measures in the workplace following a spate of severe electrical safety incidents in New South Wales over the past year. However, government must also play its part in helping to deter illegal electrical work and make homes safer for families. Recently, MEA West Australian state manager Tony Mancini, on behalf of electricians across the nation, pushed for the WA Government to take unlicensed and illegal electrical work more seriously.

It is our firm belief that governments should move immediately to protect consumers by: conducting a major media campaign highlighting electrical safety and the dangers of unlicensed electrical work; increasing safety switch protection to all circuits; requiring mandatory point-of-sale signage to use licensed electrical contractors for electrical installations and equipment; mandating electrical safety inspections when homes change hands; and establishing an electrical safety hotline for unsafe and unlicensed work to be reported.

MEA is also deeply concerned with the increasing number of homeowners who carry out DIY electrical work on their homes. New Gumtree Australia research has showed 75% of Australian homeowners have attempted their own projects, with one in five resulting in a DIY disaster. This has reportedly resulted in Australians having spent an estimated $380m repairing these botched DIY jobs.

These statistics show that government resources urgently need to be channelled into further educating the public on the perils of illegal electrical work, as well as directing more inspection resources into deterring do-it-yourself electrical work in homes.

There needs to be continued education of the Australian public into the values of a Safety Certificate being received for any electrical work that has been undertaken on their homes. Safety switches should be installed on all circuits to prevent the risk of an electric shock should an electrical incident occur. With growing public awareness, we can greatly reduce the risk of an electrical safety incident. We should all be aiming for zero electrical accidents, fatalities or fires in our country.

MEA is pushing for an electrical safety hotline with a dedicated advertised number to be established where illegal wiring or electrical work can be reported, and immediate advice and necessary steps can be taken to prevent a serious electrical safety injury. Finally, it is critical to remember that electricity can be unpredictable and working with it is a tricky business that is best left to the professionals. www.masterelectricians.com.au

64 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

DC cable AS5033.2012 is calling for all DC cabling to be PV1-F compliant. PV1-F is a test criteria from TUV Rheinland, which covers the electrical and mechanical properties of the cable. Ölflex Solar XLR-R cable is approved by TUV Rheinland according to 2PfG 1169/08.2007 (PV1-F) and meets all the requirements of AS5033.2012.

The cables are weather, abrasion and UV resistant.

The cross-linked, halogen-free and double-insulated solar cables are suitable for permanent outdoor use and especially for the interconnection of grounded and ungrounded photovoltaic power systems. Constructed using class 5 tinned copper conductors with halogenfree and flame-retardant double insulation, they are UV resistant and rated up to 120°C. Available in SDI and Twin versions.

DKSH Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T055

Hi-Pot and ground testers The Vitrek V7X Hi-Pot testers and ground bond testers are designed for safety tests in accordance with IEC, TUV, CSA and UL regulations. Two models in the Vitrek V7X Hi-Pot testers range include insulation resistance measurement between 20 and 5000 VDC, and all models feature resistance measurement to 60 kΩ with a resolution to 0.001 Ω.

The Vitrek V7X Hi-Pot testers are designed for both AC and DC Hi-Pot testing to 5000 V, and there is one tester, the Vitrek V70, suitable for 5000 VAC testing only. The V7X Series can directly control up to four high-voltage scanners for ATE systems, and all Vitrek safety testers are provided with USB 2.0, RS232 and digital I/O interfaces as well as a safety interlock.

The colour touch screen on the Vitrek V7X series provides good visualisation of test results and control.

There are six models featuring AC and DC Hi-Pot testing to 5 kV, leakage current measurement to 100 nA and insulation resistance to 450 GΩ and ground bond testing to 30 A rms.

Westek Electronics Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S690

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

LED bulb The LEDisong from Ecopoint is the first energy-efficient light bulb that looks and feels like a traditional light bulb, claims the

Hexagonal spacers

company. Unlike the curly CFL bulbs, the

Harwin’s RoHS-compliant brass hexagonal threaded

LEDisong is claimed to: be brighter than the

spacers are able to perform under severe condi-

average energy-efficient light bulb, use much

tions such as high mechanical load.Â

less power, fit into any light fitting and turn on instantly.

The spacers, also known as pillars or stand-offs, are available in a wide range of standard metric

The LEDisong bulb is available in four different fittings: tra-

lengths and thread sizes from M2 through to M6

ditional, candle, R80 and R95. They save up to 95% energy

and an imperial range of 4-40 UNC. The hexagonal

and come with a five-year warranty. Ecopoint puts the energy-

threaded spacers are available in male/male, male/

efficiency benefits into perspective as follows: to run a 100 W

female, female/female orientations with body lengths

bulb for 12 months for 5.5 h/day @ $0.22c/kW it costs $44.00

ranging from 3 to 40 mm.

pa, while the cost of running an LEDisong bulb in the same typical domestic setting is $2.86 pa.

The LEDisong claims an ultralong life: when used for 5.5 h/

A plastic female/female spacer range for M3 is available. In addition, clearance spacers for M3 and M4 are available in brass, aluminium and plastic

day, it will last for 25 years.

with a circular outer section.

Ecopoint

Clarke & Severn Electronics

ecopoint.co.nz

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S927

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 65

CASE STUDY

New electrical connection systems help smelters cut energy consumption

L

arge smelters in electricity-intensive metal-winning to develop sophisticated modules that clients could then bolt-on to industries can use as much power as a medium-sized their existing, in-house systems for future testing. city, so finding ways to reduce their energy requirement Once the decision to proceed was made, the CSIRO team focused is a high priority. The Australian research agency CSIRO, on installing the code on the organisation’s high-performance in partnership with industry players, is assessing and testing new computing (HPC) architecture. This facility includes a 146 compute electrical connection systems in a bid to help smelters cut their node CPU cluster that resides within CSIRO’s HPC facility. The electricity consumption and associated emissions. facility also incorporates a GPU cluster with 172,032-streaming To assist industry partners in the design and testing process processor cores on 384 GPUs, which was ranked 183rd in the world of new electrical connection systems, CSIRO needed to (in November 2012). This vast computing capability, together with the develop a simulation capability efficient parallel performance t h a t co u l d ex a m i n e t h e of Simulia, allows CSIRO to sophisticated physics involved deliver solutions to clients in i n t h e e l e c t r i c a l s u pp l y short timeframes even when infrastructures of largecomputationally intensive scale facilities and assess the work is required. impact of possible changes.

With its 3DExperience However, because it is both technology now in place, the costly and difficult to test new CSIRO team has the ability to configurations in a functioning undertake detailed studies of fa c i l i t y, e n g i n e e rs u s e d industrial electrical systems simulation tools to determine and infrastructures. “We are whether new designs will now receiving calls from work and how to calculate the clients around the world who power savings they will deliver are keen to work with us to to the operation. find more energy-efficient “Modelling and simulation Wiring of industrial samples for voltage and temperature solutions for their operations,” are key tools for future process measurements. (Image: Mark Fergus) Molenaar said. “With Abaqus and design improvement to on our HPC architecture, we help our industry improve electrical energy efficiency,” said CSIRO can deliver very accurate results to our clients in commercially Research Consultant David Molenaar. “An opportunity existed to relevant timeframes that we simply could not have achieved before.” harness the infrastructure of CSIRO to develop a new, moreThe new capabilities meet the overall objectives of CSIRO. While advanced modelling solution.” it increases the efficiency of the Australian industry, the application Essential features of the solution included the ability to assess also allows the research organisation to play a valuable part in the performance of electrical connections with respect to energy minimising the environmental impact of energy-intensive industrial efficiency in large electrical systems based on the governing activity on a global scale. physics that is of a fully coupled thermal-electrical-mechanical With the Simulia-based infrastructure, CSIRO’s clients are nature. able to gain a much clearer view of their energy infrastructure’s The CSIRO team spent 12 months conducting a comprehensive performance and make more informed decisions about potential benchmark study that examined all suitable tools available on changes. The CSIRO team works to calculate possible performance the market. Performed in partnership with Swinburne University improvements and cost reductions for each project. The end (Melbourne), the benchmarking process incorporated a simple result is improved energy efficiency and a reduced environmental contact problem and a more complex real-world problem. After footprint. assessing three potential providers, CSIRO decided to adopt the Based on its success with the Simulia application to date, Dassault Systèmes 3DExperience Platform with the Simulia Abaqus the CSIRO team is planning to extend its usage during the next finite element analysis (FEA) application for realistic simulation, few years. The networked nature of the software will allow it to through its partner Simuserv, a provider of simulation consulting be used more broadly within the organisation to run a variety of services. computationally intensive simulations. As client demand for the “The decision to adopt Simulia was based on its ability to solve services continues to grow, CSIRO anticipates the size of the team the fully coupled thermal-electrical-mechanical equations and will also increase. to achieve convergence in highly nonlinear problems, including “By harnessing tools such as Simulia Abaqus, we are able to complex contact scenarios,” said CSIRO team member Dr Dayalan compete on a world stage. The support of Dassault Systèmes has Gunasegaram. “We also liked its ability to scale and run on our been integral to the success of the implementation project and the high-performance computing platform.” value that is now being delivered to our clients,” he concluded.

Other advantages included the ability of the application to support subroutines that can be used by CSIRO clients in their CSIRO Head Office own installations of the Simulia code. This would allow the team Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T649

66 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW

AC270490_Saw_FP_ELECT SOLUTIONS_28.06.11

PRODUCTS

Vapour-actuated remote thermometers The Noshok’s vapour-actuated remote thermometers provide accurate temperature indication and are suitable for temperature measurement in power transformers, HVAC/R, paper mills, refineries, petro-

possibly the world’s most versatile multi-purpose saw

chemical, chemical, food processing and pharmaceutical applications, and for remote panel installations on service trucks in the oil and gas industry.

Because they are vapour actuated, the custom-made thermometers are not subject to error due to ambient temperature variations along the capillary tube, so they provide highly accurate readings above and below ambient conditions. These thermometers indicate media temperature using a temperature-actuated liquid in the sensing element. As the media temperature increases, the capillary fill fluid vaporises, increasing pressure in the Bourdon tube to activate the movement and pointer for proper indication.

The thermometers come in 2½, 4, 4½ and 6″ sizes, from -40 to 60°F/C through 100 to 350°F/C. They are available with a brass or stainless steel case, with bottom, back or lower back connections. Options include dry or liquid fill (optional fill fluids include glycerine, glycerine-H2OD and silicone), front or rear flange, bezel and U-clamp.

AMS Instrumentation & Calibration Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U005

Downlight warning sign ECV, in consultation with Repelec, has designed a new warning sign that meets the revised AS/NZS 3000:2007 (Wiring Rules) standard. The sign has been designed using flexible yet durable plastic that will not only prevent personal injury to any person in the roof, it will not break, tear or deteriorate like paper or cardboard from rough handling, impact, moisture or vermin.

In December 2012, the Australian/New Zealand Standard committee EL­001 released the second amendment to the standard.

According to the revised guidelines, a permanent and legible warning sign shall be installed where recessed luminaires are installed in an accessible

cuts wood aluminium steel plastic brass copper Reduces nearly ALL kick-back • 125mm, 650w Bi-directional twin blade system • Perfect for burr-free finish • With built-in lubricating system • Cuts up to 28mm

roof space. The sign shall comply with Standard AS 1319 (also known as AS/NZS1319), which sets out lettering height, font, viewing distance and the specific colour of yellow background for this sign. The sign must be fitted within the roof space, in view and within 2 m of each access panel.

Repelec Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T294

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Ampere Electrical Manufacturing Co. Pty. Ltd. 174-176 High Street, Prahran,VIC 3181 Tel (03) 9510 4333, 9510 2428 Fax (03) 9510 5940 Toll Free 1800 AMPERE (1800 267 373) www.ampere.com.au

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 67

When you need more than just a light, we offer …

• Commercial lighting designs • Payback calculations • Personal service • Technical support • Local inventory > INDUSTRIAL > COMMERCIAL

For Professional LED lighting solutions call

1300 337 809 www.lumitex.com.au Visit our website or call for your nearest distributor ®$ scan for brochures

Š www.sxc.hu/brofosifo

POWER QUALITY

OPTIMISING VOLTAGE

TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY

Sam Czyczelis*

Australia has a particular problem with overvoltage and voltage optimisation is a solution to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. This article explains how the various types of optimisation systems can deliver cost savings and reduce significant tonnes of CO2.

V

oltage optimisation is a technique that has a significant impact on energy consumption because it brings the voltage supplied by the grid in line with what is actually required, and reduces losses in electrical equipment.

Voltage optimisation can help businesses reduce annual energy consumption by 12-15% or more.The statutory electricity supply range for Australia is 230 V +10% to -6%, which means that electricity suppliers are required to provide a voltage level that is between 253 and 216 V. Therefore, the supplier will distribute electricity at 253 V and the voltage decreases over distance. On average, is it received from the grid at 242 V. Given that most electrical equipment manufactured for Australia is designed to work most efficiently at 220 to 230 V, any incoming power that is higher than this level is wasted energy and means companies are paying for power that is not required and not used.

Voltage optimisation works best on inductive loads - motors and lighting for example - and significant savings can be achieved on motors in particular, especially if these are not loaded at 100% of their capacity for 100% of the time. Voltage optimisation effectively reduces the voltage to an optimum level, whereby all the equipment operates correctly but consumes less power in the process.

These systems should also offer improvement in power quality by balancing phase voltages, cancelling damaging harmonics and transients from the electricity supply and reducing the reactive power, hence improving power factor.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Overvoltage means that energy consumption is not only higher but, as a result, the life span of equipment is shortened. Installing a voltage optimisation unit leads to reduced maintenance costs as less demand is placed on electrical equipment.

There is nothing to be gained by operating equipment at a voltage higher than it was designed for; quite the contrary, as overvoltage will significantly reduce the life expectancy of most equipment.

Generally, voltage optimisers will deliver between 12-15% savings. However, the most efficient solutions can save up to 26% of total electricity consumption and related CO2 emissions without compromising the supply to electrical equipment.

Other benefits of installing a quality voltage optimisation system are: helps protect against damaging transients (power spikes) of up to 25,000 V; lowers the operating temperature of motors; provides an improved power factor by up to 20%.

In addition, there are no moving parts and therefore zero maintenance on the unit itself.

Sites that have their own HV distribution transformer, such as supermarkets, data centres, hospitals, hotels, education facilities and retail outlets, are more likely to benefit from a system that ensures voltage is supplied to a site at a constant level regardless of the input instability.

This technology is recommended in these applications because when the grid voltage varies (often throughout the night as the load on the grid disappears), it is able to hold the site voltage at

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 69

POWER QUALITY

the optimum level and maintain a high level of savings.

The stabilised voltage output is a vital feature for sites with critical loads, secure data and important operations that require high levels of reliability and security.

Older transformers have high levels of standing losses and the majority of modern transformers used on commercial sites use cold rolled grain oriented steel (CRGO) within their core, which still provides significant losses for buildings in comparison to amorphous steel.

Businesses investigating this type of transformer should aim to achieve sustainability marks and high energy efficiency ratings through accreditations such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method).

Along with savings in energy efficiency, LEED/ BREEAM also measure the characteristics of the products installed within a building and how much of a product can be recycled. A further important LEED/ BREEAM measurement is energy monitoring. It is important for transformers to come with a real time monitoring and targeting system, which enables companies to monitor energy usage as well as target further energy reductions.

Conventional transformers generally utilise CRGO steel within their core. It is usually supplied by the producing mills in coil form and it has to be cut into ‘laminations’ that are then used to form a transformer core, which is an integral part of any transformer.

Amorphous metal contains ferromagnetic elements alloyed with a glass former. These materials have high magnetic susceptibility, with low coercivity and high electrical resistance. The high resistance leads to low losses when subjected to alternating magnetic fields. This results in transformers that use amorphous metal at its core, reducing standing losses, delivering greater efficiency and increasing savings.

To ensure optimum savings and performance, a comprehensive analysis of a site’s power conditions should be completed before installation. As each building is different, with its own unique infrastructure and specific load requirements, a voltage optimisation strategy should be customised to each site.

It is very importance to install a tailored voltage optimisation solution supplied by an experienced and reputable company. This will not only provide maximum energy savings and carbon reductions, but will also ensure that equipment will operate as efficiently as possible at all times, that the lifetime of equipment will be maximised, and that maintenance costs will be significantly reduced. *Sam Czyczelis is General Manager of Powerstar Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of EMSc (UK). The company has been manufacturing the voltage optimisation solution Powerstar at its headquarters in Yorkshire for over a decade.

Powerstar Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U299

NEW PRODUCTS

Light source and power meter Available to rent, the Kingfisher KI7822 and KI7600 SM Light Source and Power Meter are used to test fibre-optic communications systems down to a traceable 1% accuracy. Singlemode fibre identification and attenuation are also suitable applications.

Reports can easily be customised for any terminology, language or format using the KITS PC software, which is based on Excel.

One mouse click directly puts live data into a report with pass/fail assessment. Memory download, label printing and enterprise level data management is also supported.

Features include: external power and data interfaces; 0.01 dB resolution; 360 h battery life; large user memory.

TechRentals also offers a configuration and download service for this product.

TechRentals Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T439

70 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Panel adapters Switchcraft has expanded the EH Series range to include the latest additions of switches - rocker,

Contactors DKSH Australia has announced the expansion of the Noark range of switchgear; a large range of contactors is now available with AC and DC coils from 2.2 up to 250 kW. The Ex9CS series contactors combine good electrical properties within a compact design. With a mechanical service life of 10 million times, and an electrical service life of 1.2 million times, these rugged, compact contactors are designed for the high demands put on modern devices. A full range of thermal overloads, auxiliary contacts and other accessories is available.

toggle and push-button 6.35 mm jacks, HDMI and RJ45 - shielded and unshielded CAT5e and CAT6. The EH Series is an extensive line of panelmount audio, video and data connectors used to create custom I/O panels and wall plates for A/V, pro audio, broadcast, mobile production and postproduction installations.

Custom combinations of EH Series connectors can be quickly loaded into any of the QGPK Series panels and all connectors fit into a standard XLR panel cut out. Available individually or bagged with mounting screws in black or nickel finishes.

Clarke & Severn Electronics Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T196

DKSH Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T299

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 71

NEW PRODUCTS

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

Multicontact connectors The DSN 37C multicontact connector is part

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

of Marechal’s range of multicontact connec-

Editorial Assistant: Alice Richard

tors designed for signal and control applica-

Chief Editor: Janette Woodhouse

tions in aggressive environments and/or heavy use (up to several

Publisher: Geoff Hird

thousand operations).

Art Director/Production Manager: Julie Wright

The connectors allow for the simultaneous transmission of power, low-level signals and data. The connector has up to 37 contacts, a maximum-rated current per contact of 16 A and a maximum voltage of 480 V. It is waterproof to IP66/67 either with the plug connected or the lid closed.

The solid silver-nickel contacts ensure high conductivity, electrical performance and durability. The connector comes with a GRP casing which resists the extreme conditions often found in harsh environments and gives good resistance to mechanical shock (IK08).

A metal casing is also available with a locking position connected and disconnected by a lockable shaft.

Marechal Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U249

Art/Production: Tanya Scarselletti, Jeanette Teuma, Colleen Sam Circulation Manager: Sue Lavery circulation@westwick-farrow.com.au 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 - Lisa Gilbert Ph: 0414 283 933 lgilbert@westwick-farrow.com.au SA, WA - Lachlan Rainey Ph: 0402 157 167 lrainey@westwick-farrow.com.au New Zealand - Gemma Burr Ph: 0800 442 529 gburr@westwick-farrow.com.au

Power analyser The eXpertmeter PM180 intelligent electronic device (IED) in a 3U standard form factor design combines multifunction energy metering, power quality measurements, fault recording and transient recording along with control and logic functions for substation and industrial automation. The capabilities and functionality provide enhancements to existing protection relays and/or design for new substation and industrial

USA - Huson International Media East Coast Ph: +1 212 268 3344 West Coast Ph: +1 408 879 6666 ralph.lockwood@husonmedia.com UK - Huson International Media Ph: +44 1932 56 4999 gerryb@husonmedia.com 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

automation projects.

The PM180 can incorporate up to 48 digital inputs, combined with onboard fault detector, programmable fault thresholds and hysteresis, up to 100 A CT secondary fault current (2000% overload 5 A CT secondary), cross-triggering

March 2013 Total CAB Audited Circulation (Aust + NZ) 7,307 (68% personally requested)

capabilities, sequence of event recording.

The device is certified to IEC61000-4-30 Class A standard along with EN50160.

Precise energy measurement capabilities provide for Class 0.2s energy accuracy coupled with time of use (TOU), demand, harmonic, voltage, current, power factor, frequency, power, neutral current, symmetrical component measurements. Other features include: RS485, ethernet, USB and infrared supporting either DNP3, Modbus, TCP/Modbus, TCP/DNP3 or IEC61850 protocols. Display options for the PM180 include TFT colour graphics touch screen, LED or multiple LED display either as an integral format of the PM180 or as a remote display function.

SATEC (Australia) Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T695

72 ECD SOLUTIONS - JULY/AUG 2013

ECD Solutions: ISSN 2201-2702 Printed and bound by Webstar +61 2 9748 0020

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

NEW PRODUCTS

Contractor management system Rapid Contractor Management is a web-based system for the management of contractor compliance and documentation. Configurable to any business profile or work health safety procedures and systems, the system provides both a mechanism for determining compliance as well as a central database for the storage of all contractor-related information, enabling efficient tracking and management of contractor compliance documentation.

The online system acts as a gatekeeper for the management of contractor workforces, providing online processing of contractor information to determine their risk level and compliance as well as capturing and tracking expiry of contractor documents such as insurance certificates and industry licences. Contractor companies register through the online portal and are assessed for their suitability and safety risk using an intuitive online form. Documentation is able to be sent and received between all parties, providing all stakeholders with a transparent communication pathway and record.

Rapid Global Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T731

LABEL PRINTERS made to get the job done.

The BMP®51 and BMP®53 Label Makers is Brady’s latest label printing solution that gives you the freedom and flexibility to create custom labels when you need them.

Get the job done FASTER, EASIER and WITH CONFIDENCE. This labeller has the versatility, print capabilities and convenience to help you tackle your toughest labelling jobs in a snap.

with

with

Bluetooth® Technology

Bluetooth® Technology

To see a demonstration visit www.bradyid.com.au/bmp51

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JULY/AUG 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 73

1 Management - Corporate/General 2 Management - Manufacturing/ Engineering/Specialist 3 Engineer - Electrical 4 Engineer - Electronics 5 Engineer - Process 6 Engineer - Project 7 Purchasing/Procurement 8 Technician - Maintenance/Service 9 Technician - IT 10 Technical Officer 11 Scientific Officer - R&D 12 Scientific Officer - QA 13 Consultant 14 Contractor/Tradesperson 15 OHS/EHS 16 Education/Training 17 Student-Undergraduate/Apprentice 18 Analyst 19 Sales/Marketing

List (B) Industry 1 Agriculture/Rural 2 Building/Construction 3 Chemicals/Allied Products 4 Communications Systems 5 Defence/Military 6 Education 7 Emergency Services/Law Enforcement/Security 8 Engineering Services 9 Environmental Services 10 Finance/Banking/Insurance/Legal 11 Food Industry - Bakery 12 Food Industry - Beverages 13 Food Industry - Confectionery 14 Food Industry - Dairy 15 Food Industry - Fruit & Vegetables 16 Food Industry - Meat 17 Government - Federal 18 Government - State 19 Government - Local 20 Health/Hospital 21 Instrumentalities (eg CSIRO) 22 IT - Networking 23 IT - Security 24 IT - Storage 25 IT - Wireless 26 Laboratory - Analytical 27 Laboratory - Clinical/Medical 28 Laboratory - Life Sciences 29 Logistics/Transport/Warehouse 30 Manufacturing 31 Mining 32 Oil/Gas/Coal 33 Packaging 34 Processing 35 Retail/Wholesale/Hire 36 Service/Maintenance 37 Telecommunication 38 Testing/Certification (eg NATA) 39 Utilities

FREE SUBSCRIPTION! ECD Solutions is FREE to industry professionals in Australia and New Zealand.

To continue receiving your free copy you will be asked to register every three years.

2 quick ways to register: www.ECDsolutions.com.au Fax this completed page to +61 2 9489 1265

Please complete this form in full and fax to +61 2 9489 1265 OPTIONS I would like to receive this magazine

digital

I would also like the ECDsolutions.com.au

My main job function is (Select from List A)

print

both

eNewsletter

My organisation's main industry sector is (Select from List B)

Wrapper number: (if known)

Name: Job Title: Organisation Name: Address:

Postcode: Phone No:

Country: Mobile:

Fax No: Email: Signature: Date: PRIVACY INFORMATION: www.westwick-farrow.com.au/pages/privacy.asp

ECD

List (A) Job Function

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.

Quality engineering and manufacturing ensures a product you can trust

www.detaelectrical.com.au

DETA’s product range meets all Australian safety standards.

We back you through friendly customer service and technical support.

DETA - a genuine choice! custservice@detaelectrical.com.au

03 9982 5111