ECD Solutions May/June 2013

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ECD SOLUTIONS MAY/JUNE 2013

FROM THE EDITOR

CONTENTS 4

Electrical safety - not just about voltage

8

Know your industry

12

Top electrical safety mistakes contractors make

the editorial reins to the ever-capable Mansi

14

Electrical equipment safety system

It’s been fabulous to bring you the latest

16

Protection against electromagnetic effects

It is with a little sadness that I must let you know - you are holding in your hands my last issue of ECD Solutions. I am passing back Gandhi, as she returns from maternity leave. news and views in the electrical industry over the last four issues of the magazine, as well as online every day via our web portal and social media channels. It was

19 Comms + Data

particularly satisfying to come in at such

21

Data centre location affected by forces other than power availability and cost

Electrical Solutions became ECD Solutions.

26

The trouble with IT networks

an exciting time, watching the evolution as On that note, I’ve received some fabulous feedback from our readers, positive and negative alike. The response to the new format and expanded topic coverage has been fantastic. On the other side of the coin,

37 Efficiency + Renewables

39

Distributed intelligence - the new paradigm in lighting control

43

Safety alert for installers of PV systems

you’ve let me know when you think we’ve been a bit light on in terms of balanced views or when you would have liked to see broader coverage of a particular subject matter. To me, that’s a sign of success, as it shows that we are providing content that delivers an avenue for discussion and

47 Electrical Distribution

49

Reducing the risk for comms cablers

49

56

Outsmarting arc flash

fuels debate. In that regard, I guess that my work here is done!

So, I thank you for both your attention and for your input; it’s been a great experience from my end. I only hope that you’ve enjoyed

Cover: ©iStockphoto.com/Nikita Rogul

reading, as much as I have putting together,

65 Automation + Security

ECD Solutions over the

69

ASIS releases two new ANSI Standards for private security

All the best.

70

Access control trends for 2013

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

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

last nine months.

Dannielle Furness - Editor ecd@westwick-farrow.com.au

ELECTRICAL SAFETY: NOT JUST ABOUT VOLTAGE ©iStockphoto.com/Georg Hanf

Dannielle Furness

4 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

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Australia has the highest per capita rate of asbestos-related disease in the world. We have a long relationship with the silicate material initially lauded for its superior insulation qualities. Asbestos mining began in here in the 1880s and continued well into the 20th century, and it was only around the mid-point of the 1900s that we began to suspect that something noxious was contained within those fibres.

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s a burgeoning nation, Australia’s appetite for asbestos was seemingly insatiable. Much of the residential construction between World War II and 1983 utilised the fibrous cement sheets which release a deadly dust when cut, sanded, perforated or dismantled.

Estimates suggest that over 70,000 asbestos cement homes were constructed in Australia in the year 1954 alone.

All was not what it seemed Regardless of suspicion that all was not as it seemed with the supposed ‘super-material’, we continued to import product containing asbestos, as well as the raw material itself, till the late 1960s. In the late 1970s, facts came to the forefront or someone came to their senses and regulation commenced.

Of the three asbestos classes, crocidolite (blue) asbestos was considered the most deadly and was banned in 1967. Amosite (brown) asbestos use continued for another 20 years, till the mid-1980s, and chrysotile (white) asbestos remained in widespread employment till the end of 2003.

Given the longstanding love affair, it’s not surprising that safe removal and management of asbestos is still a problem in Australia. We are now seeing a third wave of victims who have been exposed through non-occupational activities, in addition to those who have been put at risk as a result of their profession.

Electrical workers at risk According to the Mesothelioma Center, electrical workers are most likely to come into contact with asbestos materials when repairing existing wiring during remodelling or renovations. Depending on the duration and repetition, this kind of exposure can lead to an asbestos-related disease like pleural mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer.

The centre advises that maintenance and repair work on older equipment including turbines, generators, heating units and water tanks is potentially unsafe, as is any instance where felted asbestos materials have been used as insulation, including around old wiring or inside breaker boxes. Older circuit

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breakers can be problematic as they used arc chutes containing an asbestos plastic moulding compound before the mid-1980s.

The thing that makes asbestos so insidious is that it can take decades for affected individuals to exhibit any symptoms as a result of exposure and it doesn’t treat everyone equally; contact is not necessarily a guarantee that an illness will eventuate.

In case there is any doubt about the susceptibility of those in the electrical industry, the Mesothelioma Centre cites a 2008 study whereby Italian researchers analysed data from clinical examinations and from interviews of 119 workers who were occupationally exposed to asbestos, including electricians. The purpose of the study was to determine if certain known mesothelioma biomarkers (proteins that can be measured) were present in exposed workers that could be used to predict how much risk they were at for developing the disease. When it is present at too high a level, it means the disease is present and the higher the level of the biomarker, the more severe the condition.

Researchers found that among electricians, their high rate of exposure to asbestos fibres increased the content of 80HdG iun their DNA. High levels of 80HdG are a sign of the presence of soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRPs), a known biomarker for mesothelioma. These electricians also had high levels of angiogenic factors, certain proteins that help the growth of new blood vessels. When angiogenic factors are present, it can mean that a dormant tumour is becoming malignant. Based on the combination of angiogenic factors and SMRPs, the researchers concluded the electrical workers were candidates for mesothelioma monitoring.

Tip of the iceberg?

Leaving behind the science speak and landing back on home soil, many local energy providers have issued guidelines for work practices to guard against asbestos risks, given that use of the material was historically so pervasive in the electrical industry.

NSW electricity supplier Ausgrid has been

MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 5

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

ESSENTIALLY, MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE CONFIDENT THAT YOU CAN IDENTIFY POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS MATERIAL BEFORE YOU FIND YOURSELF IN A RISKY SITUATION. ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS YOUR LOCAL WORKSAFE AUTHORITY OR EQUIVALENT AND THE NATIONAL OFFICE OF ASBESTOS SAFETY CAN PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR IDENTIFYING SITUATIONS THAT PUT YOU AT RISK AND WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER THEM. SIMPLY PUT, IF YOU’RE NOT SURE, DON’T DO IT.

operating for over 100 years and claims to have had a dedicated asbestos management program in place for over a decade.

Towards the end of 2012, Ausgrid publicly refuted assertions made by the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) that the company had suspended asbestos removal programs. The ETU maintained that Ausgrid had delayed its endeavours based on reluctance to pay overtime, which the energy provider vigorously denied. According to information issued in November 2012, “an audit of 4000 underground electricity pits had been completed and 57 of those pits were found to contain friable asbestos. Asbestos has been removed from all but one of those pits.

Each pit has also been cleaned.”

It further claims “there are 55 underground substations in the Sydney CBD. All of these underground substations have been subject to an asbestos audit and 50 of those substations have been cleaned and any asbestos removed.”

In addition to supplying statistical information, the company made public details from its Asbestos Safety Management Plan, which covers training programs, planned removals, operational resources, hazard assessment tools, health monitoring implementation and more.

So, that’s 4000 sites, overseen by one company, in one city, in one state of Australia. Is this just the tip of the iceberg?

Not just sparkies It’s not just professionals at risk either.

While DIY renovators are an obvious target, uncontrolled exposure through natural disasters such as floods and fires, both of which much of the country has endured over the last couple of years, puts everyone in the firing line.

In addition, it seems that despite all the publicity - and let’s face it, we’ve been talking about this for years - some companies have turned a blind eye and reckless individuals don’t appear to care who they harm. This was obviously the case when

6 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

two tonnes of asbestos sheeting was recently found illegally dumped metres from an inner-Sydney childcare facility.

Given the far-reaching nature of what we can surely consider an epidemic, interest groups such as Asbestos Free Future (AFF) have been calling for a national approach to asbestos management. AFF wants Australia asbestos free by 2030 and suggests that inadequate public awareness and education, lack of a national authority and a scarcity of national laws are clear blockades to this imperative. It additionally calls for a program of compulsory supply of asbestos safety certificates for residential buildings and audits of commercial premises to facilitate complete elimination.

In response to such demands, the Australian Government took a nationally coordinated approach to reduce exposure to asbestos through the introduction of the Office of Asbestos Safety (OAS) in August of last year. Sitting within the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, the OAS worked with jurisdictions and stakeholders in an effort to develop a National Strategic Plan for asbestos awareness and management by 30 June 2013.

A unified front In late March this year, the Gillard Government put forward the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Bill 2013 to establish an independent body which will focus “beyond workplace health and safety to environmental and public health issues”. It is being pushed as an international first in terms of a true nationwide attempt to achieve complete eradication of asbestos, an initiative that is undoubtedly being warmly received by the likes of AFF and other interest groups.

All I can say is, at least it’s on the radar because the more you look into this the more frightening it becomes. The number of parties who have chosen to look the other way in the past and continue to do so extends way beyond the major miner and manufacturer of asbestos that has

lived largest in the public eye over the last couple of decades. Not to serve as an excuse for James Hardie, but I think that side of the issue has been covered amply across every media source imaginable.

From a base point, I still struggle to comprehend that a mine was open for operation in 1943 and bolstered by a company-established, purpose-built town to house workers in 1947, presumably at no small cost. This mine was closed in 1966 due to growing health concerns for workers and their families. So, it operated for 23 years and included a full-blown civic development, yet it took us, as a nation, an additional 37 years to determine that we should rid our shores of this truly sinister material.

Admittedly, they were simpler times and we didn’t have access to the information that we now do. Add to that, the mine in question was the sole source of the particularly virulent crocidolite blue asbestos, not the ‘less dangerous’ brown and white varieties, which have since been banned.

Still ... you’ve got to wonder. The fact remains; they knew in 1966 but we kept rolling in one form or another till 2003.

What should you do?

So, history lesson aside - in 2013, what does it mean to you, an electrical industry professional? Ultimately, there’s no point in looking backward and pointing the finger of blame, because we have to deal with the here and the now. You have to know what you are dealing with and it seems that many still don’t, which is understandable given the fragmented information available.

Essentially, make sure that you are confident that you can identify potentially hazardous material before you find yourself in a risky situation. Organisations such as your local WorkSafe authority or equivalent and the national Office of Asbestos Safety can provide guidelines for identifying situations that put you at risk and what to do when you encounter them. Simply put, if you’re not sure, don’t do it.

Never work without adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), including face respirators, dust filters, coveralls with fitted hoods and suitable footwear. In addition to cover-up protection, you will need to decontaminate when you leave an asbestos work area to ensure that any harmful materials remain behind.

There are qualified asbestos removal professionals out there, so you may never find yourself in a situation that calls for personal involvement but, as the adage goes, forewarned is forearmed.

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© iStockphoto.com/Nikada

BUSINESS TIPS

KNOW YOUR INDUSTRY Is it really almost tax time again? It rolls around quicker than Christmas, that’s for sure, and it can be a tricky landscape to navigate. The rules can change without you knowing, so using a registered tax agent or BAS agent is advisable. In addition, the Australian Tax Office can provide guidance to help businesses meet their tax obligations.

S

mall business benchmarks are a guide to help businesses compare their performance against similar businesses in an industry. The benchmarks are calculated from information reported on the income tax returns and activity statements of businesses that operate in similar industries.

Benchmarks are published as a range to account for businesses with different annual turnovers, variations across financial years, regions and business models.

How can benchmarks help your business?

Benchmarks are a useful tool to help you meet your tax obligations by: • obtaining guidance on what we normally expect to see in business reporting • comparing your business with others in your industry • working out if you need to adjust your business and recordkeeping practices • assessing whether your business is at risk of an audit

How does the tax office use benchmarks?

The ATO uses benchmarks, amongst other indicators, to identify businesses that may be avoiding their tax obligations by not reporting some or all of their income.

Information reported in your tax returns or BAS are compared with the key benchmark for your industry and the ATO checks to see whether you are reporting outside of the benchmark range for your turnover.

Appropriate industry benchmarks for your business are based on the information you provide, which includes: • the business industry code • the description of the main business activity • the business trading name

What if your business is outside a benchmark?

There may be reasons why a business reports outside of its benchmark. For example, it may have higher costs or lower selling prices than most other businesses in the industry. It is important that these are reflected in business records.

Being outside of the key benchmark may also indicate that a business may not be recording, reporting or paying tax on all of its transactions, especially cash transactions.

8 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

If your business is reporting outside the benchmarks, the ATO recommends you: • review your record-keeping practices to ensure they meet the legal requirements • check whether you have correctly reported all your income and expenses in your income tax returns or activity statements If you find that you have incorrectly reported your income and expenses, you should: • correct the affected tax return or activity statement • let the ATO know by making a voluntary disclosure

Consider making a voluntary disclosure If, after comparing your business performance against the benchmarks, you find that you have made a mistake in your tax affairs, the ATO suggests you make a voluntary disclosure.

If you make a voluntary disclosure, the penalties and interest that would ordinarily apply may be reduced, particularly if you make the voluntary disclosure before you discover the ATO intends to audit.

Performance benchmarks for electrical services Issued in 2012, these benchmarks are developed using information reported on income tax returns and activity statements for the 2009-2010 financial year. They are updated annually and for businesses that install, repair, maintain, assemble, identify and design electrical equipment and networks. These benchmarks do not apply to auto electricians or air-conditioning specialists.

These benchmarks show a number of different financial ratios of business income to business expenses, to help businesses compare their performance against similar businesses. The key benchmark ratio for the electrical services industry is total expenses to turnover. This ratio is likely to be the most accurate predictor of business turnover.

Businesses operating outside the key benchmark may be contacted by the Tax Office. During an audit, if a business does not have records to support its reported income and expenses, the ATO may use benchmarks and other information available to assess the profits of the business.

For more information, visit the Australian Taxation Office website at http://www.ato.gov.au.

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TOP ELECTRICAL SAFETY MISTAKES CONTRACTORS MAKE Jim White*

CONTRACTOR SAFETY

Safety risks are often overlooked when contractors work in autopilot mode. In some cases, the consequences of a small mistake are dire. This article discusses the top electrical safety mistakes contractors make and how to avoid them.

1. Thinking that ‘it’s only 120 volts’ The only difference between low and high voltage is how fast it can kill you. High voltage kills instantly; low voltage may take a little longer.

Dr AG Soto, consulting physician to Ontario Power Generation, presented a paper at the 2007 IEEE Electrical Safety Workshop discussing low-voltage shock exposures. In the paper, Dr Soto explained that a 120-volt shock can kill up to 48 hours later. He also stated that many emergency room doctors are unfamiliar with electric shock and that an EKG may not show a problem. The injury to the heart muscle tends to spread over time and cannot always be identified using EKGs.

2. Working on energised systems or equipment when it can be de-energised A few decades ago, it was common practice in power plants not to de-energise anything, whether it could be or not.

De-energising is the only way to eliminate hazards. Arc flash personal protective equipment just increases your chances of survival - it doesn’t guarantee it. Be aware that until equipment and systems are placed in an electrically safe work condition, proper PPE and procedures must be used to protect the worker.

3. Going to sleep during safety training Training sessions need to be focused, concise and interesting, otherwise everyone tunes out. They should be insightful and specific without becoming boring or repetitive.

4. Not wearing PPE Electricians generally don’t like wearing rubber insulating gloves or arc flash PPE and equipment. It’s hot, uncomfortable, restricts movement and slows the entire work process down - not only by wearing it, but by selecting the correct PPE and putting it on and taking it off. However, PPE saves lives.

One of the most common times that people neglect to wear PPE is during troubleshooting. Yet, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) studies have found that 24% of electrical accidents are caused by troubleshooting, voltage testing and similar activities. We have a tendency to ignore hazards associated with tasks we consider ‘safe’.

5. Not wearing the right PPE Some people think that wearing anything by way of PPE should be enough. While it is true that the injuries that you sustain probably won’t be quite as severe as if you didn’t wear any PPE, there’s a high probability that if the right PPE was worn, no injury would occur.

This point could probably go under point 3, because if you aren’t paying attention during safety training, you probably can’t choose the right PPE either.

Do you know how to interpret arc flash labels? Do you know what to do if there’s no arc flash label on electrical power equipment?

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Do you refer to the notes when you use the tables?

If you answer “no” to any of these questions, you aren’t choosing the right PPE. You’re the one who will be injured; you need to do the homework to protect yourself.

6. Using outdated or defective test equipment to troubleshoot When the leads are frayed or the meter is dodgy, it’s time to replace it. Damaged or outdated testing equipment pose a serious health and safety risk. Testing equipment should be inspected regularly to identify damage.

7. Trusting someone else for your safety An OSHA compliance officer I know investigated an arc flash incident involving two electricians who had been working together for many years. The worker who was injured asked his colleague if the circuit had been checked, to which his colleague replied, “Yes”.

Not wanting to offend his partner, the electrician didn’t pursue the matter further. When he started working on it, the circuit blew up, causing severe arc flash burns. Sometimes relationships cause us to not follow through when we should. Either we don’t want to offend someone, like the above example, or we don’t want to look less than manly in front of our co-workers.

8. Not performing required maintenance of power system equipment Too often companies look at maintenance costs as an overhead expense. Nothing could be further from the truth. The problem is that it’s difficult to put a price on things like unscheduled outages, loss of production, buying equipment at premium pricing and overtime.

Unless you have experienced firsthand the costs associated with neglect, it can be difficult to appreciate the importance of maintenance.

Liken it to automobile maintenance. If you buy a brand new car but do no maintenance for 100,000 km, what condition do you think it will be in?

9. Not carrying your gloves with you During my safety training classes, I usually ask how many people actually carry their rubber insulating gloves with them. Maybe one or two will raise their hands. The problem is that if you don’t carry them, you don’t use them. Carry your gloves and use your gloves - always.

For information on the Australian Electrical Safety Standards, visit www.standards.org.au. *Jim White is the Training Director for Shermco Industries in Irving, Texas, and a level IV NETA technician. Jim represents NETA on NFPA 70E and B committees, as well as the Arc Flash Hazard Work Group, and chaired the 2008 IEEE Electrical Safety Workshop.

MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 13

© iStockphoto.com/lionvision

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT SAFETY SYSTEM 1 March 2013 saw the commencement of the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) rollout in participating states and territories of Australia. First cab off the rank is Queensland, with WA, Vic, Tas, SA, NT and ACT all looking to follow suit. Additionally, New Zealand will implement similar legislation.

A

ccording to its website, the Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council (ERAC) is the peak body of electrical safety regulators in Australia and New Zealand and seeks to ensure harmonisation of electrical safety regulations across the ANZ region. In 2007, this charter led to an independent review of safety systems which, in turn, led to development of the EESS. To support the EESS, ERAC's compliance strategy ensures safety issues are quickly identified and consistently managed.

The strategy is to: • Monitor the market across the distribution chain and promote greater industry and public awareness of equipment safety.

• Promote greater industry and public awareness of equipment safety compliance requirements such as the use of the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) as the symbol that equipment meets the EESS. • Audit manufacturers, importers and suppliers of equipment to ensure they comply with safety fundamentals and with legislative obligations.

• Enforce compliance, including issuing notices and prosecution proceedings as appropriate.

EESS entails legislation around the sale of electrical equipment that is considered ‘in scope’. This is regarded as low-voltage electrical equipment rated at greater than 50 VAC RMS or 1200 V ripple-free DC (extra low voltage) and less than 1000 VAC RMS or 1500 V ripple-free DC (high voltage). This equipment must be designed or marketed as suitable for household, personal or similar use.

Every supplier who manufactures or imports electrical equipment in Australia and New Zealand must ensure their equipment

14 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

meets the established regulatory framework. This applies whether the equipment is imported or domestically produced.

The scheme entails the following elements: • Nationally consistent, electrical equipment safety legislation throughout Australia and New Zealand that will greatly increase consumer safety.

• A national database where all suppliers and certain types of equipment must be registered prior to being offered for sale.

This will allow equipment to be easily traced to its supplier and act as a gateway to the legal supply of electrical equipment in Australia and New Zealand.

• R isk-based classification of equipment into three levels (Level 3, Level 2 and Level 1) with different requirements for each level.

• A self-funding, user-pays system where registration fees fund improved compliance, surveillance and post-market enforcement activities.

• Registration of a ‘responsible supplier’, who is a manufacturer or importer of in-scope electrical equipment and who is a legal entity in Australia or New Zealand, and has the onus of responsibility for ensuring the safety of the electrical equipment it sells.

• Technical safety requirements have not changed under the EESS but tighter evidence of conformity is required for some items.

General requirements While there is a general requirement under legislation for all electrical equipment to be safe, the Australian and New Zealand regulatory

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REGULATIONS

environment also requires equipment to meet the relevant standards and as a minimum meet the essential safety characteristics and requirements set out in AS/NZS 3820.

the equipment meets relevant standards in a way that is required under the EESS for that classification of electrical equipment.

Responsible suppliers

The EESS provides for in-scope electrical equipment to be classified into three levels (high, medium and low risk). There are proportionate evidence of conformity requirements for each level, depending on the potential risk of the item.

All in-scope electrical equipment must be electrically safe and meet the relevant standards.

There are different requirements for evidence of compliance with relevant standards for each equipment risk level.

Level 1 electrical equipment (low risk). The responsible supplier for Level 1 equipment must keep evidence, in English, that the items meet the relevant standard at the time the item was either manufactured or imported. This evidence is to be kept by the responsible supplier for a period of 5 years starting on the day the item is last manufactured or imported by the responsible supplier.

Level 2 electrical equipment (medium risk). A responsible supplier is required to keep a compliance folder. A compliance folder is a document recording evidence, in English, that must include test reports completed by an approved testing entity or a suitably qualified person, confirming that the equipment type being registered meets the relevant standard(s).

Level 3 electrical equipment (high risk). The evidence of compliance for Level 3 equipment is a valid certificate of conformity. The certificate of conformity must be issued by a recognised certifying body for each item of Level 3 electrical equipment, or family of items.

A responsible supplier is a person, company or business that manufactures in-scope electrical equipment in Australia or New Zealand, or imports in-scope electrical equipment into Australia or New Zealand.

A responsible supplier must be a legally identifiable Australian or New Zealand entity holding an Australian Business Number (ABN) or a New Zealand Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number.

Responsible suppliers have the main obligation for complying with the EESS. The legislation requires responsible suppliers to ensure that the electrical equipment they sell meets relevant standards and is electrically safe. Failure to do so could result in significant penalties.

National database ERAC has established a national database as the gateway for the supply of in-scope electrical equipment to Australia and New Zealand.

The database records the registration details of responsible suppliers of in-scope electrical equipment in Australia and New Zealand.

Responsible suppliers are required to register their details on the database. As part of the registration process, responsible suppliers also make a declaration that the equipment they sell meets relevant standards and is electrically safe.

The database records the details of all Level 2 (medium risk) and Level 3 (high risk) electrical equipment. Responsible suppliers are required to register all types of Level 2 and Level 3 equipment they sell on the database.

The database also records the certification details of Level 3 (high risk) electrical equipment which requires a valid Certificate of Conformity before it can be sold in Australia and New Zealand.

Compliance folders for Level 2 (medium risk) can be uploaded into the database.

Responsible supplier declarations or equipment declarations are also recorded on the database. The database is accessible at www. erac.gov.au.

Responsible supplier registration The legislation requires all responsible suppliers to be registered on the national database. Registration must be renewed annually with an annual registration fee payable by responsible suppliers when they register.

Responsible suppliers are to ensure that the details contained on the database are current and must update their details (ie, contact person, address, etc) within 30 days of those details changing.

Penalties apply if it is found that a responsible supplier’s details are not current on the national database.

A responsible supplier must make a responsible supplier’s declaration when they register on the national database. This is a generic declaration all responsible suppliers make that all electrical equipment they supply is electrically safe and will continue to meet relevant standards and comply with the EESS. This responsible suppliers declaration will apply to all electrical equipment generally and is the only declaration required that will cover Level 1 (low risk) electrical equipment.

In addition to the responsible suppliers declaration, for Level 2 (medium risk) and Level 3 (high risk) electrical equipment, responsible suppliers must also make equipment declarations. The equipment declaration is equipment specific and is made when equipment of this type is registered on the database. These declarations state that

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Evidence of conformity

Risk engine A risk engine or risk calculator is used to help determine which types of electrical equipment are Level 3 and Level 2 equipment.

The risk engine is used by the Australian and New Zealand Standards committee QR-12 made up of electrical industry experts from government and private industry to assess risk.

These types of Level 3 and Level 2 electrical equipment are then identified in Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4417.2 and published on the ERAC website. All in-scope electrical equipment not published as Level 3 or Level 2 equipment in this way is automatically classified as Level 1 equipment under the EESS legislation.

Labelling with the regulatory compliance mark (RCM) All Level 1, 2 or 3 electrical equipment offered for sale in Australia and New Zealand by responsible suppliers is to be marked with the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) as illustrated.

The RCM should be placed on the external surface of the electrical equipment as near as possible to the model identification or alternatively, it may be placed on the packaging or promotional material for that item where it is not possible to put the RCM on the item itself due to the size or nature of the equipment.

Further information on labelling of items with the RCM can be found in the AS/NZS 4417.1 (Use of the mark).

Responsible suppliers are given the exact dimensions of the RCM in accordance with AS/NZS 4417.1 when they register on the national database as a responsible supplier. Rules for use of the RCM for ACMA purposes are set out in the ACMA Labelling Notices.

Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council www.erac.gov.au

MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 15

© iStockphoto.com/Clint Spencer

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

PROTECTION AGAINST ELECTROMAGNETIC EFFECTS Lightning is a huge natural electrostatic discharge between electrically charged areas within a single cloud, from one cloud to another or between a cloud and the earth. The discharge is accompanied by a flash or strike, can result in serious injuries or fatalities when people are exposed to it and can cause serious damage to equipment, installations and buildings when it hits the ground.

W

e have all learned from an early age what we have to do in a thunderstorm. When outdoors, keep away from trees, tall objects, metal and water; try to find shelter in a building; spread out if in a group. When driving, stop at the side of the road or on a motorway’s hard shoulder, stay in the car and avoid touching metal. While indoors, stay away from windows, stop using phones and electrical equipment, and unplug appliances and computers.

Electrical damage Telephones, modems, computers and other electronic devices can be damaged by lightning, as harmful overcurrent can reach them through the phone jack, ethernet cable or electricity outlet. Close strikes can also generate EMPs (electromagnetic pulses). All electronic devices are highly susceptible to these electromagnetic effects.

As the market in electronic goods has increased rapidly and steadily over the past 30 years, so the need for protective measures against such effects has grown.

Lightning protection standardised In 1979, the IEC established TC (Technical Committee) 81: Lightning protection, to prepare International Standards and guides for lightning protection for structures and buildings as well as for persons, installations, and contents in or on them. TC 81 has provided other IEC TCs with guidance on the protective measures to be taken against electromagnetic effects produced by lightning.

16 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

EMC tested and certified by IECEE As part of its CB (Certification Body) Scheme, IECEE (IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components) has put in place the mechanisms to ensure, through assessment, testing and surveillance, that products conform to the specified requirements of the appropriate EMC standards. The service provides testing and certification in compliance with IEC International Standards prepared, among others, by IEC TC 77: Electromagnetic compatibility, and CISPR: International special committee on radio interference.

The main features of the IECEE EMC compliance services as provided by the CB Scheme and the CB FCS include, as appropriate: • Third-party testing and certification for products based on IEC International Standards • Testing of products by internationally approved laboratories • Regular surveillance of quality systems and products through factory inspection to ensure that quality products comply with the relevant IEC International Standards Using the IECEE EMC program and obtaining the IECEE certificate of compliance offers multiple benefits for manufacturers. Among them are faster access to market, cost and time saving, a competitive advantage at the national, regional and international level, and ultimately, customer confidence that the product purchased meets all safety and reliability requirements.

IEC e-tech www.iec.ch

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CeBIT Australia 2013 28-30 May 2013 - Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre www.cebit.com.au

Electrical Safety & Power System Protection Forum 29-30 May 2013 - Perth www.idc-online.com

SPARC International Lighting Event 2013 04-06 June 2013 - Overseas Passenger Terminal, Sydney www.sparcevent.org

EEA Conference and Exhibition 19-21 June 2013 - Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland www.confer.co.nz

EECON NSW 2013 conference

Š iStockphoto.com/Rustem GURLER

dia

Earthing, Lightning & Surge Protection Conference 02-04 July 2013 - Brisbane www.idc-online.com

CEDIA Expo 2013 10-12 July 2013 - Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre www.cediaexpo.com.au

Clean Energy Week 2013 24-26 July 2013 - Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre www.cleanenergyweek.com.au

Arc Flash Conference 06 Aug-23 Oct 2013 - Various venues www.idc-online.com

The Future of HVAC 2013

26-27 June 2013 - Australian Technology Park, Sydney www.eecon.com.au

13-14 August - Shed 14, Central Pier, Docklands, Melbourne www.airah.org.au

Pumps & Compressors Conference

2013 Electrical Industry Conference

26-27 June 2013 - Perth www.idc-online.com

18 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

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

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

2013 SERIES

Process Technology Roadshows

NOW IN ITS 9TH YEAR

LAST TO E C N A CH STER! REGI

If you work in mining, minerals, metals processing, utilities, food and chemical manufacturing and processing then the Process Technology Roadshows are designed for you. Don’t miss out ...

NEW TRAINING SESSIONS FOR 2013

• Engineering quiz on process instrumentation

with prizes

Substation automation • • Perform basic troubleshooting of a typical industrial ethernet system • Simulate and troubleshoot a Modbus/TCP master communicating with a Modbus/TCP slave over IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi)

Design and construct your own closed circuit TV • (CCTV) system for a mine site and analyse the network traffic • Troubleshoot a tuning problem with your Flow Loop • Use Tunnelling to connect a local OPC* client to a remote OPC server via the internet

Brisbane • June 17 Gladstone • June 18 Mackay • June 19 Townsville • June 20

Previous Exhibitors include:

Includes FREE: Supported by:

Training by:

• Access to exhibition • Training sessions - NEW • Lunch and networking drinks • Product demonstrations • Prize draws

To register or for more info visit: www.regionalroadshows.com.au

© iStockphoto.com/Baris Simsek

© iStockphoto.com/luismmolina

POWER AND EFFICIENCY

DATA CENTRE TRENDS The latest report on data centres gives a worldwide view of power requirements, drivers, trends and issues within the data centre market. Read on to find out more.

F

our out of five fastest growing territories in terms of data centre power requirements are the ‘BRIC’ economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China), reveals a recent report by DCD Intelligence.

In fact, there is only one ‘established’ market within the top 10 for energy requirements growth - the Nordics group of countries. The remaining nine are the BRIC group plus five of the ‘E7’ (emerging 7) countries - Turkey, Gulf States, the ASEAN group of markets, Colombia and South Africa.

Based on results from the 2012/2013 census with additional new qualitative interviews and desk research, the ‘Powering the Data Center Report’ has a foreword by Professor Ian Bitterlin and offers the reader insight into historical growth rates, regional variations, local idiosyncrasies. Also included are the technologies and strategies being implemented to mitigate the forecast of exponential growth in demand for data centre services.

Over the past 12 months, much attention has been directed at ‘green’ locations, and while this research confirms that the Nordics have witnessed as much as a 22% growth in white space over the preceding year, the report finds that there is little evidence to suggest that low-carbon data centre locations are becoming the norm.

“You would imagine, with the rising cost and importance of power, that there would be an exodus of data centre facilities to low-cost or low-carbon (not linked to the price of fossil fuel) regions, but whilst there are some moves, generally data centre location seems to be affected by forces other than power availability or cost,” said Professor Ian Bitterlin.

With the amount of negative publicity surrounding current and future power requirements for the data centre industry, many have asked the question whether the industry is doing enough to reduce power consumption. The answer, according to both Professor Bitterlin and the report’s author, DCD intelligence lead analyst

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Nick Parfait, is a definite yes - though with the proviso that the industry must continue to find ways of doing even more.

As Parfitt explained, “Currently the industry can show to the outside world a variety of energy-saving initiatives with new and forthcoming international and regional standards, best practices, maturity models and codes of conduct on energy efficiency.

“However, we in the data centre industry need to educate others - especially governments and legislators - what we do, how central our role is in the digital economy and how our facilities are becoming ever more vital and also ever more energy efficient.

For example, interacting digitally rather than physically has a very significant impact on the carbon footprint of data centre users.”

According to projections made based on 2012 census data, the global data centre industry has a total power consumption of approximately 332 TWh (terawatt hours), of which 19% is accounted for by colocation or other outsourced facilities. This 332 TWh consumption represents 1.8% of global electricity usage based on IAE (the international energy agency) World Energy Outlook figures.

However, as Parfitt explained, “Governments and legislators need to understand that modern data centres use this energy orders of magnitude more efficiently than their old server-room predecessors. So companies should be rewarded, not discouraged from transferring to these facilities.”

This total demand figure is up 14% over the 2011 census data.

While this is lower than the previously projected increase of 19%, it is still very significantly higher than overall global energy demand for which the historic 10-year rate of increase is just 2.5%.

(Source: BP - quoting IAE 2012 figures.)

The report covers worldwide power requirements for the data centre industry, including breakdowns by country and region, and analyses current and future growth in power and energy efficiency measures.

MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 21

NEW PRODUCTS

Microphone cable Belden has extended its line of broadcast products in the EMEA region with the launch of two Brilliance microphone cables. Brilliance 1776 - Belden’s strongest microphone cable to date - and compact digital microphone cable Brilliance 2221 - the company’s finest performing digital cable available - offer maximum toughness and flexibility

Antivibration rackmount server cabinet

for analog and digital applications.

Brilliance 1776 is a super-strong Analog Microphone Cable capable of withstanding the rough handling and constant use of studio and live environments. Belden claims it is its strongest ever microphone cable, featuring a minimum pull strength of 113 kg.

The cable is engineered with high-strength custom alloy conductors and a tough EPDM rubber jacket, making it suitable for rental houses and other applications where microphone cables face repeated use and damage. Brilliance 1776 is available as cost-saving put-ups of 75 m.

The V-Rack series antivibration rackmount server cabinet is available in different models: V-Rack-660, V-Rack-960 and V-Rack-1560.

The V-Rack-660 features a form factor of 6U, a load capacity of up to 80 kg and measures 700.02 (w) x 500.13 (h) x 599.95 (d) mm, while the V-Rack-960 has a form factor of 9U and measures 653.03 mm (h). The third model, V-Rack-1560, has a form factor of 15U and measures 919.99 mm (h).

Belden’s second cable introduction is a solution for applications where full-size microphone cables are too large. The Brilliance 2221 Compact Digital Microphone Cable is small enough for handheld solid-state recording devices (SSD) with miniature microphone connectors, such as those from Lemo, Neutrik or Switchcraft, or those using Bantam or TT jacks as the balanced line input.

With an impedance of 110 Ω, the cable is able to carry digital audio. It has ultralow capacitance of 42.7 pF/m.

Brilliance 2221 is suitable for use as an analog or digital patch cable where Bantam or TT patch connectors are used. It can also be used as a DMX lighting control cable when small size and flexibility are required.

The V-Rack series features a rugged shockmount design

Belden Australia Pty Ltd

and is constructed from high-quality aluminium and steel.

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S646

It creates a safe space for hardware to avoid disruptions including constant vibration or incidental impact. Optional front and rear lockable doors and castors ensure data is safe from theft or tampering.

ICP Electronics Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T248

Fusion splicer AFC has announced the release of the Fujikura FSM-12S fusion splicer, claiming it as the smallest and most lightweight available.

The FSM-12S uses technology best suited to FTTH, telco and LAN installations and has a long-life battery, providing technicians with 100 splice and heat cycles. The long-life electrodes provide 3000 splices and the FSM-12S delivers an average singlemode splice loss of 0.018 dB. The device measures 121 W x 162 D x 57 mm H and weighs in at 776 g, including battery. The high-contrast display measures 11 cm. It supports 250 µm, 900 µm, 2 mm, 3 mm and drop cable fibre holders.

AFC Group Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S877

22 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Electronics enclosures Soanar has added to the ErgoCase body contoured range of electronics enclosures from OKW Gehäusesysteme GmbH, the Ergo-Case XS. As the name implies, the XS series is designed with external dimensions of 80 L x 56 W

Network and application testing

x 22 H mm. The units are made of ABS plastic (UL 94 HB) and offer three

Spirent Communications has launched a network and application

alternative options: with a single eyelet for

testing platform to make robust testing easier and more affordable

use with a lanyard, with two eyelets designed for use with a

for IT teams everywhere. Spirent Axon is an easy-to-use network

wrist strap and with no eyelets, for universal use. The top of the

and application testing platform that enables IT professionals and

Ergo-Case XS units features a recessed surface for integrating

network engineers to validate the performance of applications,

membrane keypads.

network devices and IT services. With Axon, enterprises can deploy

Applications include mobile data recording and transmission

new applications and services faster while avoiding costly downtime.

in the fields of medical, laboratory and measuring technology,

Axon gives IT teams reliable and actionable results that can help

storage and sales logistics, digital open and closed-loop control.

them escape the downward spiral of reactive firefighting and spend

For applications close to the body, the range of accessories

their time more productively. Axon users can run tests in minutes to

already includes the necessary belts, bracelets or collars, a wrist

generate and model realistic traffic scenarios that benchmark and

strap as well as a belt/pocket clip for securing enclosures to

validate the performance of applications and network infrastructure.

the user’s belt or shirt pocket.

IT managers and network engineers now can have confidence that their new services perform seamlessly from the start.

Soanar Limited Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T293

Matrium Technologies Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T160

Automation enclosures The Built Board series enclosures are suitable for use in home or commercial automation installations and are large enough to house all project hardware in one location. Built boards are available in four standard sizes; from 81 to 243 pole, featuring 27 poles per DIN rail to allow for 2 x standard C-Bus or Dynalite control units plus RCBOs. The steel construction provides an extra level of protection, while lockable doors ensure that installations are secure.

Installing all project hardware into one enclosure saves time, as there is no requirement to move between two or more smaller boards.

Built Boards are constructed from powder-coated steel, contain 2 x 12 pole neutral and earth bars per DIN rail, 42 pole main neutral and earth bars and feature a sizable wiring space with fitted cable tray for dressing and securing cables.

They can be surface mount or recessed. Additional supplied extras include cable ties, bushes and circuit identification stickers.

Built Boards builtboards.com.au

24 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

THE TROUBLE WITH IT NETWORKS Dannielle Furness

IT networks are troublesome: there are so many potential points of failure, so much monitoring, analysis and troubleshooting required. Ask anyone from any business, not just IT professionals, and they’ll tell you that any network downtime spells trouble.

T

o gauge just how much trouble, in 2011 the Ponemon Institute conducted a survey of 32 separate organisations representing 41 data centres in the US, with a view to determining the true cost of data centre outage. The study used a framework of nine core process-related activities that drive a range of expenditures associated with a company’s response to a data outage.

Specifically, data was gathered on costs around: • detection, including all costs associated with the initial discovery and subsequent investigation of the partial or complete outage incident; • containment expenses to enable reasonable prevention of an outage from spreading, worsening or causing greater disruption; • recovery costs associated with bringing networks and core systems back to a state of readiness; • ex-post response expenditures which incorporate all after-thefact incidentals; • equipment including new purchases, repairs and refurbishments; • IT productivity relating to IT personnel downtime; • user productivity, which includes time and related expenses of end users; and • third-party expenditures, which includes contractors, consultants, auditors and other specialists engaged to help resolve unplanned outages.

In addition, the study factored in opportunity costs associated with data outage, including lost revenues from customers and potential customers because of an inability to access core systems, as well as business disruption expenditure, including reputational damages, customer churn and lost business.

26 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

The study determined that certain causes of outage are more expensive than others - IT equipment failure being the most expensive root cause and accidental/human error being the least - and that the average cost per incident was US$505,500. Half a million bucks. No small number; and no small wonder, because data networks can be complex beasts.

Who to blame when things go wrong Due to that complexity, there is a tendency for ‘finger pointing’ in any downtime or failure scenario. If you’ve ever been one of multiple trades on a project when something has gone down, you know how this plays out. Everyone is so busy blaming everyone (or anyone) else that the problem generally takes even longer to be rectified.

The IT world is no different - if there are issues on the network, they could be coming from anywhere. Consider the following scenario: a remote user is finding the network is slow. There are too many questions that need to be asked before the problem can be isolated; is the problem occurring on-site, on the WAN or at the data centre?

Is the firewall blocking something or is the local site congested?

Is it a carrier problem? Has Qos/Cos been misconfigured? Has a server been overloaded? Is the user load being properly distributed and is authentication being successfully carried out? The questions never stop and, in many cases, the resolution is too long in coming.

Additional stresses It’s not all about downtime, either, there’s pressure from other angles. Capacity management can be an issue; as in any distributed organisation, the cost of connectivity is always difficult to quantify.

Traffic on the network tends to expand to fill the available band-

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Š www.sxc.hu/gerard79

NETWORK ANALYSIS

2. Rising rack densities: Introduction of blade servers and other high-performance equipment creates more heat and requires precision cooling. Water incursion becomes a greater risk.

3. Data centre efficiency: Power draw is often the target of facilities and operations staff. Trying to minimise energy consumption at the expense of availability is a risky business, particularly where critical data centres are concerned.

4. Need for infrastructure management and control: This is the key driver, as all of the preceding items can be addressed through a system of management and control.

Performance monitoring for modern IT

width, whether or not that traffic is crucial to the business. Usage of business-critical applications is also difficult to measure. It may be within expected parameters for 90% of the time, but no business wants to experience degraded performance for the remaining 10%.

Performance requirements put constant pressure on IT to increase bandwidth in order to provide an effective service to the business, while cost management requires that this is limited, or even reduced. These represent conflicting sides, to say the least.

Then there is voice over IP (VoIP), which puts additional strain on the network. While it may be an attractive option to management in terms of cost reduction, the issues with utilising a standard network to transport voice calls are obvious from a traffic perspective.

Namely, that VoIP uses the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), which is inherently connectionless. What this means is, if a packet is lost, or delivery is taking too long, the sender of the data has no mechanism to resend or adjust the rate by which the data is sent.

When an environment adds a significant number of VoIP users, this can impact current utilisation of network segments, reducing call quality and the speed at which standard Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) applications perform. TCP, when faced with additional delay, can time out and resend data when not appropriately acknowledged, as it is a connection-oriented protocol.

So, how can a company manage all of these conflicting pressures on a network and ensure that downtime is kept to a minimum?

The Ponemon study found that data centres are attributed to one of four drivers: 1. Increasing IT demands/exceeding data centre capacity: Additional equipment due to increased IT demand can stress infrastructure resulting in failure.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

While various stand-alone performance monitoring and troubleshooting options for networks and IT systems have been around for some time, Fluke Networks has recently unveiled a truly unified network and application performance troubleshooting appliance, which it has labelled Visual TruView.

TruView is a single appliance that leverages key data sources such as packet, transaction, flow and SNMP to present a correlated view of performance in a single, easy-to-understand view. These correlated views assist in seeing how the infrastructure is transporting applications and how well those applications are performing in context of the end-user experience.

In simple terms, IT teams no longer have to find and solve problems, as everyone has a complete view of performance across the entire application and network. The device provides enterprise-wide visibility, isolates problems down to infrastructure device, interface, transaction or packets associated with any performance event and delivers a retrospective analysis with event reconstruction.

Analytics are time-correlated within a single dashboard, so the workflow to understand the problem domain is simplified - finger pointing between IT teams is virtually eliminated. Dashboards are customised from a library of views and measurements, meaning that the user only sees what they need to see.

TruView is fast, offering automated application discovery speeds set-up and ongoing management; it is intelligent, incorporating selflearning baseline capability; and, it is complete - from monitoring to troubleshooting, it offers insight into everything from traffic flows to individual client transactions.

The device also provides advanced VoIP analysis, giving a visual indicator of individual user call quality and associated degradation factors. Additionally, the in-depth level of analysis allows businesses to identify critical business usage vs non-critical and recreational usage on the network, clearly identifying current bandwidth requirement and permitting accurate forecasting for future needs.

So, while it may not prevent human error quite yet, a truly integrated approach to data network performance management lessens the likelihood of costly outages and lost productivity, and negates the need for finger-pointing between departments. A simple solution to a complex and expensive problem, TruView delivers an extra degree of reassurance when it comes to keeping the heart of any business beating.

Fluke Networks Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T331

MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 27

NEW PRODUCTS

Australia urgently needs ICT infrastructure design certification

Paul Stathis

At the recent BICSI Conference in Melbourne, ICT engineering consultant Lawrence McKenna emphasised the costly ramifications of inadequately skilled ICT cabling designers in Australia, calling for the industry to ‘raise the bar’ or suffer further financial losses.

Below are some extracts from his presentation: “Australian organisations desperately need their ICT infrastructure certified to current government regulations and industry best-practice.

“For too long, organisations have endured sub-standard and even non-compliant ICT infrastructure that manifests itself in inefficient and ineffective communications within businesses, unnecessarily robbing them of millions of dollars. Some systems are so poorly installed that they pose life-threatening hazards to workers and the community. “Over the past nine months, I researched ICT infrastructure and found the current ‘landscape’ appalling. The Victorian economy, for example, is annually losing approximately $4 billion due to poor design, installation and testing of ICT cabling.

“With Australia developing into a digital economy, our dependency on ICT technology is underscored by the integrity, or conversely the fragility, of the infrastructure that supports it, much like the foundations of a high-rise building. Sadly, my research reveals its fragility.”

The problems experienced can be broken down into three areas: Design: McKenna found many customer cabling designs (legislated by the Telecommunications Act 1997 - s20) were undertaken by both unregistered and registered mechanical, electrical and ITEE engineers, and by physical security consultants and AV consultants.

It was disturbing to learn that many designers didn’t understand the intent or contents of the Act or supporting standards. Many lacked the knowledge to interpret them correctly to provide accurate designs.

Construction: The Act also mandates all customer cabling be installed by a registered cabler. McKenna’s research revealed that many of such systems were frequently installed by unregistered personnel.

Furthermore, many installers lacked a technical understanding of cabling standards or industry best-practices. Most disturbing was the frightful number of installation practices that actually endangered people’s lives through electrocution.

Testing and acceptance: A NATA-certified testing company provided McKenna with information on client-submitted customer cabling test results. Of all the test results submitted nationally in 2012: 24% of data cabling wasn’t compliant and 41% of fibre optic cabling wasn’t compliant. Some of the reasons for non-compliance were: testing to lower standards than specified (intentionally to achieve a pass); deletion of failed results; and duplication and renaming of test results.

The manifestation of these problems is billions of dollars of lost productivity. Without appropriate action, these losses will only get worse as the NBN rolls out, unless we act now to remedy the situation, said McKenna. McKenna strongly encourages government and business to adopt the following practices to curb the current digital economic loss: commercial customer cabling design be undertaken only by registered ITEE engineers. The engineer should undertake additional industry training; all customer cabling installations to be undertaken by registered cablers, with additional industry training; NATA review of all cabling test results, as this imposes accountability on installers. www.bicsi.asn.au

28 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

Thermal transfer printer The all-in-one T200 printer brings together a solution for thermal transfer printing needs.

The increased accuracy and the added flexibility of a movable media sensor extends the variety of products approved for this printer, while reducing the number of misprints. The touch-screen user interface provides an easier set-up experience. Key benefits of the device include: increased accuracy and added flexibility of a movable media sensor extends the variety of products approved for this printer, while helping to reduce the number of misprints; improved media and ribbon loading; easy routine maintenance without requirement of tools; and an easy-to-fit perforator and cutter unit.

The T200 is suitable for a wide range of cable identification and label printing applications, used for TE identification sleeves, cable markers and labels, and for low-volume printing jobs.

Soanar Limited Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T420

Industrial mobile handheld computer Adlink Technology Inc has released the IMX-9000, an industrial mobile handheld computer using the Windows CE 6.0 R3 operating system. Combining high-performance RFID, a barcode scanner and GPRS/WLAN wireless transmission functions to satisfy diverse working requirements, the IMX-9000, with resistance to impact, water and dust, can be applied in a variety of industries, including fully supported logistics management, transportation, retail and factory automation.

The IMX-9000 adopts the Windows CE 6.0 R3 operating system and offers a software component sharing interface. Designed with high-efficiency barcode scan processing capacity, data saved under 1D or 2D barcodes can be collected and accessed easily. With integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GSM, fastpositioning GPS and AGPS, the IMX-9000 enhances the reliability of wireless communication.

The IMX-9000 passes IP65 and 1.5 m drop tests to ensure continuous operation and provides reliable operation in harsh working environments.

With a 3.5″ 4-wire resistive touch panel, the IMX-9000 has proved to be readable in sunlight for outdoor use. Equipped with a 5 MP back camera and 0.3 MP front camera, the IMX-9000 supports wireless broadband for real-time video communication and surveillance.

ADLINK Technology Inc Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T305

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Stainless steel panel PC

Three-phase UPS

Interworld Electronics has released the APC-

The Eaton 93PM UPS is a three-phase double conversion

3782T rugged touch panel all-in-one computer

UPS designed to meet the reliability needs of IT manag-

from Aplex. The APC-3782T is housed in a

ers in demanding environments including virtualised and

fanless stainless steel chassis that provides

cloud data centres, co-location facilities and mission-

an IP65 front panel and sides.

critical applications.

An optional IP42 waterproof kit protects

With a power factor of 1.0, the UPS covers power ratings

the I/O connectors and cables, allowing the

from 30 to 50 kVA/kW. The modern multilevel converter

APC-3782T to be easily cleaned. The APC-

technology enables the UPS to offer 96.7% efficiency in

3782T is supplied with a 17″ SXGA 1280

double conversion mode, and an energy saver system

x 1024 resolution LCD and a resistive USB

(ESS) efficiency of 99%, resulting in savings in operational

touch screen, making it suitable for operator

costs and protection from any abnormalities in utility power.

In ESS mode, load is powered securely through static

panel and HMI control applications.

The APC-3792P features a built-in energy-

bypass line with double conversion available on demand

efficient Intel Atom D525 1.8 GHz processor

with typical 2 min transition time in the event of any ab-

with 2 GB of DDR3 memory. A 2.5″ hard drive

normality on supply source. When operating in ESS mode,

bay and internal and external CompactFlash

load is protected with inherent surge suppression. As a

slots are provided for system and data stor-

result, the units enable users to optimise power usage

age. I/O connections include: two COM ports,

effectiveness (PUE) while ensuring ultimate reliability and

four USB 2.0 ports, two gigabit ethernet

continuous load availability.

Eaton’s Intelligent Power Software Suite enables users to

ports, a 3-pin terminal block connector for

monitor and manage all the power devices on the network.

11~32 VDC power.

VESA 75 x 75 rear mounting holes allow

The intelligent power manager (IPM) software is compatible with major operating systems

the panel PC to be securely wall or arm

as well as virtualisation software. As a result, the UPS easily integrates with virtualised IT

mounted. The APC-3782T is compatible with

environments such as VMware vCenter, Microsoft Systems Center and Citrix XENCenter.

Windows XP Pro, XP Embedded and Windows

In case of a power failure, IPM can trigger actions like live migration of virtual machines,

Embedded 7 operating systems, allowing it

controlled shutdown or disaster recovery, and movement of critical applications to available

to support for a wide range of off-the-self

servers within an organisation or to a co-located facility or public cloud.

and custom-developed industrial applications.

The UPS also features an intuitive touch screen LCD interface built into the front of the

For applications requiring a smaller screen

unit which provides the essential information on site like power quality, energy consump-

resolution, the APC-3582T with a 15″ LCD

tion and efficiency trends - both as data and graphics. The web interface allows users

or the APC-3282T series with a 12″ LCD are

to monitor and manage the 93PM remotely and integrate the unit into IT and facility

also available.

management systems.

Interworld Electronics&Computer Ind Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T386

Eaton Industries Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T724

Speed monitors ifm efector has added new features and functions to the ifm product line of speed monitors. In addition to the high input frequency of up to 60,000 pulses per minute and configurable functions, these also include an extended operating temperature range up to -40°C. The luminous OLED display allows an optimal indication of all display values.

The speed monitors calculate the rotational speed by evaluating pulses. If the current values are above or below the set limit values, the transistor and relay outputs are switched. This allows reliable speed and standstill detection.

The speed monitors DD2501, DD2503 and DD2603 monitor the rotational speed of one channel with two separately adjustable limit values. ifm efector pty ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T805

30 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Connector Harwin has released a female version of the Datamate 2 mm connector for aerospace, defence and avionics applications. The reverse-gender, right-angle, hi-rel connector enables boards to be connected in parallel or side by side.

The dual-row connectors are available in 6, 12, 14, 20, 26, and 34 positions with a 3 mm pc tail. Longer 4.5 mm and SM solder tails are anticipated. The Datamate hi-rel interconnection system is already a wide product family, and a horizontal female-style increases the possibilities open to design engineers looking to optimise performance and reduce system size and cost.

Clarke & Severn Electronics Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S155

Industrial ethernet router Weidmuller has created a gigabit WAN/LAN industrial ethernet router that delivers comprehensive security features. The router translates addresses between different networks using protocols such as port forwarding, 1:1 NAT or masquerading to protect all the ethernet devices of the hidden network and to ensure safe integration into the network.

In addition, the router also enables access to infrastructure from around the world, supporting up to 10 VPN connections using OpenVPN as well as IPSec technologies to deliver high-level security with minimum effort.

The model also boasts an in-built SPI firewall to prevent unwanted remote network access. Better still, the fully functional firewall can be configured to meet individual rules for both Layer 2 (ethernet) and Layer 3 (IP) transport to deliver top-level security.

The firewall also has an auto-learning feature that adapts automatically to the network traffic it sees. This feature provides inexperienced network people with highly effective protection. Generated rules can be edited or deleted. The router supports Modbus TCP commands and also features two digital inputs and outputs for functions and alarms.

The gigabit WAN/LAN ports enable high-speed throughput of data in corporate networks.

The router uses the memory of a SIM card for external backup and for restoring the system’s configuration. Operable in temperatures from -20 to +70ºC the router conveniently runs on minimal power from 7 to 36 VDC and can be battery or solar operated at fixed installations or on vehicles. Housed in a rugged DIN rail-mount case to withstand demanding environments, the router is suitable for use in mining, road and transport, and water industries as well as for remote access for automation companies during commissioning and warranty.

Weidmuller Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T469

Security in application-aware networks Spirent’s testing solutions for security of applications and network infrastructure enable users to validate their DPI system’s capabilities under real-world scenarios by using tests that behave like real users using real applications and devices, under production-level loads.

The solution quickly and accurately recreates all the applications and security threats in a user’s unique network, allowing users to confirm their application policies are working as expected.

Users can test the next-generation security devices to understand how they prevent malware, spam, DDOS and known attacks, and handle fuzz testing, and application white or black lists.

Thousands of up-to-date, ready-to-run tests can be accessed from the integrated TestCloud to ensure testing has the application coverage needed, from Skype to Facebook, and the latest security attack.

Matrium Technologies Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T765

32 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Media streaming server The AVerCaster Pro is a media streaming server with significant input signal flexibility and a strong encoding/transcoding capability. It can broadcast live TV and SD/HD video content to massive audiences over

Well Connected

LAN or WAN. AVerCaster Pro supports live HD video broadcasting and is suitable for any application that needs to integrate live video content and a variety of TV channels in locations such as commercial buildings, apartment complexes, hotels, hospitals, schools and government facilities. It has been designed to address the proliferation of IPTV and OTT video streams in environments such as education, hospitality, transportation and healthcare.

The AVerCaster Pro accepts digital TV (DVB-T in SD/HD), analog TV and analog video sources. It uses H.264 encoding to deliver the optimum combination of image quality and low bandwidth usage, as well as to provide maximum compatibility and interoperability. It is compatible for output on network TVs, IP-set-top boxes, computers iOS and Android devices. Multiple encoding controls allow the selection of video resolution, bitrate, frame rate and audio bitrate.

With output capability up to 1080p and a standard 19″ 1RU design, the AVerCaster Pro is suited to the rich multimedia streaming requirements for many of today’s developed industries.

Anyware Corporation Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T384

Wide range of Cable Assemblies including: • FFCs and FPCs • Custom-Made such as Moulded RS232 Data Communications

Cooling box

• Automotives

Keeping power equipment

• Waterproof & RF Cable Assemblies

cool and dry in outdoor telecommunication plants has always been a problem for telco companies.

Traditional cooling systems such as air conditioning are expensive to run, add to a company’s

• Locally made Cable Assemblies for prototyping 3 Small Volumes 3 Quick Turnaround • UL Approved and RoHS Compliant Cable Assemblies

carbon footprint and require regular maintenance. To address this problem, Eltek has developed the Eltek Cooling Box (ECB), a solution that incorporates an optimised thermal system controller, passive free air cooling and a highly efficient fan and filter mechanism that will keep sensitive electronics functioning even in the harshest conditions. All data and events can be tracked using the Eltek Smartpack controller’s datalogging function, which allows users to view items such as temperature

Semiconductor IC’s Resistors Capacitors Potentiometers Crystals

Oscillators Filters LED’s & LCD’s Relays Sensors

Switches Connectors Fasteners Enclosures GPS Modules

curves, fan speed, filter blocks, system failures, etc. The ECB has the advantage of being able to filter/exchange a large amount of ambient air (>2000 m3/h), giving a very high cooling performance with low power consumption while maintaining the internal environmental temperature, dust and humidity. The ECB comes with aluminium and galvanised steel construction, is lightweight, easy to install, and has a fan-speed control that allows users to set it from 0-100%. Other key features include delta ∆T tracking, alarms, local/remote site monitoring capabilities, and even the option of controlling the existing air-con system.

Eltek Australia Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T593

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Ampec Technologies Pty Ltd Sydney: Web: E-mail:

(02) 8741-5000 www.ampec.com.au sales@ampec.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Extend ethernet networks The Westermo DDW-142 from Madison Technologies is a high-speed, compact device that is capable of meeting the increasing data transfer demands within industrial applications. It uses SHDSL technology to establish a high-speed connection between ethernet networks using any existing copper cables. This enables considerable cost savings when installing new systems where the only option in the past would have been fibre.

The Wolverine DDW-142 allows effective ethernet networks to be created over long distances (up to 15 km) at data rates up to 15.3 Mbps on a single twisted pair cable.

By using two pairs ‘bonded’, this rate can be doubled up to 30.4 Mbps. The integral switch allows two ethernet devices to be attached and an RS232 port allows for a legacy piece of equipment to be incorporated into the IP network.

The DDW-142 is designed for use in tough environments and mission-critical railway, road or utility applications where device failure could result in significant costs. The rugged and compact unit can operate in extreme temperatures (-40 to +70°C) and where EMC and vibration levels are high. Total galvanic isolation and transient protection of the electronics contribute to a MTBF of 437,000 h, providing high operational reliability and a long service life.

To support engineers that are installing and maintaining ever increasingly complex networks, the DDW-142 has been designed to be easy to set up, requiring no configuration for simple point-to-point communications. For larger networks, a web interface is provided and a CLI allows even more complex configuration.

The Wolverine range is also supplied with a unique cable distance calculator. This uses data from real-world applications to enable installers to calculate the speed and achievable distances using different types of cable. Once installed, SHDSL diagnostics and management functions enable indication of line degradation, allowing planned maintenance. Should maintenance be required, a back-up and restore facility enables configurations to be quickly downloaded from a USB stick.

Madison Technologies Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S166

Remote terminal unit Sixnet rugged RTUs provide a simple yet powerful means to reliably monitor and control remote sites around the clock in the harshest environments.

The RTUs are configured by using Sixnet’s Windows-based Tool Kit and offer the programming flexibility of either C or ISaGRAF Open programming software which encompasses the following IEC61131-3 languages: Sequential Function Chart, Ladder Diagram, Structured Text, Instruction List, Function Block Diagram and Flow Chart.

With a Linux operating platform and open protocols such as Modbus, DNP3 and SNMP, the Sixnet RTU provides the user with the flexibility to interface to a wide range of devices; and with an operating temperature range of -40 to 70°C maximises reliability in the harshest of environments. The RTUs can also be supplied from a 10 to 30 VDC supply, making them suitable for use on battery-powered systems.

The I/O capacity of the RTU can be expanded by adding Sixnet EtherTRAK-2 or third-party I/O modules which can be interfaced to the RTU either serially or via ethernet.

The RTU can also be interfaced to a radio system or to other technologies such as Sixnet’s Industrial Cellular routers, making them suitable for installation on either existing or new networks.

Control Logic Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T154

34 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Wireless tablet The PWS-770, 10.4″ tablet PC from Advantech helps improve mobile worker efficiency by providing a robust, portable platform that is flexible, lightweight and semi-rugged.

Singlemode 43/45 dB OTDR Available to rent, the Anritsu CMA 5000 43/45 dB OTDR

The mobile system has a full complement of integrated I/O and modules to extend functionality even more, and it has a complete range of wireless connectivity options, ensuring maximum uptime for workers in the field.

uses a combination of high-performance hardware and

The tablet features selectable data capture modules, abundant accessories and rich

easy-to-use software. It has a dedicated touch screen and

I/O. Data capture is versatile with PWS-770’s modular support as businesses can add

hard-key user interface. The application reduces the time

individual modules to tailor the unit to their specific need. Modules include a camera,

to install, commission and maintain fibre spans.

1D/2D barcode reader, magnetic stripe reader and RFID reader. Accessories include

With 50 dB of dynamic range and dead zones as small as 1 m, this instrument is suitable for testing long-haul

hand straps, shoulder straps, desk cradle and vehicle docking cover for carrying, desktop and in-vehicle use.

backbone networks, metropolitan optical networks (MONs)

The tablet features an Intel Atom N2600 1.6 GHz processor, DDR3 memory and

and passive optical networks (PONs). Features include:

mSATA SSD storage. It has an IP54 rating, is dust and water resistant, drop-tested at

singlemode 1310/1550/1625 nm OTDR with SC/APC adapter;

3′, vibration resistance is compliant to MIL-STD-810G, and it has a sunlight-readable

dynamic range 43/45/43 dB; dedicated touch screen and

display option for outdoor work.

hard-key user interfaces; USB, CD-R/W and 20 GB hard drive; mains and battery operated.

The company also offers a configuration and download

The PWS-770 has an integrated antenna with a full complement of connectivity options: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and WWAN. The battery design allows the system to operate for up to 8 h at a time by hot

service for this product.

swapping with a second battery. The device weighs 1.2 kg and is 18 mm thick.

TechRentals

Advantech Australia Pty Ltd

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S544

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T156

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 35

NEW PRODUCTS

Management solution for embedded applications Backplane Systems Technology has announced the release of ACECS (Avalue Cloud Enabled Convoy Service) software which provides convenient management solutions for embedded applications. It enables users to remotely control configurations, monitoring and automatic alerts by email or SMS, providing system maintenance backup and recovery if needed.

ACECS is included in all Avalue Intel PNV and CDV based panel PC products. ACECS is free of charge when pre-installed in panel PCs that are bundled with OS (Windows XP and Windows 7 supported only) and HDD. Other services such as system security and third-party system

Industrial panel PC

recovery functions may be payable services.

ICP Electronics Australia has released the PPC-5150A-H61, the lat-

The main purpose of ACECS is to proactively gather data to help

est generation 15-19″ industrial panel PC series by IEI Technology.

reduce maintenance costs, improve efficiency and reduce time. The

The PPC-5150A-H61 is designed with a heavy-duty, rust-resistant

ACECS platform will give customers an easy way to control their panel

chassis and an aluminium IP66-compliant front panel. An expanded

PC devices. ACECS reduces maintenance costs as, when a device fails,

operating temperature of -20 to +60°C allow for applications in

most problems can be resolved by remote control or remote monitoring.

extreme industrial or weather conditions.

Backplane Systems Technology Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S732

Powered by the 2nd/3rd Generation Intel Core i7/i5/i3, Pentium and Celeron processor, the PPC-5150A-H61 supports the new Intel H61 chipset. The system memory supports dual-channel DDR3 SO-DIMM up to 16GB (compared to the G41, at 4GB).

Wi-Fi solution Ruckus Wireless has launched its SmartPoint technology enabling its ZoneFlex 7321-U access point (AP) to use licensed spectrum for backhaul instead of wireline facilities, improving the flexibility and ease of deployment of Wi-Fi service without waiting for a wireline facility to be deployed before turning up service.

SmartPoint is a suitable solution for locations that need a single access point such as coffee shops, petrol stations and convenience stores. It can also be used for disaster recovery and transportation applications. In the latter,

The PPC-5150A-H61 also features dual gigabit ethernet and offers a versatile mounting solution in the form of either panel, wall, rack or stand mounting. The PPC drive bay supports a CF Type II Solid State Drive, with an optional mSATA. Expansion includes either 1 x PCI slot or 1 x PCIe slot, plus 1 x PCIe Mini card.

Each model features a built-in AC/DC power supply without the need for an external power adapter, saving work space. This slot comes with a secure panel for keeping the card safe when used in public environments.

cellular uplinks are used to get Wi-Fi traffic off of ferries, buses and trains.

ICP Electronics Australia Pty Ltd

The technology is suitable for mobile network operators that have available

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S654

spectrum (typically unpaired) and are looking to leverage that spectrum to rapidly roll out Wi-Fi services.

The ZoneFlex 7321-U is capable of running on either the 2.4 or 5 GHz

Multicable bushing system

bands with a click of a button. Performance is enhanced by up to 4 dB

Skintop Cube from Lapp Kabel provides an innovative approach to

through Ruckus proprietary adaptive antenna technology called BeamFlex.

traditional multicable bushing systems, with great improvements and

This enables the AP to have greater range and performance over compet-

advancements including increased simplicity, ease of use and safety.

ing technologies.

Ruckus Wireless Inc Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T798

Control & Power Switches Extensive Range of

Stainless Steel & Insulated Enclosures

The patented Skintop Cube flexible clip modules provide quick and easy installation with far better sealing and clamping capabilities.

Additionally, service to the cables is greatly simplified, as removing the frame from the enclosure is not necessary when updating cables.

The simple design of the Skintop Cube multicable bushing system is made up of a frame and four flexible module options.

The product offers faster and easier assembling/disassembling than other multicable bushing systems. Cable diameters ranging from 4-16 mm are covered with just four Cube Modules, greatly reducing inventory. Securely fixed Cube Modules can be assembled with the cable before installation in the frame. The frame accommodates up to 8 to 10 cables and fits within standard 16- and

www.krausnaimer.com.au Adelaide Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Tel: (02) 9797 7333 Tel: (03) 9720 9777 Tel: (07) 3252 8344 Tel: (08) 8371 1443 Fax: (02) 9797 0092 Fax: (03) 9720 9766 Fax: (07) 3252 1497 Fax: (08) 8371 0901 Linked with an Australian Wide Distribution Network

36 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

24-pole industrial connector entry holes.

Oil-, grease- and ozone-resistant materials make Skintop Cube suitable for industrial applications where harnessed cables need to be installed.

DKSH Australia Pty Ltd see 1943 Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T026

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Safety, comfort & sustainability

Time to save Sensible lighting control devices such as presence detectors, can save up to 30% of energy consumption.

Energy savings can be maximised by utilising Hager’s eco-ficientŽ time switches, dimmers and twilight switches to better manage the use of energy. These energy saving devices and solutions are an investment that pays off over time - watt by watt, cent by cent, day after day, all the while significantly increasing the comfort & safety of the building.

www.hagerbr.com.au

up to

50%

energy saving

LIGHTING CONTROLS

THE NEW PARADIGM IN LIGHTING CONTROL Claire Thompson

Smart lighting control systems make a significant contribution to the effective operation of commercial buildings. As the race towards new technologies for lighting control continues, the prospect of creating smarter, more intuitive controls is seemingly straightforward - all a system really needs to do is to make decisions about which lights to switch on, and how brightly, based on information in the space beneath them.

T

he reality, however, is that the bulk of advanced commercial lighting control systems, despite being built to be flexible, are overly complex. In large part, this stems from the fact that these are addressable systems that require centralised network control and the capacity to identify and communicate with each system component in order to function. Their complexity is compounded by the need for extensive maps of sensors, light fittings and associated equipment, and undermines the basic purpose of a truly effective lighting system: to switch on each individual light to a required level, at the required time, and to switch them off when not in use.

However, innovations in the lighting control space are giving rise to a new generation of distributed intelligence systems that are based on the patterns of nature. Distributed intelligence is the separation of system components from a central control/command module. In a school of fish, for example, there is no master fish collecting information and sending out commands; instead, each fish simply observes its environment and neighbouring fish in order to make independent decisions.

This is distributed intelligence in action.

In an engineering context, distributed intelligence refers to the ability of individual system components to make their own decisions based on information available in the immediate vicinity. Crucially, these components need no knowledge of their neighbours’ identities, nor a map of the layout; systems based on distributed intelligence have the capacity to overcome issues associated with centralised control by removing complexity, rather than adding it. Melbournebased business Organic Response has developed a fully distributed

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intelligence-based lighting control system. Each component of the Organic Response system can stand alone, both mechanically and electrically. Components make all decisions at a local level but operate en masse as a cohesive system.

The system works on the basis of every light fixture having an integrated sensor node. The sensor node comprises a motion sensor, an ambient light sensor, an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver that enables proximity limited wireless communication between the fixtures.

In an office environment, for example, the presence of a person underneath a light fitting will trigger that light to come on, and it will simultaneously transmit a Level 1 message to its direct neighbours,

MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 39

LIGHTING CONTROLS

alerting them to the fact that there is activity taking place within one light fitting of their location. These Level 1 fixtures then switch on at a predetermined lower lux level that corresponds to their distance from the activity and transmit a Level 2 message that instructs their immediate neighbours to activate in a similar pattern. The message propagates rapidly throughout the office, informing every sensor node of its proximity to the source of motion.

The infrared messages being transmitted from node to node contain real-time, location-specific occupancy information; collectively, this information is known as the Occupancy Information Cloud (OIC). The OIC delivers crucial occupancy data throughout the system, allowing each node to combine the information with its local ambient light data to make logical, individual decisions.

A recent Arup report into an Organic Response installation in the Commonwealth Bank head office in Sydney revealed that the model achieved substantial energy savings over and above those captured by the site’s existing timer-based DSI system. The Organic Response system also met occupant comfort requirements head on and was identified as one of the first systems on the market to meet the notorious challenge of effective task lighting: “The system presents a number of key features that conventional addressable systems don’t, and this achieves high energy savings, high levels of occupancy comfort and [helps achieve] many Green Star credits.”

But the benefits of Organic Response, and of distributed intelligence-based lighting technologies as a whole, are broader still. Truly distributed systems are completely plug and play, infinitely scalable and have inherent redundancy. Because all the control technology is located in the light fitting, there is no external infrastructure to be installed and programmed. The sensor nodes have no unique identity or address, which means the system will continue to function if one or more light fittings are removed. Adding light fittings is equally simple; a new fitting will simply start listening, responding and contributing occupancy information as soon as it is connected to the system.

These systems also deliver higher levels of occupant comfort, in which lighting control systems play a significant role. Timer-based control systems are designed to switch off lights irrespective of whether there are still occupants in the room, while addressable systems simply can’t sustain the density of sensors required to reliably ensure occupant detection, or deliver dynamic zoning the way that a distributed intelligence system can.

So, if distributed intelligence is such a revolutionary approach to lighting control, why has the industry been so focused on addressable systems? To being with, high-tech lighting control is a relatively recent phenomenon. Initially, the path of least resistance for developing new systems was to build them on the network architecture of more mature systems, such as BMS, that depend on the addressable paradigm to function.

40 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

Cost is another issue - up until recently, the cost of inserting sensors into every fixture of a lighting control system was prohibitive. However, in the last few years, the cost of electronics such as processors and sensors have dropped significantly, allowing electronics developers and manufacturers to take huge steps forward in developing new technologies.

The true power of the distributed intelligence system, however, lies in the OIC. The sensor nodes of the Organic Response system use this information to control their lighting levels, but more strategic use of the OIC might be just what the industry has been looking for in its quest for full integration of building systems, such as HVAC, security and computing systems.

To date, the coarse nature of occupancy data captured by addressable systems, and the complexity associated with transposing one map to another, is the ongoing argument behind why such integration is not being implemented. But a hybrid system - one that integrates distributed intelligence with existing building systems - would ostensibly provide all building systems with easy access to occupancy information: tapping into the occupancy data using an infrared receiver would provide the BMS with access to rich occupancy information for a whole floor via a single point on its network.

A hybrid system also has exciting implications for the simple execution of load shedding, or demand control. Electrical grids and building substations are getting more and more overloaded; in countries like India and Japan, peak electrical load is as much of an issue as the overall energy consumption. A hybrid system could easily reduce the peak electrical load of the lighting system by sending out a simple command that is relayed throughout the OIC to each fitting, telling it to go into a low load state when the electrical grid is stressed.

A single sensor node connected to a BMS could receive the command from a central point and relay that throughout an entire floor of lights.

“The holy grail of energy management in the built environment is integration of building systems,” says Danny Bishop, co-founder and Technical Director at Organic Response.

“Given the diversity of the systems that are used in buildings, one of the simplest paths to improving their collective efficiency is for each system to have real-time access to common, location-specific, occupancy information. That is our vision for Organic Response as a distributed intelligence architecture.”

Such opportunities are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to distributed intelligence and the opportunities it presents in both lighting and the broader building services industry. Organic Response has built the platform and the gates are now open for a raft of new innovations that take advantage of the exciting opportunities the technology presents.

Organic Response www.organicresponse.com.au

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

33kW Internet Ready Photon ‘A’ Rated

www.solaraustralia.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Renewable energy storage Solar Inception has released a smart renewable energy storage solution that

Compact mobile lighting

can capture energy from multiple sources, including solar, wind, hydro, diesel Genset

Transportable enough to fit in the

and the grid, and then use the stored en-

back of a ute, and offering a lighting

ergy on demand. SolaGRID ESS is a fully

range up to five times greater than

integrated and expandable lead acid gel

quartz light alternatives, the Allmand

energy storage system suitable for stand-

Port-A-Lite has been launched locally

alone (off-grid) or grid-coupled operation.

by CAPS Australia, the generator and

Available in eight models, the system offers

compressed air equipment supplier.

from 4.6 to 8 kW power supply capacity

“The Allmand Port-A-Lite is an

in 10 and 20 kWh modular units.

affordable, heavy-duty lighting tower

SolaGRID ESS is packaged in an aes-

solution that is height adjustable up

thetic, weatherproof enclosure that can

to 3.65 m and easily transportable

withstand extreme climate conditions.

around job sites. Light direction

Quick to connect via a few AC cables, the

can be adjusted in all directions

modular design accommodates storage for

without tools.

small to large green energy systems and

The Port-A-Lite comes in two models, with either one or two lamps. The lamps feature 1000 W metal halide lamps capable of producing 110,000 lm/lamp, working from a standard 240 V, 10 A domestic power point.

storage capacity can be easily expanded as power needs grow.

There are two iterations of the unit: an off-grid stand-alone solution which stores

The Port-A-Lite lighting tower solution will be most useful in work situations such as

energy when renewable power generation

concrete finishing, paving, masonry, roofing, excavation, mining, refining, quarrying and

is abundant and uses stored energy when

demolition. The units are also suitable for waterfronts, training sites and special events.

generation is insufficient. The grid-coupled

Built tough to withstand a range of arduous operating environments, the units are

SolaGRID ESS unit saves power from the

constructed in the US and feature heavy-duty construction.

grid during off-peak times when the price

CAPS Australia Pty Ltd

of power is low, then supplies the stock-

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S630

piled energy at peak demand time, when the price of energy is high. The net result in both instances is to reduce the overall price of electric power, while optimising the use of lower-cost renewable energy.

The systems are built to perform efficiently and consistently for prolonged periods; for example, over the entire life

LED shoplighter

cycle of a solar energy system. Each system comprises SMA Sunny Island/Sunny

The SL3500 shoplighter from

Backup inverters and BAE Secura Solar

Brightgreen is equivalent in output

batteries and is built in accordance with

to a 200 W halogen lamp, but

stringent safety, system design, installation

provides almost 22 lumens per

and maintenance standards, including AS

dollar, compared to just 14.5 for

3000, AS 4509, AS 4086 compliance and

a standard LED shoplighter, says

NPER/RPEQ/CPEng/CEC certification.

the company. The fitting has an operating power of 38 W but emits 3192

Available models include: 4.6 kW stand-

lumens of brightness. This adds up to 84 lumens per watt, compared to

alone models with 10 or 20 kWh, 5 kW

16 lumens per watt for a halogen equivalent.

stand-alone models with 10 or 20 kWh,

The shoplighter is fully adjustable, tilting 60° with a push. It scores 82

6 kW stand-alone models with 10 or

on the colour rendering index (CRI) and is available in a range of colour

20 kWh and 5 kW grid-coupled models

temperatures. It has a 40,000 h life span, twenty times that of a halogen

with 10 or 20 kWh.

lamp, and is covered by a three-year warranty.

Brightgreen Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T473

42 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

Solar Inception Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T610

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Š iStockphoto.com/Anne BÌk Pedersen

SOLAR POWER

SAFETY ALERT FOR PV INSTALLERS The Queensland Electrical Safety Office has issued a safety alert to highlight the risks associated with direct current (DC) isolators used in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The office has been made aware of a number of instances in Queensland where direct current (DC) isolators have failed due to poor circuit connections and where isolators have shown signs of being affected from the intrusion of moisture or have had signs of water damage present.

W

hen terminating electrical conductors into isolators and circuit breakers, it is paramount that connections are secure under the terminal clamp especially where DC is involved. Shoddy practices can result in unsafe solar PV systems, particularly where equipment such as direct current isolator enclosures or junction boxes are not suitably installed to prevent water ingress.

In accordance with the PV standard AS/NZS 5033, all equipment exposed to the outdoor environment must be at least IP54 compliant in accordance with AS 60529 and be UV resistant.

Higher IP ratings should be considered for tropical regions.

Junction boxes and combiner boxes adjacent to the PV array and located in areas that may be affected by water jets associated with cleaning must be a minimum of IP55 compliant.

Any enclosure IP rating shall suit the environmental conditions and apply to the relevant mounting position. Unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer, the IP rating should be assumed to

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apply to a vertical mounting orientation. Any flaps on enclosures required to achieve the IP rating should latch automatically when released from the fully open position.

The practice of drilling holes in IP-rated equipment is not acceptable. Electrical contractors have an obligation to ensure all installations are electrically safe including that connections are not loose and verification that wiring systems are protected from external influences.

Electrical contractors must: install only DC isolators rated for the voltage and/or current output of the system; confirm polarised DC isolators are wired correctly and are rated for direct current; ensure the required documentation as outlined in the PV standard is provided to the PV system owner; ensure the way electrical equipment or installation is installed is electrically safe.

It is important to follow the correct installation processes recommended by each equipment manufacturer.

MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 43

CASE STUDY

Despatchable solar power

M

uch has been said about the limitations of photovoltaic (PV) solar as an alternative energy source, given its inherent intermittent nature. PV Solar has even been blamed for grid instability as well as pushing up the price of electricity. So what about a solar system that allows the utility to decide how much power it requires and when?

In 2012, Essential Energy contracted LJW Solar to design and construct a solar-generation system with linked storage capacity at the Bega Valley Shire Council Library. The purpose was to test and confirm the benefits and value of deploying a solar-generation plant where output is stable and not as impacted by local environmental variations. An additional requirement was to put power back on the network at times that were more beneficial, and to ultimately facilitate reduction of thermal base-load generation.

Peter Newell from Essential Energy said, “We wanted to produce a reliable and consistent solar energy supply to our network.

The bonus for the library is, if a grid outage ever occurs, supply continues from the batteries and solar.” It was required that 15 kW be available to export to the grid for a minimum of 3 h per day.

Selectronic Australia were invited into the project after concerns that the charging processes from the originally sourced AC coupled system, using grid connect inverters and back-up inverters, could not be isolated. This had the potential to impact the customer’s account and possibly interfere with the network by drawing power from the grid at inappropriate times, defeating the purpose of network support.

44 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

Ultimately a DC coupled system was chosen, as it best met all aspects of the scope. The Selectronic SP Pro, which is only available via a utility unlock code, was used to allow stored power to feed back to the grid.

Major system components were: 20 kWp array - 108 Suntech 190 W panels mounted on the library roof; grid tied backup inverters - total 15 kW three-phase output, 3 x Selectronic SPMC 481; MPPT charge controllers from solar to battery 6 x Midnight 150; battery bank - 72 x 1500 AH/2 V gel-plate batteries - 3 strings 48 V nom - 200 kWh nominally.

Selectronic SP Pro inverter chargers provide the necessary functionality.

The system functions in four modes: Solar to grid: this occurs when the batteries have been charged to float. Grid feeding function is triggered from SP Pro. Battery charging - solar to battery: this is the normal state. All AC load is fed directly from the AC source. All solar power is directly charging the batteries.

Off-grid - grid interruption - grid backup system: when there is significant irregularity, disruption, brown out or complete loss in grid power. This initiates the off grid or island function of the inverter as it seamlessly disconnects from the grid while providing DC power inverted from the battery bank and solar power to continue to run the AC loads. The solar charging function continues if solar power is present.

Battery to grid feeding: when the utility requests. This is an unnatural state for most systems; however, this system has been designed to feed stored solar energy to the grid due to the ability of the SP Pro inverter. This is based on a start and finish time configuration of the inverter. This is currently set automatically to output 15 kW at the same time each day at which time the solar input may or may not be present.

Communication is key to this project and very accurate system performance data can be collected over the internet from the SP Pro inverters. Essential Energy can also make changes at any time to the many system parameters available to them via a secure connection.

There are now further options available which go beyond timed control for energy dispatch. Voltage reactive, state of charge and even real-time control are all possible. There are far-reaching implications for inherently intermittent renewable sources like PV solar and wind when it comes to dispatchable energy. Renewables being available as smooth, reliable and dependable sources of energy make possible the support of the grid; whether the national grid, or diesel. Applications like peak demand control become highly effective, given the speed and versatility at which this supply of energy can be switched.

Selectronic Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T621

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NEW PRODUCTS

LED lamps The Silver Crown LED lamps from LiquidLEDs Lighting Corp claim to

Emergency lights The Clevertronics L10 Batten range emergency lights are designed

be the only LED lighting product of its kind designed to look exactly like an incandescent light bulb.

using the latest in LED, electronics and lithium battery technology to

The 5 W lamp, designed primarily

reduce energy consumption. The range is available with T8 and T5

for decorative and general-purpose

fluorescent lamps.

lighting, is a replacement to 40 W

The lights are said to deliver twice the battery life of existing

incandescent light bulbs. The lamp is

nickel cadmium or nickel metal hydride technologies and twice the

compatible with both E27/Edison screw

maintenance-free period (designed for 10-year maintenance intervals,

and B22/bayonet cap base configurations.

compared to the four to five years current best practice). The range

It is suitable for use in retail, hospitality

eliminates the use of toxic heavy metals and possible carcinogens

and home lighting, and is said to offer up

found in other battery technologies, such as nickel cadmium, nickel

to 90% energy savings.

metal hydride or lead acid. The lights come with a four-year warranty.

Other features include: an average rated

Three core elements are engineered to deliver twice the maintenance-

lifespan of more than 15,000 hours, dimming

free operation: the application of 10-year lithium-ion phosphate battery

compatibility, zero presence of mercury, as

technology; solid state LEDs; power supplies and drivers engineered to

well as zero UV and IR emissions.

outlast the life of the LED and battery. The range comes in wireguard,

LiquidLEDs Lighting Pty Limited

diffused and weatherproof emergency versions.

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T958

Clevertronics Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T748

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MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 45

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

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CABLE TERMINATION

REDUCING THE RISK FOR COMMS CABLERS As the world adapts to recent technological advancements in readily deployable virtualisation, cloud computing, CoLo and enterprise networks, the migration towards 40 Gbps copper and 100 Gbps fibre cabling infrastructure will see the daily work practices of telecommunications installers undergo a drastic change.

I

nstallers of highly complex cabling projects have seen rapid advances and developments in termination technologies over the last few years, but no improvement to their typically cluttered and uncomfortable working environment or to the repetitive manual handling of cables, jacks, patch panels and punch-down tools.

Typical work practices Manual patch panel termination tends to be a highly repetitive task, with installers often on site for weeks or months and generally left to devise their own platform and workspace. This situation can be made all the more difficult due to space constraints in comms rooms and the shifting landscape that is typical of a building site.

It’s not uncommon for an installer to set up a patch panel while sitting on a chair or milk crate, fixing the panel to the cabinet and terminating either from the inside or in front of the cabinet. Cabinets can contain up to 45 patch panels. Technicians are required to remain in positions for up to 2 hours while working on one panel while they attach the electrical conductors. This process is repeated for all the panels in the cabinet, so potentially 8640 electrical conductors are attached by one technician to complete one cabinet.

The wiring associated with the tasks is contained in a bundle and each wire requires termination. This action involves: • stripping the ends of the wire with a cable jacket stripper; • positioning the exposed wire over the connection jacks; • ensuring that the wires are correctly aligned with the connectors and; • a punch-down to ensure proper connection through the panel to the electrical wiring.

In some cases, the installer will terminate on a makeshift work bench made from whatever can be found on-site: cable boxes, cable reels and drums.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

In addition, work may be performed in work environments that have poor ambient conditions such as: • low levels of illumination for the fine detailed work required to perform the work; • poor airflow reducing air quality that increases the discomfort; • temperatures at extremes due to lack of air conditioning in the work environment; and • poorly designed workspaces that restrict movement or force workers to maintain constrained body postures for prolonged periods of time.

What are the OHS risks?

The repetitive nature of the tasks, coupled with some fairly primitive working conditions, mean that neck, shoulder and back pain is not uncommon among telecommunications technicians. A survey of approximately 30 telecomms technicians from the Canberra/Queanbeyan region, conducted by Health and Safety Consultant Glenda Snoxall of Safety Key Solutions in 2011, endeavoured to identify the key areas of body discomfort. The survey results showed that during the processing of data cable termination, a staggering 75% of respondents suffered from neck pain, 67% from shoulder pain and 63% from lower back pain.

The Australian National Code of Practice for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (2007) sets out practical guidance on how to reduce the risks of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) from manual tasks undertaken at work. The code was designed for use by employers, owners of premises, OHS professionals, and designers, manufacturers and suppliers of items used in any workplace.

The code calls for control over risk of MSD through elimination or reduction in the number of repetitive actions, awkward postures, sustained postures and movements required over time to perform a manual task, as well as to reduce the amount of time that a user

MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 49

CABLE TERMINATION

THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE PREVENTION OF MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS CALLS FOR CONTROL OVER RISK OF MSD THROUGH ELIMINATION OR REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF REPETITIVE ACTIONS, AWKWARD POSTURES, SUSTAINED POSTURES AND MOVEMENTS REQUIRED OVER TIME TO PERFORM A MANUAL TASK, AS WELL AS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT A USER NEEDS TO SPEND CARRYING OUT MANUAL TASKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN ITEM BEING DESIGNED, SUPPLIED OR MANUFACTURED.

needs to spend carrying out manual tasks associated with an item being designed, supplied or manufactured.

According to the code, as the pace of work increases, postures or movements become more repetitive, which means the same muscles are being used continuously. The speed of movement can also increase the risk of injury. Posture affects the muscular effort needed to perform a task and how quickly muscles fatigue.

Posture and movement are particularly important when forceful and/or repetitive tasks are performed or postures are held for prolonged periods.

Repetitive awkward postures are those positions where the whole body, or parts thereof, is not in a normal or neutral position. As a joint moves further away from its normal position, more muscular effort is needed to achieve the same force and where these postures are assumed repetitively, the risk of MSD increases.

Sustained awkward postures are those awkward positions where the whole body or parts of the body (that are not in their normal position) are held for more than 30 seconds at a time. Repeated or sustained movement occurs when the task involves performing the same actions over and over.

In essence, the milk-crate scenario described earlier encompasses all of these risk factors combined; prolonged repetitive movement in both sustained and awkward postures leaves many comms cablers open to the threat of ongoing MSD pain.

Addressing the issue David McHarg, a former communications technician and owner of Tech Innovations, saw an obvious gap in the market and an opportunity to improve working conditions for this industry group. He worked with OHS consultant Glenda Snoxall, ACT Safety Regulator and Ergonomist Richard Siddell and Peter McKay of Industrious Design to develop a solution. The team worked together initially to develop an in-depth risk assessment and report in accordance with the code of practice.

They then went on to design a product that provided a better working platform, addressing the key features required from a health and safety aspect and ensured compliance with the manual handling code of practice, which covers: working height, tool arrangement and distance, weight, carrying method. The TechTable was born: a slimline, portable, lightweight and sturdy work surface

50 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

for comms technicians. Market input was sought, particularly on size, weight, tool tray size and padding requirement.

The TechTable allows technicians to perform tasks at waist height and to easily rotate between standing and seated positions. It provides a stable and comfortable platform and is height adjustable, allowing technicians to terminate at their ideal height.

Improving installer efficiency and performance Tech Innovations claims that, while the TechTable has eliminated or reduced many of the identified manual handling risks associated with cable installation, testing has also proven it to increase an installer’s productivity by up to 24%. Moreover, it is designed for easy daily transport inside a padded carry bag and the set-up time is less than one minute. The dimensions are designed to suit tight-fit positions in cluttered computer rack environments, telecommunications rooms and data centres.

The apparatus allows technicians to temporarily mount a patch panel onto the table for faster loading and termination consistency.

As this procedure was previously carried out inside the cabinet, the technician was constrained to a working compound with an average width of only 60 cm. This is no longer the case. Cables can be positioned into a supplied cable feed for easy and accurate cutting and they can be tied with assistance from incorporated cable tie assembly points.

Prior to being commercially released, TechTable was trialled by a number of comms and electrical service companies. Feedback suggested that the apparatus not only offered a much more comfortable position than traditional installation methods, but suggested that far greater accuracy and speed were achieved and that forming of cables was neater when using the device.

While vendors constantly improve jacks, plug and play solutions, rapid tools and patch panels to promote greater efficiency, this is predominantly aimed at improving production values and seldom, if ever, focuses on the installation procedure itself. It’s nice to see an Aussie innovation that addresses the problems installers are exposed to on daily basis.

Tech Innovations Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T387

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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

New system to tackle noncompliant product Peter Scott, Media and Communications Manager A major milestone in tackling the growing problem of noncompliant product in the electrical industry was reached recently when the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) was launched in Queensland.

The EESS, which has been developed by the Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council (ERAC), provides an online database on which all suppliers and certain types of electrical equipment must be registered prior to being offered for sale. The database will be rolled out in every Australian state and territory in due course, with only NSW still considering whether to join the system. NECA welcomed the launch of the new system, which the association wants to see rolled out Australia-wide.

“NECA has been working with electrical safety regulators to get the EESS introduced throughout Australia as it provides an easy way for electrical contractors to identify whether the products they are considering purchasing meet the relevant national standard.

“This is very important as with the rise of the Asian economy the market has become swamped with low-price electrical items and it is not always easy to identify those products which are compliant from those which could be potentially dangerous.” The EESS is planned to be implemented progressively across Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. NSW does not support the proposed scheme and is not participating at this time. The EESS changes the regulatory requirements for businesses that import or manufacture in-scope, low-voltage electrical equipment rated from 50 through to 1000 V generally designed or marketed for household, personal or similar use.

All in-scope electrical equipment must be linked to a registered responsible supplier who must ensure that their products are electrically safe, meet prescribed standards and have company details listed on the national database. Level 3 equipment must have full details registered on the national database and have third-party certification as previously required with “prescribed” or “declared” articles. Level 2 equipment will also need to be registered and have a compliance folder when this level is established by regulators shortly. Level 1 equipment will not need to be registered but their responsible supplier will have to declare they are safe and meet AS/ NZS 3820 and hold supporting evidence.

The in-scope electrical equipment on the database will be marked with the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM). The RCM is the single mark electrical contractors should look for in selecting safe compliant electrical equipment. NECA urges all contractors to check future electrical product purchases on the new national database of safe equipment at https://equipment.erac.gov.au/Registration/.

To help reinforce this message, NECA, together with the electrical industry portal Voltimum, launched a joint campaign at the beginning of May to alert the electrical industry to the dangers of using noncompliant product.

The decision to launch the campaign followed a recent electrical industry survey conducted by NECA and Voltimum which revealed that over 75% of contractors had come across noncompliant product in their work. This is an alarming statistic as installing unsafe, noncompliant equipment can cause fires or electric shocks and could even lead to loss of life or property. It can also result in legal action being taken against the electrical contractor who installed the product. The campaign aims to form an industry alliance to tackle this growing problem and to educate contractors, distributors, importers and manufacturers about the dangers associated with noncompliant product, and gather commitment from the whole of industry to work together to stamp it out. www.neca.asn.au

Electricity submetering Submetering for electrical usage in data centres, commercial office buildings and multiunit residential buildings is been driven by a multitude of mandates to establish better improvements and awareness of energy consumption to improve energy efficiency. In achieving measurements to provide energy performance guidelines the deployment of submetering plays a significant role to achieve base loads, provide benchmarks and improve energy performance. Today’s technology with SATEC’s Branch Feeder Monitor (BFM136) provides improvements for solutions for new and existing buildings where submetering needs to be installed.

While software solutions are paramount in collecting data such as energy usage, temperature, HVAC data, etc via building management systems (BMS) or other energy management software solutions, the interaction of software relies heavily on hardware devices deployed to provide the necessary data and information so that the software can make informative decisions.

The installation of multiple hardware devices for submetering can prove to be challenging for space issues, wiring challenges, communication issues, cost deployment along with budget restraints.

The BFM136 provides technology for the reduction in hardware cost per metering point, reduction for installation space, reduction in wiring, reduction in installation time, improved bandwidth for electrical data transfer. These advantages provide for the reduction in the total cost of installation providing a better return on investment for submetering.

The provision of data logging profiling ensures other critical data with date/time stamping is readily available during communication outages. Future proofing for time of use (TOU) for tariff readings on board the meter ensures data is not lost should communication issues transpire with the metering hardware and management software.

The BFM136 provides ease of installation for retrofitting with the use of split core CTs; further advantages are obtained where customers have existing CTs already deployed allowing the use of the BFM136 with SATEC’s interfacing CTs. The deployment of SATEC’s BFM136 technology supporting Modbus TCP/IP or serial provides for ease of interfacing with any third-party energy management software solution.

SATEC (Australia) Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T131

52 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Load break switch

Hipot tester

The MAC-3 motor switches,

Available to rent, the Kikusui TOS5101 10 kV AC/DC

part of the Marechal DB De-

Hipot Tester assesses the withstand voltage of electronic

contactor range, ensure the

equipment and components conforming to various safety

safety of personnel during

standards.

an operation on the load

The pass/fail function employs a window comparator

whether it be motor load or

method to prevent faulty leads or poor contact causing a

other highly inductive load. The DB range is available up to 125 A and 45 kW

false pass. Clean, overshoot-free AC test waveforms are

and comes with an IP66/IP67 water- and dust-tight rating, a metal casing which

ensured by the zero-turn-on switch.

is resistant to mechanical shock (IK09) and corrosion, a padlocking system

Safety features include automatic test piece discharge

(optional) for added safety and peace of mind, and 24 keying positions to

on DC testing, key lock function, interlock function, nar-

discriminate between different power supplies and applications.

rowed high-voltage insertion port and a large danger lamp.

DB disconnectable motor switches replace systems comprising a switch and a connector, and are designed to handle frequent motor starts with ease.

In addition to increasing safety and operability, they have a direct impact on

Various output signals are provided for testing flexibility and convenience.

Features include: AC/DC output (0 to 10 kV); large

costs and machine downtime.

colour display; digital voltmeter and ammeter; digital timer.

Marechal

TechRentals

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T672

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T442

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 53

NEW PRODUCTS

Are you a contractor customers would recommend to others?

Malcolm Richards, CEO

Moulded case circuit breakers The Ex9M moulded case circuit breakers from Noark are now available in Australia. The Ex9M offers protection for circuits and electrical equipment in overload, short-circuit and undervoltage situations. The

In our role as electrical industry peak body, Master Electricians Australia (MEA) is often asked by media what people should look for when they are engaging an electrician.

Of course, our first answer is always to ensure you are dealing with someone who holds the appropriate licence and insurance for whichever state they’re working in.

Beyond that critical requirement, however, we also recommend customers ask other questions: • Does the contractor offer a guarantee of workmanship?

• Do they belong to a recognised industry body such as Master Electricians?

• Do they provide a written quote before starting work?

• Do they carry and promote energy-efficient options?

• Do they use an active safety system to protect their staff and customers?

Through the media, Master Electricians constantly challenges consumers to apply these tests to any contractor they are considering engaging. My challenge to you is this: would you and your business pass those tests?

Maintaining your credibility and your client’s trust as an electrician is a key aspect of performing a high-quality job. Put yourself in a homeowner’s shoes - are you a reputable electrician that he or she can trust to carry out quality electrical work in their homes?

It is essential that you be prepared to show your electrical licence to a homeowner should they ask to view it. Remember that even licensed sparkies can make mistakes or carry out substandard electrical work. Always make sure you also have the appropriate public liability insurance to support you.

Alleviating a homeowner’s doubts about your credibility as a sparky can be as simple as showing up well dressed in a company uniform or employing manners in their home. Always provide the homeowner with a written quote before commencing work and ensure they receive a copy of the Compliance Certificate at the completion of a job.

Remember, a simple safety switch installation gone wrong could mean severe injury or even death for a homeowner or his or her loved ones. Ensure that their trust in electricians is not misplaced.

This is why MEA conducts a screening process before accrediting electricians, so that homeowners know the mark of an accredited Master Electrician is a trusted brand and one they can rely on for quality electrical work.

Finally, make sure you are safety focused in everything you do. A serious accident can be easily averted simply by turning the mains power off before you carry out any electrical work. Performing electrical work on live equipment should only be done as a last resort and avoided as much as possible. You should also have active safety systems put in place to prevent tragedies or unsafe electrical work, and risk assessments need to be conducted on every job.

Why not make it a business goal to increase your word-ofmouth recommendations in 2013. Focusing on those few areas I’ve mentioned above will have a positive impact on your bottom line.

circuit breaker deviates from tra-

www.masterelectricians.com.au

Fluke Australia Pty Ltd

ditional linear forms and instead features a gentle arc at the front.

The Ex9M moulded case circuit breaker offers many advantages over traditional design MCCBs; the patented rotating shaft with bearing allows the circuit breaker to have a smaller main spring force tension and offers lower friction and abrasion within the switch mechanism than traditional designs. The patented snap action mechanism offers an accelerated breaking time of within 2 ms, and its breaking and current limiting capacity are improved by utilising a gas-flushing principle.

For ease of installation and space-saving considerations, the volume of the Ex9M series is designed and manufactured to be compact in size and light in weight without compromising performance. The breakers can be mounted in all directions and can be fed from the top or bottom to increase flexibility in panel design.

DKSH Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T301

Wireless testing system Fluke has introduced the CNX Wireless System, a set of test tools that wirelessly connect multiple measurement modules and send simultaneous readings to a master device up to 20 m away. The rugged, customisable tool set lets users choose various measurement modules based on their specific troubleshooting scenario.

At the core of the Fluke CNX Wireless System is a CAT III 1000 V/ CAT IV 600 V multimeter with a screen that displays its readings along with live readings from up to three other measurement modules. For more complex troubleshooting, users can view live measurements from up to 10 modules simultaneously on a computer equipped with the CNX PC Adapter.

The modules, which include AC voltage, AC current clamp, iFlex AC current clamp and K-type temperature units, can take live measurements or log up to 65,000 sets of data. Logged data can be saved to a computer in .csv format.

The Fluke CNX system lets users place modules in hazardous or awkward places and then watch the readings from a safe distance.

For example, technicians can de-energise a panel, connect voltage or current modules to all three phases and close and re-energise the panel. The measurements can then be read outside the arc flash zone.

By leveraging the most common electrical test tool, the multimeter, the Fluke CNX system lets technicians extend their existing capabilities and skills, helping them meet market demand for more complex three-phase work without retraining on more complex test tools.

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S167

54 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Fault protection Fusesaver from Siemens is a fault-protection device designed for rural networks. An estimated 80% of faults occur as a result of objects, such as trees, debris and animals, coming into contact with overhead lines. Its developers claim the device will greatly reduce the duration of outages from such transient fault events. The device will change the way utilities manage the reliability of rural overhead medium-voltage lines. The unit is a compact, cost-effective and intelligent fault-protection device. It protects the energy network by disconnecting and then reconnecting the flow of electricity when temporary contacts are made, without blowing the line fuses.To further meet the demands of Australia’s vast electricity network, the remote-control unit (RCU) enables utilities to respond to faults remotely via a SCADA network when used with Fusesaver.

The RCU is mounted on the same pole as the Fusesaver and communicates via a short-range radio. It collects switchgear status and event-log information and stores these in an internal database for relay back to the utility control centre, via the SCADA system. A DNP3 via serial link protocol has been implemented to support the RCU’s communication with the utilities’ long-haul radio or modem.

This enables utilities to quickly issue commands to all Fusesavers such as trip or close control.

Wireless connectivity between the RCU and Fusesaver reduces installation time and cost and low power consumption allows for solar power supply.

The RCU features a local/remote toggle switch, various power supply options including 115/230 VAC mains and a 12 V supply for solar power or other DC sources, a rechargeable battery for back-up power, an IP54-rated enclosure to shelter the control electronics, configurable settings for the RCU, DNP3 and radio or modem interface and an LED display for troubleshooting.

Siemens Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T276

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

MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 55

OUTSMARTING ARC FLASH Tim Ford*, Global Product Manager - Molded Case Circuit Breakers, GE Industrial Solutions

Have you ever seen an arc flash incident? Felt the unbelievable force and potential destructive power firsthand? I have. It was in a controlled, protected setting, from a safe distance, but I never met anyone who experienced one live and in person until I met an electrical contractor after one of my recent arc flash information presentations.

I

’d been sharing information on arc flash safety, selective coordination and minimising arc flash dangers in talks around the US at every opportunity I could find. I was confident with my delivery, which was polished and clean. I explained the US standard for electrical safety, NFPA 70E, hazard risk category (HRC) levels and compared 10 calories to 20 calories, etc. After one customer conference session, a veteran, experienced electrical contractor came up and startled me, saying, “Tim, I loved your presentation. I’m impressed with the technology, but I thought I was going to have to leave the room. Talking in depth about arc flash brings me back, like it was yesterday, to a terrible experience I had on a job site long ago.”

He captured my attention and I invited him to tell me more.

My new friend described what he saw firsthand at a hospital retrofit job many years earlier. The team was almost done with their work on energised gear when disaster struck. A piece of sheet metal slipped out of the switchboard top hat and across conductors.

The system went down and so did his crew, thrown across the room, bloodied and battered by the arc flash energy. To this day you could see the terror in his eyes as he remembered the human toll. I realised that the arc flash experiments I’d seen in test labs were nothing compared to the real-world arc flash incidents that occur all too often. In fact, in the US alone, as many as 5-10 arc

56 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

flashes occur every day according to a report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and when you consider incidents globally, no doubt multiples of that figure.

As he continued to talk, I understood how his experience paralleled the very situations I’d been lecturing about. Since it was in a critical hospital power application, the main breaker was set to be as insensitive as possible. So the arc was very powerful, resulting in extensive equipment damage and, worse yet, significant injury.

He recalled tending to the injured and working to save their lives before moving on to assess the extensive equipment damage and restoring hospital power that affected hundreds more lives. It was more than 20 years after the incident and I could still sense his pain. This arc flash accident had changed his life.

Fortunately, the degree of destruction he saw doesn’t need to happen any more. Recent arc flash strategy improvements can reduce the effects of arc flash while keeping operations up and running.

Arc flash can be dangerous, expensive and lethal When bridges across conductors cause an arc flash, the world changes in a millisecond. Temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun, molten shrapnel flying at supersonic speeds and intense pressure waves can injure and kill people. According to the Chicago Electrical Trauma Institute, there are 320 deaths and 4000

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

© iStockphoto.com/Foxtrot101

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

On the surface, this sounds like a perfect solution for electrical reliability throughout a facility. Indeed, in some markets, like the US, codes have been changed to require selectively coordinated systems. Specifically in 2005, the US National Electrical Code (NEC) mandated selective coordination for emergency circuits and legally required standby systems. And unfortunately, selective coordination, despite its many benefits, can increase the risk for arc flash injury since it increases arc flash incident energy by increasing time.

While Australia doesn’t have the same selectivity and arc flash standards mandated, many designers use the US standards as a guide, which can create incompatibilities. However, regardless of various standards around the globe, we can all agree that arc flash hazards are a significant risk to people and property deserving of our attention and focus to minimise. Modern electrical systems need a smarter design that can manage both arc flash mitigation and system reliability, simultaneously.

The impossible compromise Selective coordination improves system reliability, but at the risk of more powerful arc flash incidents. Sensitivity settings and tripping schemes force engineers to choose between protection and reliability. Since working on energised systems is a fact of life, engineers and electrical workers need a better alternative.

I-ZSI: a new strategy without compromise work-loss injuries from electrical incidents in the US each year.

The institute also cites electrical accidents as the second leading cause of construction industry fatalities.

The two most important factors in limiting the incident energy that powers the destructive force of an arc flash are energy and time. Since the voltage is fixed per the application, the only practical way to protect from arc flash destruction is with strategies that can reduce the duration of an event and therefore limit incident energy.

In addition to reducing worker injuries, lower incident energy also reduces damage to equipment and facilities. That means faster incident recovery times and lower restoration costs.

Selective coordination and its unintended arc flash consequences Every professional, experienced electrical system designer will tell you selective coordination is a sound strategy to maximise uptime, or system reliability, throughout a location. And that reliability, of course, delivers its own measure of safety for a facility, especially when protecting emergency circuits. It localises an overcurrent condition, so the circuit breaker closest to a fault is the only one that trips. For an extreme example, in a critical application, such as a hospital, a trip-worthy event in a patient room does not affect power in operating rooms.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

GE is recommending a totally new approach based on a proven technology for safety and reliability without compromise. Instantaneous Zone Selective Interlocking (I-ZSI) is a breakthrough that delivers safety and reliability at the same time.

Traditional Zone Selective Interlocking (ZSI) has been used to coordinate upstream and downstream protection for years. Connecting downstream feeder circuit breakers to upstream main breakers, the trip unit of a feeder circuit breaker sends a restraint signal to the trip unit of the main circuit breaker and then trips to clear the fault within the programmed short time delay.

For a fault between the main and feeder circuit breakers, there would be no restraint signal from any of the trip units on those branch circuit breakers thus the main circuit breaker would automatically trip at the minimum delay. This ZSI technology will give you some measure of selectivity. But the reduction in arc flash energy is minimal because the instantaneous protection must be disabled for complete selectivity, and consequently, the duration of the event is longer.

I-ZSI, which is embedded into GE’s EntelliGuard family of global trip units, takes ZSI to the next level. It’s a system-wide rethinking that redefines selectivity. Instantaneous protection is enabled all the time by interlocking the circuit breaker’s protection from overloads and its response to short circuits. So trip unit connection schemes slash arc flash energy levels everywhere, every time - delivering safety and selectivity. You no longer need to hinder performance

MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 57

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

to ensure protection or hinder protection to ensure performance.

Every circuit is always available because I-ZSI doesn’t require disabling instantaneous protection for the zone to work. Therefore, you always have the capability to reduce arc flash energy.

Seamless upstream and downstream coordination - regardless of distance Engineers considering I-ZSI should also consider that it’s an easily implemented strategy. Simple twisted-pair wiring makes the safety connection between trip units.

For downstream protection, Waveform Recognition (WFR) provides end-to-end system protection, by enabling an intelligent response to a fault for smaller load side breakers. Trip units sense trouble from the branch circuit breakers and analyse the waveform to determine when to trip. Smartly, the trip units use this WFR to see the operation of the downstream current limiting breakers and trip only when required.

With I-ZSI and WFR implementations, engineers have a complete, proven solution for slashing arc flash risk throughout a facility.

And it’s available today.

The smarter arc flash approach: minimise without compromise Now when I speak with engineers about arc flash dangers, I always share what I learned from that contractor that day last autumn.

He was a typical guy on a typical day working on what he thought was a typical job - until a small slip-up created a huge problem.

The right arc flash strategy could have lessened the effects of that tragic day that are burned into his memory. Because, with the right strategy in place, such as I-ZSI and WFR, an arc flash incident doesn’t need to be a prescription for disaster.

GE Industrial Solutions www.geindustrial.com

*Tim Ford is the Global Product Manager for Molded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCBs) for GE’s Industrial Solutions business. In this role, Tim leads product strategy and execution for MCCBs globally. He manages a broad portfolio of circuit breaker products covering all non-residential NEMA/UL and IEC MCCBs including the Spectra and Record Plus branded product and helped develop the industry-first Instantaneous Zone Selective Interlocking (I-ZSI) technology that delivers safety and reliability. He has over 15 years’ experience in the electrical industry with product development and management roles at both GE and ABB. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from West Virginia University and is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE).

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NEW PRODUCTS

Self-ejecting decontactors Marechal’s self-ejecting Ex de Decontactor systems, with DXN series decontactors, are designed for use in hazardous environments. These systems prevent possibly damaging premature or otherwise incorrect disconnection of the electric circuit in hazardous environments, when a vehicle or other mobile equipment is moved before the electrical supply is properly disconnected.

They are certified according to IEC Ex de for use in Zones 1 and 2 (Gas) and Zones 21 and 22 (Dust), and comply with ATEX directive 94/9/CE. Applications include hazardous areas where flammable gases, vapours or dust are likely to be present in the environment in industries such as petrochemicals, gas, chemicals, food and pharmaceuticals.

Marechal Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S940

H

RT A E L& A R S T NEU NOLOGIE TEC H AUSTRALIAN MADE

Cable strain relief device Designed for use with ethernet cables, the IE-CFK-05 strain

250A 50mm2 tunnels

140A

4 Stud 165A

relief device reduces cable fatigue and helps improve the longevity of the connection point at the switch.

The device is manufactured from glass fibre reinforced

Studs Only

400A to 600A

plastic and can withstand anharmonic oscillations in vibrating applications. This makes it particularly suitable for use with moving machinery and equipment that experiences high levels of vibration.

The device is suitable for use with the IES10 and IES20 series.

Netec Industries is more than just a manufacturer of Brass Earth & Neutral Links. We are capable of manufacturing Brass components for all industries.

Consistent Quality / Reliable Supply / Value for Money Largest Range “If we don’t have it, we can make it”

It mounts directly to the DIN rail and curves to overlap the front face of ethernet switches. Each unit holds up to 10 cables simultaneously (two in each locating groove) for maximum convenience.

Weidmuller standard end brackets are included with each unit.

At 130 mm high, the unit is compact and lightweight, making integration to secure the cables simple.

www.es.netec.com.au es@netec.com.au 03 93054077

Weidmuller Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T665

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MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 59

NEW PRODUCTS

Motor circuit breaker The purpose of TeSys GV3P40

Cable gland

motor circuit breakers is to control and protect 18.5 to 37 kW motors,

Lapp Group’s Skintop MS-M Brush has a 360° brush contact design

with voltages up to 690 VAC and

for optimal low-resistance screen contact in a cable gland. With full

a maximum short-circuit breaking

grounding coverage, the potential for EMI interruptions and equip-

capacity of 100 kA.

ment failure is eliminated. The Skintop MS-M Brush offers a quick

Designed with Schneider Elec-

and reliable alternative to the traditional electromagnetic interference

tric’s patented EverLink power termi-

(EMI) ‘spring’ contact cable gland design. The new design features

nal system, the TeSys GV3P40 circuit

thousands of brush strands in a circular arrangement, which provide

breaker provides reliable connection

a wider and more variable clamping range, making assembly and

quality: the tightening pressure ap-

installation faster and simpler. The high level of assembly flexibility

plied to the cables remains stable,

allows for easy adjustment and rotation of the cable during installation.

strong and long-lasting even under

Terminating the Skintop MS-M Brush cable gland can be completed

tough conditions. Product compac-

in a single operation. Installers enter the cable into the gland, slide

ity: 55 mm standard width provides

the screening braid under the brush, turn to close and the cable is

an easy installation in the panel and

automatically centred, fixed, strain relieved and hermetically sealed

space saving, mounting on DIN

up to protection class IP68.

rail. TeSys GV3-Circuit breakers are

Available in metric sizes ranging from M25X1.5 to M110x2.0, the Skintop MS-M Brush accommodates a

best used in industry, infrastructure

broad range of cable sizes spanning from 9 to 98 mm in diameter. Larger M75X1.5, M90X1.5 and M110X2.0

and building applications for motor

sizes feature Lapp’s patented dual lamella clamping cage which provides added stability and reliability in

control and protection, complying

handling heavy cables. The benefit of using a brush attachment system is that an optimal low resistance

with IEC 947-2 and IEC 947-4-1

screen contact is achieved. In addition, it allows a high level of assembly flexibility, thereby allowing easy

standards.

adjustment and rotation of the cable during installation.

DKSH Australia Pty Ltd see 1943 Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T054

60 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

element14 Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T115

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Cross connect panel The Warren & Brown Telegartner 19″ rackmount CAT6A cross connect panel is designed to transmit 10 gigabit ethernet as well as power over ethernet+ (PoE+).

Users benefit from the easy handling of both incoming and outgoing signals being patched from the front of the cross connect panels.

The built-in RJ45 jacks are suitable for RJ45 as well as R11/R12 plugs. The compact 19″ 1RU housing with minimum mounting depth and sophisticated grounding concept houses 32 RJ45 jacks, while fulfilling the reliability requirements in data centres, laboratories, CATV or mobile communication networks.

Warren & Brown Technologies Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T751

Cable tray Clipsal Performa Mesh is a flexible solution for the routing of cables in light- and medium-duty installations. The three different finishes make it easy to choose the right alternative for all environments and applications in commercial buildings, industries and infrastructure.

With the patented design of double transversal wires, Performa Mesh Trays comply with all safety requirements for installers and cables and provide higher safe working load values.

The screw-less accessories mean there is no need for bends, junctions etc, as they can be made on site from length material options. The double transversal wires provide the option of several cutting points to create quick and safe solutions.

The stainless steel Performa Mesh Tray is ideal for harbours, marines and water treatment plants. It is suitable to be used in an environment that is exposed to halogen, chemical industries, acidic and alkaline substances.

Stainless steel AISI 304 (EN100882) offers a high resistance to aggressive atmospheres. The pickling and passivation processes taking place after manufacturing improve the degree of protection of the steel.

Schneider Electric Aust Pty Limited (Clipsal) Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S649

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MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 61

NEW PRODUCTS

High-voltage detector The SEW model 277 HP is a non-contact, high-voltage

Label maker

detector suitable for voltages from 50 V to 132 kV

Brady’s BMP51 Label

via two operating ranges, 50 to 1500 V and 1500 V

Maker is a printer that

to 132 kV, selectable by means of range buttons.

helps users get the job

The principle of operation is based on capacitive

done - and gets it done fast-

voltage detection of AC voltage and the presence

er, easier and with confidence.

of voltage is indicated by means of blue LEDs,

This label maker has a large display and

positioned next to the instrument’s handle, which is

easy-to-use interface, so users can create, edit and print labels in

fitted with a sunrise connector suitable for attaching

seconds without being connected to a PC. Even changing materials is

to a hot stick.

a snap; just drop in the cartridge and the printer will calibrate the rest.

Two hot stick models are available for use with the

With 20 label materials with widths up to 38.1 mm, the BMP51

SEW 277HP non-contact, high-voltage detector. The

Label Maker offers versatility for a portable printer. It’s an all-in-one

SEW HS-175 telescopic hot stick provides for insula-

printing system for on-the-job industrial labelling.

tion safety at 100 kV per 30 cm length (5 min) and

Brady’s BMP51 is truly portable with built-in Bluetooth technology

is available with up to nine sections providing a total

and optional Wi-Fi card for wireless printing via a network. Design,

reach length of 12.09 m. A disconnection hook is

save and print using Brady’s free Android App available from Google

provided as standard, as is a universal sunrise head.

Play or LabelMark software available from Brady Australia.

Power Parameters Pty Ltd

Brady Australia Pty Ltd

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T380

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T549

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

62 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

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NEW PRODUCTS

Connectors The RJ and USB field series of connectors from Amphenol comprises standard RJ45 and USB connectors embedded into rugged waterproof circular military connector housings primarily from the MIL-C-26482 or MIL-DTL-38999 series. There is now also a transversally sealed version available that stops water ingress even when not connected to a mating plug or protective cover.

Features of the RJFTV series include: sealed against fluids and dust (IP68); shock, vibration and traction resistant; no cabling operation in-field and no tools required; mechanical coding/polarisation (four positions); improved EMI-protection; Tri-Start thread coupling mechanism (MIL-DTL-38999 series III-type) with anti-decoupling device; robust metallic shells; RJ45 cordset retention in the plug: 100 N in the axis; mating cycles: 500 min; compatible with cable diameters from 6 to 13 mm.

Connector-Tech ALS Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T799

RJ45 PCB female connector for 10 Gb HARTING has expanded its RJ Industrial series with the RJ45 female connectors with integrated tranformers for 10 Gb. The highly compact dimensions of the RJ45 connectors enable convenient and simple integration into all established IP65/67 interface types, from push-pull through to Han 3A. The reduced height is also an advantage in scenarios involving plug-in cards, allowing the realisation of very flat assemblies and modules. In addition to the 10 Gb types, versions for 10/100 Mb and 1 Gb are also available. Versions for PoE as well as individual adaptations to specific user requirements are possible and can be rapidly executed. In connection with SMD LEDs on the user PCB, integrated optical fibres enable signalling of the port status. The industrial female connectors can be processed in all standard soldering methods such as wave soldering or SMT reflow.

HARTING Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T661

Workplace safety Remlive has recently released a low-voltage visual signalling device that provides positive isolation indication in the event of an isolating device, such as a disconnect switch or circuit breaker, being switched off or tripped on fault. The device comes with triple redundant LED illumination and provides visible indication of voltage (24 -1000 VAC) from outside the switchboard door. This is achieved by using a 30.5 mm pushbutton-style round indicator display with flashing or non-flashing LEDs for power indication.

The maximum voltage to the door is only 3.8 DVC, which creates the ability to observe the loss of three phases and verify isolation before commencing work. The device is DIN-rail mountable with reduced installation time to suit retrofit applications.

NHP Electrical Engineering Products Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S022

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MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 63

NEW PRODUCTS

Low-voltage circuit breaker The Emax 2 is a low-voltage circuit breaker with integrated energy management functions. The breaker contains a protection trip relay with an integrated power controller that measures and evaluates energy consumption, then manages the loads to maintain or reduce the peak power usage as determined by the user. This will also help prevent blackouts since the root cause is often peak demand exceeding supply.

Replacing existing traditional breakers with the Emax 2 breaker is said to generate annual savings of 5.8 million MWh. To manage energy, the electricity supply to non-essential equipment is switched off and back on again as soon as acceptable power levels are reached.

Intelligent decision-making is achieved by a built-in controller and software that uses complex algorithms to decide when it is appropriate to switch the power while maintaining the overall functionality or productivity of the connected equipment.

The breaker also has a communication module that allows it to share vital consumption and system reliability data directly with smart grid and other protocols.

Smart energy metering SATEC (Australia) has released the PM135EH as a further extension of its smart energy metering capabilities. The PM135EH offers multifunction measuring capabilities for a broad range of electrical parameters including Energy measuring accuracy of Class 0.5s along with the following capabilities: four-quadrant active and reactive energy; volts, amps, frequency, power factor; data logging functions with date/time stamping; three-phase total and per phase energy measurements; active, reactive and apparent energy counters; automatic daily energy and maximum demand profile log for total and tariff registers; voltage and current THD, TDD and K-Factor, up to 40th order harmonic.

The device also offers voltage and current harmonic spectrum and angles; real-time ‘scope mode’ waveform monitoring capability on LCD; real-time vector analysis capability on LCD; and simultaneous 6-channel one-cycle waveform capture at a rate of 64 samples/cycle via PAS Software (licence free) including database data collection to computer/server.

The PM135EH includes RS485 communications, Modbus/ DNP3 protocol and optional ethernet TCP/IP, Profibus, modem or wireless functions.

ABB Australia Pty Ltd

SATEC (Australia) Pty Ltd

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T782

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T161

64 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

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NEW PRODUCTS

Analog security cameras Panasonic Australia has expanded its security range with three new cameras developed specifically with a full spectrum of demanding security and surveillance applications in mind. The range includes two WV-CP300 series fixed day/night cameras and the WVCP624E compact day/night fixed camera with Super Dynamic 6 technology.

The two WV-CP300 series colour surveillance cameras feature a newly developed digital signal processor (DSP), providing improved image quality in attractive, cost-effective units.

The WV-CP624E network camera’s Super Dynamic 6 technology allows it to deliver a far wider dynamic range compared to conventional cameras.

The DSP on the two WV-CP300 series cameras uses image processing to automatically detect dark areas inside an image, applying the most suitable gamma correction curve for darker areas, transforming shadows and dark areas into natural and crisp images in real time.

All three cameras utilise revolutionary Adaptive Black Stretch technology to enhance the visibility of dark areas without degrading image quality in bright areas - making them suitable for use in challenging lighting environments, delivering clear images, day or night.

Day/night operation on the two WV-CP300 series cameras can be selected automatically or manually, and both models offer various other special adjustment features that make them suitable for critical surveillance including back-light compensation, auto tracing white balance and automatic light control.

The WV-CP624E employs Super Dynamic 6 technology, allowing the camera to deliver 160x wider dynamic range compared to conventional cameras. Additional features include a high resolution of 650 lines, a high-sensitivity day/night function allowing for simple optimisation for low-light use and focus assist for easy installation.

Real-time video servers ICP Electronics Australia has released IEI Technology’s 2U and 4U rack-mounted H.264 real-time video servers: the HDCS-2U and HDCS-4U. The HDCS-2U and HDCS-4U both support HDMI 1080p 60 fps real-time video recording by hardware compression SoC. The HDCS-2U and HDCS-4U come with Intel Core i7 processor and 4 GB/8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 memory to deliver advanced data transmission. These servers feature a built-in 500 GB HDD, plus 1-3 x 5.25″ expansion bays for extra HDD data storage capability.

The HDCS-2U and HDCS-4U are video processing systems for video/audio recording in 1080p 60 fps from 6 Mbps to 30 Mbps bit rate. These video servers feature up to 32 x channels of HDMI input supporting real-time recording in H.264/AVC High Profile Level 4.2 format and MPEG-1 Layer II standard used for audio compression at 256 Kbps.

The HDCS-2U supports up to 12 x channels of 1080p

Pacific Communications

60 fps video streaming while the HDCS-4U supports 32

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S875

x channels of video streaming.

The HDCS-2U and HDCS-4U are suitable for multiple applications such as video monitoring and log systems, distance education with high-quality streaming technology, sport and game broadcasting, and highway traffic status monitoring.

ICP Electronics Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S550

Building automation control The smartphone app HomeControl from Siemens is now available in six languages for devices using the Android operating system. This application is used to control a building’s automation technology from another location. Users of the app can monitor and adjust the energy efficient operation of their heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) anytime, night or day.

Worldwide, 68% of all smartphones use this operating system, which was developed by Google. Until now, it was only possible to use HomeControl with Apple products. With this app, users can access the most important information about the current operating state of their HVAC system. If the system is not operating efficiently or there is a malfunction, the application notifies the user. This function, which is called the energy indicator, uses different coloured symbols to show the user where it is necessary to make an adjustment. If HomeControl indicates that there is a problem, the most important adjustments can be made directly through the app. The application doesn’t take any action on its own, it merely alerts the user to energy-saving possibilities.

The app is compatible with Siemens HVAC Synco 700, Synco living, Albatros and Sigmagyr controllers. A prerequisite for its use is installation of the Synco OZW772 or OZW672 web server. No extra configuration is necessary in order to control the system remotely by smartphone.

Siemens Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T554

66 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

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NEW PRODUCTS

PMDC servo motor maxon motor Australia has implemented the first combination of a small PMDC servo motor with a dual gearhead combination using both planetary and Helicon gear technology. The application is a gyro stabilised cinematography camera mount with nine degrees of freedom.

The customer required both inline and right-angle gearboxes for the different axis but also needed the same ratio throughout.

Worm gearheads could not be used because of their inherently low efficiency and a helical of the correct ratio would be too large for the torque requirements.

The solution was to use a combination of a ceramic planetary gearhead and the new spiroid gearhead technology. The multiplication of the two gearbox efficiencies is an impressive 72% while the equivalent ratio in a single ceramic planetary is only marginally better at 75%. The single helicon tooth form in itself has an efficiency of 90%. maxon motor Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T421

Entrance panels Bticino’s Sfera All Metal and Sfera Robur modular entrance panels, available from HPM Legrand, offer a selection of functions and finishes to suit every type of building and installation. A major innovation in terms of aesthetics, function and technology, the Sfera entrance panel uses the latest two-wire technology to ensure maximum audio and video performance, as well as minimising installation and connection times.

Sfera’s modular composition allows a range of functions to be combined with the finish of choice. Designed and manufactured in Italy, any module in the new range can be fitted with a vandal-resistant cover for greater durability and longevity.

The aluminium Sfera All Metal has a modern style with three colour finishes and is impact resistant up to IK08. The Sfera Robur is more robust and comprises a zamak cover and frame with an optional metal box. It is impact resistant up to IK10.

Features of the range include: night and day wide-angle camera with infra-red (IR) LEDs and an automatically removable IR filter; advanced door-lock release functions; simplified management of activations, programming of residents directly on the device without the need for removal or accessory programming aids; inductive loop and control speech synthesis; 13 electronic modules for an unlimited combination; accessories include flush-mounting boxes, tear-proof boxes, wall-mounting boxes and rain shields HPM Legrand Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T517

Multifocal sensor system Panomera, a multifocal sensor system, is designed for the all-encompassing video surveillance of expansive areas. With Panomera, huge widths, as well as areas with large distances, can be displayed with a completely new resolution quality, in real time and at high frame rates of up to 30 fps.

A huge area can be surveyed from a single location, and depending on the user’s needs, the resolution can be scaled nearly limitlessly. The camera has the ability to show live and playback images with minimum bandwidth and storage requirements, of anything up to 68 megapixels and would not require more than 100 Mbps for the traffic.

Panomera array of cameras are all recorded on Dallmeier recorders, equipped with RAID 5 and RAID 6 storage. Each of these cameras can be accessed individually if required.

CR Kennedy & Co Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T781

68 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

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© iStockphoto.com/Mike Zakharov

© iStockphoto.com/jkitan

SECURITY STANDARDS

ASIS RELEASES TWO NEW ANSI STANDARDS FOR PRIVATE SECURITY ASIS International, an organisation for security professionals, has released two new ANSI standards: Maturity Model for the Phased Implementation of a Quality Assurance Management System for Private Security Service Providers (PSC.3) and Quality Assurance and Security Management for Private Security Companies Operating at Sea - Guidance (PSC.4). The move completes the PSC - Private Security Company or Private Security Service Providers (collectively referred to as PSCs) - series of ANSI standards.

T

he new standards will help private security service providers ensure quality of service, manage risks and protect human rights in areas of the world where rule of law has been undermined due to acts of war or natural disaster, as well as in the maritime environment.

“It’s all about improving business and risk management in the organisation to provide a better quality and marketable level of security services. Respect for the rights of individuals is inseparable from providing high-quality security services. Implementing these standards will serve as a differentiator for security companies worldwide,” said Dr Marc Siegel, commissioner of the ASIS Global Standards Initiative.

The PSC series includes: ANSI/ASIS PSC.1-2012: Management System for Quality of Private Security Company Operations Requirements with Guidance; ANSI/ASIS PSC.2-2012: Conformity Assessment and Auditing Management Systems for Quality of Private Security Company Operations; ANSI/ASIS PSC.3-2013: Maturity Model - Phased Implementation of a Quality Assurance Management System for Private Security Service Providers; ANSI/ ASIS PSC.4-2013: Quality Assurance and Security Management

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for Maritime Private Security Companies - Guidance. The effective delivery of aid and services to regions with compromised rule of law often depends on the use of PSCs to help restore critical infrastructure and facilitate long-term stability. Due to the nature of this work, it is imperative for PSCs to be well regulated, disciplined and properly staffed.

Conformance to the PSC.1 standard is now required in US Defense Department contracts for private security functions, as well as those contracted through the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The PSC.2 Conformity Assessment standard provides guidance for auditing and conformity assessment of the PSC.1.

The PSC.3 Maturity Model uses a phased implementation approach to implement the PSC.1 so companies can establish achievable and maintainable goals based on their specific needs.

The PSC.4 for Private Maritime Security Service Providers arose from the global threat posed by crime and piracy in international waters. This standard provides guidance for these PSCs to implement the PSC.1 in the maritime environment in a manner that is safe, legal and respectful of human rights.

MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 69

ACCESS CONTROL TRENDS A number of developing technologies are ready to surface in the access control market throughout the course of 2013, all of which will bring new levels of security and efficiency to Australian companies.

O

ne term that will become common is ‘frictionless’.

More than ever, users are seeking a frictionless security experience, with solutions built on open standards to ensure interoperability, adaptability and easy credential portability to mobile devices.

The term ‘frictionless’ is used to describe security solutions that do not slow users down. Rather than make people carry separate cards, keys and tokens, the coming generation of frictionless solutions will embed these and other credentials inside near field communications (NFC)-enabled smartphones and other mobile devices. Users will find this convenient as they will no longer need to carry tags or cards, while organisations will benefit from cost reductions.

Smartphones for access control An individual’s credentials will be embedded in an NFC-enabled phone and identity management will move to the cloud in a way that provides easy user log-in, often from the person’s personal device using a bring your own device (BYOD) deployment model.

For a company, this requires lots of planning and rigorous security assessment, as well as an infrastructure that supports the cloud-based application of digital keys and credentials.

Cloud security will become a critical element in planning and developing an access control platform. The most effective approach for addressing data moving to the cloud is likely to be federated identity management, which allows users to access multiple applications by authenticating to a central portal.

70 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

The trend towards using mobile devices for access control will accelerate and evolve throughout 2013, dramatically changing the face of the industry. To fuel broad adoption, NFC-enabled handsets with secure elements must become widely available and be supported by all primary operating systems.

Inside the NFC-enabled device, all keys and cryptographic operations must be protected by the smartphone’s ‘secure element’. This is usually an embedded, tamper-proof circuit or a plug-in called a subscriber identity module (SIM), and is there to provide a safe channel for transferring information between NFC-enabled phones, their secure elements and other secure media and devices. The ‘ecosystem’ must also include readers, locks and other hardware that can read digital keys carried on a mobile handset.

The smartphone technology is ready to go right now, but how quickly it is adopted into mainstream security practices will depend on the development of the ecosystem, from mobile payment through to transport ticketing and access control.

The most simple mobile access control model currently is card emulation, where a phone performs the same task as the card once did, sending a message to the reader or rules engine to grant access. As technology progresses throughout 2013, however, there is the chance we will see access control performed directly by a smartphone’s onboard intelligence communicating with each individual electronic lock.

Currently, around 5% of all doors in a facility have some sort of electronic access control, while the remaining doors are

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CLOUD SECURITY

either secured by a mechanical lock and key or are unsecured. contactless smart cards based on open standards, and featuring If we let NFC-enabled smartphones serve as both the key and a universal card edge. Also known as a card command interface, the rules engine that makes the access control decision, we the universal edge improves the card’s ability to interact with can secure far more doors electronically. We simply install a broad variety of products within a trusted boundary. The lat‘dumb’ electronic locks and allow the smartphone to make the est versions improve security, privacy and portability to mobile decision to grant or deny access, according to policy. For each credentials, and users are increasingly enhancing their cards door that is electronically secure today, we could see more and badges with more layers of visual and digital security. than five times that number being secured in the future using Visual elements developing in 2013 will include higher-resothis mobile access control model. lution images, holographic card over-laminates and permanent, Another benefit of mobile access control is that all identity unalterable laser-engraved personalisation attributes. Cards will information the user requires for opening office doors and log- also start to incorporate expanded digital storage capacity so ging on to enterprise computers is safely embedded in a phone, they can include biometric and other multifactor authentication rather than on a plastic card that can be copied or stolen. It information to enhance identity validation. Printing technology also allows users to go about their business without having to continues to advance in support of these trends, simplifying remember passwords. how cards are produced and distributed as well as making Despite all the good points, it is unlikely that NFC-enabled them more secure. smartphones will replace physical smart cards completely in Additionally, smart cards are moving into new market segthe coming years. Instead, mobile access credentials inside ments like retail point-of-sale such as payWave, based on chip NFC-enabled smartphones card technology. Migrating to AS THE ‘INTERNET OF THINGS’ BECOMES MORE OF A will coexist with cards and smart cards offers stronger badges, so that organisations security and the benefit of REALITY, NEW NFC TRACKING, AUDITING AND ORIGINATION can implement a choice of combining multiple applicaSERVICES WILL EMERGE FOR CONFERRING TRUST smart cards, mobile devices tions and both physical and ON TO DOCUMENTS, PROTECTING CONSUMERS FROM or both within their physilogical access control into a cal access control system single solution. These same COUNTERFEIT GOODS AND ENABLING A HOST OF OTHER (PACS). Many organisations layers of technology can APPLICATIONS THAT INVOLVE OUR INTERACTION WITH will still require their employalso reside on NFC-enabled PHYSICAL ITEMS. ees to carry traditional cards smartphones. because these are used as a Advances in the physical means of photo identification. It will be important for users to supply of security cards are simplifying production and distriplan ahead to support both types of credentials in their PACS. bution, while making the cards more secure with added layers NFC adoption will lead to physical and IT security teams of credential management. working together more closely. Phone apps will begin to generate Additionally, the range of printer/encoders will continue to one time password (OTP) soft tokens or receive them via SMS, expand, offering viable options to all sizes of business. Small and a variety of other access control keys and credentials will businesses will focus on a printer/encoder’s ease of use, midbe sent over the air to the phone using a convenient, cloud- size organisations typically will need intuitive solutions that are based provisioning model that eliminates credential copying and not only easy to use but also scalable, while large organisamakes it easier to issue temporary credentials, cancel lost or tions will focus on high card throughput to support growing stolen credentials, and monitor and modify security parameters requirements for staff, contractors and visitors, as well as the when required. ability to deploy a wide variety of risk-appropriate solutions.

Additionally, mobile access control is accelerating identity management’s move to the cloud, supported by new managed NFC tags for protection services. Already companies have begun outsourcing their tra- The next trend to develop in 2013 will see trusted NFC tags change the way we secure assets and protect consumers. ditional badging projects to cloud-based service providers.

As the ‘Internet of things’ becomes more of a reality, new Multifactor authentication will become a real-time managed service, with encrypted keys and credentials being sent over NFC tracking, auditing and origination services will emerge for the company’s ethernet or via a mobile network operator using conferring trust on to documents, protecting consumers from a link such as 4G. The credentials will then be stored on the counterfeit goods and enabling a host of other applications that involve our interaction with physical items. smartphone’s SIM, microSD or secure element.

Holders of government certificates, legal agreements, warranties This trend also improves the economic model for biometrics by turning the smartphone into a portable database for template and other important documents have traditionally protected them storage. The device can be used to simplify system start-up; it from fraud by having them physically signed or notarised by a supports unlimited user populations across multiple sites and elimi- person acting in a trusted role. However, such documents are at nates redundant wiring requirements for template management. risk of forgery and duplication. There has been no easy way to authenticate the value or ownership of physical items including Physical cards evolving luxury products or the warranty status of purchased equipment.

Moving away from mobile smartphones, 2013 will also see Now, authentication tags can be attached to a document with physical card technology continue to evolve, with an increasing an electronically signed and cryptographically secure digital number of users migrating from prox (proximity) to magstripe certificate of authenticity from the owner or trusted certificaand on to even smarter smart cards with additional, multilayered tion entity. Impossible to clone or duplicate, these NFC tags can security. Today’s gold standard for access control applications is be embedded in a product or incorporated in tamper-resistant

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MAY/JUNE 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 71

CLOUD SECURITY

stickers that can be attached to products and equipment.

Identity certificates that have been electronically signed and cryptographically secured can be provisioned to the tags using a cloud-based service, and users can verify authenticity with complete confidence at any time in the product or document’s lifetime. With NFC-enabled smartphones, this authentication process can be performed anywhere, at any time, using a smartphone application.

Last on the list of developing trends, visitor management technology will be integrated increasingly with access control systems to improve security and efficiency. Paper-based systems will continue to phase out as temporary proximity credentials are provided to guests and visitors instead. The integration of a visitor management system with an existing access control system enables front-desk attendants to provide guests with

72 ECD SOLUTIONS - MAY/JUNE 2013

temporary proximity credentials. The information entered into the visitor management system during check-in is passed to the access control system so that a proximity card for the visitor can be activated. When the visitor leaves and is checked out by the visitor lobby system, the card is automatically deactivated.

Integrating visitor management with access control also eliminates the problem of having a supply of live cards at the reception desk for those who have forgotten their employee badges. Such a system has a record of all visitors who have been provided an access card, so there is a complete audit trail, including information about the dates and times when cards were active.

HID Global Corporation Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T330

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NEW PRODUCTS

HVAC LCD touch panel Fujitsu General’s Airstage VR-II VRF heat recovery air-conditioning systems offer design flexibility, complemented by its range of multiple control options for commercial and residential projects.

Time-of-use monitoring Halytech has improved its Illuminator sports-field lighting management system to monitor energy use and enable on-charging. Illuminator enables users to control sports-field lighting using a mobile phone, ensuring that floodlights are only used when required, in itself minimising energy use. Now taken a step further, the device reads the electricity meter at start and finish times of a session and sends the meter readings to council, further assisting in their efforts to reduce energy use.

Illuminator can control up to eight independent groups of lights and support more than 50 authorised user groups. In addition to electricity usage, Illuminator can collect water meter usage information, monitor tank levels, pumps, intruder sensors, alarms and excess water usage, control irrigation and generate SMS alarms on tank levels, leaks, excess water or power usage.

The new reporting functionality can be incorporated into existing Illuminator units.

Halytech Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T204

The latest VRF control offering from Fujitsu is the LCD touch panel wired remote controller. Capable of managing up to 16 indoor units from the one controller, it allows total indoor unit control from mode setting to temperature setting. Including daily and weekly time scheduling features, as well as a new auto off timer, it makes complying with the BCA requirement even easier.

The auto off timer ensures system operation stops automatically.

This can be set at the controller to suit the building’s requirements - from 30 min up to 4 h.

A key energy-saving function that Fujitsu engineers have included is the ability to limit the minimum and maximum thermostats settings on cooling and heating respectively.

In addition to this function, the controller has an in-built thermo sensor to be able to accurately control the temperature within the conditioned space. This reduces the energy usage of the indoor unit and increases the overall efficiency.

Setting selection and system operation are clear and simple with a backlight option that operates when any part of the screen is touched.

Fujitsu Australia Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T612

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Smart motor controller The Allen-Bradley SMC-50 smart motor controller from Rockwell Automation is the company’s latest generation of solid-state motor controllers. This release includes a newly designed three-phase, fully solid-state, silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) power structure. The SMC-50 controller addresses the motor control needs of OEMs and end users seeking a more economical alternative to drives and more advanced control than across-the-line starters. Designed for customer flexibility, the SMC-50 controller combines advanced monitoring and protection features, multiple start and stop options, and expandable control inputs and outputs. These features help users increase efficiency, reduce downtime and improve control.

Rated at 200-690 VAC and with software from 90 to 520 A, the SMC-50 controller is suitable for controlling motor speed and torque in a range of normal-duty applications, including pumps, compressors and short conveyors, as well as in heavy-duty applications, such as rock crushers, wood chippers, centrifugal fans and long conveyors.

The SMC-50 smart motor controller’s design improves voltage output to maximise efficiency of motor starts and stops. For application scalability, it features nine standard starting modes, six stopping modes and several slow-speed functions. In traditional starting mode, for example, if the SMC-50 controller senses that the motor has reached full speed before completing the selected ramp time, it will automatically switch to providing full voltage to the motor. The patented linear-acceleration starting mode offers the lowest starting current profile per start, consistent acceleration time and enhanced control over both torque and speed. Regardless of the starting mode chosen, the SMC-50 controller stores the actual motor start time and peak current value to assist in set-up and process optimisation.

The device features smart motor braking engineered with automatic zero-speed shut-off, which quickly stops a motor without the need for additional hardware or feedback devices.

To further protect motor assets and decrease downtime, the SMC-50 controller utilises advanced power monitoring and diagnostics. The SMC-50 controller’s combination of standard and advanced features, combined with user programming options, scalable I/O options, and network-integration capabilities, provides the ultimate in motor performance and energy management.

Rockwell Automation Australia Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/T388

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CASE STUDY

Amplified lifestyle, reduced energy

I

n times of rising energy costs, government incentives and a desire to reduce household bills, solar installations are becoming increasingly common in residential applications.

Coupled with a desire for the comfort and lifestyle benefits afforded by a control and management system, today’s homeowner demands a sophisticated integration of the two. The question for today’s contractor is how to effectively deliver all the advantages and maximise client investment.

The Clipsal C-Bus control and management system is used to automatically control lighting, security, audiovisual equipment and other services in the home. Interface methods are plentiful; touch screens, wall switches and sensors for direct control, as well as remote options. It is easy to expand functionality and enhance convenience through integration with third-party systems.

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 Editor: Dannielle Furness dfurness@westwick-farrow.com.au Editorial Assistant: Alice Richard Chief Editor: Janette Woodhouse Publisher: Geoff Hird Art Director/Production Manager: Julie Wright 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: 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 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

Clipsal’s range of Xantrex GT solar inverters is recognised for high efficiency, low installation costs, improved aesthetics and high reliability. The most critical part of a solar installation, the inverter is used to convert energy captured by solar panels into electricity to be used in the home or exported back to the grid. The more efficient the inverter, the more efficient the entire installation is.

To make the best of use of two seemingly disparate systems, they need to be interconnected. In this scenario, a serial cable is run between a C-Bus colour touch screen and a Xantrex inverter. Serial communications present distance limitations of around 15 m, so this can also be carried out utilising an ethernet to serial solution. Commands sent from the touch screen request data from the inverter, which then displays on the touch screen.

In non-integrated projects, the home control system and solar system work independently of each other, meaning that the benefits of energy harvesting are not realised. Seamlessly incorporating the two gives the homeowner additional convenience and potential energy and cost savings. Monitoring energy output for display on the touch screen is simple and allows the user to determine which electrical services can be turned on or off, depending on current energy production levels. For instance, a homeowner could elect to turn on non-essential items, such as pool pumps, during periods of excess solar production, rather than feeding it back on to the grid. Likewise, in times of low solar energy production, the system can be programmed to shut down nominated electrical services, saving energy and money by not drawing power from the grid.

In addition to real-time monitoring, the homeowner can view historical data to ascertain energy production levels over a given period.

Schneider Electric Aust Pty Limited (Clipsal) Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S727

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ASIA - Lachlan Rainey Ph: +61 (0) 402 157 167

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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.

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