January/February 2014

Volume 247

No 1/2

www. electri calrevi ew. co. uk

ELECTRICAL REVIEW INFORMING THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY FOR 140 YEARS
FACTORY AUTOMATION
CAE The key ingredient
DESIGN SOFTWARE
A simpler and cheaper
way to gain new business
POWER PROTECTION
The bigger picture
TEST & MEASUREMENT
What price
electrical safety?
ALSO INSIDE:
12
16
22
24
03 NEWS
www.electricalreview.co.uk
BETTER ROUTE TO BOARDROOM
City and Guilds research suggests apprenticeships provide
better route to the boardroom than degrees
Nearly 20% of all employers report former
apprentices are currently working in senior
management positions according to research by
the City and Guilds organisation.
The City and Guilds Top 100 Apprenticeship
Employers list reported almost 50% of
construction companies employed former
apprentices as directors.
Other sectors which reported high levels of
former apprentices reached the boardroom
where manufacturing and engineering (43 %),
agriculture (33 %) and energy and power
(33 %).
I believe we are seeing the beginning of a
fundamental shift in the way we prepare the
next generation for the world of work, said Will
Davies co-founder of construction company
aspect.co.uk
For too long we have placed too much
emphasis of university education when many
young people would be more suited to
vocational or on the job training, said Davies,
whose company has returned to a traditional
system of apprenticeships to train young
workers.
These gures demonstrate that for many
youngsters, apprenticeships are the best choice
and the best way forward, he said.
Matthew Hancock, the government minister
for further education and skills, said: Either
going to university or choosing an apprenticeship
needs to become the new norm for school and
college leavers. These gures support this aim
and show that apprentices are able to succeed in
some of the biggest businesses in the UK.
Figures released by the Ofce of National
Statistics (ONS) revealed this week that more
than a quarter of graduates are actually earning
less than school leavers who followed vocational
training courses or apprenticeships.
The ONS also said that 26% of low paid
graduates found themselves working in part-
time jobs, which compared to 11% of those
who had followed vocational training. In
addition, student numbers have dropped by
more than 20% at several modern Universities.
It is believed that the rise in tuition fees have
contributed to the decline.
The former Labour minister Frank Field
said:Successive generations of young people
have been shoehorned into universities on the
promise of improving their lifetime earnings. But,
as well as being saddled with eye-watering levels
of debt, more than a quarter of them now work
in part-time roles earning lower wages than
workers with an apprenticeship under their belt.
Politicians need to sit up and take note of
these shifting patterns. We need to encourage
more young people to think hard about the
best ways of achieving their goals in life. The
government must call for a major rethink on the
present pattern of university education and set
in hand a working party to take the debate on
from these crucial breakthrough statistics.
03
10
12
16
20
22
24
32
36
38
42
News
News
Factory automation
Design software
Training
Borri advertorial
Test & measurement
Transformers
Part P webinar
Product watch
Classied/recruitment
04 NEWS
Electrical Review January/February 2014
Williams Advanced Engineering, the division
of Williams that commercialises Formula One
derived technologies, is embarking on a project
to install ywheel energy storage technology
in two remote Scottish island communities to
help stabilise their power grids, improve energy
efciency and reduce emissions from non-
renewable power sources.
The Isle of Eigg and Fair Isle will be the rst
sites in Europe to install Formula One developed
composite ywheel energy storage technology
into their power networks. Originally pioneered
by Williams for Grand Prix racing following the
introduction of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems
(KERS) into the sport in 2009, the technology has
since been introduced by Williams into a range
of applications outside of Formula One such as
hybrid buses and Le Mans winning racing cars.
Williams Advanced Engineering has
joined forces with the Fair Isle Electricity
Company and Eigg Electric to identify possible
operational improvements, energy saving and
environmental benets from installing the
technology on each island. The Fair Isle power
network relies heavily on wind turbines and
diesel generators to supplement the power
system and can only guarantee power during
the day. Williams Advanced Engineerings
ywheel technology will smooth the power
owing from the wind turbines and inject
stored energy when needed. This will improve
the quality of power received by residents and
reduce the reliance on costly diesel generators
that produce high CO2 emissions.
Robert Mitchell, director of Fair Isle Electric
Company, said: We are delighted that Williams
Advanced Engineering is going to be installing
this equipment in 2014. This will provide a
much needed buffer to improve our power
quality and reduce how often we use the diesel
generators. Our two wind turbines produce
more than enough power most of the time
but they cannot store energy so this will be an
excellent addition.
The Isle of Eigg power network utilises a
variety of renewable sources which include
solar, hydro and wind power and currently uses
lead acid batteries to store excess renewable
energy and smooth the ow of power. Using
batteries to smooth power ow has the benet
of forsaking the need for diesel generators, but
signicantly reduces their life span. Williams
ywheel energy storage system can take on this
role so that the batteries can then be used for
their main job of long term bulk energy storage.
This will not only prolong battery life but also
improve the transient response of the network
and increase its fault clearing capability.
Sarah Boden, director of Eigg Electric, said:
We have been working closely with Williams
Advanced Engineering and they have visited our
Island to see our mix of renewable generation
and storage technology. We expect the new
ywheel energy storage to be used for short
term frequency regulation when generation
drops off such as when clouds obscure the solar
array. Our Island is managed by a partnership
approach and this joint effort will further
improve power quality and security of supply for
the island power system.
P
E
O
P
L
E
Peter Chai-Tsai
Christian Schraft
Paul Dawson
Powertecnique has recently appointed a new
sales and marketing director, Peter Chai-Tsai.
Having worked in the power industry for the
past 23 years, Chai-Tsais hands-on engineering
experience started on offshore oil platforms,
before turning to sales roles with Schneider,
Emerson and Socomec.
Havells Sylvania has announced Christian
Schraft is joining the business as president,
Havells Sylvania Europe.
Paul Dawson has been appointed managing
director at ESP, and takes up his new position
after spending three years as commercial
director at Scolmore.
ENERGY STORAGE FOR EIGG
Formula One technology used on remote Scottish islands
06 NEWS
FUTURE MANUFACTURING
Liverpool company rewarded for business growth
MPE of Liverpool, a manufacturer of high-
performance electromagnetic compatibility
(EMC) filters and feedthrough capacitors
for world markets, has won the Business
Growth category in the 2013 EEF Future
Manufacturing Awards for the North-West
England region, at a ceremony in the Salford
City Stadium, Manchester.
Prime application areas for the companys
EMC filters extend widely from military
vehicles of all types, tactical shelters
and ground installations, aerospace and
naval equipment, to information and
communications technology, EMC test houses,
hospital scanners, process control, fire safety
and railways.
These annual Awards are hosted by the
Engineering Employers Federation (EEF), the
manufacturers organisation, to recognise
excellence among UK manufacturers in
enterprise, innovation, exports, environmental
performance, skills development, health-and-
safety and apprenticeships.
MPE won the Business Growth Award
sponsored by Westfield Health which
recognises manufacturers who have achieved
dramatic business growth for its expansion
into South Korea and the USA.
Export sales within these territories have
grown by 16% over the past two years,
given that over half of MPEs total annual
production goes for export.
Jill Davies, chief executive of Westfield
Health, commented: Congratulations
to MPE on winning the regional Business
Growth Award. Not only have they managed
to defy todays difficult economic climate,
they have also delivered impressive growth.
2014 PART L REGS ARRIVE
After a long wait, the 2014 Approved
Documents L1A and L2A have arrived,
providing guidance on Conservation of Fuel
and Power in new buildings. However, as
with previous changes, the 2010 documents
continue to apply to projects where work
started or an application was made before
that date.
BSRIAs Building Regulations training will
update you on all the changes that will come
into effect on 6 April 2014.
The most noticeable change for new
dwellings is a requirement to calculate the
fabric energy efciency. This is in addition to
calculating CO2 emissions, which has been
a requirement since 2006. Fabric energy
efciency is measured in kWh per square
metre of oor area, and takes into account
the space heating and cooling demand.
The CO2 emissions, on the other hand, are
measured in kg of CO2 per square metre
of oor area and the calculation only takes
cooling into account for dwellings that use
mechanical cooling. To achieve compliance,
both the fabric energy efciency and CO2
emissions must be below those of a
notional dwelling. This notional dwelling
has been redened such that an emissions
reduction of 6% is achieved, compared with
dwellings that meet 2010 standards.
The methods of compliance for new non-
dwellings have not changed signicantly,
however the CO2 emissions reduction is
greater than for dwellings: 9%. This means
more energy efciency measures will need to
be incorporated, and even though renewables
are not a requirement, more designs may
incorporate them as a means of achieving
the CO2 target. Some of the minimum plant
efciencies, set out in the Non-domestic
Building Services Compliance Guide have
been upgraded for example the minimum
efcacy of lighting in ofce, industrial and
storage areas has been upgraded from 55 to
60 luminaire lumens per circuit-watt.
Changes to the Approved Documents
for existing buildings L1B and L2B are
minimal. So much so, that they have be
en issued as an amendment slip. We are,
however, assured that consolidated versions
of these Approved Documents will be issued
before they come into effect on 6 April.
BSRIA runs Building Regulations training
courses - Introduction to the Building
Regulations next runs on 12 March, and
Understanding Parts L & F next runs on 25
February. Any of our courses can be run in-
company and customised to meet the needs
of your staff. For more information go to
https://www.bsria.co.uk/events.
07 NEWS
www.electricalreview.co.uk
INVESTMENT IN CONSTRUCTION
SUPPORT FOR HOUSING BILL
ECA welcomes governments 375bn infrastructure plan
Parliament asked to carefully consider ESC proposal
The Electrical Contractors Association
(ECA) has responded to the governments
announcement of the National Infrastructure
Plan. The plan contains information on
over 375bn of planned public and private
sector infrastructure investment, and sets
out investment for energy, transport, ood
defence, waste, water and communications
infrastructure up to 2030 and beyond.
Steve Bratt, ECA Group CEO, said: This
announcement is welcome news for UK plc.
and the construction sector. We are heartened
by the conrmation of a UK guarantee for the
1bn Northern Line extension, the continued
Commenting on the new Scottish Housing Bill,
Phil Buckle, director general of the Electrical Safety
Council (ESC), said: The Scottish governments
aim of improving conditions in the Private Rented
Sector (PRS) is one we strongly support. We also
hope the code of practice for letting agents,
which will be introduced at a later date, will help
enhance safety in the home.
However, we trust the ESCs proposal to
investment in Network Rail and the investment
in Midlands Main Line and in the construction of
Ordsall Curve in Manchester. All of these projects
will benet industry, the economy and lives of
the people who use them.
Investment to kick-start shovel ready
projects within construction like these will give
the sector a much needed shot in the arm. In
turn this will lay the foundations for a longer
term recovery, as the benets of construction
investment job creation, training and an
increase in the availability of apprenticeship
places will be felt across the economy. Simply
put, when Britain builds, Britain grows.
reinforce electrical safety requirements, in order
to reduce risks to tenants, will be considered
carefully as the Bill progresses through Parliament.
Research suggests that PRS tenants are more at
risk of re than those in other housing sectors1
and with the majority of domestic res in Scotland
caused by electricity, our proposal is particularly
important for improving standards in the PRS.
1 Data derived from Fire Kills campaign 2008
ACADEMY SUSTAINS SKILLS
Academy trainees guaranteed job on completion
ABEC has launched the ABEC Academy, a
training scheme for graduates, electrically and
mechanically qualied engineers, diploma
holders and school leavers that aims to provide
a solution to the sustainability of valuable
engineering skills in the building controls sector.
Every ABEC Academy trainee is guaranteed
a job upon completion. Open to a wide group
of aspiring ABEC employees, the Academy
offers four entry routes. Graduates with a
minimum 2:2 in building services engineering,
electrical or mechanical engineering, holders
of a diploma in building services engineering,
electrical or mechanical Engineering with
a minimum merit grade, skilled operatives
with previous employment experience in the
mechanical and electrical trades and those
with A-level qualications and a demonstrable
aptitude for engineering.
Following one to two years of vocational
training and a holistic business view covering
products, electrical, health and safety, coaching
and mentoring and accreditations, each trainee
receives a further transition year, before entering
full time employment as an ABEC engineer.
During their training tenure every engineer is
provided with invaluable experience as they are
rotated through 360 of the ABEC business. This
helps to develop a rounded view of the industry,
the pressures clients face and ABECs position
within the building and energy controls agenda.
After two years of ABEC Academy
training (four years for school leavers), every
ABEC engineer will become a support or
commissioning engineer. At this point they
will also be a BEMS expert engineer and have
access to further career opportunities within
the business.
We are at
Southern
Manufacturing
Stand N74
08 NEWS
Electrical Review January/February 2014
27 February will see the 3rd Integrating
Renewable Energy to the Grid seminar which
promises to be a day of discussion, debate
and knowledge sharing.
Once again, the event will bring together
suppliers and utilities, operators, transmission
and distribution experts, engineers and
policymakers to discuss strategy, best practice
and implementation for renewable energy
integration.
The programme will give delegates the
opportunity to hear about a variety of hot topics
surrounding the challenges and solutions from
both standards and technology viewpoints,
discussing how best to support the maximisation
of renewable resources to the grid.
Programme highlights will include:
Analysis of technology and optimisation for
grid sustainability and transmission
Exploration of challenges in the UK energy
network and regulatory considerations
A view on renewable energy resources and
achieving grid parity
An overview of HVDC technology with case
study examples from ABB and Mainstream
Renewable Power
Discussions on system requirements to support
grid sustainability
Conrm your place today register online at
www.theiet.org/renewable-grid, download the
booking form or call us on +44 (0) 1438 765
650/657 for more details.
News in brief
Solar Frontier announced today the completion of the Kansai International Airport Megasolar
Power Plant, an 11.6 MW CIS installation at Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan. Now the
largest solar installation at an airport anywhere in Asia, and among the worlds biggest, the Kansai
International Airport Megasolar power plant is scheduled to start operating on February 1, 2014. The
project was managed by SF Kansai Mega Solar, a 100% subsidiary of Solar Frontiers joint investment
company with the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ), SF Solar Power.
NAPIT Certication has now been recognised by the Solid Wall Insulation Guarantee Agency
(SWIGA) for its quality and surveillance framework. Steve Tanner, general manager of SWIGA,
commented: SWIGA is extremely pleased that NAPIT has met our requirements and now adheres
to our solid wall surveillance standards. This recognition opens up signicant opportunities, to all
NAPIT members that have PAS 2030 certication, to secure SWIGA membership. Tanner added: This
addition now means that four certication bodies now have a framework recognised by SWIGA for
their robust approach to solid wall insulation.

Rockwell Automation has won a $15m (9m) engineering, procurement, construction and
management contract from Vadxx Energy LLC for its rst commercial-scale, plastic waste-to-synthetic
crude energy facility in Akron, Ohio. The new plant will transform end-of-life plastics into higher
value energy products, recycling nearly 60 tons of waste daily, diverting it from landll disposal. The
solution includes the PlantPAx Process Automation System suite, utilising Rockwell Automations
multi-discipline control platform to deliver an integrated smart plant for Vadxx.
EDITOR
Elinore Mackay 020 8319 1807
elinorem@electricalreview.co.uk
ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER
Neil Coshan 020 7933 8977
neilc@electricalreview.co.uk
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Alex Goldwater 020 7933 8999
alexg@sjpbusinessmedia.com
SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE
Harry Powell 020 7933 8989
harryp@electricalreview.co.uk
Paid subscription enquiries
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 879361
electricalreview@circdata.com
St John Patrick Publishers
PO Box 6009, Thatcham
Berkshire, RG19 4QB, UK
Subscription rates:
UK 182 per year,
Overseas 206
Electrical Review is a controlled circulation monthly
magazine available free to selected personnel at the
publishers discretion. If you wish to apply for regular
free copies then please visit: www.electricalreview.
co.uk/register
Electrical Review is published by
Laurence Pountney Hill
London EC4R 0BL
020 7933 8999
PUBLISHING DIRECTOR
Chris Cooke
PRINTING BY
Pensord Press Ltd
Any article in this journal represents the opinions of the
author. This does not necessarily reect the views of
Electrical Review or its publisher SJP Business Media
ISSN 0013-4384 All editorial contents
SJP Business Media
Jan-Dec 2012 6,460
Follow us on Twitter @elecreviewmag
Join us on LinkedIn
http://linkd.in/H1viOF
www.electricalreview.co.uk
DISCUSSION AND DEBATE
Integrating Renewable Energy to the grid - 27 February
10 GOSSAGE
Electrical Review January/February 2014
SHORT SHRIFT
The Disney Corporation does not like being associated with gas fracking. That is undeniably true. How do I know? Because I have
seen how it has reacted in that ultimate in politically marginal US states, Ohio, to the prospect of being bracketed with those
who promote fracking. It has told its subsidiary, Radio Disney, to quit a roadshow it was running , aimed at 8 to 10 year olds.
Despite being called Rocking in Ohio, the events had nothing to do with music. But rather was a series of events funded by the
Ohio Oil & Gas Association, designed subliminally to tell the children how deeply benevolent is the idea of fracking the night
away in their state.
Local parents went ape. Within days they had collected 86,000 signatures to a petition to the Disney Corporation, demanding
that they must: Immediately halt your road show promoting oil and gas extraction and pipelines to kids, and sever your part-
nership with the Ohio Oil and Gas Association. Radio Disney should not--under the guise of teaching kids science--promote dirty
energy that that gives kids asthma, pollutes our air and water, and fuels climate change.
Disney listened. And dropped the roadshow like a hot cake. Ohio is the quintessential average American state. I have a funny
feeling that any similar exercise here in the UK might just receive a similarly short shrift from middle England too. However much
local councils are bribed to encourage frackers into their locality.
BETTER TERMS
I have a gentle word of warning, for
my old friends Electricit de France.
Picking a ght with a Saudi prince is
never a wise course of action. Espe-
cially if that Prince is none other than
His Royal Highness Prince Bander Bin
Abdullah Al-Saud.
But pick it they have. So much so
that the Prince s conglomerate, which
goes by the splendid name of Soroof
International, has led a complaint
in the Saudi courts against EDF. And
he is citing faulty execution by the
76% French government-owned rm,
of an agreement between the two
entities to form a joint venture that
would develop electricity products
in Saudi Arabia.
The princes company has studious-
ly not yet stated the precise grounds
for the dispute. This is apparently to
respect the condentiality of a sep-
arate arbitration procedure, already
launched at its request at the Interna-
tional Chamber of Commerce.
It appears to be no coincidence that,
despite the scandals concerning his
love life, French President Francois
Hollande was in Saudi at length last
month, with very few details emerg-
ing as to why. He at any rate under-
stands if there is a chance the Saudi
government might be letting some
multi-billion contracts to foreign nucle-
ar reactor vendors, it might be as well
to be on rather better terms with the
countrys royal family than EDF seems
currently managing to be.
CASTING AN ENVIOUS EYE
I am astounded so many learned energy com-
mentators have thought it of any interest that
National Grid are inviting certain larger elec-
tricity users to enter into interruptible tariffs,
in exchange for lower standard rates. Such
arrangements surely have been bog standard
for years.
The excitement seems to be being fanned
by those vested interests which quite deliber-
ately, for their own commercial gain, wish to
instill quite unnecessary panic into our more
simple-minded political leaders that there is so
little power around that the lights are set to
go out.
That said, I rather think National Grid bosses
may well be casting envious eye across the
North Sea, to warch what the German grid
regulator is doing. It is forcing EnBW Energie
of Baden Wrttemberg, the countrys third
largest electricity supplier, to keep four un-
protable plants open specically to avoid the
danger of blackouts.
Between them, German utilities have an-
nounced their intentions to shut 41 unprof-
itable generating units with 11 gigawatts in
total. But with particular pressure on demand
in the southwest of the country, where EnBW
is based, they have been told in no uncertain
manner that these four units, with a total
capacity of 668 megawatts, much stay on the
system until July 2015 at the very earliest.
Even if the company is, as it claims, losing
money hand over st on them.
AMBITIOUS
Had you heard about the
Celsius project? No, I hadnt
either. Even though it is worth
25 million euros, and has
researchers based in Goth-
enburg, Genoa, Cologne and
Rotterdam, as well as in Lon-
don. What are they research-
ing? They are working on
the public transport metro sys-
tems, trying to trap the waste
heat from underground rail-
way engines, breaks and body
parts. The rhetoric regarding
the potential is mind-bending-
ly ambitious. It could revo-
lutionise, they claim, energy
usage and consumption.
Those of us familiar with
the bug-eyed zealots who
usually advocate cogeneration
and combined heat and power
may be forgiven for thinking
we might just have heard
all this optimism before. But
maybe, just maybe, this time
it could really happen. The
projects Swedish coordinator,
Jonas Cognell, intends to have
50 cities with underground
railways adopting Celsius
technologies by 2017. I can
only wish him well.
OFF THE RECORD
Please do send any comments on these stories
to elinorem@electricalreview.co.uk
Your correspondence will be passed to FH Gossage
11 SPONSORED FEATURE
www.electricalreview.co.uk
RETROFIT AND REPROTECT
It may risk becoming an overused term but equipment obsolescence is a very real
problem facing an increasing number of operators. Many of whom are reliant upon a
mature electrical infrastructure often sweated well beyond the intended and designed life.
However replacement, modernisation, upgrade, or simply repair and maintenance proves
to be never as easy as it rst sounds, explains Phil York general manager PBSI group.
A
n electrical network; whether a
distribution network on a housing
estate, a petroleum reneries
internal network, or the electrical power systems
within a generating station all share one unifying
truth. They are all part of the same utility service
which when interrupted the effect can range
from a downright inconvenience to an almost
incalculable nancial loss.
Electrical utilities are simply expected to work,
all of the time, faultlessly. Of course this isnt the
case, electrical power distribution is a complex
system relying upon a variety of equipment
to ensure safe delivery of electricity and to
inherently protect the wider network from
damage when faults do occur.
The expectations placed on our electrical
networks put operators and those entrusted to
maintain these systems in a precarious position.
Unplanned outage risk, or planned intervention.
Both choices involve expending time and
money weighed up against the economics of the
equipment being intentionally or unintentionally
out of service.
The obvious answer would be to plan to
take equipment out of service with controlled
effect rather than something unplanned and
catastrophic occurring.
However, intervention may not be a viable
option, all too often the original equipment
manufacturer isnt around any longer to
offer expert assistance or parts, or the
modern alternative to the equipment which
is available today, is totally incompatible with
any previous design.
This is a reality which we all live with as result of
our ageing, creaky infrastructure. Obsolescence.
The typical UK coal red power station
is a good example, much of the electrical
infrastructure that was installed when these
stations were built are still in use today. Hats
off to our forefathers for building in endurance
right? Well, the picture isnt that simplistic.
Quite often motors have been changed,
circuits are now supplying different loads, yet
the original protection relays remain and quite
possibly unable to operate fast enough to
protect a modern motor from being damaged
under a stall condition.
There is a further disadvantage, these
electromechanical relays can really only provide
one measurement - what is happening at this
precise moment.
It cannot for instance predict what may
happen in the future or indeed tell you what did
happen in the past.
Contrast to a modern protection relay which
can provide lists of past trip logs and. They have
become a much more useable tool to diagnose
events and provide valuable indication before a
serious fault occurs.
Equally modern relays do more than just
protection, they can provide a means of remote
control of a circuit and measured data can be
communicated to systems that couple both
process operations and electrical control.
So when a 40 year old relay does eventually
fail, or the engineer discovers a pitfall, there
is yearning for better technology. But because
of cost, incompatibility, time pressures and
the difculty with installing new equipment
nothing changes.
There is a solution P&B has created a
range of direct retrots for the replacement of
older protection relays. The retrots use the
latest available technology yet are packaged
to be electrically and mechanical identical to
enable simple and rapid replacement.
The retrot option provides a very effective
way to modernise the electrical equipment
without facing heavy capital investment costs for
new equipment or lengthy outage whilst new
equipment is commissioned. The retrot route
allows operators to leapfrog the technology
barrier and inherit the advances of modern
protection equipment almost instantly and with
very little effort.
www.pbsigroup.com
e: enquiries@pbsigroup.com
T: 0044 (0)161 230 6363
12 FACTORY AUTOMATION
CAE THE KEY INGREDIENT
OF PRODUCTIVITY
Food and beverage manufacturers are under increasing pressure to reduce project
downtimes and lower production costs, whilst simultaneously increasing exibility and
improving product quality. In a bid to meet these demands companies are turning to newer,
more innovative design tools that automate engineering processes. Ken Christie, director of
EPlan UK, explains how using computer aided engineering (CAE) solutions is vital in order
to provide quality assurance, streamline process and reduce manufacturing costs within
production. He explains how Ritter has beneted from implementing EPlan software
O
vercoming the challenges that face
electrical design in manufacturing
is vital for organisations to keep
their businesses growing and to stay ahead of
increasing global competition. Shorter product
life cycles are also increasing the demand for
further automation, particularly for those that
use electrical control systems. In order to meet
customer demands, processes need to be more
streamlined and efcient. Choosing to use
modern Computer Aided (CAE) over legacy
CAD systems can increase both automation and
create a more efcient electrical design process.
The newest and sophisticated CAE systems
allow the manual and most time-consuming
electrical engineering design functions to be
performed automatically and instantaneously
- with organisations subsequently beneting
from an increase in productivity, shorter project
turnaround times and improvements in product
quality and security.
Modern CAE solutions, like EPlan, hold
standardisation and automation at their
epicentre, providing a variety of industries and
organisations with functionality that can aid
electrical design.
BENEFITS OF CAE
One of the main benets of modern CAE
software is it can convert project documentation
in minutes to the language and design standards
that customers require, and export it into one
of many common le formats. This high level of
Electrical Review January/February 2014
14 FACTORY AUTOMATION
integration is one of the reasons why advanced
CAE solutions are proving to be the driving force
in the relationship between electrical engineering
and other project stakeholders.
An integrated CAE software solution also
provides a consistent basis for information and
allows for effective, cross-disciplinary and parallel
work processes to ourish.
CAE systems also hold central databases
that can further enhance automation within
the design process, simplifying the design and
reporting required, in turn enabling standardised
information and data sharing among different
people, departments and processes.
There is a multitude of device data and
components that can be accessed via a central
database, including macros of sub-circuits,
assembly drawings, function templates for
intelligent device selection, international
designations, preview images and entire manuals.
The database enables users to easily select
and apply the data or components required
during a project, reducing project drafting and
documentation time by between 50-80%.
With CAE systems, data can also be stored and
reused enabling standardisation and the ability
to modularise product content, accelerate design
and manufacturing. Standardisation guidelines
lead to a smooth interaction between machines
and systems, minimising coordination time. CAE
is a benet to manufacturing organisations with
its ability to allow laborious and time consuming
functions to be performed automatically allowing
organisations to reduce cost.
RELUCTANCE TO CHANGE
Companies are sometimes reluctant to change,
believing their current methodology works and
that the implementation of a new system will
initially reduce productivity. However, this is rarely
true as the biggest turnarounds come when
companies see the aws in their existing processes
and make the decision to upgrade to innovative
CAE software, as was the case with Ritter KG.
Particularly in the food industry, exibility and
rapid response to changing market requirements
are a top priority. Whereas chocolate bars were
once fairly indistinguishable from one another,
todays consumers are more discerning, and
imaginative varieties and avours involving
highly sophisticated production technology are
now commonplace. Therefore fast retooling
of machines is essential, and electrical project
planning must be capable of adapting quickly to
these new requirements.
STANDARDISATION IS KEY
Since choosing EPlan as its CAE package, Ritter
Sport has been able to develop a consistent
standardisation strategy. We collaborate closely
with the machine producers at the design stage,
and transfer our symbol les directly to the
suppliers. In this respect, EPlan provides a number
of functions for the generation of company-specic
standards, thus meeting one of the principal
requirements of Ritter Sport, explains Claus
Labenski, electrical project engineer at Alfred Ritter
GmbH & Co. KG.
We collaborate closely with the machine
producers at the design stage, and transfer
our symbol les directly to the suppliers. In this
respect, EPlan provides a number of functions for
the generation of company-specic standards,
thus meeting one of the principal requirements
of Ritter Sport.
We determine the representation format in
the circuit diagrams, and also prescribe which
contactors or controllers should be used. In this
way, we can also cut the warehousing costs
for spare parts and can be sure of receiving
standardised documentation, explains Labenski.
As well as accelerated planning and optimised
availability, this also leads to shorter retooling
times and reduced machine downtime.Ritter
Sport is rmly convinced that neat, up-to-date
circuit diagram documentation is the key to
problem-free, reliable production. Another
important factor for minimising downtime is,
EPlans ability to automate cross referencing,
device ID tagging and on-site labelling.
Not only is Ritter Sport at the cutting-edge
of consumer taste it also uses state-of-the-art
production technology. As well as established
PLC (product lifecycle) technology, it also
uses eld bus technology. PLC programming
is generally performed in-house. Here, the
functions of EPlan provide support by allowing
us to transfer addresses directly. This simplies
programming and saves time, explains
Jrgen Kussmaul, electrical engineering project
manager. The exible structure of address
designations means that the organisation of
maintenance work is much easier. In this way, we
achieve a clear overview of our systems.
THE FUTURES CAE
The benets of implementing CAE Solutions
across production are clear; enhanced
performance and exible communication with
external system integrators in addition to high-
quality documentation, and the completion of all
projects on schedule and on budget.
In future, the support of powerful modern
software packages will become indispensable. In
order to assert yourself within the market place, you
need state of the art engineering tools. Without
investment in innovative new technologies, global
competition will swallow you up.
Electrical Review January/February 2014
16 DESIGN SOFTWARE
A SIMPLER AND CHEAPER
WAY TO GAIN NEW BUSINESS
Software companies are always telling you how they will save you time
and money while this is true, the chance to increase business is also
too good to miss says Nick Harper, sales director at Amtech Group
A
s software has advanced it has
opened new opportunities for
electrical engineers, not just by
improving accuracy and efciency but also by
opening a doorway to new business. Its not
just increasing market share or nding new
markets but making sure you are keeping
up with current trends to ensure you are not
losing out to competition.
For example; BIM (Building Information
Modelling) is the buzz word of the moment,
Its everywhere you look, magazines,
newsletters and all over the net. Many
companies involved in design and installation
have taken a quick look and decided, although
interesting and no doubt valuable for certain
types of work, its not anything that needs to
concern them right now.
But this is exactly the BIM Goldilocks time
for most companies still time to plan, train
staff and put procedures and tools in place but
not so late that you have missed the boat and
need to play catch-up.
BIM is here already and will become far
more prevalent in the next couple of years.
2016 is the year that all government buildings
must be constructed using BIM. Now is the
ideal time to start in order to reap the benets
of this new way of working.
Software companies have long since realised
this and are rapidly developing new products
to enable electrical designers and installers to
make the most of the coming opportunities.
A key part of BIM is the interoperability
between disciplines. The aim is to reduce the
multiple drawings, les and data accrued
during the construction and lifetime of the
building.
A good example is CAD design software
packages. During construction the building
would have 3D drawings showing all the
services, including the electrical systems in
position. This would be given to the electrical
contractor for installation. However, although
the system is shown graphically, it does not
include all the electrical elements required by
BS7671 - such as loads, cable sizing, protective
device selection and settings. These then have
to be calculated separately in a completely
different package. So here we are back with
two distinct versions of the same projectso
much for interoperability.
For the electrical engineer therefore, the
important thing is to be able to access the
information contained within a BIM, work with
it, potentially modify it, and then update the
model with any modications. This is where
good quality software comes in, enabling that
transfer of information to and from the BIM
while providing the specialist tools required by
the electrical engineer.
For example, many models are now being
developed using Revit MEP a very good
design tool but one that doesnt incorporate
the functionality required by the electrical
engineer to meet BS 7671. For instance, a
circuit in Revit uses standard defaults that are
not compliant with BS 7671 and does not
contain all of the necessary data. For that
reason our experience shows that, typically,
Electrical Review January/February 2014
18 DESIGN SOFTWARE
electrical engineers feel disconnected from the
BIM process. Engineers have to spend a lot of
time manually transferring data and results
between software tools and the inherent risk
of doing that is there for all to see. How many
times have you seen drawings and distribution
board schedules that do not match?
However, good electrical software will
now talk directly to the CAD software, with
software plug-ins that enable the data to be
shared. To use a standard Revit model with
electrical systems, you simply export to the
electrical design software, display a dialog that
shows all the electrical systems in the model,
and simply open the one you want. When
imported it will interpret all the information
taken from the export le and automatically
produce a schematic.
Circuit information dened in Revit MEP
can be imported to create an outline electrical
schematic. Once the schematic is in the design
software each cable can then be clicked
on and the cable type, length and other
details specied. The tools in the electrical
design software can now be used to perform
comprehensive design calculations to BS7671.
The calculated circuit can then be returned
to Revit and associated with the relevant
circuit components in the original Revit model.
All these newly added parameters will now
remain as part of the model, resulting in a
simple, clear and accurate panel schedule. You
can use any of the imported parameters in
your user customised panel schedules in Revit.
This has been proven to save engineers days of
work manually producing panel schedules.
Users of Revit will already understand how
frustrating and time consuming it is to gather
all the information required to complete
accurate schedules and will instantly see
the benets of using the specialist electrical
software for design. This represents a massive
time saving while removing the potential for
error. In addition only one set of resources is
being used, in line with BIM principles.
This brings us back to the true reason
for BIM - one repository for all information
relating to each project and accessed by
all stakeholders. BIM provides three key
advantages for electrical engineers. First,
time savings by using basic information
already available in the original model.
Second, accuracy, as there is no need to
enter data multiple times so the risk of errors
is reduced. Third and most important, it
provides the opportunity to take advantage
of projects that are working with BIM. BIM is
here to stay and it is crucial not to miss out
on this work.
EXTENDING EXPERTISE
New ways of working, facilitated by software,
can also give contractors a competitive edge
by enabling them to take on new types of
work. For example, some contractors are
happy to design electrical systems but shy
away from carrying out a protection study on
a circuit, especially in complex buildings with
multiple adjustable breakers.
However, todays electrical design software
often contains powerful discrimination
packages making it easy to make protective
device adjustments in the project. A very
popular method uses a simple graphical
view of the devices in the circuit with the
characteristics of each device shown on one
screen alongside each other. This method
allows overload, short circuit, instantaneous
and earth fault settings to be changed simply
by increasing or decreasing the values on
screen until the co-ordination is acceptable.
This is reected instantly on screen.
In fact some software will go as far as
automatically determining the overload
settings depending on the design current in
the circuit.
The purpose of this type of software is
to turn complex, time-consuming tasks into
simple and far more intuitive processes,
such as validating adjustable breakers in
seconds with complete condence that your
calculations are accurate and compliant with
BS 7671. But the benets dont end there, as
not only can the time current discrimination
be shown visually on screen, the whole circuit
can also be checked instantly at the touch
of a button. As software has developed this
type of specialised software has become far
more intuitive and straightforward to use so
you no longer have to be a protection expert
to use them. As a result, there is less need to
sub-contract specialist work such as protection
co-ordination.
Save time, save money, increase efciency
and improve accuracy all benets you
will hear cited in relation to software.
And with most good software these are
genuine, attainable benets but software
can contribute a lot more. Developing new
business streams is another way to move your
business forward with minimal outlay.
Electrical Review January/February 2014
20 TRAINING
VOCATIONAL
QUALITY
David Thomas, Education and Training Manager
at the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA),
discusses the need to monitor the qualications on
offer to those looking to join the industry
A
pproximately 1.6 million young
people aged between 16 and
19 are currently participating
in post compulsory education and training.
Unfortunately many are wasting their time on
vocational qualications that will not secure
them a job in their chosen eld.
This is particularly true in our industry where,
outside the apprenticeship framework, we
have seen a proliferation of qualications that
dont actually ready a learner for a career as
an electrician, even though they are offered as
such. These qualications are not recognised
by the industry and therefore dont lead to
employment. In effect, they are useless.
The electrical industry, and UK PLC,
needs the support of high-quality 16-19
education and training in order to ensure
young people are equipped to undertake an
apprenticeship, go on to further or higher
education, and, ultimately, sustainable
employment. Construction Skills estimated
our industry needed to train an additional
1,670 between 2011 and 2015 to meet what
was then depressed levels of demand. Given
that electrotechnical apprenticeship starts in
2011/12 decreased by 13% on the previous
academic year (according to the Department for
Business, Innovation and Skills) its clear were
facing a serious skills shortage. This will take
longer to solve if people seeking a career as an
electrician are wasting their time and money
on training which doesnt lead to gainful
employment.
These sorts of courses also have a damaging
effect on the perception of apprenticeships.
Research from BAE Systems and the Royal
Academy of Engineering showed parental views
of apprenticeships are still less than favourable,
with just 46% of those surveyed saying they
would encourage their children to take up
vocational training. Parental discouragement
of apprenticeships could have detrimental
consequences for skilled sectors like ours. It also
does nothing to alter school leavers opinions
that university is the best option for them, or
persuade them to consider more traditional
vocational options.
If we are going to change this view and
encourage more young people to take up
apprenticeships, we need to make sure those
interested in doing them are in a position
to choose the provision that will best help
them in their career. When deciding on an
apprenticeship, students and their parents need
accurate and understandable information on
a) what courses and qualications are most
benecial to them and b) which providers are
best for their chosen courses and qualications.
The government has recently put a system
in place to help deliver this. As part of the
recent launch of the Tech Levels, performance
measures relating to courses and qualications
at Level 3 and below will be published. This
will include substantial Level 3 vocational
qualications qualications that provide
the knowledge and skills necessary to enter
a particular trade or skilled occupation. The
plan is to establish an approved list of Level
3 vocational qualications, supported by
employers that will be recognised within
performance tables.
As well as enabling young people to see
which courses will help them begin a career
in our sector, it will also help our industry
monitor which qualications are on offer. The
introduction of subject-specic information on
course outcomes will, in effect, root out poor
quality training. The current situation simply
does not tell employers enough to make a truly
informed decision on which training provider to
use. The introduction of Tech Levels will mean
we will know which courses are benecial for
apprentices and employers and which ones
arent delivering. This can only be benecial to
our industry.
In addition, awarding Tech Levels the same
status as A-Levels will go a long way to levelling
the playing eld and giving vocational training
the respect it deserves. Hopefully, this will
restore condence among learners, parents and
teachers that vocational education and training
is a pathway to a successful career.
2013 was pivotal for apprenticeships, with
the government putting steps in place to
reform the way they are delivered and funded.
Now that we also have a means of monitoring
which qualications are being offered to young
people, were starting 2014 in better shape
than in a long while. Hopefully this will make it
a better year for skills and everyone involved in
their delivery.
Electrical Review January/February 2014
22 SPONSORED FEATURE
POWER PROTECTION THE BIGGER PICTURE
T
his winter the UK has been hit by
some of the most tempestuous
weather conditions leaving thousands
of businesses and homes without power and
many out of pocket.
Following dramatic Battered Britain
headlines, it is becoming increasingly apparent
the risk to the nations infrastructure is higher
than ever before and with weather conditions
forecast to worsen, the UKs power network
remains under great threat.
It is not just these weather warnings and
natural risks to countrys power grid that are
hitting Britain but staggering energy costs and
increased pressures from the government for
businesses to improve operational efciencies are
adding further cause for concern.
However, despite all the negative press that
surrounds these issues, the emergency power
industry is gradually re-evaluating its approach
towards safeguarding the countrys infrastructure
to ensure long term, reliable, clean power.
One company already adopting a more
sophisticated approach to how we view
emergency power is Borri the UKs premiere
back-up power solutions specialist.
With the emergency power landscape
continuously evolving, businesses have had to
rely on specialists like Borri Ltd to deliver forward
thinking solutions and service options that
will withstand environmental, operational and
technological changes.
Addressing the latter, the radical
advancements in back-up power technologies
have mostly been driven by market demands
and the increasing critical need for UPS
solutions. Whilst many of these changes have
brought undeniable benets such as enhanced
efciencies and improved resilience, it is
important for users to consider the impact on
operational behaviour and any knock on affects
to other supporting equipment.
As UPS systems become increasingly
essential for businesses, users are becoming
more savvy about the types of technologies
available and more aware of associated
hardware such as batteries. Borri Ltd is one
of the few emergency power specialists that
has continued to invest heavily in its service
department in order to provide up-to-the-
minute care for not just a wide range of UPS
brands but also for ancillary equipment.
This commitment and unparalleled expertise
across a vast range of technologies means Borri
is the number one choice for many businesses
which require maintenance and equipment tests
to be carried out with minimum disruption to
day-to-day operations.
Environmental changes are unavoidable
so being prepared for as many eventualities
as possible is essential to keep equipment in
optimum condition. With such tumultuous
weather conditions, managing contrasting
temperatures is becoming increasingly difcult.
This has meant that power protection
professionals such as Borri have had to implement
even more sophisticated design solutions
utilising both leading edge technologies and more
advanced architectural strategies.
The companys sales director, Mark Trolley
commented: Despite the great advances
in technology, UPS systems can no longer
be considered in isolation when it comes to
delivering an emergency power solution. We
must now take into account the entire power
protection landscape and with increasing
demands on businesses to improve efciencies,
it is more important than ever to understand the
intricacies of all associated equipment.
Borri works with a cross section of design
and build contractors and has developed an
impressive portfolio of highly specialised projects.
Our experience has earned us the enviable
reputation of being a total solutions provider,
capable of achieving maximum protection and
efciency from all back-up power equipment.
We are proud to be the chosen supplier for
many leading blue chip companies and have
been involved in some incredible pioneering
data centre projects. Our understanding of the
complete power infrastructure and exibility
enables us to choose the most suitable
equipment for the environment in which it will
operate and therefore, deliver the most practical,
resilient and efcient solutions.
As changes to the back-up power landscape
continue to gather pace, Borri remains vigilant
and committed to helping businesses map
out efcient, resilient and future proof power
protection strategies.
The company offers full turnkey UPS solutions,
electrical infrastructures, delivery, positioning
and SLA driven maintenance contracts to over
2,000 customer sites in a variety of sectors, from
academia to manufacturing.
Borri is an exclusive distributor in UK market
of Borri Spa an iItalian company specialised
in the custom design and manufacturing of
power electronics equipments with over 80
years of experience and multidisciplinary
research and development.
Its B9000FXS and B9600FXS range of UPS
systems deliver such impressive efciency
credentials that they are listed on the ETPL
(Energy Technology Product List). Their ability
to deliver long term efciency gains and proven
protective qualities, make these the number one
choice for a wide range of data centre owners
from big to small looking for future operational
savings and maximum protection.
For more information please visit
www.borri.co.uk, email: info@borri.co.uk
or call 01246 431431
Electrical Review January/February 2014
23 SPONSORED FEATURE
A POWERFUL COLLABORATION
AT PORTSMOUTH UNIVERSITY
www.electricalreview.co.uk
B
orri has played an integral role in
the 2.25million development of
Portsmouth Universitys new modular
data centre facility. The leading Uninterruptible
Power Supply (UPS) solutions provider was
commissioned by award winning data centre and
IT infrastructures specialist, Sudlows to supply
three B9000FXS 300kVA UPS systems.
Faced with tough competition and following
a rigorous tender process, involving exhaustive
performance and efciency tests, Borris UPS
solutions came out as the perfect solution.
The results demonstrated that Borris advanced
B9000FXS systems not only deliver superior
reliability and impressive efciency savings but
their sophisticated design also proved well suited
to the innovative layout and structure of the
Universitys new data hall.
Utilising the very latest technologies, Sudlows
engineered a unique air cooling solution, which
has been proven using Computational Fluid
Dynamics (CFD) a sophisticated simulation
tool which analyses air ow to show how the
room could be naturally cooled. Portsmouth
University is now beneting from a green,
efcient, natural cooling solution, which
extracts hot air out through extractor fans and
draws cool air in through a ventilated wall and
directly cools the UPS systems.
Designed to deliver industry leading
performance and a 0.9 power factor, Borris
B9000FXS UPS units achieve up to 95.5%
efciency online. This online double conversion
UPS solution also incorporates an ECO mode
function achieving up to 98% efciency.
The addition of easy front access for easy
maintenance makes them a rm favourite in
data centres of all different sizes.
Positioned in a 600kVA N+1 conguration to
ensure maximum protection against any mains
failure, the three B9000FXS UPS systems were
installed at Portsmouth University by Borri Ltds
skilled in-house team of engineers.
Commenting on Borris service, Sudlows
global director, Andy Hirst said: The feedback
from Portsmouth University about Borri has
been very positive. They found Borris team
to be professional at all times and impressed
with their product knowledge. From our end,
liaising with Borri has been seamless. They have
exceeded our high expectations in both the all
round service they have provided and also in the
quality of their UPS systems. As a vendor neutral
organisation, Sudlows has the exibility to
always select the best solution for each unique
project and were impressed with Borris latest
power technology.
It has taken the greatest brains in power
management and data centre facility design to
deliver the smooth migration of the Universitys
existing data centre to the new modular
facility. The now highly efcient, integrated
site protects data for over 23,000 students and
has been designed to meet future IT demands,
whilst maintaining the same levels of resilience
and efciency.
This is just one of the many data centre
projects that Borri has worked on. Unlike many
other UPS companies, Borri is much more than
just a product supplier it is a total solutions
provider. With a forward thinking approach Borri
strongly advocates outside the box thinking and
in the case of cooling, encourages its customers
to explore opportunities which will gain
additional efciency and save costs in additional
cooling applications.
With close relationships with a number of
infrastructure specialists like Sudlows, Borri has
vast experience in working through innovative
solutions, ensuring that due diligence is always
completed to guarantee that the selected UPS
solution will operate at its correct temperature,
thus prolonging its lifespan.
Committed to continuous design and
development of its back-up power solutions,
Borri is at the forefront of UPS technologies.
For more information about this solution or to
nd out about Borris extensive range of UPS
products and services please call 0800 136 993
or visit www.borri.co.uk
24 TEST & MEASUREMENT
PRODUCTION LINE TESTING:
WHAT PRICE ELECTRICAL PRODUCT SAFETY?
Nathan Barwell, business development engineer at Clare, part of
the Seaward Group, looks at the importance of production line
testing in electrical equipment and appliance manufacturing
T
he verication of the safe
operation and functionality of
electrical products is vital to ensure
compliance with established industry standards
and to maintain customer condence.
Electrical testing on the production line is
therefore a critical consideration.
The need to ensure conformance through
manufacture is clear from both generic product
safety standards and European Directives, but
the common reaction still seems to be does this
mean I have to do 100% testing? This question
is usually followed by a rapid retreat into
discussions that aim to reduce an erroneously
perceived time/cost burden, often quoting
ISO9000 procedures and focusing on sample
testing as a suitable solution.
Batch sampling and or product verication
tests are essentially designed to determine
that type test and build instructions are being
maintained via a set of working standards
and rely upon there being a traceable scientic
relationship between the sample and the rest
of the batch. The assumption is if the sample
shows conformance, then the rest of the batch
also complies. However when customer safety
is paramount can anyone take this risk?
In order to maintain a proper scientic
relationship, back to the type approved product
testing of the batch sample should really involve
a repeat of the type test which could involve
the use of an external test house or the transfer
of the sample to a dedicated, in-house test
laboratory. In either case the test will require the
use of skilled and expensive labour, specialised
(and usually high cost) test equipment, complex,
time consuming, test routines and/or possible
destruction of test sample.
Taking a typical batch sampling routine as
an example, the following scenario can be
envisaged: Risk analysis determines a procedure
for testing one sample product for every 100
that come off the assembly line. The sample
is sent to the laboratory where it undergoes
rigorous testing and fails. Strictly speaking,
production should now be halted until the cause
and extent of the fault is identied.
This should include recalling and testing not
only the remaining 99 items of the particular
batch, but any items produced / packed and
shipped out since the sample was taken.
The cost of this exercise can be worked out
in terms of re-call costs (time, labour, discard
packaging etc) - even greater if products have
Electrical Review January/February 2014
26 TEST & MEASUREMENT
left the factory - testing costs (which will now
include skilled labour), rework costs (time,
labour, parts if any), lost production (highly
unlikely that all items are salvageable) and late
delivery penalties.
To review the real on-cost to a business, a
useful investigation would be an ISO9000 re-call
procedural review and cost them accordingly. It
might be argued this worst case scenario only
applies if the sample fails but would anyone feel
comfortable knowing that the electric drill used in
a factory workshop has only a 1 in 100 chance of
NOT causing electrocution.
Similarly, it is clearly in the interests of
manufacturers of nished products that the
safety critical components used to assemble
a product are satisfactory preferably before
being incorporated into the product. Many
manufacturers now request Certicates of
Conformity (CofCs) from their suppliers of
safety critical components. However the
question always has to be how sure are you of
their test regime?
Against this background it is clear there
are increasing numbers of manufacturers of
electrical products who wish to check supplied
components before or during their own
product assembly.
Among such companies there is recognition of
the advantages that can result in the pro-active
identication of problems and defects before
assembly. This increases condence in nished
products, reduces the likelihood of product
re-work and allows any cost of failures to be
recovered from the supplier more easily.
Typically, the production line electrical product
safety testing requirements of manufacturers
of Class I and Class II equipment will comprise
high current earth bond measurement, insulation
resistance measurement and high voltage
ash (or hi pot) testing. In addition many
manufacturers will be driven by other special
standards or specic customer requirements or
even their own in-house guidelines to complete
functional tests (also known as Run or Load
Leakage Testing).
By completing the cycle with 100% product
testing, signicant information can also be
gathered and used to improve and rene
manufacturing processing and techniques.
Identiable reasons for product failures can
be highlighted and quickly acted upon. Even
simple fault counters can indicate particular
areas of the build phase that may require
further investigation.
Another major plus for 100% testing is the
development of a competitive advantage. A
companys ability to offer full testing during
their own production process reduces the need
for the customer to carry out their own testing,
thus providing a level of added value that can be
translated into increased protability and better
customer condence and loyalty.
Against these advantages, objections
to 100% testing are usually made on the
basis of time. Here, concerns normally arise
from misconceptions between type testing
requirements and the established practices for
100% routine production line testing.
For example, a typical regime of electrical
safety testing to meet routine production line
tests can usually be completed in less than 5
seconds. Referring back to the earlier example,
all 100 products could have been tested in less
than nine minutes.
Modern production line test instruments
feature simple to use set-up and control features,
and they can be readily incorporated into
the production environment relatively quickly
without the need for highly skilled labour.
In addition, for type testing, a ash test can
require high current levels (sometimes in excess
of 100mA) and extended test times (several
minutes for some standards) and consequently
this type of test can require application under
closely controlled conditions, involving the use of
highly skilled and experienced test personnel.
However for routine production line testing,
electrical safety standards dene not only a lower
safer trip level, but also the setting up of the test
area is well dened to keep safe the operator.
Experience has shown that routine test parameters
provide a realistic evaluation of electrical safety
and does not harm equipment that is designed to
comply with the relevant standards for creepage,
clearance and insulation properties.
Where delicate electronic components
are involved, far from omitting the ash
test, various techniques can be incorporated
to soft-start (ramp) the test voltage, apply
DC voltages with discharge circuits and
other measures to remove any likelihood of
damage occurring for example, a procedure
recognised by EN60950 for Information
Technology (IT) equipment.
Far from costing time and money, 100%
electrical safety testing on the production line
makes sound economic and business sense
creating a competitive advantage and peace
of mind. After all only 100% testing can
categorically show 100% conformance with
product safety standards.
Electrical Review January/February 2014
27 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
TESTO THERMAL IMAGING:
ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY FUELS INDUSTRY BOOM
T
echnology is evolving around us at
an ever-increasing rate and with this
comes the challenge of making sure
that these new technologies are effectively
employed. Testo provides a holistic approach to
test and measurement solutions, manufacturing
technical instruments to cover the full spectrum
of test and measurement requirements thrown
up by modern day industry.
Thermal imaging, both as a self-contained
industry and a tool used in other industries,
has seen a particularly signicant increase in
technological development, usage and accessibility
across a range of industries. We are currently in
a period of heightened awareness surrounding
thermal imaging technology and this knowledge
is spreading across industries, accompanied by a
hugely encouraging number of new companies
integrating this technology into their businesses.
UNIVERSAL THERMAL
IMAGING SOLUTIONS
The ability to visualise infrared radiation, and as
such, heat patterns and thermal anomalies is
hugely useful in a wide variety of areas ranging
from the electrical inspection and surveying to the
analysis of high temperature thermal processes
in research laboratories. This current boom in the
adoption of thermal imaging technology is the
result of a number of factors coming together
in harmony to provide perfect conditions for the
technologys growth.
Thermal imaging cameras have such a vast
range of applications that some are only just
beginning to become fully utilised. Electrical
inspections, heating and plumbing work and
preventative maintenance are just some of the
key areas currently using thermal technology and
this list is only set to grow, as thermal imaging
becomes more cost effective and seeps further into
mainstream consciousness.
THE RISE OF ENTRY LEVEL CAMERAS
Perhaps the most signicant development for
thermal imaging technology is the downwards
trend in prices and the reduced cost of initial
set-up for users due to a rising number of
affordable, entry level thermal imagers. Testo has
just released the 870 thermal imaging camera -
our entry level camera which grants accessibility
and affordability to sophisticated technology that
was previously not possible.
The testo 870 is priced to allow an affordable
entry point to the thermal imaging marketplace.
It has been developed specically for, and
in partnership with, electrical and heating
professionals allowing unique insight into the
needs of the user. Accordingly the testo 870 is
a lightweight camera that balances ease-of-use
with the impressive technical specication and
performance that is synonymous with Testo
thermal imaging.
Equipped with a large 3.5 inch display screen
and exceptional resolution of 120 x 160 pixels, the
testo 870 provides brilliantly clear thermal images
and superb value for money. Perfect for visual
inspection and surveying of electrical circuit boards
or the installation and assessment of plumbing and
heating systems, it is the ideal tool for contractors
in these industries to increase efciency and widen
the service portfolio that is available to customers.
Even in the last 12 months, we have seen
a notable reduction in the cost of previously
expensive (and as such relatively exclusive)
technology and this has been key to the current
explosion in the use of thermal imaging cameras.
Further, this increased level of accessibility has
allowed for a parallel growth in the knowledge
base surrounding the benets that thermal
imaging offers. It is apparent then, that a strong
link exists between the information available
to professionals of a given industry and the
likelihood of that industry recognising and
adopting new technologies. This coupled with
an inux of new, affordable thermal imaging
cameras (such as the testo 870) means that the
industry is only going to grow.
For more information either visit the website or
call to speak to our technical sales team.
www.testolimited.com
01420 544433
www.electricalreview.co.uk
28 TEST & MEASUREMENT
PUTTING CABLES TO THE TEST
Many techniques are available for assessing the condition of underground power cables
and for diagnosing faults that occur on these cables. Unfortunately, says Paul Swinerd
of Megger, these techniques are often presented as alternatives that compete with each
other. He believes this is misleading and that by far the best approach is to treat the
various techniques as complementary
F
aults on underground cables are a
major concern for every organisation
involved in the transmission and
distribution of electrical power. Such faults
can have consequences that are extremely
costly and disruptive, so its not surprising
there is strong demand for test equipment that
can provide accurate information about the
condition of cables and also assist in the rapid
location of faults.
A rst thought might well be that test
equipment should energise the cable at power
frequency after all, in this way it would be
subjected to stresses that closely resemble
those it experiences when in service. There is,
however, a problem.
Cables are highly capacitive which means
that if they are to be energised continuously
at power frequency during testing, the test set
must be capable of supplying a large amount
of reactive power. A test set capable of doing
this necessarily has to be physically large, heavy
and expensive. For this reason, power frequency
testing of cables is not commonly used.
One potential alternative is dc insulation
resistance testing, and this has many benets.
Suitable test equipment is compact, lightweight,
moderately priced and relatively easy to use.
Typically performed at 5 kV or 10 kV, dc
insulation resistance tests take just a few minutes
to carry out and, in addition to quickly revealing
major faults, they give a valuable indication of
the overall condition of the cable. This is a very
useful guide when deciding whether the cable is
t for immediate return to service, or whether it
should be tested further using other techniques.
In fact, a recently published article (Charles
Q Su and C R Li, IEEE Electrical Insulation
Magazine, January/February 2013) describes
how, during a ve-year study, dc insulation
testing was used to decide which of a group
of 6.6 kV cables operated by a Chinese utility
should be further tested using the VLF and
OWTS techniques described later in this article.
Electrical Review January/February 2014
29 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
MONITORING SOLUTIONS MADE BY OMICRON
O
MICRON has established a new
business segment called Monitoring
Solutions. It is focused on providing
customised system solutions for the online
condition monitoring of electrical equipment,
such as generators, motors and high-voltage
cables. Monitoring enables early detection of
potential breakdowns to ensure reliable system
operation, to extend asset lifetime and to
improve maintenance practices.
EXPANDING LINE OF CUSTOMISED
MONITORING SOLUTIONS
The expanding line of portable and xed-installed
OMICRON OMS online monitoring systems
provides temporary or continuous assessment of
partial discharge (PD) in insulation in high-voltage
assets under load. Fixed-installed OMS systems also
provide real-time monitoring of temperature and
oil pressure in high-voltage cable systems.
Each OMS system solution can be individually
designed to meet specic customer requirements.
The systems include capacitive or inductive sensors,
a data acquisition unit, a data server and analysis
software to capture and interpret data in real-time.
Users are provided highly accurate data about the
continuous dielectric condition status of rotating
machines or high-voltage cables. As a result, timely
maintenance decisions can be made before costly
damages or failure occur.
NEW SEGMENT FOCUSED ON
MONITORING KNOWLEDGE,
TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICE
OMICRONs new Monitoring Solutions business
segment provides project-specic monitoring
system design; system implementation, installation,
commissioning and calibration; as well as customer
training in system operation and data analysis.
Our aim with this new business segment is
to provide customers the best condition-based
monitoring knowledge, technology and services
available in the growing market of high-voltage
asset management, said Thomas Ritz, manager of
the OMICRON Monitoring Solutions segment.
There are currently over 70 Omicron OMS
systems in use by electrical utilities, contractors
and heavy industry around the world for
high-voltage asset quality assurance and
maintenance applications.
OMICRON Energy Solutions
www.omicron.at
Tel: + 44 (0) 1785 251000
www.electricalreview.co.uk
30 TEST & MEASUREMENT
Only 5% of the cables in the study were
selected for testing with these techniques, but
the failure rate across the whole group of cables
was nevertheless reduced by over 30%. This
clearly shows that dc insulation resistance testing
is a valid technique for determining which cables
are most at risk of failure and, therefore, in need
of further analysis.
To get the best from dc insulation resistance
testing it is important to choose the right
test set. A critical characteristic is test current
capability, as an instrument that can only supply
a small current will take a long time charge the
cable under test, particularly if it is a long cable,
and this will unnecessarily prolong the testing
time. A good instrument will typically supply 6
mA into a short circuit, and deliver a charging
current of 2 mA. As a rule of thumb, this will
mean that capacitive loads like cables take 2.5
seconds or less per microfarad to charge to 5 kV.
In addition, in many situations, high noise
immunity is a desirable feature, since this will
enable dependable results to be obtained
even in poor electrical environments. The
best instruments are now capable of reliable
operation with up to 8 mA of noise present in
the measuring circuit. Finally, the test sets power
source should not be neglected. As mains power
may not be readily available in locations where
cable testing must be carried out, a test set with
an internal rechargeable battery ideally a rapid-
recharge Li-ion type is greatly to be preferred.
While dc insulation resistance testing at
modest voltages is, as we have seen, an
invaluable and convenient rst-line tool for
assessing cable condition, there are some
cases where further study is needed. These
tests most usually take the form of insulation
withstand testing at voltages higher than the
nominal working voltage of the cable under
test. In fact, in many countries withstand
testing before new cables are put into service
is obligatory, as it is part of the relevant
standard. Because of the risk of cable damage,
dc testing at these higher voltages is no longer
widely used, having been supplanted by ac
very low frequency (VLF) testing, typically
performed at a frequency of 0.1 Hz.
VLF test sets are divided into two groups those
that apply a sine wave to the cable under test, and
those that use a cosine rectangular (CR) waveform.
Both types produce useful and reliable results,
but it is worth noting CR test sets are usually
smaller and lighter than similarly rated sine wave
equivalents, and that some users prefer the CR
waveform as its rise and fall times are very similar
to those of a power frequency sine wave.
VLF insulation withstand tests at 0.1 Hz
usually involve applying a test voltage of three
times the nominal working voltage to the cable
for 15 minutes or, in the case of aged cables,
one hour. VLF testing therefore takes longer to
perform than dc insulation resistance testing,
but it will reliably uncover a wider range of
cable problems and will enable the majority of
dubious cables to be condently classied as
either good for return to service or susceptible to
imminent failure.
Even after VLF testing, some subtle problems
may still remain hidden, and detecting these is
the role of partial discharge (PD) analysis. This
involves coupling a high ac test voltage to the
cable under test and using a sensitive detector
to look for the characteristic signals produced
by PD events. Since research has shown PD
testing at VLF using sine wave voltages does
not give good results, an alternative method
of providing an ac test voltage for the cable
is needed. This typically takes the form of
damped ac (DAC) voltage.
This works by connecting an inductor in
series with the cable under test, then charging
the cable from a high-voltage dc source. When
the cable is charged, a high-speed solid-state
switch connects the inductor in parallel with
the capacitance of the cable to form a resonant
circuit. As a result, damped oscillations at
approximately power frequency are set up in the
cable, and these provide the test voltage.
Although it is one of the more recent
additions to the family of cable test
techniques, PD analysis using DAC voltages
is rapidly growing in popularity. It is already
included in standards for cable commissioning
in Spain and the Netherlands, and is also
recommended in Germany.
In this short article it has only been possible to
consider briey three of the most popular and
most useful test techniques for power cables
dc insulation resistance testing, VLF testing and
PD analysis using DAC voltages. As we have seen
each of these techniques has its own merits and
shortcomings. The key factor to bear in mind,
therefore, is that cable test techniques are not
competitive none is universally better than the
others which means that the best and fastest
results will always be obtained by matching the
test method to the application in hand and,
where necessary, being ready to use more than
one method of testing.
Electrical Review January/February 2014
The webinar will also include a live Q&A session
Speaking at this Webinar will be:
Paul Considine Global Industry Manager, Machine Building.
Lynette E Knowles Safety Specialist.
Philip Shardlow Safety Specialist.
Thursday 20th March at 14.00 (GMT)
Register now to join at:
www.electricalreview.co.uk/wieland
Wieland Electric Ltd | Tel: +44 (0)1483 531213 | Email: sales.uk@wieland-electric.com
JOIN OUR WEBINAR
What you must do to comply
with Essential Health and Safety
Requirements when using or
designing machinery.
There is often much confusion
in the workplace as to what we
should and shouldnt be doing
in order to full our obligations
to current Safety legislation. In
order to try and bring all of the
relevant subjects together and
to clarify what is required from
the perspectives of users and
designers, Wieland Electrics team
of Safety experts will be presenting
an informative guide to compliance,
covering the following areas:
Risk Assessment
CE Marking
Technical Files
Regulations & Machinery Directive
Compliance
Training & Competence
32 TRANSFORMERS
VOLTAGE REGULATED, LOW LOSS
DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMERS
THE DARK HORSE TO SOLVE SOME OF THE BIGGEST
NETWORK AND INDUSTRY ENERGY CHALLENGES?
Dr Lore Grohmann of Wilson Power Solutions explains why the next generation of voltage
regulated super low loss distribution transformers could become a core component
of future smart grids and why investing in these transformer is a highly benecial
infrastructure investment for organisations operating their own supply transformers
N
ot too many years ago, energy supply
across the UK was a comparatively
straightforward affair. Electricity
was predominantly generated where it was
consumed, with numerous coal-red and nuclear
power plants being constructed to supply the
centres of population and industry. The ow of
electricity was very much one-directional: from
large scale generation via transmission to regional
distribution networks and end users.
In light of climate change and nite fossil fuel
reserves however, the UK decided to reform
its energy policy. This means that the share
of CO2-emitting coal and gas-red power
plants in electricity generation is to signicantly
decrease in the long term. This decrease is to
be compensated by renewable forms of energy,
yet the development within this sector has been
bumpy at best during the past decade.
The recent passing of the Energy Bill and
in particular the publication of the Electricity
Market Reform Delivery Plan aims to provide a
clear signal to both industry and investors the
UK government backs renewable generation for
the long term and hopes to attract investments
of up to 40bn by 2020.
But despite this welcome news, there
are signicant issues associated with the
decarbonisation of the energy industry:
Existing generation infrastructure is ageing and
there is not enough renewable capacity in the
pipeline to compensate for the closure of fossil
powered generation. This has led many industry
experts to predict that brownouts are no longer
simply a risk but will be an unavoidable certainty
possibly even in the near future.
In addition, our electricity networks are not
Electrical Review January/February 2014
Schematic
representation of
past and future
electricity grids
Need for grid expansion
as a result of renewables
integration and changed
load proles
Voltage regulated
distribution
transformers as
key components of
future smart grids.
33 TRANSFORMERS
designed to cope with the transport of this
new type of largely intermittent energy. This
can be illustrated by the fact wind turbines
have to be switched off despite of excellent
generation conditions.
Whats more, a signicant amount of energy
generated is still wasted through completely
unnecessary transformer losses across our
distribution networks. So what are the main issues?
In most cases, renewable generation is
particularly effective in locations where little
or no electricity is consumed. A good example
for this is offshore wind, where strong breezes
almost continually generate electricity with no
or very little local demand. In addition, not all
industrial regions and large cities are best suited
to being home to a sufcient number of wind
turbines and photovoltaic panels. As a result
more energy than ever before requires to be
transported over long distances.
An increasing number of low scale renewables
are being installed on the distribution network
at medium voltage levels. On good days, i.e.
when the sun is shining or there are strong
winds, more energy is being generated than can
be used locally. This excess energy then needs to
ow from the bottom up in other words, from
the distribution network via the medium voltage
level into the transmission network.
A lot of energy is wasted through unnecessary
and avoidable losses in distribution network
across the globe. The European commission
estimates that in excess of 16TWh /pa could be
saved across EU distribution networks (by 2025)
alone by adopting low loss or super low loss
transformer technology as standard.
VOLTAGE REGULATED LOW LOSS
DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMERS THE
ANSWER FOR IMPROVED NETWORK
ELASTICITY?
The growing importance of distributed
renewables such as photovoltaics or wind
power alongside a new set of loads from electric
vehicles and heat pumps fundamentally changes
the way our distribution networks operate:
Electricity now has to ow bi-directional as
opposed to the traditional one-way distribution
from large power stations to industrial,
commercial and household users (see Figure 1).
Consequently, distribution network operators are
increasingly faced with the problem of voltage
band violations and are likely to be required to
reinforce their networks. Or are they?
On-load voltage control in modern distribution
transformers is a cost effective alternative to
traditional remedies for voltage band violations
such as the deployment of additional cables.
Due to additional benets from reduced losses
and the resulting economic attractiveness, the
next generation of voltage regulated distribution
transformers could therefore become a key
component of our future smart grids (see Figure
2 and 3).
Whats more, organisations with current
or future plans for installation of small scale,
on-site renewables should review their supply
infrastructure and consider installation of a
voltage regulated distribution transformer to
maximise feed-in and safeguard against network
uctuations.
WHY TRANSFORMER
LOSSES MATTER
According to a 2008 study by SEEDT (Strategies
for development and diffusion of Energy- Efcient
Distribution Transformers) around 4.6 million
distribution transformers are installed in the EU.
Their losses exceed 38 TWh/year this is more
than the entire amount of electricity consumed by
Denmark and equates to 30 million tonnes of CO2.
Although a large number of privately owned
distribution transformers are today being
replaced by low loss or super low loss units
based on favourable total cost of ownership
(TCO) calculations; for example Wilson Power
Solutions has to date supplied over 500 Wilson e2
super low loss amorphous units to organisations
including the NHS and Tesco; an enormous energy
savings potential through reduced transformer
losses remains untapped.
The impending EU eco-design directive for
small, medium and large power transformers
(Directive 2009/125/EC) aims to address this issue:
If implemented the directive will enforce stricter
design requirements for transformers with the
potential to save over 16TWh /annum in reduced
transformer losses (by 2025).
A modern voltage regulated distribution
transformer (such as the Wilson e2+ transformer)
consists of a super low loss transformer that is
tted with an on-load tap changer to provide
dynamically adjusted LV site voltage. In an industrial
application, such as a manufacturing site or large
retail unit, installing voltage regulated super low
loss transformers offers two distinct benets:
Energy savings through reduced transformer
losses (for a 1000kVA unit @ 70% load typically
44,000 kWh/year)
Stable industrial /operational processes and
substantial potential energy savings through
optimum supply voltage (typically 5-7% of
electricity usage depending on the sites
load profile).
Wilson Power Solutions launched the Wilson e2+
in 2010. Working closely alongside early adopters,
including ASDA and the NHS, the units have got
impressive performance records including 7.5%
reduction in overall electricity consumption and
signicantly improved equipment life. The Wilson
e2 transformers are manufactured according to
IEC76/BSEN60076 standard and available for
ratings from 315kVA to 3MVA.
THE NEXT GENERATION OF VOLTAGE
REGULATED SUPER LOW LOSS
TRANSFORMERS
Wilson Power Solutions is currently developing
the second generation of the Wilson e2+.This
next generation voltage regulated distribution
transformer will be capable of integrating small
scale renewables, providing stable site voltage
in situations of both over and under supply
of grid voltage and provide lowest combined
transformer losses.
The units consist of a super low loss
transformer with dynamically adjusted voltage
provided by an on-load tap changer. Further
components are an automatic voltage regulator
and a voltage sensor. The sensor measures current
network voltage, either on the low voltage bus
bar or at predened spot in the network. Based
on this voltage information the automatic voltage
regulator controls the on-load tap changer.
SUMMARY
Voltage regulated, super low loss distribution
transformers can ensure economic integration
of renewables into the grid as well as stable
industrial processes and are designated to
become a key component on future smart grids.
The impending EU eco-design directive for small,
medium and large power transformers (Directive
2009/125/EC) will be a key factor in reducing the
unnecessary energy waste through distribution
transformers across Europe and has the potential
to save over 16TWh /annum in reduced
transformer losses by 2025.
Voltage regulated distribution transformers
increase the grid capacity for renewables by
factor 2 to 4 without the need for traditional
network expansion.
Voltage regulated super low loss distribution
transformers allow for stable industrial processes
despite high volatility in the MV grid and hold
the potential to reduce power consumption by
up to 10%.
www.electricalreview.co.uk
34 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
TRANSFORMING THE INDUSTRY
ELECTRICAL REVIEW TURNS THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE FAMILY
FIRM TAKING THE TRANSFORMER INDUSTRY UP A LEVEL
One of Europes biggest manufacturers of high and low voltage distribution equipment
has announced major expansion plans for 2014
A
fter seeing business ourish over the
past two years, British rm Bowers
Electricals will not only complete a
redevelopment of its Derbyshire headquarters
this spring, but will unveil a pioneering new
product that is set to revolutionise energy saving
in the industry.
After investing four years in its design and
development, the Bowers Intellivolt will launch at
Aprils Nemex show at Birmingham NEC.
The patent pending device, which is the
result of a collaboration with leading voltage
optimisation manufacturer iVolt, sees the
two companies cutting-edge technologies
combined to produce the greatest efciency
savings to date.
Bowers Electricals managing director, Michael
Bowers (pictured right with his father David,
the company chairman), said: 2012 and 2013
were excellent years for Bowers Electricals,
with a series of major projects undertaken for
customers, and also the beginnings of a major
expansion at our headquarters in Heanor. Were
looking to build on this in 2014 and were all
incredibly excited to see the Intellivolt project
come to fruition. The product is different to
anything currently available on the market and
were already receiving enquiries.
MAKING THE BEST BETTER
The Intellivolt will not be the only addition
to the growing Bowers Electricals range. The
company, which was formed in 1947 and is
an expanding British manufacturer of power,
distribution and low loss transformers, already
offers a super-efcient BEST range, which
can reduce a clients transformer losses by up
to 46%, compared to standard transformers,
and offers an impressive average return on
investment of just 2.5-3 years.
Bowers now plans to bolster its BEST
offering with an additional range of amorphous
core transformers.
Technical director Denis Nesbitt explained:
Compared with most conventional steel
products, amorphous core transformers can
offer slightly greater energy savings if they
have the right load prole but in most cases
they are also physically much larger and can
therefore be difcult to accommodate on
certain sites or as replacements. With our
BEST range we have overcome this problem by
using the very highest quality copper and core
steel that money can buy and by focusing on
the load losses, rather than the no-load losses.
This has enabled us to achieve ROI savings that
are comparable.
Sales of the BEST range have been
incredibly strong as a result and, in turn,
have enabled us to invest in the research
and development of some exciting new
technologies. Among these is the idea of
integrating voltage optimisation and were also
now working on plans to add an amorphous
core range that will provide another effective
alternative solution for customers.
WHY CHOOSE BOWERS?
Proudly designing and crucially still
manufacturing - here in Britain, where
expertise and cutting edge engineering are
world-renowned, Bowers Electricals boasts a
prestigious list of clients from across the public
and private sectors, right through to heavy
industrial power projects.
The team has worked on projects everywhere
from the HQ of Rolls Royce and historic houses
such as Chatsworth, to large scale power
Electrical Review January/February 2014
DID YOU KNOW?
Super efcient, Bowers transformers across
the country currently reduce CO2 emissions
to the tune of 2,500 metric tonnes a year
the same absorbed by around 23 acres of
forest or the equivalent of taking 520 family
cars off the road.
One of Bowers engineers inspects
a new Bowers 18MVA 33kV to 11kV
power transformer
35 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
stations, government buildings, airports,
hospitals, schools and universities, supermarkets,
major retailers and hotels.
Its vast portfolio also includes many new
renewable energy projects encompassing wind,
gas and solar energy.
Since its beginnings four generations ago as
an electric motor and transformer rewinding
business, Bowers Electricals has championed the
use of British materials and suppliers whenever
possible. Today the same ethos applies as the
team designs and manufactures distribution and
power transformers up to 25MVA at 33000V, in
Heanor, Derbyshire.
As well as project management and large
scale developments, since 2012 Bowers
Electricals has also teamed up with strategic
partners in order to procure and manage the
supply and installation of a number of much
larger power transformers as well as carrying out
the overhaul and repair of large scale customer-
owned units.
Still managed day-to-day by the Bowers
family that set it up, the company is now part
of the Bowers Group of Companies which
turns over in excess of 12 million a year and
employs 80 personnel.
At its newly expanded headquarters in
Derbyshire, its stock reserves are large enough
to ensure the shortest possible lead-time. And
a round-the-clock after-sales support service
is backed up by an in-house design team
meaning that customers can not only speak
to the man with his name above the door, but
the men and women who designed and built
their very equipment.
For more information, or a free site survey,
telephone Bowers Electricals on 01773 531531,
email enquiries@bowerselec.co.uk or visit
www.bowerselec.co.uk
www.electricalreview.co.uk
DID YOU KNOW?
The average Bowers BEST transformer reduces
annual energy bills by 4,500 compared to an
equivalent kVA standard transformer.
INTELLIVOLT TWO TECHNOLOGIES, ONE SOLUTION
The Bowers Intellivolt reduces the carbon
footprint and electricity bills of sites on which
it is installed by integrating - for the rst time
ever - a super low loss distribution transformer
with voltage optimisation technology. By
offering two technologies in one solution, the
Intellivolt not only offers maximum savings,
but also reduces installation costs, cabling,
losses and maintenance issues. Unlike any other
transformer on the market, it also incorporates
iVolts patented Intelligent Real Time Energy
Monitor technology, which enables users to
pinpoint savings remotely, and in real time.
Its the perfect solution for HV connected
customers who own their own distribution
transformer as the installation of a separate VO
unit can be costly, take up valuable space, and
means more equipment to maintain. Even if
the transformer in question is one of the latest
super low loss types, with all the attendant
benets - including the ability to drop the
voltage by a xed amount via a tap changer -
further savings are possible with the addition of
voltage optimisation technology.
The Bowers Intellivolt will be unveiled at
Nemex part of the Sustainability Live show
at Birmingham NEC, from April 1-3. In the
meantime, expressions of interest are being
sought and more information is available by
contacting Bowers on 01773 531531.
The new 500kVA Bowers Intellivolt transformer will launch at Nemex at Birmingham NEC this April
36 PART P
PART P WEBINAR
In November 2013, Electrical Review, in association with NICEIC,
Elecsa and the Electrical Safety Council (ESC), broadcast a webinar
on changes to Part P and electrical safety in the home
T
he Department for Communities
and Local Government, after a
long consultation with industry and
contractors, amended and updated Part P of
the Building Regulations earlier in 2013.
This webinar looked at the key changes,
why electrical safety in the home is still an
important issue and takes a fresh look at
NICEIC and Elecsa.
The webinar was broken down into four
sections:
The background to Part P of the Building
Regulations
The changes to Part P
Electrical safety, the campaigns and issues
And the future what could happen to the
industry in the future
On the panel were Phil Buckle, director general
of the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) and Paul
Collins, head of operations, NICEIC and Elecsa.
The webinar was hosted by Richard Pagett,
head of external affairs for NICEIC.
Phil Buckle explained prior to 2005, the
industry had, in the main, the voluntary
regulatory scheme, operated by NICEIC, which
had been running since around 1956. The
Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) had
a list of registered contractors and, for a time,
relied on NICEIC inspecting those contractors,
but post-1989, the association decided to
carry out its own assessment process, with
ongoing assessment from the mid 90s. By and
large it was NICEIC who carried out contractor
assessments, with around 10,000 contractors
on its books at any one time, a much smaller
number than registered now against the
requirements of Part P. The Part P scheme we
know now was subject to discussion for many
years, with the ECA at the forefront of those
discussions with successive governments,
and the association did, at one time, seek to
introduce a licensing scheme. However, no
government was willing to introduce this, and
it was only when a fenestration scheme was
introduced by Fensa, the electrical industry
considered a scheme that would come under
the Building Regulations for England and
Wales. After many discussions and negotiations
we ended up with what we now know as Part
P - though there have been many changes -
which were addressed later in the webinar.
Asked about competent person schemes,
Phil explained they were less bureaucratic in
terms of the legislation required to introduce
them, competent person schemes were
introduced under secondary legislation
through the Building Regulations. The Building
Regulations require the homeowner to have
responsibility for compliance, which has been
criticised in the past. Far less parliamentary
time is required to pass secondary legislation
compared to primary legislation, and this
current administration in particular were keen
to remove regulation, meaning a competent
person scheme was seen as a more effective
and efcient scheme to introduce. This
allowed the electrical industry to manage its
own affairs, without bringing in a third party,
although UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation
Service) now ensure all scheme operators
registered against the Part P scheme by the
government are working on a level playing
eld and doing the same things when they go
to check and register a contractor.
The discussion then moved on to what
would happen without competent person
schemes, and the consensus at the time that
local authorities would take on the burden
of sending people out to inspect installation
work. Phil explained competent person
schemes were no barrier to trade and as a
professional electrician you would be under
no obligation to join a scheme, and could
continue with wiring jobs, but would need to
get work notied by a local authority. One of
the main problems in 2005 was the DIYers
resentment at having to get an electrician in
to carry out work they thought themselves
competent enough to do. This was not the
case, they did not understand as with building
a house extension, they must rst contact
Building Control who in this case would
engage an electrician to make sure the work
Electrical Review January/February 2014
Phil Buckle, director general,
Electrical Safety Council
Paul Collins, head of operations,
NICEIC and Elecsa
37 PART P
was properly notied. One issue here was
many local authorities had few competent
electricians on their books, so were forced to
nd local electricians to help with notication.
Moving on to the numbers of installers
registered under Part P under a competent
person scheme, Paul Collins explained there
were 42,000 businesses registered to carry
out electrical installation work in England and
Wales, of those 42,000, just under 32,500 are
registered with NICEIC or Elecsa, so a signicant
proportion of contractors are registered. From
April 2012 to March 2013 around 1.2 million
electrical jobs were notied, just over a million of
them notied by NICEIC and Elecsa.
The discussion then moved to 2011s Part
P review, and why it happened. Phil explained
the new government, who had an ethos of
deregulation, felt removing this regulation would
allow UK businesses to ourish and thrive. The
industry became nervous, after whispers in the
civil service Part P may be one of the schemes
up for consideration. A website was set up
where objections to Part P could be registered,
and 30 to 40 objections were made, leading the
government to start a review.
The ESC, in the early stages, organised a
roundtable to discuss the merits, or otherwise,
of Part P and what could replace it, what
might change to make it more effective. Many
electricians were peeved at other installers
undermining the scheme, and discussion was
needed on how to enforce any regulations.
Though there was much support for Part
P it was recognised there was a need for
change, including relieving the burden on local
authorities. Kitchen and bathroom tters were
recognised as causing concern in terms of not
being competent in electrical installation.
So, what changes were made? Paul Collins
explained what the Approved Document P for
Electrical Safety Dwellings (ADP) does:
Denes what is notiable
Introduces Third Party Inspections
Reduces technical guidance
States jobs started under 2006 ADP are to be
completed under 2006 ADP
Covers England only
Wales continues with its ADP from 2006.
Notiable works under ADP 2013 will
include the addition of new circuits, replacing
consumer units, adding or altering a bathroom
and adding or altering a swimming pool.
The webinar went on to examine the
likelihood of further changes to Part P in the
future, and why the legislation still causes
debate in the industry today.
For the chance hear more about the work
of the ESC, the future of NICEIC and Elecsa
and the results of the audience poll questions
launched throughout the webinar, please
visit http://www.electricalreview.co.uk/events/
webinars, where the full broadcast is available.
www.electricalreview.co.uk
Register now for your free subscription
to the print and digital magazines, and
our weekly enewsletter
Electrical Review provides news
and in-depth features on essential
subject areas including:
Lighting
Cable management
UPS data centre power
Voltage Optimisation
Smart Grids
Renewable Energy
Transformers
Safety
Training
Test & Measurement
Drives and Controls
Lightning protection
Standby power and batteries
Plus product news, a supplier
directory and much more
ELECTRICAL
REVIEW
The invaluable resource for
electrical professionals informing
the industry for 140 years
www.electricalreview.co.uk/register
SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
38 PRODUCTS
Electrical Review January/February 2014
NEW SYSTEM TO IDENTIFY PARTIAL
DISCHARGE IN LIVE CABLES
An innovative new piece of equipment to
detect Partial Discharge (PD) in live electrical
cables before they fail has been unveiled by
power engineering specialist EA Technology.
Developed by the North West-based rm,
the CableData Collector will enable electrical
engineers to identify PD in cables that are
online, avoiding potential disruption.
The pioneering new equipment can identify potential issues in most types of
insulated cables up to several miles by detecting high frequency pulses generated
by PD events within the cable.
Portable, robust and lightweight, the CableData Collector detects and records
PD activity. Through CableData Analysis Studio software, a report can be produced
to assess the condition of cables and the likelihood of failure and outages in
power lines.
EA Technology
0151 3394181
www.eatechnology.com
INNOVATIVE CABLING SOLUTIONS
Energy chain and cabling specialist igus will be showcasing its easy strip
cable range and hybrid cable technology for servo motors at Southern
Manufacturing on stand N74. Visitors to the stand will be able to see live
demonstrations from igus, learning how they can optimise processes and
reduce costs.
iguss CFRIP range, which now extends to over 230 cable types, will be
a key product highlight at the show. This is a novel solution for stripping
cables in which the outer jacket can be stripped to the desired length
simply by pulling the special CFRIP cord. Long lengths can be stripped
in half the time and the system ensures no damage occurs to the core
insulation. As with all products
within the chainex family, CFRIP
is tested for millions of cycles of
movement in e-chains for assured
reliability in moving applications.
igus
01604 677240
www.igus.co.uk
PLUG AND PLAY PAT TESTING
Seawards new Apollo 500 provides fast and efcient electrical appliance safety
testing alongside advanced test data handling capabilities.
The new compact and lightweight unit incorporates all the recommended
safety tests for workplace appliances in line with the IET 4th Edition Code of
Practice, including point to point testing of xed equipment and the testing of 3
phase devices and RCDs.
A large colour display
and intuitive menu-based
operating system makes
the Apollo 500 highly user
friendly and a built-in risk
assessment tool aids the user
in determining the appropriate
re-test periods.
With both battery and
mains power operation as
standard, alongside fast start-up and power saving features, the new instrument
is particularly suitable for high volume PAT applications.
Seaward Group
0191 586 3511
www.seaward.co.uk
COMBINED ARRESTER FOR PROTECTION
OF PV SYSTEMS
Whether roof-mounted or ground-mounted,
central or string inverter: photovoltaic systems
are frequently equipped with lightning and
surge protection. The new DEHNcombo YPV SCI
combined lightning current and surge arrester
protects the d.c. side of PV systems from
lightning and surge damage without additional
backup fuses up to 1000 A.
Arresters for system voltages of 600 V, 1000 V and 1500 V are available to
achieve optimal coordination and efcient protection of terminal equipment.
All versions have a width of only 4 modules.
The SCI technology also prevents switching arcs in case of an overload,
thus ensuring re protection.
DEHN is the only company that offers surge arresters with innovative
Short Circuit Interruption (SCI) technology thus providing maximum safety
and re protection for photovoltaic systems.
A fuse specically dimensioned for PV systems in the bypass path ensures
safe electrical isolation of the surge protective device. This fuse is also
combined with a disconnection and short-circuiting device with Thermo
Dynamic Control.
DEHN (UK)
01484 859111
www.dehn.co.uk
ENERGY EFFICIENT
HEATING TECHNOLOGY
The new designer RC Wave electric radiator from Haverland
is the latest in energy efcient heating technology.
This best selling range features advanced thermostatic
controls, in-depth programming facilities and is available in
a range of sizes to t any room.
Stylish and extremely slim, these units are only 7.4cm in depth and come in a high
quality, pure white nish. Such is the condence in the performance and quality of these
radiators, they are also sold with a lifetime guarantee on the body of unit and a full three
year warranty on any electronic components and controllers.
The RC Wave is capable of maintaining room temperatures with an accuracy of 0.5
degrees celsius and can be programmed hour-by-hour, giving the user unparalleled
control over their home heating system. Available in ve sizes from 450w to 1700w, you
can nd the perfect combination to heat rooms up to 30 square meters.
Electric Radiators Direct
0330 333 2264
www.electricradiatorsdirect.co.uk
MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE
FOR THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY
When it comes to the medical industry, the choice of components used within all
devices is of critical importance. Increasingly, more and more products used daily
by medical professionals have wiring harnesses and cable assemblies at their
heart and the importance of reliable components cannot be underestimated.
At SIC we have a strong track record as a trusted supplier to a number of
major medical equipment manufacturers within this industry and as a result,
we understand that quality is paramount in all we do. All of our products are
assembled in-house with robust manufacturing processes, backed up with
ISO9001 quality accreditation. To further support our
commitment to this demanding industry, we have
recently invested in a brand new piece of machinery
to enable us to manufacture specialised cables of up
to 30 AWG to the extremely tight tolerance levels
that are demanded within this industry.
SIC
01792 458777
www.sicltd.com
39 PRODUCTS
www.electricalreview.co.uk
ADVANCED MOTION
CONTROL SYSTEM
An economic multi-axis motion controller and high level
software development environment from ABB is helping
Rollem - a leading specialist print machinery manufacturer
to rapidly evolve its modular nishing system. The
motion architecture has just made it easy to add another
peripheral to the companys print nishing equipment
range - a stacking unit that collects and groups products
such as business cards into nished quantities ready for shipping.
At the heart of all of Rollems current machinery range is a compact ABB
controller called NextMove-ESB2. This compact packaged module is capable of
controlling up to eight servo and stepper motor axes, and includes on-board
analogue and digital I/O for general machine control, plus interfaces including a
CANopen port for controlling distributed motion and I/O resources. Depending on
the particular nishing line conguration and number of motion axes, one or more
of these controllers is installed in the distributed control system.
ABB
01454 850000
www.abb.com
EASY TO UPGRADE TO LED
The TECOH range of LED light sources
from Megaman provides efcient,
practical solutions for upgrading existing
lighting installations to the benets of
LED lighting with only minor adaptations
to existing ttings.
They feature exchangeable and
upgradeable capsule heads to
accommodate future technical advances. There are four product families
within the TECOH range CFx, MHx, FLx and RDx.
TECOH CFx is a range of high performance twist-lock LED modules with
an integrated driver for general lighting, designed in line with Zhaga Book
2 specications. CFx sources offer two ranges with the extendable life
dimmable option lumen packages of 1200 and 2000 lumens (20 and 30W
respectively) and the non dimming versions (same lumen output and 15
and 26W respectively), making them ideal for replacing conventional light
sources such as 50W halogen and 2 x 13W or 2 x 18W compact uorescent
downlights.
Megaman (UK
0845 408 4625
www.megamanuk.com
VERSATILE
DOWNLIGHTER
Riegens has just
announced the launch of
RAX, a high performance,
exible downlighter that
utilises the latest LED technology to offer optimum energy savings.
Created specically to meet both current and future demands of
speciers and lighting designers, the optical design of RAX is based
on a newly developed reector that has been devised by the Riegens
design team. RAX combines an upper convex elliptical with a concave
parabolic lower section, whilst the main concave reector increases
control to provide excellent uniform light distribution. The new
concept reector system also offers minimal reector depth without
any compromise in illumination.
RAX is available in two sizes 150/200mm and the range also
includes surface mounted and trimless design versions.
Riegens UK
01376 333400
www.riegens.co.uk
CONVENIENCE IN ELECTRICAL TESTING
Martindale Electric, trusted by professionals, bring
to their ever-increasing family of test instruments
two new electrical testers: the ET5 and ET4 for
accurate AC and DC current, voltage and electrical
continuity testing. Aiming to make testing more
convenient for all electrical professionals, the ET5
and ET4 come with a host of features, some of
which are unique to these new models.
Unlike many conventional testing products on
the market, with the ET5 and ET4 there is no need
to open the testers jaws; just push the wire down
the fork and the tool does the rest for you, for
maximum convenience and ease of use. The ET5
can also take k-type thermometer probes, making
it an all in one tool for most applications.
Differentiating from other products in the market, both the ET5 and ET4
have dual displays and can indicate volts and amps simultaneously.
Martindale Electric
01923 441717
www.martindale-electric.co.uk
RUGGED CONNECTOR RANGE RESISTS
VIBRATION AND HYDROCARBONS
Providing a reliable connection in environments subject to severe shock and
vibration, the new TBC plug connectors from Multi-
Contact are suitable for both mobile and stationary
applications.
Low contact resistance and a long lifetime are
ensured by the use of the companys Multilam
technology. Their rugged, high performance insulation
is resistant to fuels and other hydrocarbons and can
withstand temperatures across a wide range from
-40degC to +125degC.
Available with 6mm and 8mm contact diameters and
in two and three pole versions, the TBC range is rated
for voltages up to 1000 V and continuous currents as
high as 180 A.
Simple to connect and disconnect, their at space-saving design incorporates a
locking catch and prevents pole reversal due to incorrect coupling. Environmental
protection is IP2X unmated and IP54 mated when using heat shrink sleeving.
Multi-Contact (UK)
01908 265544
www.multi-contact.com
HIGH FLEXIBILITY AND ADJUSTABLE
CURRENT RANGE
TALEXXconverter TOP is the latest addition to Tridonics new converter portfolio, providing
exceptional versatility within the range to meet a variety of applications. These converters
also incorporate advanced protection functions to ensure long life of the LED light sources.
In all models in the series the current range can be adjusted in small steps between 350
milliamps (mA) and 1750 mA, depending on the wattage, to provide the perfect conditions
for the particular application. Comfort and protection functions such as precise setting
of the output current, temperature management and integrated temperature monitoring
ensure reliable luminaire operation throughout its life.
The main features of the TALEXXconverter
TOP are high efciency of up to 92% and an
adjustable current range. Depending on the
wattage, the converters are designed for LED
operating currents of 150 mA to 400 mA, 350
mA to 900 mA or 900 mA to 1750 mA.
Tridonic UK
01256 374300
www.tridonic.com
40 PRODUCTS
Electrical Review January/February 2014
SMALL DETECTOR WITH BIG BENEFITS
CP Electronics has developed a new cost-effective miniature PIR presence detector
EBMINT.
Designed to be retrotted to luminaires quickly and effectively, EBMINT allows
previously uncontrolled lighting sources to benet from presence detection and lux
level control.
The detector can be tted either onto a T5 or T8 tube directly, or to a louvre
blade of a parabolic louvred luminaire. This makes this integrated detector ideal for
installations that demand minimum disruption, or where it is not possible to disturb
the buildings fabric. Ultimately, the detector will play a key part in improving a
buildings energy performance with the minimum amount of investment.
Three models are available: Premium (switched),
Direct Dim up to 4 dimming ballasts (DALI or DSI) and
analogue dim (1-10V). All are suitable for use with
high efciency lamps such as LED, linear uorescent
and compact uorescent.
CP Electronics
0333 9000671
www.cpelectronics.co.uk
FIRE FIGHTERS
INSTALLED AT CANARY
WHARF
Fire proof cable cleats manufactured by
Ellis have been installed throughout the
new BP4 Tower at Canary Wharf, London.
Designed specically for installation
with re protection (FP) rated cables, the
Phoenix cleats are manufactured in 316L stainless steel and are both re proof
and corrosion resistant. They were specied by Hilson Moran through Ellis
UK distributor, ETS Cable Components and installed by electrical contractor,
Phoenix ME Limited.
Working in conjunction with Exova Warringtonre, BRE and ETS, Ellis initially
developed its Phoenix range in 2011.Prior to launch the products underwent
a wide range of tests, including exposure to re, impact and water spray, all
of which combined to ensure that the range offers re protection to the same
level as the cables it is installed to protect.
Ellis Patents
01944 758395
www.ellispatents.co.uk
NEW STANDARDS IN ELECTRICAL
SAFETY TEST DATA MANAGEMENT
A special software program has been
designed to provide comprehensive and
secure electrical test record keeping for all
those responsible for maintaining the safety
of electrical equipment at work.
Seawards new PATGuard 3 is a powerful
new test data management program
that provides total traceability of safety
test results and a risk based approach to
maintaining workplace safety.
As well as PAT testing, the new program
can also be used for more general
workplace safety tasks, including the
inspection of emergency lighting re alarm systems
Among the special features of the new high performance software is the ability
to add images taken with the Apollo 600 or any camera, mobile phone be tagged
against sites, locations and asset IDs, enabling easy inclusion in safety reports as a
permanent record of visual inspections.
Seaward Group
0191 586 3511
www.seaward.co.uk
TAILORED LIGHTING CONTROL
Delmatic are supplying a comprehensive lighting management system for
the new Commodity Quay development at St Katherines Dock in the heart
of London. The system uses a range of Delmatic products to ensure the
lighting control is precisely tailored to the needs of each space.
The system controls, manages and monitors lighting throughout the
building. Lighting in tenant ofce areas, reception and landlords core
areas uses DALI addressable luminaires linked to a central control system
through DALI Buswire and DALI plug-in modules. In ofce areas the control
strategy combines presence and absence detection with daylight dimming
in perimeters zones. Presence detection is also used in the landlords and
toilet core areas to provide demand-
controlled lighting.
Lighting in the reception and
entrance areas is controlled by Dali
scene-setting modules and panels,
so that different lighting scenes and
ambiences can be selected to suit
times of day, special events etc.
Delmatic
0208 987 5900
www.delmatic.com
A CENTURY OF CABLES
20 January 1914 saw Pirelli General Cable Works sign the agreement
to build its rst cable factory in the UK. 100 years later the company
now called Prysmian Group is not only the largest cable manufacturer
in the world but, unlike its competitors, continues its commitment to
manufacturing in the UK.
To celebrate 100 years of continuous production the company will be
running a series of commemorative events at its various sites around
the county throughout 2014. The rst of these was held yesterday in
Southampton near the site of that very rst factory.
Hosted by The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Southampton (Councillor
Ivan White), himself a long-time
employee of the company, the
event reunited many of the local
people who have worked for the
company over the last century,
reecting the importance of
Prysmian to the local community.
Prysmian Group
023 8029 5555
uk.prysmiangroup.com
RELIABILITY WITH SIMPLICITY
LCI TEC series LED control gear from Tridonic has been designed to meet
all appropriate customer requirements at a competitive price. Three
wattages are available as built-in or surface mounted versions, all sharing
the same product characteristics.
This diversity of devices means that the TEC series can be used with a
wide range of spotlight and downlight applications. The lifetime of the
devices has been designed to meet the typical requirements of shop,
hotel and ofce lighting. At an ambient temperature of 50C the lifetime
of the control gear is 30,000 hours, rising to 50,000 hours at an ambient
temperature of 40C.
The control gear is initially
available in 20 W, 35 W and 65
W versions. Depending on the
wattage, different versions are
available for operating currents
from 350 mA to 1750 mA:
Tridonic UK
01256 374300
www.tridonic.com
41 PRODUCTS
www.electricalreview.co.uk
PACKED FULL OF PRODUCTS
The new 2014 catalogue from Sontay, the eld controls and peripherals
expert, is packed full of products selected to provide value for money,
improved functionality and outstanding performance.
Showcasing the companys diverse product range, the catalogue
provides a wealth of information for building services consultants,
contractors and systems
integrators.
Sontay is introducing a number
of new products to its portfolio
for 2014 including the exciting
Multi-Sensor Platform range. The
newly developed sensor range
allows for the measurement of
a number of variables, including
temperature, relative, humidity, air
quality and CO2, on one platform.
This means all the sensors look
the same aesthetically and it
is easy to create a coordinated
approach across a whole project.
Sontay
01732 861200
www.sontay.com
YOUR KEY TO SAFETY
Work Safety Solutions has launched a new Large Lockout Kit for 2014, this kit incorporates a wide range of Masterlock electrical and valve
lockout devices as well as nine padlocks and six hasps, the kit is stored in a Stanley wheeled heavy duty tool bag and is competitively
priced at 369.00.
A new compact electrical starter kit for 39.05, which contains the six most popular MCB lockout devices and an S31 padlock is ideal
for electricians and will help to keep workers safe in electrical maintenance and installations.
Now listed is the Abus T84/40 padlock - a solid brass marine grade weatherproof padlock with a coloured
Vinyl case, popular as an electrical lock off padlock. We supply only top quality
branded safety padlocks from Masterlock and Abus, using the one padlock one key one
employee system.
Work Safety Solutions
01494 445774
www.worksafetysolutions.co.uk
EXCELLENT DIMMING AND FLEXIBILITY
BE ADAPTED TO DIFFERENT MODULE PARAMETERS
A special feature of the TALEXXconverter ECO series is a
combination of amplitude and pulse width modulation, enabling
dimming to be innitely varied between 100 percent and 1 percent.
Various interfaces and functions are provided for control purposes:
DALI DT6, DSI, switchDIM and corridorFUNCTION. The LED control
gear is available as in-built and surface mount versions, each with
different outputs. This makes the converters suitable for a wide
variety of LED modules.
The numerous versions cover a wide range of applications and
offer users enormous exibility in designing their lighting solutions.
The main applications include spotlighting and downlighting in
retail outlets, ofces and hotels. The low standby losses of less than
0.2 W and the possibility of emergency lighting mode via a central
battery are especially noteworthy.
Tridonic UK
01256 374300
www.tridonic.com
Data capture and laser measurement Lighting
Power Factor Control
Relays 1....14 Steps
Thyristor/Contactor Switching
Capacitor racks for
switchboards
Active harmonic filter for
G5/4 compliance
Our word is our bond!
E: sales@boddingtonspowercontrols.co.uk
www.boddingtonspowercontrols.com
Top Quality for 35 Years
Power Meters
CLASSIFIED
42
Power Factor Correction
UPS
T: +44 (0)1371 876543
PowerFactorCorrect|onPowerLog|c
TM
Meter|ngSystems
EnergyMeters LoadMon|tor|ng PowerQua||tyMon|tor|ng&
So|ut|ons Harmon|cSurveysToG5/4 Harmon|cF||ters
UPS &SurgeProtect|on Therma|Imag|ngSurveys
CallforsurveyandquotationTel:01773603110 Fax01773603112
Email:solutions@varservices.co.uk
www.varservices.co.uk
vARServicesLtd.27MainRoad,
Jacksdale,Nottingham,NG165JU
UPS
UPS
CLASSIFIED
43
We can help you select
the right uninterruptable
power supply + power
protection system for
your applications with
our free site survey
TRY OUR 3 YEAR WARRANTY
0800 978 8988
Courses
Hazardous Area