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  • VIEWS & OPINION: more >>

  • LIGHTING: more >>

    • Fiber optic lighting for aircraft

      by Giovanni P Tomasi, RSL Fiber Systems LLC

      Laser based fiber optic illumination and its application on aircraft. Fiber optic remote source lighting (RSL) systems have been in use on military ships for over a decade to facilitate maintenance functions; eliminate electro-magnetic interference from lighting devices; reduce weight and to reduce radar signature. These systems, however, are relatively expensive and limit large-scale implementation […]

    • Case temperature versus rated ambient temperature in controlgear

      Information from Tridonic SA

      This article explains the difference between controlgear case temperature (tc) and rated ambient temperature (ta), and highlights the importance of the position of the tc point. For compliance with the requirements of luminaire standard SANS 60598 Luminaires Part 1: General requirements and tests, no part of the luminaire shall attain a temperature which would impair […]

    • Effective implementation of LED street lighting

      Information from Khanyaled Solutions

      A step-by-step approach to improving outdoor lighting, saving energy and reducing maintenance costs. Driven by the promise of significant energy and maintenance savings provided by light emitting diode or LED technology, many cities are still not implementing LEDs effectively in their street lighting. There still remains much confusion and misinformation pertaining to this technology. This […]

  • SWITCHGEAR & DRIVES: more >>

    • Choosing a variable frequency drive or soft starter for your needs

      by David Mintzlaff, WEG Electric Corporation

      A closer look at soft starters and VFDs, their advantages, disadvantages and applications. A large starting current may be required (typically 5 – 7 x FLC) when accelerating an AC motor to full speed using a full voltage connection. Additionally, the torque of the AC motor is mostly uncontrolled and can shock the connected equipment, […]

    • Medium voltage industrial variable speed drives

      by Joable Andrade Alves, Gilberto da Cunha and Paulo Torri, Zest WEG

      This article considers the technologies and topologies of MV drives, their advantages disadvantages, and their impact on the quality of energy on the mains and motor sides. Advancements in semiconductor devices such as insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) allow medium voltage (MV) drives to be used increasingly to conserve energy, increase productivity and improve product […]

    • Bearing damage in AC motors operating from PWM variable-frequency drives

      by Thomas Dale, Nidec Motor Corporation, all rights reserved

      Motor manufacturers are reporting an increase in damage to bearings and connected equipment caused by electrical current flow. The failure rate of bearings and connected equipment due to current flow is thought to be small relative to the total number of motors sold, but the frequency of failures is growing as more users install pulse-width […]

  • MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY: more >>

    • Inspection and the operating engineer Part 2

      by AS Houston-McMillan

      A discussion on vessel pressure testing, the instrumentation needed and the advantages and disadvantages of crack detection methods. From the ICMEESA Archive Part 1 of this article discusses vessel pressure testing, the instrumentation needed and the advantages and disadvantages of crack detection methods (see Vector, July 2018, page 50). Pressure testing A few catastrophes have […]

    • Energy saving in HVAC systems

      by Mike Rycroft, EE Publishers

      The main power consumers in most buildings are lighting and the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. Substantial savings can be achieved by optimising the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system and by upgrading plant with energy efficient technology while improving the safety of the building. HVAC systems are subjected to more misuse than any other […]

    • Inspection and the operating engineer Part 1

      by AS Houston-McMillan

      From the ICMEESA Archive A discussion on vessel pressure testing, the instrumentation needed, and the advantages and disadvantages of crack detection methods. The ultimate objective of all industrial processing is efficiency. To a plant engineer, this might mean the uninterrupted running of equipment; to the manager of a works department, it would mean an increasing […]

  • INSTALLATION & CONTRACTING: more >>

    • Tips to mitigate arc flash incidents

      by Jeson Pitt, D&F Liquidators

      This article provides electrical safety tips and strategies that can help to prevent arc flash incidents at industrial plants. Arc flashes cause massive electrical explosions, emitting large amounts of heat and light. They release hot gases and concentrated radiant energy that can melt metal, damage property, cause severe burns and result in fatalities or death. […]

    • Proper generator set sizing requires parameter and load analysis

      by Jim Iverson, Cummins Power Generation

      A general discussion on how various loads and electrical factors affect the sizing of generator sets. While most genset sizing is done with sizing programs, it is important to understand the factors that affect the operation of your generator set. The first step in sizing and selecting a generator set is to establish project parameters. […]

    • Practical guide to thermography for building contractors

      Information from Testo

      Thermography is a method for checking the actual condition of buildings and for determining the potential for energy savings. Climate change and the growing demand for energy represent one of the greatest global challenges. Because a relevant proportion of emissions involve the building sector, special efforts are needed in this area to achieve internationally agreed […]