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  • VIEWS & OPINION: more >>

  • LIGHTING: more >>

    • The manufacturability of OLED encapsulation and light extraction

      by Dr. Russell Kurtz, Luminit LLC

      Applications for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) in lighting are opening unique possibilities for designers. However, the organic materials make OLEDs more fragile than LEDs. Although OLEDs don’t currently enjoy the commercial success in general lighting of its more established parent, the inorganic light-emitting diode (LED), applications for OLEDs in lighting are opening unique […]

    • Development of the DALI interface

      by Henk Rotman, Philips Lighting South Africa

      The Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) has become one of the dominant interfaces of the lighting industry. This article reflects on the latest developments regarding the DALI interface. With the development of the first dimmable electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps back in the 1980s came the need for control devices able to tell the ballast […]

    • The impact of lighting and building management systems on efficiency

      by Nick Bekker, LRG International

      A discussion on sensor-based lighting and building management systems and their contribution to energy efficiency. Building management systems (BMSs) consist of a number of items working in synchronisation for a number of reasons, including energy efficiency. The control system can be seen as the heart of the BMS. It normally comprises two items. The […]

  • SWITCHGEAR & DRIVES: more >>

    • Low-voltage air circuit breakers – the case for preventive maintenance

      Information from ABB

      Owners and facility managers must keep their equipment at peak performance, leaving them tasked with managing the maintenance process while decreasing maintenance costs. The National Fire Protection Association standard, NFPA 70B Recommended practice for electrical equipment maintenance, states: “Electrical equipment deterioration is normal, but equipment failure is not inevitable. As soon as new equipment is […]

    • Energy efficiency of machines – the smart choice of motorisation

      by Alexandre Perrat, Schneider Electric

      The technological capabilities and limitations of AC and synchronous motors, quantifying that a synchronous motor allows up to 20% energy savings while increasing performance. The basic motor components of an asynchronous or induction motor, commonly called an AC or squirrel cage motor, include a stator made of magnetic material with embedded polyphase windings and a […]

    • Mobile substations, the sensible alternative

      by Johan Basson, JB Switchgear

      Conventional thinking is constrained by the idea that the only substitute for brick and mortar substation buildings and transformer bays are shipping containers. Having spent a large portion of my career at the tail-end of projects trying to compensate for and correct delays caused by poor interfacing and the reliance on other disciplines, I […]

  • MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY: more >>

    • The installation of a Koepe winding plant in a working shaft Part II

      by G Armstrong, ICMEESA

      A case study in two parts, detailing the installation of a Koepe winder at a busy mine shaft. Part I of this article (Vector, April 2017) discussed shaft preparation; headgear superstructure; tail rope protection; underground skip loading; the installation of the lead ropes, and transferring the load to the Koepe wheel. Shortening the ropes […]

    • The installation of a Koepe winding plant at a working shaft: Part I

      From the ICMEESA archive

      From the ICMEESA archive Installing one of the three large winders at mine shafts earmarked for large future outputs can be deferred until it is decided to expand the operation. It has been found convenient, in such cases, to construct a concrete headgear designed for the addition of a tower-mounted Koepe winder or a […]

    • Five points to consider when connecting engines via a gateway

      by Sean Chen, Moxa

      Integrating diesel generators with diesel generator monitoring systems or PLCs can pose problems. System integrators in the heavy-duty vehicle industry agree that their biggest headache is integrating diesel generators (the combination of a diesel engine and electric generator) with the large variety of diesel generator monitoring systems (DGMSs) or programmable logic controllers (PLCs). The […]

  • INSTALLATION & CONTRACTING: more >>

    • Surge protection requirements for PA systems

      Information from DEHN

      Public address systems consist of microphones, amplifiers, and loudspeakers. This equipment requires an electrical connection to function, making it prone to lightning strikes. The equipment, therefore, requires adequate lightning and surge protection to ensure that life is preserved and that no massive financial losses are incurred. Telecommunication lines with a diameter of 0,6 mm […]

    • A first look at digital storage oscilloscopes

      Information from Fluke

      This introduction to digital storage oscilloscopes (DSOs) takes you on a quick but comprehensive tour of DSO functions and measurements. An oscilloscope measures and displays voltage signals on a time-versus-voltage graph. In most applications, the graph shows how the signal changes over time: the vertical (Y) axis represents voltage, and the horizontal (X) axis represents […]

    • A guide to type III surge protection for SANS 164 products

      Information from SAFEhouse

      A discussion on surge protected devices and the standards that apply to them. Power is delivered to the installation by way of a voltage, which drives current in an electrical circuit. The product of these two parameters is called the wattage or power consumed by the appliance connected into the electric circuit. Simply put, […]

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