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  • VIEWS & OPINION: more >>

  • LIGHTING: more >>

    • Chromaticity difference specification for light sources

      by Y Ohno and P Blattner, International Commission on Illumination

      Chromaticity difference is specified for colour uniformity, shift in colour during lifetime and individual colour variation of products, and others. The chromaticity difference of light stimuli, in general, is expressed by the distance in the CIE 1976 uniform chromaticity scale (UCS) diagram (CIE, 2004; ISO/CIE, 2009), known as the CIE (u’,v‘) chromaticity diagram or simply […]

    • Quantum dot lighting offers new opportunities for low energy lighting systems

      by Mike Rycroft: EE Publishers

      LED lighting has advanced considerably in the past few years, but still has problems with the quality of light produced and lighting device control. Quantum dot (QD) technology offers a solution to many of the problems with current LED lighting products. This technology was initially applied to luminous displays and television (video) screens but is […]

    • How to measure thermal resistance of LED emitters and arrays Part 2

      Information from Lumileds

      The process used to determine thermal resistance values from the LED junction-to-case and LED junction to Ts reference point. Part 1 of this article discusses measuring junction-to-case thermal resistance; determining the K-factor and testing Rth J-C (see Vector, March 2019, page 25). Thermal performance is the most critical aspect of a well-designed LED lighting system. […]

  • SWITCHGEAR & DRIVES: more >>

    • VSD developments substitute rare earth materials

      by Freddy Gyllensten, Peter Isberg, Alessandro Castagnini, Giulio Secondo, Jouni Ikäheimo and Ari Tammi, ABB

      Rare earth-free electric motors with ultra-high efficiencies deliver sustainable and reliable solutions. Highly efficient electric motors in industrial applications often use permanent magnets containing rare earth elements (REEs) such as neodymium and dysprosium. These elements are subject to price variations due to changing market demands. Now, thanks to recent developments in variable-speed drive (VSD) motor […]

    • GIS and hybrid switchgear technology

      by Sunil Roy, Debangshu Ghosh, Rupeshsingh Bess and Devraj Manna, TAMCO Switchgear

      The need for higher reliability, more compactness and insensitivity to environmental factors are the key drivers for the evolution of SF6 gas insulated switchgear (GIS). The higher the voltage the more applicable is the use of GIS switchgear. With today’s ever-increasing land and civil cost for substations, the ability to accommodate more and more feeders […]

    • Copper rotor motors and energy efficiency: a case study

      Electrical losses in AC induction motors can be reduced by adding more copper to the stator windings. NYCO Minerals produces wollastonite, a form of calcium silicate used widely in industrial applications such as reinforcing filler in injection-molded plastics. The company’s USA operations are headquartered in Willsboro, New York, where it mines and processes approximately 100 […]

  • MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY: more >>

    • Measurement parameters for burner and boiler systems

      Information from Testo

      This article discusses influencing factors and measurement parameters for burner and boiler systems and their importance for optimising efficiency and emissions. Boiler systems provide the necessary thermal energy for power generation, the heating of buildings, cement and glass manufacture and many other industrial applications. With fuels such as coal, oil or gas, boilers are capable […]

    • Using waste heat to generate baseload power

      by Johan Enslin, Heat Recovery Micro Systems

      A new power generation technology could provide baseload power while reducing CO2 emissions. Many countries have accepted the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement on mitigating climate change. The agreement, which came into force on 4 November 2016, seeks to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by […]

    • Bearing and seal design considerations for tunnel boring machines

      Information from SKF

      The safe, reliable operation of tunnel boring equipment relies on the integrity of critical bearings and seals. Once construction starts, there’s no going back. A tunnel boring machine (TBM) is not equipped with a reverse gear, so it is imperative that the machine is able to complete its job without suffering any significant mechanical failure […]

  • INSTALLATION & CONTRACTING: more >>

    • Do passive RFID tags need hazardous area certification?

      by Glynn Warren, Extronics

      Radio signals are potential causes of explosions in hazardous areas, which means that radio frequency identification should be carefully considered. Versatile and low cost, passive RFID systems can improve efficiency, reduce downtime and aid productivity. These systems have proven valuable to industrial companies, helping with asset and personnel tracking, inventory management, maintenance planning and more. […]

    • How arc fault detection devices minimise electrical fire threats

      by Jean-Francois Rey, Pierre Dominique Socquet-Clerc, Simon Tian and Zakaria Belhaja, Schneider Electric

      This article discusses a break-through in electrical protection and identifies critical application areas where as arc fault detection devices enhance safety. An arc is defined as a discharge of live electricity through insulation material accompanied by a partial volatilisation of the electrode materials. Under normal circumstances, one cathode and one anode are separated by a […]

    • Safety for cable networks, remote and sound signals and interactive services

      Information from DEHN

      Where antennas are installed, IEC 60728-11 calls for earthing measures in addition to bonding of the cable network. Conventional satellite and terrestrial antennas are almost exclusively installed on the roofs of buildings. Therefore, the IEC 60728-11 (EN 60728-1) standard calls for earthing measures in addition to equipotential bonding and lightning equipotential bonding of the cable […]