Auslec Solutions 04 by Chris Bright

ISSUE 4

PP255003/09661

SPRING 2010

Who said you can't dim

The ultimate in CFL dimmer technology is here. At last, Clipsal gives you the only true CFL dimmer option; the one the electrical industry has been crying out for. Clipsal presents the only truly functional and reliable CFL dimmer available on the market. The lamp will light regardless of the initial brightness level, and is flicker-free throughout the dimmable control range.

Clipsal CFL 32E2CFLDM Dimmer features: • Based on Clipsal’s Trailing Edge dimming technology. • Suitable for use with ‘dimmable’ compact fluorescent lamps. • Incorporates a ‘kick-start’ to ensure the CFL lamp strikes properly. • Maximises usable dimming range. • 300W power rating (no derating required). • Also compatible with other load types.

For more information, contact your nearest L&H Electrical Wholesaler or visit clipsal.com

This product is designed for use with dimmable CFLs only. It is not intended to be used in conjunction with ordinary (non-dimmable) CFL lamps. CLIPCOM 21997 August 2010

CO NTEN TS

04 Out and about

06 Contract implementation 08 Branching out 10 Improving energy efficiency 14 Just another day on the 'tools' 18 Product cut 22 Being green 24 Branching out 28 Do you love your sunburnt country? 34 Sourcing safety information

Published By L&H Group A.B.N. 19730 781 473 456 Lower Heidelberg Road, Heidelberg VIC 3084 Australia Ph: +61 3 9243 3555 www.auslec.com.au Editor Paul Stathis Ph: +61 3 9381 2952 pstathis@westwick-farrow.com.au Art Julie Wright Ph: +61 2 9487 2700 jwright@westwick-farrow.com.au Associate Publisher Gavin Karthaus Ph: +61 3 9381 2952 gkarthaus@westwick-farrow.com.au Production Manager Julie Wright Ph: +61 2 9487 2700 jwright@westwick-farrow.com.au Produced on behalf of L&H Group by

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A division of Westwick-Farrow Media. A.B.N. 29 001 621 861

Cnr. Fox Valley Road & Kiogle Street, (Locked Bag 1289) Wahroonga NSW 2076 Australia Ph: +61 2 9487 2700 ISSN 1837-8021 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without the permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Copyright L&H Group. Opinions expressed are those of individuals and are not necessarily those of the publisher. All information is believed to be correct at time of publication. All reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders. All material published in this magazine is published in good faith and every care is taken to accurately relay information provided to us. Readers are advised by the publishers to ensure that all necessary safety devices and precautions are installed and safe working procedures adopted before the use of any equipment found or purchased through the information we provide. Further, all performance criteria was provided by the representative company concerned and any dispute should be referred to them.

Welcome. Welcome one and all to another issue of Auslec Solutions — our magazine for you, our customer, that aims to inform, educate and entertain. We hope you enjoy the read and continue to let us know by emailing us at solutionsmag@auslec.com.au. Our team has been hard at work preparing for the 2010 Traders 500 trade show that will visit Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney this year. Traders 500 has become a ‘must-attend’ event for all serious electrical and industrial personnel — have a look at Out & About starting on page 4 for more info on how you can attend and be in the running for some sensational prizes. As we head towards the end of winter and our minds and bodies start wishing for warmer weather, some of us will invariably start thinking about ways to enjoy the great outdoors again. This being the case, you may want to take a 5-minute holiday by reading our fantastic article on game fishing in North Queensland starting on page 14 — it won’t be hard to picture yourself in this scenario! Here at Auslec, we are continually looking at ways to expand our product offering and help our customers gain the knowledge and expertise to improve their profitability. If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to add Solar capabilities to your business. Whether it’s from an energy-efficiency perspective for your own business or adding another stream to your electrical and data offering, you literally can’t afford to miss our insight into Solar on page 28. Like to see something particular in Auslec Solutions? If so, why not let us know. In fact, just tackle an Auslec staff member at your local Traders 500 event and tell them — and have a small wager with them on the footy finals while you’re at it! All the best, Robin Norris Chief Executive Officer L&H Group

out *

The Purple Boots Brigade

What goes around comes around

AUSLEC

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Transpacific Cleanaway has been a longstanding customer of Auslec, so it was with great enthusiasm that Auslec and L&H Group are trialling an initiative of Transpacific Cleanaway. Introducing the Harvest Recycling Program to the group, Transpacific Cleanaway is well on the way to providing a waste management solution to all 180 L&H Group sites throughout Australia.

The Harvest Recycling Program is a bestpractice recycling program that recycles packaging waste, including cardboard, polystyrene and clear plastic. The nature of L&H Group’s business is such that vast amounts of plastic, cardboard and packaging waste is acquired and the challenge is how to manage this effectively. As 90% of this waste is recyclable, the Harvest Recycling Program is designed to capture and manage this waste in one bin, recycle it and — most importantly — divert it from ending up in landfill. “By introducing the Harvest program, we now have one point of origin at all of our sites for all cardboard, plastic shrink wrap and polystyrene waste,” said Auslec National Sales Manager — Mining Greg Miller. “We look for efficiencies in all areas of our business and advise our customers to do the same, so it makes complete sense for us to embrace a program like Harvest.” Waste reduction in the first instance and recycling in the second is now a clear focus for all L&H Group staff who have welcomed the opportunity to ‘go green’, while at the same time supporting a long-standing customer. It just proves that what goes around, comes around.

Auslec customer Minerals and Metals Group (MM Group) has put its best foot forward by implementing the Purple Boots Brigade program at its Century mine in Queensland. The Purple Boots Brigade program is an initiative of the Western Australian Breast Cancer Foundation and involves mining and other companies purchasing purple boots for their employees. With each boot purchase, $20 is donated to support the Foundation’s breast cancer awareness and education programs around Australia. Jillian D’urso, Communications Advisor for MM Group, said: “Century has a long history of supporting charities so the women at our site immediately wanted to be involved in this program. Most women are now proudly wearing their boots around

our Lawn Hill mining and processing and Karumba Port operations.” More than 80 pairs of Steel Blue purple boots have been purchased through Auslec branches by MM Group. Jillian continued: “By joining the Purple Boot Brigade and wearing the boots, it shows that our staff and organisation are serious about this cause and take pride in our efforts in helping with breast cancer awareness and education.” With the risk of breast cancer increasing with age, it is alarming to note that one in nine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 85. For more information on breast cancer awareness and details on how you can join the Purple Boot Brigade, visit www. purpleboots.com.au.

and about L&H 500: a roaring success Philip Island cemented its reputation as the best racing circuit in Australia earlier this month when it hosted another fantastic round of V8 Supercars — the L&H 500. A 500 km test of man and machine around one of the world’s greatest motor racing circuits provided fans with an edgeof-their-seat experience. Running over an action-packed three days, the pace was as fast and furious off

the track as it was on it. Auslec customers enjoyed the whole experience including participating in pit lane and garage tours conducted by Ford Performance Racing.

out * Smarter Clothing … smart thinking

Smarter Clothing is a specialist business within L&H Group, focused on creating customised value-added uniform solutions for customers. Smarter Clothing has been supplying uniforms to some of Australia’s leading companies since 1995. First developed in 2002, Smarter Clothing’s free online Apparel Management Solution (AMS) gives the customer complete control over what their company purchases, who purchases the clothing and how much is purchased.

QME hots up … “A roaring success” is how Greg Miller, Auslec National Sales Manager — Mining, described the recent QME Expo in Mackay. With leading products and services on display from Energy Contracts, Supply Pro, 300K Enterprises, Smarter Clothing, Pacific Datacom and Rittal, there was great interest from the 10,000-plus visitors over the three-day event. Miller added: “Now we’ve got our work cut out for us over the next few weeks following up the interest shown by many of our existing and ‘soon to be’ customers!”

and about Convention & Exhibition Centre

17 September

Adelaide

AEEC – Showground

24 September

Melbourne

Convention & Exhibition Centre

21, 22 October

Brisbane

RNA Showground

11, 12 November

Sydney

Convention & Exhibition Centre

2, 3 December

It’s on again! L&H Group is proud to present the 2010 Traders 500 trade show. Exclusively for individuals and groups in the electrical and industrial sectors, Traders 500 boasts 40+ leading suppliers showcasing the latest in world’s-best products and technologies. Attendees will lear n from expert demonstrations, be able to discuss their upcoming projects and requirements, ‘test drive’ the latest and greatest new product developments and network with industry colleagues. And if that’s not enough, everyone who attends has the opportunity of winning the L&H FPV Ford GTP!

All you have to do is attend Traders 500 in your state, pick up a key booklet at the registration desk and get it stamped by each supplier. Once completed, hand your key booklet to an L&H staff member to claim your key and attempt to unlock the padlock. If you have the opening key, you’ll be flown to the Homebush round of V8 Supercars in Sydney with other state winners where the ultimate winner of this fantastic car will be drawn on 4 December 2010. Don’t miss out on Traders 500 — you owe it to yourself and your customers. Visit www.connectionsoz.com.au for further information.

AUSLEC

Perth

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The world’s biggest branch! From quite humble beginnings, AMS has undergone significant enhancements and now boasts features that take the hassle out of uniform management. It includes things such as an online customer-approved and -controlled Uniform Catalogue (Garment Basket), an animated fitting and measuring guide, along with a comprehensive suite of management reports to ensure trackable and accurate uniform purchasing. Smarter Clothing understands and appreciates that each customer’s uniform requirements are unique and, as such, prepares a customised Solution Blueprint for each client that details how their specific clothing requirements will be met. A Solution Blueprint includes uniform tax advice, OHS guidelines, an implementation plan and, of course, pricing options. Uniforms are integral to how a business is perceived by others and Smarter Clothing can help create a truly unique uniform to enhance brand recognition and set a company apart with their Made to Order (M2O) service. Style consultants work closely with customers to guarantee the look that each brand deserves, while expert teams guide customers from sketch stage to final style selection to create an outstanding custom uniform. Several levels of customisation are available to accommodate budget and time requirements. For more info, visit www.smarterclothing. com.au.

*IMPLEMENTATION

AUSLEC

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Contract

Proper implementation of supply contracts is all about understanding and exceeding customers’ expectations and ensuring suppliers get it right. The first few weeks of any new contract are critical, as this is the time that suppliers are normally put to the test by customers. Auslec’s Contract Implementation program aims to exceed customers’ expectations by pre-empting issues and thereby reducing potential errors. It’s centred on everyone understanding Auslec’s commitment to its customers, the customers’ expectations of Auslec (at site and national levels), and then supporting the business during initial set-up. This is done through a standard, formalised process that ensures that Auslec is fully prepared and able to meet customers’ service and key performance expectations from the first order being received and beyond. It also helps the branches. By identifying all the tasks for a successful implementation and ensuring the people within the responsible business actually complete the tasks before first orders are received, branches are less likely to experience major issues. Stage 1: Customer Head Office Process Review gains a complete understanding of customers’ business processes, expectations and needs from the national-office perspective to best position Auslec to deliver on the intent of the contractual commitments and to create the overall implementation rollout and timeline. This is accomplished by meeting with customer

head-office personnel responsible for the contract to complete the review document, addressing the scope of agreement, cataloguing, purchasing, compliance and accounts-payable processes. Stage 2: Site Process Review ensures the local Auslec personnel responsible for managing the customers’ requirements on a day-to-day basis are fully aware of and equipped to meet customers’ expectations, and all steps are taken to reduce errors in supply. The focus is: ·· For site-champion/procurement representatives — local purchasing/inventory management, delivery/receipting, invoicing/ payment and compliance processes; and ·· For engineering, maintenance and OHS representatives — brand standardisation, shutdowns, catalogue libraries, supplier analysis and training. Stage 3: Branch Process Review ensures personnel responsible for managing customers’ requirements on a day-to-day basis are fully aware of and equipped to meet expectations, and all steps are taken to reduce errors. Key points reviewed are: ·· Branch understands customer siteordering and receiving processes, hours of operation and key personnel; ·· Internal account manager (IAM) completes ‘Managing Industrial Business’ training; ·· IAM has access and training on savings identification and Value Plus proposal program; and ·· Branch stock profile in place to support contact and supply chain for specific products.

Demonstrating how the Contract Implementation program is successfully put into practice is the recent agreement with Tasmanian Ports Corporation (Tasports) to supply industrial clothing and PPE. Tasports operates nine facilities across Tasmania, providing port services, pilotage, towage and slipway operations, infrastructure, property management, security and cold-store management. Tasports’ commitment to ‘zero harm’ workplaces meant Auslec had to provide high levels of safety performance, as well as meeting the added challenges of variable and sometimes harsh climate conditions. Auslec’s Mike Jones, Garth Geeves, Jennine Higgs and relevant branch staff, together with Tasports’ Scott Hannaford, visited several sites across Tasmania to assess special requirements and supply conditions. Providing a standardised product across the Tasports group was particularly challenging, requiring special assessment and discussion with key facility staff. The nine ports will be serviced and supplied by Auslec through its Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie branches. “Our group has coverage, service and a range second to none,” says Jones. “Plus, to match Tasports’ special needs, we increased stock levels and product mix to ensure we deliver the right product on time, every time. “Auslec is geared to assist companies like Tasports to achieve their core objectives; and our service underpins our belief in what we do for our valued customers.”

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out branching *

relationships with our customers, so we

Sydney, is synonymous with heavy indus-

understand and tailor our services and

try. Most of us would immediately think

products to meet their needs.”

of coal, steel mills and shipping.

The branch has 11 staff and is ex-

It was only a couple of years ago

tremely proud of their achievements —

that all of Australia’s attention was

collectively, they have over 130 years’

focused on the Japanese freighter MV

experience between them.

Pasha Bulker, which ran aground on

Barkowski outlines their impressive

Nobbys Beach, outside the entrance

record in more detail: “Three of our

to the port of Newcastle, in a violent

staff have been inducted into the 25

storm. The freighter was moored just

years+ ‘Wall of fame’ at NSU, another

offshore with another 55 ships, waiting

two guys have received their 15-year

to load 58,000 tonnes of coal, when

service awards, two more have over

the storm hit.

10 years, one’s at five years, another

Reading about that incident was an

is at two years and we have two

education for many of us about just how

relatively new starters. But these two

substantial Newcastle’s freight handling

only recently replaced another couple

is, and how important the city is for Australia’s economy. Auslec Newcastle branch manager Peter Barkowski is acutely aware of how significant Newcastle is to Australia’s commercial landscape and works hard to support the industries that support Newcastle’s operations. “Our niche is our diverse product offering,” says Barkowski. “While most of the staff at our branch have come from an L&H electrical background, we have forged a unique service offering in our area. While the electrical side of the business will always be our strength, we have also built a strong business in the safety, industrial

of long-termers, who have transferred

and heavy-engineering markets. It’s within

to the new Integrated Supply branch

these markets that we think we can con-

at Donaldson Coal. Our customers like

tinue to grow by offering our customers

the fact that they see and speak to

a greater value proposition.

people they know.”

“Our typical customer mix consists

The branch is in its fourth year of

of industrial manufacturing, railway in-

operation, residing in a purpose-built

frastructure, food processing, aluminium

facility that has over 1000 m 2 of office,

smelting and mining operations, as well

showroom, warehouse space and a

as electrical construction and general

spacious conference/training facility.

construction contractors, dredging,

The branch primarily services the

rail, ports, hospitals, TAFE colleges

needs of local industry, with the ma-

and utilities. So, as you can see, we

jority of its customer base situated

service customers from a wide range

within a 15 km radius of Newcastle.

of industry sectors, all with specific

It also services the Hunter Valley

needs. Our team has developed strong

Coal Area.

Newcastle, New South Wales Branch Manager — Peter Barkowski Branch/warehouse floor space — approx 1000 m2 Number of staff — 11

P: (02) 4961 2022 E: ausnewcastle@auslec.com.au A: 3 Revelation Close, Tighes Hill, NSW 2297

www.auslec.com.au AUSLEC 8

The city of Newcastle, to the north of

AUSLEC

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Improving energy efficiency in industrial facilities

efficient is the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). To assist companies in their pursuit of energy efficiency, the GBCA recently developed a tool for rating industrial facilities — the Green Star - Industrial v1 rating tool. This tool assesses the environmental attributes of new industrial base buildings and can also be used on refurbished buildings. It can be applied at either the design or the post-construction phase, although fit-outs and industrial processes are not included in the assessment. According to the GBCA, the Industrial Green Star rating is designed to help owners and operators of industrial buildings minimise the environmental impact of their buildings, improve their bottom-line business performance, improve staff productivity and wellbeing, create long-term shareholder value, receive recognition for green leadership and achieve real cost savings. The rating tool is designed to be used by owners, developers and consultants (including architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, project managers, ESD consultants, etc). The Green Star - Industrial v1 rating tool

takes into consideration the unique requirements and impacts of industrial facilities.

T5 fluoros with high-efficiency reflectors are the norm in many offices these days, so it makes sense to deploy them where appropriate in industrial facilities as well. In large spaces, replacing sodium-vapour high-bay lamps with metal-halide lamps also yields significant energy savings. And don’t forget to look into the various forms of light fittings that use LEDs to not only reduce energy consumption, but also lengthen lamp life that, in turn, minimises maintenance requirements. Adding lighting control systems that incorporate sensors and intelligent software also adds to the effectiveness of energyefficient lamps. The printing company we mentioned earlier installed a lighting control system that effectively made its 2000 fluorescent tubes run in economy mode all the time, without diminishing the lighting output or quality. Increasing energy efficiency in new buildings A great place to start in finding ways to make a new industrial facility more energy

As such, the number of credits within categories and the category weightings vary from other Green Star rating tools. Credits specific to industrial facilities include energy efficiency, resource conservation, air distribution systems and small occupied spaces. It also includes a greenhouse gas emissions calculator that assesses all industrial buildings equitably, independent of size or location, on their predicted greenhouse gas emissions during operation. The rating tools have been developed

www.auslec.com.au

Increasing energy efficiency in existing buildings When it comes to the electrical services of existing industrial buildings, power factor correction is an excellent place to start. The presence of numerous inductive and capacitive loads can significantly reduce power factor, silently rendering a facility very inefficient. And because industrial operations are dynamic environments, with equipment and plant frequently being changed, power factor must be regularly checked and corrected. A large Melbourne-based printing company recently installed a power factor correction system to smooth current to its printing machines, and this resulted in a significant improvement to the plant’s efficiency and several thousands of dollars a year saved from lower electricity bills. With a payback on the equipment of less than three years, it was an obvious decision for the owners of that business to make. Energy-efficient lighting can also make a big difference to electricity consumption.

A great place to start finding ways to make a new industrial facility more energy efficient is the Green Building Council of Australia.

demonstrate a similar level of industry

AUSLEC

Industrial facilities are renowned for consuming more energy than most other facilities, so it makes good sense to look for ways to make the buildings in all of these facilities more energy efficient. But where do you start? For many existing industrial sites, the obvious place to start is electrical consumption. Heavy machineries like welders, compressors, conveyors and cranes use lots of electricity. Lighting large spaces for long periods of time is commonplace and also consumes considerable amounts of electricity. Likewise, electric heating can be an inefficient choice for heating large volumes of workspace. There are other places to improve the energy efficiency of an industrial building, like improving the building’s design or its thermal insulation, but these are often too complex, too impractical or too expensive to be worth doing to an existing building to realise the potential gains. Whereas, there are many ways to improve the efficiencies of electrical services in an existing building without having to incur too much cost or make major structural alterations to the buildings. And these can be done without compromising the operations or the comfort of workers.

leadership as 5-Star Office project.

to be equitable across building sectors. This means a 5-Star Industrial project will

Green Star ratings are awarded as: ·· 4 Star Green Star Certified Rating (weighted score of 45–59) signifies ‘best practice’; ·· 5 Star Green Star Certified Rating (weighted score of 60–74) signifies ‘Australian excellence’; and ·· 6 Star Green Star Certified Rating (weighted score of 75–100) signifies ‘world leadership’.

represent minimum, average and good practice, whereas Green Star aims to recognise and reward best practice and above. Commenting on the importance of attaining an industrial facility achieving a significant Green Star rating, GBCA’s Green Star Executive Director, Robin Mellon, said: “Building ‘green’ provides the greatest, most cost-effective opportunity to tackle climate change. Importantly, this action, and its positive impact, can be taken quickly. “Green Star evaluates the green attributes of building projects based on nine criteria. An assessment of 95 recently certified Green Star projects around Australia found that buildings with Green Star certification achieved an average 36% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when compared with ‘business-as-usual’ building practices. “There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to building green. The Green Star system offers a range of solutions for developments to achieve maximum economic and occupant health benefits, while reducing their environmental impact.” An example of a sustainable new development is a distribution centre recently built in Melbourne by a large logistics company, where they primarily focused on the electrical services to maximise LED lighting was installed for all outdoor areas — car parks, perimeter doors and truck bays — because of its low energy consumption and instant full brightness. Bi-level metal-halide lamps were installed in the warehouse to provide uniform lighting, while T5 fluorescents in the offices were

AUSLEC

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energy efficiency.

set to 200 lux instead of the conventional

when required. The warehouse lighting

400 lux levels, with task lighting motion sensors used to increase lighting levels

“

B u i l d i n g ‘ g re e n ’ provides

the

greatest, most costeffective opportunity to tackle climate

is constantly monitored and optimised

change. Importantly,

to consume the lowest possible energy,

this action, and its

while still complying with Building Code

positive impact, can

of Australia (BCA) lighting levels.

be taken quickly.

The electrical system was all linked to Clipsal C-Bus to ensure everything ran efficiently and staff didn’t have worry about turning things off to conserve energy. Variable refrigerated volume air conditioning was also installed and linked to the BMS

”

Learning more about energy efficiency The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) has an excellent program — EcoSmart Electricians — to enable electricians and electrical contractors deliver energy-efficiency solutions for their clients. The program is made up of training and accreditation. The training provides a broad understanding of the concepts of energy efficiency utilising modern technologies and products. The training covers topics such as energy management, lighting, solar-generation systems, pumps, fans, motors and heating and cooling. The EcoSmart Electricians training program is run in all states through the local NECA state chapters. Once training is complete, participants are provided with a nationally recognised certification that enables them to promote their knowledge and training as a unique selling point to their customers. Below are some of the advantages that EcoSmart Electricians are able to present to their customers: ·· Over 50% of an industrial organisation’s energy costs can be in the running of pumps, fans and motors. EcoSmart Electricians are trained to assess and offer advice to improve system reliability and efficiency. This advice can provide cost savings, higher profits, lower energy costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. ·· EcoSmart Electricians will be able to recommend energy-efficient lighting for specific environments and applications that can reduce energy use and save operating expenses. ·· EcoSmart Electricians will be able to advise customers on the most efficient and cost-effective heating and cooling options for specific needs and building types. ·· EcoSmart Electricians will be able to assess and advise customers on the best solar solutions for both hot-water and photovoltaic energy-generation applications. ·· EcoSmart Electricians will be able to advise customers on the most suitable sensors that can be used to turn off and on lighting and other energy-consuming appliances as required.

to sample air quality and intelligently switch between air conditioning and ventilation, further reducing energy consumption.

Projects with ratings of 1, 2 or 3 Stars cannot receive certification, as these ratings

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AUSLEC

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Just another day on the ‘tools’

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Serious big game anglers from around the world have, for years, been drawn to this fishing ‘Mecca’ in the hope of landing and tagging a ‘grander’ — a black marlin that weighs in at over the magical 1000 pounds. Auslec Solutions recently joined skipper Wayne ‘Vinyl’ Viney aboard his 40-foot purpose-built Wet & Wild for a first-hand look at what makes these fish such a sought-after catch. Vinyl has been fishing these waters for over 20 years and looks forward to early September each year when large female black marlin migrate to the breeding ground between Lizard Island to the north and Cairns to the south — a distance of some 130 nautical miles (240 km). Making our way out from Cairns at 8 am, the water ahead of us was like glass, as Wet & Wild’s twin 450 HP Volvo Penta engines accelerated us to 30 knots. Turning to the north, Vinyl eased back on the throttle and the bow dropped effortlessly into the water as we achieved our cruising speed of 24 knots — a speed that would see us with our lines in the water in a little over two hours. Motoring north, we were joined by a small pod of dolphins majestically surfing our bow wave as Vinyl explained that it’s generally accepted that the best fishing occurs from around 2 pm till the early evening, and that we would be using yellowfin tuna trolled off two rods from the outriggers. Deckhand ‘Robbo’ curses as a hook pierces his thumb. “You’d think he’d have the hang of it after six years,” muses Vinyl, to which Robbo responds with a weathered glare developed over many a marlin season.

Marlin fishing is universally recognised as the ‘Formula One’ of game fishing and, like that sport, has a hefty financial component to it. Whilst initially a little coy, Vinyl eventually reveals that his ‘barge’ set him back “a little north of $800,000”. He quickly adds: “I see it as a home away from home though — at least that’s what I tell the missus!” Two and a half hours after leaving Cairns and some 35 nautical miles from shore, we reached an area of the reef that Vinyl was comfortable with. His charts, sounder and 20 years of experience suggested that this is where our search would begin. Robbo spent most of the time on the way out ensuring everything was in order — live bait at the ready, lures chosen and beer on ice for the return trip. Vinyl’s depth sounder located a school of baitfish, so we began trolling at the pedestrian pace of five knots along the edge of a reef. As black marlin are notoriously opportunistic in their feeding habits, it’s not unusual for this method to produce a result as they round up the baitfish. Vinyl remained observant and vigilant on the flybridge as he manoeuvred Wet & Wild along the reef line, contending with the slight wind that had developed and the cross current we were encountering. Robbo, on the other hand, took the opportunity to rig up a couple of smaller lines with the view to landing some reef fish as we meandered along. “It’s not really fishing if you don’t catch anything,” he said, revealing his first smile since we left Cairns. Excitement grew on deck as one of the reels let out a dull scream. It’s obvious from the lack of interest from the flybridge that this was not a prized ‘grander’ or even a black marlin, but that didn’t stop us from scurrying around removing the rods that could impede the fight. Within minutes, a Spanish mackerel was alongside the boat and Robbo expertly delivered the gaff to its torso. Weighing in at a healthy 30 lb, the fish was promptly put on ice and all lines returned to the water to continue our hunt. Charter game fishing in these waters is favoured not only by Australians, but by people from all over the world. Hollywood celebrities and sports stars share the same exuberance as ordinary Australians in hoping that they land the fish of a lifetime. Boats

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Each year, from September through to December, the Great Barrier Reef in Far North Queensland becomes the migratory destination for the world’s most elusive and prized game fish — the black marlin.

No sooner had we cleared a work area free from rods and bait boards, our prey made a dramatic jump

from

its

watery playground. With

its

entire

body

seemingly

suspended in mid air, all on board expressed loud and excited ‘wows’ and

AUSLEC

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‘ohs’.

”

‘ohs’ — except for Robbo. He’d seen this all before and we got the feeling that, unless it’s a ‘grander’, it’s just another day in the office for him. This fish clearly had an enormous will to survive as it ran and dove in an attempt to break its restraint. Looking from the back of the boat, we saw our quest break the surface a good 150 m away and hold its ground; seemingly in an attempt to regain its composure before the next run. Vinyl estimated the fish weighed somewhere around 440 lb as he continued to position Wet & Wild between it and the channel the marlin was so desperately trying to reach. With the rod bent back on itself and the line as tight as a guitar string, the dynamic of our situation changed instantly. Clearly, it was not to be our day, as after 15 minutes of fighting, our marlin had twisted and turned its way to freedom, leaving us all a little disappointed, yet thrilled with our encounter with such a stunning creature. Seeing it dance above the water with a combination of elegance and brute force left a picture ingrained in our minds. With a three-hour journey ahead of us to get back to port, Vinyl pointed Wet & Wild in a southerly direction and once again opened up the throttle to reach our 25-knot cruising speed. In our ice box were a couple of Spanish mackerel, a decent-sized snapper and a couple of dozen oysters. Okay, so the oysters were on the boat when we left Cairns, but they went down a treat with the beers that Robbo had so expertly iced on our outward journey. You could argue that we were unsuccessful and yes, we failed to land a black marlin, let alone a ‘grander’; but how many people get to actually see one of these fine animals up close? We joined Vinyl in the wheelhouse to relive our ‘oh-so-close’ experience and listen to stories of ones that didn’t get away — stories of record-breakers and heart-breakers. At one point, Robbo could be seen with that same wry smile he let slip earlier in the day. We got the feeling that today wasn’t just another day at the office for him; that in fact he wouldn’t have it any other way — cold beer in hand at the end of another day working in paradise.

“

like Wet & Wild, with their hotel-like facilities, ensure that no one wants for comfort, while skippers like Vinyl are treated like the school teacher that no one wants to disappoint — for without them, landing a black marlin would be about as probable as Robbo telling a joke. Since the marlin season had only just commenced, many of the ‘mother ship’ charters are yet to set off. This form of game fishing is the ultimate experience, whereby a mother ship and game fishing boat are hired together, with anglers returning to the mother ship each evening to enjoy 5-star accommodation and service. Mother ships are positioned within easy reach of the fishing grounds and allow for an easy pursuit if and when the skipper declares “game on”. Back on Wet & Wild, Vinyl decided to try our luck on a small reef 40 nautical miles further north. This time lures would be used to try and entice the elusive marlin. An hour passed with little to get excited about when, almost simultaneously, two rods made a cracking sound in their holders and the glistening lines were extracted from the reels at a rate of knots that put our boat speed to shame. Seconds later, one line fluttered loosely in the breeze, suggesting that whatever was on the other end was now the proud owner of one of Vinyl’s favourite lures. But the other line remained taut. Black marlin are a serious running fish, so reels are fitted with over 600 m of line to allow for the marathon fights that can ensue. Confrontation between man and fish can sometimes last many hours, with the marlin alternating between ‘going to sleep’ and ‘running like its life depends on it’ — which it invariably does. Shouting in a calm but direct manner from the flybridge, the skipper turned the boat, suggesting that this fish was one worth fighting for. It was quickly apparent from the instant flurry of activity that we’d hooked a black marlin, as the partnership of Vinyl at the helm and Robbo on deck swung into action. No sooner had we cleared a work area free from rods and bait boards, our prey made a dramatic jump from its watery playground. With its entire body seemingly suspended in mid air, all on board expressed loud and excited ‘wows’ and

The Starburst. An eye for LED performance. 70% less power* 50W ELV Dichroic

12W Starburst LED

Do you need an energy efficient alternative to a tired and inefficient MR16 dichroic lamp choice? Look no further than the Pierlite Starburst. With a mere 12 watts of lamp power and a powerful optical package, which of course is dimmable and available in a choice of functional colours, we believe the creation of energy efficient, lighting designs just got a little easier! For more information visit www.pierlite.com *Comparison = standard MR16 50w 530lm dichroic lamp.

We wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to twist your arm when you see how simple it is to turn T8 into T5 technology.

Pierlite is a member of the Gerard Lighting Group.

Converts old technology to new.

Safety fuse included.

Reflector option available

Have you a tired, conventional interior fluorescent luminaire that needs a strong dose of energy efficiency? Then look no further than the Pierlite TWIST. This exciting new design converts conventional T8 fluorescent circuits into highly efficient T5 circuits at a simple twist*, delivering improved lighting performance and energy savings. For more information visit www.pierlite.com *Based upon LPF circuits. Subject to local regulative power factor limits, existing HPF luminaires may require circuit adjustment, see installation guidelines for verification.

Greater than 15% energy savings

Pierlite is a member of the Gerard Lighting Group.

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A v a i l a b l e f r o m & r e c o m m e n d e d b y A u s l e c . U s e t h e locator at www.auslec.com.au to find your nearest branch.

Eco-friendly sorbents Re-Form sorbents are an eco-friendly range of high-performance absorbency products designed for industrial applications. The range is constructed from a minimum of 70% recycled waste, making them ‘green’ to produce, thereby contributing to ecosustainability. The products are claimed to provide up to 25–50% more absorbency than other sorbents and meet NFPA Class A Fire Retardancy standards. Re-Form is available in two varieties — General Purpose and Oil Only. Re-Form Plus and Oil Only sorbents add a cover-stock and perforations to dispense only what is needed. Pads, Rolls and Soc configurations are also available.

The CRC Screen Clean is a special cleaner for use on all LCD, LED and TFT screens that are found in common business machines today such as laptops, notebooks, GPSs, PCs, mobile phones, scanners and camcorders. Screen Clean is a water-based, stable, active-foam cleaner that cleans without the use of solvents, alcohol, benzene, white spirits or ammonia. It is non-flammable and does not run off, allowing it to be wiped off without coming into contact with the inner parts. The cleaner is supplied in 200 g aerosol cans.

AUSLEC

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Screen cleaner

Energy-saving solutions Clipsal’s energy-saving solutions extend to energy consumption monitors, timers, ceiling sweep fans and smart automation systems. Key elements included within this growing range are professional energy auditing tools, intelligent motion sensors that automatically switch lights on and off, a vast range of energy-efficient lighting products, exhaust fans with back-draft shutters, a purpose-built CFL dimmer and a growing range of light dimmers that includes an IR dimmer. Coupled with Clipsal’s overall focus on energy efficiency, the range can help reduce the costs to deploy energy-efficient electrical solutions.

Safety gloves The uvex helix C3 and C5 gloves are manufactured with uvex Profas Bamboo TwinFlex technology to provide both safety and environmental benefits. Bamboo is a highly sustainable resource that offers numerous functional advantages for safety gloves. The gloves are both protective and comfort orientated. Cut-resistant glass fibres and abrasion-resistant polyamide are used to provide optimum mechanical protection to wearers. Soft, comfortable, bamboo thread is used to provide a smooth feel, while reducing sweating and providing high breathability and high moisture absorption.

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Solar panel installations — both stand-alone and grid connected — are vulnerable to fault currents and lightning strikes, so they should be protected by fuses, DC isolators and surge arresters. For current protection, IPD photovoltaic fuses are designed to ensure system safety. When a fault occurs in a DC system, the absence of natural ‘voltage-zero’ makes interrupting DC faults more difficult than AC and a very arduous condition. For voltage protection, Surge-Trap is a surge suppressor that’s easy to install or retrofit, has a small footprint, visual indicator with remote trip-indication and finger-safe design. IPD products include solar circuit-breakers, fuses, isolators, surge equipment, indoor/outdoor enclosures, connecting DC cables and solar connectors for inverters and solar panels.

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Solar panel protection and isolation

Industrial hand cleansers Deb offers a wide range of industrial hand cleansers for cost-effective and water-saving benefits. Azure Foam Wash is a fragranced mild-foam soap for general washroom use. Sunflower Wash is a solvent-free, heavy-duty hand cleanser that contains natural sunflower oil extract, cornmeal hand scrub and moisturiser to leave the skin supple after use. Natural Power Wash uses solvent-free, natural sunflower oil extracts in combination with cornmeal scrub and crushed olive stones to provide deep cleaning on ingrained and difficult-to-remove industrial soilings. It also contains a moisturiser to help skin hydration. ‘Biocote’ protected dispensers are available in 1, 2 and 4 L sizes for the cleansers.

productcut *

Available from & recommended by Auslec. Use the locator at www.auslec.com.au to find your nearest branch.

Cable support system

Compressed air sensor The efector metris compressed air sensor monitors air consumption to detect leakage areas. By monitoring air usage in plant zones, the sensor identifies leakage areas and monitors air consumption to detect leakage areas in two ways — when machines are in operation or when machines are shut down. It can also monitor leakage per machine, leakage per plant zone, consumption per machine cycle, consumption per shift, consumption per plant zone, verification of leak repair and system improvements. By optimising compressed air systems, energy efficiencies can be improved by 20–50%. Significant non-energy benefits are also realised including reduced downtime, decreased system moisture and consistent system pressure.

With three-quarters of all industrial energy being consumed by motors, variable speed drives are the natural choice for reducing energy consumption. Altivar 312 is designed to provide energy savings. Available in single- (up to 2.2 kW) and three-phase (up to 15 kW) versions, the drive is suitable for a range of commercial and industrial applications including pumps, packaging machinery, fans and conveying equipment. To assist users select the appropriate variable speed drives and estimate energy savings, Schneider Electric has developed the Eco2 software, which can be downloaded free from www.sereply. com (type in the code 80219T).

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Polywater’s Lubricant J is a highperformance cable lubricant that provides maximum tension reduction for heavy cable installations. It is especially recommended for long pulls, multiple-bend pulls and pulls in a hot environment. The lubricant’s clean, water-based gel lubricant slowly dries to form a thin lubricating film that retains its lubricity for months after use. The specificationgrade lubricant does not promote flame propagation when used with fire-retardant cables and systems. It is environmentally friendly, non-staining and compatible with all cable jacket materials. A winter-grade lubricant, Polywater Lubricant WJ, is also available, which is specially formulated for use in temperatures as low as -30°C.

Variable speed drives

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Cable lubricant

The DELTEC cable strapping range is used in outdoor applications that require strength, durability and ease of installation. High-quality weatherable materials are used in the supports to provide high resistance to UV light and to maintain good tensile properties in applications that require much greater life than standard weatherable ties. This also makes them suitable for use in marine environments. The traditional ‘smooth body’ design is less stress sensitive than notched cable ties and, with no sharp edges, the strapping is operator and cable friendly and easy to install, thereby providing a strong and long-life method of securing communication and overhead cables.

Innovative companies have developed new business philosophies in recent years that define a ‘triple bottom line’ that allows companies to trade profitably and sustainably. The focus is to pursue positive environmental, financial and social results collectively.

AUSLEC

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Being green – what does it mean?

Everyone is talking about the environment these days. It is being discussed in all parts of our community, from the boardrooms of the biggest companies in the world to kids in the school playground and everyone else in between. ‘Sustainability’, ‘green’, ‘environmentally responsible’ are all the buzz words getting around our businesses and communities these days. But is it practical for businesses to be ‘green’ in view of today’s commercial realities? It is well understood by both consumers and businesses that additional costs are often incurred in endeavouring to be green. We all accept that goods manufactured from recycled or sustainable materials often have a higher price associated with them and that ‘green’ electricity costs more because it is more expensive to produce. Most companies do want to be ‘good corporate citizens’ and operate sustainably, but they’re often challenged by the conflict of higher costs and the responsibility to trade profitably. Sadly, as a consequence, many companies choose not to operate sustainably. To deal with this conundrum, innovative companies have developed new business

philosophies in recent years that define a ‘triple bottom line’ that allows companies to trade profitably and sustainably. The focus is to pursue positive environmental, financial and social results collectively. The parent company of both Auslec and L&H — Sonepar — is one of these innovative companies that has taken a leadership role in operating sustainably, both in how it services its customers’ needs and in how it works with its suppliers. The company uses the term ‘sustainable development’ to define its philosophy. This term refers to “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. The idea is that development has to be ecologically viable, socially acceptable and economically equitable. In other words, it must deliver that all-important triple bottom line. In more practical terms, the concept of sustainable development requires a commitment from a company to use natural resources sparingly and to avoid wastage as much as possible, while at the same time raising awareness among the many

people who are encountered through the business process. In exercising its corporate social responsibility, Sonepar — and by extension the L&H Group in Australia — practices sustainable development in a two-pronged approach. The environmental issue Through the products that the Sonepar Group markets, along with the support of its sales teams, Sonepar aims to make its customers aware of the business and environmental benefits that are to be derived from energy-saving products. Sonepar endeavours to deliver the greatest possible value in terms of quality, comfort, safety of people and equipment, installation, logistics and energy use. The company also wants to control the environmental impact of its own business. The two areas that are of primary significance for the Group are transport and construction. These are both major producers of greenhouse gases — in fact, buildings account for 40% of the energy consumed worldwide, while transport is reported as generating as much as 28% of all greenhouse gas emissions. For this

“ The idea is that development has to be ecologically viable,

socially

acceptable

and

economically equitable, in other words — the triple

safety of goods and people, installations, logistics and energy consumption. An example of this philosophy that is applied locally to the Australian electrical industry is the fact that many L&H branches are actively promoting solar energy to their contractor and industrial customers. Specialist branches are stocking solar panels, inverters and all associated fixings and select staff are being trained to guide customers in effectively deploying solar energy systems to save energy costs while minimising their greenhouse gas emissions. An example of Sonepar’s sustainable development on a global scale is its BlueWay Calculator — a short questionnaire that calculates the environmental impact of each Sonepar site and proposes actions aimed at reducing this impact. Put simply, the calculator measures and enhances the environmental performance of Sonepar. Once the questionnaire has been completed by each of its business units, the summary of the environmental impact for the site shows CO2 emissions produced by operations, along with their breakdown by buildings and transport. The calculator also includes helpful tips

”

on how to scale back emissions from both sources and part of the site’s costs such as those caused by energy loss and fuel consumption. It also facilitates identification and sharing of the best practices developed by each branch. The BlueWay program represents the way that products and solutions are promoted by Sonepar to help customers achieve greater levels of energy efficiency and to maximise their comfort. This involves finding the best possible trade-off between Sonepar’s position as a consumer of resources and its concern for the environment and its customers and suppliers. The social issue Through its international committees and regular opportunities for sharing ideas amongst its business units across the globe — including its ‘son@cademy’ educational program — Sonepar highlights its commitment to mutual respect, open-mindedness and interpersonal relations. The goal is to ensure that all company stakeholders can enjoy lasting growth that reflects both the fundamentals of Sonepar and the specific legislation in each country.

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reason, Sonepar measures the impact of both activities within its business on the environment and provides its associates with recommendations and tools to lessen that impact. One such tool is the BlueWay sustainability program. This is a 3-year plan that involves each Sonepar business unit. It addresses that business unit’s people, its shareholders and its governance. The program’s objectives are to assess the business unit so as to make improvements, respect the interests of all of its stakeholders and major environmental and societal concerns, develop responsible day-to-day behaviours that will preserve the environment and foster shareholder loyalty to the Group. As a distributor of electrical products and because of its business scope and size, Sonepar has significant leverage when it comes to encouraging its suppliers and customers to factor new economic, environmental and societal concerns into their activities. One of Sonepar’s key objectives in this regard is to constantly improve its product offering so that it can provide its customers with optimal returns on their investments, in terms of quality, comfort, the

AUSLEC

bottom line.

out branching *

Tasmania is renowned for its primary

work with them to find alternative op-

produce, with many of its foods —

tions. Taking a proactive approach to

cheeses, seafood, vegetables and

those issues is really appreciated by

wines — considered among the best in

our customers.”

the world. Demand for such produce,

The branch has a staff of four, but

along with timber and minerals, makes

collectively, they have 55 years of total

sea freight an important element in the

service in the industry between them.

state’s economy.

So once again, customers are well

Central to Tasmania’s sea-freight industry is the city of Burnie, located

serviced by the extensive experience of the branch.

on the north-west coast. Its port is the

In supporting its diverse customer

largest general cargo port in the state

base, the branch carries a broad

and the fifth-largest container port in

range of industrial, electrical and safety

Australia, providing an important link

products.

between Tasmania and the mainland and the rest of the world.

“The branch/warehouse is huge,” elaborates Mick. “It’s much bigger than

Understandably, most of the busi-

any other electrical wholesaler in the

nesses in and around Burnie are either

area, and it’s got lots of parking too.

supported by the port or involved in

We carry a large range of safety and

supporting it. Auslec’s Burnie branch is one of those businesses that actively supports both the port and many of the businesses in the region. Commenting on their regional activities, Branch Manager Michael Maine (or Mick as he prefers to be called) says: “While the branch has a strong mining and industrial customer base, the overall geographic area that we

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service is up to 200 km westsouth-west of Burnie. In that large area,

PPE gear that would rival any of our

there are lots of diverse businesses and

local competitors. That makes us the

industries that we service, so we’ve had

region’s one-stop shop for industrial,

to develop a close relationship with our

electrical and safety gear.”

customers to know what they do, so

AUSLEC

we can better support them.

But it’s not all ‘strictly business’ for the branch. It has also become a com-

“One of our key points of difference

munity hub for the industry, with Mick

to keep us ahead of the competition is

and his team spending plenty of their

our extensive and up-to-date back-order

personal time with customers at events

program. Understanding the nature of

like the V8 race days at the nearby

our customers’ businesses, we know

Symmons Plains International Raceway.

how important it is to keep them up to

The branch also hosts a biannual trade

date on the delivery of goods they’ve

show with over 30 suppliers present,

ordered from us. And if there’s ever a

where customers can see the latest

delay or an overdue order, we’ll flag

products and technologies and catch

the customer immediately about it and

up over a beer or two.

Burnie, Tasmania Branch Manager — Michael Maine Branch/warehouse floor space — approx 1500 m2 Number of staff — 4

P: (03) 6431 4366 E: ausburnie@auslec.com.au A: 20 Wellington Street, Burnie South, Tasmania 7320

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Available from & recommended by Auslec. Use the locator at www.auslec.com.au to find your nearest branch.

Airport-friendly safety footwear

The GU24 lamps from Nelson are energysaving alternatives to traditional downlights. Used in conjunction with Nelson drivers, these lamps offer maximum light output for standard MR16/GU10 fixtures. The 15 W lamp has the brightness of a 50 W GU10 halogen lamp, while the 20 W lamp is 20% brighter than a standard 60 W GU10 halogen lamp. The lamps also feature a claimed average life of 8000 hours. The lamps are available in cool white, warm white and natural colours.

Fire-rated multipair cables Olex has changed its fire-rated cable brand name from Pyrolex to Alsecure Premium and added new cables to the range. The Alsecure Premium FRP Ceramifiable cables are rated to WS51W and are claimed to be the only fire-rated multipair products available that don’t require glass-mica tapes. Benefits of using these cables include reducing the time required to install them and eliminating the need for respirators and special gloves.

The T8229 is a 5-in-1 auto-ranging digital multimeter, complete with a sound and light alarm function, warning of incorrect lead insertion. The device is IEC61010-1 CAT II 1000 V/CAT III 600 V compliant and features maximum-value measurement, 3999-count backlit display, continuity check with buzzer, diode test, data hold and auto power-off. Measurement parameters include AC/DC voltage and current, resistance, capacitance, frequency, temperature and humidity. Each unit is supplied with test leads, thermocouple adapter and manual. Replacement test leads are also available.

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Energy-saving lamps

Digital multimeter

AUSLEC

Dingo safety footwear is constructed with no metallic components, making them suitable for airport use. The lightweight and flexible shoes are designed for high levels of comfort, featuring PU shock-absorber footbeds with a gelinsert cushioning zone. Safety attributes include a gravity phylon dual-density rubber sole that is heat resistant to 300°C (per AS/NZS 2210.3); triple toeprotection comprising composite toecap, rubber bump-cap and extra kick guard; and non-conductive construction. The composite cap is claimed to be superior to steel in both hot and cold conditions, with better insulation properties. The footwear is available in ‘Rocky’/‘Brown’ colours, in sizes 6 to 13, with half sizes from 7.5 to 10.5.

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Available from & recommended by Auslec. Use the locator at www.auslec.com.au to find your nearest branch.

Multifunction testers The Fluke 1650B Series multifunction testers verify the safety of electrical installations in domestic, commercial and industrial applications. Three testers make up the range: 1651B — everyday tester for every electrical installer; 1652B — tester for professional troubleshooters; and 1653B — complete tester for advanced users. The instruments are faster than conventional loop testers as they provide two measurements at once on a dual display. PEFC/PSC and loop impedance are measured and displayed in parallel, saving 50% of test time. Safety is maintained with an earth volt touchpad that detects raised earth voltages >50 V to indicate potentially dangerous situations.

AUSLEC www.auslec.com.au

Wall-mount enclosure

The AE 1033500 wall-mounted AE enclosure measures 300 H x 300 W x 210 mm D and is available constructed from powder-coated mild steel or stainless steel. The enclosure is available in several variants with a wide range of accessories to adapt it to many applications, including single or double doors, glazed doors and a variety of operating panels.

Drill set The SM3 Sutton BLU drill set comprises a set of drill bits that feature a ‘Blue Bullet’ finish. The finish is a ferric-oxide surface coating on the drill bits that resists chip build-up on the cutting edge, thereby reducing frictional drag and reducing the heat generated from the process. The coating increases drilling life and ability, especially in ferrous materials such as steel, stainless steels, high-tensile steel, alloy and tool-steel.

Cotton-drill workwear The DNC range of cotton-drill trousers, shirts and shorts are all crafted from 100% cotton, making them durable and hard-wearing garments, well suited as workwear that also provides a natural, comfortable feel. The garments are also antistatic and, as most garments have no metal buttons or zippers, they are suitable for use in electrical trade situations. Not only do these garments have proven protection, they also carry the environmentally friendly ‘Green Dye’ logo, which means that the dye used in the production process of the garments is in line with the relevant provisions of environmental protection.

High-temperature thread lockers and sealants Loctite thread lockers and sealants can now be applied to high-heat applications and industries such as industrial ovens, boiler rooms, heat-treat operations, refineries, pulp and paper, metal fabrication, glass manufacturing and steam-lines. Loctite 2422 and 2620 high-temperature thread lockers lock and seal threaded fasteners in applications that require continuous temperature resistance of up to 350°C, and are available in an easyto-use paste-like format with convenient syringe. Loctite 5770 high-temperature thread sealant is formulated to seal threaded pipe fittings in applications requiring continuous heat resistance of up to 280°C.

The 12MM-TDM6 is an analog and digital meter that combines analog and digital RF signal strength measurement with a spectrum analyser and data logger all in a compact, handheld unit. The instrument features MER and C/N measurement, pre- and post-BER measurement, CTB/CSO measurement, data logging, spectrum analysis (channel/frequency/tilt), 5–870 MHz frequency range, 15–120 dBµV measurement range, automatic distinction of digital and analog channels in spectrum mode, constellation diagrams, auto-scan for channels, over 250-channel storage and free downloadable software. The kit is supplied with hard carry-case, PC interface cable, Ni-MH rechargeable batteries and adapter lead for in-car charging.

AUSLEC www.auslec.com.au

Analog and digital signal strength meter

AUSLEC

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Do you love your ‘sunburnt country’?

Anecdotal evidence shows that local businesses have grown and local job trainers are seeing an increase in the number of people interested in careers in the renewable energy sector.” A ‘net feed-in tariff’, on the other hand, is money paid to the solar energy producer for whatever energy they don’t consume, which in most cases amounts to very little compared to gross feed-in tariffs, even though the cents-per-kWhour rates are very similar. Sadly, until these other states legislate gross feed-in tariffs, their current arrangements provide insufficient incentive for the community or businesses to invest in solar PV installations. The CEO of the Australia New Zealand Solar Energy Society (ANZSES), John Grimes, says solar energy has the potential to become the leading source of ‘green’ energy in Australia: “The worldwide output of PV systems in 2009 is expected to exceed 15 GW, so it is no longer a ‘fringe’ energy resource. With its projected growth, it will become a major source of electrical jobs in design, installation, supply, commissioning and maintenance. Grimes points out that there are essentially two solar-energy technologies that we can deploy to generate electricity: solarthermal and crystalline/thin-film PVs.

“Solar-thermal involves ‘farms’ of mirrors to heat a boiler, generate steam and

the ACT, you’ll be paid 45.7 cents for every kWhour you produce and feed into the grid. NSW pays a generous 60 cents per kWhour gross feed-in tariff, but only for systems up to 10 kW, which encourages domestic investment in solar PV installations, but not commercial. There are currently over 2700 solar PV panels on roofs in the ACT, up from just 520 when the scheme began 18 months ago. And the ACT Government is also considering expanding the scheme to installations beyond 30 kW, creating a big incentive for commercial and industrial sites to install solar panels. The ACT Minister for Energy, Simon Corbell, recently reported a 520% increase in the number of solar installations on Canberra roofs since feed-in tariffs began in March 2009, adding: “The feed-in tariff is an important way to change the community’s reliance on coal-fired power, but it has also created a new ‘clean economy’.

turn a turbine, like conventional power generation,” explains Grimes. “Crystalline PV systems can ‘upload’ electricity directly onto the grid. This proven technology is being extensively utilised overseas, with a significant commercial by-product of job creation in the electrical industry. In Germany, for example, an estimated 120,000 new direct and indirect jobs have been created to install PV systems and grid connections.” Thin-film PVs have lower production costs than crystalline PVs, but are slightly less efficient; however, new technologies are closing the gap. At the recent ANZSES conference, a Swiss/Japanese consortium announced it would be introducing thin-film PV systems that could achieve price parity in generating electricity within a couple of years, based on today’s energy costs; so imagine how appealing that will be when energy costs rise.

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Government and community activities Naturally, the solar energy industry itself is doing a lot to promote the uptake of photovoltaic (PV) technologies; and several ‘green’ groups have been actively lobbying state and federal governments and communities to adopt greener energy sources, such as solar energy, as a key means to curb greenhouse gas emissions from our mainstream coal-fired electricity plants. The ACT Government, for example, is taking a leadership position in promoting the adoption of solar energy. It was the first state/territory to legislate ‘gross feed-in tariffs’ for consumers who installed solar panels on their properties. At the time of writing, only NSW and the ACT offer gross feed-in tariffs. All other states/territories still only offer ‘net feed-in tariffs’ to solar energy producers. What does that all mean? Well, if you produce up to 30 kW of solar energy in

The solar energy industry has established itself as a key growth sector. It’s a very exciting time in the renewable energy space. The domestic market is recording exponential growth, due largely to the effective solutions being produced by government policy.

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The iconic patriotic poem ‘My Country’ accurately describes Australia as a “sunburnt country”. The poem’s author, Dorothea Mackellar, was a visionary far before her time, although she didn’t realise the significance of her statement. Neither did the millions of Aussies who sang it for the next hundred years after her, and maybe you’re one of them too. The sunshine that constantly bakes our country is an untapped resource that’s worth more than gold, yet it has been going to waste for decades. In fact, because we’ve ignored the sun’s value as an energy resource, we’ve polluted our country by burning billions of tonnes of fossil fuels to produce electricity. Okay, it’s time to get off the ‘soap box’ and stop making everyone feel guilty about using electricity. But you have to admit, with so much sunshine on our entire continent, the harvesting of solar energy makes perfect sense in a country like Australia. There are many solar energy initiatives that are underway in Australia, although some are better than others. Let’s have a look at some of the better initiatives by government, industry and the community itself. Some you may be well aware of, but some you may not. And it might give you some ideas of how you could promote solar energy to your clients or within your own organisation.

“

The ACT Minister for Energy recently reported a 520% i n c re a s e

the

number of solar installations

Canberra roofs since feed-in tariffs began in March 2009.

”

grid connections. Atop the building are three work areas representative of typical Australian roofs — pitched cement tile, pitched corrugated iron and flat ‘cliplock’ roofing. The students are taught to design the orientation and fixings of the PV panels and their reticulation into the building. Safety is a significant aspect in the course, because of the unconventional nature of PV systems. Electricians are used to working on installations that either aren’t live or can be easily turned off. But with solar PVs, they instantly generate electricity when there is sunlight on them. “Once the students fix the solar panels to the roofs, we have to drape blankets over the panels to stop them generating electricity,” explains the Project Manager and Senior Educator at RMIT, Herbert Weber. “And from there, we spend a lot of time instructing the students on how to safely wire up the inverter and grid connection. It takes some time for the students to get out of their traditional electrical mode and remember that solar installations have two energy sources — the PV panels and the grid. Working on an electrical system with PVs attached means ensuring all power sources are isolated.” Each of the systems can be connected to data cabling, allowing the information from the inverter to be transmitted directly into the classrooms below. This allows students to monitor conditions on the roof from the classroom, giving them first-hand knowledge and practical experience into the operations of solar energy systems in real time. Weber adds: “Practical training in solar grid installation, monitoring and occupational health and safety will really benefit students looking to go into a career in this area.” The students attending this course at present are all qualified electricians, not apprentices. There are even electrical inspectors participating in the course. This is indicative of the significant market demand that exists for tradespeople skilled in solar PV system installation, commissioning and regulating. Solar energy provides us with a real opportunity to exploit the advantages of living in a sunburnt country and, in the process, help preserve our environment.

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Industry activities The electrical and communications engineering company O’Donnell Griffin has had a significant commitment to the commercial solar sector over several years and expects its business to record strong growth in the coming years. Commenting on the commercial solar market, O’Donnell Griffin National Service Manager Andrew Cross says: “The industry has established itself as a key growth sector. It’s a very exciting time in the renewable energy space. The domestic market is on fire and recording exponential growth, which is due really to the effective solutions being produced by government policy. “The commercial solar market is not yet as active, mainly because incentives and rebates for larger systems are not yet as attractive. But I’m looking forward to the opportunities that are definitely going to emerge here. “These opportunities will also move forward when we achieve tariff parity, where the cost to generate solar power is the same as buying it from the grid. “Initiatives such as the Perth Solar City program are government driven, and that support is really going to be important for the industry as well.” Looking globally at the potential of PVs that can be integrated into a building’s fabric, a recent report from US-based market research and analysis firm NanoMarkets predicts US$8.2 billion in revenues by 2015 from that sector alone. Having said all that, it should be understood that identifying the technologies to produce electricity from sunlight is only half the task. Of equal importance is the skill required to install PV systems and connect them to the grid. And because it is a relatively new market in Australia, the number of people skilled in these areas is very limited. Addressing this gap in the electrical industry, the RMIT University School of Engineering (TAFE) in Melbourne established a new solar technology training facility on the rooftop of one of the high-rise buildings of the university earlier this year. At a cost of approximately $730,000, the facility enables students to experience ‘real-life’ solar PV installations and

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Available from & recommended by Auslec. Use the locator at www.auslec.com.au to find your nearest branch.

LED Highbay light

The Legrand LED Satellite is an energy-saving solution to help buildings achieve Green Star ratings. Using less than 1 W of power in standby mode for a single point unit (SPU), the LED Satellites are suitable for all emergency lighting applications, including both new and retrofit installations. With superior D40 classification, fewer fittings can be installed, thereby saving costs, because of the greater coverage span per unit. And the choice of four dish sizes provides greater flexibility when covering holes, particularly when updating old light fittings.

Fire-rated singlecore cables Olex has changed its fire-rated cable brand name from Pyrolex to Alsecure Premium and added new cables to the range. The Alsecure Premium Flex Ceramifiable firerated flexible single-core products are rated to 0.6/1 kV, 110 V and WS52W. Used in mains and sub-mains electrical applications, these cables form the heart of commercial building power delivery and continue to work even in the event of a fire.

MicroTech Coveralls comply with European Standards Type 5 and Type 6 chemicalprotective clothing requirements. They are manufactured from breathable, high structural strength material with high tensile and tear resistance, low linting and antistatic properties. The coveralls protect against hazardous fibres and particles, water-based liquid chemicals, aerosols, biological hazards, viruses and bloodborne pathogens. They have elastic hood, wrists, waist and ankles, and a double reinforced zipper with cover-flap and peeloff, self-adhesive tape for added protection. Generous sizing, reinforced crotch pleats and double-bound surge seam add to the garment’s comfort and tear resistance. The coverall is suitable for asbestos removal, accident attendance, synthetic mineralfibre installation and eradication, food/ pharmaceutical/industrial manufacturing and maintenance, painting and spraying, mining, biological hazards and viral/bacteria protection.

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Energy-saving LED satellites

Protective coveralls

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The Tigerlight LED Highbay has been designed and developed to replace traditional 400 W metal-halide highbay fixtures for commercial, industrial and other rugged applications. LED highbays are engineered to offer maximum energy savings — up to 60% compared to traditional HID and metal-halide fittings — and substantially reduce maintenance costs due to their long service life (50,000 hours). The lamp features instant start-up, important in maintaining site safety and security. The IP54-rated highbay is lightweight (6.9 kg) and easy to install. It has a power factor of 0.95 and a working ambient temperature range of -25 to 45°C.

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IP65-rated outdoor lighting The MaxiMaster range of 250/400 W outdoor light fittings is constructed from a pressure-die-cast LM6 (low copper) aluminium alloy housing and face-frame with durable powder-coat finish, high-impact and thermal-shock-resistant 4 mm thick tempered glass cover. The fittings feature a silicone twin-sealing system providing IP65-rated weather protection, galvanised steel mounting bracket with stainless steel locking bolts, integral control gear rated to 40째C Ta, hinged lens-door with captive stainless-steel screws or optional tool-free fastening quick-clips, high-purity anodised-aluminium optical reflectors and purpose-designed GMRX optics to satisfy the pedestrian crossing standard. The lights are suitable for loading docks, storage yards, security lighting and illumination of buildings, structures, industrial plants and mine sites.

The Hi-Viz Roll-out speed hump is designed to reduce the speed of vehicles in areas where traffic may cause safety concerns. The product is highly portable, making it quick and easy to deploy when and where required. It rolls up for convenient storage and rolls out for quick deployment in any area.

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Roll-out speed hump

Cloth wipes WYPALL* X80 Wipers are purpose-designed wipes that weigh five times less than standard rags and take up less space, thereby reducing storage needs. They also occupy less space in transportation and landfill when being disposed of, compared with conventional waste rags. The smaller size of the wipes also helps reduce the costs associated with disposal plus the environmental cost of the landfill itself. The wipes are available in jumbo rolls or as single sheets.

Weatherproof enclosures The Fibox MCE weatherproof e n c l o s u re s a re d e s i g n e d f o r photovoltaic applications, including the protection of DC breakers. The UV-resistant polycarbonate enclosures are IP65 rated and supplied with TPE gaskets to provide weatherproof seals. The surfacemounting enclosures are available in 5- and 9-pole formats (as load centres with no earth or neutral bar). Metric-sized knockouts are available on all sides of the enclosure.

Crimping pliers

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The 1212057 crimping pliers are intended for use on insulated cable lugs that have cross-sectional areas ranging from 0.75 to 6.0 mm2. These high-quality pliers are part of an extensive range of professional hand tools designed for cutting, stripping, crimping, fixing and testing.

Stainless steel enclosures The Eaton XBS range of enclosures has been manufactured from corrosiveresistant 316 stainless steel with an N4 surface finish, which provides protection in harsh environments such as mining, wastewater, food and beverage, wharfs, shipyards, chemical environments and agriculture industries. The enclosures are available in eight different designs including wall- and flange-mount versions, sloped-roof versions, terminal boxes and floor-standing cabinets in a range of sizes. The fully welded enclosures feature a polyurethane gasket to ensure long-life IP66 rating and simple installation procedures.

You all know the frustration and anguish of trying to find important information on safety for your business. How often have you searched for something specific about safety for your industry or occupation — something you use regularly and know what it looks like, but can’t put your hands on it? Workplace safety is a daily function of industrial businesses. Not only is it mandated, but it’s also the right thing to do. Naturally you or your designated safety officer keeps up to date with safety regulations by checking the safety regulators’ websites and the latest in PPE in safety mags and suppliers’ websites, but it can be a full-time job just searching for safety information that deals specifically with your industry. Sometimes, no matter how hard you search, you can’t find what you’re looking for. Sure, you’re very familiar with the WorkCover and WorkSafe websites, but what about sources of more detailed and industry-specific information? Firstly, you should subscribe to the e-newsletters of the safety regulator in your state. They all publish newsletters, and it’s a great way to be kept up to date without having to go out and look for safety information. Safety is a core aspect of Auslec’s business and we’ve done plenty of research into safety over the years, so we thought we’d share with you a few of the lesser-known information resources that have been valuable to us. We’ve done the work, so you won’t have to. You may already know some of these websites, but please be sure to check the ones you don’t know, because we’re confident you’ll find something use-

ful in them. You may also want to file this page somewhere handy so you can refer to the websites from time to time. www.msds.com.au — Hosts several thousand Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) that can be searched by product name or company name and then downloaded or emailed. It has a modest annual fee for the service. A US-based website — www.msds.com — provides a similar service, although it has over 3.5 million MSDS and it’s free. www.fpaa.com.au — Fire Protection Association of Australia website provides a wide range of information relating to fire protection and response, including technical bulletins, guidelines on emergency responses and water conservation, a list of providers of fire safety products and services, and lists of relevant Australian and international fire standards. www.fsc.gov.au — Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner website, providing safety guidance for the construction industry. The site includes numerous publications on construction safety, the Building Code of Australia and safety accreditation schemes. The site also features a handy list of additional safety- and building-related websites that are categorised by state. www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au — Website of Australia’s independent statutory authority for workplace health and safety, and workers compensation. The site provides extensive safety guidance specific to many industries and occupations including mining, construction, manufacturing and transportation; and regulatory and legal information on the soon-to-be-released

Workplace Health and Safety Act. It also puts out calls to industry for public comment on changes to regulations. www.aioh.org.au — Website for Australia Institute of Occupational Hygienists that promotes workplace hygiene, primarily in industrial environments. The website has handy lists of service providers, training programs and publications dealing with industrial hygiene. www.fpma.com.au — Fall Protection Manufacturers Association of Australia website contains information on working safely at height. It lists comprehensive technical guidance notes on choosing and using fall protection equipment, inspection and certification procedures, proper equipment installation and relevant regulations and standards. www.saiglobal.com.au — Lists all Australian and numerous international standards, including safety- and industry-specific standards. A very useful search function helps find standards by keyword, subject or publisher. Once a standard is found, all of the parts of the standard and even superseded issues are displayed. All of the documents can be purchased and downloaded from the site. In some instances, a preview can be downloaded free to provide an overview of the document. Several law firms that specialise in workplace safety also produce some valuable articles that help understand OHS regulations and legislation, as well as report on important court decisions. Visit sites like www.nortonrose.com.au, www.middletons. com.au and www.douglaslpt.com.au to access a wealth of safety information.

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Accessing SAFETY INFORMATION

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Smart Spot

Hexa

Luxspace

Think LED Lighting, Think Philips High efficiency sustainable downlight solutions In our endeavor to meet the needs of our customers, we are constantly pushing the limits. Our innovation pipeline is delivering new, responsible forms of lighting that improve peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience of light. LED lighting offers energy-saving solutions that help us create a sustainable future. highly energy efficient quality & intense white light dimmable long lifetime minimised maintenance For more information contact Philips on 1300 304 404 or lightingsalesdesk@philips.com