ECD Solutions Jan/Feb 2012

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ECD SOLUTIONS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

CONTENTS

FROM THE EDITOR

By the time you read this, the holiday season will be pretty much over and it’ll be time to get back to the grind! Hopefully you’ve had a chance to enjoy the

4

Outsmarted

8

Apprenticeships 101 - What you need to know about hiring an electrical apprentice

festivities and some time with friends and family, as well as recharge the batteries.

We’re already a month into 2013 and I suspect it will move just as quickly as last year did.

11 Comms + Data

13

Designing a cabling solution for the NBN

18

Why you should care about data

26

Intelligence in cabling infrastructure

This issue we are focusing on all things ‘smart’. This was an interesting theme, as the more I thought about it, the more I found myself asking just what constitutes ‘smart’ nowadays? It’s a term that’s been bandied about for a while and covers everything from phones to homes. Now we talk about smart grids, smart meters,

29 Automation + Security

30

On closer inspection

34

Changing the way we flick the switch

smart drives, smart cars and smart cards.

It touches all aspects of the industry from cabling to automation, security and distribution.

As much as ‘smart’ is about products, systems and infrastructure, so too is it about ideas and concepts, so you’ll find case studies that highlight a smarter way

39 Electrical Distribution

of doing things, a new idea or a new

41

articles to help you address the changing

Smart meters friend or foe

approach. There are also some technical landscape of your industry and, of course, we round out the issue with a swag of new and interesting products.

Cover: ©iStockphoto.com/Pagadesign

We hope you are enjoying the new ECD Solutions format and finding some-

49 Efficiency + Renewables

54

Solar takes to the high seas

will be focusing on Green Energy, covering

58

The first all-carbon solar cell

energy efficiency and renewables among

64

Financing energy-efficiency improvement works

As always, we welcome your feedback, so

thing of interest within these pages. Keep your eye out for the next issue, where we

other topics. feel free to get in touch with comments or suggestions.

NOW in DIGITAL! Your copy of ECD Solutions is now available as an online eMag.

http://www.ECDsolutions.com.au/latest_issues

Dannielle Furness - Editor ecd@westwick-farrow.com.au

OUTSMARTED ŠiStockphoto.com/ShutterWorx

Dannielle Furness

Smart homes have been the talk of technology for decades, but never really hit the widestream acceptance that was predicted. From the heady space-age promises of the Jetsons to simple single-lamp lighting controls - did we outstmart ourselves?

4 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

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I

t seems like we’ve been talking about intelligent buildings and smart homes for decades and that’s probably because we have. Apparently, the phrase ‘smart home’ was first used by the American Association of House Builders in 1984. Quite frankly, I’ve been unable to determine the context in which it used. After hours of combing the internet to uncover the reason behind that now familiar phrase first being uttered by a builder, I’ve come up with nothing. Nevertheless, here we are nearly 30 years on and there’s no sign of the vast smart home technology uptake that was predicted. Sure, a focus on sustainability and efficiency has meant that it’s rare to find a new commercial building without some sort of integrated controls or energy management system, but smart homes are still not as prevalent as we thought they’d be.

There’s a million theories around why acceptance of technology in the home has been so limited: it’s expensive, there’s no common protocol or standard and, dependent on the system, it’s either difficult or near impossible to retrofit into an existing home.

Based on those few issues alone, suddenly the potential market size has shrunk from the total number of dwellings in Australia or New Zealand to new homes owned by tech-savvy individuals who’ve had time to research and are in the top income tax bracket. Try getting that market information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

It really started to feel like things were happening in the smart home industry in the nineties, which is no surprise. The economy was in good shape, jobs were secure, spending was up and the housing market was booming - perfect conditions for a product that focused on lifestyle benefits and ‘keeping up with the Joneses’. Now, in a post-GFC world, things aren’t quite as carefree and the average punter probably has more pressing concerns than whether or not they need to stand up to dim the lights, or simply must activate the spa heater on the drive home from work.

As far as technology goes, it doesn’t seem like smart home equipment has kept up with the pace of its cousins. Changes in computing and telephony, mobile or otherwise, have been huge, obvious and rapid. In fact, around about the same time the phrase smart home was seemingly coined, business people and billionaires in Australia were talking on Telecom’s 1G ‘mobile’ phones. They weighed a tonne, practically required the passenger seat in the car, cost about $10,000 and boasted

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a battery life of a couple of hours. If I can buy a smarter, faster, functionally superior phone today for about one hundredth of the price of a phone in the 80s, why does the price of smart home technology not follow?

Of course, this has it’s upside: “The technology you buy today will still be relevant in five years” is quite a sales pitch.

Economic circumstance aside, I’ve always suspected that there are deeper issues at play when it came to the lack of broad uptake and it turns out I might have been on to something. In 2001, French-based mobile phone carrier Orange set up a fully equipped smart home in Hertfordshire in the UK. It was intended to showcase new technologies, but also to have families live in the home so they could determine how people really interacted with smart systems. As part of the process, Orange commissioned Professor Richard Harper of the Digital World Research Centre at the University of Surrey to study the families and report the findings.

The house was decked out with the usual bits and pieces: lighting, heating, security, AV, curtains and appliances which could be controlled through WAP, SMS and wireless technologies on PDAs (well, it was 2001) and web tablets. They expected a degree of diffidence towards some of the technologies and it seemed they were right.

According to Harper, the biggest problem was a perception of over-complexity. As smart home concepts had largely been drawn from intelligent commercial buildings, the functionality was often seen as unnecessary.

Multifunction wall panels offered too much choice; common in a commercial environment, but deemed overkill in a residence. In addition, conflict arose among family members as they vied for ultimate ownership and control over the devices and systems. Seems we conduct ourselves somewhat differently in the home than we do at work. Hopefully.

Given the age of the study, a number of other findings have become somewhat irrelevant, due to advances in ICT since the research was conducted, but the overall premise is that the industry was too focused on pushing technology without due regard for usability. It seems that consumers want communication and connection, not automation. Makes sense and at least goes a little way to explaining why the industry never boomed as envisaged.

Harper’s look to the future called for a common standard to permit easy exchange of information between technologies.

He determined this as fundamental to the

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 5

SMART BUILDINGS

IT SEEMS THAT CONSUMERS WANT COMMUNICATION AND CONNECTION, NOT AUTOMATION.

success of the smart home industry. Technical and commercial considerations mean that this is still not the case and that proprietary protocols are still pretty much the norm.

Orange obviously determined that there was indeed a future in smart homes. At the 2012 Digital Home World Summit in London, a number of European telco providers, including Orange, announced their intention to enter the smart home market. Swiss-based Swisscom will launch a suite of smart home services including monitoring (home and energy) and home automation. This is in addition to a service they currently offer through a joint venture which monitors energy use and turns devices on and off through powerline plugs. Spain’s Telefonica will also take a punt on the industry, as will Deutsche Telekom.

Both companies intend to offer a gateway that will enable connectivity required for utility providers.

So, will the model we are used to still be with us in the long term? As it stands today, a homeowner wanting smart home technology needs to speak with a specialist and have a system designed that will meet their current needs and consider future additional requirements. Load controllers are determined by the equipment in the home (lighting, pumps, window dressings, AV equipment etc) and, while wireless systems exist, they are generally regarded as less robust than wired solutions, so someone will need to come in and pull the data cables. Integration devices are required for subsystems to talk to one another. There are choices to be made about user interfaces: mobile devices, sensors, wall panels, time clocks and touch screens. The load controllers and integration gateways need to be located somewhere that meets space and ventilation requirements. Once the system is designed and installed, it still needs to be programmed to function as required. The entire process is complex, time-consuming and requires specialist skills, so it’s no wonder that it is still relatively expensive.

Will this be the norm in decades to come, or will we see a move to smaller interconnected elements rather than a whole dedicated system? There are new ideas popping up every day that challenge the traditional control concepts and are attracting investment dollars.

At the simple end of the scale is LIFX, an energy-efficient, multicoloured LED light bulb that is controlled using Wi-Fi via a smartphone app. Launched on web-based funding platform Kickstarter in September 2012, designers of the product were looking to attract US$100,000 from investors. At pledge closing in mid-November, they had received a total US$1,314,542 from 9236 backers, more than 10 times their investment goal.

The product is simple and the sales pitch even simpler: “No electricians or ugly control boxes.” It performs basic lighting control functions including on/off/dim up/dim down, and can be programmed to animate to music and change colours to match any decor. According to the Kickstarter website, the LIFX uses a master/slave concept to connect to a home Wi-Fi router via 802.11n, then on to each of the other bulbs via an 802.15.4 mesh network. They claim that the lamp is rated to 40,000 h/up to 25-year standards. There’s no information on pricing at this stage, but that kind of lamp life suggests they won’t be giving them away.

The LIFX is not the only new invention to challenge the traditional conventions. The Spark Socket screws into a standard light bulb socket and connects for control in much the same way as the LIFX, again over Wi-Fi via a smartphone app. The difference with Spark Socket is the promotion of an open application programming interface (API), which means that any developer can create an app to interact with the lights featuring the Spark Socket. In effect, lights could then change based on the weather or a Twitter feed. Spark Socket’s inventors also claim that lighting is just the beginning and that they are partnering with a number of companies to provide “an ecosystem of products that

6 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

work together through open standards and collaboration”.

Neither product is currently commercially available, but the interest in funding suggests that there is definitely a market.

While controllable light bulbs and sockets are not direct competition in the short term for established providers of full integrated smart home technology, they do provide an entry-level product which will undoubtedly fill the needs of the low end of the market.

Think of it as a flat screen TV for someone who dreamed of a full-scale home theatre; it’s enough to scratch the itch.

It’s interesting that both examples address the issues that have long plagued the industry and those that were identified in Harper’s analysis of the Orange house study. Usability is a key factor in product development; designers have opted for control methods via a familiar interface - the ubiquitous smartphone. They are also actively promoting open standards and communication, with a view to simpler interconnectivity and integration.

On the other side of the coin, demand for energy efficiency and smart systems in commercial buildings is on the rise. An increase in the number of efficiency rating schemes, both government mandated and self-declared, has ensured that technology has a permanent place in enterprise.

It seems we can turn a blind eye to usability when we are in the office. Usage patterns are different, ambiance is not as valued and the approach to funding is nothing like building a home. No one is going to have to choose between the European appliances and granite benchtops or the building automation system.

Everyone just wants a Green Star rating.

None of this is to suggest the death of the smart home industry, it’s obviously doing well enough to support a healthy number of suppliers and installers in ANZ, but things won’t stay the same. Other technologies will appear and one of them may just be disruptive enough to turn the market on its head. Hope we haven’t outsmarted ourselves.

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APPRENTICESHIPS 101

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HIRING AN ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE Alice Richard

AACs, RTOs, GTOs, RPL, VET - the jargon surrounding Australian apprenticeships is enough to confound even the savviest operator. Fortunately there’s plenty of assistance available to help employers navigate the complicated world of apprenticeships. There are two ways to engage an apprentice: either through a group training organisation (GTO) or through your business.

Outsource your apprenticeship

DIY apprenticeship

Using the services of a GTO is an easy way to engage an apprentice. The GTO actually employs the apprentice, while your company ‘hosts’ them. The GTO takes care of all the paperwork, wages and associated costs while your business pays a management fee for the service.

Employing through a GTO is a good option for small to medium businesses that might not have enough work for a full-time apprentice or simply don’t have the time to handle the administrative side of things. GTOs can arrange for you to share an apprentice with another business if you don’t have enough work for an ongoing or full-time position.

The only downside to going through a GTO is that your business is not entitled to any government incentives as you are not officially the employer. You will be covered, however, if you find that you don’t have enough work for your apprentice or your circumstances change, in which case the GTO is responsible for finding alternative employment for the apprentice.

If you decide to employ an apprentice yourself you’re not on your own either. The federal government funds Australian Apprenticeship Centres (AACs) that offer a support service to all employers.

8 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

“The AAC service is free,” said Linda Nall, Group Marketing Manager for MEGT. “AACs will take care of everything from commencement to completion.”

AACs can also help you find an apprentice by advertising the position and forwarding the applications on to you, Nall said. Once you’ve found your apprentice, an AAC representative will come to you and complete the apprenticeship sign-up.

From there, they’ll help you access all your entitlements. Employers can receive up to $12,350 in government incentives for electrical apprenticeships. AACs will also help manage the ongoing administration of the apprentice’s training. If you employ an apprentice directly, you’re responsible for taking care of wages, superannuation and other related costs, as with any other employee.

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APPRENTICESHIPS

ALTHOUGH THE APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM SEEMS CONFUSING AND DAUNTING, YOU’LL BE SUPPORTED

©iStockphoto.com/Banks Photos

ALONG THE WAY.

Although the apprenticeship system seems confusing and daunting, whether you decide to go with a GTO or employ an apprentice yourself, you’ll be supported along the way.

“Employing an apprentice can initially seem like a complicated exercise but the federally funded Australian Apprenticeship Centres (AACs) exist to make the process very smooth,” said Nick Debere, VERTO Chief Operating Officer.

“AACs like VERTO manage the administration of the apprenticeship, advise on what incentives are available and how to claim them and then make regular contact visits over the time of the apprenticeship to ensure it’s all going smoothly. We also have links to mentoring programs, scholarships and other support services to help employers and apprentices through the training period.”

The fine print Whether you go with a GTO or hire an apprentice yourself, there are several things you’ll need to do. You must have a valid training contract registered with your state or territory training authority.

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The contract protects both the employer’s and the apprentice’s interests and outlines your obligations and your apprentice’s obligations to you.

Don’t worry - you don’t need to be a lawyer to organise a training contract. Once you’ve found your apprentice, get in touch with an AAC and they’ll arrange the paperwork for you. If you’re going through a GTO, they’ll automatically take care of this for you.

Your AAC will also help you select a registered training organisation (RTO). As an employer of an apprentice, you’re allowed to select the RTO of your choice. You can also negotiate how, when and where the training is delivered so you can tailor the training to suit your needs.

The training contract sets out all the rights and obligations of both the employer and the apprentice. As an employer, your key obligations are to: • Ensure your apprentice has access to the full range of work required to develop the skills and industry knowledge they need on the job.

• Provide a qualified or experienced person to facilitate training and supervise the apprentice in the workplace.

• Allow your apprentice time off work with pay to undertake training and assessment delivered by the RTO. • Observe your apprentice’s progress and confirm they are developing the required skills and knowledge by liaising regularly with the RTO and keeping records up to date.

• Ensure your apprentice is covered by your workers compensation policy for the duration of their training contract.

• Pay your apprentice the award rate, at a minimum.

Get a Kickstart As an added incentive to sign up an apprentice, the federal government has launched the $57.5 million Kickstart initiative, which means an extra $3350 for employers who take on an apprentice between 1 December 2012 and 28 February 2013.

The Kickstart incentive is only available for trades that appear on the National Skills Shortage List, and it’s available only for the first 21,000 sign-ups - so you’d better get your skates on if you’re keen on the extra funding.

For more information on AACs, GTOs and the Kickstart initiative, visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 9

NECA believes in acknowledging all members of the industry, so our awards program covers the full spectrum; from contractors and their best projects, identified through our National Excellence Awards, to apprentices recognised for hard work and commitment to the industry, through our Apprentice Awards.

In addition, we showcase secondary school students who demonstrate aptitude and passion for the industry through the Secondary School Student Awards. Finally, the Trade Teacher Awards recognise the most committed teachers who are critical to the development of tomorrow’s well-skilled and informed workers.

2012 was a stellar year for our industry - among the winners, Cameron Cherry from Perth’s College of Electrical Training (CET) took out the Trade Teacher Award. Cameron was recognised by his employer and nominated as “an outstanding trainer, who has shown considerable commitment and dedication to both CET and his students”.

Budding electrical stars are recognised in two categories: Innovation and Commitment to Industry. The winner in the Innovation category was Michael Holian for development of an electronic hydroponic system. Second prize was awarded to Anton Cuschieri for a bomb disposal robot and third prize was shared between Manasi Vazirani for airport guiding lights and Benjamin Di Mieri for his automated pool table.

In the Commitment to Industry category, first prize went to Thomas Shilling, recognised as “a very talented and academic individual who has shown an exceptional amount of perseverance and commitment to his desired career path”. Second-prize honours went to Jacob Humphris, whom judges describe as having “a great deal of promise, with a strong technical ability”.

Lochlan Nelson picked up third place producing “a good effort of securing work experience and integrating into industry”.

Best electrical apprentices were also named, recognising Yoel Meinrath in the Communications category. Yoel intends to give back through taking on apprentices of his own. Tobias Barnes was acknowledged as best in the Industrial category for consistently displaying a professional work ethic that exceeded

10 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

all expectations. Elijah Taylor was judged joint best apprentice in the Commercial/Domestic category and will continue to study and develop further skills with a view to design and management. His cohort in the award was Roland Hill, who has dreams of taking his skills to Antarctica.

The Excellence Awards cover a range of categories: the Commercial Project is subdivided into small, medium and large, with honours going to Stowe Australia ACT, Tyrone Electrical Services and Stowe Australia NSW respectively. The winner of the Voice/Data category was Fibre Optics Design and Construct; Energy Efficiency and Environment was taken home by Shepherd Electrical. Downer Infrastructure West took out the WHS accolade. Industrial Project - Small belonged to ECM and Large to O’Donnell Griffin. In the Domestic Residence (value under $1m) category, Automated Innovation took home the trophy. Finally, Rakis Electrics was bestowed top prize in the Small Contracting Business category.

The winning companies and individuals were chosen because of their commitment to excellence. It’s encouraging to see the level of sophistication in the industry at the moment.

Congratulations to all.

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©iStockphoto.com/nsj-images

RECOGNISING THE BEST

NECA/National Electrical & Communications Association www.neca.asn.au

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COMMS + DATA

©iStockphoto.com/Maxim Filipchuk ©iStockphoto.com/zilli

CABLING SOLUTIONS

DESIGNING A CABLING SOLUTION FOR THE NBN The NBN is rolling out nationwide, presenting new opportunities for cablers and installers. Finding a cabling solution for new housing developments that takes into account the potential requirements of a range of residents requires cooperation with the builder and a bit of consideration at the planning stage.

M

odern homes are built to meet the needs of a diverse range of residents: families, students, professionals, downsizers and many others. High-density living attracts a diverse range of occupants who may stay only a short time or plan to retire in a home for life. This mix of people and needs is so complex that developers really need to offer flexible and dynamic building designs in order to attract investment.

As cablers and installers, there is a need to provide adaptable installations that meet the current and future requirements of the contemporary resident.

The advent of the National Broadband Network (NBN) and fibre to the home (FttH) projects provides an avenue for cablers and installers to truly add value to an installation. These schemes present the ability to offer competitive options for service delivery, such as internet and television, and the scope to expand and evolve over time. In order to provide the best solution possible, electrical professionals need to think beyond pulling wire. It really pays to have a clear view of the big picture and factor in the following: understand the long-term value of the communications infrastructure as a utility and make it a real part of the home design; provide space for networking equipment that can be upgraded over time; and install quality data cabling, including TV locations.

The design of new homes and apartments does provide some challenges though. Apartments, in particular, can be short on available space. Installers are required to find inventive solutions

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to utilise available space for all components: the electronic hardware, wiring and all the connecting cables. In addition, there is the value of workmanship and the importance of safety to consider.

When planning the installation, a number of factors need to be considered: how much space the equipment and cables will need (the NBN Co provides guidelines on standard NBN equipment and the clearances required in a document titled ‘Key Information for Builders and Cablers’); how electronic equipment can be cooled - will venting be needed if the equipment is enclosed?; wireless device compatibility; how to make the installation safe, including consideration of patch cords and routers); how to protect the installation from accidental damage; future-proofing to allow for equipment size changes; making the installation look neat to match the investment of the home and included appointments; factoring in future buyers whose needs may be very different; and providing easy access for repairs or changes.

As with making any design decision, it’s best to compare options.

The first option is also probably the most cost-effective solution and illustrated in Figure 1. To facilitate equipment installation, this alternative requires the provision of nothing more than wall space by the developer or homeowner. Standard equipment includes the network termination device (NTD) supplied by the network provider and the backup power equipment, along with provision for any required routing gateways from internet or television service providers. All of this equipment is typically wall surface mounted

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 13

CABLING SOLUTIONS

AS WITH MAKING ANY DESIGN DECISION, IT’S BEST TO COMPARE OPTIONS.

Figure 2.

Figure 1. and will require the provision of power. Connections for in-home cabling to rooms and equipment locations can be provided using cables terminated on faceplates that house the number of outlets required for the installation. The faceplates would ideally feature integral labels, providing the user with an easy identification system, clearly demonstrating where the sockets correspond to the cabled wall outlets in the residence.

The second option, illustrated in Figure 2, demonstrates a solution with provision for a dedicated enclosure for cabling. Rather than faceplates, the housing uses patch panels to provide a higher density concentration of connections, as well as neatly housing the excess cordage from connecting leads.

In this instance, the NTD, backup power equipment and routing gateways still require space to locate externally on a wall surface.

As shown in the installation illustration, the home distributor would most likely be mounted adjacent to the network provider equipment.

While providing a higher concentration of network connections, this option leaves equipment exposed. This may be useful for service access, but can lead to accidental damage or unwanted interference.

The third option, illustrated in Figure 3, is to provide a housing for the majority of the equipment and cabling. Ideally, this housing is an enclosure that can accommodate a large number of outlets, as well as providing an avenue for unexposed power for the equipment. Use of such an enclosure also provides the ability to recess the distributor into a wall cavity, ensuring that the door can be closed to provide a greater level of safety, storage and protection from accidental damage.

From a safety and an aesthetic point of view, this option could be described as ‘ideal’. In this installation the equipment and cabling can be co-located, while the enclosure provides vents for active

14 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Figure 3. equipment and is made of a non-metallic material to allow for the fitting of wireless networking equipment. The internal space will accommodate equipment from a variety of network providers and service providers, as well as facilitate home networking needs.

In addition, most of the enclosure can be recessed in the wall cavity, allowing for many connectivity options and for customers to specify one enclosure for nearly all applications. From a future-proofing perspective, this solution caters to the needs of a variety of residents, avoiding a scenario where valuable wall space is taken up by additional equipment, creating a less than aesthetically pleasing outcome.

Given that the NBN rollout is the largest infrastructure project in Australia, it’s no surprise that there is a lot of information available to the consumer. The NBN Co website contains published documents on every aspect of the development: from the planned rollout timetable through to end-user troubleshooting guides, so it’s fair to assume that most consumers will be fairly informed on the available options. This is an opportunity for the electrical contractor to work with builders and developers to ensure that the solution being delivered is the best option for the project, not simply the cheapest or most convenient. As outlined, there are a range of options when providing a power and communications wiring solution for the NBN, but it is certainly advisable to consider future requirements and to treat communications as a new utility that requires its own space and careful planning to make the most of the technology on offer in the new competitive communications world.

Schneider Electric Aust Pty Limited Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/R596

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TelecomTest Solutions

PDUs and eco Sensors Energy Man-

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S184

agement Software, the EC1000 allows organisations to upgrade its cabinet with remote energy management functionality to make a server room go green quickly and cost-effectively.

Power meters

The PE1216/PE1324 Energy PDU

The SmartClass Fiber OLP-87 FTTH PON Meter and

features a space-saving 0U design

OLP-82 Power Meter are optical handheld devices

that allows it to be mounted verti-

that combine leading accuracy power measurements

cally on the outside of a rack - a

with pass/fail fibre inspection into a single portable

more efficient use of space in the

appliance. The combination drives user workflow and

server room. When integrated with the

behaviour, encourages best practice and improves

Energy Box, real-time environmental

overall quality of work with integrated certification.

conditions can be monitored via the

It reduces the number of tools and peripheral required

EC1000’s front panel at the rack or

and enables installation, commissioning or trouble-

via Web GUI remotely.

shooting of fibre anywhere in the network.

ATEN International

AFC Group Pty Ltd

http://www.aten.com

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S013

16 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

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©iStockphoto.com/loops7

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT DATA Adrian Briscoe - General Manager APAC

The role of the electrical contractor continues to expand and diversify. As the call for increased capacity in data centres continues and clean-up and augmentation projects boom, it’s worth having an understanding of other elements within the food chain. Adrian Briscoe, General Manager APAC for Kroll Ontrack, gives some insight into important issues around data destruction and asset disposal.

R

ecently, a lot has been written about solid state drives (SSDs) and their role in enterprise storage. These articles include several comparisons of solid state drives and mechanical drives in RAID arrays for enterprise applications. While most of these articles address several very key areas of comparison such as cost, performance, capacity, power, cooling and reliability, they often neglect to consider one of the most important aspects: data recovery and data destruction/asset disposal.

A survey by data forensics experts Garfinkel and Shelat found that over 40% of hard drives collected from eBay and other places had recoverable data and over 30% contained sensitive information, including credit card numbers.

Electrical contractors working on data and comms projects can benefit from understanding good policy for data destruction and asset disposal in a commercial enterprise environment. Good policy recognises that different types of media require different disposal methods. To appreciate the differences in hard disk drive (HDD) and SSD data destruction, it’s useful to understand how data is written to different media. Once that concept is clear, it is easier to grasp why effective destruction is dependent on the selected medium.

In the case of traditional hard disks, data is stored magnetically.

As the read/write heads pass over the magnetic substrate, bits of data are magnetically aligned and oriented in such a way that they can be interpreted as binary data (0s and 1s). A collection of these bits of data are put together to form bytes, which are

18 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

in turn grouped together in what is traditionally referred to as a sector (usually 512 bytes of data).

SSDs are another story; in this arrangement data passes through the RAID controller to the individual SSDs that make up the array. This data is stored in pages that vary in size from SSD to SSD. These pages are then grouped together into erasure blocks, which are in turn zoned together based on the physical address in the flash chip. In this environment, data is not written to the pages sequentially; rather, it is striped across the erasure blocks and managed by the wear-levelling controller. When the data stored on the disk is modified, the wear-levelling controller moves the entire block to a new location and schedules the original block for erasure. In short, the user has no control over where the data is written and updates to files will more often than not end up in new locations on the media.

Knowing the way data is written, different erasure methods and the impact on both HDDs and SSDs can be explored. Data destruction can be categorised into three methods: softwarebased data erasure, degaussing and physical media destruction.

Software-based erasure has been around for a long time and has become more accepted as a method for data destruction as more and more data erasure standards are created and adopted.

Built for HDDs, traditionally this method writes a pattern of data to each sector of the disk in a sequential manner, overwriting the original data and making it unrecoverable while still leaving the HDD functional. This makes software a viable solution for HDDs you want to re-use. For media that stores data like the

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DATA STORAGE

GOOD POLICY RECOGNISES THAT DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDIA REQUIRE DIFFERENT DISPOSAL METHODS.

SSD, this is not a good method for data destruction. The erasure software is not able to control the specific region the data is written to, as this is controlled by the wear-levelling controller.

Arguments have been made that using the TRIM command or other commands built into the SSD will ensure a secure erasure can be performed, but research has shown that these methods are not always successful in removing the data from the drive. So while software erasure is a good solution for HDDs, it does not yet seem to be the right solution for data destruction for SSDs. Hardware-based degaussing has gained traction in recent years as an alternative to software erasure. Pricing for degaussers has dropped and the physical units have gotten better at destroying media. Degaussing works by sending a magnetic pulse through the media. For HDDs, this is a very quick solution that reorients the bits on the disk thus destroying the user data and in most cases rendering the HDD inoperable. For SSDs, this is not an effective solution as the data is not written magnetically, but rather stored electronically.

The safest way to destroy data on both HDD and SSD drives is physical media destruction, which typically involves shredding.

As long as the process ‘shreds’ the SSD media into pieces that are small enough that a single chip cannot escape damage, this is the ultimate data destruction method. Care should be taken, however, to make sure that the shredding is done in such a way

that no loose chips end up untouched in the shredded mass.

If the chip is not damaged by the shredding process, it is still possible to recover data.

Today, leading IT notebook manufacturers are increasingly integrating Flash-based SSDs into their business solution portfolios and consumer products, taking advantage of improved read/write performance, efficient heat dissipation, lower energy consumption and decreasing cost. While the market continues to grow, SSD and Flash storage devices can suffer some of the same causes of data loss as traditional storage devices, such as hardware failure, human error, computer viruses, power surges, natural disasters or software/program corruption.

Therefore, when evaluating solid state against traditional hard disks, make sure to take into consideration the possibility of data loss and the need for data recovery. It could mean the difference between meeting the requirements for enterprise applications and disaster. It is important to keep in mind how data is written to different types of media when developing data destruction and asset disposal plans. Not all erasure and destruction services work with all of the different types of media, so it’s worthwhile speaking with a data recovery specialist prior to purchasing raid controllers or specific drives.

Kroll Ontrack Inc www.krollontrack.com/datarecovery

Data communications oscillators

Cable entry system

Cardinal Components has released a dedicated line

The CES cable entry system from Phoenix Contact

of fixed-frequency data communications oscillators.

allows preassembled cables to be routed into

The COL and COP Series with integrated phase noise

control cabinets in a safe and space-saving man-

from 1.8 to 20 MHz is <90 fs and the 12 kHz to

ner. The cut-outs and mounting dimensions of the

20 MHz is <3 ps.

CES system match the standard dimensions of

Both series are suitable in data communications such as telemedicine - a field that brings patients

NEW PRODUCTS

heavy-duty plug connectors, which are installed in the control cabinet in a standard manner.

and healthcare professionals together by exchanging

Up to 40 cables with IP65 protection can be

voice, video and data over distances when they can’t

routed into the control cabinet through a stand-

meet face to face.

ard cut-out. The slotted sleeves are securely

The COL series is an LVDS output 25 MHz oscillator,

attached in half of the cable inlet frame. They

offered in a 5 x 7 mm ceramic package and operates

can accommodate cables with diameters from

with a supply voltage of 2.5. Current consumption

2 to 34 mm and simultaneously provide strain relief

is <40 mA.

in compliance with the DIN EN 50262 standard.

The COP series is an LVPECL 156.25 MHz and is

New multi-range cone sleeves minimise variance

offered in a 5 x 7 mm ceramic package and operates

and increase flexibility. Due to the CES system’s

with a supply voltage of 3.3. Current consumption is

modular design and ease of use, individual cables can be quickly and conveniently

< 70 mA .

added or replaced at any time. The CES mounting frames contain integrated seals

Both series have extremely low jitter and are appli-

and are available in screw or latch locking versions. Using a snap-on frame, the

cable for equipment providers of data communication.

cable entry system can be simply snapped on without the need for any tools.

Clarke & Severn Electronics

Phoenix Contact Pty Ltd

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S354

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S357

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 19

CASE STUDY

Network upgrade a stepping stone to eHealth

S

ydney Adventist Hospital (SAH) has upgraded its network to support growth and deliver around-theclock connectivity to doctors and other staff.

Sydney Adventist Hospital is a not-for-profit facility of the South Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, located in sunny Wahroonga, New South Wales. The acute-care private hospital has 358 licensed overnight beds and treats around 50,000 inpatients and 170,000 outpatients each year.

The emergency department (ED) admits around 20,000 patients annually, making it the busiest ED of any private hospital in NSW. SAH relies on its network being always available, so that doctors and other staff can access patient records and medical images any time of the day or night. The hospital runs its local area network on Avaya Ethernet Routing Switch 8600 modular core switches and ERS stackable switches. It uses a Virtual Private Network Gateway 3050 to give staff remote access to critical resources, and switch clustering to provide multiple links to all parts of the network.

SAH planned to replace paper-based patient records with electronic health records and network-enable its biomedical and clinical equipment. The hospital was also capturing and uploading data in real time for use by clinicians and medical staff with smartphone and tablet devices, all of which put pressure on its existing network infrastructure.

“We’re also expanding our facilities,” said Chris Williams, Chief Information Officer, Sydney Adventist Hospital. “By 2014, we will have several new buildings, with 200 additional inpatient beds and 12 operating theatres, as well as a new arrivals area, an integrated cancer centre and a teaching facility for healthcare professionals. We needed to update the network to ensure clinicians and other staff across multiple locations had access to patient records whenever required.”

To prepare for this growth and meet the increasing demand for bandwidth, SAH deployed around 5500 ethernet ports using Avaya Ethernet Routing Switch 4500 and 5000 Series switches.

It is also upgrading its network with two Virtual Services Platform 9000 core switches.

“The solution provides our medical staff with network access around the clock and is really resilient,” said Williams. “The increased network speeds also allow hospital staff to quickly transfer diagnostic images to remote locations, and patients benefit from the wireless internet access.”

IT staff can also upgrade core network switches without scheduling downtime, while ‘plug and play’ provisioning allows

deskphone users who are new or moving locations to be set up in minutes, without manual configuration.

“These capabilities significantly reduce time to service and increase uptime, as there’s no outage required for switch upgrades and replacements, or in the event of a switch failure,” said Williams.

“We can now provide internet connectivity to more doctors and other hospital staff than ever before,” said Williams.

Avaya Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S593

Advanced server room environmental monitoring system Interworld Electronics has released the Enviromux-SEMS-2D Advanced Server Environment Monitoring system.

The system uses sensors to monitor critical server room environmental and security conditions. When an environmental sensor exceeds a configurable threshold or a security sensor is triggered, notification is sent via email, alarm beacon, front panel LED indicators, web page notification, network management (SNMP) software or a SMS message (via external GSM or 3G modem).

The system provides two ports for connecting environmental sensors, five dry-contact inputs and one relay output. Environmental sensors include: temperature sensors, humidity sensors, liquid/water and smoke detectors. Security sensors include: power, motion, vibration and intrusion detectors. The system can also ping up to 16 IP addresses to determine if critical server or network equipment is up and running. Networked IP surveillance cameras can be viewed via a web interface and event-triggered IP camera snapshots can be sent via email.

Interworld Electronics&Computer Ind Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S105

20 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Structured cabling terminations The Quick Termination Technology program from TE Connectivity

Next Generation Ethernet Test

outlines the connectivity process of structured cabling solutions for new installers and covers all aspects of cable installation, termination, connection, certification and testing. It is designed around a suite of products which allow the installer to perform quick, consistent and economical cable installations, while addressing the requirements of 40 Gbps copper and 100 Gbps fibre network installations.

The program comprises four key product solutions covering all cable types and cable installations.

Quick fibre termination - LightCrimp Plus. Using the fibre crimper, an installer is able to make fibre-optic terminations using a quick, clean and simple mechanical process. Only a few tools and minimal training are required. The LightCrimp Plus tool allows on-site fibre termination without epoxy, polishing papers, ovens, UV lamps or electrical power.

Quick shielded (STP) copper termination - The AMP-Twist SL tool is capable of terminating copper cable in less than 60 s. The AMPTwist SL tool terminates all types of SL jacks (110C, AMP-Twist 6S; AMP-Twist 6AS and AMP-Twist 7AS). It strips cable, marks the foil, terminates and cuts eight conductors at once, while maintaining the twisted pair integrity for reliable connections every time. Its lacing fixture also assures simple and effective use.

Quick unshielded (UTP) copper termination - The Multimate termination tool has been designed, manufactured, tested and assembled in Australia. It simultaneously terminates and trims all four pairs of conductors in one action.

Quick reel technology - The ReelSpeed2 is a cable reel created to provide an easier, faster and more efficient method of cable rollout.

The Australian-designed cable reel is manufactured with six interlocking pieces that fit together without mechanical fasteners or adhesives.

It is produced from polypropylene and glass fibre - making it strong, durable and recyclable. Unlike traditional cardboard reel boxes, the ReelSpeed technology offers reduced pull force and ease of handling, while providing infinite stacking options that suit both the installer’s preferences and the limited space in which they are working.

TE Connectivity Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S194

Single-sided DECT headset DW Office is a single-sided DECT headset that enables calls to be made in high definition for voice clarity. It uses Active-

Simplify Turn Up and Maintenance for GigE/10GigE and Multiservice Networks • High resolution colour screen • Class leading portability • Intuitive results display and GUI • USB and Ethernet connectivity • Fibre Channel Support • OTN/SDH/PDH

New from Vicom The VeEX range of products from Vicom offer portable, intuitive test tools.

Gard technology to protect hearing and the headset can be connected to both desk phone and softphone.

Other features include: a comfortable design; choice between ear hook and headband style; user interface that mutes microphone and adjusts volume up or down; 8 h battery life in wideband sound mode and 12 h in narrowband sound mode; fast charging; long-distance wireless range up to

For a complete test solution contact us on 1300 360 251 or info@vicom.com.au VeEX leadership – Vicom Support www.vicom.com.au

180 m; protects hearing against acoustic shock and sudden sound surges; noise-cancelling microphone; easy pairing.

Syntec International Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S343

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 21

NEW PRODUCTS

Network visualisation capability The new version of the OptiView XG v9 network analysis tablet from Fluke Networks provides network professionals with an intuitive, graphical view of network infrastructure to help speed up root cause identification and resolve issues quickly. For network engineers troubleshooting unfamiliar infrastructure, the Network Navigator capability reduces the time it takes to understand network issues by instantly and simply displaying network topology and problems.

OptiView XG now includes new inline testing that eliminates the need for an external tap or span port when observing conversations between client and application servers.

This delivers fast and exact insights into real-time traffic flows and visibility into client/ server conversations without the need for packet capture and port spanning. If detailed packet analysis is required, the inline function captures all full line-rate speed, assuring complete analysis. In addition, the productâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s existing network virtualisation feature has been enhanced, increasing visibility into new virtualised architecture, which improves workflow in data centre environments.

Having a clear view of who is plugged into what in the network is a constant challenge and mentally visualising connections made the discovery process more complicated. One click and the Network Navigator draws a line to the server or other device which allows us to logically and physically follow the connections and drill down further for additional details. It essentially allows troubleshooting during the discovery phase, which accelerates problem solving and reduces troubleshooting time by at least 50%, Fluke claims.

Fluke Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S149

Data centre infrastructure management The StruxureWare Data Centre Operation v7.2 Data Centre Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software identifies underutilised servers, enabling the optimisation of IT equipment within the data centre.

Updates to the platform include the addition of IT Power Control and the inclusion of the Cisco UCS Manager Plug-in.

The software helps customers optimise the IT layer of the data centre by focusing on actual IT power consumption, rather than nameplate ratings, and by reducing the power and cooling required to support the IT layer. The platform also provides a report on top power consumers, presenting data centre managers with a list of servers that are likely candidates for upgrades, load sharing or retirement, as well as a report on underutilised and non-utilised servers, helping reduce server sprawl.

Server usage chargeback enables businesses to capture and assign IT costs to individual departments for accurate billing support down to the physical or virtual server level. IT asset auto-discovery saves time and increases accuracy of managed asset inventory.

Auto-association automatically associates discovered IT devices with the inventory, based on properties such as make, model and IP address.

Schneider Electric Aust Pty Limited Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S594

22 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Modular test platform The VeEx UX400 is a modular platform for transport, carrier ethernet, mobile backhaul and legacy testing. Its hardware and software architecture has been designed to be versatile and flexible, to optimise configurations to meet users’ specific needs; from transport applications, at rates ranging from DS1/E1 to OC-768/STM-256/OTU3, to carrier and ethernet transportation applications, from 10M to 40GE/100 GE and beyond.

It supports 40G, 100/40GE, 10G, 1G, PDH test interfaces, without having to change modules, and has dual ports for bidirectional network monitoring.

Its modular architecture allows for up to six independent test modules and up to six concurrent tests, or combination of tests. It also allows simultaneous remote and local users to share the platform and run independent tests, maximising the use of resources.

A robust, portable chassis (less than 10 kg, including battery pack) offers test capabilities ranging from DS1/E1 to 10 GE and beyond, allowing any combination of field exchangeable, test modules, tailored for each particular application or set of requirements.

A b u i l t- i n G P S a n d a t o m i c c l o c k i s p r o v i d e d f o r s y s t e m c l o c k s y n c h r o n i s a t i o n , e g , t o p r o v i d e a n accurate timing reference when an office clock is not available (eg, mobile station) and to verify the accuracy of a received network clock. It has a 10.4″ TFT colour LCD with touch panel and intuitive GUI. Other features include: ethernet from 10-T to 100GE; generates ±150 ppm clock to stress both ethernet and SDH networks; Jitter and Wander analysis, up to STM-1e rates; SyncE and IEEE 1588v2 support with Wander analysis; pulse mask analysis on PDH signals; fast and efficient test result transfer to USB memory stick or FTP upload; battery operation at all rates.

TelecomTest Solutions Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S595

THINK IP SURVEILLANCE THINK D-LINK Key IP Camera Features*

Key benefits of D-Link's end-to-end video surveillance solution include: completely integrated and proven

single source of support

certified with leading video surveillance

full line of latest IP cameras and switches

software

• 1/2.7" 2 Megapixel CMOS progressive sensor • Real-time H.264, MPEG-4 and Motion JPEG compression • Full HD resolution up to 1920 x 1080 • Built-in removable IR LED to support dark environments with 0 lux illumination • Power over Ethernet (PoE) • Motion detection • Tamper detection • ePTZ • Micro SD Card slot • 2-way audio support • 3GPP mobile surveillance • IPv6, 802.1x, QoS, CoS • ONVIF compliant

price performance leading IP storage *DCS-6113

Wireless Tech (Australia) Pty Ltd +61 2 8741 5080 | sales@wirelesstech.com.au

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 23

New ACMA competency requirements for cablers Paul Stathis

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New Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regulatory requirements for cabling providers announced this past July will require cablers who perform specialised cabling work - namely optical fibre, structured or coaxial - to hold the necessary competencies relevant to that cabling work.

These amendments have been made to ensure cabling providers have the necessary skills required to perform specialised cabling work for the current and emerging customer cabling environment.

This requirement will be phased in over a two-year period, whereby as of 1 July 2014, it will be mandatory for any cabler working on optical fibre, structured or coaxial cabling systems to hold the corresponding competency.

Up until now, credentials beyond Open Registration were referred to as endorsements and were voluntary. A cabler could perform such specialised cabling work with or without the corresponding credentials. But that will no longer be the case as of July 2014.

The ACMA advises that, if a cabler has previously attained endorsements for Cat 5, Fibre or Co-ax, no additional training is required, as they are equivalent to structured, optical fibre and coaxial cabling competencies respectively.

It should be understood that, beyond July 2014, cablers working on conventional telecommunications premise cabling systems that are not part of a structured cabling system, or do not include optical fibre or coax, will be able to continue such cabling work with their Open Registration and without additional competencies.

But as technology advances and ethernet and IP-based applications become more widespread and the NBN delivers optical fibre into more and more homes, specialised cabling will become more commonplace and most cablers will find themselves being requested to install them and therefore in need of one or more of these competencies.

So, over the next 18 months, cablers wishing to work in these specialist fields will need to acquire one of more of these competencies.

The means to acquire these competencies is outlined in the ACMA’s latest edition of the ‘Pathways to ACMA Cabling Provider Rules Cabler Registration’ document, released September 2012.

The document can be downloaded free from the ACMA website at www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_1471.

The ACMA’s competencies form the basis for training programs developed by industry skills councils (ISCs).

Under the new arrangement, cabling providers undertaking broadband structured, optical-fibre or coaxial cabling work must have the training competencies relevant to the specialised cabling work.

As a result of the recent amendments, the cabling ISCs will ensure that training offered by registered training organisations will include the additional competencies. These new competencies are reflected in the ACMA’s revised ‘Pathways’ document. www.bicsi.asn.au

24 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

CASE STUDY

The devil is in the detail

W

hen Lanec Services was asked to “tidy up” a five-yearold comms room install for a Victorian Government department, the decision to use self-tracing leads was a fairly obvious one. As with many IT installations, the project had grown unchecked over time and would likely require that cables be added, moved or removed altogether in the future. Therefore, the ability to quickly identify leads was a pretty clear requirement. Lanec Services Director Brett Lynton tells us more about the process.

“If there’s one thing we have learned in all the years of taking on projects of this nature, it’s that smart people learn from their mistakes, but really smart people learn from other people’s mistakes. In tidy-up jobs, the devil is in the detail. To us, comprehensive planning is everything and that’s really become the Lanec Services philosophy.”

The planning began with development of scaled drawings of the site, which allowed the team to determine what rack equipment to recommend based on clearances from switchboards and other essential equipment.

Once the equipment list was finalised and a full scope of works drawn up, planning moved to the finer details. Cabinet drawings were produced, showing both existing and proposed positioning of switches and where patch panels would be reinstalled determined by the length of the cabling.

“Installs of this nature typically work to pretty tight time frames,” explains Brett. “The client can rarely afford to be offline for more than, say, 12-24 hours. For this project, we were given a window of just under a day to deploy the entire solution. It becomes a case of carrying out as much prefab, off-site work as possible, allowing us to make the most of every available minute on site.”

Based on the cabinet drawings, the team was able to build a mock-up layout of the rack with switches and patch panels on their own premises. This process allowed for accurate measurement of each patch lead required and for this to be noted in the audit documentation. Pre-measurement prevents not only overall cable wastage, but also the need to deal with excess material in the vertical cable managers.

Racks, cabinets, power rails and cable managers were all ordered and delivered to the Lanec Services offices so that off-site preparation works could commence. By building racks at the office, mounting the power rails to the racks and even fitting captive plugs to the power rails, the amount of rubbish that ends up on site is reduced.

“Cardboard finds its way to recycling, plastic rubbish is dealt with appropriately and pallets are stacked and ready for return to the recyclers,” says Brett. “Clients really appreciate not being left with the onus of rubbish removal. It’s just one more thing they don’t have to think about.”

Two weeks out from deployment, the team undertook an audit of the existing patching. The only option was to employ hand-over-hand tracing by two experienced technicians, who fully recorded the results.

According to Brett, this is a slow and painful process.

“You can’t rush tracing, as you need accurate results,” he explains. “It took a full 24 hours to audit and document the 350 leads involved in the project - that’s about four minutes per lead to trace and record. We also had to tag each lead to ensure we had itemised absolutely everything. It’s time-consuming stuff.”

Once all of the preconfigured equipment was shipped to site,

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the pressure was on to maintain the pace and meet the deadline.

After stripping out old patch leads and removing existing equipment and racks, the first priority was to put the new racks into position and install switches and equipment.

Different coloured power leads were used so that the installer could quickly visually establish that dual-feed equipment had been cabled to separate power rails. Once this was done, patching through the uplink connections was carried out, enabling overall visibility. The audit sheets provided guidance for installation of the correct pre-measured patch lead.

The main aim for Lanec Services in a project of this nature is for the client to be able to commence testing with a minimum delay. Brett explains: “We had some of our guys on site on Monday morning, in the event that they were required. We took it as a good sign that the client technician had time to read the paper and enjoy a morning coffee posttesting!” he says.

“We also took the opportunity to re-audit the site at this stage, to determine the time benefit associated with using self-tracing leads.

The simplicity of a single button press activating LEDs at both ends of the lead makes a huge difference in terms of traceability. Amazingly, the job which had taken 24 hours to audit initially was completed in less than three hours. That’s a massive time and labour saving to us, and to the client.”

To see the project unfold from start to finish, search on YouTube: Data Centre Cabling Clean-up By Lanec Services.

Lanec Services Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S249

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 25

©iStockphoto.com/Baran Özdemir

INTELLIGENT CABLING

INTELLIGENCE IN CABLING INFRASTRUCTURE Thorsten Punke

IT service management (ITSM) is a critical part for the operation of a data centre (DC) facility.

ITSM usually relies on information collected from switches, cabinets, KVMs, UPSs and other devices.

A managed connectivity approach can be considered as the next step in the evolution of intelligent infrastructure management systems.

P

hysical layer management - also known as ‘intelligent patching’ - is grounded in the need for automated documentation of physical patching adds, moves and changes. However, in today’s increasingly virtualised world, these systems have to evolve to provide more of a ‘managed connectivity’ approach, in order to give the same level of visibility of the physical network layer as what exists for the higher layers in office networks, data centres and co-location environments.

Increasing volumes of data, and demands for more efficient use of financial and IT resources, mean that today’s networking professionals are being asked to deliver network services that are not only ‘always on’, but that also respond with agility to rapidly changing business needs. These increasingly complex networks demand: • Efficient management of a virtualised infrastructure, through investment in virtualisation management software.

• Excellent IT process control through implementation of best practice frameworks such as ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library).

• A highly integrated approach to all aspects of network management to enable users to get the most out of their data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) and network management (NMS) software.

• Improving the overall security of connections.

Investment in virtualisation, from the data centre to the desktop, and enhancement of in-house capabilities with cloudbased services, can increase flexibility and efficiency, but at the cost of a more fluid and less tangible operational environment.

This environment requires a high level of process control and clear visibility of network assets and their workload to give IT

26 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

professionals the control that is essential to run an efficient enterprise network or data centre.

While most elements of the network can be managed in this way, there has been one element that has lagged behind in terms of process automation and network visibility - the physical layer.

Data centre optimisation By delivering physical layer data to data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) software, a managed connectivity solution helps to speed up the provisioning of data centre equipment, while improving rack density and making more efficient use of ‘white’ space. In addition, co-location data centre owners are able to provide added levels of assurance to their customers via automated physical asset and data location reporting.

Data centre space is expensive, and the construction and expansion of data centres is complicated and resource intensive. To make the most efficient use of financial and skilled resources, it is essential that data centre owners get the most from existing rack space and existing floor space. Within a rack, a managed connectivity system can help to identify unutilised switch and server ports, thereby improving computing density per rack. It can also help to identify the physical location of unused rack space, along with the availability of suitable connection capacity to service that space. By helping to maximise the density within each rack, a managed connectivity system can free up expensive floor space for further expansion, delaying the need for additional facility investment.

For co-location data centre owners and providers of cloudbased data-centre services, one of the biggest concerns that their customers have is the security and location of their critical

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

TO MAKE THE MOST EFFICIENT USE OF FINANCIAL AND SKILLED RESOURCES, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT DATA CENTRE OWNERS GET THE MOST FROM EXISTING

Well Connected

RACK SPACE AND EXISTING FLOOR SPACE.

data. By integrating managed connectivity into the data centre physical structure, they now have ‘real time’ physical data on the connections between servers that can be mapped to their physical location. This information can be used to assure customers of the physical location of their data, aid compliance with international data storage regulations and provide security alerts should any unauthorised physical connections occur.

Integration Managed connectivity systems can integrate with network management and data centre infrastructure management software via open application interfaces and software development systems.

They can add physical connection and location information to existing logical information and improve the utilisation of existing management software investment and networking assets.

This approach opens up the possibility of applications being developed that, for example, can help to improve: • the speed of commissioning of equipment by linking realtime knowledge of physical connections to active equipment port information • space utilisation by linking physical connection data to site location information • rack utilisation by linking energy loading, connectivity capacity and location data • security by linking facility security system information with IT connection data These are just a few examples of the value-added applications that can be developed by linking the physical connection data to other management applications.

Hardware technology There are several ways to provide the intelligence. The most common involves running a copper conductor in each patch cord.

On the patch panel side is the contact array, which feeds information to a centralised database through an analyser. RFID is another option, but practically never had a breakthrough.

A recent development embeds a chipset into the actual connectors. When a plug is inserted into an equivalent connector, the data from the chip, along with port and panel data, is passed to a controller and is then sent to a centralised database.

In the end, these systems all feed a database with information about the connections, which is then used for IT services. This chipset method can offer more functionality than the previous technologies, which deliver only the basic information.

Managed connectivity solutions enable higher network availability, while lowering network costs, by integrating full visibility of the physical layer into existing network management applications - all the way from the data centre to the desktop.

It is important to understand that managed connectivity is one part to fulfil ITIL or any other IT service requirement.

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Wide range of Cable Assemblies including: • FFCs and FPCs • Custom-Made such as Moulded RS232 Data Communications • Automotives • Waterproof & RF Cable Assemblies • Locally made Cable Assemblies for prototyping 3 Small Volumes 3 Quick Turnaround • UL Approved and RoHS Compliant Cable Assemblies Semiconductor IC’s Resistors Capacitors Potentiometers Crystals

Oscillators Filters LED’s & LCD’s Relays Sensors

Switches Connectors Fasteners Enclosures GPS Modules

Ampec Technologies Pty Ltd Sydney: Web: E-mail:

(02) 8741-5000 www.ampec.com.au sales@ampec.com.au

CASE STUDY

Cutting the administrative costs of data centre growth

T

elecoms and managed hosting provider Macquarie Telecom has deployed server and network automation in its new $60 million Intellicentre 2 data centre to manage, and reduce, the costs of rapid ongoing growth.

Macquarie Telecom’s hosting business has grown 20 to 30% per year over the last four years due to rapid acquisition of new customers and infrastructure. The company’s Sydney-based data centres, including its Tier III flagship Intellicentre 2 (IC2), serve enterprise clients from a broad and growing range of industries, Australia wide.

James Mystakidis, General Manager of Hosting Operations, Macquarie Telecom, said that demand for the company’s data and managed hosting services has risen as enterprise customers aim to expand into the cloud.

“We expect business requirements for more intelligent and secure hosting services to accelerate further in the next few years, creating a need for Macquarie Telecom to ensure cost-effective growth management while retaining its top-tier levels of service.”

To ensure this cost-efficiency of growth without compromising the calibre of its services, Macquarie Telecom undertook an audit of its existing operations using a combination of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and Cobit frameworks, which formally mapped Macquarie’s IT operations. This allowed the company to identify gaps and clearly articulate to the business what needed to be done to take the company’s hosting operations to the next level.

“The audit process revealed that there were no formal toolsets to manage or automate network and server operations, suggesting Macquarie Telecom needed to automate the management of the network and servers,” said Mystakidis.

The company identified that a management tool “would be necessary to complement the $60m investment in state-of-the-art hardware and software which went into our newest Intellicentre 2 data centre”, he said.

Previously, most of the server and network management was conducted manually with the support of several custom scripts, meaning that growth was accompanied by rising operating costs.

Macquarie Telecom’s patch management service was popular with its customers but cumbersome to provide, as it was based on a largely manual process with potential opportunity for error.

To help manage these costs, Macquarie Telecom has deployed BMC’s Atrium Orchestrator and BladeLogic Server and Network Automation.

The solution allowed Macquarie Telecom to entirely automate patch management, freeing up operations’ staff time, no longer requiring personnel for patching, and reducing the opportunity for error.

The company is also using BladeLogic to provision services within the cloud for patch and managed services.

According to Mystakidis, the solution “has allowed us to ensure rapid and sustainable growth without significant increases to operational expenditure”.

“The fully automated patching system complements Macquarie Telecom’s existing Management Tools for data and world-class customer service Hub, keeping our quality of service on par with accelerated growth and the technical advances it also entails. “[The] solution provided a cohesive fit with our investment in bringing other areas of Intellicentre 2 to the highest standard worldwide.”

Macquarie Telecom’s original calculations of a two-year payback period for the solution have already been met, within a shorter time span. Automation has severed that direct link between cost and growth, allowing savings to be achieved as the company prepares for continued acceleration in data centre and hosting growth.

BMC Software Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S596

RJ485 PCB connector The Harting RJ Industrial series now includes RJ45 female connectors with integrated transformers for 10 Gbit. The highly compact dimensions of these RJ45 connectors enable convenient and simple integration into all established IP65/67 interface types, from PushPull through to Han 3A. The reduced height is also an advantage in scenarios involving plug-in cards, allowing the realisation of very flat assemblies and modules.

In addition to the 10 Gb types, versions for 10/100 Mb and 1 Gb are also available. Versions for PoE as well as individual adaptations to specific customer wishes are possible and can be rapidly executed. In connection with SMD LEDs on the customer PCB, integrated optical fibres enable signalling of the port status. These industrial female connectors can be processed in all standard soldering methods such as wave-soldering or SMT reflow.

Harting (HK) Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S486

28 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

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©iStockphoto.com/setixela ©iStockphoto.com/Vihar Laskov

ON CLOSER INSPECTION

When it comes to choosing between a traditional cabled closed-camera-TV (CCTV) installation and an IP-networked surveillance system, many factors suggest that the latter will provide long- and short-term benefits for both the electrical contractor and the end user, but the up-front cost of the cameras can be a turn-off. CCTV cameras have been around for many years, offer reliable surveillance and can be purchased relatively inexpensively. So why bother changing over to an IP solution that can cost up to three times more?

F

rom a contractor’s point of view, there are time and cost savings to be gained during the install. CCTV cameras need power and a video cable, while IP cameras need power and an internet connection. If the camera is Wi-Fi, then it only requires power. Many models also offer power-over-ethernet (PoE) as an option, which is then a matter of connecting to the network via an ethernet cable and drawing power from there. Halving the cabling requirement also means less time spent on site.

A reduction in labour costs immediately makes you more competitive.

An IP installation also competes well in terms of reliability and toughness. Video cables are exposed to external forces such as dust, heat and vibrations, all of which can reduce signal quality and system reliability. A digital camera with Wi-Fi receives and transmits signals over the local area network (LAN), so each image is sent in a straight line from point to point. No corners, no exposure to external forces and no weak points.

Another benefit to the contractor is the ease with which digital cameras can be installed and moved around inside the network.

Without video cables, an IP camera just needs to be connected to an existing power supply, requires no drilling, no tricky wire feeds

30 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

and no tight crawl spaces. If the camera also has PoE, it needs only to be connected to the existing network topography, so can be installed at any point the end user requests.

The same advantages apply if the end user needs to expand the security system at some future point. IP networks are easy to augment; buy new digital cameras, fix them in the desired spot and hook them up to the network. Again, no drilling, no crawling, less time on site and a more reliable system.

From the client’s point of view, starting off with an IP-based system effectively future-proofs their premises and their business.

Expansion will be simple, install costs competitive and integration into the existing network will be easy and trouble free.

Potential customers should be reminded that a network cannot operate on a mix of cables. If their current security system runs on copper wiring, they won’t be able to expand it using fibre-optic.

Of course, having an IP system with Wi-Fi will negate any headaches associated with an upgrade.

So despite the up-front cost, IP cameras are cheaper and easier to install, more robust and offer a flexible, adaptable solution as we move towards the world of fibre-optic cabling. That alone might be

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SECURITY

enough to persuade some customers to choose IP over CCTV, but many more features and benefits exist that ought to seal the deal.

The most important difference between CCTV cameras and IP cameras is image quality. The resolution of traditional CCTV images stops at about 0.4 megapixels (MP), while an IP camera averages about five times higher at 2 MP. Some cameras now go as high as 10 MP, and manufacturers are working constantly to enhance this.

CCTV images can be converted to digital in order to produce a high-definition (HD) image, but the conversion process often results in a loss of image quality.

Storage flexibility is another defining factor. Modern CCTV cameras record to a digital video recorder (DVR), with all cabling routed back to this central unit. There are two types of IP cameras: the centralised camera which requires a network video recorder (NVR) similar to CCTV sending all images back to a centralised point over ethernet cabling and the decentralised IP camera, which has in-built recording functionality and can store data on a network attached storage (NAS) device, USB or remote hard drive. The decentralised IP camera offers greater flexibility since images can be stored, removed and accessed in a wide variety of ways.

An IP system can send true HD signals over a distance of 100 metres and, by simply adding a switch, the range can be extended almost indefinitely with no loss of image quality. Considering the bandwidth achievable on a fibre-optic network, that range can even extend to several kilometres. CCTV is limited by the distance from the central server to each end-point. To send a true HD signal over video cables it has to first be converted and is limited to about 60 metres before the image starts to deteriorate.

Power consumption is a telling factor in favour of an IP system. IP cameras are often scalable, so power consumption can be controlled by the central server or PC. A CCTV installation tends to be fixed for the life of the system. Devices offering PoE offer more savings, since they cut out the need for mains power.

The latest developments in software also offer end users some cutting-edge benefits. Advanced features include object recognition; cameras are now smart enough to recognise a difference in standard conditions and report back to the system controller. Software like this can be used to isolate certain cameras on a network, highlight them for easy surveillance, pan, tilt and zoom individual cameras, and focus on a specific area; and smarter search capabilities make it simple and fast to locate a recorded event without scrolling through reels of footage.

Recent software developments also provide new, more flexible ways in which a system can be accessed. Instead of being locked into the controlling PC or server, image information can be controlled remotely from any computer on the network - security office, front desk, CSO’s office - even a laptop at home in bed! Many vendors also offer smartphone apps, which enable the end user to check their cameras from literally anywhere. Transmissions sent via the network can be encrypted, which makes them secure from external attack.

So, despite higher start-up costs, a digital or IP surveillance system offers substantial short- and long-term benefits to both contractor and end user. Better energy consumption negates the higher initial outlay over time and the combination of higher image quality and cutting-edge features provide added incentive.

LevelOne au.level1.com

NEW HDMI video and audio capture card

PRODUCTS

Adlink Technology has released what it claims to be the industry’s first PXI Express HDMI video and audio capture card, the PXIe-HDV62A, enabling integration of full single-card analog/digital video and digital audio input. The company has leveraged its expertise in video and audio testing systems, with the product suited for multimedia device testing.

Not only does the product deliver high-definition video data from DVI or HDMI sources, but also analog video decoding, comprehensively supporting RGB, NTSC/PAL, S-video and YPbPr formats, with an integrated audio decoder for HDMI and S/PDIF capture. The card further supports uncompressed full HD up to 1080p at 60 fps, 10-bit high-resolution ADC and HDCP. High integration allows the product to easily manage a multitude of video and audio inputs, reducing total cost of ownership and installation.

The card supports LabVIEWTM and Microsoft DirectShow, reducing engineering effort and accelerating time to market.

It is equipped with Adlink’s ViewCreatorPro utility, enabling system testing and debugging with no software programming required. Full driver support is provided for Windows 7/XP. A recommended PXI Express platform includes the PXES-2590 all-hybrid 9-slot PXIe chassis and the PXIe-3975, a 3U PXIe controller with Intel Core i5-520E 2.4 GHz processor.

ADLINK Technology Inc Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S487

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 31

CASE STUDY

Passive house actively green

T

o support its entry into the Australian housing sector, Ichijo Technological Homes selected a Passivhauscertified unit supplied by Stiebel Eltron Australia as the foundation for its heat recovery ventilation system, enabling it to build an energy-efficient house that achieved over 8 stars in NatHERS rating.

Energy efficiency for the Australian environment When Ichijo decided to enter the Australian market in 2010, it knew that top-quality, effective heat recovery ventilation systems would be needed in order to achieve the goal of providing comfortable, healthy and energy-efficient homes for Australian customers.

Effective ventilation is a sustainability key Stiebel Eltron’s LWZ 270-plus is a central ventilation system designed to supply fresh air to medium-sized apartments and family homes with living areas of up to 290 m2. Using a countercurrent flow, it utilises thermal energy from air being extracted from a residence to heat up the incoming fresh air. The design of the unit allows up to 90% of the energy from the vented air to be recovered. The heat exchange system is equally effective in warmer climates where incoming air is cooled. “We are proud that earlier this year, the LWZ 270 was awarded a certificate by the Passivhaus Institut that described it as an ‘excellent passive house suitable component’,” Kerr stated.

The Passive House (Passivhaus) building standard originated in Germany in 1988 and is a voluntary standard overseen worldwide by the Passivhaus Institut, which was established in 1996. Passive House certified buildings are the most energy-efficient buildings anywhere in the world. The standard measures how long it takes for a percentage of the volume of the air in a house to leak out once all doors and windows are closed. Sophisticated heat exchange ventilation systems, such as the LWZ range from Stiebel Eltron, can assist in achieving the best results.

The supplied equipment has a compact form factor, allowing it to be positioned unobtrusively anywhere around a property. The unit also incorporates an easy-to-change class G3 filter that cleans dust particles from the air. The ventilation unit can supply air at flow rates between 70 and 350 m3/h using easy-to-adjust and -operate controls. According to SEA, the unit in the demonstration home is surprisingly quiet while achieving more than 90% heat recovery.

When the unit is set to Stage 2 operation - standard ventilation with an air exchange rate of 250 m3/h - its energy consumption is approximately 45 W/h.

Built for wellbeing The quality of the air and the effectiveness of the filtration incorporated in the ventilation system has helped Ichijo’s demonstration home in Sydney be approved by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice program. The program’s blue butterfly symbol recognises products and services that support asthma and allergy care. Products that carry the program’s symbol may be better choices for people suffering the effects of respiratory disease.

The Ichijo Display Centre in Kellyville, Sydney, has also achieved an 8.4-star rating for energy efficiency on the NatHERS rating scale. NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) uses computer simulations to assess the potential thermal comfort of Australian homes on a scale of zero to 10 stars. The more

32 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

stars, the less likely the occupants need cooling or heating to stay comfortable. Ichijo’s i-Smart 8.0+ product is designed to achieve 8 stars or higher on the NatHERS rating in the greater Sydney region. The new Ichijo Display Centre in Gledswood Hills is also planning to showcase the new i-Smart 7.0+ product that will pass 7-star NatHERS rating. This model will be competitive with brick-veneer homes but with higher energy efficiency and with the LWZ-270+ installed as a standard in order to maintain a healthy environment in a residence.

Savings now and in the future A house built to the appropriate criteria can maintain a comfortable internal temperature with minimal energy inputs. ‘Passively’ heating the home by making efficient use of the sun, internal heat sources and heat recovery means that the home only requires minimal use of conventional heating. Endo added: “It is possible that by incorporating a range of wall insulations, along with argonfilled double glazing for windows, savings of up to 60% of heating and cooling load of a traditionally constructed 5-star building can be achieved.”

The total energy consumption of a certified ‘passive house’ is a maximum of 120 kWh/(m2a) for heat, hot water and household electricity. As energy savings equals emissions reductions, the ‘passive house’ goal is a sustainable alternative to conventional construction. The money saved by purchasing smaller heating and cooling systems can be spent on improved windows, thicker insulation and a ventilation system.

Ichijo plans to expand its operations in Australia and will “continue to adapt its offering to meet the needs of the local market while making its ecologically sustainable solutions as affordable as practical”, according to Endo. The i-Smart system meets the needs of its customers and the environment and continuously innovates to improve the manufacturing and construction of its homes. He concluded: “Ichijo is very happy with the SEA unit and will be specifying the LWZ 270 unit as the standard heat recovery ventilation system for all its homes built in Australia.”

SEA’s Kerr concluded: “We are looking forward to continue working with Ichijo to combine a range of systems to give homeowners cost-effective options to minimise energy consumption and environmental impact.”

Stiebel Eltron Australia Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S336

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Variable speed drives The Delta Electronics C-2000 series variable speed drives provide a high-performance and economical solution to 3-phase motor speed control.

The C-2000 uses Field Oriented Control to fulfil the demands of high starting torque, accurate speed and torque control. The drive can be operated in open or closed loop vector mode and speed, torque or position control mode. In closed loop torque control mode the C2000 can provide up to 150% torque at zero speed for crane and lifting applications.

Available in power ratings from 0.75 to 355 kW, features include speed/torque/position control mode, dual rating design (CT or VT), 4-quadrant torque control, built-in PLC, built-in brake unit, built-in DC reactor and a range of extension cars for I/O, encoder feedback and fieldbus modules.

Models up to 30 kW (37 kW VT) include a built-in EMI filter to meet CE and C-tick EMC standards. A generously sized LCD display and keypad allows for easy programming and clear information display with graphics capability. The removable keypad can also be installed with the use of an optional adapter in the door of the cabinet to provide an IP56 control and display unit.

Fieldbus modules include Profibus, Devicenet, Modbus TCP and EtherNet/IP with CANopen and Modbus already built in.

A dedicated variable torque version for fan/pump drives, the CP-2000 includes additional features specifically suited to HVAC applications, such as built-in BACNet , ‘fire mode’ and multipump operation.

The mechanical design provides excellent heat dissipation and coated circuit boards for use in harsh environments.

Mechtric Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S247

The PD4-TRIO-2R1D Our most intelligent sensor yet !

3 Channels Dimmable, non dimmable, HVAC

DALI/dsi Dimming

1 - 30 minute time clock Pulse or 5 - 120 min

Remote Programmable

(Ch 1 & 2)

(Ch 3)

10 - 2000 Lux 360° detection with masking

High Power Relay Control

For class rooms, boardrooms & anywhere complete lighting control is required. Available in surface mount.

HVAC Control

Luxomat

DALI

Relay

HVAC

Remote

Completely programable with theIR-Trio-2R1D remote control Large 24 meter detection range

Timer

Master

Slave

Lux

Masking

iautomation.com.au 1800 225 063 www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 33

CHANGING THE WAY WE FLICK THE SWITCH Shane MacIntosh

In today’s climate of growing environmental awareness and rising energy prices, saving energy is more important than ever, and one of the most effective ways to do so in a commercial environment is by controlling your lighting, which not only saves energy, it also saves money.

T

raditionally, lighting control systems have involved complicated relays, dimmers, switches and motion sensors wired throughout offices and leading back to a central point; and have required specially trained technicians to program the systems and tailor them to clients’ needs. Unfortunately, a legacy of some systems has been that they utilise time-based functions - where large areas of lighting are activated even though the area may not be occupied. While this market will always exist due to the desire for lighting control solutions at the upper end, there is an emerging market for standalone solutions with wireless capability if required.

As we all now know, wireless simply means fewer wires where the communication between units is done through RF signals.

Sensor technology has changed significantly over the past few years. Previously you had older-style 240 V connected detectors, which had little-to-no intelligence and couldn’t do much more than adjust a timer, typically up to 20 minutes (lux hold off); and in some cases adjust sensitivity as well. Whereas now you have sensors

34 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

with multiple features designed to suit most applications. The level of intelligence that can now be built into printed circuit boards enables manufacturers to include features that were unheard of. Along with this, lighting manufacturers have also been developing more efficient control components that include digital dimming ballasts so that fluorescent light levels can be adjusted to suit the requirements of occupants.

These new-generation detectors are available with a wide range of options, which makes it important to select the correct detector for the chosen application. As with most industries, there will always be a certain amount of confusion due to the variety of choices available, and the presence of products that may or may not fit its purpose. So it is important to know the exact capabilities of the detectors being considered, read the fine print and be assured that the chosen detector will perform as required. Understanding the functionality required and the clients’ budget is key when deciding on the detectors that should be used.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

©iStockphoto.com/René Mansi

CONTROLS

These days, there are detectors that are capable of controlling ventilation loads as well as controlling lighting and can be linked to building management systems via volt-free contacts. Consideration needs to be given to the size of an area; whether it’s an open office or cellular, a classroom or corridor. It is also important to consider whether there is a need for either absence detection (manual ‘on’ auto ‘off’) or presence detection (auto ‘on’ auto ‘off’); whether there are dimmable ballasts; where daylight harvesting can be employed to best take advantage of available natural light; and whether lighting loads should be turned off if there is sufficient daylight available (even when movement is detected), and turned on if those daylight levels decrease.

One of the most important issues to consider with intelligent automated lighting design is the activity within each specific area that is being lighted, and to select the lighting detectors accordingly. For example: bathrooms, kitchens, storerooms, copier rooms etc are all areas in which the levels of movement are high but the duration of stays are short; so in those circumstances, detectors that are sensitive

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to movement and switch off lighting loads shortly after movement is no longer detected are a suitable solution. However, in offices, activity and movement can be quite low and limited to workspaces, so the wrong detector could switch the lighting load off at inappropriate times, causing considerable annoyance to occupants. Ensuring the correct detector is provided is paramount to reduce possible nuisance tripping.

Using a variety of technologies most scenarios can be catered for; from passive infrared detectors with a range of 8 metres, through to microwave detectors with ranges of up to 30 metres and built-in lux level sensors. Some detectors also have the added benefit of being able to set two separate levels of sensitivity, making it possible to ensure that detectors only operate in the offices or areas they are supposed to control, ie, a detector in the off state can have a lower sensitivity to ensure it only activates when someone enters the zone, versus turning on when someone walks past the zone. The sensitivity in the on state can be set higher to allow for minimal movement in the zone while it’s occupied.

With the more advanced detectors it is now possible to have an initial time-out period (this is the time that starts from the last movement being detected) after which the load can begin to dim down to a programmed level, usually 10%, then stay at this level for a further 60 minutes before switching off entirely. With these more advanced detectors, scenarios like this can be achieved through the use of an infrared programming handset.

Internationally, and recently in Australia, there is increasing demand for detectors in warehousing facilities. In these types of buildings detectors can be incorporated in conjunction with a lighting upgrade where the traditional high-bay fitting is replaced with a more controllable high-bay fluorescent fitting. Again, various options are available and dependent on the clients’ requirements, a suitable cost-effective solution can be provided using standalone detectors. A suitable detector would ideally have a range of up to 40 metres diameter when installed at 15 metres high and have a wireless option for more control.

In some instances, labour and working environments can become a major cost component if reconfiguring of existing wiring is considered.

An example might be that the storage racks run in one direction and the lighting rows are wired to run across the racks rather than down the aisles. This could mean that the existing high bay is exchanged for a fluorescent fitting with motion detector and lux control built into the fitting to save on labour costs; reducing the installation to a simple swapover and commissioning from the ground level using an IR programmer. Although the consumption of the fluorescent high bay is in some cases only slightly less than the original fitting, the ability to control the fitting can improve energy savings by up to 40%.

In many circumstances, the option of a fully networked lighting control system can be overkill. The client needs to understand the difference between what they want as opposed to what they need.

Commercial buildings usually operate the same way every working day; once this is determined a functionality specification can be written and the most suited solutions provided. This may be a fully networked monitored option, it may be a standalone detector or it could be a solution that combines both.

It is quite common for clients to look at a building, or a series of buildings, and go for the easy wins with a two-stage approach. The first stage might be the bathrooms, print utility room, car park or other areas where there is an obvious saving to be made by turning the lights off. The second stage could concentrate on more typical office areas: open offices, foyers etc. By implementing a two-stage approach, clients can both hit their energy targets sooner and work within their budgets.

CP Electronics Australia http://www.cpea.com.au/

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 35

NEW PRODUCTS

Cabinet access control and monitoring systems InfraSolution is designed to allow cabinet control and monitoring of door handles, including temperature and humidity for up to 200 cabinets over either LAN or WAN environments.

The web-based GUI (graphic user interface) management software allows up to eight simultaneous users to access and control different cabinets.

Only authorised employees can gain access and only as specified by the administrator to individual enclosures in specific time windows.

There are two InfraSolution ‘out of the box’ options: the InfraBox 820 and the InfraBox 840. The 820 package includes two (front/rear) SmartCard electromagnetic rack handles/cable harnesses and two SmartCards. The InfraBox 840 package has all the 820 features plus an additional 8 x RJ45 expansion ports that allow the user to control or monitor SmartPDUs and other smart products via a Cat6 cable.

Typically, users can monitor PDUs’ amperage as well as remotely switching power sockets on and off via IP using the same GUI software. The products also have two RJ11 ports that provide an interface for digital temperature and humidity sensors. The SmartCard handle is designed for use with either inductive, mechanical or optical door opening/closing sensors and the SmartCards themselves can either be HID or Mifare compatible.

The handle has a built-in digital temperature sensor and is supplied with mechanical keys for security backup. The system is available on all S2005-style doors, in single and multipoint configurations and as either left- or right-hand hinged.

MFB Products Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S600

Industrial ethernet

ElEctrical SafEty rEcall SinglE modulE rcBo (comBination rcd & mcB) HagEr ‘mono’ rangE ad310t, ad316t, ad320t & ad325t identification: Products affected include: AD310T - 1 module RCBO 10A 30mA AD316T - 1 module RCBO 16A 30mA AD320T - 1 module RCBO 20A 30mA AD325T - 1 module RCBO 25A 30mA These products have been sold nationally from July 2010.

German-based networking specialist LevelOne has launched the Infinity range of industrial-standard networking solutions.

Infinity will target large industrial enterprises such as mines, manufacturing assembly lines, drilling rigs and electrical power stations, as well as organisations such as schools and colleges, the transport sector and large retail organisations.

Toughened solutions can be tailored to a wide variety of needs within these industries, such as point-of-sale surveillance for retail stores, ethernet connections for electrical substations and public transport hubs, or digital signage for civil roadworks and mines. Infinity is able to perform consistently through conditions such

No other Hager branded RCBO’s are affected by this recall.

as cold, vibration, high humidity, shock and salt water.

Hazard: Risk of electrical shock.

networking solutions into complete tailored packages.

action required: Electrical wholesalers and electrical contractors are advised to stop selling and/ or installing the above products and contact Hager B&R Pty Ltd to arrange return of their stock and/ or replacement of the installed products.

for further information

Please direct all calls and any queries concerning this recall to Telephone: 1300 786 685 Website: www.hagerbr.com.au Email: recall@hagerbr.com.au

See www.recalls.gov.au for australia Product recalls information

The brand will combine high-quality, industrial-grade Infinity will offer a full industrial-grade solution, from consultation with clients to assess needs through to deployment and ongoing technical help.

All solutions will carry a five-year warranty and the equipment will be tested for shock, extreme heat and cold, electrostatic discharge and electrical conductivity.

All Infinity products will hold safety certifications relevant to their deployment.

WES Australasia Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S025

36 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

CASE STUDY

Taking control

L

ighting at 1 Bligh Street in Sydney is being controlled with the help of EBDSPIR DD and MWS5 detectors manufactured by CP Electronics. The building is the next generation in high-performance sustainable office space and has been awarded a 6 Green Star Office Design v2 certification by the Building Council of Australia.

Combining leading-edge design, technology and sustainability, 1 Bligh Street is located at a premier site in Sydney’s financial hub. Co-owned by DEXUS Property Group, DEXUS Wholesale Property Fund and Cbus Property, the flagship office tower provides 28 levels of office space within a double-skin facade, a 135-metrehigh naturally ventilated glass atrium and incorporates blackwater recycling that saves 100,000 litres of water a day.

CP’s MWS5 compact microwave detectors have been installed in over 350 perimeter offices. Chosen for their flexibility and compact dimensions, the MWS5 allows lighting designers to easily incorporate presence and absence detection into their lighting designs. The use of the MWS5 at 1 Bligh Street allows for absence detection and daylight harvesting, so when there is sufficient natural light the lighting dims to keep a constant lux level.

CP’s MWS5 DD was also used within suspended, extruded light fittings throughout the offices, while the detectors were used in conjunction with a momentary press switch for each of the channels of the detector. The relay channel controlled a remote LED task light over the desk and the dimming channel controlled the fluorescent light in the extrusion. The dimming channel also provided daylight harvesting to provide ultimate energy savings throughout the day. Each channel was also utilising absence detection for added control by the user in each of the 350 plus cellular offices on the perimeter of the building.

Internal offices providing absence detection are being controlled with CP’s EBDSPIR DD detectors. The EBDSPIR-DD PIR (passive infrared) presence detector provides automatic control of lighting loads with optional manual control. Output channel one comprises a

mains voltage relay capable of simple on/off switching, while output channel two provides dimmable control of either DALI- or DSI-type ballasts. Functioning as a presence detector, the unit can turn lights on when a room is occupied and off when the room is empty. Optional settings allow lights to be turned off in response to ambient daylight, or to implement a maintained daylight harvesting system.

The EBDSPIR DD allows for simple plug-in connection and can be flush mounted into a ceiling tile or used with a surface mounting box. The low-profile design allows units to be mounted within narrow ceiling voids, with no external control boxes required as the unit is self-contained.

1 Bligh Street has also been constructed to achieve a 5 star NABERS energy rating, the national rating system which measures the environmental performance of Australian buildings with respect to energy efficiency, water usage, waste management and indoor environmental quality.

CP Electronics Australia www.cpea.com.au

Low harmonic drive Designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions, the low harmonic ACS800-38 drive from ABB is said to reduce maintenance downtime and provide greater reliability and longevity.

The drives are designed to meet the requirements of different users, processes, businesses and environmental needs and the innovative technology of the drive eliminates harmonic noise. Designed for harsh and remote outdoor conditions; it can be easily transported and installed outdoors where no fixed facilities are present.

The drive’s features include a robust double-layer thermal lockable cabinet designed to withstand temperatures up to 55°. The drive allows easy on-site installation and can be simply integrated with programmable logic controllers and HMI touch screen to meet user application needs. The drive’s low maintenance and durability is said to help ensure a long and reliable operational life.

The company’s self-contained Cothex cooling system, a closed air cooling method that does not circulate external air inside the drive, makes optimal cooling operation in the cabinet possible without any need for outside air. This eliminates the risk for corrosive gases or sand to enter the interior parts of the cabinet, reducing maintenance costs and unplanned downtime.

ABB Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/R918

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 37

NEW PRODUCTS

Analog security cameras Panasonic Australia has expanded its security range with three cameras developed specifically with a full spectrum of demanding security and surveillance applications. The range includes two WV-CP300 series fixed day/night cameras and the WV-CP624E compact day/night fixed camera with Super Dynamic 6 technology.

The two WV-CP300 series colour surveillance cameras feature a digital signal processor

HDTV fixed dome camera

(DSP), providing improved image quality in attractive, cost-effective units. The WV-CP624E

The Axis M3006-V network camera

network camera’s technology is said to allow it to deliver a far wider dynamic range compared

has been designed to meet the

to conventional cameras.

needs of price-sensitive market

The DSP on the two WV-CP300 series cameras uses image processing to automatically detect dark areas inside an image, applying the most suitable gamma correction curve for

segments such as retail stores, hotels, schools and offices.

darker areas, transforming shadows and dark areas into natural and crisp images in real time.

The camera provides wide-

All three cameras use adaptive Black Stretch technology to enhance the visibility of dark

coverage, 3 megapixel images

areas without degrading image quality in bright areas - making them suitable for use in chal-

for detail and HDTV 1080p for

lenging lighting environments, delivering clear images, day or night.

movement capture. It has capacity

Day/night operation on the two WV-CP300 series cameras can be selected automatically

for intelligent video applications,

or manually, and both models offer various other special adjustment features that make them

support for video management

suitable for critical surveillance, including back-light compensation, auto-tracing white balance

software and is able to be quickly

and automatic light control.

installed on either walls or ceilings.

Super Dynamic 6 technology is said to allow the WV-CP624E to deliver 160x wider dynamic

The M3006-V supports digital

range compared to conventional cameras. Additional features include a high resolution of 650

pan/tilt/zoom, which can be used

lines, a high sensitivity day/night function allowing for simple optimisation for low-light use,

as a ‘digital varifocal lens’ that al-

and focus assist for easy installation.

lows the angle of the view to be

Panasonic Australia

adjusted remotely after physical

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S342

installation. The camera’s digital PTZ, together with its support for multiview streaming, enables different areas of a scene to be cropped from the full view and streamed simultaneously for view-

Motor series for thirdparty drives The latest motor series from LinMot can be run from virtually any three-phase brushless servo drive.

The P10-70 series of motors provides peak forces up to 2500 N, velocities up to 8 m/s, accelerations up to 90 g and provide long wear free of force, velocity or position control.

LinMot stators are nickel-plated iron, while the slider surface is stainless steel for extra long life and corrosion protection. The P10-70 series has a stator body diameter of 70 mm, with available strokes from 180 up to 500 mm.

The motors use non-contact, integral position feedback using 1 Vpp sin/cos signals, which enables 10 micron resolution, +/-20 micron repeatability.

Options include mounting flanges and cooling mounting flanges and blower kits to extend motor performance.

Motion Technologies Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/R982

ing or recording.

The device comes focused at delivery, which shortens installation time. A 2 m network cable is provided and supports Power over Ethernet (IEEE 802.3af), eliminating the need for power cables and reducing installation costs.

The M3006-V supports the installation of intelligent video applications through the Axis Camera Application Platform. In addition, the camera’s built-in microSDHC card slot enables several days of recording to be stored locally on a memory card. When local storage is used together with the free Axis Camera Companion, users have an easy way to remotely view and manage video from up to 16 cameras per site.

Axis Communications Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/R473

38 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

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©iStockphoto.com/Baris Simsek

ELECTRICITY MONITORING

SMART METERS FRIEND OR FOE? The smart meter is back in the spotlight again, with the recent announcement that the Gillard government will support time-based energy pricing initiatives as outlined in the widely publicised 2012 Energy White Paper.

S

mart metering comes with a swag of promises: a fairer pricing structure through real-time (30-minute interval) consumption reporting, remote reading and communication, better administration of power quality, greater network efficiency and consumer self-managed utilisation through provision of usage data via the internet, smartphone apps or indoor displays.

In Australia, only Victoria has implemented mandatory smart metering and it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing. The Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project was approved in 2006 and scheduled for rollout between 2009 and 2013. Three years in and the scheme has received its fair share of flak. A recent article in The Sydney Morning Herald even referred to the exercise as “the biggest single public policy failure in the energy sector of the past decade”. Quite an assertion. With the federal government backing the scheme, it’s not implausible that compulsory nationwide participation will be introduced at some future point, but probably not without a careful review of the Victorian undertaking. On the whole, the smart metering debate has become a bit of a political hot potato.

Backlash in Victoria has been fierce, with a number of consumer awareness and support groups emerging to lobby the government.

They are calling for the immediate cessation of smart meter installations and to turn off communication with existing meters. In cases where they believe that rights of householders have been infringed, these groups advocate removal of smart meters entirely.

The concerns are many and varied, with costs, privacy, and health and safety being the key issues.

Time-of-use pricing looks good on paper; consumers pay for what they use. However, according to consumer group Stop Smart Meters Australia, adoption of this practice gives power distributors the ability to manipulate customer demand by enforcing higher prices when they want to reduce load. The group suggests that this will lead to less infrastructure requirement on the part of the distributor, as they simply won’t have to cater to high-demand situations.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

Similarly, critics point out that the price of meter replacement has been passed on to the consumer. This is interesting, given that ownership of the device does lie with the distributor.

The overall cost of the program has blown out significantly according to the Victorian Auditor-General’s performance report (released November 2009) which estimated an end cost of around $2.25 billion, significantly more than the projected $800 million to $1.56 billion.

The Auditor-General concluded that the scheme was ill-advised, under-resourced and over-optimistic in the case of financial projections. It noted that there were significant flaws in the technology trials process and no risk management strategy in place, further jeopardising success of the scheme, as increasing costs and delayed deliveries rose out of technology risks uncovered during the project rollout.

Aside from the economic concerns, privacy issues are on the radar. According to a report released by the University of South Carolina, smart meters aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Smart?

Perhaps. Secure? Not so much. In the United States, nearly 50 million utility meters are measured using wireless automatic meter reading (AMR) carried out by trucks that drive through neighbourhoods gathering data remotely. The USC College of Engineering and Computing conducted a study to determine the security levels of these meters citing that “much of the focus in the research security community right now is on the next generation of devices, the so-called ‘smart meters’”.

AMR systems use proprietary devices and communications protocols, which the research team reverse-engineered in order to gain access to usage data. Using a researcher’s home as the base for the experiment, employing a laptop and antenna, they found that they could obtain electricity usage data from every residence in the building - over 400 apartments in all. In fact, they obtained data on a total of 485 homes, meaning that gathering capability

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 41

ELECTRICITY MONITORING

extended beyond the building itself. The study also revealed that the detailed data provided gave insights into household activities, such as when residents rose, went to work, arrived home and retired for the evening. The team was purportedly able to determine that 27 of the apartments were unoccupied at the time of the study.

There is obviously an element of difficulty in obtaining the usage records using this method, which the researchers readily admit, but the study shows how holes in the system can be penetrated if the desire is there.

In Australia, privacy concerns around (encrypted) radiofrequency transmission vulnerabilities have been raised, as has the potential practice of onselling customer usage data for research purposes.

Both have consumer groups in uproar.

While cost and privacy implications are definitely hot button issues, nothing is using up more bandwidth than forum discussions around the potentially adverse effects on health that may arise from smart meter use. Apprehension is building around the long term effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), particularly in the elderly and children. This list of concerns is long, too long to list here. Suffice it to say that quotes and statistics abound and many websites now feature the personal stories of individuals sporting symptoms ranging from headaches to heart palpitations, post-smart meter installation.

On the other side of the coin, you don’t have to search too hard to find the naysayers. There are plenty of sites keen to discredit so-called smart meter ‘conspiracy theorists’, particularly in the United States, where the market is larger and more mature.

42 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Some go so far as to label these claims as akin to belief in astrology and alien abduction and to suggest, rather unkindly, proponents of this thinking are “less educated”.

Regardless of which side of the fence you sit on, you’ll have to go a long way to find a less elegant introduction of, well, anything really. It’s likely that the Victorian AMI scheme will only be used as a benchmark for ‘how not to do it’. Perhaps it was the ‘mandatory’ element. Consumers don’t like a lack of choice; it’s the cornerstone of a free economy after all.

Whether these outlined predictions of security leaks and increased illness prove to be true, only time will tell. Concerns aside, smart meters are big business, particularly in the United Kingdom and Europe, where new targets are particularly ambitious.

The UK is expected to have 40 million dual (gas and electricity) meters installed by 2016 and there is a mandate for smart meter installation in 80% of European households by 2020. The US market has pretty much reached saturation and plans for the likes of hyper-populated China and India have not yet been established as yet. So, on the bright side, if the doomsday predictions are true and smart meters prove to bring about the end of life as we know it, at least we’ll all go down together.

Nevertheless, if the federal government is behind it (although it’s been suggested this is merely a way to mitigate negative opinion on the carbon tax), then you can be sure there will be some sort of incentive for state participation before too long.

Let’s just hope they remember Victoria when putting the plans into action.

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

RF switch The Lab Brick RF Switch product range has a 10 W power handling capability and offers reliable, high-isolation, low-power and low-cost solid state switch products in both single pole double throw (SPDT) and single pole four throw (SP4T) configurations.

The super fast RF switch, 90 ns from 0.1 to 5.0 GHz can be used for pulse modulation from any generator and has this option build into its GUI. The LSW Series Switches have manual, internal and external switch control capability, and can be easily controlled and programmed directly from the included GUI or through the external control inputs. Easily programmable for ATE applications, the LSW Series Switches can also be used in WiMAX, 3G, LTE test platforms, and engineering and production test labs.

Clarke & Severn Electronics Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S154

Thermal imaging The FLIR A310 f and FLIR A310 pt thermal imaging cameras are dual-use systems - temperature monitoring of critical installations and perimeter security. They can be installed almost anywhere to monitor critical equipment and other valuable assets. They will safeguard a plant and measure temperature differences to assess the criticality of a situation.

Problems can be identified before they become costly failures, preventing downtime and enhancing worker safety. The cameras can also be used for security and surveillance applications. With a FLIR thermal A310 pt, the operator can monitor the perimeter security continuously, while equipment in the field of view can be monitored at the same time.

At

selected

times,

the

A310 pt can also quickly audit temperatures of equipment in other locations, then return to the main task of security monitoring. A fixed A310 f camera can also perform both functions simultaneously.

Other applications include: power generation and distribution, sub-station monitoring, critical equipment monitoring, natural gas processing, transport and storage, fire prevention in waste storage areas, flare detection, fire prevention in wood and coal piles.

FLIR Systems Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S417

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 43

NEW PRODUCTS

Power and energy data loggers The PEL 100 series from AEMC Instruments are one-, two- (splitphase) and three-phase (Y, ∆) power and energy data loggers.

They are available in two models: the PEL 102 with no display and the PEL 103 with a backlit digital display.

The instruments are suitable for electricians, engineers and contractors doing work in the area of building and system monitoring and upgrades, as well as residential and overall energy audits. All vital energy data is easily measured, recorded, analysed and reported.

The instruments’ design enables them to be installed inside a load centre panel (including the current sensors) and still allow the door to close on most panels. The PEL 100 series power and energy loggers measure and record voltage, current, Watts, VARS, VA and energy (kWh and kVA). Power factor, displacement power factor, crest factor, frequency and THD are recorded as well. Individual harmonic % information from 1 to the 50th harmonic are recorded at the operator’s choice. All variables are stored once per second as well as user-selectable demand intervals from 1 to 60 min.

R TH A E & L A R S NEUT NOLOGIE TEC H AUSTRALIAN MADE

Energy costs can be calculated and displayed quickly and easily by simply inputting the unit cost for a kilowatt hour into the software.

Data is stored on a removable SD card and can be retrieved using a USB, Bluetooth and/or ethernet (local or internet) connection or by transporting the SD card back to a PC. The included DataView software provides the ability to view data from several hundred PEL 100 series instruments on a local network or over the internet, allowing the user to evaluate energy usage in a department or facility basis or anywhere in the world. Measurements can be viewed in real time on a PC and stored data can be downloaded for analysis and report generation.

AEMC Instruments Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S347

250A 50mm2 tunnels

Studs Only

140A

4 Stud 165A

400A to 600A

Cable hooks and retainers Swift Metal Services has expanded their range to include

Netec Industries is more than just a manufacturer of Brass Earth & Neutral Links. We are capable of manufacturing Brass components for all industries.

Consistent Quality / Reliable Supply / Value for Money Largest Range “If we don’t have it, we can make it”

the fixed cable and hose retainer. Developed to allow for multiple mounting positions including hooked or bolted configurations, the retainer is suitable for large diameter, heavy hoses cable and pneumatic lines on building sites, energy infrastructure, mines and machinery workshops.

Designed primarily for the power and energy industries, the cable brackets can be used in any area that requires

www.es.netec.com.au es@netec.com.au 03 93054077

hooks or brackets to lift cables, power leads or hoses out of walkways or traffic areas.

The cable hooks are available in 304 stainless steel, powder-coated or hot dip galvanized finishes.

SWIFT Metal Services Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S075

44 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Isolation chassis

Circuit protection product range

NHP has released the Grizz-Bar

element14 Australia offers more than 4000 lines of Littelfuse circuit protection products. Littelfuse prod-

isolation chassis which has been

ucts are suitable for design engineers and purchasing managers for circuit protection in electronics,

designed for data centres, hospitals

automotive and industrial applications.

and other applications that require

The range of Littelfuse products includes TVS diodes, fuses, fuseholders, ESDSuppressors, gas

maximum uptime from their power

discharge tubes, PTCs, thyristors and varistors. element14 also offers a wide range of Littelfuse

distribution system.

Powr-Gard fuse for industrial applications. The circuit protection products are used in a number of industries including transportation, medical, industrial control, factory automation, telecommunications and consumer electronics.

The Littelfuse medium-acting fuse 234 series is designed to UL/CSA/ANCE 248 standard and is available in ratings of 1 to 10 A. These 5 x 20 mm medium-acting glass/ceramic body cartridge fuses can be used as supplementary protection in appliance or utilisation equipment to provide individual protection for components or internal circuits. element14 Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/R526

Designed and manufactured in Australia, the chassis has a strong design, with high short circuit current withstand ratings. It has a genuine 250 A rating, tested to AS/NZS 3439.1:2002.

All main busbars are fully encapsulated, including the neutral bar which can be isolated and is fully rated.

The chassis can be fitted with a captive padlock accessory to tag out individual circuits. It has identical dimensions to the CD and NC chassis and, with its comparable Icw and temperature rise ratings, is a direct replacement for these.

Its multipole attachment bar can convert a single switch toggle into a 2P, 3P or 4P toggle, ensuring multiphase circuits cannot accidentally have one pole switched. The chassis is available as a single end feed or universal feed for total flexibility.

The chassis is suitable for use with standard NHP DIN-T 6, DIN-T 10 MCBs, RCDs, RCBOs and accessories such as DIN-T shunt trips, UVTs, alarms and auxiliary switches.

NHP Electrical Engineering Products Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/R059

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 45

AC272922_Video WI FI_3rdP_ECD_ELEC SOLUTIONS

new WiFi compatible

video iborescope

Are smart meters the answer to our electricity bill woes?

Malcolm Richards

Capture live images from your iBorescope and display it viaWiFi on your iPhone, iPad, SmartPhone orTablet (running Android OS 2.2 or later).The latest technology at its very best!

Video iBorescope 3003WX

who else would you trust!

Ampere Electrical Manufacturing Co. Pty. Ltd. 168-176 High Street, Prahran,VIC 3181 Tel (03) 9510 4333, 9510 2428 Fax (03) 9510 5940 Toll Free 1800 AMPERE (1800 267 373) www.ampere.com.au

46 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s recent promotion of a mandatory rollout of smart meters in Australian homes has been received with mixed feelings across the nation.

With our Victorian counterparts already subject to the enforcement of smart meters in 2.5 million of their homes at great expense, there has been much debate over whether smart meters will actually help to curb the rising costs of electricity.

The Prime Minister has claimed the rolling out of smart meters could save homeowners $250 a year on bills, but the Queensland government has already expressed doubts as to whether this claim will prove true. While old-style power meters simply record how much power has been used and are checked every three months, smart meters can track when power is used at different times, allowing electricity companies to build in price incentives to use power outside of peak times.

By spreading the power load, it is hoped less money can be spent on electricity network upgrades to handle periods of extreme power use. With more than 400,000 electronic power meters already installed across southeast Queensland, Master Electricians Australia (MEA) does not believe consumers will achieve the savings the Prime Minister is claiming will take place.

There have been many claims of savings for consumers by those in favour of a mandatory smart meter rollout that simply don’t add up. The general consensus among those in the industry is that smart meters can indeed be a good idea if it is not forced upon homeowners and made mandatory. While MEA believes smart meters can provide savings to some consumers who are in the position to alter their electricity usage patterns, it is important to remember that a great many consumers simply do not have this luxury.

In fact, mandatory smart meters would likely have a detrimental impact on many households, particularly families with young children and the elderly. To these more vulnerable consumers who have no choice but to use electricity during peak times, smart meters and time-of-use tariffs will more than likely lead to higher energy bills. Furthermore, due to the cost of the technology involved, it would likely cost even more money for electricity companies to read smart meters.

We do acknowledge that smart meters can be beneficial to some households and should be made available to those consumers who make the decision to change to advanced metering. However, it is the more vulnerable members of society that will lose out with a mandatory smart meter rollout.

It is wasteful spending that will drive the cost of electricity even higher.

MEA recommends the government adopt the old approach of restoring off-peak electricity tariffs rather than enforcing compulsory new equipment.

It is not the government’s place to force a decision on behalf of consumers, especially when each household’s living situation, energy usage and capacity for change may vary significantly. For smart metering to be beneficial for consumers, it needs to be a choice, not a mandatory imposition.

Master Electricians Australia Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Uninterruptable power supply The Eaton 9PX uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is the next generation of energy-efficient 6 to 11 kVA future-proof UPS’s for virtualised environments, where management of rising energy costs and consumption is a consideration.

The devices come as a compact rack/tower versatile form factor, delivering 5400 W in a 3U and 10,000 W in a 6U profile. Featuring up to 95% efficiency in online double conversion mode, 98% in high-efficiency mode and a power factor of 0.9, the 9PX is able to deliver 28% more power than other UPSs in the same class. In double conversion topology the 9PX constantly monitors power conditions and regulates voltage and frequency for optimised power management. As a result, the 9PX is suitable for users looking to protect their equipment in computer rooms and small data centres as well as in industrial, manufacturing and medical applications. For enhanced manageability, a graphical LCD provides clear information on the UPS’s full status and analytics as well as configuration parameters. The multilingual screen tilts to 45° for ease of viewing and its position can be adjusted to suit rack or tower use.

Users have the option to monitor energy consumption at the UPS via the LCD and/or remotely through Eaton’s Intelligent Power Software Suite, which is compatible with all major operating systems and virtualisation software. Thus, the 9PX easily integrates with virtualised IT environments such as VMware vCenter, Microsoft HyperV, Citrix XEN and Red Hat KVM. Connectivity options are broad and include USB, Serial and Relay as well as a slot for an optional network card. To ensure service continuity, the 9PX is equipped with redundant components as well as an internal self-powered bypass. A maintenance bypass module is also available for replacement of the UPS without interruption to critical systems.

The entire 9PX range incorporates Eaton’s proprietary Hot Sync paralleling technology, enabling scaled UPS redundancy or capacity deployment as business requirements change. The 6 kVA model features load segment control, which enables prioritised shutdowns of non-essential equipment to maximise battery runtime for critical load devices. Eaton’s Advanced Battery Management (ABM) technology includes a three-stage intelligent charging process that optimises recharge time, eliminates overcharging and continuously monitors battery condition. Thanks to ABM, battery service life can be extended by up to 50%. Furthermore, users can increase runtime by adding up to 12 external hot-swappable battery modules. As a result, the system can provide autonomous power for several hours if necessary.

Eaton Industries Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/R745

Sensorless Vector Control Drives

0.75kw to 400kw

• LCD keypad offers a user-friendly operation interface. The display screen can be defined by the user with TP-Editor soft.

• Quick setting, user defined parameter management, and parameter copy functions make the installation fast and easy.

• Modular design for flexible extension and ease maintenance.

• Built-in BACnet and MODBUS. Various optional communication cards such as ProfiBUS-DP, DeviceNet, MODBUS TCP, EtherNet-IP, and CANopen.

• Long-life design.

• The PCB (Printed Circuit Board) coating enhances the reliability and durability.

• Fire mode and Bypass functions provide safe operation in an emergency.

• Useful functions for pump and fan applications, such as: PID control, sleep/wake up functions, flying start, and skip frequency.

• Multi-pumps control functions, such as: fixed time, fixed quantity, circulating controls. The driver can control a maximum of eight pumps at the same time. An optional relay extension card is available depending on the pump quantity.

• Built-in PLC 10K step and Real time Clock.

www.mechtric.com.au Perth 08 92480410 / Adelaide 08 83472499 / Melbourne 03 97064599 Sydney 02 96745511 / Brisbane 07 32743327

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 47

NEW PRODUCTS

RH and temperature measurement Maintaining reliable RH measurements in harsh or corrosive environments is notoriously difficult as the conditions themselves degrade the sensors and equipment, often in short time periods. Michell Instruments’ DT722 RH and temperature transmitter provides a solution to this problem.

To best meet specific application needs, the series is available in digital (DT722) and analog (DT722-X18) models. The digital electronic

HV meter

platform version gives high-performance meas-

The Vitrek 4700 6-digit precision high-voltage meter is suitable

urement with good RH accuracy and delivers

for measurements to 10 kV rms and, by means of the Vitrek HVL

reliable, consistent and accurate results even

range of precision attenuators, can be extended to measure to

over changing ambient conditions.

35, 70, and 100 kV rms.

The DT722-X18 is an analog through-path

The meter is suitable for measurement at frequencies as low

measurement device with good mechanical

as 0.01 to 600 Hz while providing true rms (TRMS) as well as DC

toughness. Field adjustment is quick and

measurements and is capable of high-speed analysis by virtue

easy, making it a good choice for use in all types of after-market service and

of a DSP providing up to 60 filtered readings per second. The

suitable for the nuclear industry. Other benefits of the device are quick and

instrument is well suited to calibration of HiPot and VLF testing

simple serviceability and high stability. The transmitters have been designed

systems for loss angle and other applications.

for use in severe industrial environments. They are reliable and robust with

The unit has a basic accuracy of 0.03% DC and 0.1% true

a strong, stainless steel housing providing protection against rough handling

RMS AC. It has dual inputs and provides differential or phase-to-

or accidental damage; IP65 (NEMA 4) ingress protection; and a probe which

phase voltage measurement and can be powered by an optional

can withstand temperatures up to 150°C. The transmitters are for duct mount-

lithium-ion battery pack providing up to 11 hours between charges.

ing in the most suitable place for the application. They have good chemical

Westek Electronics Pty Ltd

resistance for longer use in contaminated areas and are available with a

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S077

selection of filter materials to afford best protection to the sensors based on specific environmental conditions.

AMS Instrumentation & Calibration Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S444

10 and 15 kV megohmmeters AEMC has introduced the 6550 10 kV and 6555 15 kV megohmmeters. The meters are expert tools for testing insulation safely and accurately and are suitable for use on rotating equipment and machinery operating at 10 kV or

3-phase power logger

higher. They are claimed to be the only fully automated 10,000 and 15,000

Available to rent, the Fluke 1735 3-Phase Power Logger is suitable

V graphical insulation testers. The meters provide insulation measurements

for load studies, energy assessments, harmonics measurement

up to 30,000 GΩ. Test results include DAR, PI, DD, ∆R, capacitance, leakage

and voltage event capture. The power logger can be set up in

current and programmable temperature correction of resistance readings.

seconds to measure all three phases and neutral with the supplied

Users can program up to three-step voltage profiles on the megohmmeters (from 40 to 10,000 or 15,000 V, dependent on model), each con-

flexible current probes.

With colour display, up to 12 h

taining up to ten steps. The meters include three ramp profiles and three

battery life and the ability to record

programmable test voltages in addition to the standard fixed voltages of

4320 averaging intervals of data,

500, 1000, 2500, 5000, 10,000 and 15,000 V.

the unit can uncover intermittent or

These units have a USB interface and a data storage function, which

hard-to-find issues users may be

permits storage of test results in files specific to the device under test.

experiencing. The included Power Log

The included DataView software configures and runs tests directly from a

software allows users to display all

PC and creates data analysis reports.

recorded parameters on interactive

The meters have a large backlit graphical LCD screen with digital dis-

trends and the Report Writer function

play, bargraph and R(t)+v(t), i(t) and i(v) graphs and use a 5 mA charging

will generate reports and view graphs.

current. Multiple test modes are possible, such as voltage ramp and step

Features include: monitor maximum power demand over user-

with ‘burning,’ ‘early break’ and ‘I-limit’ modes.

defined averaging periods; prove the benefit of efficiency im-

The meters allow storage of 80,000 time-stamped measurements and

provements with energy consumption tests; improve reliability by

have three filters to optimise measurement stability. They are suitable for a

capturing voltage dips and swells from load switching; measure

range of applications, including insulation testing on cables, transformers,

harmonic distortion caused by electronic loads.

motors, generators, insulators and wiring installation.

TechRentals

AEMC Instruments

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/R324

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/Q897

48 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

EFFICIENCY+ RENEWABLES

DESIGNED &

MANUFACTURED IN GERMANY

Solar Energy Australia

Leading the solar generation Solar Energy Australia

S

olar Energy Australia (SEA) is a

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conventional inverters, in the event of single

both stand alone and grid feed-

panel failure the remaining panels continue

ing, suitable for projects of all sizes. Solar

to produce power.

Energy Australia were there at the birth and

SEA’s own range of Orion 2.0kW and 4.6kW

subsequent growth of the Solar PV industry.

high efficiency transformer-less solar inverters

SEA’s large premises combine manufacturing,

and the latest SS Series (3kW -4.6kW) pro-

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vides a flexible, modern inverter solution for

the one roof, enabling us to offer that personal

domestic net-metered installations in Australia

service and complete technical support.

& New Zealand. Economically priced, the SS

SEA is not just a supplier of solar power

range features very high conversion efficiency

products but also deeply understand and

without sacrificing reliability.

support the technical needs of this ever

We can also supply clamps for clip lock

changing solar industry.

roof, array earthing systems, mounts, and

Solar Energy Australia provides a range of

accessories including DC breakers and

custom and off-the-shelf kits, for installers and

isolators, enclosures, connectors, and AC

retailers across Australia. Combining Solar

circuit breakers

Energy Australia (SEA) and Sunways invert-

With years of experience, our engineering team

ers, along with ET Solar and Sunways solar

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modules, and Hopergy mounting systems for

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The INVOLAR MAC250 micro-inverter offers

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the latest technology in power inverters.

Each micro-inverter is connected to one

www.solaraustralia.com.au

©iStockphoto.com/merrymoonmary

CASE STUDY

Retrofit realises rebates

T

he Abode Apartments complex is located in the commercial hub of St Leonards on Sydney’s North Shore.

The development was completed in 2004 and is home to around 600 residents. With accommodation spanning two towers - the 18-storey West Tower and 10-storey East tower - the premium development includes190 apartments, secure underground parking, a gym, a swimming pool and a spa/wellness centre.

In early 2012, LED lighting experts enLighten Australia were completing a retrofit lighting installation in a neighbouring strata property when the Abode Executive Committee was considering ways to increase energy efficiency across the development. enLighten was consequently awarded a contract to supply LED lighting in the fire stairs and underground carpark in May 2012.

In addition, the executive committee embarked on a program of building-wide energy reduction which included power factor correction implementation, installation of LED downlights in the front-of-house corridor areas and heat pumps for the pool. enLighten’s charter was simple: save energy. Existing lighting in the fire stairs was a mixture of 36 W single and double T8 fluorescent fixtures driven by electronic and magnetic ballasts. The lights need to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and included no energy-saving controls. The majority of car park lighting was fitted with occupancy sensors.

As the fire stairs were extremely low-use areas that accessed each of the tower floors, as well as the car park, enLighten determined that the most appropriate fitting was the Chamaeleon, which operates on a standby level of light during periods when the area is unoccupied. The average standby energy usage is 7.5 W, which increases to 28 W when presence is detected via a microwave sensor. In total, 452 fluorescent tubes were replaced with 271 Chamaeleon lights, generating lighting levels above Australian standards. Ceiling-mounted emergency 10 chip Chamaeleon fittings were installed in the fire stair areas, which required 24-hour lighting, and a mixture of standard and emergency Chamaeleons were installed in the car park. The Chamaeleon fittings are particularly suitable to low occupancy areas, as the integrated microwave sensor detects motion and raises light levels accordingly, thereby saving energy in standby mode. Installation has clearly been a key consideration in the design process, as many of the elements address problems common to fittings of this type including: a ‘smart’ connection base facilitates easy installation and removal for maintenance and technology upgrades, a keyed lock for fast and easy removal of the fixture without power isolation, an externally accessible compartment

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

for simple battery changeover (in emergency versions). The Chaemeleon also incorporates generous integrated heatsink, which maximises LED performance and supports a life span of up to 50,000 h.

Energy savings on the project were immediately evident, as the graph below illustrates. Energy use post-installation (24 June) shows a reduction of 25%. ROI was calculated by costing maintenance access, the number of lamps and control components replaced including ballasts, starters and transformers, disposal and emergency battery costs.

Estimated per annum electricity savings are projected at 138,771 kWh, or an astounding 91%. Given that the project will be applicable for Energy Savings Certificates under the NSW Energy Savings Scheme, the project will realise an ROI period of around 1.6 years. enLighten Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S250

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 51

NEW PRODUCTS

Four-quadrant inverter The Voltlogic Statcom is a four-quadrant inverter designed for connection to low-voltage networks, to combat electricity supply quality problems associated with small-scale embedded generation. It provides additional load or embedded generation capacity on existing low-voltage infrastructure, without the need for augmentation.

Voltlogic operates in three modes: Statcom mode helps control network voltage at the point of attachment. The addition of a downstream current sensor allows the device to control the downstream power factor close to unity, thus minimising losses.

Inverter mode injects real power from the DC sources such as solar, wind, fuel cells, batteries and other energy storage systems.

In charger mode the device extracts AC power from the grid, or other source, and stores it into a DC storage system or network.

Voltlogic products are derived from single-phase inverters but are specifically designed to be grid connected in the low-voltage, single-phase distribution network (415 V/240 V). They can be used in single- or three-phase configuration and are self-sequencing.

Voltlogic is available in 5 and 20 kVA models.

Renewable Energy Solutions Australia Holdings Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S172

IP-rated luminaires Thorn’s Gladiator range of luminaires is IP66 rated, vandal-, dust- and

LED replacements for traditional T8 fluorescent tubes Osram’s SubstiTube range replaces traditional T8

water-resistant, designed to suit applications such as mining, heavy

fluorescents, working on conventional control gear

industrial, public amenity areas and schools.

that provides instant-on LED lighting without warm-

The range combines a die-cast body, polycarbonate diffuser and Safe-T

up time. To replace the fluorescent tubes, only the

Locking System (SLS). With an IP66 and 4 x IK10 (80 joules) impact rat-

starter needs to be exchanged and the lamp itself

ing, the range withstands high impact, while providing ease-of-installation

replaced. No rewiring is required.

and maintenance.

The SubstiTube Basic has homogeneous light output and a uniformly diffused 120° light distribution pattern. It replaces 18 and 36 W fluorescent tubes. It emits no UV, contains no mercury and has a longer average life, which reduces maintenance costs. It also reduces energy consumption by up to 50%.

Available in 2 and 4′ versions, the Basic has an operating life of 30,000 h. It fits directly into standard T8 fluorescent luminaires and meets the IEC 62560 safety standard.

Providing up to 60% energy savings, the SubstiTube Advanced is an LED that replaces traditional 18, 36 and 58 W fluorescent tubes. It has a life of 40,000 h, is mercury free and emits no UV. Available in 2, 4 and 5′ versions, the Advanced also meets the IEC

Gladiator is available in a range of light engines, including LED, T5

62560 Safety Standard. According to Osram, the

and T8, with digital dimming, LED emergency module or eSMART sen-

Advanced has a service life up to five times longer

sor options. The range uses a dual light optic for its LED solution and

than a conventional fluorescent lamp.

is designed to give a precise light distribution and uniformity similar to traditional fluorescent lamps. The L70 rating of 50,000 h at Ta 40°C ensures additional energy savings and reduced maintenance.

Osram Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/R368

Thorn Lighting Pty Limited Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S064

52 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

SOLAR TAKES TO THE HIGH SEAS

©iStockphoto.com/Bob Ingelhart

©iStockphoto.com/Julien Tromeur

ENERGY ALTERNATIVES

Many countries are turning to solar technology and renewable energy because of a need for alternative energy sources and environmental concerns.

To help meet these needs, DNV has developed SUNdy, a large-scale offshore solar field concept.

R

esearchers at DNV have developed a dynamic floating offshore solar field concept. Dubbed SUNdy, the core feature of the concept is a hexagonal array which floats on the sea surface.

A collection of these arrays, totalling 4200 solar panels, forms a solar island the size of a large football stadium, capable of generating 2 MW of power. Multiple islands connected together make up a solar field of 50 MW or more, producing enough electricity for 30,000 people.

“The renewable energy market is rapidly changing due in main part to climate change, soaring global demand for electricity, and scarcity of fossil fuels. For DNV, technological innovation is a key element in our strategy to help address these concerns and SUNdy, as an example of our research work, can help illustrate future applications for solar as a truly sustainable resource,” says Bjørn Tore Markussen, Chief Operational Officer for DNV KEMA Energy & Sustainability Asia. “Indeed, renewable energy is becoming increasingly important in nations across the globe, including Asia, and with such a readily available and abundant source that is rapidly approaching grid parity levels, it’s solar power that’s attracting a lot of interest in this part of the world.”

The SUNdy concept is made possible using thin-film 560 W solar panels which are flexible and lighter than the traditional rigid glassbased modules, allowing them to undulate with the ocean’s surface, explains Sanjay Kuttan, Managing Director of the DNV Clean Technology Centre in Singapore. “The key to creating an ocean-based structure of this size is the use of a tension-only design. Rather like a spider’s web, this dynamic, compliant structure yields to the waves, yet is capable of withstanding considerable external loads acting upon it.”

According to Dr Kuttan, separating the solar arrays into prefabricated sections allows for large-scale manufacturing and streamlined assembly offshore. The cable grid provides for maintenance access in the form of floating gangways. Below the surface, the shape of the island is maintained by the tensile forces from the lengthy spread mooring.

54 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

“The island has been optimised for solar capability and cabling efficiency,” adds Kevin Smith, Global Segment Director for DNV KEMA’s Renewable Energy Services. “The solar arrays are divided into electrical zones feeding electricity produced into two main switches collecting the power for voltage step up at a central transformer (2MVA 480/34.5kV). From the offshore solar farm’s central island, 30 kV electrical transmission lines connect, tying other islands in series to form a close loop and continue to the electrical substation onshore for grid connection.”

The unveiling of the SUNdy concept comes at a time when solar photovoltaics (PV) is experiencing extraordinary market growth. Almost 30 GW of operating capacity has been added, increasing total global capacity by 74% to more than 69 GW according to the Renewable Energy Policy Network 2012 report. While the EU again dominated the global market, markets are expanding in other regions, and China has rapidly emerged as the dominant player in Asia. Emerging markets, such as South-East Asia, are also aiming to grow their renewable energy production with an increased presence in the solar sector.

“Many countries are turning to solar technology and renewable energy because of a need for alternative energy sources and environmental concerns,” says Markussen and adds, “This is particularly so in highly populated countries which need more and more energy to supply their booming economies. We firmly believe the SUNdy floating solar field concept offers sound and sustainable development prospects, particularly in Asia and the congested coastal megacities where there’s limited opportunity for rooftop solar power and urban areas which command premium prices for large-scale mounted solar production.”

DNV www.dnv.com.au

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

CASE STUDY

Controls helps school achieve gold

T

he first gold-certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) public building in Texas, the Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy high school was purpose-built to be environmentally sustainable. A Philips Dynalite lighting control system was instrumental in helping the school achieve its green credentials and continues to be energyefficient, flexible and easy to operate. The project design called for an advanced lighting control system that would save energy, cut costs and improve the learning environment, while integrating theatre stage lighting into the networked system.

Components can be added or adjusted as requirements change, thanks to the system’s modular design, and users can control or configure system parameters remotely via internet.

Each classroom has a Philips Dynalite two-button DLP entry station (wall panel) and a six-button DLP teacher’s station behind the front desk. Lighting is controlled by DALI addressable ballasts, along with ceiling-mounted universal sensors that combine motion detection, infrared remote control reception and ambient light level detection in the one device that provides daylight harvesting and occupancy sensing.

Hallway and outdoor lighting is controlled with five Philips Lyteswitch Centralised Relay Panels controlled through the Dynalite software via a six-button DLP override station, time clock and DTP170 touch-screen panel. House lights in the theatre are controlled by an Optio Centralised Dimming Panel and Philips Advance Mark 7 ballasts in each of the fixtures. Stage lighting is controlled through a Philips Intelligent Raceway distributed dimming system. Stage and house lighting is integrated into the network and controlled via Dynalite commands. During performances, the interfaced DMX512 Theatrical Console controls the lighting.

The theatre’s unusual design allows the rear auditorium wall to open up, exposing the stage to an open-air amphitheatre. When the theatre is configured this way, the Dynalite and theatrical control systems automatically adjust so that the stage positions are reversed and lighting for the seating area switches to the outdoor luminaires.

A BACnet gateway integrates lighting control with the heating and air-conditioning systems. The Dynalite’s flexibility allows it to interface with luminaires from other manufacturers.

The Gilliam Academy says the lighting control system has significantly reduced its energy consumption and costs while improving ambience and comfort levels in the classrooms.

Philips Lighting Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/R197

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 55

NEW PRODUCTS

DC switch range ABBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OTDC is specifically designed for direct current (DC) applications, including technically demanding solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Switch-disconnectors are largely used as the main switch in low-voltage switchgear for distribution of power, starting and stopping motors and isolating loads during maintenance. In PV systems, they are relied on to operate continuously in hot locations, to break current and provide isolation at exceptionally high voltages - ABBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OTDC switch-disconnectors meet all these requirements.

Despite its compact size, OTDC has generous insulation voltage ratings and the DC-rated operational voltage can be scaled up to 1200 V thanks to a carefully optimised arc dissipation plate design and to dual magnetic breaking (DMB) action. This flexibility can be achieved because of the modular design and without increasing the footprint area.

ABB Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/R919

Electrical contractor training Schneider Electric has launched its global training and certification program, EcoXpert, into the Australian market. The EcoXpert program has been developed to aid electrical contractors diversify and grow their business.

EcoXpert is designed to give medium-sized electrical contractors the necessary skills to become certified energy experts so they can develop new services and meet the changing energy needs of their customer base. The program helps contractors advise, sell and install a broad range of pre-engineered energy solutions across small to medium-sized commercial, industrial buildings and high-end residential applications. EcoXpert training is tailored specifically to the contractorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs and individual training requirements. There are many opportunities for contractors to be mentored in a variety of areas, depending on business and customer needs. The EcoXpert Program is structured into three levels of certification; Level One is the EcoXpert Specialist. This incorporates a path where contractors train in specialist sectors that meet their individual requirements and skill set. Specialities can include expertise in electric vehicle charging stations, solar equipment for renewable energy, lighting management and home energy efficiency improvement. Level Two, the EcoXpert Energy Adviser, provides a range of training which takes electrical contractors on the necessary steps to become certified EcoXpert Energy Advisors. Electrical contractors wanting to take a holistic approach to energy-efficiency solutions can join the EcoXpert program at this level. The third level EcoXpert Advanced course is the building block to train electrical contractors in the automation and control aspect of energy management and efficiency. Certified Advanced EcoXperts are able to offer a service that goes above and beyond for the energy-efficient future.

The EcoXpert program trains contractors using a variety of techniques including e-learning, classroom-based training and one-on-one sessions. Once trained, licensed contractor companies will receive an EcoXpert certification for their business and will be responsible for passing on the relevant skills to additional employees across the company. Certified contractors are able to access the dedicated EcoXpert web portal which gives them direct access to advice and guidance from Schneider Electric in a collaborative environment.

EcoXpert will help position contractors as energy experts, with the ability to provide a full suite of Schneider Electric energy management solutions to their customers.

Schneider Electric Aust Pty Limited Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S449

Energy-efficient fluorescent lighting The Eclipse range from Strategic Lighting is an Australian designed and manufactured, energy-efficient T5 fluorescent luminaire. The IP66-rated fitting is suitable for multiple indoor and outdoor applications across a wide variety of industries and offers substantial energy savings to businesses.

The luminaire was originally designed for the food processing industry. However, its demonstrable versatility and energy-saving capability has led to a rapid rollout in low- and high-bay installations in factories, warehouses, breweries, mining, security, retail shops, signage, marine, car parks, car and truck wash facilities, public utilities and entertainment venues in Australia and overseas.

Features include short seal technology providing IP66 water jet proof and dust proof integrity, extruded aluminium powder-coated housing, injection moulded, chemical-resistant composites, rotating polycarbonate fracture proof lenses with ratchet control and stainless steel mounting clips with safety features.

Strategic Lighting Pty Limited Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/R975

56 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

EFFICIENCY INNOVATION

THE FIRST ALL-CARBON SOLAR CELL Mark Shwartz

Researchers have developed a solar cell made entirely of carbon, an inexpensive substitute for the pricey materials used in conventional solar panels.

S

tanford University scientists have built the first solar cell made entirely of carbon, a promising alternative to the expensive materials used in photovoltaic devices today.

The results are published in an online edition of the journal

ACS Nano.

“Carbon has the potential to deliver high performance at a low cost,” said study senior author Zhenan Bao, a professor of chemical engineering at Stanford. “To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a working solar cell that has all of the components made of carbon. This study builds on previous work done in our lab.”

Unlike rigid silicon solar panels that adorn many rooftops, Stanford’s thin-film prototype is made of carbon materials that can be coated from solution. “Perhaps in the future we can look at alternative markets where flexible carbon solar cells are coated on the surface of buildings, on windows or on cars to generate electricity,” Bao said.

The coating technique also has the potential to reduce manufacturing costs, said Stanford graduate student Michael Vosgueritchian, co-lead author of the study with postdoctoral researcher Marc Ramuz.

“Processing silicon-based solar cells requires a lot of steps,” Vosgueritchian explained. “But our entire device can be built using simple coating methods that don’t require expensive tools and machines.”

Carbon nanomaterials The Bao group’s experimental solar cell consists of a photoactive layer, which absorbs sunlight, sandwiched between two electrodes.

In a typical thin-film solar cell, the electrodes are made of conductive metals and indium tin oxide (ITO). “Materials like indium are scarce and becoming more expensive as the demand for solar cells, touch-screen panels and other electronic devices grows,” Bao said. “Carbon, on the other hand, is low-cost and Earth-abundant.”

For the study, Bao and her colleagues replaced the silver and ITO used in conventional electrodes with graphene - sheets of carbon that are one atom thick - and single-walled carbon nanotubes that are 10,000 times narrower than a human hair. “Carbon nanotubes

58 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

have extraordinary electrical conductivity and light-absorption properties,” Bao said.

For the active layer, the scientists used material made of carbon nanotubes and ‘buckyballs’ - soccer ball-shaped carbon molecules just one nanometre in diameter. The research team recently filed a patent for the entire device.

“Every component in our solar cell, from top to bottom, is made of carbon materials,” Vosgueritchian said. “Other groups have reported making all-carbon solar cells, but they were referring to just the active layer in the middle, not the electrodes.”

One drawback of the all-carbon prototype is that it primarily absorbs near-infrared wavelengths of light, contributing to a laboratory efficiency of less than 1% - much lower than commercially available solar cells. “We clearly have a long way to go on efficiency,” Bao said. “But with better materials and better processing techniques, we expect that the efficiency will go up quite dramatically.”

Improving efficiency The Stanford team is looking at a variety of ways to improve efficiency. “Roughness can short-circuit the device and make it hard to collect the current,” Bao said. “We have to figure out how to make each layer very smooth by stacking the nanomaterials really well.”

The researchers are also experimenting with carbon nanomaterials that can absorb more light in a broader range of wavelengths, including the visible spectrum.

“Materials made of carbon are very robust,” Bao said. “They remain stable in air temperatures of nearly 600°C.” The ability of carbon solar cells to outperform conventional devices under extreme conditions could overcome the need for greater efficiency, according to Vosgueritchian. “We believe that all-carbon solar cells could be used in extreme environments, such as at high temperatures or at high physical stress,” he said. “But obviously we want the highest efficiency possible and are working on ways to improve our device.”

“Photovoltaics will definitely be a very important source of power that we will tap into in the future,” Bao said. “We have a lot of available sunlight. We’ve got to figure out some way to use this natural resource that is given to us.”

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

CASE STUDY

Budget hotels are big business

I

n its first partnership with a major budget hotel chain in Asia, GE Lighting is collaborating with Tune Hotels to jointly explore and implement green solutions across its portfolio of hotels. To date, 2876 light points have been replaced with GE’s energy-efficient and eco-friendly LED lights across Tune Hotels in Malaysia. With the new lighting solutions for both exterior and interior environments, the hotels stand out with high-quality illumination while enjoying energy savings and lower maintenance costs.

Tune Hotels is a leading ‘limited service’ hotel chain. It has a current portfolio of 26 operational hotels across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, The Philippines and the United Kingdom with an ambitious development pipeline in the works. GE’s collaboration with Tune Hotels is its first such partnership with a major budget hotel chain in Asia and beyond.

Mark Lankester, CEO of Tune Hotels, commented: “For Tune Hotels, it is very important for us to operate efficiently and be eco-friendly as any savings will directly benefit our customers.

We needed a global partner that understands our needs and has the scale to support us in all the countries that we want to go into. GE was a perfect match. As we embark on an aggressive expansion plan to open 30 new hotels from 2012 across Asia and the United Kingdom, we look forward to having GE support our lighting needs. In Malaysia, we aim to be the first branded budget hotel chain in Asia to be certified to the standards of the country’s Green Building Index.”

Under the initial phase of the partnership, GE Lighting has, to date, implemented its energy-efficient solutions in Malaysia. Some 2876 light points for both exterior and interior environments have been replaced at Tune Hotels Ipoh and Tune Hotels Kuala Lumpur.

The products specified include LED battens and Tetra Signage System comprising the Tetra miniMAX. Mr O Swee Aun, Country Manager of GE Lighting Malaysia, elaborated: “It is exciting to work with a client like Tune Hotels who share our vision and commitment towards green technology. In today’s competitive business arena, adopting an energy-efficient and ecofriendly approach to lighting solutions will benefit our clients and their customers in the long term. While providing good quality illumination to meet our clients’ needs, we also look forward to offering them greater savings and, at the same time, conserving natural resources. Given GE’s global presence and the breadth and depth of our range of products and technical expertise, we are a premier one-stop lighting solutions provider for all types of environments.”

Creating ‘home away from home’ ambience for the hotel interiors The GE team aimed to create a comfortable and welcoming interior that would invite guests to relax and enjoy their stay at Tune Hotels, their ‘home away from home’.

For the hotels, the LED battens were installed at the lift lobby, corridor, toilet, room and bed pelmet.

The LED battens were used as the main ambient lighting. They were able to achieve the luminance level as required by the customer while providing greater energy savings and a more uniform lighting distribution effect as compared to conventional fluorescent lights used previously.

The GE LED batten, with its simple appearance and compact structure, brings customers new experience of soft LED lighting. It offers a long lifetime of 45,000 hours, which contributes to greatly reduced maintenance and replacement costs. With the special optical design, the LED batten provides more comfortable and uniform lighting effects

www.ECDsolutions.com.au

for customers. In addition, the integrated design and three-cove light bracket options make it more convenient for installation. LED battens can be used in a wide range of general lighting applications, such as supermarkets, underground garage, home and display occasions.

Lighting for distinctive urban landmarks Each Tune Hotel tends to be the distinctive landmark of the city that it is in. To add a brilliant glow to the exterior facade and signage, the GE team specified the Tetra Signage system that utilises highluminance, energy-efficiency LED that offers a consistent colour tone across the signage, enabling the true representation of the image of Tune Hotel. The high reliability of the Tetra Signage system also significantly reduces the maintenance cost of signage, which tends to be at hard-to-reach areas.

The Tetra system provides for miniature channel letter lighting for logo letters and is also suitable for cove lighting, accent or border lighting for commercial buildings. The OptiLens maximises the area of light coverage to produce uniformity. It comes with easy mounting and an overmoulded design which protects the components from moisture.

Users have a choice of a full range of colours including white, warm white, red, blue and green.

Reaping returns and reducing environmental impact With GE Lighting’s new lighting solutions, Tune Hotels will enjoy estimated savings of 30-40% in terms of energy and maintenance costs.

This translates to a payback period of approximately 1.6 years. From an environmental protection perspective, the energy savings is equivalent to eliminating nearly 375,000 kg of carbon dioxide car emissions per year, or creating 102.3 acres of new trees.

GE Lighting Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S340

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 59

CASE STUDY

Managing solar for remote communities

I

ncorporating a high level of PV power generation into a diesel power station can cause quality-of-supply concerns when the solar power level changes abruptly, such as from passing cloud on a sunny day, as diesel engines require at least a few minutes to adjust to significant power changes on the local grid. There can also be short periods when the level of generated solar power gets close to or exceeds the local community consumption level, or where a power distribution feeder fault occurs, which requires the power output of the solar generating plant to be under direct and immediate control of the power station. Both of these concerns could, if not managed properly, lead to unacceptable levels of electricity voltage and frequency changes or possibly even power station outages due to protection devices tripping.

The Grid Stability System (GSS) from MPower can be used to manage a solar generating plant. The system is designed to minimise power fluctuations from solar generating plants into remote area diesel power stations by incorporating battery storage and control of battery energy to stabilise power production from PV power plants. The same concept could be applied to controlling and compensating for wind farm power variability.

“The system allows larger concentrations of PV to be incorporated as well as lowering the unnecessary cycling of plant due to dips in PV output resulting from intermittent cloud cover.

This development enhances remote areas communities through power consistency, and availability, while also enhancing the cost-effectiveness of their power suppliers,’’ MPower Projects Managing Director Anthony Csillag said. “It’s a win-win situation.’’

Techniques and control systems used for the oil and gas industry, along with specialised battery management for remote

area applications, make the GSS a convenient and suitable product for these remote area solar power systems.

The containerised product is the hub of the solar power plant, combining the control and electrical distribution to the photovoltaic modules and solar power inverters as well as the electrical and fibre-optic point of connection to the diesel power station.

Automated processes, and remote communications to MPower’s service group, allow the product to operate with minimal local maintenance.

“While the Grid Stability System offers many advantages for remote area power and solar, its full benefits are yet to be realised and we believe it will have a significant impact on the power industry in the long term,’’ Csillag said.

This impact may soon be seen, as MPower is already working with energy providers to use the GSS as support for the single wire earth return (SWER) networks that form much of rural Australia’s ailing power transmission and distribution system.

“Single wire earth return (SWER) distribution systems have been the traditional means of supplying power to remote areas, with dispersed customers over long distances,’’ Csillag explained.

“It’s estimated that over 190,000 km of SWER networks have been built in Australia in the last 50 years and, due to steady growth in electricity demand and urban encroachment, much of the network is now reaching or exceeding its capacity.

“Upgrading or replacement of the network represents a significant capital cost. It has been estimated, for example, that to replace Victoria’s bare wire rural network alone would cost in the range $12-20 billion, with SWER line upgrades often exceeding $25,000 per customer.’’

MPower Products Pty Limited Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S597

LED downlights LED downlight lamps from Vibe Lighting provide an alternative to energy-hungry 35 and 50 W halogen MR16 dichroic lamps.

Available in two wattages (6 and 9 W) and two colour temperatures (3000 and 4000K), the company claims the lamps will suit most transformers on the market, but advises checking suitability before large-scale lamp changes.

The lamps have a high CRI of 85 and a wide beam angle of 36°, making them suitable for a range of architectural applications. They also feature a Nichia LED chip.

Vibe Lighting Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/R729

60 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

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A big THANKS to all our valued readers!

You have helped create TWO fantastic new magazines After analysing the results of over 1000 READER SURVEYS completed earlier this year, we are excited to announce a major transformation for longstanding brands Voice+Data and Electrical Solutions.

The new titles (and their respective websites) reflect the changes in technology markets in recent times and will better service YOUR business information needs.

Voice+Data morphs into Technology Decisions • Content shifts to pure IT • Cloud; security; big data; storage; compliance; mobility;

virtualisation & more • More opinion, analysts, peer talk, case studies & articles • New focus on software, both in magazine and online

www.TechnologyDecisions.com.au

Electrical Solutions expands with more comms+data content and becomes ECD Solutions (Electrical+Comms+Data) • 30% increase in circulation • Comms+Data; Efficiency+Renewables; Automation+Security and Electrical Distribution • New perfect bound format with heavy cover and section dividers • More products, case studies and articles • Regular content on regulations, compliance, training and business tips

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NOTE: Current subscriptions will continue, but if you want to update your magazine and/or online preferences, simply go to www.ECDsolutions.com.au or www.TechnologyDecisions.com.au

CASE STUDY

School installs 60 kW solar PV system

A

utonomous Energy has designed, installed and commissioned a 60 kW solar PV system at Pymble Ladies’ College. The system was installed in two phases; the first phase (16 kW) was commissioned in July 2011 and the second phase (60 kW) went live in February 2012.

This industrial-sized solar PV system is part of Pymble Ladies’ College’s dedicated Environmental Management Plan and commitment to sustainability. The system comprises 215 W multicrystalline PV solar modules manufactured by Kyocera. The array is mounted on engineered, solar-specific mounting equipment and is connected to SMA three-phase inverters via (USE-2 rated) DC solar cabling. The inverters connect to the electricity network via a solar distribution board and a digital bidirectional CT meter, which enables Pymble Ladies’ College to use the solar electricity first and export any excess electricity produced to the electricity network.

A specialised solar data monitoring system has also been installed, which collects and displays a range of data including solar power output from the inverters, sunlight levels, ambient temperature, cell temperature and much more. This data is presented on a customised online web portal and is used by staff and students at the college for educational purposes as well as by Autonomous Energy for ongoing system performance monitoring and reporting.

“Pymble Ladies’ College is committed to environmental

NEW PRODUCTS

LED lighting for offices Philips Smart Panel is an LED lighting solution for general office areas, providing energy savings of up to 20% compared with conventional 3 x 14 W T5 fittings, based on one-to-one replacement lighting designs carried out by the company.

The Smart Panel boasts efficiency of up to 65 lm/W whilst maintaining office norm glare compliancy of 19 (UGR19). It is available in both warm/neutral white (3000/4000 K) colour temperatures and offers a colour rendering index (CRI) of 80.

With its ultraslim design, the product is suitable for both recessed and suspended applications to cater to all tastes and trends.

Featuring a side-lit LED and high-quality light guide, Smart Panel creates a uniform and clean look for office applications. The 25,000 h minimum lifetime of the product makes it particularly suited to applications where lamp life is a consideration.

Philips Lighting Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/R647

12 W dimmable LED downlight Vibe Lighting’s 12 W dimmable LED downlight has no mercury or lead and emits no infrared or ultraviolet rays.

The 12 W downlight fits a 98 mm cut-out and replaces a

awareness, sustainability, recycling and carbon emission reduction,” said David Sexton, Head of Operational Services, Pymble Ladies’ College. “In partnership with Autonomous Energy, we have commissioned and installed a number of key energysaving initiatives that includes the largest solar panel system in an Australian school, an upgrade to energy-efficient lighting and the implementation of a comprehensive energy audit program. Pymble’s original plan to install a 16 kW solar system was significantly expanded to 60 kW following the exploration of the wider benefits of the system for the college and its community.”

Using CEC guidelines, Autonomous Energy has conservatively estimated that the system will produce approximately 86,403 kW hours pa and reduce GHG emissions by 91,588 kg CO2e pa.

50 W halogen. It is quick to start and does not flicker,

Autonomous Energy Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S598

of 120° and measures 120 mm dia x 52 mm.

making it suitable for commercial applications.

The light is dimmable with most HPM and Clipsal leading- or trailing-edge dimmers (40 to 100%) and has a life of 35,000 h. It reduces maintenance costs and up to 60% on energy costs, Vibe claims.

Compact in size, the light has a built-in driver that allows for easy installation. It offers over 800 lumens. The fitting is ENEC, SAA, EMC and RCM 5614 approved and has a CRI of 70.

Weighing 355 g and with a colour temperature choice of either 3000 or 5000 K, the light is available in two fitting colours: white or brushed chrome. It has a wide-angle beam ANL Lighting Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/Q990

62 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

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Proudly sponsored by:

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© iStockphoto.com/Pamela Moore © iStockphoto.com/Murat Giray Kaya

FINANCING ENERGYEFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT WORKS Chris Nunn, NDY Sustainability Leader*

Rising energy prices are foremost in people’s thoughts these days and although most are aware that investing in energy efficiency ‘pays back’, split incentives can be a barrier to investment. Environmental upgrade agreements (EUAs) are a new finance mechanism that promises to overcome this barrier.

E

nergy retrofits can save building owners and tenants money; improve reliability and occupant comfort; improve brand reputation by demonstrating leadership; help meet legal and corporate social responsibility requirements; attract and retain the best staff; improve NABERS ratings; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, take-up is often limited by what is known as the ‘split incentive problem’.

A split incentive occurs in a transaction where the benefits do not accrue to the person who pays for the transaction. In a typical commercial office the following illustrates the problem.

The owner invests capital in energy-efficiency improvements; energy bills go down; the tenant pays the bill, so the tenant receives the benefits. What’s in it for the owner? In this situation, no one wants to pay for efficiency upgrades because the incentives don’t align.

EUAs are a new way to fund energy-efficiency improvements at existing buildings. EUAs are a contract between a building owner, a financier and a local council to fund environmental improvements to an existing building.

Environmental upgrade finance provides upfront access to capital with repayments made via the savings achieved in re-

64 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

duced energy bills. The scheme creates a mutually beneficial outcome for both property owners and tenants, overcoming the split incentive problem by allowing owners to share upgrade costs with tenants who benefit from reduced energy costs.

The EUA process is initiated by a building owner engaging the professional services of a company such as NDY to identify, design and cost energy-efficiency improvements. Once the building owner knows what they want to do and how much it will cost, they can consider the variety of ways they can fund the works. If the building is in one of the participating local government areas, then the building owner should consider funding the environmental improvement works using an EUA. An EUA is a voluntary contractual agreement between a building owner, a finance provider and a local council, whereby: • the building owner agrees to implement a package of environmental upgrade works at their building (such as energy-efficiency improvements to the lighting, ventilation or cooling systems); • a finance provider agrees to advance capital to the building owner to fund the environmental upgrade works; and

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RETROFIT FINANCING THE SCHEME CREATES A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL OUTCOME FOR BOTH PROPERTY OWNERS AND TENANTS, OVERCOMING THE SPLIT INCENTIVE PROBLEM BY ALLOWING OWNERS TO SHARE UPGRADE COSTS WITH TENANTS WHO BENEFIT FROM REDUCED ENERGY COSTS.

How NDY can help • the money is repaid to the lender through council rates.

The local authority levies a charge on the land to the value of the environmental upgrade works, and then collects quarterly repayments as a line item on top of the normal council rates. The owner can pass the costs of the upgrade works onto the tenant.

EUAs are suitable for building upgrade packages for both tenants and base building systems.

EUAs offer many benefits to building owners including: improved cash flow by displacing the need for upfront capital expenditure on energy-efficiency upgrade works; addressing the split incentive issue by enabling tenant contributions; making available cheap capital at a fixed rate over a longer term than typical bank financing; the EUA runs with the land, so if ownership of the property changes, the structured repayments remain with the property; energy-efficiency savings can be used to service the debt; and the energy-efficiency improvements have the potential to improve the asset value and NABERS ratings, and help attract and retain tenants with a more efficient building.

EUAs also offer benefits to tenants as a cost-neutral way to improve the working environment, reduce operating costs and energy bills, and satisfy the desire for organisations and their staff to occupy energy-efficient workplaces. The amount of the EUA charge passed on to the tenant must be less than or equal to the energy savings they will realise - so that the tenant is guaranteed to not be put at a disadvantage under an EUA. Legislation enabling EUAs is in place for the City of Melbourne and all of NSW. The Cities of Sydney, Newcastle and Parramatta are currently offering EUAs, with North Sydney Council, Penrith City Council, Newcastle City Council, Wollongong City Council and Lake Macquarie City Council expected to participate in the near future. Many other local authorities are watching with interest and may also join the scheme once the first few projects demonstrate the model is sound.

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A key element in making an EUA work is to have a package of energyefficiency upgrade works that has been designed, costed and is ready to implement. This forms the starting point for entering into an EUA. NDY can help existing building owners unlock funding through EUAs, by working with the building owner to develop a package of environmental upgrade works, which might include: • understanding your current environmental performance (eg, BEECs, NABERS and Green Star ratings); • identifying energy-efficiency opportunities at specific buildings and facilities; • energy modelling to quantify the energy savings of selected measures (eg, to identify a package of works that would result in a NABERS Office Base Building Energy rating of 5 Stars); • developing energy-savings calculations, cost estimates, and establishing payback periods; • designing the proposed upgrade works; and • helping you to enter into an EUA with a finance provider and the local authority.

If you are looking to retrofit your office or whole building, or improve business operations by investing in sustainable equipment, and you have a building in one of the participating local council areas, EUAs are an option that could help finance the greening of your office building or tenancy.

Norman Disney & Young Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/S599

*Chris Nunn has 10 years’ experience specialising in sustainability and energy consultancy. Key areas of expertise include the development of sustainability strategies, integrated sustainable building design advice, carbon footprinting, options appraisal and prioritisation, the application of green building rating tools such as Green Star, BREEAM and LEED, and the implementation and operation of ISO14001 compliant Environmental Management Systems.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 - ECD SOLUTIONS 65

High Voltage Forum

ry

©iStockphoto.com/Rüstem GÜRLER

dia

Of interest to the electrical engineering community, as regulators demand continual improvement in safety outcomes. Based around AS 2067-2008 HV standard, providing minimum requirements for the design and installation of high voltages above 1 kV (AC).

Dates: 19-20 March 2013 Venue: TBA, Brisbane Organiser: IDC Technologies Category: Forum www.idc-online.com

Group Training National Conference The conference is an important opportunity to highlight the strength and impact of the group training network at this critical time. Join the campaign to shout out how Group Training Works.

Dates: 17-19 April 2013 Venue: Sofitel Brisbane Central Organiser: Group Training Australia Category: Conference www.grouptraining.com.au/Events_and_media/2013nationalconference

SPARC International Lighting Event 2013 SPARC 2013 is an opportunity to experience the latest in lighting technology through a world-class lighting exhibition by local and international companies.

Dates: 4-6 June 2013 Venue: Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay, Sydney Organiser: Lighting Council Australia Category: Exhibition www.sparcevent.com

CEDIA Expo 2013 The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) is an international trade association of companies that specialise in planning and installing electronic systems for the home. These systems include home networking, home automation and communication systems, media rooms, single- or multiroom entertainment systems, and integrated whole-house subsystems providing lighting control, security, HVAC systems and more.

Dates: 10-12 July 2013 Venue: Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre Organiser: CEDIA Asia Pacific Category: Exhibition www.cediaexpo.com.au/catalog/Home.aspx

Solar 2013 Conference & Expo The Australian Solar Council with international partner Australian PV Solar Energy Exhibition will host the 51st annual Australian Solar Council Industry Conference & Exhibition.

Dates: 23-24 May 2013 Venue: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Organiser: Australian Solar Council Category: Conference & Exhibition www.solarexhibition.com.au

66 ECD SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

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