Electrical Solutions Jan/Feb 2012

903 LUMENS

16 WATTS

AUSSIE DESIGNED

PRODUCT WARRANTY

The D900 now also comes in square.

(We didn't cut any corners.)

The 16W Cube D900 has all the benefits of the Curve D900 with the addition of a square fascia and a unique square beam.

With the Cube, you can use less lights to achieve the same lighting levels as round-beamed downlights. It also fits perfectly with square spaces.

Winner of best product award, designed in Australia and built for Australian conditions, the Cube D900 will perform well for many years to come.

Brightgreen's Cube™ and Curve™ series are available at your nearest electrical wholesaler or find your nearest stockist on our website.

D900 IN CURVE AND CUBE

HIGH LIGHT QUALITY CRI=90

HIGH EFFICIENCY (16w; 56lm/W)

90MM ROUND HOLE CUTOUT

www.brightgreen.com.au

BEST PRODUCT AWARD

SOLUTIONS

ES

ELECTRICAL

6 Cover Story 8 Talk from the Top

Energy efficiency improvements at no cost

10 Lighting Feature

LEaDing the way for a brighter outlook

12 Products

Lots of new products to spark the interest of the electrical world

14 Electrical Solution Energy-efficient technology distribution centre

18 Your Business Is your contractor actually your employee?

20 Electrical Solution

Control electricians' schedules and redeploy them

24 Your Industry

Cut costs through sustainable energy

contents

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

4 Editor's Comment

management practices

28 Lighting Feature

Get your lights right

34 Crossword

NOW also available in DIGITAL! Your copy of Electrical Solutions is now available as an online eMag, with a range of interactive features. http://www.electricalsolutions.net.au/latest_issues

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 - ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS 3

FROM THE

EDITOR A.B.N. 22 152 305 336 Head Office Cnr. Fox Valley Road & Kiogle Street, (Locked Bag 1289) Wahroonga NSW 2076 Australia Ph: +61 2 9487 2700 Fax: +61 2 9489 1265

Another year of opportunity Another year has passed and a new year of opportunities and challenges has descended upon us. Diverse issues such as the new broadband network, increased focus on energy efficiency, demand from the construction (building and non-building) industry, global and Australian economic conditions, and Mother Nature have brought (and will continue to bring) challenges and opportunities for the electrical industry. The market research firm IBISWorld forecasts the new construction of buildings and infrastructure in flood-affected regions - particularly Queensland, and to a lesser extent Victoria over the two years through 2013-14 to boost the performance of the electrical services industry by 1- 2% a year - ie, around $375m a year.

The total revenue of the electrical services industry will increase by 4.2% to $11.1bn in 2011-12, predicts IBISWorld. The firm expects the industry to average revenues of $12.5bn over the next five years through 2016-17. “The return to synchronised cyclical growth in the downstream housing, commercial and industrial building markets, along with the one-off stimulus from reconstruction activity in southern Queensland, will support solid demand for electrical installation and maintenance,” opines IBISWorld.

Technological advancements are playing a key role in the growth and development of the industry. In this issue of the magazine - the first one for 2012 - our in-house technical expert Mike Smyth sheds some light on the present and future of different types of lighting technologies.

Another key topic covered in this issue is sham contracting. The Fair Work Ombudsman is investing sham contracting as some Australian businesses look to avoid employee entitlements by falsely classifying employees as contractors. The Your Business article, contributed by EI Legal’s Patricia Ryan, provides detailed insights on the subject and explains the key differences between contractors and employees.

Energy efficiency, which remains a hot topic in 2012, has also been covered in this issue of the magazine. Turn a few pages, and you will find an article on how companies could employ sustainable energy management practices to cut costs and save energy.

There’s also a case study on Australian lighting company EELCO’s lighting systems for Ingram Micro’s new distribution centre, which is expected to help Ingram reduce electricity consumption by 1.15 GW a year - the equivalent of 150 average Australian households’ annual power consumption. In addition to that, there’s also the usual showcase of new and interesting industry products.

Mansi Gandhi Editor es@westwick-farrow.com.au

4 ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

Editor: Mansi Gandhi es@westwick-farrow.com.au Chief Editor: Janette Woodhouse Publisher: Geoff Hird Art Director/Production Manager: Julie Wright Art/Production: Tanya Scarselletti, Katie Dean, Colleen Sam Circulation Manager: Sue Lavery circulation@westwick-farrow.com.au Copy Control: Mitchie Mullins copy@westwick-farrow.com.au Advertising Sales: Australia - Lisa Gilbert Ph: 0414 283 933 lgilbert@westwick-farrow.com.au New Zealand - Simon Skerman Ph: 0800 442 529 sskerman@westwick-farrow.com.au USA - Huson International Media East Coast Ph: +1 212 268 3344 West Coast Ph: +1 408 879 6666 ralph@husonusa.com UK - Huson International Media Ph: +44 1932 56 4999 gerryb@husonmedia.com ASIA - Lachlan Rainey Ph: +61 (0) 402 157 167

Subscriptions:

For unregistered readers - price on application

If you have any queries regarding our privacy policy please email privacy@westwick-farrow.com.au

September 2011 Total CAB Audited Circulation (Aust + NZ) 4,224 (93% personally requested)

Electrical Solutions: ISSN 1834-0644 Printed and bound by Pegasus Print Group +61 2 8822 0716

All material published in this magazine is published in good faith and every care is taken to accurately relay information provided to us. Readers are advised by the publishers to ensure that all necessary safety devices and precautions are installed and safe working procedures adopted before the use of any equipment found or purchased through the information we provide. Further, all performance criteria was provided by the representative company concerned and any dispute should be referred to them. Information indicating that products are made in Australia or New Zealand is supplied by the source company. Westwick-Farrow Pty Ltd does not quantify the amount of local content or the accuracy of the statement made by the source.

POWERFUL performance under the sun Clipsal Xantrex solar inverters – the perfect solution for your next solar installation Xantrex is a major global leader in premium engineered solar inverters – incorporating superior design, reliability, performance and a reputation for excellence in quality and price competitiveness.

Compatibility with all types of solar modules allows greater design flexibility and simpler installation and use.

For your future installations, you can depend on Clipsal Xantrex solar inverters. For more information, contact your local Clipsal Representative, call 1300 2525 25 or visit clipsal.com

CLIPCOM24054

© 2011 Schneider Electric. All Rights Reserved.

COVER STORY

Sustainability starts at home 78 Waterloo Rd, Macquarie Park is home to Schneider Electric’s new head office building in Sydney, Australia. The building was selected both for its energyefficient design and its convenient location, the middle ground for many of the company’s pre-existing sites. The initial move, which took place at the beginning of 2011, saw approximately 700 staff from seven individual company sites co-locate into Macquarie Park, supporting both Schneider Electric’s energy-efficiency initiatives and to drive its integrated solutions offer. The completion of this move will occur in the early stages of 2012.

The consolidation alone of individual offices into a single building can lead to a significant reduction in an organisation’s energy use and carbon footprint. However, the building also showcases many of Schneider Electric’s energy-efficiency technologies further delivering on their energy-saving potential. Schneider Electric believes its experience highlights three key topics which many businesses today would find they face when considering implementing energy-efficient practices and technologies into the workplace.

• C hanging behaviour What Schneider Electric has achieved goes beyond physical infrastructure and technology.

It has changed the behaviour of its people. Some examples of changing behaviour have included increased use of public transport, greater adoption of cycling due to facilities supplied and carpooling. Businesses need to remember the end goal should be about achieving harmony between design, people and technology.

• R etrofitting Schneider Electric, like most businesses, operates in a leasing environment. This building is a great example of how it is possible to implement energy-efficiency practices as a tenant.

• Energy efficiency The new head office building has a low carbon footprint. In 2009 it was awarded an impressive five star (Australian Excellence) Green Star Office Design v2 (environmental design and construction) rating and is designed to be rated to a five star NABERS energy rating.

Schneider Electric is also working towards the Green Star Office Interiors, V1.1 rating - application is to be submitted this year.

The building has two pods interlinked by a central core atrium. The atrium is naturally illuminated and ventilated, allowing the penetration of natural airflow and natural light through the glazed automatic louvres. There are full-height, double-glazed curtain wall panels around the entire perimeter of the building with terraces and balconies on each floor to integrate the indoor and outdoor space. The building utilises external automatic fabric blinds on the east and west and automatic aluminium elliptical louvres on the north.

This automated shading system is controlled through the base build building management system with an in-built astrological clock. The blinds adjust in accordance with the sun’s position; there are also wind sensors to move the blinds when bad weather approaches. As tenants, Schneider Electric added its own state-of-the-art energy management system, building management system and lighting control system integrated over a fibre backbone. EcoStruxure, Schneider Electric’s converged solutions architecture, maximises its energy-efficiency potential through one seamless system.

Some of the features include: on-site energy management system; remote/online energy management system allowing energy usage comparisons between other Schneider Electric offices; separate metering for power and lighting; fit-out designed to make maximum use of available natural light; Clipsal DALI lighting system, incorporating daylight harvesting. Macquarie Park is now a completely switchless building, automated via zone sensors. Training/meeting rooms use C-bus touch screens which control lights, shutters, projectors and screens over the local area network.

For more information on how you can achieve your energy-efficiency goals, please contact Schneider Electric on 1300 369 233 or visit www.schneider-electric.com.au.

6 ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

TALK FROM THE TOP

Energy efficiency improvements at no cost Many companies believe they can only improve energy efficiency through significant use of capital; but these are not the first actions companies should consider. Capital will often be more effective and bring faster payback if the energy culture is optimised first.

Where most companies fall flat is in their ability to implement their energy-efficiency system and get everyone on board with the sustainability vision of the organisation.

Six starting points for an effective energy management system include: Commitment from leaders: Obtain a clear commitment from leaders in order to ensure that energy efficiency is given the same weight as production, quality and profitability in management decisions. One senior member of staff should also be designated the Energy Champion.

Goal setting: Set measurable goals that are integrated with production, financial, quality, safety, cost and all other metrics tracked by the company. The energy metrics should be written in a simple way so that every employee can understand how their daily actions impact energy efficiency.

Ownership: Give ownership to line management. The magnitude of energy savings opportunity and corporate goals need to be strongly embraced by senior management so that line managers realise these directives are not temporary or the organisational ‘theme of the month’.

Centre of competency (CoC): Set up a CoC - a virtual organisational structure connecting all the site energy coordinators and other energy subject matter experts with the senior Energy Champion.

Upskill staff: Encouraging staff to be on the lookout for energy-efficiency improvements and providing specific training related to the equipment they operate should be included in the program.

Create multidisciplinary teams: All personnel are empowered to identify problems.

DuPont has found that in many organisations, employees notice issues and discuss them informally but there is no obvious mechanism in place to analyse the issue.

These are just a handful of suggestions to get your energy management system up and running. Like many cultural change initiatives for operations, they focus on using what you already have more effectively rather than deploying capital to bring in ‘something else’.

For businesses where implementing an energy-efficiency program has become increasingly urgent, turning your attention to the cultural rather than capital aspects of the change can be highly beneficial.

Since 1990, DuPont has implemented cultural, operations and capital programs to continuously reduce energy usage and related costs. As a result, the company has achieved a 6% absolute reduction in total energy consumption, while production has risen by 40%, netting over $6bn in savings to date. Implementing cultural change will not only synergise future capital changes you make, it will help you realise upwards of 40% of the total energy-efficiency opportunity,

By Chris Smith, the Global Director reducing your footprint and generating immediate cash savings, while of Sustainable Operations at DuPont positioning the organisation for ongoing sustainable success, whatever Sustainable Solutions. As a qualified chemical engineer, Smith has been the future might bring. instrumental in achieving sustained improvements in operational, safety For more information please see the white paper (http://www2. and environmental performance for dupont.com/Sustainable_Solutions/en_US/assets/downloads/EE_Cula range of clients in the oil and gas, ture_Change_White_Paper.pdf) co-authored by Smith and Davide Vashealthcare and aerospace industries. sallo, Global Practice Leader, DuPont Sustainable Solutions.

Have you begun considering the need for energy reduction strategies due to projected volatility of energy costs or increased pressure from the investment community to lower your corporate carbon footprint?

Perhaps you’re just looking for ways to operate smarter and more efficiently. Whatever the motivation is for your company, the good news is that up to more than 40% of energy-efficiency improvements can be made right now with little or no capital investment.

8 ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

a ing the way for

FEATURE

LIGHTING

T

he Australian lighting industry may be facing a number of challenges, including complicated regulatory environment and counterfeit products, but there is little doubt that the efficiency of all types of lighting has improved over the last 20 or so years. In this article, Mike Smyth takes a light look at the past, present and future of different types of lighting technologies.

Mike Smyth

Lighting, in the home, in commercial and industrial situations and even on the streets, has come a long way in the last 70 years or so. Tungsten lights, sodium lights, cold cathode tubes, mercury vapour, halogen, neon, iodine, CFLs and fluorescent are all still with us but beginning to take a back row compared with the all-advancing, all-shining LED (light emitting diode) that threatens to take over any time soon.

Tungsten lights Tungsten has become a dirty word, not only with electricians but especially with greenies who see them as needing more and more coal-fired stations to feed their hunger for power. Yes, they were/are demanding of volts and amps and the light they give out is that unnatural yellow colour that some call mellow.

But perhaps their two greatest downsides are the heat they generate, meaning they cannot be used in small enclosed spaces except at the lowest wattages giving the meanest of light, and the high voltages they need to give worthwhile illumination. In today’s world they are not considered efficient.

Tungsten bulbs or globes have been with us not quite since Edison suspended carbon in a glass container but not many years afterwards.

The carbon was quickly succeeded by metal and since those early days the metal has been improved to give the relatively long life we expected before their demise.

10 ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

As a side issue it was, of course, found that these filaments not only gave off light but also a stream of electrons that were later harnessed by Fleming to create the thermionic valve or tube, and we all know how complex these became before the transistor made them as obsolete as the side button boot.

Nevertheless, despite their shortcomings, tungsten bulbs have stood us in good stead as our almost sole means of lighting for a good many years, and there are many among us who mourn their passing.

LEDs LEDs are a quite different animal. They are solid state devices, a semiconductor that is so constructed that when a forward voltage is applied to it, it releases photons as light.

On the whole, LEDs have taken a long time to come to fruition - at least as serious illumination. Initially used as indicator lamps on equipment such as televisions, hi-fi units and other domestic appliances, the little red glows become a feature of modern equipment.

Colour and LEDs was an initial problem. For a long time it was red only with gallium arsenide as the doping agent. Gradually other colours became available with various combinations of chemicals giving us green, yellow, blue and white that were very useful at making modern electronic devices look very pretty indeed. But the most useful colour for general lighting, white, was a long time coming and when it did it was

a brighter outlook These lamps are negative differential resistance devices, which means that as more current flows through them, the more the resistance falls. Without a ballast to restrict the current flow, the tubes would quickly enter a thermal runaway state and self-destruct.

The simplest ballast is a series inductor on a laminated magnetic core but they are all rated according to the lamp size and supply frequency. If the voltage is too low to strike an arc, a step-up transformer will bring the voltage to the strike level.

ŠiStockphoto.com/David Joyner

Halogen lights

"LEDs are getting better and better. The 30 to 60 mW output types have been replaced with 1 W plus. There are now 5 W LEDs available as at 18 to 22 lumens per watt (lm/W), compared with a 60 to 100 W incandescent bulb that emits around 15 lm/W." only relatively slowly taken up by the industry and consumers. The breakthrough came with high-intensity white LEDs, especially when they were fitted into hand torches in banks of five or seven to give up to a watt of output.

This intense bright white light, demanding low voltage and giving off no heat, was immediately attractive for use in confined spaces and it was only a natural progression from there to general household lighting.

LEDs are getting better and better. The 30 to 60 mW output types have been replaced with 1 W plus. There are now 5 W LEDs available as at 18 to 22 lumens per watt (lm/W), compared with a 60 to 100 W incandescent bulb that emits around 15 lm/W. A standard fluorescent light emits up to 100 lumens.

Six years ago a prototype LED with 131 lm/W at a forward current of 20 mA was demonstrated but this has since been superseded by a 150 lm/W version and last year (2011) 100 lm/W at full power of 10 W and 160 lm/W at about 2 W input was shown to be the shape of things to come. However, the current demand for these higher power devices has risen to 350 mA and beyond.

Of course, one of the great attractions of LEDs, apart from their low voltage and current requirements and their ability to operate almost cold, is their extended lifespan of anything up to 100,000 hours - well beyond the capability of tungsten. This makes them a highly efficient form of lighting and future development suggests that brighter and better are just around the corner.

Dramatic as this shift was, we are still not near using LEDs as the main source of artificial light within the average home. Yes, they are in use as table lamps and other single point sources of illumination but there is still some distance to go before they take over the world.

Fluorescent lamps The fluorescent lamp is much more efficient than tungsten. It is a gas discharge device that excites mercury vapour with electricity. The excited mercury atoms generate ultraviolet light that influences a phosphor coating on the inside of the tube to produce light. Installation is more complicated than tungsten in that special fittings are needed and a ballast circuit is required to regulate the lamp’s current.

Halogen lights have become extremely popular, especially by architects who are designing them into almost every domestic dwelling. While many householders like the idea of dimming these lights, perhaps for a mood change or perhaps in the mistaken belief that is saves electricity, halogen bulbs are not always the best choice for this. The lifespan may be considerably reduced if the wrong halogens are dimmed.

High temperature operation is essential to the operation of these lamps but because of this they do create a potential fire hazard and already some safety codes require a protective grid or grille to be incorporated into their design. A further safety feature is an ultraviolet-absorbing glass filter, designed to protect the user from a possible explosion of the device. Careful handling is also needed as surface contamination of the glass, especially from human fingers, can weaken the quartz and change it to a weaker crystalline structure that may create a bubble leading to its failure by explosion.

Halogen lamps are bright and efficient and are in wide use outside in stadium floodlights and motor vehicles. Within the home, 10 to 15 W outputs are the most common, giving light at 150 to 180 lumens.

A brighter future There is little doubt that the efficiency of all types of lighting has improved over the last 20 or so years. The tungsten bulb has become a dinosaur to be replaced by low-voltage LEDs and halogen. However, their versatility is still not as great although it is growing.

Handling cautions with halogen plus their high operating temperature, the precise voltages and currents needed for LEDs and the mercury content of fluorescents cannot be seen as major problems - rather as challenges for the next decade.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 - ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS 11

NEW White Papers

now available online!

New products Multiple-port firewalls

The Hirschmann Eagle20-0400 and Eagle30-0402 firewalls are claimed to be the first firewalls in a convection-cooled DIN rail housing that support six LAN ports - two of which are gigabit - with such a range of WAN connectivity. This extended number of ports enables users to deploy a single device instead of having to use multiple Eagle20s.

Automated Test Outlook 2011: Key technologies and methodologies impacting the test and measurement industry This report details key trends, methodologies and technologies impacting test engineering organisations in every industry. The Automated Test Outlook combines input from academic and industry research, business intelligence and customer advisory boards. Read this white paper for more information.

2011 trends in web-driven service and support Not long ago, service and support vendors and practitioners could discuss their industry and mention the internet in passing - a novelty that might someday hold promise as a platform for their customerfacing applications. Today, the industry is at a point where it can nearly remove references to the web altogether when talking about the latest shocking service slight, clever customer comeback, hot or cool technology, application platform or snarky tech community, because it’s almost a given that’s where the action’s taking place.

The seven types of power problems Many of the mysteries of equipment failure, downtime, software and data corruption are often the result of a problematic supply of power. This white paper will describe the most common types of power disturbances, what can cause them, what they can do to your critical equipment and how to safeguard your equipment, using the IEEE standards for describing power quality problems.

Why should a disconnection device be dedicated to a surge arrester?

A surge arrester is subject to electrical surges caused by lightning strikes and overvoltage throughout its service life. The surge arrester evacuates the current by creating an irreversible internal short-circuit. This white paper explains why a disconnection device should be dedicated to a surge arrestor.

For these and more White Paper downloads, visit www.electricalsolutions.net.au/white_papers

12 ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

Initially, the hardware release will support ethernet ports only. A later hardware release will also support WAN connections, including ADSL, SHDSL, VDSL, E1/T1 and UMTS. The firewalls bring a number of key benefits over current options by offering multiple ports, gigabit ports and WAN connections. They also have a greater temperature range, more flexible deployment possibilities and offer wider voltage ranges.The Eagle20-4000 firewall supports 4 100 Mbps ports, while the Eagle30-0402 firewall supports four 100 Mbps ports and two 1 Gbps SFP ports.

The LAN and WAN boards have been designed in house to support industrial specifications. This enables the product to support non-standard voltages such as 72 VDC. The devices are delivered ‘modular from the factory’, so they can be delivered with the required combination of LAN and WAN ports.

Belden Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M168

Steel pulling grips

The RectorSeal single-use wire pulling tool reduces set-up time and lets the user pull up to four times more wire per day. Rated for use on THHN and XHHN wire, the steel pulling grips are available in 18 sizes, ranging from 1 AWG to 750 MCM. They are made with a durable steel body and are less likely to fail during an installation than a pulling grip made of aluminium. They also have a shorter body length, which allows them to corner better.

Pulling grips eliminate waste, saving time and money, especially on larger commercial jobs. The contractor can receive the wire with all three or four wire lengths on a paralleled reel, ready to pull. At the end of each wire is a steel lanyard, used to pull the wire through the conduit; lanyards are of staggered lengths to stagger the heads. To complete the pull, a contractor simply attaches their rope to the lanyard. After the pull is complete, the grips are simply cut off and are disposable.

Cerro Wire http://www.cerrowire.com/

Order your FREE 2012 Schneider Electric Catalogue, online today!

We have made it even easier for you to get your free copy of the 2012 Schneider Electric Catalogue. All it takes is a click of the mouse and we will mail it to your doorstep.

This informative catalogue is packed with Schneider Electric products, services and energy management solutions. With over 40,000 product references at your fingertips, the easy to use speed index search will let you find what you want… faster!

Don’t miss out. Simply visit www.schneider-electric.com.au/catalogue to place your order, today!

CLIPCOM23764

© 2011 Schneider Electric. All Rights Reserved.

SOLUTION

ES

LIGHTING

Project:

E nergy-efficient technology distribution centre Solution: L ighting systems that reduce electricity consumption by 1.15 GW a year

When information technology distributor Ingram Micro moved its distribution centre to Eastern Creek, New South Wales, in December 2011, one of its objectives was to reduce its carbon footprint.

Ingram Micro, like many Australian organisations, is setting goals for itself to lower its greenhouse gas emissions.

The company engaged Australian lighting manufacturer EELCO (The Energy Efficient Lighting Company) to provide the lighting in its new, purpose-built Advanced Logistics Centre. The distribution centre measures 40,000 m2, with more than 34 docks, 6000 additional pallet storage locations and an expanded (650 m2) onsite configuration centre, making it the largest technology distribution centre in the Southern Hemisphere. EELCO had supplied the high-bay lighting in Ingram Micro’s former Sydney distribution centre in Matraville, NSW, in 2007. The system has paid for itself in energy savings twice over, with zero maintenance costs.

Over the next 10 years, as well as reducing running costs, Ingram Micro estimates EELCO’s lighting system will enable the company to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1230 tonnes per year, compared with standard high-bay lighting. Its electricity consumption will be reduced by 1.15 GW per year - the equivalent of 150 average Australian households’ annual power consumption.

A total of 677 EELCO1848A_5LT5 high-bay lights were installed in the centre. EELCO linear fluorescent lights, which are manufactured in Sydney, offer much greater energy efficiency compared to traditional high-bay lighting. They also reduce eye fatigue, thus improving health and safety, and productivity.

Linear fluorescent technology offers improved performance and longevity compared to emerging technologies such as LED, said EELCO CEO Mat Fear. “LED has its place in domestic and low-roof commercial environments but it is not as viable in high-bay installations. The life expectancy of even high-quality LED light sources diminishes markedly in high ambient temperature environments such as those typically found in Australian warehouses, factories and other high-roof facilities,” noted Fear.

“In addition to cost savings, we’re confident EELCO’s lighting system will enable us to significantly reduce our carbon footprint,” said Michael Colagiuri, Director of Operations & Logistics at Ingram Micro Australia.

The key benefits of the EELCO linear fluorescent lighting systems include: they use less power than conventional high-bay lights; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; are longer-lasting, so bulbs need replacing less frequently, with reduced maintenance costs; produce higher quality light, with lower eye fatigue.

EELCO - Energy Efficient Lighting Company Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M206

14 ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

New products Power supplies for LED lighting

The LDS100 series 100 W LED power supplies offer a choice of models - featuring an input range of 120 to 277 VAC (H models) and an input range of 100 to 240 VAC (U model). The first models in the series feature Class 2 outputs capable of delivering up to 4.1 A at 24 VDC and offer both constant current and constant voltage output modes, enabling customers to meet the demands of different LED lighting systems with a single model, thereby minimising inventory.

Constant voltage mode operates from no load to full load. The LDS100-24-H03 model features programmable current limit levels, controlled via an IEC 60929-compliant interface using a standard 0 to 10 V signal, to support dimming.

The current limit level is also resistor programmable and can be preset by the system designer. All power supply models feature active power factor correction rated at 0.9 minimum to support Energy Star requirements and meet the class C harmonic requirements of IEC 61000-3-2. The supplies also have a very high conversion efficiency - typically 90% when operating from a nominal 230 VAC input - which further helps minimise users’ running costs. They are rated for operation over a wide case temperature range of -40 to 90°C, without forced air cooling. The power supplies are available with ingress protection ratings IP67, which provides protection against shallow water immersion, and are intended for outdoor and ruggedised indoor applications. Housed in a slimline package measuring 215 x 42 mm, with a height of 30 mm, the power supplies are easy to accommodate in modern LED lighting fixtures with limited space.

The LDS100 series power supplies comply with the CISPR 15 requirement for EMI and meet FCC part 15 conducted noise standards. They are protected against short-circuit, overvoltage and overtemperature conditions. The surge immunity performance of the series has been evaluated to installation class 3 (U models) and class 4 (H models) test levels set out in IEC 61000-4-5. Critical safety specifications include EN 61347-2-13 and UL 8750, which are specific to LED-related applications, and the LDS100 series also complies with CSA C22.2 No. 107.1 and CE LVD directives.

Emerson Network Power Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M271

Preterminated cable

The Anderson preterminated fibre-optic cable offers benefits such as plug-and-play installation, low losses (all preterminated cables are pretested and come with a loss result sheet for each fibre core) and shortened project installation time frames for certified projects.

With the option of preinstalled pulling eye kits, it’s simply a matter of pulling the fibre through the conduit and plugging it in, like a giant patch lead.

Preterminated fibre-optic cables can also be manufactured to meet specifications for different clients and provide guaranteed low losses as all of the connectors are factory polished for the best possible results. With so many options available, a pre-terminated fibre-optic cable ordering guide has been developed to ensure that no detail is overlooked and the cable ordered will cater to exact requirements.

They are available in indoor/outdoor and loose tube cable, with the option of OS1 singlemode, OM1 multimode and OM3 multimode and the user’s choice of SC, LC, ST, SCA, FC, and MTRJ. As a standard, 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 12- and 24-core are available, with higher core counts available on request.

Anderson Corporation Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M269

Need an instrument to test high voltage electrical equipment? We have the right rental solution for you – The Megger MIT1020 Diagnostic 10kV Insulation Resistance Tester.

The Megger MIT1020 10kV Diagnostic Insulation Resistance Tester is designed to meet the highest safety standards.

Features: • Automatic IR, PI, DAR, SV and DD tests • Variable test voltage from 50 to 10,000V • Protection rating of IP54 • Measures to 15T (5kV) and 35T (10kV)

• Testing and maintenance of high voltage electrical equipment • IEEE 43-2000 recommends the use of 10kV for motor windings rated above 12kV

Call us today to find out how you can benefit from renting the Megger MIT1020 Diagnostic 10kV Insulation Resistance Tester or another item from our range of test and measurement equipment.

16 ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

TR0558

Applications:

YOUR

BUSINESS Is your contractor

S

ham contracting is where an employment relationship between a worker and employer is misrepresented as an independent contracting arrangement. Some Australian employers are engaging in sham contracting to falsely lower labour cost and to avoid paying annual leave, holiday pay, superannuation and pay as you go (PAYG) withholdings . This is a serious offence and the Fair Work Ombudsman is targeting particular industries and investigating sham contracting as part of the new education and compliance campaign for employers.

Patricia Ryan*

*By Patricia Ryan, the Practice Manager of EI Legal and a solicitor with more than 30 years’ experience in both private practice and in-house roles.

Many businesses enjoy the flexibility of engaging contractors for certain projects or to assist during busy periods. However, confusion often arises as to whether these so-called contractors are regarded by the law as such. The fact that there is a contract between a company and a person where that person is described as a “contractor” will not in itself be determinative of whether the person is a contractor. Whether a person is a contractor or an employee will be a question of fact to be determined on a caseby-case basis, taking into account all the relevant factors of the relationship. There is no magic formula as to how many of these factors are required for a person to be considered a contractor or an employee.

The following factors suggest that a person may be an employee: • The employer has the right to control the manner in which the worker performs the work, including: (i) the employer usually sets processes or requires that processes be in accordance with the employer’s requirements; (ii) the employer usually sets the worker’s hours of work.

18 ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

• The employer supplies the worker with materials, tools and equipment to perform the work.

• The relationship is generally for an ongoing or fixed term.

• The worker works exclusively or mainly for the employer.

• The worker does the work himself or herself, rather than having the freedom to delegate it to others.

• The employer pays the worker’s business expenses.

• The employer pays the worker periodically (eg, weekly, fortnightly, monthly).

• The employer withholds taxation from payments made to the worker and makes superannuation contributions on the worker’s behalf.

• The worker is paid on an hourly basis regardless of how the work is performed.

The following factors suggest that a person may be a contractor: • The contract is with an interposed entity (eg, a company or trust) who provides the worker to perform the work.

©iStockphoto.com/Dwight Smith/ fatihhoca

actually your employee?

"Deeming a person to be an employee for one purpose (eg, taxation) does not necessarily make him, or her, an employee for all other purposes (eg, workplace relations)."

• The worker controls his or her own work, including: (i) the worker works independently; and (ii) the worker is free to keep his or her own hours subject to contractual deadlines.

• The worker supplies his or her own tools and equipment, sets his or her own processes and supplies his or her own materials (although the client may supply the materials).

• The worker is usually paid a fixed sum, although that sum may be divided into progress payments over the contract period.

• The worker is responsible for meeting his or her own tax obligations and making its own superannuation contributions (in the case of a contractor that is a company).

• The worker is free to perform other work.

• The worker is free to delegate work to a delegate or subcontractor unless expressly provided otherwise in the contract.

• The relationship ends at the completion of a job or expiry of the contract period.

• The worker is responsible for taking out their own policy of insurance.

• The worker is responsible for the rectification of work.

• The worker is paid by results rather than time and issues an invoice in order to get paid.

Employer or contractor for other puposes A difficulty arises from certain legislation that tends to ‘deem’ certain persons as ‘employees’ and ‘workers’ when they are not employees at common law. For example,

the following legislation at state and federal level often deems certain types of independent contractors as employees for the purpose of entitlements and obligations: payroll tax legislation; superannuation legislation; workplace health and safety legislation; and workers compensation legislation.

Deeming a person to be an employee for one purpose (eg, taxation) does not necessarily make him, or her, an employee for all other purposes (eg, workplace relations). Therefore, it’s important to always get information from the relevant body that administers the legislation or seek legal advice. This need for advice is highlighted by the crackdown by the Fair Work Ombudsman on sham contracting.

Sham contracting is where an employment relationship between a worker and an employer is misrepresented as an independent contracting arrangement.

Some employers do this to avoid paying entitlements such as leave, superannuation and minimum rates of pay.

Under the sham contracting provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009, an employer cannot: • misrepresent an employment relationship or a proposed employment arrangement as an independent contracting arrangement; • dismiss or threaten to dismiss an employee for the purpose of engaging them as an independent contractor; • make a knowingly false statement to persuade or influence an employee to become an independent contractor.

The Fair Work Act 2009 provides serious penalties for contraventions of these provisions. The Fair Work Ombudsman has been targeting particular industries and investigating sham contracting as a part of the new education and compliance campaign for employers. Industries involved in the audit include hair and beauty, cleaning, construction and call centres. Sham contracting is a serious offence and can expose a business owner and a company to up $33,000 in fines.

Employers must seek professional advice if unsure of any employment arrangement.

EI Legal http://www.theeigroup.com.au

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 - ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS 19

ELECTRICAL

A&K Lievesley Electrical Contractors commenced operation in 2000, specialising in domestic and commercial electrical installations and maintenance. Like most small trade business owners, Tony Lievesley started out as a sole contractor keeping track of all the bookkeeping using a ledger book late into the nights and over weekends.

The company quickly outgrew that very manual system, which facilitated the move to a proper accounting software system - MYOB. To control field workers’ schedules, they incorporated multiple excel spreadsheets and various calendars to track jobs and staff. With further expansion still, the company decided it needed to move away from manual administrative processes to a dedicated service management system that would help gain better control of their administration-centric service business. Having been in the electrical industry for many years, the owners had been aware of simPRO, and after their evaluations, they chose to deploy simPRO Software into the business.

A&K, which manages 12 staff and over 100 jobs a week, can now quickly track all of its electricians utilising in-built mapping and easily reschedule jobs in order to give priority to emergency jobs.

This has been the single largest benefit

©iStockphoto.com/keithpix

SOLUTION

ES

Project: Control electricians' schedules and redeploy them Solution: simPRO software for better business management

of switching to simPRO, said owner Kate Lievesley. The A&K admin employees are now able to give customers the service they need while reducing the amount of time spent on the phone tracking field workers and redeploying them.

Improving customer service has proved to be an incredible benefit of implementing simPRO, said Lievesley. “Part of the simPRO program allows the customers to access their own data and they absolutely love it. They don’t have to call anymore and see where we’re up to with jobs, they can just log in themselves and see,” she added. The Client Management Portal (a web-based portal that A&K clients use to view details of jobs and invoices related to them) gives customers visibility over the status of the scheduled jobs at their fingertips, freeing up an administrator’s time in the office.

Other key advantages A&K gained with simPRO were simplified invoicing and the ability to email directly from the system. A&K understands the advantages of professional, itemised invoices and has earned itself more business just by using this feature in simPRO. In addition, simPRO integrates directly to the accounting system (A&K switched from MYOB to Xero at the time of the simPRO implementation), so there is no need to enter information into two systems, everything naturally progresses in simPRO and then updates directly to the accounting system for financials. The ability to complete a job and invoice it the next day, using professionally branded templates, is a huge positive for the A&K administrative team.

“My whole quality of life has changed because there is more control and more accountability to other staff members that are also responsible, therefore taking the pressure off me to do so much work. It’s made a huge difference to our business and our lives,” said Lievesley. When asked what advice she would give other companies looking to invest in a job management system, Lievesley said, “There’s no alternative to simPRO.” If individuals or businesses need help, they can contact simPRO for a no obligation, on-site demonstration or a free 30-day evaluation of the software. simPRO Software Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M202

©iStockphoto.com/shironosov

20 ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

New products Modular industrial patch panel

The MIPP is a termination panel for cables that need to be connected to active equipment such as switches, industrial ethernet devices and any other device with an ethernet link.

Using patchcords to connect to active equipment, cables can be terminated outside the cabinet in an organised and structured manner to ensure the highest level of reliability.

Belden claims MIPP is the first modular industrial patch panel in the market able to combine copper and fibre management in one solution offering significant space and cost savings. With a lightweight aluminium structure which increases its overall versatility, the MIPP can be mounted on a DIN rail or it can even be fixed at the sides of the cabinets simply using a wall-mount plate.

The MIPP was designed for industrial use, where its functionality and reliability can make a significant contribution to the uptime and availability of systems. The industrial design makes it suitable for use in machine building, transportation, alternative power generation, power transportation and distribution, and oil and gas markets, as well as more general use in enterprise, buildings and other applications. The MIPP is available as both single and double modules.

Belden Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M179

22 ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

Outdoor luminaire

Precision designed and constructed from powdercoated, die-cast aluminium, the stylish luminaire features a white glass lighting enclosure, ensuring good transmission levels and good photometric characteristics.

Available in three beam types - side throw, pathway specific and symmetrical distribution - the luminaire also provides options for 100%/50% output.

The luminaire has optimised thermal management through the ballast in mast mounting, as well as through the luminaire housing, which acts as heat sinks for the LED technology.

The LED is suitable for large city centre, town square, residential area, side street and park lighting applications.

Sylvania Lighting Australasia Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/P118

New products Cat6A shielded ethernet patch cables

Distance-measuring device

The Dimetix FLS-C distance measuring device measures absolute distances up to 500 m without contact. The device has an absolute accuracy of 1 mm and the repeatability is typically 0.3 mm. A colour change of the target object does not affect the accuracy.

The optical distance measuring device measures, maintenance free, distances on natural and reflecting surfaces. It determines positions of objects that are difficult to access or may have very high surface temperatures. It accurately measures distances in hostile environments. The device is designed to be suitable for both heavy industrial and outdoor applications. It is constructed of a solid metal case and provides class IP65 environmental protection. It represents a cost-efficient solution even at extreme environment temperatures as low as -40°C. Its features make it flexible for multiple applications in numerous industries such as mining, automotive, paper, metal and textile.

The Cabinet Line Cat6A shielded ethernet patch cables are suitable for use in industrial and manufacturing environments or where electrical noise is present.

The cables feature overall screen with foil around each twisted pair and shielded plugs to help combat the excessive electrical noise which is often found in industrial environments.

In addition, communication performance is improved as the completely shielded cables minimise data errors as well as the slow reaction times that are a by-product of the excessive electrical noise found inside control cabinets, variable speed drive cabinets or nearby welding bays.

The cables are low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) type in accordance with IEC 60754-2, IEC 60332-1/UL 1581 FT2. They come in various lengths from 0.5 to 25 m and are available in a range of colours. Straight cables come in grey, blue, black, yellow, green, red and magenta. Weidmuller has also released 90 and 270° angled cables that are available in grey and are suitable for tight bend radius in cabinets. The company also stocks a large range of PUR and PVC cables for CAT5e, Cat7, Profinet and railway applications with RJ45 or M12 connections.

Birrer Industries

Weidmuller Pty Ltd

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M173

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M172

Why do I need surge protection?

In products such as PC’s, Servers, Routers, LED, Plasma and LCD TV’s, home entertainment systems etc, the power supplies are getting smaller and the focus is on design to minimise cost. All it takes is a surge of a few microseconds to create damage. Surge events don’t just come from lightning either, they can be generated by any electrical switching device, photocopiers, air conditioners, generators etc.

Installing surge protection makes good economic sense as it increases the longevity of your investment. It is similar to insurance, you insure your expensive car so why not insure your expensive electrical equipment? Eaton can offer solutions to this problem to suit your home or small business from as little as $100. To find out how to go about surge proofing your home or business go to www.eaton.com/powerquality. Select the Australia website. Go to products and services/surge protection and read the article on ‘Surge proofing your home or business.’

1300 UPS UPS www.eaton.com/powerquality AustraliaSales@eaton.com ©2012 Eaton Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Printed in AUS. 007PQ

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 - ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS 23

YOUR

INDUSTRY

R

ising energy prices, climate change and the introduction of carbon tax from July this year have made it crucial for businesses to look at different energy-saving programs and strategies. Achieving energyefficiency goals in a variety of project applications is a difficult design brief to achieve. This article contributed by Schneider Electric, explains how sustainable energy management practices could help businesses reduce costs and add competitive advantage.

Cut costs through sustainable energy management practices Every day our world demands more - more power, more reliability, more comfort and control. In today’s energy-conscious environment, the world requires the most energy-efficient means possible. Achieving the energy-effciency goals in a variety of project applications is a difficult design brief to achieve. Every infrastructure and industry specification is unique and requires specialist expertise.

In addition, world energy consumption has risen 45% since 1980. It is projected to be 70% higher by 2030. Emerging markets (including China and India) account for more than 75% of demand, placing new pressures on global resources. Meanwhile, mature markets such as North America, Europe and Japan will face increased demand and limited resources.

These mature markets will continue legislating to reduce consumption, shift to alternative energy sources and improve energy security.

Energy efficiency is the quickest, cheapest and cleanest way to reduce energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy-efficiency improvements require a life cycle approach. Improvement starts with a decision about what to implement. In most cases an energy audit is the first step. Generally, the next identified actions will be passive measures to fix the basics such as replacing inefficient devices and repairing leaks. Finally, active measures for the optimisation and automation of systems are where substantial savings can be made.

Australia’s commitment to an energy-efficient future is supported through a combination of voluntary rating programs, legislation, mandatory reporting requirements, government funding programs and building codes.

Government funding programs Programs such as the NSW Government’s 24 ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

Energy Saver program are available now to businesses wanting to take the important first step towards understanding their energy footprint. The Energy Saver program provides subsidised energy audits of up to 80%. Schneider Electric’s energy auditors have been appointed to the Energy Saver program and can work with customers and partners to assist businesses to understand if they qualify, complete the audit and advise on what strategies to implement.

The $20m Energy Saver works with medium to large NSW sites (160 MWh 10 GWh electricity consumption a year) to cut their energy use by at least 10%. Funding is available to all business sectors including manufacturing, commercial office buildings, hotels and government departments.

Mandatory reporting A key issue for businesses in 2012 will be the new energy reporting regulations. The Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) scheme is the first regulatory step in making business more energy wise and penalties will apply for non-disclosure.

Under the CBD scheme, effective 1 November 2011, all sellers or lessors of office space greater than 2000 m2 are required to obtain and disclose an up-to-date energyefficiency rating. The scheme also requires applicable organisations to make energy recommendations for how they can reduce energy within their building.

Schneider Electric works with contractors to help organisations address the multiple and complex issues surrounding the ‘energy challenge’ - through placing a large emphasis on energy efficiency as a strategic business issue to help enterprise and industry make the most of their energy.

New products Automotive blade fuse clips

PXI express controller

NPA Pty Ltd

Adlink Technology

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M175

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M186

A wide range of surface-mount, automotive blade fuse clips engineered to secure fuses in place even after multiple insertions is now available from Keystone Electronics. The compact, low-profile clips are suitable for high-density applications and are available in vertical, horizontal and throughboard blade entry types.

They accept standard-style ATO and ATC fuses; low-profile mini #891 or ATM-LP fuses; as well as mini and ATM series of mini auto fuses. Voltage rating is at 500 VAC and 15-30 A. The new entries are made of brass with tin nickel plate and are available in bulk or in tape and reel.

The vertical entry clips used with mini, low-profile or standard auto blade fuses have a catalogue number of 3586 (bulk) or 3586 TR (tape and reel). The horizontal clips used with mini auto blade fuses have a catalogue number of 3569 (bulk) or 3569 TR (tape and reel).

The low-profile environment vertical entry clips using mini auto fuses have a catalogue number of 3563 (bulk) or 3563 TR (tape and reel).

The PXIe-3975 is a 3U PXI express controller with Intel Core i5-520E 2.4 GHz processor, for hybrid PXIebased testing systems. With maximum system throughput of up to 2 GBps, the PXIe-3975 is a mid-performance PXIe testing system solution for general-purpose and electronic functional testing applications.

The controller also features up to 8 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 memory and a 160 GB, 7200 RPM SATA hard drive. It provides flexible scalability with a front panel-mounted ExpressCard/34 expansion slot.

Users can extend system function with ExpressCard modules, such as ExpressCard to USB 3.0, or a bus expansion kit from ExpressCard to PXI/PCI. In addition, the controller also provides ample interface flexibility, including dual gigabit ethernet ports, one for LAN connection and the other for controlling LXI instruments, four USB 2.0 ports for peripheral devices and USB instrument control, and a Micro-D GPIB connector for GPIB instrument connection, for hybrid PXIe-based testing systems control.

CMS 5 + 6 Pole Modular Wiring Systems CMS is an Australian owned and operated company, providing innovative wiring solutions to the Electrical Industry. With over 1000 completed projects, we are the contractors preferred choice.

The 5 pole ‘Quick-Flex’ system is a modular power for lighting softwiring system incorporating the latest in Dali technology.

The system integrates CMS latest 5 pole connector with a wide range of accessories, providing the most advanced and competitive softwired lighting system in the industry.

The 6 pole modular wiring system is now compatible with another lighting system Dynalite’s ‘Ecolinx’ unit. This unit control reduces onsite installation time, increases the functionality and ultimately achieves energy savings for the complex.

Australia Telephone: 1300 159 159

United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0) 203 356 9709

New Zealand Telephone: +64 (9) 582 0776

Email sales@cmselectra.com

6 POLE CONNECTOR

QF6

5 POLE CONNECTOR

QF4

For more information on our Energy Efficiency solutions, contact our friendly sales team.

OUR RANGE INCLUDES: Modular Wiring, Floor Boxes, Busbar, Power Pole, Ducting, Dali Control Wiring, Retractable Supply Post and Installation Tools.

Wiring + Power Solutions

cmselectra.com

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 - ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS 25

New products Gearbox

The standard hypoid gearbox (designated with an ‘S’ in the ordering code) has seven output options to choose from which are identified numerically in the ordering code. The extended construction kit (designated with a ‘B’ in the ordering code) allows for even more output options including: closed cover and standard shaft; standard shaft with rear hollow shaft; solid shaft with rear hollow shaft; keyed shaft with rear hollow shaft; involute shaft with rear hollow shaft; standard shaft with rear solid shaft; keyed shaft with rear solid shaft; involute shaft with rear solid shaft; standard shaft with rear keyed shaft; keyed shaft with rear keyed shaft; involute shaft with rear keyed shaft; system output with rear hollow shaft; system output with rear solid shaft; system output with rear keyed shaft.

Power Parameters Pty Ltd Contact N M W_info A Dand 0 3more . p items d f like P athis g at e wf.net.au/L941 1 1 6 / 1 2 / 1 1 ,

26 ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

EtherNet/IP-enabled motor control centres

Leveraging a single, standard network simplifies communication for the entire enterprise and allows users to control, configure and collect data from any point in the system. In addition, by taking advantage of Premier Integration, users can configure and commission their MCC faster with RSLogix 5000 software, reducing the risk of errors associated with redundant programming. The ethernet connection also allows users to access information remotely. This allows personnel to monitor, troubleshoot and diagnose the MCC without being exposed to dangerous conditions and power equipment.

With embedded IntelliCenter technology, the MCCs use a preconfigured and pretested network with integrated hardware and software. This level of integration helps reduce installation time with its plug-and-play set-up and can help minimise facility downtime by providing intelligent diagnostic and predictive failure information.

Rockwell Automation Australia info and more items like this at wf.net.au/P043 9 : 3Contact 3 AM

New products Fibre-optic enclosures

The 148S RapidConnect fibreoptic enclosure is designed for fast installation in data centres.

It comes with a sliding cable tray and dual splice cassettes cable management, holding up to 48 connections in 1RU. Traditionally, fibre installers spend a lot of time preparing fibre-optic trays for installations.

The installers will no longer have to mount adapters, install cable management, unpack, clean and check optical connectors and adapters, adding additional fibre management, routing fibres and installing pigtails. Normally, this process can take up to two hours.

A completed preloaded patch panel, with the user’s choice of adaptors and pigtails, will be delivered with the new enclosures.

Safety switch

The SOL30-Safety fireman’s switch offers maximum safety to firefighters where solar PV systems are installed.

During the day when the solar panels are actively producing DC power, it becomes necessary to quickly and safely isolate the PV panels from the rest of the system in the event of a fire. The safety switch works by disconnecting the PV panels from the rest of the system as soon as the main AC breaker is tripped or switched by the firefighters. This is achieved by the inherent undervoltage release which automatically disengages the switch when the AC voltage is not present.

The fireman’s safety switch is rated at 1000 VDC, 30 A and can be manually switched as well. Various input/output connection options are available.

Eaton Industries Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M207

Energy Efficient High Bay Lighting Systems Before

One for one replacement saving up to 70% on running costs

After

Guaranteed energy and maintenance savings using proven technologies

Anderson Corporation Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M183

Self-fusing silicon tape

One Tape Pro is a self-fusing UVresistant silicon repair tape with no adhesive that is able to bond to itself upon contact, forming an airtight and waterproof seal.

It comes in a range of colours suitable for marking and identification purposes and offers an alternative to traditional butyl rubber weatherproofing. The tape can be used in diverse temperature environments from -54 to +260°C. Feeders can be identified using a simple colourcoding system. Using a wrap or two in prominent positions can make feeder ID easy from ground level.

RF Industries Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M170

Longer lasting superior illumination designed to AS/NZS1680

Quality Australian made EELCO High & Low Bay Lighting Systems are specially designed to replace conventional power hungry high bay lighting in warehouses, factories and other large industrial facilities. Huge rebates and government assistance packages are now available in some states.

Call 1300 335 769 TODAY! FOR YOUR OBLIGATION FREE* COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS *Eligibility criteria applies. Rebates vary from state to state.

w: www.eelco.com.au

e: info@eelco.com.au JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 - ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS 27

FEATURE

LIGHTING

Get your lights right

Caroline Paull

The new BCA regulations assist the gradual phasing out of 50 W halogen and incandescent globes and cause business managers and property owners to find suitable replacements. Compounding this situation is the fact that while the wattage per square metre has changed, the regulations for lux levels have not, and commercial properties are still required to meet the minimum lux levels based on the Australian Standards Lux Levels (AS 1680 series) for commercial settings.

As a result, building projects must now install lights that comply with the new energy-efficiency codes while maintaining the required lux levels as part of Australia’s occupation health and safety (OHS) guidelines. Poor or defective lighting can cause problems such as eyestrain, general vision problems and headaches. This can lead to employees having time off as well as increased workers compensation premiums.

The rapidly evolving light emitting diode (LED) technology offers a solution to this issue. Many LED products are now able to reproduce the same lighting quality and brightness as the common 50 W halogen globe, effectively becoming a direct replacement. It is important to choose the right

28 ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

LEDs that meet the specifications required for a commercial property.

One important specification in maintaining lux levels will almost always be the luminosity of the LED. LEDs have the ability to produce high luminosity from a low wattage, making them a desirable option for the new BCA requirements. In fact, some high-quality LEDs can produce up to 720 lumens while only running off 10 W of power, making them a direct replacement for 50 W halogen.

Electricians should read the specifications of all LED lights to see whether it meets the new requirements and lux levels. They should ensure that any LED they choose can produce a minimum of 720 lumens without exceeding 20 W. They should also check out the colour temperature and colour rendering index (CRI) of the light - these two factors determine how well the light is capable of reproducing vibrant colours. This is important in workplaces where visual clarity is essential. Lastly, electricians should also make sure builders are educated on the new regulations as buildings that don’t meet the new requirements may fail their final inspections.

©iStockphoto.com/Marcello Bortolino

I

n May last year, the Building Code of Australia (BCA) introduced significant changes to what was allowed in terms of energy consumption from lighting per square metre in all new building projects. The regulations allow only 5 W per square metre, as opposed to the previous 25 W per square metre.

New products Non-contact measurement sensor

It features a 1024 pixel CMOS linear imager that can achieve up to a 1 micron resolution under nominal conditions.

It also features target displacement or thickness measurement with high resolution 4-20 mA or RS485 serial communication outputs. Two sensors can be configured to self-synchronise for thickness measurements - performing the thickness calculation within the sensors - requiring no external controller for operation.

The LH can be used in a network of up to 32 sensors, providing the capability to perform multiple, simultaneous inspections. With a narrow laser spot, it easily aligns to small targets. A graphical user interface (GUI) guides the user through setup and performance monitoring, when adjusting the sensor parameters. After the sensor is installed, the GUI provides data acquisition tools to graphically display the current measurements. Parameters such as analogue output scaling, averaging, sample size and other advanced features can all be set within the GUI. All data is displayed in real time and can be saved to a log file.

Micromax Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/P058

Safety relays

The line includes basic units capable of supporting a range of safety devices in various applications, such as single and multizone configurations. It can help machine builders and end users simplify safety relay selection and reduce component inventory and life cycle costs. Users can expand and cascade safety functions up to a SIL 3 rating using a single wire to connect devices. This leads to reduction in installation time and effort. In addition, AND/OR logic can be set via a rotary switch on the front of the relay, yielding a variety of configurations including regional and global e-stop architectures.

It also features dual-input modules, providing users with twice the functionality of a standard relay in 22.5 mm housing. A single TUV-approved rotary switch with internal redundancy eliminates the need for double switches, helping to speed configuration while addressing multiple functions such as reset modes and time delays.

The range includes: Guardmaster DI/DIS that consolidates functionality of two safety relays into a single 22.5 mm housing; Guardmaster SI, with two NO outputs and one PNP auxiliary output, which is suitable for simple safety applications using one dual or single-channel safety device; Guardmaster CI which has the same functionality as SI but the terminals on the CI are arranged in a similar layout to legacy Guardmaster MSR safety relays and other brands of safety relays; and Guardmaster EM/EMD. The safety relay line is designed to meet new functional safety standards such as EN ISO 13849-1 or IEC/EN 62061.

Rockwell Automation Australia Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/L898

Power quality analyser

The high-speed (0.5 Âľs 2 MHz) field unit is available in models including either 1000 A clamps or 5000 A Rogowski coils.

It features: four voltage channels 150 to 600 VRMS; 4 current 0 to 5000 A flexible Rogowski coils or 1000 A CTs depending on model; high-resolution colour LCD; total energy, tariffs, max demands, transient and sub-cycle disturbances.

TechRentals Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/L955

New ProTag Optima System Australia’s Most Compact Appliance Testing and Tag Printing System.

The new ProTag Optima System tests portable appliances and RCDs, and prints test tags in a compact system weighing only around 2kg.

No interface cables between the tester, printer and scanner provide maximum mobility on construction sites, factories and workshops.

Light weight, wireless, battery powered and with logging of visual inspections and risk assessments, the Optima System guarantees greater efficiency, huge time savings and a lower cost per tag.

Call EMONA Instruments on tel: 1 800 632 953 email: testinst@emona.com.au or www.protag.com.au JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 - ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS 29

New products LED work lamps

Narva’s small oval and square work lamps have been released with an improved lumen output of more than 30% when compared with the earlier versions of the same lamps. Using only two LEDs the oval lamp (part no 72446) delivers 550 lumen, while the square lamp (part no 72449) with four LEDs delivers 1200 lumen.

Both lamps provide a crisp white light resulting in reduced eye strain and fatigue for operators during long night works.

The original lamps had low current draw and compact size making them suitable for stationary vehicles and allowing easy fitment in confined spaces. The new higher lumen output and 9 - 64 V multi-voltage make them suitable for a broader range of applications such as forklifts, materials handling equipment and machinery. Marine versions of both the oval and square lamps have been included in the upgrade and come with a white powder-coated finish and marine-grade 316 stainless steel mounting hardware. The lamps with increased lumen output are available in blister packs from automotive, transport and marine outlets.

Brown & Watson International Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M174

Vehicle tracking software

The simTRAC vehicle tracking software can be used to track a vehicle fleet to help improve job planning and reduce fuel costs.

Users can set geofences to be alerted when a vehicle enters or leaves a specified area.

Some companies set fences around suppliers’ and employees’ houses; the software is also useful to monitor weekend usage and speeding on company vehicles.

It is possible to view in real time where the vehicle is currently parked, whether or not it is turned on or off and for how long it has been on site. Furthermore, replays give users the ability to look back on the vehicles’ history to help visualise how economical job planning is.

Users can integrate to simPRO to visualise all planned jobs to obtain the most efficient job schedules or view the nearest technician for emergency jobs. simPRO Software Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M184

ONLINE & IN STOcK

ONLINE & IN STOcK

MEANWELL “APPROVED” WATERPROOF LED POWER SUPPLIES

MEANWELL DIN RAIL POWER SUPPLIES

>> 30,>60,>100,>120,>150,>185,>240>&>320W>LED>Drivers >> Australian>energy>safety>approvals >> Dimming>&>output>adjustable>models>available.

>> 10>to>960W,>single>&>3>phase>outputs >> 5,12,15,24,48VDc>models>available >> Broadest>range>->purchase>online>today.

PLAcE>An>orDEr: frEE>cALL>1800 632 693 WWW.POWERSUPPLIESAUSTRALIA.cOM.AU Visa and Mastercard accepted

30 ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

New products Unmanaged industrial ethernet switch

The industrial ethernet product range includes fast ethernet or gigabit unmanaged switches and 10/100 media converters. All switches are housed in robust metal casings, which act as a heatsink, eliminating the need for fans and case venting. This delivers IP40 protection and stops any foreign objects from penetrating the device and causing failures.

To ensure the switches are always operational in harsh and extreme environments, they have been created to withstand a wide operating temperature up to 85째C as well as high vibration and deliver EMC protection.The plug-and-play switches come with a universal lowvoltage power supply of 18-72 VDC/13-50 VAC. They are suitable for general automation and the mining, marine and oil industries.

The gigabit switch range incorporates a choice of combination ports - the users can choose between five or eight RJ45 ports, or a gigabit switch with six RJ45 ports and two combination ports, totalling eight RJ45 outlets. If a single- or multimode fibre port is required, users can simply insert up to two plug-in fibre outlets to convert two gigabit RJ45 ports into two fibre ports. The gigabit range has an operating temperature of -40 to 85째C. Other models available include the entry-level IES10 fast ethernet range. These are available in 5- or 8-port switches with a single universal power supply. The IES20 fast ethernet range includes both copper and fibre ports and a dual universal power supply. The IES20 models have an operating temperature range of -40 to 85째C. All models come with LED status indicators, which display the operational status of the power supply, RX/TX operation and port status.

All models can be DIN rail mounted or optional wall mounted.

Weidmuller Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M181

Ethernet over copper media

Multiple-channel ethernet extenders, unmanaged ethernet switches and PoE mid-span power injectors are now available to provide a wide variety of solutions for virtually any network application. These products are designed for applications where existing copper media, such as coaxial cable or twisted pair (UTP) are currently installed and provide a cost-effective alternative to installing new media.

CopperLine consists of 1-, 4-, 8- and 16-channel models that utilise coaxial cable or twisted pair. The higher port count models solve density challenges, allowing up to 16 channels to be supported in a one RU high rackmount chassis.

An unmanaged switch allows four ports of 10/100TX ethernet to be transported extended distances over a single coaxial cable or UTP. ComNet Europe Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/P051

Outdoor luminaire

The series features the option for an RGB optical waveguide system.

The system allows colour accenting of the luminaire head, which in turn provides a luminous design element for architecture and its surroundings.

In combination with the Siteco Light Control (SLC) system, each individual luminaire within the system can be precisely adapted according to specific on-site lighting demands.

Sylvania Lighting Australasia Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/P117

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 - ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS 31

Network integrity in premise cabling Premise (or customer) cabling is defined in the Telecommunications Act (the Act) as “cabling beyond the carrier’s network boundary” and involves any cabling that can connect a device to the telecommunications network. This includes all customer cabling work in the telecommunications, fire, security and data industries.

These two cabling environments are distinguished from each other through a demarcation point at every premise, and are qualified under different rules and regulations.

Cablers registered to perform premise cabling works are only permitted to work on cabling up to the consumer’s side of that demarcation point. However, what happens within a premise can have a profound effect on the network infrastructure outside, both from a safety perspective as well as the integrity of the network.

As the equipment that’s connected to the cabling typically sends electronic signals over the transmission lines and is powered by mains electricity, the potential exists for abnormally large or inappropriate signals to be sent onto the telecommunications network if correct wiring is not adhered to. The consequences of such abnormalities could be injury to individuals working on the line, even some distance away, or damage to telecommunications network equipment, ultimately undermining parts of the network. Nobody wants to be held responsible for such trauma, especially if it’s caused by their poor cabling choices or practices.

The Act calls for Cabling Provider Rules (CPRs) to define the relevant regulatory standards to be complied with and apply to all cablers. Under the CPRs, cablers are required to: • Use cabling products that are labelled as compliant in accordance with the Telecommunications Labelling Notice and tested to AS/CA S008:2010); and • Comply with the Installation Requirements for Customer Cabling (Wiring Rules), AS/ACIF S009: 2006.

A key objective of the CPRs is to deliver acceptable quality in cabling installation and maintenance practice by promoting client safety and network integrity, and assuring clients that work is consistent with industry standards.

So all cablers should have copies of the CPRs, be very familiar with them and apply the directions in them for proper cabling practices. And remember, the CPRs apply to both the installation and maintenance of customer cabling.

One important component of compliant cabling that appears to be overlooked by some cablers is the completion of the Telecommunications Cabling Advice (TCA1) form. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) stipulates that this form (download from www.brca.asn.au/ forms/pdfs/TCA1-Updated.pdf) should be completed and signed in duplicate for every cabling job they do. One copy must be left with the client and the other retained by the cabler for at least 12 months and presented to an ACMA inspector or auditor upon request.

The ACMA has an optional form - TCA2 (download from www.brca.asn.au/forms/pdfs/TCA2-Form.pdf) - which is designed for use by cablers to alert their customers of any existing non-compliant cabling they encounter in a premise that is there before they start, or outside the scope of their works. This highlights any substandard workmanship on site and helps to distance quality cablers from poor cabling.

BICSI South Pacific BICSI is a global not-for-profit association supporting designers and installers of information systems for residential, commercial and government applications.

www.bicsi.com.au

32 ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

New products LED light tower

The WALTP-2XWP400 LED light tower from Larson Electronics’ Magnalight.com provides an alternative to halogen and metal halide light towers. The LED light tower, designed to provide high-quality illumination for large areas, claims to produce as much light as comparable halogen towers and to rival metal halide units for total area coverage.

The tower is claimed to cost less than traditional HID towers. It also provides savings through reduced energy consumption and there is no need for frequent bulb replacements. The telescoping tripod light tower is designed to provide illumination rivaling the output from traditional halogen and metal halide towers.

Equipped with two waterproof and vapourproof 40 W LED light heads producing a total of 2924 lumens, the light tower can be extended from 120-275 cm in total height.

It is suitable for first responders, emergency utility services, maintenance operations and outdoor events.

Each LED light head is constructed of aluminium and finished in a durable powder coat for durability and resistance to corrosion.

Polycarbonate lenses provide impact-resistant protection for the LED lamp assemblies and integral cooling fins provide efficient cooling to extend and preserve the LEDs 50,000-hour lamp life rating. The light weight of the LED assemblies and rugged tripod construction provides good tower stability, even in windy conditions. Each LED light head is wired independently, allowing operators to run either one or both of the lights if desired. The light output from this unit is equal to a dual 400 W halogen equipped unit, but the light produced is much whiter. The special LED and reflector design provides a light beam that exceeds 250 W metal halide lights in total length; all while using only 80 W at .90 A of total power.

Larson Electronics http://www.magnalight.com

Waterproof LED drivers

The HLG series of waterproof LED drivers from Meanwell have recently obtained energy safe approvals for the Australian market. The 100 (H)W, 120(H)W, 150(H)W and 185(H)W drivers are now available in 12 VDC and 24 VDC output, each unit being supplied with a 1.8 m SAA cable and 3-pin Australian plug for easier use.

The LED power supplies are fully potted with heat-dissipating glue and reach IP67 waterproof level. Additional features include 90-305 VAC wide range input and they meet the harmonic current limitation as per EN61000-3-2 class and possess 4 kV surge immunity (EN61000-4-5) which complies with the requirements of street lighting.

The A-type models allow users to adjust the DC output voltage range from 90 to 110% and current range from 50 to 100%. The B-type models are constant voltage with an adjustable current limit and are capable of being dimmed by 1-10 VDC, 10 V PWM or variable resistance as a ‘three-in-one dimming function’.

ADM Instrument Engineering Group Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M191

New products Software to transform PC into a control system

Ballast control IC

The software PLC is programmed using the PC Worx automation software supporting all five IEC languages. By using the Valueline industrial PC equipped with Intel Core2Duo processor from Phoenix Contact, a high-performance control system can be configured with processing times of 0.7 µs for 1 Kb instructions.

The IRS2526DS Mini8 compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) ballast control integrated circuit (IC) offers full programmability and a high degree of accuracy and control for all lamp types.

It features a 600 V half-bridge control circuit working at 50% duty cycle and variable frequency for driving the resonant mode lamp output circuit. The high-accuracy oscillator is controlled by a single analog-to-frequency input pin used to set the different operating frequencies of the ballast.

Available in an 8-pin SO-8 package, the IC reduces component count, simplifies circuit design and increases efficiency in a compact footprint. Complete fault protection circuitry is also included for protection against such conditions as mains interrupt or brown-out, lamp non-strike, lamp filament failure and end-of-life.

The device also incorporates an internal frequency dither to reduce conducted EMI, ignition control to reduce inductor size, and end-of-life detection. It is targeted at applications that do not require PFC or utilise an external PFC controller.

International Rectifier Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M187

Thermal imager When used separately, the two processor kernels for control and the Windows environment make it possible to configure a real-time control system. Existing programs written in a high-level language or other software and hardware running under Windows can still be used.

The software PLC reduces wiring costs, control cabinet sizes and the installation footprint in the plant or system.

Phoenix Contact Pty Ltd

The testo 890 is a camcorder-format thermal imager with a rotatable handle. High-resolution thermal images in megapixel quality can be recorded by the 640 x 480 pixels detector in combination with the SuperResolution technology.

For the analysis of heat development in microelectronic components, the resolution of structures up to 115 µm is possible at a focus distance of only 10 cm. The fully radiometric video measurement enables real-time recording of thermal processes, and valuable analyses for research and development carried out on a PC. The exact temperature values of all pixels are available at any time.

The telephoto lens and the image quality enable the user to carry out thermographic evaluations even on extremely far away measurement objects. The possibility of taking measurements in temperature ranges up to 1200°C allows the testo 890 to offer a suitable measuring range for every application.

Testo Pty Ltd

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/P053

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/M227

InstalTest Combo Single & 3 Phase Multi-Function Tester for All Your Electrical Installation Testing and Verification.

Replaces 5 instruments with 12 tests in one instrument.

Single & 3 phase installation testing to AS/NZS3017 covering earth continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, correct connections, fault loop impedance and RCD testing.

Optional 3 phase adaptors for safe, quick and reliable 3 phase testing from the 3 phase socket outlet - no need for probing!

InstalTest

COMBO 3125 $999 ex GST

Optional MI-TPI for 3 phase testing of RCDs, fault loop etc.

Call EMONA on tel: 1 800 632 953, email: testinst@emona.com.au or www.instaltest.com.au JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 - ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS 33

CROSS

WORD

no.38

DOWN 1 Excessive secretion of saliva 2 Failure to understand 3 Observe 4 Money 5 A barrier used to protect the face and/ or respiratory system 6 Writer of essays 8 Musical dramas 9 Arterial plaque deposit 13 A tenth part 15 Atomic mass unit 17 Grecian 19 Revised form of Esperanto 20 Futile 21 External 23 Anxiety or worry 25 Politeness 27 Slender 30 Resembling ink

ACROSS 1 Positively charged electron 4 Coffee stimulant 7 Wood sorrel 9 Disease caused by HIV virus resulting in depressed immune system 10 Achievement 11 Indefinite 12 Scatter 13 Vestige 14 Long luxuriant hair 16 The ability to see 18 Leave out 20 Device for preventing an excessive current from passing through a circuit

22 Levels 24 Crocodile 26 A surprise; or, the result of coming into contact with an electric current 27 To determine the form , boundaries, extent, etc of a part of the earth’s surface though linear and angular measurements 28 Wife of Shiva 29 Having one dimension 31 English public school 32 Equipment 33 Paunchy 34 Delegate

Crossword 37 solution

FREE SUBSCRIPTION! What’s New in Food Technology & Manufacturing is FREE to qualified ICT industry professionals in Australia & New Zealand.

To continue receiving your free copy you will be asked to register every three years.

Quick registration @ www.FoodProcessing.com.au/subscribe 34 ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

BRIGHT IDEAS.

STOCKED HERE.

Let element14 bring your ideas to life with an array of 10,000 lighting products and solutions, including design resources like application guides, white papers, notes and more. And with local service and technical help, you can count on us to support your needs – 24/7.

As a part of the Premier Farnell group, element14 brings you 70+ years of trusted electronics distribution expertise, along with an innovative online engineering community, where you can collaborate with experts, access technical information and use helpful tools. So trust element14 to power all your bright ideas.

Global portfolio of industry leading manufacturers:

HOW MAY WE HELP YOU TODAY? WEBSITE:

FAX:

SALES:

MOBILE SITE: m.element14.com

TECHNICAL SUPPORT:

FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS:

au.element14.com/lightingsolutions nz.element14.com/lightingsolutions

PHONE:

Australia 1300 452 488 New Zealand 0800 357 064

Australia 1300 361 225 New Zealand 0800 90 80 81 au-technical@element14.com nz-technical@element14.com

au-sales@element14.com nz-sales@element14.com

The new global face of Farnell