RSA | R30.00 incl. VAT TheNuclear Power THE OFFICIAL MOUTHPIECE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS i| JANUARY ssue 2013 wattnow | january 2013 | 1 “Our strength, your advantage” LETTERS 6 Letter from the SAIEE President - Mr Mike Cary. page 14 REGULARS 8 wattshot We showcase gadgets & gizmo's for everyone! 12 wattsup Showcasing social functions & events. page 20 18 Obituary Leslie Harry James - 01-10-1922 - 03-12-2012 58 Membership 61 Crossword - win R1000! 62 SAIEE Calendar of Events page 46 FEATURE 20 Nuclear Power in South Africa Electricity consumption in South Africa has been growing rapidly since 1980 and the country is part of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), with extensive interconnections. TECHNOLOGY page 54 30 Enhancing Services with Intelligent Automation We introduce and explain advances in software and hardware. POWER 40 MV Distribution Line Protection utilising Specialised Surge Arrestors Technology Service Excellence We take a look at surge arrestor products manufactured for medium voltage networks. TIS contributes to the success of the power, telecommunications and defence industries by ON A LIGHTER SIDE offering a wide range of products and turnkey solutions. This is complimented by providing 46 Living with an Engineer... network testing, auditing and training to our customers. A tongue-in-cheek look at Angela Price's life growing up, and living with, an engineer. Unit A, 59 Roan Crescent, Corporate Park North, Old Pretoria Road, Randjespark MEMORIES Ext 103, Midrand. PO Box 134, Olifantsfontein, 1665. 52 Reminiscing on an Electrical Engineering career Tel +27(0)11 635 8000 Fax +27(0)11 635 8100 From the pen of Bill Bergman. www.tis-sa.com HISTORY 56 A Biography: Merwyn Emms Anyone who has been shown around the home museum of Merwyn Emms will soon realise that they have been with someone quite out of the ordinary. 2 | wattnow | january 2013 wattnow | january 2013 | 3 FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK | MINX AVRABOS Electrical Engineering MANAGING EDITOR Minx Avrabos | [email protected] EDITORS Derek Woodburn Mike Crouch ith happy memories of Jane-Anne Buisson-Street awesome successes, we said CONTRIBUTORS goodbye to 2012, and now, refreshed, he demand is so high that there are courses cost up to R45,000 p/a for tuition 2013 sees a year for Mike Crouch invigorated and inspired by the 36 applications on hand, which are alone and this does not include books and Stan Bridgens time we spent with our loved ones, considered good prospects but sadly residence fees. TEN bursaries offered Dr David Jacobson we, with bated breath and huge Philip Risi cannot be catered for due to financial to students who have anticipation get ready to face the Angela Price constraints. This type of funding is usually SAIEE, through this scheme, is attempting applied to study electrical Bill Bergman reality of a new year and all of its a four year commitment and SAIEE must to assist these 36 students who have Dirk Vermeulen diverse challenges and rewards. ensure sustainability. successfully completed at least one or more engineering. This is EVENTS years of their course. A fairly rigorous Gerda Geyer | [email protected] With the dawning of the new year comes our first edition of the wattnow the SAIEE Members’ The SAIEE is embarking on a new initiative assessment process which mainly targets magazine for 2013, and just to wet the appetite we give you a taste of how PHOTOGRAPHER in an attempt to fund these unsuccessful disadvantaged students as well as those contribution to address 2012 ended as we celebrated the magazines 'first' birthday with a hugely Heather McCann | 011 682 3298 applications by inviting companies shown to be high achievers in all areas successful and extremely entertaining networking breakfast. Angela Price, the skills shortage in SA CPD & COURse AccREDITATION to contribute in a meaningful way in in South Africa, has been completed. the wife of Bernard Price's great-grandson, shared her personal experiences Sue Moseley | [email protected] addressing the skills shortage in South These low risk recipient bursars need our - funded from the SAIEE of growing up, and being married to an engineer. Many of the delegates MEMBERSHIP & TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP Africa. financial assistance and the SAIEE cannot enjoyed this tongue-in-cheek look at her life, and many could relate to it. It Education and Bursary do it alone. Ansie Smith | [email protected] was really enjoyed by all. Read about her experience on page 46. Fund. ADVERTISING SAIEE will, for a nominal fee, engage Avenue Advertising On the flip side of the coin - now that we understand the ins and outs of with entities wishing to contribute to The SAIEE Bursary Fund Committee T 011 463-7940 | F 086 518 9936 living and growing up with an engineer, we take some time to explore the this scheme and administer an extended has a good track record. For many years eliminating any hassle or trouble in E [email protected] views of Bill Bergman, who in a two part biography anecdotally reminisce bursary programme. Appropriate terms SAIEE bursars, most of whom are a monitoring the bursary procedure. PUBLIsheR over his career as an electrical engineer - pg 52. and conditions will be negotiated/agreed product of previously disadvantaged South African Institute of Electrical Engineers upon with each participating company - background, successfully completed their There are 25 BSc and 11 BTech applications SAIEE HEAD OFFICE Also included in this issue is our monthly feature on page 20, where we delve depending on the company profile, this academic training. SAIEE offers companies for bursaries in the SAIEE list for companies P.O. Box 751253 | Gardenview | 2047 into a brief history as well as a look into the future of nuclear power in South scheme could assist with capacitation of this expertise and selection process in to choose from. Interested entities will be T 011 487 3003 | F 011 487 3002 Africa. A read that I am sure will spur some interesting debate. skilled staff, improved BBEEE ratings as administering the scheme for a nominal fee. provided with full details of any student E [email protected] | W www.saiee.org.za well as tax benefits. they choose to sponsor. Office Hours: 8am-4pm On page 30 Dr David Jacobson shares his view on Intelligent Automation In order to expand and make this fund and explains the advances in software and hardware that enable systems and Most of the applications are for excelling available to a larger group of candidates, the More information will be published in devices to control their actions autonomously and intelligently. students who have completed their first Institute needs to acquire more sustainable the February 2013 issue of the wattnow year studies, but due to the harsh economic funding. The SAIEE would like to appeal to magazine and the routine wattsOn e-mail SAIEE 2012 OffICE BeARERS The season of giving may be over but the need for generosity is a never- climate they cannot continue due to the its members for assistance in the form of to members. Please do not wait to respond President Mike Cary ending drama, read on page 5 how 36 exceptional students studying Deputy President Paul van Niekerk lack of funds, thus they and South Africa Corporate sponsorship or donations. The to this call. Members or any entities who Senior Vice President Pat Naidoo electrical engineering require the intervention of some generous benefactors. are being robbed of an engineering career. SAIEE is able to facilitate and administer would like to participate can contribute to André Hoffmann Junior Vice President Tertiary education is not cheap – four year the process for any company thereby the Education and Bursary Fund. Immediate Past President Andries Tshabalala Well, herewith another issue jam-packed with content - here's wishing you a Honorary Treasurer Viv Crone Honorary Vice President Roland Hill fabulous and a very profitable 2013. ISSN: 1991-0452 SAIEE Publications (Pty) Ltd. All material is strictly copyright and all rights are Enjoy the read. Please contact Dudu Madondo, SAIEE Bursary Secretary at [email protected] or reserved. Reproduction without permission is forbidden. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or the SAIEE. E&OE Stan Bridgens on 011 487 3003 to find out more about this exciting initiative for corporate participation in growing the Electrical Engineering industry. Visit www.wattnow.co.za to answer the questions related to these articles to earn your CPD points. 18A Gill Street | Observatory |T 011 487 3003 | F 011 487 3002 | www.saiee.org.za 4 | wattnow | january 2013 wattnow | january 2013 | 5 MESSAGE FROM THE SAIEE PRESIDENT ACTOM, providing customers with a balanced offering reetings to All. publications industry) Our very own wattnow was nominated for 3 awards. We were not successful, but this is still a By the time that you wonderful achievement seeing we have been the publishers MANUFACTURING are reading this, the for only one year. I am sure that you will agree that Minx is festive season will to be congratulated for the nominations. The very next day, have passed. I hope Minx organized wattnow’s “first” birthday party, which took that Christmas will place in the form of a business Breakfast, to which all of our be a peaceful and advertisers were invited. happy time for all. I also wish you every Each year the Institute runs a National Student’s Competition. success for the 2013 The major sponsor for this event is EE Publishers who sponsor year. R25,000.00 towards the prizes. We are also fortunate to have other sponsors for hand-outs for the participants and other SERVICE November proved to be expenses.