A WARM WELCOME FOR IEC 61439, AND A WARNING!

GAMBICA’S Controlgear Group Technical committee has warmly welcomed the long-awaited publication of IEC 61439, the new series of international standards for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies, which will soon be implemented in the UK as BS EN 61439. GAMBICA warns, however, that manufacturers working to the new standard still need to exercise a high level of skill and caution in relation to the ratings they adopt for components used in their assemblies.

The root of GAMBICA’s concern is that the nominal current rating of circuit breakers and other components – including, for example, contactors, overload relays and even electronic devices such as variable speed drives – relate to tests carried out in “free air”. For these tests, the component is mounted on an open framework with air space all around it, which helps to dissipate excess heat.

Unfortunately, these test conditions are very different from the conditions in which the component will operate when installed in a power switchgear or controlgear assembly (PSC). As a result, substantial derating may be needed to ensure safe operation and to comply with the temperature rise requirements of IEC 61439. In effect, nominal component ratings should be considered only as a starting point for making sound engineering decisions relating to PSC design and construction.

GAMBICA notes that reputable manufacturers of PSCs will be fully aware of these issues, and will willingly undertake the testing needed to determine ratings that are appropriate to the use of particular components in their enclosure systems. Alternatively, the manufacturers may choose to adopt another approach permitted by IEC 61439, which relies on calculations that incorporate generous safety margins.

GAMBICA stresses that specifiers and purchasers of PSCs must insist on receiving guarantees from their suppliers that issues relating to component ratings have been fully addressed.

If they have not, the consequences can be serious. PSCs operating in excess of their limiting temperatures may suffer progressive insulation breakdown ultimately leading to short circuits, users may be at risk of burns, and the possibility of the equipment catching fire is significantly increased. Further, the equipment cannot be declared as compliant with IEC 61439.

For users and manufacturers of PSCs needing further information and guidance on component ratings, the GAMBICA TECHNICAL GUIDE: Current Rating of Low-Voltage Electrical Switchgear Assemblies, July 2009, is available as a free download from http://www.gambica.org.uk/MCBFOT47319.

Ends: 393 Words

Editor’s note: GAMBICA’s variable speed drives group membership includes countless notable engineers, scientists and expert spokespersons that are willing to provide journalists with impartial evidence, opinion and statistics relating to energy usage and efficiency in UK and global industry, commerce and buildings.

Electronic copy: Get an electronic copy of this release by mail richards@stonejunction.co.uk or download from www.gambica-pr.blogspot.com

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale,
Sydenham, London, SE26 4PN
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: www.stonejunction.co.uk
Blog: www.stone-junction.blogspot.com

For further information contact: Steve Brambley, Deputy Director
Association for Instrumentation, Control, Automation & Laboratory Technology (GAMBICA), Broadwall House, 21 Broadwall, London SE1 9PL
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7642 8080
www: www.gambica.org.uk

About GAMBICA: GAMBICA is the Trade Association for Instrumentation, Control, Automation and Laboratory Technology in the UK. It has a membership of over 200 companies including the major multinationals in the sector and a significant number of smaller and medium sized companies.

Ref: GAM007/02/10

Turning fans down can take one in three cars off the road

If just half of Britain’s electric motors were reduced in speed by 10%, it would have the net effect of mitigating for the carbon emissions of 9.8 million executive saloon cars every year.

While this fact might not enthuse Jeremy Clarkson, it has a far more serious message and that is that governments subscribing to the Kyoto Protocol, and its greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, continue to ignore the low hanging fruit that electric motor control presents.

According to GAMBICA, the UK’s body representing the automation and control manufacturers, the simple control of electric motors has been overlooked as a significant energy conservation measure. While energy efficiency attention has tended to focus on building fabric, lighting and heating, motors have been largely ignored. By doing as GAMBICA suggests and controlling motors, a populace equivalent to nearly four million households would be rendered carbon neutral - at an average of 6.5 tonnes of emissions per household.

Similarly, long term consideration is given to reducing car exhaust emissions by both vehicle design and discouraging car use, yet the expedient of controlling electric motors in building and industry will achieve a greater net effect in the short term.

Likewise in electricity generation, where exploration of renewable and green energy continues apace while controlling electric motors would save the entire output of Drax, the UK’s largest coal fired power station, every year.

The reason the savings are so great, explained Steve Brambley of GAMBICA, is that electric motors consume huge amounts of electricity – about two-thirds of industrial energy use and about one quarter of total UK consumption. A simple electric motor costing a few hundreds of pounds can be expected to consume many tens of thousands of pounds worth of electricity over its useful lifetime.

The laws of physics concerning fans for example, means that for every 10% reduction in speed, in accordance with the cube law of fans, there is subsequent saving of three times that in electricity consumed.

Steven Brambley commented, “It is time for the Government and the institutional energy efficiency bodies to bring, by whatever means, pressure to bear on users of electric motors to control them efficiently. With rapidly rising energy costs one would think this would happen as a natural course but it is clear that carrots and sticks are required”.

Ends: 395 words

Editor’s note: GAMBICA’s variable speed drives group membership includes countless notable engineers, scientists and expert spokespersons that are willing to provide journalists with impartial evidence, opinion and statistics relating to energy usage and efficiency in UK and global industry, commerce and buildings.

Electronic copy: Get an electronic copy of this release by mail richards@stonejunction.co.uk or download from www.gambica-pr.blogspot.com.

For further information contact: Steve Brambley, Deputy Director
Association for Instrumentation, Control, Automation & Laboratory Technology (GAMBICA), Broadwall House, 21 Broadwall, London SE1 9PL
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7642 8080
Fax: +44 (0)20 7642 8096
e-mail: sbrambley@gambica.org.uk
www: www.gambica.org.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale,
Sydenham, London, SE26 4PN
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: www.stonejunction.co.uk
Blog: www.stone-junction.blogspot.com

About GAMBICA: GAMBICA is the Trade Association for Instrumentation, Control, Automation and Laboratory Technology in the UK. It has a membership of over 200 companies including the major multinationals in the sector and a significant number of smaller and medium sized companies.

Ref: GAM002/02/10

New President for GAMBICA

GAMBICA, the association for instrumentation, control, automation and laboratory technology, has announced the appointment of John Bailey, founder and now Chairman of the Pantek Group of Companies as its President for the next two years. John Bailey takes over from Rod Taylor, Chairman, Seaward Group.

Within the Pantek Group, GAMBICA member SolutionsPT is focused on industrial automation solutions through the distribution and support of the Wonderware software range of products, engineering services and software development. SolutionsPT is based in the North West of England and has interests in the UK, Eire & the Czech Republic.

John Bailey’s appointment coincides with the Pantek Group’s celebration of its 25th anniversary in 2010.

EDITOR’S NOTE: GAMBICA is the Trade Association for Instrumentation, Control, Automation and Laboratory Technology in the UK. It has a membership of over 200 companies and covers the following five principal sectors of the industry: -
- Industrial automation products and systems
- Process measurement and control equipment and systems
- Environmental analysis and monitoring equipment
- Laboratory Technology
- Test and measurement equipment for electrical and electronic industries

For further information contact: Sonia Dougall, GAMBICA

Direct Tel: 020 7642 8093 E-mail: mailto:sdougall@gambica.org.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale,
Sydenham, London, SE26 4BT
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/

Industry can add three per cent to its bottom line with a simple energy saving stroke

In challenging economic times it is tempting to make quick savings by cutting staff and infrastructure. However, besides the personal distress, there is also the added ‘costs’ of redundancy settlement, loss of motivation and skills. Furthermore, cutting these resources will require re-investment when business improves. In contrast, a relatively small investment in Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) to improve motor efficiency provides real payback in substantial and sustained savings in periods of both recession and growth. This information comes from GAMBICA, the Trade Association for Instrumentation, Control, Automation and Laboratory Technology in the UK.

British industry and commerce can add £4.5 billion a year to its bottom line, a significant 3% improvement on profits, by implementing a single, simple energy saving measure; fitting variable speed drives to its electric motors.

Whilst managers in UK industry are aware of the scale of rises in electricity prices and the environmental consequences of its excessive use, there is limited knowledge of how electricity costs can be effectively reduced.

Electric motors consume huge amounts of electricity; about two-thirds of all industrial energy use. Even a simple electric motor, costing a few hundred pounds, can be expected to consume many tens of thousands of pounds worth of electricity over its useful lifetime.

Most power in electric motor use is consumed in powering fans, pumps and compressors. Such devices can be found in air conditioning & ventilation systems, boilers and compressors, which are located in most commercial and many domestic buildings, as well as in heavy industrial plants. Using a variable speed drive allows the speed of these motors to be accurately controlled and optimised for the application, resulting in typical efficiency improvements of 30%.

It may seem surprising that a relatively small percentage of potential users of VSDs in energy saving applications have actually implemented the technology. Modern VSDs are widely available, proven devices that have never been easier or quicker to install with the latest models using automatic tuning and setup features.

Unlike almost every other energy saving initiative, the installation of variable speed motor controls delivers 100% return on capital employed (RoCE) and moreover, because of the rising costs of energy and the stable prices of the technology, the return on investment (RoI) is generally delivered in less than one year.

A further incentive is that, when installed in variable torque applications, variable speed drives qualify for tax relief in the form of enhanced capital allowances (ECA) from HM Revenue & Customs. This means that the full capital costs of equipment and its installation can be offset against income tax in year one.

The use of variable speed drives is therefore one of the most easily implemented and cost effective ways to achieve carbon reduction to meet the obligations under the Carbon Reduction Commitment.

Steven Brambley of GAMBICA commented: “The Government and the institutional energy efficiency bodies have a responsibility to promote and encourage users of electric motors to control them efficiently. In these times of rising commodity costs and social awareness, there is also an opportunity for business leader’s to take advantage of the financial incentive by scrutinizing the real cost centres of their own organisations. They should identify their electric motor content and potential cost savings, identify and appoint a person responsible for them and challenge these people to ensure that all available opportunities for energy efficiency are utilised and maximised.

“The consequences of climate change will affect us all. Promoting your business as an active player in applying energy saving methods, by utilising easily available technology, gives real credibility to your green credentials and commitment to future sustainability. Take up the challenge to improve your bottom line as well as the planet!”


Ends: 628 Words

Editor’s note: GAMBICA’s variable speed drives group membership includes countless notable engineers, scientists and expert spokespersons that are willing to provide journalists with impartial evidence, opinion and statistics relating to energy usage and efficiency in UK and global industry, commerce and buildings.

Electronic copy: Get an electronic copy of this release by mail http://www.blogger.com/Campaign%20planning/richards@stonejunction.co.uk or download from http://www.gambica-pr.blogspot.com/

For further information contact: Steve Brambley, Deputy Director
Association for Instrumentation, Control, Automation & Laboratory Technology (GAMBICA), Broadwall House, 21 Broadwall, London SE1 9PL
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7642 8080
Fax: +44 (0)20 7642 8096
e-mail: sbrambley@gambica.org.uk
www: http://www.gambica.org.uk/

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale,
Sydenham, London, SE26 4PN
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/

About GAMBICA: GAMBICA is the Trade Association for Instrumentation, Control, Automation and Laboratory Technology in the UK. It has a membership of over 200 companies including the major multinationals in the sector and a significant number of smaller and medium sized companies.

Ref: GAM002/08/09