Questions for the Dept of Labour on Accredited Inspection Authorities

Reservations have been expressed about the workability of various sections of the new Electrical Installation Regulations (2009). Some questions were compiled and sent to the Department of Labour, who responded as follows… (more)

The importance of installing earth leakage units

The prime requirement of any rules for electrical installations is to ensure that people, animals and property are protected from hazards that can arise from the operation of an electrical installation under both normal and fault conditions… (more)

Roadshow on Electricity Installation Regulations

The ECA, ECB and ERIC (the Electrical Registration and Inspection Council) have arranged a series of road-shows across South Africa to explain and discuss the new (2009) electrical installations regulations (EIR), which were published on 6 March 2009 in Government Gazette 31975, Notice R242. The first presentation will take place on 4 August 2009 at a venue to be announced shortly. The subsequent dates and venues will be published in Vector and on EE Publishers’ electronic media… (more)

The importance of satellites in African connectivity quest

Despite plenty of talk about fibre, satellites will continue to play an important role in African connectivity, both in direct access and cellular backhaul. It has been said that for years Africa has been known as the “Dark Continent”. The continent has historically struggled and continues to struggle with poor or non-existent communication infrastructure… (more)

Has Telkom passed its crossroads?

For many it may be a burning question: Has Telkom passed its crossroads and which direction has it chosen to take?  It has left Vodacom behind, which many analysts regarded as Telkom’s annual results saviour. The company has also rid itself of Telkom Media. Is this all part of creating a new Telkom?… (more)

Nanoscience provides new possibilities in molecular electronics

IBM scientists in collaboration with the University of Regensburg and Utrecht University demonstrated for the first time the ability to measure the charge state of individual atoms using non-contact atomic force microscopy… (more)

Absence of funding plan inhibits Eskom and South Africa on many fronts…

An interview with Brian Dames, COO of Eskom Generation, by EE Publishers MD Chris Yelland.

Audio-cast: Listen to the full interview with Brian Dames (MP3 file)

EE Publishers MD Chris Yelland questions Brian Dames, COO of Eskom Generation, on electricity generation policy in South Africa, with particular reference to Eskom’s generation capacity planning and mix in the years ahead.

Read the interview and get Brian Dames’views:

• On energy policy and planning…
• On sources of finance for Eskom…
• On funding of Eskom’s new-build programme…
• On coal as Eskom’s primary energy source…
• On Eskom’s nuclear energy programme…
• On wind energy…
• On solar energy…
• On hydro energy…
• On independent power producers (IPPs)…
• On industrial co-generation…
• On Eskom’s coal costs…

Audio-cast: Listen to the full interview with Brian Dames (MP3 file)

Clash of technologies

Extended land tenure in South Africa has been complicated by the clash of technologies between land-use mapping and land surveying. We still don’t have a proven method for extending the land registration system beyond those parts of the country that were settled by colonists. It’s a puzzle why it should seem so difficult for land tenure to be extended in our technological age, when the poor rural Boer communities managed to divide up 87% of the land and record their ownership in state offices. One clue to the puzzle is that England also had a long and rough ride to their current good system… (more)

Considerations when buying high definition survey equipment

Investing in high definition surveying equipment should not be taken lightly. Do your homework before committing yourself to the costly and exciting world of laser scanning. I have to confess that we did not really know what we were letting ourselves in for when we bought our first laser scanner. As many salesmen are trying to sell laser scanners, I would like to share our learning experiences and thoughts on this marvelous technology and highlight a number of important things to consider before you join the growing and exciting high definition survey market… (more)

New world’s deepest gold mine

When a leading mine in the gold mining industry becomes the new title holder of “The world’s deepest mine” it is indeed a significant achievement. It becomes even more significant when this title belongs to a mine that is able to produce gold safely at a low cost. The flagship of AngloGold Ashanti, Mponeng Mine, set a new record on 3 February 2009 when the blast of the previous day enabled workers to pass the deepest point in the world at 3778 m Below Datum (mBD). This point is 1949 m below sea level. What is important to note is that the new record remains within the West Wits area near Carletonville… (more)