Wiring regulation updates!

Although nearly 15 month’s away it is not too early to review training, procedures, methods and safety overview in light of the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations.

MCP offers this overview on the more significant amendments to the regulations due to be published on 1st July 2018

These major additions and amendments are likely to be included.

1. Protection against overvoltage and transient overvoltage. This means protection of installations of overvoltage from within as well as from external overvoltage sources could be provided by Surge Protection Devices (SPDs). Overvoltages which affect human life, public services and commercial and industrial activities are included. In all other cases (i.e. domestic) a risk assessment could be required to determine whether this protection is required. It is suggested that in these circumstances, (for a single dwelling) where the total economic value of the installation is less than 5 times the value of an SPD, this may not need to be used. It will be interesting to see how demographic differences in dwelling costs can be included within this calculation.
2. Protection against Fire has been around ever since electricity has been used within buildings however although RCDs may be used to reduce the effect of fire, these do not distinguish between series or parallel arcing between live conductors. For this reason, the BS7671:2018 will include for the installation of arc fault detection devices (AFDD) to reduce the risks of faults within the fixed installation.
3. Section 753 (Floor and Ceiling heating Systems) will be extended to include for embedded electric surface heating. This will apply to electric heating systems for de-icing and frost protection for both internal as well as external conditions. Areas to be included are heating systems for walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, drainpipes, gutters, pipes, stairs, and roadways, non-compacted outdoor areas (playgrounds & lawns). As walls are more susceptible to potential damage than floors, protection will be required to heating systems within these areas from penetration of the heating elements by (for example) earthed metallic grids.
4. A new section to provide for Energy Efficiency will also be included which will address the ever increasing need to reduce the energy consumption of installations. Draft proposals provide the client with the ability to specify the level of energy efficiency to be applied to the electrical installation (e.g. transformer & power factor correction). These efficiency measures can be added together to provide a class of “electrical installation efficiency” ranging from EIEC0 to EIEC4 (dependant on the efficiency of the systems). This section will cover vehicle charging points, lighting, metering, cable losses, transformer losses, PF correction and harmonics.

 #mcpeurope #PAuto #Britain #Standards

The future of Automation and Control.

InstMC is supporting a major conference in June looking at the future of automation and process control. Organised by IChemE there will be lots of opportunities to share views and debate the implications of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)..

Whilst much attention and energy is being paid to the underpinning technologies, the more interesting and challenging question is how the process industries will change and what the role of automation will become. Many commentators talk about being on the verge of a fourth industrial revolution – a change as profound as electrification or computers. Automation will be at the heart of this change, and information and data will drive it, but it won’t be automation in the form that we know it today.

This conference, Advances in Process Automation and Control 2017 (pdf), will examine the technologies that underpin the IIoT, and will explore the implication of the fourth industrial revolution for the process industries that we serve.

Some of the discussion topics will include:

• predictions on how industry may change in the next thirty years as a result of IIoT
• how robots can improve safety for humans in hazardous activities
• how Big Data can be used to support machine learning and asset management
• the roles and merits of cloud based application platforms versus edge networks
• simulating commissioning and the management of plants using a ‘digital twin’
• the challenges and solutions for continuous tablet production in the pharmaceutical industry
• how IIoT will benefit the process industries
• current trends in the use of commercial off-the-shelf IIoT products vs proprietary technology

The event will encourage the cross fertilisation of ideas, expertise and technologies by bringing together the researchers from our strong academic base, practitioners with in-depth experience of the traditional process control sectors, and representatives from new domains of application and manufacturing sectors.

The need and opportunity to learn from others, develop and nurture our professional networks and embrace novel techniques, technologies and practices has never been more relevant.

The event is also being supported by ISA and  The IET.

@instmc  #PAuto #IoT #ISAuto @TheIET

Shortlisted for IET award.

Plessey, a leading expert in the manufacture of lighting and sensing products and components, announced today that it has been shortlisted in the Healthcare Technologies category for its imPulse ECG monitor at The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Awards 2016. IET’s prestigious annual awards celebrate the best innovations from both industry and academia. The IET highlights landmark work and developments that take place across a number of important areas of science, engineering and technology.

Plessey’s imPulse hand held device utilises Plessey’s patented and award winning EPIC™ sensing technology. Plessey’s EPIC™ disruptive technology has uses in the medical, automotive and industrial market segments. This sensor technology has been creating considerable interest within the medical community where the primary focus has been in using EPIC for surface body electrode physiology applications such as electrocardiograph (ECG), electromyograph (EMG), electroencephalograph (EEG), and electrooculography (EOG).

With Health and Wellbeing so prominent in people's minds, Plessey has developed in the imPulse sensor a simple to use hand held ECG monitor. Utilising Plessey's disruptive Electric Potential sensing technology to detect an ECG signal, all that is required is the simple placement of the thumbs on the sensors embedded in the imPulse unit. This allows for a routine, quick, accurate recording of a lead one ECG signal without the need for conductive gel or skin preparation. The signal is transmitted using Bluetooth to a Smartphone or Tablet computer and displays the ECG trace along with heart rate readout and provides a simple output indicating whether the user is at risk of arterial fibrillation (AF) a precursor to a stroke.

Alan Colman, Commercial Director for EPIC at Plessey, said, “We are delighted to be shortlisted in the Healthcare Technologies category at the IET awards. Plessey is dedicated to using the best of British research, manufacturing and engineering to create disruptive and innovative technologies to bring a positive influence to the interaction we all have with technology. Plessey’s imPulse capacitive lead one ECG sensing system is helping with the identification of Atrial Fibrillation in both primary and secondary care in the UK to be used as a screen for potential stroke victims.”

• Winners of the IET awards will be announced at the award ceremony taking place on Wednesday 16th November at The Brewery, London.

@PlesseySemiCon #Medical

Conference on Gas Turbine Instrumentation.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)—a member organization of the Automation Federation—has released the technical program for its upcoming EVI-GTI and PIWG joint conference on Gas Turbine Instrumentation, which will take place 27-29 September in Berlin (D).  Drawing on the expertise and insights of some of the world’s leading gas turbine experts and specialists, the technical program will showcase the latest and most innovative instrumentation techniques, developments and applications within gas turbines measurement and control systems. (Click: here for program overview, here to download the full conference program.) Research presentations and technical sessions will cover the critical issues and topics of importance to gas turbine professionals and process engineers, namely: Sensing systems for EHM and control Measurements in flows Vibration and clearance Control and sampling Temperature measurement and harsh environment sensing Other conference highlights include: Keynote addresses by: Harvey Niska, Senior Technology Manager, Honeywell Aerospace, USA, who will speak on “Opportunities for Advanced Sensors and Measurements in Gas Turbine Engines;” and Hans-Gerd Brummel, Dr.-Ing, Technical Expert for Innovative Sensor & Data Analytics Development, Siemens, Germany, who will speak on “Sensor, Monitoring and Operation Optimisation Developments for Large Stationary Gas Turbines” A workshop on “Transitioning Instrumentation from Test-cell to EHM Applications,” led by international experts from the AFRL, USA, the Polish Air Force, the Netherlands Aerospace Centre and the Bundeswehr Technical and Airworthiness Center for Aircraft (WTD 61), Germany Ample networking opportunities, including a conference dinner on board the restaurant ship, Capt'n Schillow, moored close to the heart of Berlin Gas turbine demonstrations at technical site visits Register Here @TheIET #PAuto

Papers for Gas turbine instrumentation.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology issues Call For Papers for the 8th EVI-GTI Conference on Gas Turbine Instrumentation.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)—a member organization of the Automation Federation—has issued a Call for Papers, inviting experts within the international gas turbine instrumentation community to share their latest research and results at the 2016 EVI-GTI Conference on Gas Turbine Instrumentation. The conference, to take place in 26th - 28th September 2016 in Berlin (D), will bring together gas turbine professionals, process engineers and leading industry experts to discuss new and innovative instrumentation techniques, developments and applications relating to gas turbines measurement and control systems. Abstract submission and consideration Authors wishing to submit papers and present at the 2016 EVI-GTI Conference on Gas Turbine Instrumentation are required to submit an abstract for consideration by the Conference’s Technical Programme Committee. Following the review of abstracts, successful authors will be invited to submit a full paper for a second review by the committee. The deadline for abstract submission is 22 April 2016. To get more details regarding abstracts, submit an abstract and review all deadlines, visit the author information web page. To learn more about the 2016 EVI-GTI Conference on Gas Turbine Instrumentation, click here.   @IETevents #PAuto

Recognised for excellence!

MCP has been awarded Centre-of-Excellence status by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) for providing high quality training courses for electrical installers and contractors.

The Institution recognises training providers that consistently achieve high standards of training delivery for electrical installers and contractors on a range of courses at craft and technician levels. One of the many benefits for customers is that this means MCP’s courses will develop and deliver skills and knowledge that can be efficiently transferred to the workplace.

Centre of excellence awarded! #PAuto

MCP has been awarded Centre-of-Excellence status by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) for providing high quality training courses for electrical installers and contractors.

The Institution recognises training providers that consistently achieve high standards of training delivery for electrical installers and contractors on a range of courses at craft and technician levels. One of the many benefits for customers is that this means MCP’s courses will develop and deliver skills and knowledge that can be efficiently transferred to the workplace.

International automation co-operation at London symposium!

Collaborating with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the International Society of Automation (ISA) highlighted the latest developments, technologies and trends in instrumentation, process measurement and control through expert-led technical sessions, paper presentations and training courses at its 60^th International Instrumentation Symposium in London (GB) last month.

One of the sessions at the joint symposium! (Pic: Rodney Jones, ISA)

Some of the brightest minds from industry and more than 15 countries—particularly from the aerospace, oil and gas, chemical, and manufacturing sectors—and academia attended the symposium, which provided an opportunity to share knowledge, successes and best practices as well as address both common and emerging challenges. As part of the event, leading companies demonstrated their newest solutions and services at a vendor exposition.

The content-rich technical program, which included the presentation of more than 30 technical papers, featured many hot-topic areas of interest, notably:

• Cybersecurity
• Optical thermal history coatings
• Thermographic phosphors
• Sensors and transducers: theory, design and testing
• Turbine engine measurements
• Process measurement
• Wireless and automated systems

Given increasing concerns among industrial and manufacturing leaders about the risks posed by cyberattack, the opening session and keynote address focused on industrial cybersecurity.

Several global experts in industrial automation and control systems security emphasized the critical need to improve cyber defenses of critical infrastructure and adopt the guidelines of the US Cybersecurity Framework unveiled by US President Obama earlier in the year.

In addition to leading the conference’s initial session on cybersecurity, Adam Sedgewick, Senior Information Technology Policy Advisor of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, delivered a keynote address on the subject, outlining the key provisions of the Cybersecurity Framework and explaining why owners and operators of critical infrastructure and industrial plants should implement them.

Sujeet Shenoi, F.P. Walter Professor of computer science and professor of chemical engineering at the University of Tulsa, in another keynote address on cybersecurity, urged industrial leaders to quickly shore up defenses of critical infrastructure assets because he said they are currently far too susceptible to attack.

The Automation Federation, ISA’s umbrella organization that has been working with the White House to educate industry and manufacturing leaders on the value of the Cybersecurity Framework, assisted ISA and IET in crafting  the cybersecurity portion of the conference program. IET is a member of the Automation Federation.

In addition to the technical sessions, the product exhibition, networking activities, and a reception and banquet, the symposium included three training courses. Two of the courses were ISA courses. They were: Introduction to the Management of Alarm Systems (IC39C) and Industrial Wireless Systems (IC85C). The other course, Introduction to Measurement Uncertainty: Methods and Applications, was based on a popular ISA textbook and desk reference: Measurement Uncertainty: Methods and Applications, Fourth Edition.

The IET joins the Automation Federation

by Mark Landon

The IET and AF signed a formal agreement to collaborate on efforts to advance and grow the automation profession. This agreement was signed at ISA Automation Week 2010: Technology and Solutions Event in Houston, Texas, in the US.

Leo Staples speaks at the signing.

The IET will join the AF and the other AF member organisations—the International Society of Automation (ISA), the Organization for Machine Automation and Control (OMAC), and the Wireless Industrial Network Alliance (WINA)—in joint activities devoted to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); promoting the Automation Competency Model; and advancing the general public’s awareness of automation and technology.

The Chairman of the Automation Federation Energy Committee, Leo Staples, said, “The Automation Federation proudly welcomes the IET as our newest member organisation. AF and the IET share the same commitment to advancing and building the automation profession around the world. By combining our unique expertise and resources with our common interest in automation, our organisations are poised to make a significant impact on behalf of the profession.”

See Automation Federation release published on this site earlier

New member for automation body announced

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) joins the Automation Federation

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has joined the Automation Federation (AF) as its newest member . The two organizations signed a formal agreement to collaborate on efforts to advance and grow the automation profession. This agreement was signed at ISA Automation Week 2010 Houston, (Tx, USA)

Through its agreement with and membership in the Automation Federation, the IET will join AF and the other AF member organizations—the International Society of Automation (ISA), the Organization for Machine Automation and Control (OMAC), and the Wireless Industrial Network Alliance (WINA)—in joint activities devoted to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); promoting the Automation Competency Model; and advancing the general public’s awareness of automation and technology.

The Chairman of the Automation Federation Energy Committee, Leo Staples, said, “The Automation Federation proudly welcomes the IET as our newest member organization. AF and the IET share the same commitment to advancing and building the automation profession around the world. By combining our unique expertise and resources with our common interest in automation, our organizations are poised to make a significant impact on behalf of the profession.”
The Chairman for the Americas Regional Board of the IET, Steve Mustard, added, “The IET is pleased to be an active part of the Automation Federation. AF has accomplished so much of value in such a short amount of time, and we welcome the opportunity to be an integral part of their efforts. We are confident that by working with the Automation Federation, we will successfully enhance and accelerate public recognition of the automation profession worldwide.”

Dr. Gerald Cockrell, CAP, 2010 Automation Federation chair, stated, “Leo Staples and Steve Mustard were instrumental in the formalization of the agreement between AF and the IET. I commend them for their dedication to the profession. Their efforts have strengthened our efforts, AF’s and the IET’s, to promote and advance the automation profession. AF and the IET have already begun activities for the remainder of 2010 and for 2011.”

Picture shows Mr Leo Staples at the official announcement of the membership of IET in AF.