On Thursday 1 June, the branch held its monthly Technology Evening at Honeywell in Secunda. Colin Morris from Weidmuller, did a presentation on ‘The Internet of Things (IoT) in photovoltaic string monitoring in utility scale plants’.
Johan Maritz thanks Colin Morris after the presentation.
The IoT is the internetworking of physical devices, vehicles, buildings and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators and network connectivity, which enable these objects to collect and exchange data.
This presentation employed a balanced scorecard approach to identify the practices that contribute to excellence in solar plant management. A well run PV facility is productive, safe, cost effective and contributes to high levels of customer service.
After the presentation, members and visitors networked while enjoying the food and beverages sponsored by Honeywell.
C&I related engineers, technicians and mechanicians are welcome to attend the monthly Technology Evenings, the planned dates for the rest of the year are as follows: 7 September; 12 October and 2 November. All the presentations earn CPD points for ECSA registered persons and any enquiries can be directed to the branch chairman Johan Maritz at johanmaritz260@gmail.com or 0828563865.
Golf Day
Since its inception 17 years ago, the Golf Day has become a special event on the branch calendar, thoroughly proven by the way both manufacturers and vendors have given their support. This year it was held on 25 May at the Walker Park Golf Club in Evander with the demand to participate so high that provision had to be made for more teams and waterhole sponsors than in the past.
All golfers who played thoroughly enjoyed it and made it clear that even a bad day on the golf course is much better than a good day at work!
From left: Johan Maritz presents the trophy to Golf Day winners Michael Barnard, Nickey Minnaar, Harry Geel and Griff Smith from Team WIKA.
The branch thanks the following sponsors who made this day such a great success: WIKA Instruments; Lethabo Engineering; Endress+Hauser; Metso Automation; Yokogawa; JCI; Automation & Control Solutions; Pinnacle Instruments; Honeywell; Beckhoff Automation; Vega Controls; SCVS; Highveld Technical Services; Emerson; DLM; WMS Electrical Services & Supplies; Harmans Industrial Equipment; Ernest Lowe and Weidmuller.
Congratulations to the winners, Team WIKA – we look forward to their title defence in 2018.
Funds raised from the event are used for projects such as visiting local tertiary and secondary educational institutions to promote the C&I profession among students.
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