Articles
Thermal ageing of PVC cables
Thermal ageing of polymer cables can lead to serious safety, performance and cost issues. Bob Merrick, Commercial Manager - Technical, Prysmian Cables, discusses thermal testing and operating temperature ranges for general-market PVC cables. [ + ]
Free business sessions for electrical contractors
For many electrical contracting businesses, 2013 has undoubtedly been a difficult year for economic growth. But despite this, many businesses have been able to weather the storm; and I’m pleased to say the outlook for 2014 is on the up. [ + ]
Achieving and maintaining high NABERS ratings in existing buildings
At the recent Retrofit & Refurb Conference & Expo held in Sydney, AE Smith's National Sustainability Engineer and accredited NABERS assessor David Odd shared his experience of achieving and maintaining high NABERS ratings in existing buildings. [ + ]
REC supplies panels for Singapore's biggest solar installation
REC is supplying solar panels for two large-scale solar energy installations in Singapore. One of the rooftop installations - for supermarket giant Sheng Siong Group - is the country's largest solar installation to date. [ + ]
Short-circuit fault causes fire and equipment damage
The West Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum has reported a significant incident in which a short-circuit fault in a variable speed drive resulted in fire, arcing and equipment damage. [ + ]
ATO sets sights on medium-sized businesses
The ATO has medium-sized businesses and wealthy individuals in its sights for 2013-14. Unsurprisingly, in a revenue constrained economy with a persistent government fiscal deficit, the ATO plans to conduct more tax compliance reviews and audits this year. [ + ]
Contractor mentoring program
While starting up a new business can be an exciting and heady challenge, many first-time business owners unconsciously step into a minefield of paperwork, administration duties and financial needs that come hand in hand with setting up a new business. MEA understands that starting a new business, and keeping it not only going but flourishing, can be a difficult challenge for many tradies new to the game. [ + ]
Buenos Aires switches to LED lighting
Philips was selected by the government of the city of Buenos Aires to renew its street lighting system with LED technology. The company will replace the majority of the 125,000 existing street lights with new LED luminaires within a three-year term. Philips was awarded the contract as a result of a public bidding process. [ + ]
Solar market predictions for 2014
The global solar industry is bouncing back after two years in the doldrums, according to a senior research director for solar at IHS. [ + ]
Making sure the NBN delivers on expectations
Regardless of how the NBN is rolled out - FTTH or FTTN - having the NBN delivering super-fast broadband to Australian homes doesn't guarantee an improved internet experience. That's because the NBN infrastructure is only part of the picture, albeit the biggest. [ + ]
COAG rejects proposed national electrical licensing scheme
COAG's refusal to sign off on the proposed national electrical licensing scheme has been welcomed by NECA. NECA says the proposal was not supported by industry and would have undermined electrical safety across Australia. [ + ]
NBN 2.0: From engineer's dream to political football
Malcolm Turnbull suggests NBN projections to date have been "extremely optimistic" with the rollout significantly slower than expected, and completion not anticipated until mid-2024. On the other hand, he says, the Coalition's plan to use a variety of technologies will be delivered four years earlier and at an expected cost of AU$41 billion. [ + ]
Osram retrofits lighting at the Sistine Chapel
Multinational lighting manufacturer Osram is set to retrofit lighting at the Sistine Chapel in Rome, Italy. The art-conserving installation is expected to enable significantly higher illuminance values and consume 60% less power compared to the existing lighting installation. [ + ]
ANZ Tower installs lighting controls for energy savings
Developed by Grocon and designed by leading architects Francis-Jones Morehan Thorp, ANZ Tower is the newest addition to the Sydney skyline. The building officially opened in September 2013 and has already been awarded the 6 Star Green Star - Office Design v2 rating by the Green Building Council of Australia. [ + ]
Upsolar completes 98.6 kW smart solar array project
Upsolar, an international provider of solar PV modules, has completed Australia's largest solar array featuring smart modules: a 98.6 kW rooftop project atop a Hilton Manufacturing facility in Dandenong South, Victoria. [ + ]