The engineering successes achieved by South African specialist consulting engineers in the field of lightning protection were recently highlighted at a prestigious international conference in France.
Innopro directors, Ian McKechnie and Ian Jandrell (who is also head of the School of Electrical and Information Engineering at Wits University) presented a paper at the peer-reviewed International Conference on Lightning Protection (ICLP 2004) held in September, based on their engineering interventions and results at four major southern African sites. These sites included a major airport, national telecommunications transmitter station, a large banking institution and an electrical utility national control centre, all located in southern Africa.
Ian McKechnie noted that the feedback received from clients when preparing the paper was very positive and that the methodologies implemented have had a very significant positive effect on performance of the installations. At the reviewed sites, no significant damage to equipment or disruption of service has been experienced since completion of the interventions, the various sites having experienced at least three to six lightning seasons since completion of the interventions.
The interventions were standards-based with the engineering designs in line with the latest international and South African standards, commented Ian Jandrell. He added that some of the significant engineering success issues, also highlighted by clients, included site-wide and local equipotentialisation and the effective use of zoning principles.
Specialist consulting engineers, Innopro, operating nationally and internationally from its centralised base in Centurion (Gauteng, South Africa), has developed an effective and systematic engineering methodology for the implementation of lightning protection and industrial EMC systems. The iLPS (integrated lightning protection solution) methodology has been successfully used and proven by Innopro across a range of industries and application environments in South Africa and internationally.
For more information contact Ian McKechnie, MD, Innopro, 012 667 5151, [email protected]
Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.
Read more...The top 10 emerging technologies of 2025
News
The World Economic Forum’s top 10 emerging technologies of 2025 are expected to deliver real-world impact within three to five years and address urgent global challenges.
Read more...Comtest calibration user group seminar
News
Comtest invites metrology and calibration professionals to a focused technical seminar series aimed at demystifying some of the most common hurdles in inter-laboratory comparisons.
Read more...Technology leaders shaping 2025
News
In an era where agility, innovation and execution are paramount, ABI Research’s latest report, ‘26 Technology Companies Leading the Way in 2025’ identifies the top players shaping the future across key digital technology segments.
Read more...Omniflex through the decades Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
News
As Omniflex celebrates 60 years of engineering excellence, we take a look back at the decade that saw us really kick in and deliver major engineering projects – the 1970s.
Read more...South Africa’s green hydrogen leap
News
Over the past 12 months, South Africa has solidified its ambitions to become a global green hydrogen leader. Riding on abundant renewable energy resources and strategic partnerships, the country has advanced from early-stage promise to tangible project groundwork. These are the most significant developments from mid-2024 through mid-2025.
Read more...Rewiring the nation
News
South Africa’s energy sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Long defined by its heavy dependence on coal, the country is now making significant progress toward a more diverse and sustainable energy mix.
Read more...Africa Energy Review
News
The Africa Energy Review 2024 from PwC outlines how the continent’s energy landscape is shifting in response to global trends, local needs and technological innovation.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.