Another important consideration for service and maintenance staff is the availability and flexibility of power supply. Technicians require cord reels and socket distributors that comply with the European ATEX Directives, enabling repairs and servicing to be carried out in hazardous zones. For example, portable Ex socket distributors and cable drums are available for providing a flexible power supply to portable electrical equipment located in zones 1, 2, 21 and 22. The objective is to minimise the time and effort required by the engineer, whilst guaranteeing the safety of personnel at all times. 

One area in which Cooper Crouse-Hinds has seen continued growth in recent years is in mobile power distributors. Often custom engineered for specific projects, these typically comprise a trolley, Ex plugs and eXLink plug connectors.

The ergonomically designed trolley is used to safely transport distribution boxes and other explosion-proof electrical equipment around a plant. The Ex plugs have a flexible mounting plate with wired Ex plugs for providing electrical power to various types of equipment.

Cooper Crouse-Hinds' own eXLink plug connections can then be used to enable electrical equipment - including actuators, motors, submerged pumps, liquid level sensors, floating switches - to be connected and disconnected quickly and safely, without compromising the safety or integrity of the installation.

Enabling users to maintain apparatus on a proactive or predictive basis, the eXLink range of Ex-approved plug-and-socket connectors from Cooper Crouse-Hinds UK Ltd, enables the connection and disconnection of electrical apparatus in potentially explosive environments, without the use of tools and without the engineer having to isolate the apparatus from the mains or disconnect the terminals.

The eXLink range, which includes connectors, plugs, receptacles, inlets and elbows, can be used for any instrumentation device or electrical apparatus.

For further information on Cooper Crouse-Hinds' comprehensive range of servicing and maintenance products for hazardous areas, including custom-designed options, or for a copy of the 'Servicing & Maintenance in Hazardous Areas' brochure, contact the UK sales office, view website: www.ceag.de or e-mail: Gordon.Low@CooperIndustries.com  Refer to next page

Comprehensive cable management systems

The Icotek range of cable management and EMC shielding products available from M Buttkereit Ltd have widespread applications within general industry including public transportation systems. They are used on control panels incorporating telecoms, signalling or other specialised switchgear as well as signage and display products. Recent applications include information display packages designed for use during the 2012 Olympic Games events. All Icotek products are designed to simplify cabling procedures, while providing the maximum facility for retro modifications and subsequent maintenance, with minimum interruption to existing cabling products.

The Icotek products typically used include the KVT Polycarbonate range of split cable glands. These can be supplied for straight-thro' or right-angled bulkhead connections and are available for standard or metric cut-outs. They can be used with single, multiple and pre-terminated cables, with the pre-termination warranties being maintained. Cable retro-fitting and maintenance can also be carried out both easily and quickly, with high packing density achieved and a wide range of cable varieties accommodated.

The KEL range of Polyamide split cable entry frames are used with split elastomer inserts to accommodate single medium-diameter cables up to multiple small-diameter cable runs. KEL-JUMBO frames can also be supplied for large individual cables up to 65mm in diameter. The inserts allow for dynamic and flexible cable movements, while the split designs ensure easy cable installation as well as simplified retro-fitting and maintenance. Where large cable entry cut-outs are provided in bulkheads, then KDR-2 split metal base frames can be supplied for use in conjunction with KEL and JUMBO cable entry units.

Cable strain relief can be accommodated with the Icotek ZL range of strain relief plates. These are designed for both static and dynamic applications, for organising and securing cables on machines, control panels or cable chains. These Polyamide products are cost effective and provide a simple and universal package ideal for high packing density. The undercut on the comb-shaped profile provides secure strain relief of cables when combined with cable ties.

The need for cost effective shielding of cabling against electrical-magnetic interference (EMI) is becoming more recognised. The Icotek SKL range of products ensure the effective bonding and shielding required and can be supplied for snap-on or screw-on connections for single or multiple cable combinations.

All the Icotek Polycarbonate, Polyamide and elastomer products are halogen and silicone free with UL-94 Vo self-extinguishing flame class properties. The operating temperature ranges (static) are elastomer -30°C to +90°C, Polycarbonate -30°C to +100°C and Polyamide -40°C to +140°C.

For further information, e-mail: info@buttkereit.co.uk or view website: www.buttkereit.co.uk

'Lift and Shift' leak monitoring reduces water loss and costs

Veolia Water, the major water and wastewater management company, has been making use of recent developments in water leak detection technology to effectively manage water networks at an increased efficiency and lower cost. Halma Water Management's (HWM's) Permalog+ noise loggers have been employed by the company in a 'lift and shift' method to quickly, easily and accurately find and repair leaks.

The Permalog+ Technology
Permalog+ noise loggers are small devices deployed at points around the water network, where they monitor the noise levels on the pipes themselves. Changes and distinctive patterns in sound indicate the presence of leaks, often including ones that would otherwise go completely undetected. Mounted directly onto the pipes by a strong magnet, and battery-powered, the Permalog+ units can continuously monitor the section of piping around them for tell-tale signs of a leak. Once found, various telemetry and communication methods are available to alert leak detection operatives either immediately or at a specified time.

Pictures show; (Top) A noise logger technician installs a Permalog+. (Bellow) The logger's location is recorded with GPS tracking.

In a typical usage scenario, the data will either be collected or sent back to a central database, where each logger's location is displayed on a map with either a green flag for 'all clear' or a red flag to indicate a leak. Each logger's serial number, noise level and noise spread (the leak 'signature') is displayed alongside them on the map.

'Lift and Shift'
Veolia Water has 9 Noise Logger Technicians to carry out 'lift and shift' operations, with an average of over 80 individual Permalog+ units deployed and retrieved by each technician every day. The 'lift and shift' temporary installation method allows the use of a smaller number of units to cover a large area, effectively 'auditing' the network for leaks. As an alternative to a permanent installation, where the loggers would sit waiting and monitoring for new leaks in order to address them immediately, 'lift and shift' deployment actively searches for leaks throughout the network in a 'sweeping' pattern.

Leakage Teams will deploy loggers throughout the next targeted area (typically divided by DMA*), where they will remain overnight. The following day, the loggers are collected by the team, with a centralised record being made of where there are leaks and where the system is clear. These loggers can then be deployed to a new area, and so a rolling, sweeping search for leaks quickly progresses throughout the network.

In contrast to a 'permanent' deployment pattern, Permalog+s for use in a 'lift and shift' operation will be either pre-programmed at the factory or by the user with specially designed software to only transmit their recorded data when an operative swipes them with a magnet. There is no radio interference from other loggers nearby (stored in the car, for example), and the data is kept both secure and easily compartmentalised. This is obviously useful when the same loggers will eventually be deployed in many different locations - the fundamental point of the 'lift and shift' method.

Ease of Use
The Permalog+ units and system incorporate several recent technological innovations by HWM to make them more efficient and easier to use than ever before. The loggers can be pre-programmed, and can automatically record each deployed unit's serial number and location by GPS tracking. This means that deployment is very quick, and there is no longer a danger of misplacing loggers - or the maps of where they are - which of course means that retrieval is easy too.

The new Permalog+ version can also utilise the extended logging functionality of Aqualog. This records noise levels at set intervals over a longer time period of up to 29 days. This allows easy trending analysis and graphical representation of the data, providing for more detailed leak analysis and definite confirmation. User-configured or preset alarm threshold settings can be applied for different pipe types and diameters.

Results
Veolia Water has had excellent results from this operation, finding leaks with great speed and ease, leading to reduced costs from resources. The new GPS mapping technology tracks and makes visible the effort being applied by the one-man teams, and has resulted in a higher deployment rate than previously seen. It also gave the company an audit trail of loggers, ensuring accountability and precise location tracking.

With over 80 loggers per technician per day being deployed and collected, the speed of the activity means that detection time can be reduced when compared to other, more traditional leak-finding technologies and methods. A recent Veolia project that involved targeting 15 DMAs, covering some 28,000 properties, took only 32 days to sweep, and 96 leaks were detected. Because time lost is water lost, the speed of the search and therefore the swiftness of the response is key to minimising waste and reducing NRW** levels. Certainly, given the right application, noise loggers in the 'Lift and Shift' mode provide an excellent return on the investments of both time and funds. The fact that the Permalog+ system is very accurate in terms of both location and detection, as well as sensitive enough to find even 'hidden' leaks, makes it a powerful and effective tool in the ever more important fight against water loss.

For further information, view website: www.halma-water.com  Refer to page 261