SA URSI National Committee Annual Meeting: 4 May, 2007

Report From Commission E Chairperson:

Professor H C Reader, Dept EE Engineering, US

Statement on 2006/7 Activities Within Commission E’s Interests

1. Research activities at academic institutions in the fields of EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) and EMI are known to be active at groups within:

• Stellenbosch University (Prof H C Reader and Dr R H Geschke). Research is active in the fields of: EMI characterisation and mitigation in the square kilometre array (SKA), corona noise from power lines, transmission line studies and sensors in EM metrology. An approach of careful matching of numerical modelling and laboratory measurement is a distinctive feature of our work. New research activities were focused on printed circuit board EMC. Electromagnetic bandgap structures are investigated as a means to suppress spurious modes on high-speed PCBs. Work on plate shielding and cable tray shielding is continued and reported in a journal publication and also at local conferences in Cape Town and Stellenbosch. Several research students and one post-doc work in the group. A postgraduate course in EMC is offered. Publications:

NW Ebertsohn, RH Geschke and HC Reader, Cable Trays in EMC: Measurement and Modeling to 30 MHz, Accepted for publication in IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility.

HC Reader, RH Geschke, J Badenhorst and E Laubscher, Issues in Calibrating Sensors for EMI and Suppression of Unwanted Modes, SAUPEC 2007, Proc. 16th Southern African Univ. Power Eng. Conf, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa, January 2007, on CD-ROM.

HC Reader, J Badenhorst, RH Geschke, NW Ebertsohn and MD Janezic, Transfer Impedance, EMI Sensors and HF Metrology, all invited papers, 2007 SA-IEEE AP/MTT conference, 26-27 March 2007, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

RH Geschke and E Laubscher. Electromagnetic Bandgap Structures for EMC, All invited papers, 2007 SA-IEEE AP/MTT conference, 26-27 March 2007, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

K D Palmer, H C Reader, Electromagnetics in South Africa: Perspectives and Recent Achievements, Invited Semi-Plenary Paper, Session 2IN1, EuCAP 2006, Nice, paper no. 430866, CD ISBN Number: 92-9092-9375 Nov. 2006.

H C Reader, EMC Issues in Metrology, NIST/ARFTG Measurement Short Course paper, 68th ARFTG Conference, Omni Interlocken Resort, Broomfield, Colorado, Nov 2006.

• University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) (Prof J Reynders, Prof W A Cronje, Dr J van Coller, Prof A R Clark). Principal work is related to EMI in power networks including grounding policies, corona and insulators. EMC short courses are regularly offered.

• University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (Prof N Ijumba and Professor S Mneney). The ESKOM High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) research centre is located here and one focus is on EMI aspects of HVDC systems. A postgraduate course in HV and EMC is offered.

• University of Pretoria (Prof W Odendaal). The university has an elaborate high frequency measurement facility and compact range.

• University of Johannesburg – (Dr Ivan Hofsajer, shortly to move to Wits University). Research is linked to electronic power systems.

• University of Cape Town (UCT) - there is still a low level of GIC research at UCT. Publications:

CT Gaunt, G Coetsee, Transformer failures in regions incorrectly considered to have low GIC-risk, accepted for IEEE PowerTech in Lausanne 1-5 July 2007.

E. Bernhardi, Modelling geomagnetically induced currents in Southern Africa, BSc(Hons) project report, Univ. of Cape Town. Sep 2006.

And a course was presented to Eskom by Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO):

Eskom Space Weather Course, 30-31 October 2006. It was convened by Dr Peter Sutcliffe and Dr Pierre Cilliers.

2. Research/measurement/monitoring activities at industrial institutions in the fields of EMC and EMI:

• ESKOM (Prof A C Britten, Mr K R Hubbard, Mr P Johnson, Mr Braam Otto and Mr L Pillay). They continue to provide research, analysis and measurement capabilities for all EMI/EMC matters on the ESKOM network.

A major effort on NRS 083: Code of Practice for the Application of EMC Standards and Guidelines in Electricity Utility Networks has been undertaken this year. See appended material.

• Research and/or industrial EMC/EMI capabilities exist at TELKOM (Ms M Paul), Sentech (Mr Koffeman) and Vodacom (Mr C Mercer).

• EMC measurement capabilities exist at: the South African Bureau of Standards (the EMC testing is done via its commercial arm, Testing and Conformity Services), ITC Services in Pretoria, Gerotek Test Facilities a Division of Armscor Business (Pty) Ltd in Pretoria, ISSA in Grabouw.

• STANSA (Standards South Africa) - the Standards Division of the SABS (changed its name in October 2002) and publishes national standards under the banner of Standards South Africa. All of our national standards are re-designated as SANS (South African National Standard) standards, as opposed to SABS standards. Mr A Claasen and Mr D Smit of STANSA co-ordinate EMC bodies such as TC73 which manage and comment on South African and International EMC standards.

• EM Software and Systems (Technopark, Stellenbosch). They have been particularly active at a high level on EM simulation which is used extensively on the EMC/EMI front. They developed, and sell internationally, the EM Analysis software FEKO.

• MESA Solutions (Pty) Ltd – in the Western Cape. They have links to University of Stellenbosch.

• Empetus CC in Gauteng.

3. Our commission continues to be interested in the progress of:

3.1. the SKA project reported in South Africa’s Commission J under Prof Jonas’ direction. EMI aspects of this work are important.

3.2. the effects of 900 MHz mobile phone on a reproductive model – see South Africa’s Commission K report (Dr P J Cilliers)

Professor H C Reader

Commission E Chairperson, Updated 7 May, 2007

NRS 083: Code of Practice for the Application of EMC Standards and Guidelines in Electricity Utility Networks

EM Consulting was tasked in 2005 by Eskom: Standardization Department with the drafting of NRS083. NRS 083 is a 4 - part Code of Practice covering EMC aspects of substations and power transmission and distribution networks, designed to establish and promote uniform requirements for application in the South African Electricity Supply Industry (ESI). It is based on various IEC publications and other national and international documents, and will find application in Eskom and other members of the ESI.

Part 1 covers the selection of appropriate EMC standards and test levels for secondary equipment used in the transmission and distribution of electricity.

Part 2 covers installation practices for substation secondary equipment as well as associated good practice for substation design, earthing, bonding, trenching, cabling and surge protection.

Part 3 provides illustrated details of the recommended installation, cabling and wiring practice as a guidance for installers and contractors involved with the installation of substation secondary equipment.

Part 4 covers EMC aspects of power lines and cables outside the substation, such as electronic equipment installation on power line towers or pole structures, radio frequency radiation from power lines and the induction of voltages into nearby metallic telephone lines or pipelines.

Specific objectives of this Code of Practice are:

− to assist in drawing up appropriate EMC specifications for new equipment and systems, taking the latest regulations into account,

− to consolidate the various EMC specifications and standards presently in use by different organisations within this industry,

− to assist in the design and specification of new substations as well as expansion or refurbishment of existing substations from an EMC perspective,

− to provide the most appropriate substation installation practices from an EMC perspective,

− to provide guidance regarding voltages induced by power lines and cables into paralleling metallic telephone lines and pipelines,

− to provide guidance regarding radio frequency noise produced by substations and power lines,

− to provide a reference list for the relevant standards and guidelines in line with national and international trends.

Part 1 has been completed and is currently being reviewed by the Electricity Suppliers Liaison Committee (ESLC). Part 2 is at third draft stage and part 3 is a second draft stage, and Part 4 is still under consideration.

Contributing to the drafting process have been a WG (working group) and an IG (interest group), comprising of the following members respectively:

Working Group:

J van Coller University of the Witwatersrand

A Dold eThekwini Electricity

B Druif EM Consulting

R Evert Centlec

H J Geldenhuys Eskom Industry Association Resource Centre

J Graham City of Cape Town

D Gutschow Eskom Industry Association Resource Centre

K R Hubbard Resources & Strategy Division, Eskom

P A Johnson (Project Leader) Eskom Industry Association Resource Centre

L Moodley eThekwini Electricity

A Ntlatleng City Power

P H Pretorius Empetus Close Corporation

W Rothman Eskom Industry Association Resource Centre

D Rowe Eskom Enterprises Division, Eskom

A Sayed City Power

D C Smith Transmission Technology, Eskom

J de Villiers Ekurhuleni Metro

Interest group:

T Auditore Transmission Technology, Eskom

A C Britten Resources and Strategy Division, Eskom

A Burger Eskom Enterprises Division, Eskom

H Groenewald Eskom Industry Association Resource Centre

Z Gydien Eskom Enterprises Division, Eskom

R Koch Resources & Strategy Division, Eskom

I van der Merwe Eskom Industry Association Resource Centre

H C Reader University of Stellenbosch

G Topham Capital Expansion Department, Eskom

S van Zyl Eskom Industry Association Resource Centre

For further information contact Paul Johnson at Eskom Standardization Department, Industry Association Resource Centre, tel +27 (0)11 651 6843 or paul.johnson@eskom.co.za