WCA January 2019

Industry news

New web home for Ridgway

IN an emergency, fires can have disastrous consequences for both human lives and buildings. Highly combustible materials in buildings advance the rapid spread of fire and not only destroy stock and buildings but also put people’s lives at risk. Public buildings have a high user‐traffic flow and, in the event of fire, need to ensure an optimum and quick evacuation. Since 2017, the Construction Products Regulation for cables and conductors (BauPVO, EN 50575) has set a new standard, in which the fire performance requirements for cables also play a major role. Manufacturers and distributors must reclassify the performance of their products with regard to fire behaviour. Minor fire spread and the prevention of smoke gas development are included on the performance certificate. For example, a low‐smoke layer must be guaranteed for the duration of the evacuation. For these cases of application, Melos has developed compounds with low fire propagation properties and that release minimal toxic fumes and gases. This ensures more time for evacuation in the event of fire, and is less harmful for protective equipment, thereby making it easier to save people’s lives. Melos’s Mecoline compounds and filler materials use halogen‐free fireproofing materials that prevent the spread of flames and the development of smoke and flaming droplets. Consequently, precious time is saved and can be used to Ridgway Machines has launched its new website. With a fresh look and feel the new site features a fully responsive and user-friendly design to give users a smoother experience when navigating the site. The website showcases Ridgway’s new range of cable and conductor taping machines, and will be updated regularly with news on company products, achievements and new features. The site includes the company’s full range of product information including video, pictures and technical data. Furthermore, the site allows users to engage with Ridgway’s other platforms across Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram. “We are really proud of our new site; we hope visitors will be able to find the information they require about our range of machines with ease,” said Sean Brown, marketing executive. “We are striving to improve our online presence and the new site is a major part and aligns with our company vision for

❍ A screenshot of the new Ridgway website

growth and expansion in the future. The new site shows our commitment to excellence to our customers and partners.” Ridgway Machines – UK Website : www.ridgwayeng.com

Halogen-free compounds from Melos

quickly flee the area affected by fire, allowing rescue workers to carry out a safe evacuation. Melos GmbH – Germany Website : www.melos-gmbh.com Balance of power ABB has received an order from Transpower New Zealand Ltd to upgrade the HVDC link that interconnects the transmission grids and acts as an energy-balancing system between the North and South islands. Demand for power on the North Island, which has a population of over three times the population of the South Island, is substantially higher and relies on power generated on the South Island. The 600km North-South HVDC interconnection enables power transmission to areas of high demand, and plays an important role in the New Zealand electricity market by allowing power trading between the two islands. The first New Zealand link was commissioned in 1965 by ABB (then ASEA) as one of the earliest HVDC transmission systems in the world. It was originally a bipolar 600 MW link with mercury arc valves, until the original equipment was paralleled onto a single pole in 1992, and a new thyristor-based pole was commissioned to increase capacity to 1,040 MW. The first installation was decommissioned in 2012. The scope of the project includes a valve upgrade of pole two consisting of capacitors, fibre optics and valve control units based on the latest ABB Ability MACH control system. ABB – Switzerland Website : www.abb.com

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Wire & Cable ASIA – January/February 2019