Transcript REUNION COMMERCIALE

Our company
Engineering company created in 1991 to find
technical solutions for EDF, Electricité de
France. Based in Toulon, South of France, we are
35 people, mainly engineers, and highly skilled
technicians. All our products are designed and
manufactured in France
 In the 2000’s, several concrete pump - power
lines accidents happened, involving fatalities. A
consortium of groups, including EDF, SNPB
(concrete union), and CRAM (health and Safety)
decided to react and collaborated with Made to
develop a power line detection tool : SkyRadio.

Detection solution
SkyRadio gives a warning of the approach of
any part of high-lift equipment (Crane, Nacelle,
Concrete Pump) to a live high voltage line
starting from 10 KVolts.
 Sensors are installed all along the arm.
If one of these sensors detects the proximity of a
power line, information is immediately sent to the
central unit.
 The machine arm is totally covered to avoid
any blind area.

Why it is used
The system is proposed by the some
manufacturers as an operational aid.
 It is obviously also intended to enhance
operator safety and reduce the risk of damage
to both the high-lift equipment and the
electrical distribution network.

Exemples of use
Firemen trucks
Concrete pumps
Exemples of use
Field machines
Nacelle
How it works
The multiple sensors are placed at strategic
points on the high-lift equipment, and
continuously monitor the surrounding electric
field.
 Number of sensors depends on the size and
number of arms of the machine.
 This field increases in strength on approaching a
high voltage alternating current line.
 The system records all operators actions.

What it does
Operators cannot modify the settings, but they
can respond to an alert by changing to report
mode which enables them to continue working
with frequent reminders.
 There are two thresholds, warning and danger.
The equipment owner can choose different levels
of audible and visual warning, from a beeping
buzzer to completely stopping the movement
of the equipment.

How it works
The sensors are continually signalling the
strength of the electric field to the central
controller which controls the buzzer, the horn and
two sets of contacts used for other warnings or to
stop the equipment movement.
 The sensors and controller are self testing ten
times per second to warn of any malfunction.

Sensors & Central unit
Central unit :
- Starts and Stops sensors
- Manages the system in use
- Receives and record all
information
Sensors :
- Detect power lines
Who use it
A total of 1.700 systems are currently in use
(in mid-2012).
 The biggest users are concrete pumps
companies, where most accidents happen.
Holcim, Cemex, Lafarge, Unibéton, Italcementi,
are some of the users.
 SkyRadio is in use in France, United Kingdom,
Belgium, Italy, Romania, Switzerland, and Turkey.

Who use it
All the member companies of the French SNPB
(National Concrete Pumpers Association) have
equipped their pumps, although there is no
legal obligation. It represent about 800
concrete pumps.
 The largest of them is Inter Service Pompe with a
fleet of over 500 pumps, and they have had
neither incidents/accidents (see document
available).

What users think

We encounter two types of pump operators.
 Experienced. Suspicious of new gadgets, and
convinced that their experience will protect them
from incident. Proud of their field experience.
 Beginner. Aware of the benefits of modern
technology, and keen to learn how a system can
help them.
Once accustomed to the system, both classes of
operator are thankful for the effort made by the
compny to protect them and the equipment from
the inaudible and invisible electric risk.
A justified investment
The investment in a SkyRadio system is
clearly justified the first day the alarm
sounds, even if there is only the possibility of
an incident.
 To simulate it, calculate the following costs :

 Human life
 Machine repairs, including tires change, electric
system to redo, technical control …
 Administrative tasks, lawsuits
 Insurance costs
What is gained
Peace of mind is a nebulous phrase which
nevertheless has a clear value. Both owner
and operator acquire it once a SkyRadio is
installed and properly used.
 Safety and professionalism brand image.
 Operator loyalty. Once accustomed to an
ever vigilant protector, an operator is
reluctant to leave for another company not
using the system.
 Insurance premium possibility of negociation

(depending insurance brand and country)