Power Electronics recaps the Canterbury & Westland Master Electricians Tradeshow 2024
Power Electronics was proud to participate in the Canterbury & Westland Master Electricians Tradeshow, held on September 12 at the Airforce Museum in Christchurch. As the longest-running and largest electrical tradeshow in the country, this event brought together industry professionals from across New Zealand to showcase the latest innovations, network, and compete in friendly competition.
Our South Island Sales Engineers, Andrew Sadgrove and Daniel Burrows, were joined by National Sales Manager Pat O’Dea, representing Power Electronics. We were excited to showcase the latest developments in AC motor control technology and the cutting-edge active power quality equipment from Sinexcel. It was an excellent opportunity to highlight how these technologies are shaping the future of electrical systems in New Zealand.
A standout for many visitors was the working demonstration of a Sinexcel Active Harmonic Filter (AHF). It was great to show a real example of this advanced technology, complete with a graphical presentation on the 7” HMI. The demonstration highlighted the efficiency and effectiveness of the AHF in improving power quality—a growing concern in today’s complex electrical environments.
In addition, the SD750 VSD display drew interest, showcasing the intuitive design and rugged construction of our flagship drive. Its robust nature and user-friendly interface provide contractors with a reliable, high-performance solution for various industrial applications.
Supporting the future of the electrical Industry
The day involved a steady stream of electrical contractors from throughout the South Island visiting the PENZ stand to discover our latest products and meet the South Island team. A key highlight early in the day was meeting a group of aspiring electrical apprentices from the Ara Electrical Pre-Trade programme. These young, enthusiastic individuals represent the future of our industry, and we loved seeing their energy and curiosity.
We were also pleased to showcase our commitment to the local market, emphasising that our Christchurch-based operations hold large stockpiles of variable speed drives (VSDs), soft starters, and power quality equipment, all readily available. It was great to see customers who travelled from as far as Southland to attend the show, underscoring the significance of the event for the wider electrical community.
Seminar spotlight: Power quality fundamentals
A key highlight for us was Andrew Sadgrove’s 20-minute seminar, which focused on the fundamentals of managing power quality in today’s increasingly complex electrical environment.
The session offered a timely recap of basic power factor theory—something many learn during an apprenticeship but often overlook in practice. As technology evolves and becomes more efficient, we’re seeing an increase in non-linear electrical loads that cannot be corrected by traditional methods. This shift makes power quality management more vital than ever, and effective solutions can reduce energy bills while extending the life of electrical equipment.
Fig 1: Andrew explains Displacement Power Factor
Andrew also highlighted how PENZ, in collaboration with Sinexcel, has been at the forefront of power quality management for over a decade. The latest in silicon carbide MOSFET technology enables highly accurate, individual phase correction within 5ms, offering unmatched efficiency and reliability. The new Ultra Series further pushes the boundaries of performance, boasting superior efficiency rates of over 99%, while offering various cabinet options to meet site-specific needs.
The session drew great attendance, with contractors and industry professionals eager to learn more about the latest power quality correction techniques. Andrew provided valuable insights into how these advancements can ensure greater efficiency and reliability in electrical systems.
Fig 2: Andrew takes the seminar through Distortion Power Factor
Networking, competitions, and what's ahead
We also had the chance to catch up with existing customers, make new connections, and share ideas with fellow exhibitors. It was fantastic to see the rising stars of the industry competing in the regional finals of the Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge, demonstrating the future talent of New Zealand’s electrical workforce.
The event, organised by the Canterbury and West Coast branch of Master Electricians, was a resounding success. From insightful workshops to hands-on exhibitions, the tradeshow provided a comprehensive view of where the industry is headed. A big thanks to the team for putting together such a forward-thinking event. "It was a great tradeshow put together by a Master Electricians Region that is looking to the future," said Pat. "We're looking forward to what they come up with for next year."
If you'd like to hear more about Andrew's seminar or the power quality equipment we had on show, don't hesitate to get in touch.