Training Skills Feature Library

Operations Engineer's library catalogues editorial features going back five years.

Access to all archive material is free to all, including non-members of IPlantE (the Institution of Operations Engineers) or BES (Bureau of Engineer Surveyors), under the umbrella of SOE (Society of Operations Engineers). However, to discover the many benefits of becoming an SOE member, please click here.

15/12/2021 Decode your motor’s nameplate Whether you are looking to replace or repair a motor, when talking to your supplier or service provider, it is important to give them accurate details of the motor you currently have. The most relevant information should be recorded on the ... » Read More

07/12/2021 Guidance for maintaining ageing electrical assets EEMUA 227, Management of ageing electrical assets, is new guidance from the Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association aimed at providing electrical engineers with a coherent, proactive system for managing ageing electrical ... » Read More

07/12/2021 Leak testing of tubes and pipes Huntingdon Fusion Techniques offers an introduction to tube and pipe stoppers. The oil, gas, water, food and beverage, aerospace, power generation, construction and pharmaceutical industries all fabricate many thousands of metres of tubes ... » Read More

01/12/2021 Maintaining frequency inverters Failure modes, inspection and maintenance, diagnostics and troubleshooting, as well as the general checks for non-specialists: all are covered in this overview article by Jody Muelaner » Read More

29/11/2021 An introduction to feedback devices for VFD and servo applications One issue that often arises when designing closed-loop applications is which type of feedback to use on the motors. In this article, Jeff Kardell of KEB America describes the different types of feedback devices in variable frequency drives ... » Read More

22/11/2021 Selecting the right blower for reliability and cost-effective operation In the wastewater industry, aeration processes are essential to achieving high water quality standards, but they can also be one of the largest energy consumers. This combination makes reliability and energy efficiency very important ... » Read More

22/11/2021 The importance of cybersecurity in functional safety Malware in standard information technology (IT) systems is, at most, disruptive but not generally life-threatening. However, what happens when this malware is transmitted to thousands of sensors in a nuclear plant, causing a major incident ... » Read More

18/11/2021 CompAir white paper outlines why food and beverage manufacturers should opt for ... CompAir has published a new white paper for the food and beverage industry, discussing how the right compressed air system can make an important contribution to an organisation’s overall sustainability ambitions, as well as help protect ... » Read More

18/11/2021 Missed opportunity in gas detection? Data not only has a role to play in driving automation and improving efficiency but critically has the ability to make positive changes to a range of strategic workplace issues. One of the most compelling of which is the potential to ... » Read More

11/11/2021 PPE: Up close and personal In the wake of supply failures and often mediocre quality PPE equipment during the pandemic, a new conformity assessment process is now in force for placing all forms of such protective wear on the market. By Brian Wall » Read More

11/11/2021 Energy ratings for commercial and industrial buildings The government is proposing a new scheme to log energy consumption and carbon emissions in large buildings that will come into play in 2022. By Tom Austin-Morgan » Read More

04/11/2021 Virtual protection: cybersecurity and IECD 62443 The IECD 62443 standard is becoming well-known as instructing operators on how to protect themselves from digital crime. Now, there are certification schemes for equipment and companies against this. By Jody Muelaner » Read More

04/11/2021 Four steps to better electrical resilience Manufacturing sites depend on a reliable, failsafe power supply. Too many businesses use outdated and potentially unsafe electrical assets for their critical power needs, putting people, operations and their bottom line at risk. When it ... » Read More

28/10/2021 From drinks packaging to process management: an interview with Tetra-Pak Tetra Pak was originally a packaging company, making liquid food brick packs. Through acquisitions and mergers, it has acquired process capability for almost any kind of liquid food product, including cheese. It is also marketing its ... » Read More

28/10/2021 Charging towards gigafactories The supply chain is currently building big on batteries, with many gigafactory construction projects gathering pace in the UK and across Europe. By Steed Webzell » Read More

22/10/2021 Who does what? A SAFed guide to lift testing Revision of the SAFed LG01 Guidelines on the supplementary tests of in-service lifts prompted a joint webinar with LEIA on 19 March 2021 for lift managers and duty holders » Read More

18/10/2021 Hosed & home If poorly administered, flexible hydraulic hose failures can damage machinery and the environment, and even endanger life. An effective hose management scheme is key to their long-term success. By Brian Wall » Read More

18/10/2021 (Don’t) blow me down Emergency shutdown valves may be the last line of defence against a major incident occurring in a pressurised system. Little wonder specifications and maintenance are tightly regulated. By Toby Clark » Read More

14/10/2021 Drone detection Drone technology is being utilised to detect leaks in gas pipelines and storage facilities; it is quicker and more accurate than manual methods » Read More

14/10/2021 Surveying the whole scene Laser scanning technology has evolved beyond its original use as a high-end surveying tool and is now being used for various jobs in industrial settings. Tom Austin-Morgan reports » Read More

05/10/2021 Tracking carbon in construction product manufacturing At the Energy Management Exhibition (24-25 November), SOE is presenting a panel discussion on reducing energy consumption. It features members working across industry. Also speaking is Matthew Jenkinson, Tarmac Alfreton senior site ... » Read More

05/10/2021 Fire risks in AD facilities Anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities are becoming ever more common in the UK, as a means of generating energy, in the form of biogas, from agricultural waste products that would otherwise contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. But as the ... » Read More

30/09/2021 Overhead crane maintenance Electric overhead travelling cranes are a staple tool in many industrial facilities. A thorough inspection and maintenance regime is essential to keep them in prime condition. By Brian Wall » Read More

30/09/2021 Could batteries replace generators? The supply shortages caused by COVID have focused the mind on threat scenarios. Critical infrastructure which depends on electrical power, such as water treatment, hospitals and data centres, typically require backup power to enable ... » Read More

23/09/2021 She who watches the watchers Jane Nash is Allianz Engineering’s new health, safety and quality manager for its 600 engineering surveyors in engineering, construction and power business that inspect plant and equipment across industry for safety and compliance ... » Read More