Skid-mounted dry-type transformer
June 2020
Electrical Power & Protection
In a specialised application on a coal mine, Trafo Power Solutions recently supplied a dry-type transformer mounted on a mobile skid.
“The harsh environment of a coal mine required us to specially design a fit-for-purpose solution,” explains David Claassen, managing director at Trafo Power Solutions.
The cast-resin dry-type transformer is ideal for the mobile arrangement as it is cooled without oil, which also makes it a safer option in terms of fire hazards, especially on a coal mine. It is also more environmentally friendly, as there is no chance of an oil spill, while the 1250 kVA dual-MV configuration supplied to this mine allows the unit to be linked up to either an 11 kV or 6,6 kV supply.
“The unit was designed for a compact enclosure, while still allowing for sufficient air movement for cooling,” adds Claassen. “We provided a unique solution of a cast-resin transformer with Class H insulation rating for both the medium-voltage and the low-voltage windings.”
This insulation standard ensures that the transformer can withstand temperatures of up to 180°C. He notes that the enclosure design had to accommodate these heat factors while also preventing the ingress of dust or water.
Special engineering was also applied to building a high level of mechanical rigidity into the transformer itself, as demanded by the regular relocation of the mobile skid. This movement means considering that vibration and other forces must be borne by the equipment without affecting its performance.
Claassen emphasises that Trafo Power Solutions is experienced in providing dry-type transformers in a range of enclosed formats to suit customers’ needs. The inherent safety of these transformers also allows them to be installed in underground mining locations. “We can provide various dry-type transformer enclosed solutions with a mobile skid, which is a versatile format for a range of mining applications,” he concludes.
Trafo Power Solutions’ solid track record in cast-resin transformers is based on its local expertise and design capacity, combined with the high-quality manufacture of the units by Italy-based TMC Transformers.
Further reading:
Safety and cost-efficiency with meticulous ash management
Electrical Power & Protection
Most solid fuels produce ash and effective ash management is crucial. In South Africa, ash management ranges from sophisticated overhead storage systems and wet conveyors to manual trolley-based solutions, and AES is meticulous about how ash is handled, stored and disposed of.
Read more...
Overcoming the bottling industry’s fragmented visibility
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Many bottling plants lack specific visibility into energy use, relying on aggregate data that obscures efficiency opportunities. Without accurate data, energy cannot be effectively managed.
Read more...
How utilities are modernising grid infrastructure with digital substations
Electrical Power & Protection
The digital substation has become a cornerstone of next-generation grid infrastructure. But what exactly makes a substation digital, and how does it transform day-to-day operations?
Read more...
Why grid modernisation will define the energy transition
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Africa has some of the world’s strongest renewable resources. Yet more than 600 million people still lack reliable access to electricity. The path forward requires execution.
Read more...
Simplifying panel design and deployment with EtherNet/IP in-cabinet solution
Rockwell Automation
Electrical Power & Protection
Rockwell aimed to eliminate challenges through an innovative EtherNet/IP in-cabinet solution that would reduce the time and resources needed for controls project engineering, testing and panel wiring.
Read more...
Building scalable hydrogen energy solutions
Siemens South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Siemens has announced that H2 Core Systems, a startup focused on modular hydrogen-based energy systems, is using the Siemens Xcelerator platform of software and automation portfolio to design and manufacture compact, highly efficient hydrogen energy systems that generate and store clean energy where it is needed.
Read more...
Pure-air switchgear technology powers Elgin Orchards
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric, together with Technoserve Medium Voltage, has implemented its RM AirSeT SF6-free medium voltage switchgear at Elgin Orchards, one of South Africa’s leading fruit producers.
Read more...
Digital substations power Africa’s transition to a smarter, more resilient grid
Electrical Power & Protection
As Africa’s energy systems face mounting pressure from rapid urbanisation, ageing infrastructure and the accelerating shift towards renewable energy, digital substations are emerging as a critical enabler of grid resilience and modernisation.
Read more...
Trafo powers mine in Pakistan with transformers for extreme conditions
Electrical Power & Protection
Trafo Power Solutions is boosting the power infrastructure of a mining project in Pakistan, being built on one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold reserves.
Read more...
Optimising the future of Africa’s data centre operations
ACTOM Electrical Machines
Electrical Power & Protection
Africa’s digital economy is expanding at a remarkable pace, and nearly every online service now relies on the data centres that drive the continent’s digital infrastructure. For operators, energy efficiency has become a strategic priority.
Read more...