Advantages of dry-type transformers in food and beverage
June 2023
Electrical Power & Protection
The absence of oil in dry-type transformers make them attractive to the food and beverage sector, where the focus is on hygienic working conditions. David Claassen, managing director of dry-type transformer specialist Trafo Power Solutions, says there has been growing demand from food and beverage companies in South Africa. Among the company’s recent customers are two of the world’s largest brewers, which have sought to reduce the risk of oil leaks or environmental contamination by opting for dry-type technology.
“We have also installed equipment in factories where food is processed and where soft drinks are made, where the hygiene concerns are all similar,” adds Claassen. “Dry-type transformers are also Class F1-rated, signifying the highest level of safety in relation to fire risk.”
He notes that Trafo Power Solutions not only supplies the transformers, but is also responsible for control and protection systems – to protect against risks such as over temperature and voltage surge. The transformer and related equipment are designed to suit each specific application. In a recent project for a leading brewer, Trafo Power Solutions also supplied the low- and medium-voltage switchgear, which included Low Voltage (LV) distribution boards, fully type tested to IEC61439, and IEC61641 (Internal Arc Fault) customised Ring Main Units along with transformers.
“This demands extensive consultation with all other stakeholders in these projects,” Claassen points out. “We engage with the client and consulting engineers, together with architects and contractors if the project involves any new build aspects.”
Similar work has been conducted in various parts of Africa, where the company has demonstrated its capability to achieve the highest standards of quality in its projects. The capable project execution team, combined with considerable flexibility from the manufacturing facility, means that design changes can be readily accommodated.
“Our priority is that, at the end of a project, the customer will have a solution that fits their operational environment and that meets their exact requirements,” he says. “This also ensures optimal performance of the electrical equipment, supporting a long life span, while ensuring minimal maintenance.”
He emphasises that after-sales support is focused on getting any issues resolved without delay, drawing on the expertise of Trafo Power Solutions engineers and technicians.
Further reading:
Voltage Tester with LED-Display
Vepac Electronics
Electrical Power & Protection
The PeakTech 1094 is a reliable and robust two-pole voltage tester that has been specially developed for the safe and precise measurement of AC and DC voltages in the 12 to 400 V range.
Read more...
Schneider Electric launches circuit breaker for cost-effective LV protection
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has launched its EasyPact CVS C4 moulded case circuit breaker in South Africa, extending the Easy series to 1 600 A and giving consultants, contractors, and end users a cost-effective solution for non-critical low-voltage applications.
Read more...
Schneider Electric launches cost-effective, high-performance LV protection
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has launched its EasyPact NW air circuit breaker in South Africa, extending its Easy series portfolio with a cost-effective solution for non-critical low-voltage applications in commercial, industrial and residential projects.
Read more...
SF6-free switchgear brings digital intelligence to mining
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Combining pure-air switchgear with embedded digital intelligence helps mines cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve safety and meet sustainability targets while enabling real-time visibility into critical electrical assets.
Read more...
Turning plastic waste into clean hydrogen
Electrical Power & Protection
Researchers have developed a solar-powered process that converts plastic waste into hydrogen and useful industrial chemicals while using spent acid from vehicle batteries. The approach could help create a circular system for dealing with several challenging waste streams at the same time.
Read more...
World’s first to deploy Volvo A30 Electric in a hydropower project
Electrical Power & Protection
Volvo CE delivers the world’s first A30 Electric articulated haulers to a Norwegian hydropower project, marking a major step in the electrification of heavy construction equipment.
Read more...
Geothermal could be the next industrial energy source
Electrical Power & Protection
New developments in geothermal technology are set to change how heat trapped beneath the earth’s surface can contribute to the clean-energy transition.
Read more...
SA port could generate wave energy
Electrical Power & Protection
A feasibility study has identified the potential for an 8,3 MW wave energy power station at the Port of Ngqura in the Eastern Cape, using the port’s existing breakwater infrastructure.
Read more...
Solid-state batteries are reshaping energy storage
Electrical Power & Protection
The solid-state battery industry is transforming, driven by advanced technologies and rising demand across applications.
Read more...
South Africa’s battery manufacturing potential
Editor's Choice Electrical Power & Protection
A feasibility study commissioned by the Localisation Support Fund concludes that South Africa has the technical and commercial foundations to develop a competitive lithium iron phosphate battery manufacturing sector, anchored by growing regional demand and favourable industrial conditions.
Read more...