Trafo Power Solutions delivers mobile substation solution to Australian mine

Electrical Power & Protection

March 2026 Electrical Power & Protection

A depth of experience across industries, combined with in-house design expertise, and a responsive approach to business, has underpinned Trafo Power Solutions’ recent success for an Australian mining customer.

The turnkey substation project allows the customer to step up their generated power supply from 400 V to 6,6 kV, with the mobile substation able to accompany the customer’s generator set around the mine site.

“Our 2000 kVA substation includes the necessary low voltage and medium voltage switchgear, and gives the customer quick and easy plug-and-play functionality when moving locations,” says Claassen. “This means that there is no need for time consuming termination of cables when the unit is moved and reconnected to the generator. To facilitate mobility, the skid is equipped with hooks for dragging, as well as push bars for moving it into position.”

He notes that it was important to take into account the high vibration levels when specifying the components to be included in the design with rigid mounting for strength and the use of anti-vibration equipment. Meeting the region’s specific standards was also an important aspect of the contract.

Claassen explains that the design had to meet Australia’s national standards, drawing on Trafo Power Solutions previous experience. Additionally, the customer requested equipment commonly used in Australia to ensure reliable aftersales support.

“This demonstrates the flexibility in our design process which can accommodate and meet any national standards, and incorporate customer preferences for certain locally sourced equipment. This was especially relevant in the low voltage aspects of the design, such as protection relays and monitoring systems. We are not rigid in the options that we consider, and can easily adapt to customers’ choices that best suit their preferences and local market availability,” he says.

He explains that inspections and witness testing remain a core priority in fulfilling export orders, in spite of the customer’s physical distance from the country of design and manufacture. The COVID pandemic had encouraged the development of various communication technologies which the company now harnesses to ensure the customer’s involvement in the technical aspects of the contract.

“We put this technology to good use, allowing the customer on this project to carry out all necessary inspections and factory acceptance testing remotely and to their full satisfaction,” he says. “At Trafo Power Solutions, we take pride in being easy to work with and finding creative solutions, even across long distances and under tight deadlines.”

The contract has been an indicator of the company’s growing success not only in the international market, but also in its journey from being a transformer supplier to becoming a turnkey electrical power solutions provider. Having initially carved a niche for itself in dry-type transformer applications in Africa, Trafo Power Solutions is now evolving rapidly on the strength of its design and engineering capability, as well as its in-depth technical understanding of various aspects of electrical projects.

For more information contact Trafo Power Solutions, +27 11 325 4007, [email protected], www.trafo.co.za

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Electrical Power & Protection

Trafo Power Solutions delivers mobile substation solution to Australian mine

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