Quick turnaround achieved on rotor rewind for mill alternator
March 2016
News
Marthinusen & Coutts recently performed a rush job for sugar producers Tongaat Hulett to repair the rotor of a 20 MW salient pole synchronous alternator at the Xinavane mill in Mozambique.
The division carried out the complex task at its Cleveland facility in just over three months. It involved a complete rewind of the rotor, which has a cruciform-type winding configuration.
From left Rudi Els, coil shop manager at Marthinusen & Coutts, specialist winder at Marthinusen & Coutts, William Martin, and Craig Megannon, general manager at Marthinusen & Coutts during the rewind of the Xinavane mill’s alternator rotor at the company’s Cleveland facility.
“It was complicated by the fact that we found it necessary to redesign the winding and insulation,” explains Craig Megannon, general manager at Marthinusen & Coutts.
“The original coil had developed a fault due to the fact that it had been vacuum pressure impregnated, which by forming it into a solid block caused differential expansion between the copper windings and the steel of the rotor body. We solved this problem by introducing thicker insulation and thinner copper windings, which were neither VPI’d nor glued to the pole body.
“This achieved the desired result, as proven by the tests we carried out on the rotor windings on completion of the job,” says Megannon.
With 57 years of extensive experience in the local and global market, Marthinusen & Coutts undertakes both electrical and mechanical repairs, overhauls and complete refurbishments.
For more information contact Richard Botton, Marthinusen & Coutts, +27 (0)11 607 1700, richardb@mandc.co.za, www.mandc.co.za
Further reading:
Engineering solutions to keep coal power plants viable in a renewables-driven grid
News
Steinmüller Africa showcased engineering solutions at Enlit Africa 2026 that let existing coal-fired power stations run efficiently at much lower loads, helping the grid absorb a growing share of variable renewable energy.
Read more...
Trafo Power Solutions returns to Electra Mining Africa
News
Trafo Power Solutions returns to Electra Mining Africa 2026 with a portfolio that has expanded well beyond dry-type transformers into fully engineered electrical power solutions for mining, industrial and infrastructure operations across Africa.
Read more...
SAIMC INSPIRE conference extends abstract submission deadline
SAIMC
SAIMC News
Following requests from our sponsors, the SAIMC INSPIRE conference has officially extended the abstract submission deadline to 28 August 2026.
Read more...
Pomini Tenova and Siemens advance roll grinder technology
Siemens South Africa
News
Pomini Tenova and Siemens strengthen their long-standing partnership to support the revamping and modernisation of roll grinders with advanced CNC and automation technology.
Read more...
Behind the scenes technologies enabling the future of mobility
News
Henkel explains how advanced adhesives, thermal interface materials and sealing technologies are enabling the next generation of electric vehicles, and what this means for South Africa’s automotive sector.
Read more...
Professor Glenda Gray inducted as Fellow of Royal Society
News
NRF board member, Professor Glenda Gray has been inducted as a Fellow of the UK’s Royal Society, the world’s oldest and one of its most prestigious academies of sciences.
Read more...
African Group Lubricants launches Mobil Give a Drop campaign
News
African Group Lubricants launches the Mobil Give a Drop campaign, a national initiative supporting community-led projects across South Africa.
Read more...
Why representation in STEM is crucial
News
Women’s underrepresentation in STEM is a business risk as much as a social one, shrinking an already pressured talent pool. Intentional mentorship and visible leadership pathways are structural necessities, not HR gestures.
Read more...
Corrosion control is the overlooked link in the global energy supply chain
News
Effective corrosion protection at every stage of the energy supply chain, from raw material fabrication to final installation, is essential to avoid costly rework and component failures on large-scale projects worldwide.
Read more...
Women shaping engineering at ABB
ABB South Africa
News
Two ABB engineers share how curiosity, mentorship and an inclusive culture have shaped their careers, and what they see as the most exciting opportunities for women in engineering across Africa.
Read more...
printer friendly version