Schneider Electric has installed the first of its new-generation Schneider Premset SSIS (shielded, solid insulation system) modular switchgear at the Stubb Street substation in Makhado (Louis Trichardt), Limpopo Province. It is the first of five substations to be renovated in line with the municipality’s priority to maintain a stable electricity supply as the town continues to develop.
After assessing the constant failures on the breakers within the substation, the municipality’s engineers concluded that the existing systems were obsolete and took a decision to redesign the substations. Following the decision, the municipality requested Schneider Electric to propose a solution.
“Schneider Electric engineers invited us to Polokwane, where they were showcasing the SSIS technology,” explains engineering technician, Shumani Mundalamo. “We were impressed with the features and benefits of the Premset switchgear.
A follow-up visit was done to Schneider Electric’s manufacturing facility in Midrand where the necessary technical queries were addressed. After the in-depth clarification session, Premset was recommended to management as a potential solution. The Premset installation at Stubb Street Substation was completed in December 2017. The substation went from being a noisy, often failing and difficult-to-maintain facility, to a quiet and efficient substation.
“Since the installation of the switchgear, the frequent trips that came with the rains became a thing of the past,” adds Mundalamo. “The partial discharge sound from the substation disappeared and the smart grid features built into the switchgear makes fault diagnosis easier.”
Nthambeleni Tshikovhi, maintenance superintendent for Makhado’s substations concludes: “With the old systems, we had severe maintenance problems because getting parts to repair the switchgears was difficult. With the new Premset, availability of spare parts is assured and all the information required for maintenance is at our fingertips. With over 15 years’ experience working on switchgear, the Premset technology is very appealing to me.”
John Thompson secures order for bagasse-fired boiler
News
John Thompson, a division of ACTOM, has secured an order for a 320 t/h bagasse-fired boiler for what is set to become the world’s largest greenfield sugar mill development in Indonesia.
Read more...From the editor's desk: Consistently not stupid Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
Over the years I’ve followed Charlie Munger. He’s considered to be one of the greatest investors and thinkers on decision making in the past century, and spent six decades as Warren Buffett’s business ...
Read more...South Africa’s space balls
Editor's Choice News
South African engineers are preparing to take low-frequency radio astronomy to the Moon with three locally developed B.A.L.L.S. spheres aboard China’s Chang’e-8 mission. This could pave the way for a 55-antenna lunar array and marks another step in the country’s growing space engineering capability.
Read more...RS South Africa announces 2026 Student Project Fund winners RS South Africa
News
RS South Africa has awarded 13 engineering students with R10?000 worth of products each through its 2026 Student Project Fund, supporting projects spanning renewable energy, robotics, warehouse automation and STEM education.
Read more...Certified gas meter module
News
Sensirion’s next-generation SGM5304 gas meter module has completed certification to the harmonised EN 17526 standard, simplifying MID approval and speeding customers’ route to market.
Read more...The rise of software-defined brownfield automation Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Automation Expert is enabling brownfield operators to modernise incrementally, decoupling control logic from hardware to bridge legacy equipment and future-ready operations without disrupting production.
Read more...Trafo Power Solutions expands market share
News
Trafo Power Solutions is expanding its market share in mining, industrial, infrastructure, data centre and renewable energy applications through technical expertise, application-specific engineering and responsive customer support.
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.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version