Electrical Power & Protection


In-house testing of transformers

March 2020 Electrical Power & Protection

The recent installation of an impulse voltage generator at Zest WEG’s transformer manufacturing facility in Heidelberg will allow in-house testing of transformers, saving time and money for customers.

According to Ronaldo Bertoldi, engineering manager at the facility, the substantial investment in this specialised equipment positions Zest WEG well for growth within South Africa and the rest of the continent.

“The impulse generator is strategic equipment for us, providing an important service, especially for our larger customers,” Bertoldi says. “Where the transformer size is larger than the 72,5 kV class, impulse testing is a routine test as per IEC 60076-3. Customers have an option to do an impulse test in lower voltage classes as a type test.”

An impulse generator produces short, high-voltage surges to test the strength of electric power equipment against lightning and switching surges. It comprises multiple capacitors that are first charged in parallel through charging resistors by a high-voltage, direct-current source. These are then connected in series and discharged through a test object by a simultaneous spark-over of the spark gaps.

Sales team leader Stuart Brown highlights that the acquisition makes the Zest WEG transformer manufacturing facility one of only a handful of local OEMs with this testing facility in-house. This enhances local engineering capacity and entrenches global standards.

“Major energy utilities will often require that suppliers have this capability,” says Brown.

“It is therefore a valuable resource as we expand the range of our transformers up to 50 MVA, 132 kV units.”

Bertoldi emphasises that impulse testing is important to establish that transformers can withstand surges on the network induced by lightning. “In particular, it tests whether the transformer’s insulation is capable of withstanding such faults,” he adds. “In a country like South Africa, where lightning flash density is high, this is a vital exercise.”

The impulse generator will also allow Zest WEG’s transformer facility to test its own new product prototypes. These are continuously developed with the technical support and shared resources of WEG’s research and development facilities in Brazil.


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Integration of power and energy management with industrial
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Water and power management form the backbone of society and the country’s industrial landscape. With infrastructure challenges, stricter environmental regulations and the need for greater operational efficiency, water and wastewater operators need to optimise their systems. This is where the integration of power and energy management and industrial automation can alleviate some of these operational challenges.

Read more...
Maintenance and health of battery storage systems
Comtest Electrical Power & Protection
How to maintain batteries.

Read more...
Software for designing high-tech
Electrical Power & Protection
Siemens Digital Industries Software has announced that Arc Boat Company (Arc), a startup on a mission to electrify the marine industry, has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software to design and manufacture their high-performance, fully electric boats.

Read more...
ACTOM Power Transformers celebrates 60+ years of engineering
Electrical Power & Protection
ACTOM Power Transformers is marking a major milestone with a celebratory Open Day at its Wadeville factory.

Read more...
Power portfolio with enhanced static transfer switch for critical applications
Electrical Power & Protection
Vertiv has launched the Vertiv PowerSwitch 7000, a next-generation static transfer switch that strengthens the company’s position as a complete power solutions provider.

Read more...
Why utilities must prioritise maintenance of SA’s remote data
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
The story of power generation is more than meets the eye. Beyond energy distribution and the infrastructure are invisible, point of presence data centres located the remotest parts of our country that play a fundamental role in keeping systems running

Read more...
The house that revolutionises substations
WEG Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Traditional substations have major drawbacks in terms of their construction and resilience. One solution is the E-house, a prefabricated, customised and transportable steel structure designed to house a range of electrical and automation equipment.

Read more...
Localised inverter-integrated transformer
Electrical Power & Protection
ACTOM, South Africa’s largest manufacturer, repairer and distributor of electromechanical equipment, is launching a breakthrough in renewable energy integration with its localised inverter-integrated transform

Read more...
Steinmüller Africa integrates advanced technologies at Mondi’s boiler project
Electrical Power & Protection
Steinmüller Africa is leading a boiler project at Mondi’s Richards Bay mill. The 18-month undertaking showcases the company’s blend of engineering excellence and cutting-edge technology.

Read more...
ABB innovation for energy efficiency and sustainability
Electrical Power & Protection
The application of sensor technology to reduce the operational and standby power losses of traditional current and voltage transformers can lead to energy savings of 181 MWh over a 30-year period, the lifetime of a typical switchboard in the African environment.

Read more...









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.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved