The last decade or so has seen a huge financial investment in computers and sophisticated electronic control systems. It seems that everything we do or operate now is controlled by a microprocessor or computer. Our factories and workshop floors are more reliant on computer controlled technology, our modern telephone and data systems allow us to immediately communicate with anywhere else in the world.
Unfortunately this development comes with a hefty penalty. Surges and spikes from nearby lightning strikes, arc-welders, or high voltage cables can damage or destroy all our sophisticated electronic equipment in an instant. However, more than this there are other less obvious problems resulting from both natural and manmade surges including:
* Disruption and inconvenience caused by system downtime.
* Financial cost of loss of production.
* Corruption of files and loss of data.
* Repair/replacement cost of damaged equipment.
* Sporadic, unexplainable system faults.
Many companies have discovered, the hard way, the havoc such surges can wreak.
Surge protection devices (SPDs)
Advanced SPDs safeguard all types of electric and electronic equipment from the destructive high-voltage transients that are associated with lightning and other large magnitude surges. Protective devices are known by a variety of different names including 'lightning barriers', 'surge arresters', 'lightning protection units', etc. However, the most widely used term would appear to be 'surge protection devices' or 'SPDs'.
SPDs should ideally operate instantaneously to divert a surge current to ground. With advanced surge protection technology, unwanted voltages are not presented to protected equipment via power, telemetry, telephone or other cables. Once the surge current has subsided, the SPD should automatically restore normal operation and reset to a state ready to receive the next surge. MTL Surge Technologies offer a range of products whereby advanced SPD components are used, including gas discharge tubes (GDTs) voltage clamping diodes, and metal oxide varistors (MOVs) which feature rapid operation, accurate voltage control and automatic reset once the overvoltage has ceased.
Surge protection solutions can be custom-tailored to protect an extremely large range of applications including main power equipment, telephone systems, computers, local area networks, telemetry devices, field transmitters, and other process control instrumentation and sensors.
MTL Surge Technologies specialise in the design, manufacture and implementation of SPDs supplying a wide range of products including models for virtually all applications. Particular areas of expertise include:
* Process control.
* Telemetry systems.
* Control and instrumentation.
* Network applications.
* Wireless infrastructure.
For more information contact Andy Brown, Temperature Controls, 011 791 6000, [email protected]
Overcoming the bottling industry’s fragmented visibility Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing Electrical Power & Protection
Beverage bottling facilities are among manufacturing’s most energy-intensive environments, yet many still operate without granular insight into where that energy goes. Rezolia Muller-Potluri of Schneider Electric explains how tiered metering architecture and advanced
Read more...Schneider Electric introduces next-generation BlokSeT switchboard Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has launched its next-generation BlokSeT low-voltage switchboard in West Africa, offering high reliability, predictive maintenance capability and digital integration for critical infrastructure and industrial applications.
Read more...Powering South Africa’s renewable energy expansion
Electrical Power & Protection
ACTOM Distribution Transformers, the sole NECRT contract holder for Eskom, is powering South Africa’s renewable energy expansion through robust neutral earthing transformer solutions deployed across solar and wind projects in southern Africa.
Read more...You can’t digitise a blackout Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Across East Africa, smart meters and AI promise cleaner, more reliable power, but digital tools cannot optimise a grid too weak to carry the load. Schneider Electric’s Symphrose Ochieng sets out why operators should strengthen physical infrastructure first, then add digital capability in phases.
Read more...Battery energy storage is key to powering South Africa’s manufacturing sector
Electrical Power & Protection
South Africa’s shift to renewables is creating a significant opportunity in battery energy storage, but local manufacturers face an uphill battle against cheap imports and stop-start demand. Richard van Moltke of ACTOM Static Power examines what it will take to build a sustainable local battery storage industry.
Read more...Decarbonisation is reshaping mining strategy in Africa Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing Electrical Power & Protection
Mining companies across Africa are embedding decarbonisation into operational strategy, driven by investor, regulatory and customer pressure to reduce emissions while improving resilience.
Read more...How to tell whether your mini-substation is new or refurbished
Electrical Power & Protection
Cosmetically refurbished mini-substations are being misrepresented as new equipment and sold back into the market, posing serious reliability and safety risks for mining, industrial and commercial operations. Trafo Power Solutions explains what to look for and what questions to ask before purchasing.
Read more...Optimising energy reliability for African manufacturing
Electrical Power & Protection IT in Manufacturing
Unreliable power can cost African manufacturers as much as 31% in sales. Behind-the-meter power offers manufacturers in sub-Saharan Africa control, visibility and resilience in their energy provisioning.
Read more...Electrical solutions for FMCG manufacturing giant
Electrical Power & Protection
An electrical upgrade at a leading fast-moving consumer goods facility demonstrates how ACTOM Kenya turned a fragile, reactive power infrastructure into a resilient, data-driven backbone for production. The project is also a case study in bridging legacy equipment with modern automation without disrupting operations.
Read more...Power and energy meter with Modbus RTU interface Vepac Electronics
Electrical Power & Protection
The eCap universal power and net quality meter measures voltages, currents, power, power factor, energy, frequency and total harmonic distortion, with fully galvanically isolated transmission via an integrated Modbus RTU/RS485 interface.
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