Local panel manufacturer stays at the cutting edge of technology innovation

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IBG - SA Instrumentation & Control Buyers' Guide

December 2019 News

As a leading electrical control panel manufacturer, WEG Automation Africa stays at the cutting edge of innovation through its research and development driven approach which sees continuous product improvement- setting benchmarks within the industry sector. The company was previously known as Shaw Controls and is part of the Zest WEG Group which is, in turn, owned by Brazil-based WEG Group.

According to Tyrone Willemse, business development manager – projects and contracts at WEG Automation Africa, the focus throughout the process is on safety and quality as well as local manufacturing capability. The company manufactures a range of low voltage (LV) and medium voltage (MV) electrical switchgear as well as LV fixed and withdrawable motor control centres (MCCs).

“Our fixed pattern boards have three configurations – front entry, back entry and back-to-back,” explains Willemse. “We can supply these in top or bottom busbar, or cable supply entry, to suit the customer preferences.”

WEG Automation Africa’s latest family of fixed pattern boards is internally arc classified at the highest level – Class C in accordance with IEC 61641 guideline.

Willemse says this makes it possible to conduct an assessment and repair of the board after a flash and then it can be returned to temporary use after a dielectric test, to minimise unscheduled downtime. He notes that the IEC61641 guideline is starting to be introduced into LV designs to enhance safety.

“The fully withdrawable MCC option offers the major advantage that operators do not work on a live board in front of the bucket,” he says. “This allows the technician to take the bucket out and move it to a safe environment before working on it.”

Significantly, WEG Automation Africa has introduced a new, fully-withdrawable MCC compliant with both IEC61439 and IEC61641 guidelines. While initially sourced from WEG’s manufacturing facilities in Brazil, the model is being considered for local build.

With the use of Solidworks modelling computer-aided design and engineering software, the MCC chassis is pre-punched to reduce wiring time. All digital components are loaded onto the system and carefully placed in the design of MCCs, so that equipment can be assembled and replicated to the highest standards.

“Our closed-loop project planning and control system also contributes to ensuring optimal efficiencies in the manufacturing line, saving both time and money for our customers,” he says.

WEG Automation Africa’s extensive facilities at Robertsham in Gauteng also manufactures a variety of supplementary equipment for use on process and other plants. These range from custom-designed PLC panels, standalone starter panels, junction boxes, remote isolator panels and control desks. Panels are designed and produced for indoor and outdoor applications, whether skid-mounted, in a sub-station, in a container, or in a prefabricated room or specially constructed E-house.

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Local panel manufacturer stays at the cutting edge of technology innovation

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