Flameproof switchgear for system protection
April 2021
Electrical Power & Protection
Becker Mining South Africa’s Energy Distribution division manufactures customised switchgear, designed for the efficient distribution of electrical power.
“These systems are certified for safe and dependable use in hazardous and non-hazardous applications in surface and underground mining, as well as chemical and petrochemical plants,” says Nico de Lange, vice president: Operations and Systems, Becker Mining South Africa. “Becker’s compact flameproof KE 1008 1,1 kV switchgear units comprise power bus technology and plug connections that ensure a high level of operator safety and system protection.”
KE1008 switchgear units have seven module slots, one earth leakage monitor and a lighting module. Parameters for the slide-in modules can be set at the closed, compact station during operation, or via various fieldbus systems.
Notable characteristics of this system include Modbus and Profibus communication, temperature and power factor monitoring, maximum voltage recording, kilowatt-hour monitoring, an operational hour meter and individual phase current and voltage display. Machine selection with pre-set safety settings is available for ease of operation.
Safety protections comprise short circuit, loss of vacuum, earth leakage, earth fault lockout and pilot relay. Added to these are over- and under-current, thermal curve, over- and under-voltage, loss of phase and phase imbalance occurrence protections. For enhanced safety, this unit has an interlocking system and can only be powered up on closing of the main door. All external electronics are rated as intrinsically safe (IS).
Other features include modular mounting on a skid or trailer and a quick opening door, which cannot be opened until all slide-in modules of a housing have been disconnected. This compact station has separate compartments for a contactor unit, the display and relay module.
KE1008 switchgear also comprises Becker’s HPC 450 V5 contactor unit, which is a 1,1 kV unit rated to 450 A, with IECEX certification. These contactor modules are fitted with fully integrated electronics for control, monitoring and protection functions, and comprise proven technology that has been successfully used in the global mining sector for over twenty years.
Further reading:
High-performance industrial power converters
Electrical Power & Protection
Vepac Electronics supplies PowerGood’s range of industrial AC/DC and DC/DC converters, spanning 15 W to 700 W, with full protection features and compliance with EN55032 Class A and Class B electromagnetic interference standards.
Read more...
Decarbonising the energies and chemical industry without the risk
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric argues that decarbonisation in Africa’s energies and chemical industry need not compromise production or profitability. A phased, digitally enabled approach, starting with energy efficiency improvements, can reduce emissions while strengthening competitiveness.
Read more...
Modular UPS system with scalable, high-availability architecture
Electrical Power & Protection
Legrand South Africa has launched its fifth-generation TriMOD three-phase modular UPS, available from 10 to 80 kW. The system features hot-swappable modules, multiple input/output configurations, and up to 99% efficiency in Eco Mode, designed for data centres and critical industrial environments.
Read more...
Accurate illuminance measurement for safer, more efficient environments
Electrical Power & Protection
The Sonel LXP-10A illuminance meter is designed for accurate measurement of lighting levels in industrial environments where adequate illumination is essential.
Read more...
Why mining operations need local lightning early warning
Senseca
Editor's Choice Electrical Power & Protection
Lightning can develop into a serious mining hazard before the first local strike, leaving crews little time to stop work and reach safety. Local early-warning technology can provide valuable lead time, allowing mines to connect developing storm conditions to defined trigger actions that protect people, explosives and equipment.
Read more...
South Africa’s dirtiest fuel is building its most resilient boilers
Electrical Power & Protection
Steinmüller Africa argues that duff coal, the low-grade fines and discards stockpiled over decades, can now underpin reliable, compliant industrial boilers using mature circulating fluidised bed combustion technology, turning a long-standing liability into a phased energy transition pathway.
Read more...
Retrofitting for sustainability
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
As budgets tighten and sustainability targets increase, retrofit and modernisation strategies are gaining traction across Africa, allowing organisations to upgrade only what limits performance while preserving existing infrastructure and extending asset life.
Read more...
USB-Datalogger for voltage 0 to 30 V DC
Vepac Electronics
Electrical Power & Protection
The PeakTech 5186 is a data logger for DC voltages from 0 V to 30 V with terminals on the top of the device.
Read more...
Pole-top boxes for smarter, more secure electricity networks
Electrical Power & Protection
As South Africa accelerates the rollout of smart prepaid electricity metering, innovative enclosure technology from Power Process Systems is helping utilities improve network security, reduce electricity theft and protect critical electrical infrastructure.
Read more...
Simplifying electrical design compliance
Electrical Power & Protection
Referro Systems highlights how Rockwell Automation’s Global SCCR Tool simplifies short-circuit current rating compliance for complex industrial electrical systems.
Read more...
printer friendly version