Dairy expansion uses dry-type transformers
October 2021
Electrical Power & Protection
Trafo Power Solutions has assisted a large dairy producer in a recent expansion, supplying five dry-type distribution transformers to its facilities in a coastal region of South Africa.
“With an application in the food and beverage sector, it is important that any equipment in the plant meets the highest standards of cleanliness and safety,” says David Claassen, managing director, Trafo Power Solutions. “This means no risk of oil leaks or harmful gases is tolerated, so the dry-type transformer option is ideal, with the added advantage of requiring very little maintenance.”
The transformers are 2 MVA units, with 11 kVA input stepping down to 400 V. The warm and humid coastal environment demanded specialised enclosures coated with painting plan type C5 for demanding conditions.
“Our transformers are supplied into a wide variety of applications, so our design must often specify special materials and coatings to resist corrosion,” says Claassen. “Where units must operate very close to seawater, for instance, we ensure a selected grade of stainless steel in our manufacturing process.”
The project required Trafo Power Solutions to design, manufacture, test, deliver and install the five tonne units, as well as to assist with commissioning on site. “In some projects, we will take complete responsibility for the delivery, off-loading, rigging and positioning of transformers for installation,” says Claassen. “Where customers have their own rigging team or arrangements, we still make it our business to be there at the time. These are specialised pieces of equipment and it is important to move them correctly to avoid any possible damage.”
The transformers were fitted into three new substations constructed by the customer to power the extended dairy facility. Manufacturing of the transformers was undertaken by Trafo Power Solution’s strategic partner TMC Transformers, a global leader in cast resin transformers, based in Italy. The completed units were shipped to Durban and then transported timeously to the customer’s site in KwaZulu-Natal.
Dry-type transformers are air-cooled rather than oil-cooled, making them safe to use in enclosed and confined spaces, as the risk of fire or explosion is low. The absence of oil also makes them suitable for applications where high levels of hygiene or environmental protection are required.
Further reading:
Africa’s net-zero ambition must become operational
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric’s Rohit Chashta argues that the biggest gap in Africa’s green transition is not ambition but execution, and outlines how advisory services, bankable project roadmaps, digital visibility and SF6-free switchgear can turn sustainability commitments into measurable progress.
Read more...
High-efficiency half-brick DC-DC converters
Vepac Electronics
Electrical Power & Protection
The Supreme series half-brick DC-DC converters from Vepac Electronics use synchronous rectification for high conversion efficiency, in a six-sided metal case built to withstand harsh industrial and transportation environments.
Read more...
Zinc-based batteries power a more sustainable energy future
Electrical Power & Protection
Zinc-based batteries are gaining ground as a safe, recyclable and cost-effective energy storage option, from consumer electronics to grid-scale systems. The International Zinc Association’s Simon Norton explains why zinc is well placed to support the clean energy transition.
Read more...
Energas introduces lower-cost German gas genset for South African market
Electrical Power & Protection
Energas Technologies will supply R Schmitt Enertec’s new Energy Line genset to the South African market, offering German-engineered gas-to-power generation of 400 to 500 kW at a lower entry cost through focused standardisation and a simpler standalone architecture.
Read more...
ACTOM plays key role in large transmission substation project in Swellendam
ACTOM Electrical Machines
Electrical Power & Protection
ACTOM has been appointed to engineer, procure, construct and commission the 1000 MVA main transmission substation for the Overberg Wind Farm in Swellendam, one of the largest substations of its kind in South Africa.
Read more...
Reliable power conversion from high-voltage DC buses
Conical Technologies
Electrical Power & Protection
The MEAN WELL DDRH-240 from Conical Technologies is a high-reliability DIN-rail DC-DC converter with a wide 250 to 1500 V DC input range, deriving stable low-voltage power directly from high-voltage DC buses in renewable energy, storage, charging, railway and industrial installations.
Read more...
AES maintains a strong value and safety stance on boiler retrofits
Electrical Power & Protection
AES Commercial Director Dennis Williams explains when a boiler retrofit makes more sense than replacement, outlines the range of efficiency and emissions upgrades available, and draws the line at safety: a boiler not legally signed off is shut down, no exceptions.
Read more...
The grid needs to become more intelligent
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
South Africa’s power grid is becoming bidirectional and far more dynamic as distributed energy resources proliferate. Schneider Electric’s Nishandra Bajinath explains why digitalisation, DERMS and aggregation are essential to keep this increasingly complex grid stable and efficient.
Read more...
ACTOM’s integrated electrical solutions reduce project risk and accelerate delivery
Electrical Power & Protection
ACTOM has secured multiple orders across four divisions for the Naos-1 hybrid solar and battery project in the Free State, demonstrating its integrated model for supplying the full electrical chain from high-voltage equipment to distribution transformers.
Read more...
Smarter energy management starts with intelligent electrification
ABB South Africa ABB Electrification Products
Electrical Power & Protection
ABB Electrification specialists Adeline Maleka and Nokulunga Dube explain how the convergence of electrification, digitalisation and automation is helping South African industries gain real-time visibility, reduce energy waste and build operational resilience.
Read more...
printer friendly version