Electricity + Control April 2015

ELECTRICAL PROTECTION + SAFETY

89 km 400 kV transmission line – great achievement

Amajor milestone for the CONCO group is the three-year construc- tion of a 400 kV, 89 kilometre long transmission line for Eskom, stretching from Eros substation near Harding in KwaZulu-Natal, towards Vuyani substation in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. This major project was completed by CONCO and officially handed over to Eskom last year. Commenting on the success of the pro- ject, Sugan Naidoo (Eskom project engineer) says, “The CONCO relationship with Eskom was professionally handled with Eskom's requirements being met in terms of delivering the project accord- ing to specifications.The contract management was executed with excellence.The handover was well received by Eskom for the first section of transmission line being built in the formerTranskei area which is now part of the Eastern Cape,” said Naidoo. “CONCO built 89 kilometres of the 167 kilometre 400 kV line and considering this was CONCO's first 400 kV line construction project, its successful completion was a great achievement by the efforts of the project team and site workers.” CONCO project engineer, Joseph Mahlangu says, “Effective stakeholder communication and project control integration which encompassed communication planning, applying best practised systems and controls, work structure, scheduling, reporting and adhering to the project plan, were key elements to the project's suc- cess.”This is the first 400 kV line in the formerTranskei area enabling a higher power transfer capability in the area. “400 kV Lines transmit bulk power to feed a large number of customers and can power up a town,” says Naidoo. “When the line is placed in commercial operation, the current power shortfall in the Mthatha area and sur- rounding towns will be relieved and will strengthen the network by supplying sufficient capacity to the area for economic growth.”

Approximately 400 people worked on the project over a three-year period. During that time, over 200 temporary employment oppor- tunities were created in the local villages. CONCO also donated 200 desks, 100 chairs, a microscope and a projector, to Dudumeni High School in Flagstaff. “The Eros/ Vuyani project is a milestone for the CONCO group,” says Mahlangu. “It's the first 400kV project executed by CONCO and we have proved our ability to project manage, engineer and construct a transmission line of this dimension. We completed it on time, within budget and to the highest quality.” Enquiries: Joseph Mahlangu.Tel. 011 805 4281 or email joseph.mahlangu@concogrp.com

CONCO chief executive officer, David van Zyl, hands over a plaque to Eskom executive projects manager, Bob Naraghi, at the official handover.

Proper integration of test joints in external thermal insulation composite systems The relevant technical processing guidelines for insulation materi- als must be observed for the thermal insulation of existing or new buildings with external thermal insulation composite systems (ET- ICS). This also impacts the integration of windows, doors and all components leading through the composite system. In addition, these guidelines are relevant for lightning protection components. Lightning protection systems, in conjunction with an external ther- mal insulation composite system, pose challenges for designers and installers, particularly with regard to the installation and integration of test joints for these systems. The test joint products previously available on the market were often installed on the roof level or in flush-mounted boxes, exposing them to increased pollution. The expandable test joint box for external thermal insulation composite systems from DEHN is an innovative product for designers and installers which allows for flexible and proper installation. tion systems can be easily performed by means of measuring callipers. The proper installation is finished by mounting a stable and aesthetically ap- pealing stainless steel cover, which protects the test joint from rain. A UV and weath-

er-resistant foam seal- ing is integrated in the cover to ensure that the test joint is fully protected, whilst the edge of the cover exerts sufficient pres-

The telescopic test joint box can be gradually adjusted for insula- tion material thicknesses between 90 and 140 mm and can therefore be used for common insulation material thicknesses. An additional spacer must be used for insulationmaterial thicknesses between 140 and 320 mm.The spacer has a Styrofoam core to prevent thermal bridges and can be shortened from 200 to 50 mm in 10 mm interval steps.The down and earthing conductor can be easily led into the box, and there is sufficient space for installing a clamp.Thanks to the test joint box’s dimensions of 140 by 180 mm and a depth of 80 mm, continuity and earthing measurements for lightning protec-

sure on the sealing at the corners. This test joint box for external thermal insulation composite systems is an innovative, universal and practical solution for integrating a test joint in external thermal insulation composite systems. Enquiries: Alexis Barwise.Tel. 011 704 1487 or email alexis.barwise@ dehn-africa.com

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