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sparks
ELECTRICAL NEWS
february 2015
distribution boards, switches, sockets and protection
15
ACTOMHighVoltage Equipment has developed a
composite insulator for its 132 kV instrument trans-
formers, following its successful introduction of an
ACTOM-branded composite post insulator for its 132 kV
disconnectors in early-2014.
The division’s move to develop composite insulators
was promptedmainly by the need to provide insulators
with improved pollution performance, which silicon
insulators provide.
The latest ACTOM-branded offerings are for the divi-
sion’s 132 kV current and voltage transformers. As with
the porcelain-core insulators for its 132 kV disconnectors
introduced earlier in 2014, these glass-core composite
insulators are designed andmanufactured according to
global best practice.
Nick de Beer (right), ACTOM
High Voltage Equipment’s
product manager, instrument
transformers, discusses with Jan
Venter (supervisor, insulators),
one of the new 132 kV current
transformers equipped with
composite insulators and a new
design secondary terminal block.
An old CT unit with porcelain
insulators is seen on the left be-
hind Venter, and on the right an
old 132 kV voltage insulator with
the new version beside it.
Composite insulators for instrument transformers developed
Terry Lawrenson, ACTOM High Voltage Equip-
ment’s Divisional CEO, says the ACTOM-branded
insulators have been developed in response to
customer demand. “We are progressively
developing our own designs of insulators for our equip-
ment with the goal of offering our markets the options
they prefer when it comes to insulators, eventually sup-
plying all the various types of high voltage equipment
we manufacture fitted with ACTOM-branded silicon-
coated composite insulators specifically designed to suit
each type,”he explains.
“In addition to the silicon insulators for protection
against pollution, the new product has the advantage
that it is less subject to damage than the conventional
product,”Lawrenson adds.
The division is on track to also introduce silicon-coat-
ed composite insulators for its 11 kV, 22 kV and 33 kV
instrument transformers.
Enquiries: +27 11 820 5369
NEWELEC’S MAmotor protection and control
relay has a proven track record and is fitted
with advanced features to immediately
automate an older plant. The relay is issued
with free front-end software allowing access
to password protected settings and comes
with comprehensive protection elements
for the motor. This includes automatic non-
negotiable back-tripping configuration into
the back-up circuit breaker via a shunt when
an earth or short-circuit fault is detected. This
safeguards the contactor and possible loss or
damage of an MCC cubicle when exposed to a
high-energy fault condition.
Although short on starter logic configura-
tion, the relay has four output contacts, as well
as five digital inputs that can accommodate
voltages in the range 24 to 220 V ac or dc. This
opens the possibility to automate an older
plant utilising existing switchgear and control
circuits by manipulating the existing control
circuit wiring. The relay accommodates up
to three PTC sensor circuits for real time over-
temperature tripping of either bearing ends or
motor windings. The integrated current trans-
formers and earth leakage detection cores are
housed in the rear of the relay.
In keeping with NewElec’s policy of being
user-friendly, the control panel features fault
indication LEDs while the relay also stores the
last four faults with time and date stamping.
A communications tray supporting Profibus,
Modbus or Canbus protocols can be added to
round off a solution that is neither expensive
nor short on protection and control features.
The MA relay remains a popular relay with
many of NewElec’s customers across a broad
spectrumof industries.
Enquiries: +27 12 327 1729
Motor protection
relay with proven
track record