Sparks Electrical News September 2019

DBS, SWITCHES, SOCKETS AND PROTECTION

16

VERSATILE ENCLOSURE SYSTEM

QUADRO+ SYSTEM CUTS THE COMPLEXITY OF PANEL DESIGN

A fter five years of development work, Rittal un- veiled its new VX25 large enclosure system at the Hanover Trade Fair for the very first time. It is the first enclosure system that has been fully developed to meet the requirements for increased productivity in control and switchgear manufacturing and along the In- dustry 4.0 value chains. With the ‘System Perfection’ slo- gan, Rittal is promising a major innovative leap, which has been made possible by depth of experience and intensive customer dialogue. The VX25 offers the highest possible quality and consistency of data, reduced complexity and savings in time, as well as safe assembly. More than 25 registered property rights demonstrate the high level of innovation involved How can the best be made even better? This is the question Rittal asked itself as it began developing a new enclosure system. “The market needs an enclosure that cuts throughput times in engineering and assem- bly, reduces complexity and finds a place for itself as a full-grown module in the megatrend of digitisation,” said Dr Thomas Steffen, Managing Director Research and Development at Rittal. He went on to say that “the new Rittal large enclosure has now become 100 per- cent Industry 4.0-capable. With the combination of a real enclosure and its digital twin, the new development will meet every future digitisation need – from online configuration and engineering to assembly, as well as automation, logistics and maintenance.” Intensive dialogue with Rittal customers was crucial in developing the new large enclosure system. During a large-scale, scientifically based usability study, researchers used words, images and moving film to document the everyday working life of control and switchgear manufacturers, covering ten companies in Germany, eight in the USA and six in China, including small, medium-sized and large companies. “This user analysis was an eye-opener. In some cases,

consistent 25-mm pitch pattern. “What is new is that no enclosure system has ever been previously de- veloped so consistently and systematically to ensure maximum customer benefit. The VX25 matches the way the control and switchgear manufacturer thinks and works – both in functions and processes, added Dr Steffen. Customer benefit along the entire value chain of control and switchgear manufacturing can be summa- rised in three key points: maximum data quality and a constant supply of data, reduced complexity and sav- ings in time, as well as safe assembly. The heart of the innovation is the newly developed frame section. It determines the installation space, the efficiency in engineering and assembly, the expansion options, the stability and thus the reliability and flex- ibility in the customer’s workshop. With the new large enclosure system, it has been possible to maintain all the important and established product features of the existing, worldwide TS 8 large enclosure system and to expand them significantly with a multitude of new functions and customer benefits. More than 25 reg- istered property rights demonstrate the high level of innovation involved. For Rittal, System Perfection also involves high-tech manufacturing. It has invested in state-of-the-art pro- duction facilities in order to manufacture the frame section of the VX25. New and fully automatic profiling systems and volume production lines with a total of 31 welding and handling robots are witness to maximum quality combined with precision and stability. The re- sult is that the frame section of the VX25, which has a consistent 25-mm pitch pattern, is clearly more stable than its TS 8 predecessor, although the weight is the same.

A low-voltage electrical dis- tribution system design to reduce the complexities often associated with panel design is available from local supplier Elec- troMechanica (EM). Quadro+ from Hager combines modularity with fa- miliar low-voltage (LV) components to simplify the design of a profes- sional distribution solution. The Quadro+ modules include assemblies, equipment, and ac- cessories required to build a com- plete enclosure, with IP30 or IP55 protection levels up to 4000 A, according to EM Product Man- ager Christo van Rensburg. This is a tried-and-tested international solution. The Quadro+ system is designed around a rigid frame that offers adaptability, ease of assem- bly, and quick build times, along with quality components”.

factured in Italy to IEC and EN-62439- 1&2 standards. This means it meets the latest international standards of safety, performance and reliability,” van Rensburg stresses. Quadro+ enclosures are designed with an extremely rigid structure (IK10 and IP55) for extra durability. Cabinets are shipped flat-packed to save on transportation and storage costs. Only eight screws are required to assemble a Quadro+ frame. All the screws are pre- mounted for a hassle-free and quick turnaround time. “Thanks to the supporting HagerCad software, planning and designing your system is intuitive, simple and fast. You’ll also benefit from local technical support and expertise. Whether designing, building, or installing a distribution system, the Quadro+ solution will impress with its convenience, adaptability, rigidity, and overall quality. EM and Hager see this as a further opportunity to build on their reputation of being a trusted, reliable, and on-time partner for more than 30 years,” van Rensburg concludes.

A feature of EM’s value-offering is that it can offer customers complete solutions. When a customer partners with EM, it is able to design and build a complete LV electrical distribution system suited to its requirements. The Quadro+ system offers support of essential third-party products like Socomec change over-switches, Lovato motor control and metering, Delta variable speed drives (VSDs) and automation products, with lit- tle or no additional effort. “This significantly simplifies the complexity associated with completing projects on-time, and gives cus- tomers a single point of contact for all their needs,” van Rensburg highlights. EM offers a comprehensive range of en- closures, from a two-way surface enclosure to a 168-way flush or surface distribution boards. IP65-rated enclosures are also available. While this range is suitable for residential and small commercial buildings, the Quadro+ system is tailored specifically for the larger commercial and even indus- trial markets. “When you select Quadro+, you opt for a fully-tested LV electrical distribution solu- tion that has continually proven its worth in different industries. Quadro+ is manu-

Enquiries: www.rittal.com

we spotted problems that the customers themselves hadn’t yet identified,” said Dr Steffen. As a result, 150 systematically recorded and specific requirements for a new enclosure emerged, providing developers and product managers with a robust guide for the actual development work. The development culminated in the VX25 large enclosure sys- tem. VX25 stands for the versa- tility of options, the fulfilment of x customer requirements and for perfect symmetry through a

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 249 5000

PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN MANUFACTURER: “LOCAL IS LEKKER” SWITCH BOARDS UNLIMITED is a South Afri- can based manufacturing concern specialising in the manufacturing of electrical distribution boards, supplying a wide range of products throughout Southern Africa. With over 25 years’ experience in the electrical switchboard manufacturing industry, partners Andy Gerke and Zienet Mahomed founded the company in 2013 after identifying a gap in the market in which to supply a number of quality prod- ucts to the electrical wholesale market. Although the company started out with just a handful of staff it has steadily grown and is now surrounded by over fifty hard working and inspirational employees that have made the business what it is today. pany ensures its clients a level of service that tran- scends manufacturing to one of professional con- sultation and excellent workmanship. and developing business processes. He has proven people management skills, with the ability to man- age performance and motivate staff on an individual and team level. An experienced business manager with a consistent track record of successfully em- ploying best business practices that improve effi- ciency and reduce operating costs whilst increasing productivity, all to tight time scales and within budget

of life and there will be a continuing need for prod- ucts and service to harness its use, Switch Boards Unlimited will strive to be the most innovative elec- trical component manufacturer, offering a highly diverse range of quality products to the electrical wholesale industry in Southern Africa.

Management Andy Gerke – Operations Director: has over twenty five years’ experience in the industry. After obtaining his Mechanical Engineering qualification he started with Switchboard Utilities in 1988. Over the years, he has been involved in all aspects of the business from the bottom up including but not limited to op- erations and production, sales, human resources and finance. He is a seasoned and successful leader with an excellent track record in all facets of the busi- ness. Gerke is highly motivated with a proven ability to develop people and commercialise all aspects of a business. Experienced in converting every oppor- tunity into success and in consistently driving profit and growth, he is well networked and highly suc- cessful in implementing business process improve- ments, defining company direction, achieving goals, change and optimising business procedures. Also in charge of operations with experience of successfully coordinating the activities of various departments concerned with the production, pricing, sales, and the distribution of products and services, Gerke is com- fortable working with people of all levels and has an excellent commercial approach to solving problems

Enquiries: Contact your closest wholesaler

Zienet Mahomed – Sales Director: Mahomed has an in-depth knowledge of the market, with experience spearheading the Sales Department at Switchboard Utilities for over 30 years, Mahomed has forged strategic relationships with the target market, whilst successfully leading a team of internal and external sales representatives. Providing excellent customer service to designated accounts and generating sales on a daily basis, Mahomed is responsible for leading the development and implementation of all market- ing programmes and strategic sales activities. She is also in command of ensuring that the company and its customer goals are aligned and met. Ensuring the advancement of the company’s strategic positioning with key accounts, continually maintaining strong and cordial relationships with customers across the board, she constantly identifies and monitors the performance of competitors in the market place. As electrical energy is a cornerstone of our quality

In South Africa’s current economic climate it is more important than ever to support and promote locally manufactured products. As a local manufac- turer, Switch Boards Unlimited believe in providing jobs and investing in the growth and development of all South Africans. The company encourage all South Africans to support locally manufactured products and together we can build a better South Africa. The team started off in the electrical switchboard manufacturing industry in 1988, involved respec- tively in manufacturing and sales. With the extensive expertise and experience the company's employees have gained from working in the industry, the com-

Zienet Mahomed and Andy Gerke

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2019