Electricity + Control February 2016

TRANSFORMERS + SUBSTATIONS

ROUND UP

New range innovative switchgear

Schneider Electric , a global specialist in en- ergy management and automation, builds on innovation and experience for its 40,5 kV gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) offer.The cutting-edge GHA is now available to the Southern Africa market and beyond. This new range of convenient and in- novative switchgear incorporates a user- friendly operator interface, sealed-for-life medium voltage compartments and intel- ligent gas monitoring – helping to decrease facility switchgear total cost of ownership, streamline operations, reduce mainte- nance, and enhance safety and reliability. Today’s facilities and plants, constrained by limited space requirements, are looking for smaller equipment that neither compro- mises on safety nor performance. “Schnei-

der Electric’s GIS delivers a compact design combined with easy-to-install features that provide drastic space savings, as compared to traditional primary metal enclosed air- insulated- and gas insulated switchgear,” highlights Brighton Mwarehwa, technical manager for southern Africa at Schneider Electric. Reliable and safe switchgear is funda- mental for optimising equipment perfor- mance and plant operations, and Schneider Electric’s GIS solution features internal arc-resistant designs that have been tested and passed as per IEC and IEEE standards requirements, which help mitigate effects of faults and provide high level of worker safety. The GHA is tested for internal arc faults,

up to 40 kA for one second. “The progres- sive technology by Schneider Electric now delivers even more power at the reduced dimensions. Options for single or double busbars are offered and up to a busbar rating of 4 000 A is available for the single busbar option,” adds Mwarehwa. Enquiries: Email isabel.mwale@schneider-electric.com

Extended product guarantees Long gone are the days of being considered a run-of-the-mill OEM. This is the strong message being given to all industries by Zest WEG Group Africa . With WEG Brazil as its parent company, this group has its roots firmly in Africa and its commitment to the continent is without question, especially following the large investments made in 2015 in local manufacturing facilities that will be able to service countries across Africa. Such is the confidence and level of commitment of ZestWEG Group Africa to its customer base that Louis Meiring, group Chief Executive Officer, announced guarantees have been extended across all WEG products. “Zest WEG Group Africa is known for leading industry in its thinking and the decision to extend the product guarantees is, we believe, another very important first,” Meiring says. “While the extended guarantee will cover customers for unexpected electrical and/or mechanical failures giving them absolute peace of mind, it is not going to cost them more.” Meiring says that this was a prime consideration for ZestWEG GroupAfrica as the organisation is well aware of the additional financial pressures that many of its customers are operating under in the current financial climate. “By extending our product guarantees we are increasing the peace of mind that customers have with WEG products and opening the door for potential customers to examine what we know is an unbelievable value proposition.” Extended guarantees will vary from product to product, but all customers are still assured of the same high level of in-field support for which Zest WEG Group Africa is known. Enquiries: Kirsten Larkan.Tel. 27(0)11 723 6000 or email kirstenl@zestweg.com

Seminar on lightning protection

In response to massive industry interest, DEHN AF- RICA the local subsidiary of Germany-based DEHN + SÖHNE, recently ran a two-day seminar that of- fered attendees a fully comprehensive approach to lightning protection. The course was endorsed by the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE), which approved two CPD credits. Delivered by Alexis Barwise, managing director of DEHN AF- RICA, the seminar covered: • The characteristics of lightning, how it is formed and the types of flashes that exist; along with the types of risks and damage associated with a lightning strike • How to assess the risks associated to a structure/ building/plant and to apply mitigation methods in order to protect personnel, the structure and its equipment • Designing a compliant and effective lightning protection system (LPS) including all the ele- ments of an LPS (air-termination systems, down-conductors, earth-termination system, separation distance and equipotential bonding) • Selecting compliant lightning and surge protec- tion devices through understanding the full re- quirements of these devices and other applicable standards; along with the certification of an LPS using the SANS installation safety report Enquiries: +27(0)11 704 1487 or email alexis.barwise@dehn-africa.com

Full range of WEG transformers with guarantees extended to three years, with the op- tion to extend the guarantee with the WTA Service plan to five years.

Alexis Barwise managing director of DEHN AFRICA.

February ‘16 Electricity+Control

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