Specialised dry-type transformers for Saldanha port upgrade

June 2020 News

Transnet’s upgrade of its port facility at Saldanha Bay will include dry-type transformers from specialist company Trafo Power Solutions.

The company is supplying specialised transformers for the Tippler 3 project at the iron ore load-out station. Factory acceptance testing was completed in December 2019, and, according to Trafo Power Solutions managing director David Claassen, delivery to site was achieved on schedule during February 2020.

The construction of a third tippler at the Saldanha Bay port is to sustain iron ore export volumes of 60 million tons per year when the existing tipplers are refurbished in future. It will integrate with the rail system bringing ore via the 860 km line from mines in the Northern Cape. Key aspects of the new infrastructure comprise the 285 tonne tippler itself, a loading vault below ground and a conveyor tunnel. New buildings, service roads, bridges, railway lines, conveyors, lighting and bulk electrical supply infrastructure are also part of Transnet’s upgrade project.

Trafo Power Solutions’ contract was for the design, supply and commissioning of five dry-type transformers. There are two 1000 kVA units and a 3150 kVA unit, both stepping down from 11 kV to 400 V. The other two units are 3500 kVA and 4500 kVA capacity respectively, taking 11 kV down to 3,3 kV.

To resist the corrosive sea air, all the transformer enclosures are manufactured from 3CR12 grade of stainless steel. The enclosures are also IP33-rated to ensure a high level of ingress protection against moisture and dust.

Designed locally by Trafo Power Solutions, the dry-type transformers were manufactured in Italy by TMC Transformers, experts in cast resin transformer technology, and all products were factory-tested according to IEC standards. At Saldanha, Trafo Power Solutions was also responsible for building auxiliary protection and control panels, located remotely from the transformers. These include temperature control sensors that communicate with the port’s broader control and monitoring network.

Further reading:

Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.

Read more...

---

Hytec opens fifteenth Mandela Day library
Bosch Rexroth Africa News
Over 200 learners at Monene Primary School in rural Limpopo have received their own containerised library. This is the fifteenth library since 2011, provided by Hytec South Africa and the Nelson Mandela School Library Project to schools across the country.

Read more...

---

CSIR survey on the state of cybersecurity in South Africa
News
The CSIR Information and Cybersecurity Centre has released four comprehensive national cybersecurity surveys. These delve into critical areas such as cybersecurity preparedness and resilience in the public sector, cybersecurity skills gaps, cybersecurity incidents, and the digital identity landscape in South Africa.

Read more...

---

Referro Systems partners with Festo in Northern Cape
News
Referro Systems has been recognised as an Authorised Official Partner Candidate for Festo in the Northern Cape, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to delivering best-in-class automation solutions to customers.

Read more...

---

Heavy-duty tablet achieves global certification
Vepac Electronics News
In a significant advancement for the company’s rugged tablets, the Teguar TRT-5380-10 heavy-duty tablet from Vepac has successfully acquired 11 international certifications, setting a new standard in quality, safety, and security across global markets.

Read more...

---

Bühler Johannesburg transforms Little Star Daycare Centre
News
Little Star Daycare in Vanderbijlpark has undergone a remarkable transformation, thanks to the generous support of Bühler Johannesburg.

Read more...

---

Schneider Electric and Harmony accelerate skills development
Schneider Electric South Africa News
Schneider Electric has formed a strategic partnership with Harmony Gold Mining to upgrade the instrumentation workshop into a state-of-the-art facility.

Read more...

---

RS South Africa showcases mining products and solutions
RS South Africa News
RS South Africa recently exhibited at MTE Steelport in Limpopo, and MTE Sibanye-Stillwater in Gauteng.

Read more...

---

RS PRO expands automation range
RS South Africa News
As automation continues to revolutionise production facilities, RS PRO, the trusted own brand of RS, is expanding its product range to meet the growing demand for smarter, more efficient processes.

Read more...

---

From the editor's desk: Killer science
Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control) News
I couldn’t resist watching The World Industrial Reporter’s video on Ten Scientists Killed By Their Own Experiments. Some of them would have deserved the Darwin Award for taking themselves out of the ...

Read more...

---