Delivering a one-stop-shop for transformer requirements
Electricity is generally taken for granted until the moment when it is no longer available. In South Africa, loss of electricity is something many have become used to, following the travails at the national power provider, but there is little doubt that the country’s electricity challenges would be far worse without reliable and effective transformers.
Without these, our power grid would not be able to scale up to meet growing demand.Therefore, the reliability of large scale transformers is of utmost importance, as a failure results in a very costly and difficult to predict interruption of energy delivery. In turn, a transformer’s performance depends heavily on its insulation system; therefore the insulation is perhaps the most critical transformer part.
“Powertech Insulation (PTI) understands the importance of good transformer insulation,” says William McCarroll, general manager of Powertech Insulation. “This is why our company supplies transformer board, moulded and machined parts, sets and kits and electrical insulation paper to the Southern African markets, to meet all the varied transformer applications.”
Condition assessment on site.
It is important to understand that this insulation is only as effective as its fit within the transformer, which is why PTI cuts, machines and bends its insulation materials to suit any and all sizes of transformers.
McCarroll explains that the company manufactures the various insulation components at two factories. In Pretoria West, PTI manufactures insulation for large distribution transformers and large power transformers, as well as conductors and busbar materials. Its Cape Town facility, on the other hand, is home to the accessories business and small distribution transformers insulation factory.
“Ultimately, we supply the whole market, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), equipment repairers and parastatals. Obviously, internal Powertech business remains the largest contributor to our revenue, but our external customer base is growing rapidly,” he states.
Reliability is critical
Of course, reliability of equipment is also vitally important in this arena. As Conrad Botha, Group Manager for Powertech Transformers Services Division (PTT Services), points out. When it comes to electricity distribution, any failure of a transformer will not only impact electricity distribution, but will also inevitably lead to high repair costs, long downtime and possible safety risks.
“It is obvious that transformers are too expensive to replace regularly, so they have to be properly maintained in order to maximise their life expectancy. This is where PTT Services comes in, as once the equipment has been purchased, we provide customers with the peace of mind that it will perform at its best throughout its entire lifespan,” he says.
Insulation product.
He suggests that although the equipment on site requires different servicing at different stages of its life, PTT Services has the skills to assist across this lifecycle, from transformer installation, through commissioning, to maintenance and condition assessments.
“For each stage, we have various service teams who are experts in their own fields and who have the knowledge and experience to meet our customers’ needs. Furthermore, our knowledge of the equipment installed is based on the history, design review and advanced diagnostics, while anticipated fault detection and corrective action planning ensures greater reliability and optimisation of network assets.”
“When it comes to a costly and critical piece of equipment like a transformer, Powertech differentiates itself by providing customers with a one-stop-shop with regard to installation, maintenance, fault analysis and determination of the remaining life of the equipment. For us, it is all about adding value for our customers, and ensuring they are able to keep the flow of electricity steady and consistent,” concludes Botha.
Contact Mariaan Irwin, Powertech Transformers, Tel 012 318-9735, mariaan.irwin@pttransformers.co.za
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