Electricity and Control June 2020

TRANSFORMERS, SUBSTATIONS + CABLES

The K-factor is a measure of a transformer's ability to withstand the heating effects of non-sinusoidal harmonic currents created by electronic equipment. The higher the K-factor, the greater the harmonic heating effects.

As dry-type transformers are cooled without the use of oil, these units will receive forced ventilation when a pre-set temperature is reached. The ventilation is provided from a row of fans which Trafo Power Solutions designed to be bolted below the location of the transformers. Designed locallybyTrafoPower Solutions, thedry-type transformers are manufactured in Italy by the company’s strategic partners TMC Transformers, experts in cast resin transformer technology. All products are routinely factory-tested according to IEC standards, and type-testing and special testing can also be conducted. The standard applicable to dry-type power transformers is IEC 60076-11. TMC’s advanced laboratory facilities allow for the full range of tests to be conducted in-house, in accordance with this standard and whatever other requirements are specified by the customer. For the Saldanha Bay port project, Trafo Power Solutions is also responsible for building auxiliary protection and control panels, which it locates remotely from the transformers. These include temperature control sensors that communicate with the port’s broader control and monitoring network.

Measurement of partial discharge level in routine testing of the transformers.

For more information visit: www.trafo.co.za

TRANSFORMERS, SUBSTATIONS + CABLES : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

Local production of natural ester fluid Cargill Bioindustrial South Africa announced in May 2020 that its natural ester fluid production line in Isando, Gauteng is complete, following the recent approval of the Eskom tender. Cargill will be the only local producer to own and manage the production of biodegradable, natural ester fluids, called FR3 ® , replacing traditional petroleum-based mineral oil used in transformers for the electrical grid. Natural ester fluids, such as FR3 fluid, provide improved fire safety, a longer insulation life expectancy for the transformer, and increased load capacity. Made from 100% renewable vegetable oil, FR3 also has numerous

Valdir Baraldi, CountryManager for Cargill’sBioindustrial Group in South Africa, commented: “Eskom’s tender approval to replace mineral oil in transformers with fire- safe and biodegradable natural ester fluid for the electrical grid is a great move towards safety and sustainability for all South Africans. Wherever there is a reliance on electrical transformers, the use of safe and sustainable natural ester fluid will positively impact homes, work, industrial and mining environments. “We look forward to delivering on the commitment we made five years ago to supply a local product that adheres to international quality standards and provides an environmentally sound product for South Africa’s electrical grid,” he added. In collaboration with local oil manufacturers, Cargill will manage the value chain from the supply of locally produced oil to the production of FR3 fluid. As the global leader and manufacturer in the production and supply of FR3, Cargill brings over 25 years of technological expertise and research to this field, having installed millions of transformers worldwide. For more information contact Cargill Bioindustrial. Email:Valdir_Baraldi@cargill.com Visit: www.FR3Fluid.com

environmental benefits as it is non-toxic, non-hazardous in water and soil and it can biodegrade in less than 28 days. Valdir Baraldi holds two bottles – one of renewable-based FR3 ester fluid and a bottle of soybeans, the base feedstock for the oil and locally sourced for this engineered transformer fluid.

26 Electricity + Control JUNE 2020