Electricity + Control November 2019

Product News DRIVES, MOTORS + SWITCHGEAR

Localisation in manufacturing of motors and generators ABB South Africa’s facility in Alrode, near Johannesburg, was established in 1981 to produce high voltage (HV) machines and specialise in manufacturing components for motors and generators to order. With its commitment to localisation and skills development, including skills and knowledge transfer, and following a recent investment, the facility is now fully compliant with the Department of Trade and Industry’s (dti’s) >70% local sourcing regulations for public sector projects.

have included customisable Q range machines (engineered modular motors) designed to replace current installations of older obsolete machines, or to comply with ever-advancing safe and classified area standards, or to meet increased performance requirements.” In respect of the dti's requirements for more than 70% localisation, ABB’s Alrode motor facility is fully compliant in the following components and manufacturing processes: casting or frame fabrication, fabrication and stator-core winding, fabrication and rotor-core winding, accessories and assembly and testing of fully built units. This makes ABB one of only a few large OEMs in the country which fully meet the DTI’s requirements in this regard. Local manufacture has many benefits for customers: from ABB’s higher B-BBEE rating as a supplier, to reduced costs, improved efficiencies and shorter turnaround times, as well as better after sales service and access to parts. A dedicated field service supports installation, supervision, commissioning, and a full range of field maintenance services. For more information contact ABB South Africa.

The facility has a working area of 6 000 m 2 and the motors and generators area is equipped with a 15-tonne high-speed balancing machine, cranes with lifting capacities of 80 tonnes, and a load test bay of 13.8 kV, 6 MW. It also houses a dedicated, state-of- the-art coil shop, part of ABB’s commitment to the region and to modernising local manufacturing facilities in line with the best in the world.The factory is recognised by industry as a manufacturing site for machines for safe and classified areas. Since it was established, the Alrode facility has produced more than 60 000 MW worth of motors, with ratings of up to 29 MW, 13.8 kV, running at up to 6 000 rpm. The largest motors have had up to 1 200 frames and 36 poles. Types include slip ring induction motors, cage induction motors, synchronous motors and generators with ratings of 550 kW to 20 MW, 355 to 1 200 frames, 50/60 Hz, 3.3 to 13.8 kV, variable and fixed speed. “We have also designed and built some unique motors and generators tailored for the local market at this facility,” saysABBSouth Africa’s MOMG Regional Service Manager David Warne. “These

Tel: +27 (0)10 202 5617, email: sumaya.abdool@za.abb.com ABB’s Alrode facility near Johannesburg produces high voltage machines and specialises in manufacturing components for motors and generators, to order.