Electricity + Control September 2019

round up

DRIVES, MOTORS + SWITCHGEAR

Multi-mount electric motors

The Bauer motor range from BI is available in various energy efficiency ratings, from IE1 as standard and IE2 high efficiency, through to IE3 and even IE4. “We are standardising on IE1 motors and are looking at IE2 as a standard option as well, although this is still in the pipeline,” Hiepner says. The multi-mount motor range, being cast iron, is particularly robust and therefore ideal for the tough operating conditions of

Traditionally, cast iron electric motors cater only for top-mounted terminal boxes. This is set to change with the industry’s first multi- mount cast iron motor available from leading supplier BI. The latest multi-mount cast-iron Bauer electric motor range from BI can accommodate the terminal box on the top, left-hand or right-hand side. A major benefit for customers is that it

reduces the need for multiple stockholding to accommodate different terminal box positions. Cast iron electric motors are available in a wide range, from 0.37 kW up to 400 kW, and BI has previously catered only for top-mounted terminal boxes. BI Bauer Electric Motors Product Manager, Lewis Hiepner, explains: “Some plants have top, left-hand or right-hand terminal boxes, and this makes it complex and costly to stock all three.” BI itself would order whichever variant was required ex-factory, with a normal lead time of about 14 weeks.

mining operations, among others. Hiepner says BI has received significant interest in the new Bauer motors – for their versatility, robustness and in view of their energy-saving potential.

A member of the Hudaco Group, BI is a leading distributor of bearings and power transmission products in Southern Africa. Enquiries: BI.Tel: +27 (0)11 899 0000,

email: info@bearings.co.za or visit: www.bearings.co.za

BI has introduced the first multi-mount cast iron electric motor in the industry.

Pump repower project for mine dewatering

control panel, exhaust muffler, and base frame. The power unit offers consistent power for pumping water, smooth operations, easy maintenance, efficient fuel consumption, and a reliable product that can work with the fuel quality in the region. The cooperation of the Ghana technical team and AME Pump segment team demonstrates how the combined expertise of the project team resulted in a product that met the customer’s expectations and requirements. “The plan was to give the customer not just an engine, but a complete pump power pack. Initially, the customer requested one engine for trial, but after seeing pictures of the complete power pack, it increased its order to seven engines, which we have supplied,” says Cobbah. Despite the technical challenges faced at the outset, the project has diversified Cummins’ product coverage on the mining site and in the West Africa territory. Customers now have more options for their pump-engine solutions.

collaboration with the on-site service support team, Account Manager and West Africa Territory Manager, combined their expertise to carry out the repowering of five dewatering pumps for BCM at a Goldfields site in Tarkwa, Ghana. The dewatering pumps are used for pumping water in a 24-hour dewatering mine pit. Before the repower, the customer had experienced product failures and support challenges. When Cummins was approached for product options, Joshua K Cobbah, Regional Leader for Cummins Ghana West, says the initial plan was to provide a ‘like-for-like’ engine option to replace the existing electronic engine, from another supplier, that powered a Sykes water pump. “At first we considered a QSX15 electronic engine for the repower,” Cobbah says, “but after thoroughly reviewing the customer’s requirements and expectations of product reliability and equipment uptime, the final strategy was to provide an NTA855 mechanical engine.” The NTA855 mechanical engine is a fully-packaged ’plug-and-play’ power unit, consisting of the engine, cooling pack,

Mining site operations are extremely demanding and dewatering pumps need to run continuously to remove groundwater to allow non-stop mining. Early this year, the Cummins Ghana technical team, in

Enquiries: Deepa Rungasamy, Cummins Africa Middle East. Tel: +27 (0)11 589 8512

The dewatering pumps are used for pumping water in a 24-hour dewatering mine pit at the Tarkwa site in Ghana.

8 Electricity + Control

SEPTEMBER 2019