Electricity and Control July 2021

DRIVES, MOTORS + SWITCHGEAR : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

World-leading temperature control relays

Italy-based temperature control relay specialist TECSYSTEM has appointed Trafo Power Solutions – a leading local supplier of dry-type transformers – as its distributor in sub-Saharan Africa. Forover40yearsTECSYSTEM has been developing and manufacturing electronic and electromechanical devices for temperature control on equipment such as transformers, motors, generators and variable speed drives. David Claassen, Managing Director of Trafo Power Solutions says, “We have been using temperature control relays from TECSYSTEM on our dry-type transformers for many years. The quality of this product makes the company one of the global leaders in this specialised field.” Andrea Lorusso, Sales Area Manager at TECSYSTEM, says the company is pleased to have the expertise and network of Trafo Power Solutions to give the South African market easier

“This is part of our philosophy of providing a full solution to the customer, not just products,” Claassen says. “We are assisted in this by TECSYSTEM’s variety of highly reliable control relays, which ranges from hard- wired configurations to incorporating protocols such as SCADA and Ethernet.” The company will also be supplying TECSYSTEM’s air-forced (AF) fan cooling systems for cast-resin transformers, says Claassen, with control systems designed and installed by Trafo Power Solutions. The fans are installed on the transformer feet, in sets of three fans on each side of the transformer, directly under the windings. “They are typically used for additional protection rather than continuous operation,” he notes. “The fans provide efficient and prompt cooling if and when the transformer temperature exceeds a pre-determined value.” The company’s regular use of TECSYSTEM products means Trafo Power Solutions is well positioned to assist the market in making effective use of these technologies. There are also adequate stocks held in South Africa to allow for easy availability and quick access to the required products. “Our facilities are equipped to test the products before shipment to customers and to pre-programme the units according to the planned application,” Claassen adds. The programming is done on a dedicated simulation desk where the conditions in which the relay is required to operate can be replicated. This simplifies the job for the customer, who then has only to follow a wiring diagram when installing the relay. “We can also play a valuable role in remote troubleshooting for customers throughout Africa who, for instance, may need to update parameters in a relay,” Claassen says. “With our equipment and expertise, we can ‘mimic’ the unit on our side and assist them over the phone.” According to Giavenni, TECSYSTEM’s first micropro- cessor unit was developed in 1984 specifically to pro- tect cast-resin transformers from temperature overloads. Continuous research and development by TECSYSTEM has seen ongoing product improvements, ensuring reliability. “Quality is an important cornerstone of our production and all our products comply with the latest technical specifications and ratings. Our R&D department conducts preliminary and routine testing from the initial engineering phase through to production,” he says.

A control panel fitted with TECSYSTEM’s T154 temperature control relay and VRT200 fan control relay.

A TECSYSTEM NT935 temperature control relay.

access to its products. “Trafo Power Solutions understands their operating environment well, and appreciates the value that our technologies can add to the market,” says Fabrizio Giavenni, Sales & Marketing Manager. “As we continuously develop our product range, customers in South Africa can look forward to more exciting innovations.” The synergy between the two companies is based on the fact that Trafo Power Solutions equips all its cast-resin transformers with heat sensors that link to a temperature control system. Claassen emphasises that wherever there is an unusual temperature rise in a transformer, it is essential that the equipment can automatically generate an alert, so the problem can be investigated and solved. “Customers purchasing dry-type transformers are often supplied with a temperature control relay as a separate item – almost as an optional extra,” he says. “Our approach, however, is to consider the control and protection requirements as an integral part of the overall scope of designing a transformer.” Trafo Power Solutions designs a dedicated control and protection panel – which includes a TECSYSTEM relay – to suit each specific transformer. It is then a simple matter of cabling up the main supply, without having to deal with the complexity of linking up the control unit.

For more information contact Trafo Power Solutions. Visit: www.trafo.co.za

12 Electricity + Control JULY 2021