Sparks Electrical News February 2022

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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WearCheck embraces communication tech

O ne of the latest technological innovations employed by conditionmonitoring specialists WearCheck is enabling the company’s sophisticated online system to send customers their reports via WhatsApp. Managing director Neil Robinson says WearCheck is constantly exploring how technology can enhance the customer experience as well as continuously improving condition monitoring techniques. WearCheck’s IT manager Eddie Perumal explains how it works: “WhatsApp has proven its convenience as an integral part of everyone’s daily life, and it adds value by allowing us to communicate in real- time with maintenance teams who may be on the factory floor with their mobile phone, rather than waiting until they are sitting behind a desk checking emails. Therefore, we felt it was fitting to incorporate the option of communicating with our customers via WhatsApp,” he says. Customers can select from three message options – one-page report; two-page report, or status. Reports include fleet information, problem type and diagnosis. This feature applies to critical and urgent samples. Another powerful reporting tool is WearCheck Online, a web-based system which allows customers to view their sample report and fleet information, as well as submit their sample registration details and feedback. RMB announced as headline sponsor for Solar Power Africa this month S olar Power Africa, the first event of its kind dedicated to Solar Power and Energy Storage, is proud to announce Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) as the headline sponsor. The event will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 16-18 February 2022, with a focus on ensuring attendees fully capitalise on the opportunities of solar and energy storage in Africa. RMB prides itself on strategic sponsorships that reinforce their value proposition and allow them to move beyond the scope of banking to benefit the individuals and communities in which they operate. “RMB is committed to enabling the future of renewable energy. We have a deep understanding of the sector and have become a trusted partner, delivering innovative funding solutions for renewable energy projects across Africa,” said Daniel Zinman, Head of Power and Renewables in RMB’s Infrastructure Sector Solutions team. South Africa has the potential to take the lead in Africa’s transition to a green economy. The development of solar power projects will enable the country to meet its climate commitments as well as ensure security of supply for both domestic and commercial electricity users. “We are delighted to have the support of RMB for the forthcoming Solar Power Africa event. The roster of speakers and exhibitors is testament to the strength of the sector, which is only set to grow as investors seek to make more sustainable investments. “We are looking forward to supporting industry, financiers and government capitalise on this dynamic sector,” said Joshua Low, Group exhibitions Director, Messe Frankfurt South Africa. Organised by Messe Frankfurt, and in partnership with the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), Solar Power Africa is a 3-day event where attendees will benefit fromdirect access to expert insights and solutions to a range of challenges, as well as key trends and developments in the renewable energy market. Messe Frankfurt is one of the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organisers and employs more than 2,500 employees across 30 different locations globally. The South African office has an experienced staff compliment of over 35 team members with established marketing, sales and operational capabilities. The event is presented in partnership with one of the largest solar power and related industry shows in the world – Solar Power Events (SPE), the premier organiser for energy events throughout North America.

WearCheck Online comes with a variety of features to assist customers to manage their oil analysis programme. Some of these include: • Current samples list, which shows unread reports. • Print sampling labels using A4 self-adhesive labels. • Trend-based graphs, problem-type graphs, and pivot tables. • Component analysis – view the results of one or more components in a single graph. • Basic user information for staff in the reporting hierarchy, including reports read, sample submissions, and feedback entered. Various search options and filters are available, including sample history and equipment or component searches. An extension to the online system – WearCheck’s mobile app, which was pioneered four years ago – has been well received in the marketplace. It offers similar features to the online system with the option to “Ask a diagnostician,” where the customer can enquire about a specific sample. Customers can also use their mobile devices to quickly scan their sample barcode. Robinson concludes, “Many industries benefit from WearCheck’s services, among them mining, earthmoving, industrial, transport, shipping, aviation and electrical operations. As optimal machine condition is critical in all these industries, and the

WearCheck MD Neil Robinson believes that constantly implementing technological innovation is what keeps the company at the forefront of the condition monitor- ing industry.

This is what some of the WearCheck reporting technology looks like, sending critical information to customers’ mobile devices and enabling them to make instant maintenance decisions based on real-time data.

our condition monitoring services.”

WhatsApp service enables real-time maintenance issues to be shared, enabling instant decision- making, the new service will add enormous value to

Enquiries: www.wearcheck.co.za.

Zest WEG is key supplier of motors and VSDs for Kamoa-Kakula

The first phase order included over 700 WEG low voltage IE3 premium efficiency motors, supplied to various local and international original equipment manufacturers, and installed throughout the concentrator plant. These motors drive equipment such as the rock breakers, conveyor drives, flotation cells, thickeners, slurry pumps, winches and other mechanical OEM packages. Where processes within the plant required variable speed control, WEG low voltage VSDs were selected to provide the speed and control necessary for this equipment. Martins explains that by selecting WEG low voltage VSDs in combination with WEG low voltage motors, Kamoa-Kakula will benefit from a 36 month warranty period. “An important part of the energy efficiency strategy was for the plant to standardise on our IE3 premium efficiency motors – rated according to the IEC 60034-30 international standard,” he says. “With a class leading energy efficiency rating, this means reduced carbon emissions and greatly reduces operational energy costs.” Additionally, Zest WEG is supplying the Kamoa-Kakula Project with a new 20MVA, 33kV/11kVmobile substation, which is currently beingmanufactured in South Africa. The substation will provide stepped down power, and can be moved to supply power to different areas within Kamoa-Kakula’s mining footprint. “Underpinning the performance of our equipment at the mine will be high levels of service and support from Panaco who is our Value Added Reseller (VAR) in the DRC,” says Martins. Commenting on VARs, Martins says that those appointed by Zest WEG in this role are far more than simply distributors. “Panaco, as our VAR in the DRC, is a 100% locally owned business specifically chosen to promote and support the wide range of Zest WEG’s offering in the region. Its team includes technical specialists and the company’s operating methodologies and culture are closely aligned with ours, and will aid in supporting our current installed base, client network and growth expectations in the region.”

Zest WEG is supplying an extensive range of motors and variable speed drives (VSDs) for the second phase of the Kamoa-Kakula project, one of the world’s most exciting new copper developments, located on the Central Afri- can Copperbelt in the DRC. Phase one produced its first copper concentrate on 25 May 2021, and is expected to produce 200 000 tonnes of copper in concentrate annually. Phase 2, now in the advanced stages of construction, will result in a doubling of production capacity. Future phased expansions will eventually see a mining rate set to process 19 million tonnes per annum. For the first phase of the project, Zest WEG was also the key supplier for this electrical equipment. According to Joe Martins, mining sector specialist for Zest WEG, the mine’s scope of supply for the second phase is a repeat of the first. The first phase was supplied in 2020 with WEG medium voltage VSDs and WEG high voltage motors to drive the mine’s primary and secondary mills in the concentrator plant. “We began to manufacture these long lead time items in 2019, and delivered two medium voltage VSDs and two 3,3 kV motors for the mine’s 7,000 kW primary ball mill and its 7 000 kW secondary mill,” says Martins. “Our high voltage motors and medium voltage VSDs were also selected to drive the two 1 200 kW high pressure grinding rolls (HPGRs) in the plant.” WEG high voltage motors and automation solutions drive the underground ventilation fan applications, providing fresh air to the underground mine workings, he says. All these large items are designed to specification, manufactured and tested in WEG’s Brazil facilities. Due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, the factory acceptance tests were conducted virtually, with special processes being developed to allow thorough inspection and comment online. The testing of the equipment for phase two – also conducted in a virtual environment – was completed in the third quarter of 2021. Significantly, Kamoa-Kakula will be among the world's lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of copper produced, and Zest WEG’s energy efficient motors and automation solutions will contribute to this.

Enquiries: www.zestweg.com

A large amount of WEG low voltage motors were installed in phase 1 (left) and are also being supplied and installed in phase 2 (right).

The high voltage WEG motor for the 7 000 kW primary ball mill and the 7 000 kW secondary ball mill.

Enquiries: www.sapvia.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

FEBRUARY 2022