First dry-type transformer in South Africa is manufactured on Hedrich casting equipment

21-Nov-2013 - South Africa

The story of the first dry-type transformer (for medium voltage) manufactured completely in Southern Africa is also the successful story of Mr. Paddy Padayachee, as first engineer and founder of Revive Electrical Transformers.

As an immigrant´s child, he studied electrical engineering and started his career as electrical engineer at Siemens South Africa where he worked for more than 18 years in different positions. From 1991 on, he became a manager at ESKOM, the largest African power supplier.

His profound experience for manufacturing and the repair of medium and high voltage transformers led to the foundation of his first enterprise in 1995, which was followed by the founding of Revive Electrical Transformers in 1997.

As a well-known specialist on services and repairs for transformers, Revive has gradually turned into the second largest supplier for oil filled distribution transformers (up to 500kVA) in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Because of a reliable economic development combined with increasing power consumption, generation and distribution the demand of high quality dry-type transformers with epoxy-resin insulation was and still is steadily growing. This situation led to the decision to establish a modern production unit instead of just importing.

An in-depth study was followed by the consultancy and advice of independent specialists and finally a vacuum casting equipment for epoxy resins was ordered in 2012. Both, technicians and designers of REVIVE and Hedrich GmbH, worked closely together to adapt and design the optimal solution for the power distribution requirements in South Africa in a short period of time.

The manufacturing and the technical acceptance test run were successfully performed at the head quarter of the Hedrich GmbH in Ehringshausen, Germany, witnessed by the technical director, Mr. Sumeshan Padayachee.

After shipment and transport to Steeldale (Greater Johannesburg), the casting equipment (type PEK 300) was assembled again, tested and started up production of the first domestic dry-type transformer for middle voltage in South Africa. And since April 2013 Mr. Padayachee and his team are busy with the production of epoxy resin insulated dry-type transformers for South Africa and for the export to neighboring countries and markets.

Objectives and Quality Issues

The cast resin dry-type transformers developed by Revive offer a lot of advantages compared to commonly available oil-type transformers, such as eco-friendliness, energy efficiency, ease of maintenance and operating reliability. Even a multiple use in buildings and for industrial special purposes like in mining is possible through the use of inflammable insulation material, where the application of flammable media like oil is prohibited. These technical benefits and the high level of local content and know-how will contribute to the successful story of Revive today and in the future.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/145873/first-dry-type-transformer-in-south-africa-is-manufactured-on-hedrich-casting-equipment.html