SGB-Smit Power Matla says it has reached a significant milestone marking the commissioning and operation of the on-site testing facility since the fire accident at the Pretoria-based power manufacturing plant in March 2021.
The team manufactured and tested a 45 MVA 88/11 kV double-wound three-phase transformer, manufactured for a local utility on 8 March 2022 in the newly built on-site test facility. This achievement is a momentous occasion, marking the one-year anniversary of the fire accident and is testament to the excellent and focused efforts and teamwork of everyone involved in the rebuild project.
The rebuild project to reconstruct the fire damaged plant and equipment is progressing well and remains on schedule. The company is taking full advantage of this “rise from the ashes” opportunity to modernise and improve the plant and equipment and deliver a best-in-class manufacturing and testing facilities.
The Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) commenced on 28 February 2022 and concluded on 8 March 2022 and included full wave lighting impulses of 450 kV on the HV, 170 kV on the HV neutral, 95 kV on the LV line terminals and neutral. The applied voltage (separate source), LTAC induced voltage, induced voltage withstand and induced voltage with partial discharge measurements for 1-hour were also successfully conducted resulting in the unit successfully passing all required transformer tests.
The Pretoria plant has a manufacturing capacity from 5 MVA 66 kV up to and including 800 MVA 420 kV and incorporates power and specialised transformers (such as, but not limited to, furnace, rectifier, traction transformers, shunt reactors and related equipment). All transformers manufactured here are tested according to international standards (IEC 60076).
Contact Jacqui Burn, SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA, Phone 012 318-9802, jacqui.burn@sgb-smit.group , www.sgbsmitpowermatla.com
