Electromechanical equipment manufacturer Actom, which has manufactured its first 66 kV transformer, says it plans to supply small high-voltage (HV) power transformers in Africa, as part of plans to expand into more African countries.

HV transformers are typically used in the electricity transmission and generation sector, while lower-voltage units are mainly used on the distribution side.

Actom Distribution Transformers’ 44 kV and 66 kV units can be classified as either small power transformers or large distribution transformers, says Actom Distribution Transformers divisional CEO Lee Mbenge.

The company was prompted to expand its manufacturing capabilities to 66 kV transformers to meet customer demand, having previously manufactured a range of transformers up to 44 kV voltage.

“Customers were aware of our short lead times, based on our ability to manufacture our smaller power transformers up to 10 MVA quickly. We started getting requests for the design and manufacture of 66 kV transformers.”

Industry lead time for the manufacturing of such transformers is about six months to a year, but Actom can complete these 66 kV units in about 14 to 16 weeks, it says.

“This is what customers want to take advantage of,” Mbenge comments.

He concedes, however, that Actom Distribution Transformers’ lead times are being impacted on to some extent by the current market conditions in Europe, where the company sources some of the material for its 66 kV transformers.

Major original-equipment manufacturers in Europe cite material, equipment and skilled labour constraints as the main issues causing supply constraints and, consequently, the increased lead times.

Meanwhile, the company did not have to upgrade or acquire any new equipment to manufacture the 66 kV transformers, but carefully checked and maintained its existing machinery to ensure it was in the right condition to be able to manufacture the unit, Mbenge says.

“Material used in the manufacturing process was inspected regularly to ensure conformance with standards and requirements. Manufacturing the higher-voltage unit also requires a meticulously clean environment.”

He notes that the company is mulling upgrades to its testing facilities, as it is currently reliant on its sister companies to do type and special testing of the new units. "We would like to conduct these tests in-house in future,” he says.

Additionally, the capabilities of test technicians were enhanced by Actom providing training on the new test requirements, thereby ensuring adherence to the safest test protocols possible, says Mbenge.

“We have to prove our worth in this voltage range and that we are in this for the long haul. However, Actom is a 121-year-old company that has a reputable brand, and intends to grow and expand to other African markets.

“The introduction of the 66 kV transformer provides us with exposure to new customers in this voltage range in transformers. This will pave the way for new projects and contracts in the energy sector,” he says.