The advantages that a dry-type or cast resin transformer offers played a role in Trafo Power Solutions securing an order for thirteen custom designed units. These dry-type transformers are destined for installation at the large scale Rand Water Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Works.

David Claassen, managing director of Trafo Power Solutions, says that is it most gratifying for the company to have received this order only months after the business was established. Claassen, an electrical engineer with broad ranging and high level experience in many sectors, recently established Trafo Power Solutions to distribute and service transformer products in Africa from Canada-based Hammond Power Solutions (HPS).

The contract to supply all the cast resin transformers for this waste water treatment facility will include units that range from 100 kVA up to 1600 kVA. Included in the scope of supply is the complete earth fault protection system which will be in the transformer enclosures.

Claassen says that the rationale for a project to go the route of using cast resin or dry-type transformers is for a number of reasons. “Prime among these is the inherent safety offered by these units as well as ease of installation given the fact that they are installed inside built substations as opposed to outdoors with associated special bunding and civils.

Dry-type transformers are categorised as F1 in terms of international fire resistance ratings, making them low risk as they are self-extinguishing and flame-retardant by nature. With zero risk of fire, the high safety rating of dry-type transformers allows them to be installed indoors, avoiding the cost and inconvenience of the special structures normally required to accommodate the safety and environmental hazards related to oil-filled units.

“And this results in savings because there is no need for costly civils and site work to be done,” Claassen adds

Less maintenance is another advantage; dry-type transformers are low in maintenance and could last for 25 years without significant attention, while oil-filled transformers require regular maintenance including oil sample analysis to ensure operational consistency and safety.

Claassen says that the units have been witness tested at the manufacturing facility and are scheduled for delivery to site in the first quarter of 2018.