WEG power transformers are now available for the local market through Zest Electric Motors and Drives. Commenting on the decision to bring WEG transformers to South Africa, Gary Daines, projects director for Zest Electric Motors and Drives, says that customers had highlighted the frustrations being experienced in terms of delivery and service from traditional suppliers.
"Many of these customers have previously visited the WEG factory in Brazil and seen the transformer manufacturing facility," he explains. "They were impressed with the quality standards being met during these visits, which were typically to witness the testing of electric motors. It was a natural progression for Zest to increase its range to service our existing customer base."
Both WEG and Zest Electric Motors and Drives claim a culture of on-time deliveries. This, combined with the vertical integration of WEG's manufacturing facility, enables Zest to offer better delivery times from manufacture to shipping to on-site commissioning.
WEG has been producing transformers since 1981 and has an extensive global reference list. WEG is ISO 9001:2000 accredited by BVQI.
In the South African market, Zest Electric Motors and Drives has secured orders in the mining, petrochemical and the power distribution markets, starting in mid-2004. Considerable attention was given to developing a local support base, in line with the company's approach to customer service. A dedicated customer service team has been trained at the WEG manufacturing facility and Zest has also secured working relationships with companies to underpin its support structure through their various areas of specialisation in transformers.
"The key to securing transformer business is Zest's ability to offer customers far better lead times," Daines says. Initially, Zest is offering power transformers although the WEG range includes distribution, self-protected transformers, pad mounted transformers, underground transformers, industrial transformers and dry transformers. Zest is also offering high voltage power transformers up to 550 kV, ranging from 5 to 300 MVA suitable for utilities and substations applications.
The manufacture of WEG transformers starts with the design and manufacture of high and low voltage coils or rectangular wire, isolated with thermally stabilised paper or polyester. High precision automatic and semi-automatic lines for the cut of silicon steel plates with oriented grain (OG) offer high productivity and produce quality cores, which reflects directly as optimised electrical characteristics.
Assembly is performed in an area free of contaminants. Thereafter, a strict drying process is applied to the active part, using vapour phase equipment. After drying, the retightening is performed in a controlled climate chamber. This process ensures that the demanding specifications are met and a high degree of reliability is obtained in the equipment. For embedding the high and low voltage coils of the dry type transformers, WEG uses a system developed by German company Hedrich using state-of-the-art equipment throughout the process.
For more information contact Chris Chryssoulis, Zest Electric Motors and Drives, +27 (0) 11 723 6000, www.zest.co.za
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