Transformers and substations
of each control conductor to measure the conductor temperature
during current burst testing
• Five short duration bursts of high current were applied in suc-
cession; the control sample was allowed to cool to 40°C, or less,
between each current burst
The resistance of each sample (from each equaliser to each connec-
tor) was measured at room temperature using a micro-ohm meter
before and after each set of five current burst tests.
Conclusion
The final results of the corrosion and current burst testing show the
number of samples of each type listed by percent-change in resistance
over the entire testing period. It was determined that a resistance
increase of great than 5% for the whole sample (equaliser, conductor
segment and connector) was equivalent to an increase of more than
100% for the contact from the conductor to the connector. Therefore
an increase in sample resistance of greater than 5% was considered
to be significant.
• Aluminium connectors on aluminium conductor:
o 40% of the connector samples could be considered to have
failed
o 10% showed a moderate increase in resistance
o 20% showed a moderate increase in resistance
o 30% showed a decrease in resistance
• Aluminium connectors on copper conductor
o 40% of the samples showed a significant increase in
resistance
o 30% showed a moderate increase in resistance
o 30% showed a small increase in resistance
• Copper connectors on copper conductor
o 70% of the samples showed a small increase in resistance
o 30% showed a decrease in resistance
Overall the best performance in this 2 000 hour corrosion and current
burst test was obtained by all copper connectors on copper conduc-
tors, the all copper system.
About the Copper Development Association Africa
The Copper Development Association Africa (CDAA) has represented
the local copper industry in southern Africa since 1962 and now
promotes copper usage throughout Africa. The CDAA’s head office is
based in Johannesburg and, on behalf of its members, the organisation
is committed to promoting and expanding the use of copper and copper
alloys throughout Africa.
A
bout the author
Evert Swanepoel is centre director for the Copper Devel-
opment Association Africa (CDAA. Enquiries: Tel. 011 824
3916 or email
‘D
ecades of Engineering Excellence’ is a 216 page hardcover
prestige coffee table publication of the Engineering Council
of South Africa. Du Toit Grobler, a Professional Electrical/Electronic
and Certificated Electrical/ Mechanical Engineer was requested to
compile and edit the contents which commemorates the excellence
of engineering in South Africa over many decades.
The inspiration to publish the book was derived from the First
Ten Decades, compiled and edited by Mike Crouch during the
centenary year of the SAIEE.The book provides a brief overview
of engineering mainly in South Africa but also globally, of the cat-
egories, disciplines and sub-disciplines of engineering which are
predominantly practised in South Africa, of engineering achieve-
ments in various disciplines and combinations of disciplines in
SouthAfrica, of the tertiary education of engineering practitioners
in South Africa and reference to the statutory and voluntary legs
of the engineering profession in South Africa. The main body of
the book consist of 5 chapters, with comprehensive reference lists:
• Engineering
• Engineering achievements in South Africa
• Engineering education in South Africa
• The Engineering profession in South Africa
• The Engineering Council of South Africa
Forwards and messages were written by the Minister of Public
Works, President of ECSA, chief executive officer of ECSA and
Compiler and Editor of the book.
Annexures consist of the ECSA Code of Conduct, a comprehen-
sive list of abbreviations and acronyms (56+65+65=186) used in the
text, contact details of ECSA, recognised voluntary associations,
CBE and councils of the built environment professions, govern-
ment departments, tertiary educational institutions including
traditional universities, comprehensive universities, universities
of technology, further education and training colleges and SETAs
(168 contact details), and current SouthAfrican legislation pertain-
ing to engineering (17 references).
DuToit Grobler (IntPI(SA)(EE), PrIng(EE), PrDiplIng(EM), BSc(Ing)
(Elek)(Pret), FSAIEE, SMICMEESA is a multi-category, multi-disci-
plinary engineering professional. He is dedicated to the promotion
of the engineering profession.
Enquiries:Tel. 083 666 6855 or email
.
‘Decades of Engineering Excellence’
Electricity+Control
December ‘13
30
