ArmCoil Afrika, a local manufacturer of medium voltage (MV) ac motors and transformers, and Schneider Electric have partnered to provide a skid mobile substation product line to supply the operations of a large mining conglomerate in South Africa.
The skid substations are transported on low-bed trailers to the mining sites where they can be quickly energised.
Together, the companies have already completed two skid substations (SKID 961 and SKID 979) and the third and fourth units are in the manufacturing process. The prefabricated substations are assembled on self-supporting transformer skids, providing an easy-to-transport design that can be quickly energised.
ArmCoil is the main manufacturing contractor, providing the MV solutions as well as super structure enclosures for the skid substations and Schneider Electric is the preferred low voltage (LV) and MV switchgear partner providing equipment that includes the company’s PremSet Solid Shielded Insulated System (SSIS) switchgear series.
Frank Flint, Commercial Manager at ArmCoil says, “This is an exciting project for ArmCoil. As a small, family-owned business it is fantastic to be contracted to a global mining leader and to partner with a renowned multinational like Schneider Electric, to manufacture the skid substation products.”
“Together Schneider Electric and ArmCoil are combining their strengths to produce skid substations based on industry best practices, from design to installation. It is a win-win scenario for the mine and for our partnership,” adds Cecil Maartens, FS Segment BD & Channel Sales Manager.
Skid operations
Looking at the practical application of the substations, they are transported by trucks to the various mining pits where mining equipment can then be plugged into the skid. Generally, the substations are used to power drilling rigs and electrical excavators which are then used to fill the trucks with rocks, rubble and ore to be transported for processing.
The manufacturing process for the skid substations is in line with ISO standards which require that equipment should be continually improved to enhance operations and operational safety.
“The skid substations are now in their third iteration and with each new unit we enhance the operations based on the feedback we receive from the mine and our own learnings. It is a dynamic and collaborative process,” Flint says.
“Our combined strengths allow us to build an improved skid. Engineers from both teams are coming together to build units that meet the mine’s mobile substation needs,” Maartens adds.
Following SKID 961, the SKID 979 substation featured the following enhancements:
- The super enclosure is made with clear view materials that allow improved visibility into the units
- The addition of a roof which improves the unit’s robustness in inhospitable environments near the mining pits
- The newest version of Schneider Electric’s auto recloser.
The SKID substation project is expected to continue through another three years with two to three units to be delivered each year.
For more information visit: www.armcoil.co.za
