ABB supplies UniGear ZS1 switchgear to major Zambian sugar producer
- Localising manufacturing to bring smart solutions for medium voltage switchgear applications closer to customers
- Creating long-term job opportunities for engineering graduates
- Increasing flexibility and reducing delivery times and costs for customers
In addition to supply, installation and commissioning, ABB is also negotiating the service and maintenance portion of the project, reveals Engineer Bukhosi Zuma. “It is an important client for us and represents a significant foot in the door in the potentially lucrative sugar industry in Zambia and elsewhere in Africa.”
UniGear ZS1 is a medium voltage switchgear with a metal enclosure, suitable for indoor installations. Metal partitions segregate the compartments from each other, while the live parts are air-insulated. The switchgear is highly modular for simple selection of components required for a range of applications.
The functional units of the switchgear are guaranteed arc proof in accordance with the IEC 62271-200 Standards, Appendix AA, Class A accessibility, Criteria 1 to 5. All the installation, operation, and maintenance operations can be carried out from the front of the unit.
The switchgear and earthing switches are operated from the front with the door closed. The switchgear can be back-to-wall installed if need be. The range of apparatus available for the UniGear ZS1 switchgear is the most complete on the market and includes:
- Withdrawable vacuum circuit-breakers with mechanical or magnetic actuator
- Withdrawable gas circuit-breakers
- Withdrawable vacuum contactors with fuses
- Fixed version of switch-disconnectors
This makes it possible to offer a single switchgear-user interface, with the same operational and maintenance procedures. The switchgear can be fitted with instrument transformers or sensors for current and voltage measurement and protection and any type of protection and control unit.
As traditional functional units in single level-single busbar arrangement, the UniGear ZS1 switchgear platform is fitted with double-level, compact units equipped with contactors with fuses, and double busbar systems. These units allow for extremely efficient use of space. In addition, a UniGear ZS1 single busbar is possible to combine to other members of the UniGear family such as UniGear 550, UniGear 500R, and UniGear MCC.
“The benefits for customers in the sugar industry to standardise on ABB products is that they have access to the latest technology that promotes energy efficiency and easy maintenance,” says Zuma. In addition, being a multinational, ABB has a global project reference list it can tap into for experience and expertise.
While working in Zambia did pose specific supply and logistics challenges, Zuma says it is part of ABB’s strategy to expand into key sectors in Africa such as the sugar industry. Here it can offer sugar plant automation and optimisation in the form of ABB Ability™ solutions.
These combine ABB’s deep domain expertise with connectivity and software innovation to empower real-time, data-driven decisions for safer, smarter operations that maximise resource efficiency and contribute to a low-carbon future. Its large portfolio of digital solutions helps companies automate, optimise, and futureproof their business to achieve new heights of performance and drive sustainable progress.
ENDS
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered and operated. Building on more than 130 years of excellence, ABB’s ~105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation. www.abb.com
Electrifying the world in a safe, smart and sustainable way, ABB Electrification is a global technology leader in electrical distribution and management from source to socket. As the world’s demand for electricity grows, our 50,000+ employees across 100 countries collaborate with customers and partners to transform how people connect, live and work. We develop innovative products, solutions and digital technologies that enable energy efficiency and a low carbon society across all sectors. By applying global scale with local expertise, we shape and support global trends, deliver excellence for customers and power a sustainable future for society. go.abb/electrification
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