The Zest WEG Group, which supplies amongst other equipment low, medium and high voltage electric motors and variable speed drives to the mining industry, says it is enjoying significant success with the WEG SRW01 smart relay, a low voltage electric motor management system with state-of-the-art technology and network communication capabilities. The WEG SRW01 has the necessary functions to protect electric motors in mining operations, while enabling monitoring and control via communication networks. This is in addition to identifying parameter and status information in real time.
The innovative smart relay can be connected in DeviceNet, Modbus-RTU and Profibus- DP through a communication module that allows the user to change the communication protocol quickly and easily in a way that is automatically recognised by the Smart Relay. Its measurement set creates access to all magnitudes of the electric motor power supply, such as current, voltage, frequency and power factor. Zest WEG states; “This unit can provide up to ten digital inputs and eight digital outputs. An important feature of the product is the HMI with built-in memory, which allows system monitoring, relay programming and storage of up to three sets of parameters and three user program.” Easy access to the relay parameters is achieved through the USB port which enables the monitoring and programming of the relay via personal computer with the WLP (WEG Ladder Program) software. This software is available free of charge from the Zest WEG Group. Other advantages of the SRW01 Smart Relay include enhanced reliability of the protection system and operator safety during operation, supervision and maintenance. The technology also reduces the amount of control wiring and motor control hardware usually associated with relays.
Zest WEG Group also recently acquired Hawker Siddeley Electric Africa in South Africa, one of the largest manufacturers of mini substations, unit substations and distribution transformers in the country, with the capability to design and manufacture the complete range presently in use in the country’s industrial sector. Hawker Siddeley range Hawker Siddeley mini substations and unit substations have a range of 100 kVA to 1,000 kVA in voltages up to 22 kV and includes special application units for mining. The company’s transformers are primarily used to generate and supply electricity from power stations through to consumers. Furnace transformers (induction) are used in the mining industry.