The role played by on-load tap changers (OLTCs) in power generation is a critical one, which requires that they perform at their peak output during operation and unscheduled failure is avoided at all costs.

Regular maintenance coupled with condition monitoring such as oil analysis is now recognised as essential to help avoid unplanned outages for OLTCs. One of the key predictive maintenance tests that is conducted is DGA (dissolved gas analysis).

Technical Bulletin 66 unpacks the fine points of DGA, discusses the interpretation of results and what action to take when different amounts and ratios of various gases are present.

Three interesting case studies are discussed, in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of DGA in OLTCs.

To learn more about this proven reliability improvement technique that is summarised clearly by WearCheck’s transformer division manager Ian Gray - please view Technical Bulletin 66: Condition-based assessment of on-load tap changers. Here’s the direct link: http://www.wearcheck.co.za/shared/TB66.pdf

WearCheck welcomes new faces

Accounting, Thabani…
Thabani Dlamini is WearCheck’s accounts assistant and holds a BTech degree in cost management accounting. He is currently studying for his certificate in CIMA.

Before joining the WearCheck family at the end of 2017, Thabani served as finance assistant at a medical company.

At WearCheck, he is responsible for many accounting processes, including processing invoices, controlling manual delivery notes, updating credit limits and more.

Thabani works in a slightly unusual situation, as he is currently the only man in a department of six ladies!

Capturing, Bianca…
Bianca Louw recently joined the WearCheck family as the data capturer at the WSL (WearCheck Specialty Lab). She is primarily responsible for uploading data from samples that have been tested in the lab onto Giza, the computer software that manages the database.

Bianca, who is currently in the process of completing her diploma in analytical chemistry, began her career as a junior quality technician for an international coffee processing company before joining WearCheck.

We welcome both to Team WearCheck.

Showcasing the very latest oil analysis and condition monitoring techniques at Windaba this month was WearCheck’s transformer maintenance division.

Burgeoning growth in Southern Africa’s renewable energy sector is a result of the universal need to develop alternative power sources, and WearCheck is well positioned to provide predictive monitoring for the industry.

WearCheck technicians highlighted how power-generating equipment can be transitioned into optimum performance with minimum maintenance costs by investing in condition monitoring.

The WearCheck team at Windaba (from left to right), Ian Gray, Des Rodel, Steven Lumley and Philip Schutte

Sello Patience Mokoena has been promoted to laboratory supervisor at WearCheck’s Specialty Laboratory (WSL) in Johannesburg.

Patience began her career at WearCheck in 2015 initially as a volunteer, just looking to gain work experience. After just two days of volunteer work, she was offered a temporary lab technician post, which soon became a permanent post.

With professionalism and dedication, Patience has worked her way up to become laboratory supervisor of the WSL.

Valvoline manufactures synthetic lubricants and additives, including motor oils, gear oils, greases, anti-freeze, automatic transmission and others. Valvoline is the approved supplier of engine oil to Cummins.

WearCheck is proud to announce that we have signed a partnership agreement with Valvoline to do their oil analysis in Africa and the Middle East.

Says Steven, ‘Condition monitoring training adds value to an operation in several ways. As well as aiding maintenance staff to keep machinery running at optimum output, thereby maximising their investment in the oil analysis programme, the training course give enhanced insight to product developers. For example, Cummins and Valvoline have indicated that they will use the information from the condition monitoring courses to fine-tune their engines and lubricants at the developmental stage, adapting design and composition to help minimise future wear.’

Lubrication specialists Valvoline sent a team for condition monitoring training with WearCheck’s technical manager Steven Lumley (fourth from left). Also on this course was a team from Fleetgard, a division of Cummins that supplies filtration for Valvoline.

WearCheck’s transformer maintenance division will be showcasing the latest oil analysis and condition monitoring techniques, with technicians on hand to answer your questions at Windaba 2018.

The renewable energy sector in Southern Africa is growing fast to accommodate the global need for alternative power sources, and WearCheck is well positioned to provide predictive monitoring for the industry.

Come and see how investing in condition monitoring can transition power-generating equipment into optimum performance with minimum maintenance costs.

Windaba takes place on 7 & 8 November 2018 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Come and find WearCheck at stand no. 48

Our annual customer survey was recently conducted, and we sincerely thank the people who took the time to give us feedback. Your answers are critical to how we re-shape our business services going forwards.

WearCheck sales developer Kay Meyrick extends her gratitude to customers for the positive feedback. These are some of the replies from our valued customers:

‘It has been 11 years now using WearCheck, so far [this] has done wonders for our company’

‘Overall, WearCheck provides an excellent service.’

’Keep up the good work.’

‘WearCheck helps us to be on top of premature failures and prevent unnecessary expenses.’

‘I would only like to thank WearCheck for their assistance.’

‘Very professional.’

‘I always encourage my friends to use WearCheck for condition monitoring.’

‘WearCheck has been a major factor in my passion to do my own maintenance on my vehicles.’

Lucky winner! Wendy Bester of Universal Equipment had her name drawn out of the hat to win the lucky draw prize for customers who completed WearCheck’s customer survey 2018. Here, Wendy accepts her cash prize in PE from Leon Marshall, WearCheck’s Eastern Cape representative.

Gert Nel has been appointed branch manager of WearCheck’s transformer oil  laboratory in Cape Town. Prior to this, Gert spent 12 years working as a diagnostician at the company’s Speciality Laboratory in Johannesburg. Here, he focused on transformer oil diagnosis.

WearCheck promotes transformer health through the regular assessment of insulating fluid and diagnosis of the results via three specialised transformer laboratories in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

As transformers are extremely critical apparatus for providing reliable energy, it is essential to manage the risk of component failure. 

Gert is delighted to exchange the Joburg cityscape with panoramic views of Table Mountain from the WearCheck Cape Town transformer lab, which is situated at Unit 6, Prosperity Park, 10 Computer Road, Montague Gardens.

Image: Gert Nel has relocated to Cape Town as the manager of WearCheck’s transformer lab

WearCheck was once again at the popular Electra Mining expo in Johannesburg recently. Technical staff were on hand to discuss condition monitoring, and this year the stand also had some novelties – expo guests were given free WearCheck popcorn and could choose a key. The lucky key opened a treasure chest containing WearCheck prizes every single day.

Images:

1. WearCheck staffers Johann Reiners (left), Juliane de beer and Philip Schutte were at Electra Mining 2018
2. Isaac Mabaso of WearCheck was standing by to discuss oil analysis at the expo
3. A delighted Jacques Prinsloo of Sasol was one of the daily winners whose lucky key unlocked the prize in the treasure chest on the WearCheck stand at Electra Mining 2018
4. Johann Reiners (right) of WearCheck chats to a guest about condition monitoring at the Electra Mining 2018
5. Quentin Gustav von Kleist (left), Chris Hattingh and Dennis Swanepoel (right) all of WearCheck, at Electra Mining 2018

Diagnostician Rowan Maartens has retired after serving at WearCheck for 36 years.

Rowan’s career began in 1982, when he joined WearCheck as a diagnostician. He diagnosed an impressive 2,5 million used oil samples in the three and a half decades he was with the company.

In 2014, Rowan reach the 2 000 000 samples milestone, which placed him among the top few diagnosticians in the world, if not the first person ever, with this incredible number of diagnoses to his name. Now THAT is impressive.

Managing director Neil Robinson wished Rowan well. ‘Thank you, Rowan, for your loyal service to WearCheck and our customers, and also to the condition monitoring industry.’

Rowan plans to spend his golden years enjoying his free time.