CONSULTING:
• technical studies
• fault investigations
• inspection during transformer repair, refurbishment or installation/commissioning
• inspection during transformer manufacturing
• evaluate technical specifications, tender applications, proposed designs and solutions
• provide test specifications, evaluate proposed testing regime, QA & QC processes
• transformer test witnessing
• asset evaluation of distribution systems, including equipment inspection, determining the present replacement value and residual life of the substation equipment.
• damage assessment
• maintenance planning

COMPLETE SUBSTATION DESIGN

Quality substation planning and design are critical to ensure the continuous supply and quality of electric power service. Our engineers can handle every aspect of substation design, from reviewing system requirements and establishing project scope, through site selection, equipment specification and conceptual design to detailed primary, secondary, civil, structural and architectural design. Whether you require new construction, minor upgrades or a major overhaul, the experienced team at MATREX has the expertise to get the design done in line with your requirements in timely and cost effective manner.

Substation design services for HV outdoor (AIS) & indoor (GIS/HIS) substations design (voltage levels 11 - 500 kV) include:

Planning phase
• System and facility review and planning.
• Electrical Power substations selection and specification.
• Site planning and selection.
• Basic engineering and conceptual design.
• Detailed project scope of work and installation scope of work for the primary design.

Detailed design
• Final detailed design for substations components and systems.
• Calculation of short circuit forces and loading data for foundations and various steel structures. Sag calculations.
• Earthing system analysis and design. Lightning protection design.
• Detailed engineering and construction drawings (single-line diagram, substation arrangement documents, secondary cable route, busbar steelwork, earthing and earthwire layouts).
• Detailed equipment and material schedules.

Procurement phase
• Development of purchase specifications.
• Technical specifications and material schedules (bill of quantities).
• Primary substation layout for tendering purposes.
• Technical evaluation of bidding documents.
• Design review and approval.
• Technical support during contract negotiations.
• Inspection of manufacturing facilities. Approval of acceptance tests for HV/MV equipment.
• Acceptance test witnessing.

Apart from complete design, we can provide technical specifications and conceptual design for tendering purposes, provide technical support during tender evaluation or act as client’s engineer during design approval phase, testing and commissioning.

EARTHING & LIGHTNING PROTECTION DESIGN
An installation must have a well-designed and reliable earthing and lightning protection systems to provide a reasonable protection to the equipment and a safe environment for working personnel. Inadequate earthing causes unexplained system outages, but if it remains unchecked and non-rectified it may cause serious damage to the equipment and plant, even loss of life. Even the best-designed earthing systems may become unsafe through deterioration of material and changes to the power grid.

Our engineers design earthing systems in accordance with IEEE 80 standard and lightning protection in accordance with IEC 62305 standards. We can provide safe design for your new installations or evaluate existing earthing and lightning systems, including site and equipment inspection and recommendations for improvement.

DIAGNOSTICS AND MAINTENANCE, FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS
Maintenance planning, diagnostics, monitoring and testing are the core activities required to optimise availability, reliability and residual life of equipment. Our engineers are very competent to detect and localise problems in various transmission components. Our expertise includes probabilistic risk management analysis, failure analysis and extensive knowledge of degradation processes as well as various international standards (IEC, DIN, BT, SABS, NEMA, ANSI, JUS).

We utilise our extensive knowledge and expertise on all aspects of design, production, quality control, testing and commissioning of three and single phase power transformers for voltages 0.4 - 420 kV and power ratings of 2.5 - 725 MVA to evaluate or develop transformer testing specifications and maintenance programs that apply modern predictive maintenance methods.

Our expertise in assessing damaged transformers may be invaluable in preventing further damage to your system and consequential loss to your business. We provide forensic investigation and assessment of failed or damaged transformers, recommend repair method and supervise refurbishment / repair of old or damaged transformers.

PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS
Due to its technical background and managerial experience MATREX has unique ability to provide technical, commercial, budgetary, implementation and operational planning input into your projects. Our technical acumen is invaluable during negotiation, compilation and evaluation of various tender documents and consequent supplier contract negotiations, based on internationally accepted conditions of contract.

We can provide engineering and consulting services in all aspects of project planning and tendering process:
• Development of purchase and technical specifications and material schedules (bill of quantities) for HV & MV switchgear equipment, power transformers, reactors and auxiliary transformers, auxiliary equipment and civil works.
• Preliminary equipment and site layout for tendering purposes.
• Technical evaluation of bidding documents.
• Design review and approval.
• Technical support during contract negotiations.