ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex), a global technology leader in electrical products and solutions, has secured a foothold in the potentially lucrative Zambian sugar industry by supplying its UniGear ZS1 medium voltage, arc-proof, air insulated switchgear to a project for a major sugar producer that country.

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 in Africa. 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.

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 and 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.