Electrical and digital building infrastructures provider Legrand is set to increase its environment-friendly footprint with its range of power solutions that ensure protection of electrical equipment and continuity of services during planned or unplanned power failures.

Legrand’s environment-friendly, dry-type cast-resin transformers transfer electric power between two different voltage systems at the same frequency with a low environmental impact. These high-voltage/ low-voltage (HV/LV) solutions result in savings on electricity consumption of up to 20% during off-peak activity, says Legrand South Africa projects and technical coordinator Marc Naidoo.

He tells Engineering News that the reduced noise levels and low electromagnetic emissions, as well as using self-extinguishing materials that do not contain toxic gas emissions and flammable insulation enhance environmental protection in all installations.

“Energy efficiency is now an essential part of every Legrand project. It has even become a major factor in the success of the projects we undertake. As a global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructures, Legrand is offering more solutions for improved electricity control to reduce consumption and contribute towards supplying high energy,” he explains.

Legrand Transformers

Legrand’s standard distribution transformers have a power rating of between 100 kVA and 3 150 kVA, with primary voltage of up to 36 kV and secondary rated voltage of up to 433 V.

The company also manufactures special transformers that have a power rating of up to 20 000 kVA, primary rated voltage of up to 36 kVA and secondary rated voltage on request.

Unlike oil transformers, the cast-resin transformer units have smaller overall dimensions, which can be installed inside a building and do not require additional building structures. This increases flexibility in any environment as no cooling is required, while maintenance costs are reduced.

These transformers can withstand climate conditions that vary from E2 environmental class, and C2 climatic class, as well as an F1 fire-behaviour class.

The environmental classes demonstrate the level and conditions which the transformers are tested under. The E environmental classes are defined in relation to the condensation or humidity existing in the local environment of the transformer, while the C climatic classes are defined in relation to the minimum ambient temperature which the transformer variations sustained during load variations.

The transformers are also complemented by the prefabricated busbar trunking system which, Legrand claims, provides synergy for direct connections. The systems are designed with minimum overall dimensions to provide flexibility during installation, especially in confined areas.

Naidoo notes that the aluminium or copper busbars and cast-resin transformers are equipped with accessories that provide maximum versatility for any type of power application, including areas that are subject to high thermal stress and where equipment is sensitive to electromagnetic interferences.

He tells Engineering News that Legrand’s busbars do not contain large amounts of insulating plastic materials or potentially flammable materials. They feature mechanical interlocks for easy installation. This design quality assists in eliminating errors and potential dangers that can occur when using conventional systems.

“Safety is important in the design of Legrand components. The absence of fuel masses in the cast-resin transformers is combined with a low fire load, which increases the intrinsic safety of a building against possible fire. “This fire-retardant range was tested for fire resistance according to DIN 4102-09 and EN 13366-3 standards,” states Naidoo, adding that the company designs custom-made busbar solutions according to a client’s requirements using an in-house busbar design software tool.

Meanwhile, when it comes to providing uninterruptible power supply (UPS), Naidoo concludes that Legrand has extended the high performance batteries and charging system of their UPS systems by 50%.