At UKZN’s Vibration and Testing Centre (from left) Mr Alan Ntambwe, Mr Ming Lu, Mr John Chan, Mr Gary Sibilant, Mr Daniel Kubelwa and Mr Pravesh Moodley.US Research Institute to use UKZN Facilities
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) based in the United States will use UKZN’s Vibration and Testing Centre (VRTC) laboratory to conduct research in multiple conductor vibration.
VRTC is a specialised laboratory on the Westville campus equipped to allow vibration testing on power-lines and vibration dampers.
Information about multiple conductor vibration is scarce and therefore the research undertaken at the VRTC will assist in providing solutions to industrial problems.
Testing involves studying the natural deterioration of power lines and seeking techniques to reduce vibrations on the multiple conductor lines. The project is expected to last six months.
UKZN’s Engineering students will be exposed to a world-class application leading to the further development of their knowledge and skills.
Students will be given an opportunity to conduct the tests and then submit the data to EPRI in the United States. VRTC student Mr Daniel Kubelwa will conduct his doctorate based on the multiple conductor vibration.
Programme Manager at EPRI in the Power Delivery and Utilisation Division, Mr John Chan, said: ‘There are not too many laboratories in the world which have a long test span for vibration research such as that of VRTC. We are pleased to have an opportunity to work together.’
Project Manager at EPRI and UKZN alumnus, Mr Gary Sibilant, said: ‘The VRTC was chosen due to the size of the laboratory which contains an 85m transmission line. In addition, the VRTC lab is featured in the EPRI Transmission Line Reference book.’
Sashlin Girraj