Power Through the Outages: Veer Steel Strengthens Reliability with New Earth Mat
Introduction
Veer Steel, a major manufacturer in the Alfeco Group, operates in the Olifantsfontein region and plays a crucial role in supplying high-quality aluminium extrusions to various industries. Like many South African industrial facilities, the site faces ongoing challenges from loadshedding and the operational risks that come with switching between power sources.
To strengthen resilience and reduce downtime during future loadshedding events, Veer Steel commissioned an upgrade to its earthing infrastructure—an essential component in ensuring stable electrical performance and safe operation of backup systems.
What We Delivered
Our team designed and installed a tailored earth-mat solution to improve the site’s grounding capabilities.
Key aspects of the delivery included:
- A custom-designed earth-mat system suited to Veer Steel’s operational demands.
- Integration of copper and steel materials supplied directly by the client, streamlining procurement.
- Installation of a reliable ground network to reduce earth resistance, improve fault-current dissipation, and enhance overall electrical stability.
Technical Insight
Industrial facilities with heavy electrical loads rely on effective earthing to maintain safety and continuity—especially during switching, faults, or the use of backup power.
Earth mats offer several benefits:
- They create a low-resistance grounding network across large areas.
- They reduce touch and step voltages around generators, distribution boards, and backup systems.
- They provide protection during abnormal operating conditions, including those triggered by loadshedding.
In short, proper earthing safeguards both equipment and personnel while supporting the uninterrupted operation of critical systems.
Challenges and How We Solved Them
One of the biggest challenges on this project was the site’s extensive concrete coverage. This prevented standard soil resistivity testing—data that is vital for accurately designing an earthing system.
To resolve this, Veer Steel excavated a section of the property. This provided access for:
- Reliable soil resistivity measurements
- Installation of the earth mat
- Validation of the final design
With accurate data and proper access, the project could proceed safely and effectively.
Results
The result is a robust, future-ready earthing system that:
- Enhances site safety
- Reduces operational risks during loadshedding
- Improves system stability and performance
- Shortens project timelines thanks to client-supplied materials
This upgrade positions Veer Steel for more reliable operations amid South Africa’s fluctuating power conditions.
What’s Next?
With the earth-mat installation successfully completed, the next phase involves designing and installing lightning protection for the site’s solar infrastructure. This addition will further strengthen equipment protection and complement the upgraded earthing system.
