Client Profile
Founded in 2000, DIPRO Consulting is a trusted supplier of protection equipment and SCADA systems throughout Southern Africa, serving the electrical supply, mining, industrial, and utility sectors. DIPRO was established with the aim of providing superior quality protection and SCADA equipment to these industries. The company’s extensive experience in consulting, training, protection systems, installation, and commissioning ensures clients receive excellent service and support. DIPRO is also the exclusive supplier of Thytronic protection relays and iGrid T&D automation solutions in South Africa, underscoring its strong industry presence. DIPRO’s collaboration with Thytronic has spanned over 22 years, since becoming the exclusive distributor of Thytronic products in South Africa in 2002. This long-standing partnership highlights their shared commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality protection solutions, resulting in a proven track record of successful installations and long-term customer satisfaction. DIPRO’s dedication to providing protection and automation solutions has fostered enduring client relationships and cemented its reputation in the region.

Project Summary
DIPRO recently completed a project at various substations in Johannesburg, South Africa, installing a transformer protection panel equipped with advanced Thytronic devices, including 20 XMRD transformer differential protection relays and 200 NA10 overcurrent and earth fault relays. This successful installation builds on DIPRO’s decades of expertise in power system protection and enhances the safety and reliability of Johannesburg’s power grid.

Application and Sector
Designed for the utility sector, the project focused on medium-voltage transformer protection. The XMRD relays provide differential protection for transformers, while the NA10 relays act as feeder and backup protection, safeguarding transformers from overcurrent and other faults that could compromise network stability.

Key Components and Positioning
The project utilised two specific Thytronic products:

• XMRD Transformer Differential Protection Relay: Twenty units of this high-performance relay were installed for precise fault detection.

• NA10 Overcurrent and Earth Fault Relay: With 200 units deployed, these relays provide essential feeder and backup protection for transformers.

Thytronic relays offer unique features for utility companies, including flexible configuration options supporting both 1A and 5A CT inputs, simplifying inventory management. Furthermore, Thytronic provides both high and low impedance options for restricted transformer zones, catering to diverse client requirements. Compared to competitors, Thytronic’s dual impedance functionality stands out, as most rivals typically offer only low-impedance solutions.

Project Impact and Client Benefits
This project addressed several critical needs:

• Optimised Inventory Management: The XMRD relay’s flexibility to handle both 1A and 5A CT inputs enables clients to reduce costs by eliminating the need for separate relays for different configurations.

• Advanced Voltage Options: Thytronic’s solution supports both high and low impedance configurations, allowing DIPRO to offer tailored options to meet varying requirements, unlike competitors offering only low-impedance solutions.

• Proven Reliability: Thytronic relays, with units installed since 2006 still operational, demonstrate robust, long-term reliability, supporting uninterrupted power distribution and network stability.

• Ease of Maintenance: Thytronic relays are designed with advanced diagnostics that simplify maintenance, aligning with utilities’ needs to minimise downtime.

Strategic Alignment and Broader Significance
This project reflects DIPRO’s commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality protection solutions across Southern Africa. The partnership with Thytronic enables DIPRO to meet the evolving needs of clients, especially in complex protection environments, reinforcing DIPRO’s position as a leader in advanced electrical protection solutions. A Thytronic solution supplied by DIPRO has been in operation at a power plant since 2006, demonstrating the product’s durability and DIPRO’s excellent customer service. During a recent project, DIPRO received commendation from the end client regarding the Thytronic relays used. Feedback highlighted their simplicity, reliability, flexibility, and accuracy, positively contributing to overall system performance. The client acknowledged the relays’ role in supporting network safety and stability, reaffirming continued confidence in the product. This message reflects the consistent quality of Thytronic technology and the engineering expertise behind its development.

Conclusion
This installation demonstrates DIPRO’s capability to meet the specific needs of the utility sector with advanced Thytronic relays. The project highlights the flexibility and reliability of Thytronic products and exemplifies the enduring partnership between DIPRO and Thytronic, contributing to resilient power infrastructure throughout Southern Africa. The collaboration between the two companies, ongoing for over 22 years, continues to ensure the delivery of effective, reliable protection solutions trusted by clients.

For more information about the project, please contact thytronic@thytronic.it.