PBA has opened its sixth base of operation - a dedicated transformer workshop in Te Aroha at the base of the Kaimai Ranges in the Waikato Region.
The building was purpose-built for the old Thames Valley Power Board for the refurbishment of transformers and to double as an electrical workshop. Backed by our expertise in installation, testing, commissioning and fault finding of transformers, Powerco invited PBA to take the lease of the facility as their incumbent maintenance contractors decided that this type of work was no longer part of its core business. This was an excellent opportunity to expand the business in this field and gives PBA a base of operation in the Central North Island.
The workshop has a 40 tonne main overhead gantry crane and has a roof height of over three stories providing plenty of room to move equipment around. To enable invasive transformer works, a purpose-built oil storage system with reticulated pumping capable of handling up to 25,000 litres of oil is present, and with a streamliner on-site it enables oil to be stored and treated in a controlled environment. The facility is equipped with 2 large ovens capable of temperatures up to 80˚C allowing efficient and effective winding dry outs. For testing purposes, an 11kV test bay and load bank is available to test transformers pre and post refurbishment to ensure quality results.
The Te Aroha transformer workshop is fully kitted out, geared towards repair and refurbishment of small-medium transformers.