Cheshunt based Ryfield Engineering supplies fully housed current
transformer chambers to the metering and data services division of one of
the UK's major energy groups. These devices are located in commercial,
domestic and industrial buildings, wherever electricity metering is
required. This particular customer has always specified glass reinforced
polyester (GRP) enclosures for its current transformer chambers, which
have to be impact and corrosion resistant, and provide a sealing
performance to IP66; metal is simply not an option for the company. Some
years ago, Ryefield opted for Sarel's 29025 series GRP enclosure range,
which meets all these requirements as well as offering an ideal size for
the application. Indeed, the company purchased its first 29025 GRP
cabinet 15 years ago and does not expect to replace it for another 15
years.
Recently, Sarel, a Schneider Electric company, replaced the 29025 with
its new Thalassa GRP range, which presented Ryefield with a bit of a
problem. The new products, while offering both IP66 and in addition, an
IK10 rating, no longer provided the ideal size for the transformer
chambers, the dimensions of which have proved impossible to change. Given
the high supply volumes and long term relationship between the two
companies, Sarel decided to continue producing the 29025 on a bespoke
basis for its valued customer. Ryefield's engineering director, Mick
Sollis is particularly pleased with this outcome. He acknowledges that
while these enclosures are now manufactured just for his company, they
are still delivered on time. More importantly, Sarel's decision has meant
that Ryefield can continue to service its customer without the disruption
that would have been caused by a change in the size of the enclosure.