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Upgrade to petrochemical plant surveillance system

Westec Electronics recently completed a major extension to the plant monitoring CCTV system at Sasol Synthetic Fuels in Secunda.

The network of dome PTZ cameras began seven years ago where the entire reticulation of both video signals and telemetry control was done over the existing emergency telephone network cabling. This was the solution to a problem then, as current methods of cabling, Infrared and microwave transmission were impractical as the structures and environment were constantly in a state of flux.

The twisted pair transmission systems manufactured by Grundig and Ultrak were the ideal solution producing high quality video signals up to 2 km. Westec Electronics further engineered the transmission lines with their own lightning and power surge equipment to prevent equipment damage due to the high incidence of lightning strikes in the area.

The latest additions to the Polyfin plant are aimed at enhancing safety and control, and although they are used primarily to aid the operation of the plant, they have also brought to book offenders of the strict 'no smoking' rule, thereby eliminating potential life threatening hazards within the huge petrochemical complex.

The locally designed and manufactured camera and equipment housings have been specially designed for the harsh environment and are rated and approved by the SABS for operating in gaseous and explosive atmospheres. Utilising pressurised dry air reticulation the enclosures are protected against ingress of explosive gas and possible spark ignition. Furthermore, there is a stringent examination that has to prove the safety factors employed before the use of the cameras is allowed.

The addition to the CCTV system brings the total of cameras to 45 at both the Sasol 2 and 3 plants, which are both locally monitored and controlled from their respective control rooms and the central control complex. This complex relies on the Videoweb graphics display to quickly control and display the system in a disaster situation where electronics can aid the response of the operators.

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