Electrical Products and Solutions for Mines and Industrial Operations
Where can mining operations source electrical products in Western Canada? EB Horsman & Son serves miners across the region, backed by more than 100 years in the electrical business.
The company offers industrial electrical, automation and process instrumentation products for applications ranging from motor control and conveyor systems to hazardous locations, equipment monitoring and cold-weather protection. Brands include Siemens, Eaton Crouse-Hinds, Mersen, Opticom, Powerblanket, Thermon, and more.
Mining Electrical Systems for Power, Control and Monitoring
Mines are some of the most challenging industrial environments out there. Dust, moisture, vibration, temperature extremes and remote locations can all affect equipment performance and maintenance requirements.
Across mining and mineral processing operations, electrical systems support everything from conveyors, pumps and crushers to process measurement, equipment protection and remote monitoring. Choosing products suited to the application can help improve reliability, reduce unplanned downtime and make maintenance easier.
Here are some of the electrical technologies we supply to support safer, more reliable mining operations across Western Canada.
Motor Control and Drives for Mining Equipment
Motors power some of a mine site’s hardest-working equipment, including conveyors, pumps, crushers and ventilation systems. How those motors are controlled can affect performance, energy use and maintenance.
Motor control centres (MCCs) bring the controls for multiple motors into a centralized assembly, while motor control panels (MCPs) are typically built around a particular machine or process. Our guide to MCCs vs. MCPs breaks down where each approach fits.
Variable frequency drives (VFDs) add another layer of control by adjusting motor speed and torque to match the application. Siemens motor control, automation and drive technologies can support applications including conveyors, pumps and processing equipment.
EB Horsman & Son’s Process, Automation & Controls (PAC) Group can help mining customers identify and source Siemens solutions for their specific applications.
Automation and Control Systems for Mining Operations
Modern mining and mineral processing facilities rely on automation systems to improve productivity, enhance visibility into operations and reduce unplanned downtime. Automation platforms can be used to monitor and control conveyors, crushers, pumping systems, water treatment processes, ventilation systems and other critical equipment across a site.
Siemens SIMATIC PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems and industrial networking solutions provide operators with real-time access to process information and equipment status. By integrating control, visualization and data collection, mining operations can improve decision-making, streamline troubleshooting and identify potential issues before they result in costly production interruptions.
EB Horsman & Son's Process, Automation & Controls (PAC) Group supports mining customers with automation technologies, industrial networking and control system solutions tailored to their specific operational requirements.
Industrial Safety Systems for Mining Equipment
Safety is a critical consideration throughout mining and mineral processing operations. Conveyors, crushers, rotating equipment and automated machinery often require safeguards to help protect personnel while maintaining productivity.
Industrial safety systems can include safety PLCs, safety relays, emergency stop systems, guard monitoring devices and machine safety sensors. These technologies help operators and maintenance personnel work more safely while supporting compliance with applicable safety standards and site requirements.
Siemens safety solutions can be integrated into new equipment or retrofit projects to provide enhanced protection and improved operational reliability. EB Horsman's PAC specialists can assist with identifying appropriate safety technologies for mining and industrial applications, from individual machines to larger plant-wide systems.
Process Instrumentation for Flow, Level and Pressure
Accurate process data can help operators monitor performance, respond to changing conditions and identify problems before they affect production.
Siemens SITRANS measurement instrumentation includes technologies for level, flow and pressure measurement, as well as weighing applications. These can support processes involving liquids, slurries, bulk solids and other materials common in mining and mineral processing.
For flow measurement, the Siemens SITRANS FS230 uses clamp-on ultrasonic sensors to measure liquid flow without cutting into the pipe. That non-intrusive approach can be useful where shutting down or modifying existing piping is difficult or costly.
Belt Scales and Conveyor Weighing for Mining Operations
Conveyors move large volumes of material through mining and processing operations, making accurate weighing important for monitoring throughput, inventory and process performance.
Siemens belt scales for mining continuously measure material travelling on a conveyor. Depending on the application, a system may combine a belt scale, speed sensor and weighing electronics to provide real-time material-flow data.
Options range from lighter-duty solutions to heavy-duty belt scales designed for demanding mining environments. The right system depends on factors including conveyor design, belt speed, capacity, material and required accuracy.
These technologies are particularly relevant to Western Canadian bulk-material operations. In Saskatchewan’s potash sector, for example, Siemens weighing and process-instrumentation solutions include belt scales, load cells and SIWAREX weighing electronics.
Hazardous-Location Lighting and Electrical Protection for Mines
Some mining and processing environments require electrical equipment designed and certified for hazardous locations. The correct equipment depends on the substances that may be present and how the location is classified.
Our guide to Class, Zone and Division hazardous-location ratings explains the terminology and how it affects equipment selection.
Eaton Crouse-Hinds hazardous-location lighting includes LED luminaires designed for demanding industrial environments where dust, gases, vapours or other hazardous conditions may be present.
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VMVL-7-R3-UNV1Crouse-Hinds Champ Type III Optic LED Light Fixture, LED Lamp, 59 W Fixture, 100 to 277 VAC/127 to 250 VDC, Corro-Free Epoxy Powder Coated Housing$2,336.99
Electrical protection is another important consideration across motor control centres, conveyors, pumps, ventilation equipment and power distribution systems. Mersen electrical protection solutions for mining include industrial fuses and related products designed to help protect equipment and electrical systems in demanding applications.
Video and Thermal Monitoring for Mining Equipment
Remote video monitoring can give operators visibility into equipment and areas that are difficult, hazardous or time-consuming to inspect in person.
Opticom industrial cameras can be used to monitor conveyors, crushers and other equipment from a safer or more convenient location. Rugged models are designed for challenging conditions that can include dust, moisture, vibration and temperature extremes.
Thermal imaging adds another layer of information. Thermal video monitoring in mining can help identify unusual heat patterns associated with equipment or process issues, giving maintenance teams another way to spot potential problems earlier.
Cold-Weather Heating and Freeze Protection for Mining Operations
Winter creates another set of challenges for mines across Western Canada. Fluids can thicken or freeze, while exposed tanks, valves, pumps and other equipment may need additional protection to keep processes moving.
Powerblanket heated blankets can be used with tanks, drums, totes, pumps, valves and other equipment to help maintain temperatures in cold conditions. Applications can include stored fuels and chemicals, lubricants and other process fluids that need to remain pumpable.
For applications requiring a more permanent heating system, heat tracing and industrial heating can also be part of the solution. Thermon heating solutions for mining operations include options designed for demanding industrial environments.
Find Electrical Products and Solutions for Mining in Western Canada
Planning an upgrade or looking for a hard-to-source mining product? Contact EB Horsman & Son to connect with our industrial, automation and process instrumentation specialists.
