In the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, the National Electric Engineering Research Institute [NEERI] was a very active body operating within the CSIR. There was considerable interest in high-voltage research at universities, industry, and NEERI itself. Hence, a committee was formed to coordinate this research in South Africa, the High Voltage Coordinating Committee [HVCC]. Initially, the interest was in transmission, especially lightning and switching surges that affected transmission lines and power transformers. The HVCC was funded by the CSIR, and meetings were held at the CSIR.
Also at that time, widespread problems were occurring with premature failure of the windings of medium voltage motors (6,6 kV and 11 kV). This also became of interest to the HVCC. It was soon realised that, firstly, the research workers in HV phenomena were not experienced with rotating machines, and secondly, problems with MV motors could not be considered apart from those with low-voltage motors.
Thus, a working group under the HVCC, the Rotating Machines Working Group [RMWG], was formed. The scope was expanded to include all electrical rotating machines, i.e. low voltage and medium voltage, motors and generators. The RMWG came to be recognised as an influential body of specialists and was represented on SABS TC61 Rotating Machines. Members served by invitation; there was no constitution, and there were no membership fees. The members elected the chairpersons for an undefined term. This arrangement worked very well for some years.
Changes, however, were occurring in the CSIR's policy, leading to the closure of NEERI. The HVCC then decided to proceed with Eskom's support. As it turned out, looking beyond high-voltage research, the name was changed to the Electric Power Coordinating Committee [EPCC]. This was always difficult due to a lack of funding and eventually wound down, but, as far as is known, the EPCC has not been officially disbanded.
In the meantime, the RMWG had gained a momentum of its own. Membership was opened up to anyone interested or involved in the field of electrical rotating machines. Representation was well-balanced between academia, research institutes, manufacturers, end users, repairers, consultants, SABS/IEC, and private persons. Meetings were hosted by employer bodies of members on a rotational basis.
When the EPCC ceased activities, the RMWG continued. A tenuous link to the SAIEE was established. This was formalised in 2008, when the RMWG became an ASSOCIATED CHAPTER of the SAIEE under the SAIEE Constitution. Some years later, it was felt that the RMWG would benefit from still closer ties, and in 2013, the decision was taken to convert the RMWG into a new Section in the SAIEE. The name was then changed to what it is today – the Rotating Machines Section of the SAIEE.
These are the names of some of the chairpersons who have served over the years:
- RMS Chairman August 2022 - Dr. Amesh Singh
- RMS Chairman April 2022 to August 2022 - Wesley Doorsamy
- RMS Chairman April 2020 to March 2022 - Jabu Bembe
- RMS Chairman April 2018 to March 2020 - Prof. Jan De Kock