Lagos, Feb. 24, 2024: Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has inaugurated a facility to test generators and power transformers sold in the market ,to ensure they are of the right standards.
The Director -General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, inaugurated the” SON Mobile Generators Testing Laboratory and Mobile Transformer Equipment” on Thursday in Lagos.
Okeke said it was no more business as usual for assemblers and importers of these products , stressing that buyers must have value for their money.
According to him, all information supplied on generators and transformers will be verified and tested for compliance with Nigeria’s industrial standard.
He noted that Nigerians depended on the use of generators to power homes and industries, adding that there was need for SON to ensure that the quality of generators in the market comply with standards.
“As a support to the Federal government’s power improvement plan, SON has identified power transformer as an important component of power supply chain that requires monitoring.
“This will ensure that compliance with Nigeria industrial standard requirements,” he said.
The Director-General noted that in fulfilment of SON’s mandate, the agency had invested in both stationary and mobile testing facilities to conduct on- the -spot testing of transformers and generators.
“The mobile testing facility is equipped to carry out tests on generators such as load testing, protection test, generators efficiency, power factor, voltage regulation test, insulation test, emission test of generators exhaust and noise level check.
“These are critical tests that will determine the quality of the generator and will supply information to our product certification department for MANCAP certification.
“The mobile testing on the transformer will include insulation resistance, winding test, ration test, polarity test, leakage resistance, partial discharge test and no-load loss and excitation current among others,” he said.
Okeke said the provision of these mobile testing facilities would assist SON achieve total coverage of Nigeria, full implementation of MANCAP for local assemblers, importers, and sellers of the two products in Nigeria.
He added that it would also assist in sanctioning all suppliers of substandard generators and transformers and conduct spot tests at the entry point of such products into Nigeria.
According to him, it will ensure that all measuring equipment used are calibrated and resolve all complaints received from buyers of such products.
Okeke reaffirmed SON’s commitment to ridding the market of substandard products, while advising Nigerians on the need to patronise certified Made- in- Nigeria products.
Similarly, Engr. Richard Adewunmi, Director Lab Services, SON, said the mobile laboratory would save time, money and reduce the number of complaints received from customers.
Adewunmi said the lab would assist SON begin implementing recall policy on transformers and generators that could not pass conformity and certification test.
Also, Chief Francis Meshioye, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), commended SON for the achievement, noting that it was an incentive to manufacturers and importers of transformers and generators.
