Following her dream of becoming an engineer in the field where there are very few women engineers had motivated the hardworking Prenushka Ayar from Havenside, Chatsworth, to choose this field of study and hopes to encourage other females that it is possible to be successful in this predominantly male field of study.
The 28-year-old Ayar completed her Master of Engineering in Electrical Power from the Durban University of Technology (DUT), achieving Cum Laude and will be graduating virtually on the 1st of December 2021.
Sharing her emotions upon receiving the news of her accolade, Ayar said she feels both privileged and honoured to have achieved Cum Laude for her dissertation.
“This achievement has cemented the fact that hard work and dedication pays off. I am grateful to God for his strength and wisdom during my research. I am also forever thankful to my supervisor Dr Evans Eshiemogie Ojo and co-supervisor Dr Ajibola O Akinrinde for their time and guidance during my studies. Lastly, to Caleb Jordache Pillay for his constant motivation and love. Without him this result would have not been possible,” said a euphoric Ayar.
Her Master’s dissertation is titled: Investigation and mitigation of temporary overvoltage caused by harmonic filters for variable speed drives.
She explained the reason for such a dissertation was that many industries use Variable Speed Drive’s (VSD’s)for a range of different applications due to its cost and energy saving capabilities.
“VSD’s can alter the speed of a motor by regulating the output voltage in proportion to the output frequency. The high frequency switching operations of the drive produces harmonics that negatively affects the electrical system. Passive harmonic filters are commonly used to reduce harmonic distortion and its harmful effects. Three different case studies were considered in this research using experimental methods and by simulation to determine the most effective harmonic filter, which would best limit the harmonics produced. Temporary overvoltage produced by the switching of the harmonic filters causes significant damage to the electrical equipment in the power system. An increase in power consumption, unnecessary tripping of circuit breakers and stress on the electrical insulation are just some of the common symptoms of temporary overvoltage,” she clarified.
Ayar indicated that therefore, it is imperative to know the overvoltage caused by the energization and de-energization of the filter as well as possible solutions by which to mitigate the risk and consequences of these temporary overvoltage.
“Using ATP software, the mitigating effect of the pre-insertion resistor, surge arrester and controlled switching were simulated, and the best solution was chosen,” she said.
In a nutshell, she conveyed that the objectives of her study is to bring together research and innovation to Industry to improve on the efficiency of our electrical systems.
Ayar did confess that there were times where she felt demotivated and wanted to give up her studies but she surrounded herself with people that encouraged her to keep going.
In saying that, she specified that she was always aware that the key to success is education and is forever grateful to her mother who had sacrificed financially for her and worked so hard to get her educated.
“She saw the value of a good education which inspired me to see it through,” she said.
Currently, Ayar is employed as Area Sales Manager for Comtest but has professed that she wants to obtain her PhD in Electrical Engineering.
“My aim is to add value to Industry and other aspiring students through research and development. This could mean working in consulting or perhaps lecturing on the future,” she stressed.
However, Ayar has some sound advice for young and aspiring female students want to pursue their studies in the field of Engineering.
“My advice is to work hard and stay focused. There will be many obstacles during your studies but trust in God and remain motivated,” she said.
Pictured: Prenushka Ayar
Waheeda Peters
