— S. Mahendra Bothra,
Managing Director, Microtek Instruments Ltd
Based in Chennai,
Microtek Instruments has been a leading supplier
of T&M equipments since 1969. It represents renowned global
manufacturers in the fields of testing & measuring, calibration,
EMI/EMC and high voltage. Chauvin Arnoux of France, Rotek
Instruments of USA and Germany-based Hi-Lo Test GmbH are
few of the many brands represented. In an exclusive interaction,
S. Mahendra Bothra observes that for the T&M equipment industry
to grow, India needs to have a sharper focus on R&D activities.
Please tell us in brief about the various T&M
equipment supplied by Microtek to the power
sector.
We supply testing instruments like digital
multimeter, insulation tester, power analyzer,
micro ohm meters, differential oscilloscopes,
process/multifunction calibrators, HV probes,
electrical/electronic/pressure/pneumatic test
benches for use in C&I and E&I labs etc.
As far as T&M equipment related to the power sector
are concerned, who are your biggest clients?
Our biggest customers in the power sector include NTPC,
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, Nuclear Power Corporation of
India and Department of Atomic Energy.
We understand that low-value Chinese T&M equipment is
flooding the Indian market. What is your view?
Yes, it is not a good phenomenon since quality
suffers. However in the power sector, where we
supply, customers are aware about Chinese goods
and avoid purchasing them as far as possible.
Having said that, some of the Chinese T&M
instruments that are available are also of good
quality, but one needs to be careful in buying only from
genuine suppliers.
Please discuss the equipment and services offered by Microtek
for high-voltage testing.
We offer HV insulation tester from Chauvin Arnoux of France,
which can work in switchyard environment. In addition we also
supply power analyzers, earth testers, micro ohm meters that
are used in HV testing.
Given that India is moving to the EHV and UHVAC regime for
power transmission, how do you see the demand for highvoltage
testing equipment increasing?
Yes, as more power plants come up, the requirement of HV test
equipment will increase. In India, we need a lot of power so I do
think that this sector will keep growing.
We perceive that lack of R&D activities in the power sector has
resulted in poor demand for T&M equipment in India. What is
your view?
Some companies in India don't give much importance to R&D as
well as maintenance and re-calibration of the T&M equipment.
This has resulted in lower demand. Probably if companies give
more focus on R&D and on regular maintenance of their plants,
the demand will increase.
When it comes to sophisticated T&M equipment, what is the
competency level of Indian companies? How reliant is India on
imported T&M equipment?
We are heavily reliant on foreign companies although there are
companies who have started making T&M equipment locally.
Although they are quite successful, their quality is still couple of
notches below the foreign products. But I guess the world is
becoming globalized and the quality of Indian products is slowly
but surely improving.
Do you think that the new generation of engineering students is
sufficiently interested in taking up power sector R&D as a
profession?
I think the new generation is more tuned to the IT sector
and there is a shortage of good engineers in R&D sector.
I hope things will change as the IT industry shows signs of
slow down.
Please summarize your growth plans for Microtek Instruments
in the field of power-related T&M equipment, given that the
Indian power sector will see 
14 trillion worth of investment in
the power sector during the XII Plan period.
We are hopeful that as this industry goes in the growth mode,
we will try to add more product lines to cater to our customer
needs. Going forward, we intend to provide customized
solutions like industrial test benches etc.