DB S, SWITCHES, SOCKETS & PROTECTION
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New appliances, old wiring: the safety risk in SA homes A fter the year-end shopping period, many South Africans are starting the year with new appliances air conditioners, washing machines, and other high-demand devices, often running simultaneously. That mismatch between old infrastructure and new energy use is exactly where problems begin.
and gadgets, from gaming consoles and upgraded TVs to air fryers, fridges, and more. As these go into daily use, the added demand can expose weaknesses in older home wiring and electrical systems. “Most families don’t think twice about their distribution board (DB board) until something goes wrong, and by then it’s often too late,” says Dr Andrew Dickson, engineering executive at CBi-electric: low voltage. Why your DB board matters Your DB board is designed to cut the power when something goes wrong, whether it’s a faulty kettle, an overloaded plug point or a lightning strike. But many South African homes still rely on DB boards installed in the 1990s. Back then, a typical household had a TV, a fridge, and perhaps a microwave. Today, it’s multiple TVs, computers, chargers, Wi-Fi routers,
Warning signs to look out for According to Dickson, several indicators suggest your DB board or wiring may be unsafe. These include burn marks around switches, any faint burning smell, rust or corrosion, loose or exposed wires, lights dimming when appliances switch on, frequent power trips, warm switches or outlets, buzzing sounds from the board, and unmarked switches you cannot identify. Noticing any of these signals means it’s time to contact a qualified electrician. The life-saving test “It is important to consider your earth leakage; look for the button marked ‘TEST’ on your DB board and press it. The unit
multiple air conditioners; • Power trips regularly during normal household use; or • Your board has no earth leakage protection. A standard replacement costs between R3,500 and R7,000, with major upgrades reaching R12,000. “Compare that to rebuilding after an electrical fire,” says Dickson. He encourages South Africans to take ten minutes to check their DB board. “It’s a small step that can prevent a far bigger problem down the line.”
should trip immediately. If it doesn’t, your earth leakage protection has failed, and that’s the device designed to save you from electrocution,” he warns. “It is crucial to get this replaced immediately if it does not operate.” • Your home is more than 25 years old, and the board has never been upgraded; • You still have an old fuse box instead of modern circuit breakers; • You’ve added high-demand appliances such as an EV charger, heat pump, or When to consider an upgrade A DB board may need replacing if:
Enquiries: https://cbi-lowvoltage.co.za/
New Arteor USB Type-C sockets now available locally
A breakthrough anti-vandal copper- aluminium busbar solution S outh African original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Power Process Systems (PPS), with more than
high-power delivery and fast-charging solutions for residential, commercial, and hospitality installations, where users expect convenient access to fast charging without the need for bulky adapters. Arteor USBs enable a faster charging level than conventional technologies, operating via an exchange between the charger and the connected device to ensure the correct voltage and current for each application. Each charger includes a single USB Type-C outlet with output stages from 5 V up to 20 V, automatically adjusted according to device requirements. The unit supports the latest power delivery and quick charge protocols used by Apple, Google, and other leading manufacturers, ensuring compatibility with iOS and Android devices. Terminals accept conductors up to 2.5 mm² and use secure screw-type connections for reliable electrical contact. The modules fit into standard Arteor support frames and plates and are available in finishes including white, magnesium, champagne, and soft aluminium. Seamless integration of the USB Type-C charger directly into the existing Arteor modular system allows installation within the same Arteor design lines and finishes as switches, sockets, and dimmers in the range. The robust construction and consistent modular dimensions of Arteor components provide flexibility for a wide range of
this challenge by combining the conductivity benefits of copper with the affordability and lightness of aluminium, while removing the scrap value that drives theft. AV-CAB is a high-performance solid bar conductor in which 20–30% copper by weight is permanently fused to an aluminium core. This metallurgical bond is created through heat and pressure, forming a single, inseparable composite rather than a surface plating that could be stripped. Since AV-CAB cannot be separated, stripped, or melted down for recovery, it holds no illicit resale value and therefore significantly reduces the risk of vandalism and theft. “Copper theft continues to undermine infrastructure reliability and service delivery across South Africa. AV- CAB gives utilities, municipalities, and industrial clients a practical way to protect critical assets without compromising on electrical performance,” says Nhlanhla Zondo, director at PPS. “It delivers copper- level performance at a lower cost, and because it has no scrap value, it removes the incentive for vandalism. This is a meaningful step forward for infrastructure resilience.” Designed to replace traditional copper busbars, AV-CAB is suitable for electrical distribution panels, substations, kiosks, and industrial switchboards, and is fully compatible with existing installations. Its lightweight construction also simplifies handling and installation. Since 1993, PPS has evolved from a small local manufacturer into a trusted OEM known for robust electrical enclosures and breakthrough innovations such as the intelligent I-Kiosk. AV-CAB builds on this legacy by supporting safer energy delivery, revenue protection, and long-term infrastructure sustainability across the country.
Legrand SA has expanded its Arteor wiring device range with the launch of new two- module USB Type-C charging sockets, designed for high-performance charging of laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other portable electronic devices. The new Arteor USB Type-C socket range represents the next generation of built- in charging technology. The introduction of the Arteor 45 W USB Type-C socket – with advanced technology and enhanced aesthetics – strengthens Legrand’s local offering, in line with the global shift towards USB-C as the standard charging interface for digital devices. These 45 W USB Type-C modules provide
three decades of innovation in electrical infrastructure protection, has introduced AV-CAB, a purpose-engineered, anti-vandal copper–aluminium busbar designed to combat copper theft while maintaining high electrical performance. Copper theft continues to place enormous strain on utilities, municipalities, and industry, often resulting in costly damage, downtime, and unsafe electrical environments. AV-CAB directly addresses
applications – from modern residential developments and co-working spaces to hotels, airports, and healthcare facilities – where a combination of performance, design, and safety compliance is required. All Legrand products are designed and tested to stringent international standards, providing installers and specifiers with the assurance of high performance, safety, flexibility, and enhanced aesthetics.
Enquiries: www.legrand.co.za
Enquiries: www.ppspower.co.za
SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS
SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS
OCTOBER 2024
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