CABLES & CABLE ACCESSORIES
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Why Three-D trusts HEX brass cable glands and lugs for the toughest conditions F or more than 40 years, Three-D Agencies has been a reputable cable accessories distributor throughout Southern Africa. When it comes to these types of
Brass is mechanically strong and has excellent thermal stability. In South Africa, it is not uncommon for equipment to be exposed to very high daytime temperatures and cooler nighttime temperatures. In solar farms or industrial plants, equipment can also expose components to heat from the equipment itself. Brass does not warp, degrade, or lose grip due to these temperature variations. Ease of installation and maintenance HEX brass cable glands are easy to use. Their threads, seals, and fittings are made to maintain high tolerances. This allows installers to get a secure and correct fit without much effort. When a brass gland is installed properly, it lasts a long time and needs very little maintenance. For businesses, this leads to significant cost savings, less downtime, fewer replacements, and longer operational life all contribute to a lower total cost of ownership. In industries where every hour of downtime can cost thousands of rands, investing in durable parts like HEX brass glands and lugs is both economically and technically sensible. Applications across South Africa HEX brass glands and lugs have shown their value in various sectors in South Africa. In mining, they endure vibration, dust, and chemicals, keeping essential machinery running safely. In solar farms, they manage drastic temperature changes and constant UV exposure. Along the coast, they withstand the harmful effects of salt spray, protecting marine installations, ports, and desalination plants. In chemical and food processing plants, they maintain secure seals despite steam, cleaning agents, and
components, such as cable glands and lugs, the quality and material selection are important. In the extreme environments that exist in South Africa, HEX brass cable glands and lugs are robust and reliable choices for keeping operations safe and efficient. The importance of cable glands Cable glands may seem like small components, but their presence can determine whether an installation is successful. The purpose of a cable gland is to secure a cable, provide strain relief, and protect the connection from harmful environmental ingress, such as dust, water, or chemicals, when transitioning from a cable to a piece of equipment. If a gland fails, the entire system is compromised. This could lead to electrical faults, unplanned downtime, or, worse, safety risks. Why brass? Brass, as an alloy of copper and zinc, has long been well- known for its durability and performance. Unlike plastics or cheaper metals, brass offers resistance to many of the environmental challenges common in South Africa. Brass is highly resistant to corrosion. Coastal areas like KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape are subject to high humidity and salty air, and if a less durable material is used, it will deteriorate very quickly. HEX has developed brass cable glands and lugs that will withstand coastal conditions, especially when nickel-plated for even greater protection.
other tough conditions.
Why choose HEX brass? HEX is a well-respected manufacturer known for precise engineering and reliability. As the Southern African distributor, Three-D Agencies offers not only access to genuine HEX products but also technical knowledge and support suited to local conditions. The company deeply understands the challenges South African industries face, ensuring customers get practical solutions. By selecting HEX brass cable glands from Three-D Agencies, users are investing in components that provide long-term reliability, safety, and cost-effectiveness. South Africa’s environment is demanding, and electrical installations cannot have weak links. HEX brass cable glands and lugs, supplied by Three-D Agencies, are made to resist corrosion, mechanical stress, and extreme temperatures. They ensure reliable sealing, secure connections, and a long service life. For industries where safety and uptime matter, brass is not just a choice; it is essential.
Enquiries: www.three-d.co.za
Aberdare Cables launches copper anti-theft cable solution for house connections using bi-metals
By: Donemore Torerwa, general manager: product development and applications, Aberdare Cables. C opper cable theft has been a major challenge for municipalities and utilities, locally and regionally, negatively impacting service delivery to customers. Aberdare Cables has, over the years, been involved in regional work to support municipalities, Eskom, and other authorities and utilities in the fight against copper theft and the related service delivery interruptions. Some of the notable past and currently relevant
as the development of house connection cable known as Saferdac, which has already proved to be successful within municipalities and utilities that have adopted this product as a theft-deterrent product. Apart from product development initiatives, Aberdare has supported the South African Police Service (SAPS) by educating its personnel on cable knowledge to help combat cable theft. In 2024, Aberdare Cables, through its Research and Development (R&D) department, began a journey to develop a bi-metal design for house connection applications in response to the needs of local municipalities and utilities, as expressed in the technical specification NRS 110 (2019 version). Having undergone rigorous safety and compliance testing of this product to NRS 110 and SANS 1507-6, as applicable, Aberdare Cables can gladly confirm the launch of the Tinned Copper Clad Aluminium Alloy (CCAA) Airdac product as a replacement for the traditional Copper Airdac in high- theft risk areas. Tinned CCAA Airdac is available in versions of Combined Neutral/ Earth (CNE) and the separate neutral/ earth with or without communication cores, depending on the needs of the municipality/ utility. This product will improve the service delivery efficiency for municipalities and utilities because it is not attractive to thieves as it is processed by metallurgically fusing copper and aluminium, making it difficult to separate for the scrap dealers, and the copper content in TCCAA is very low, making this product an almost zero-scrap-value product. The TCCAA product is available for supply to interested parties in the market. Aberdare Cables will continue to support its customers and users in addressing their challenges through structured R&D processes. The company is open to partnering with progressive organisations and educational institutions on research aimed at addressing challenges in local communities and industries.
initiatives from Aberdare Cables include the development of the aluminium alloy and copper-clad control and power cables for use in traffic lighting control cable applications; the development of bigger size aluminium cables for medium-voltage and high-voltage cables to allow improved use of low scrap value aluminium material in high-risk areas in place of copper; as well
Enquiries: www.aberdare.co.za
SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS
SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS
JANUARY 2026
OCTOBER 2024
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