CONTRACTORS’ CORNER | EDITOR’S COLUMN
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EDITOR’S NOTE W elcome to the April edition of Sparks Electrical News ! As a new season begins, we are pleased to present an issue full of fresh insights and practical advice for professionals across the electrical sector. This month, our focus is on three main areas advancing innovation and dependability in the industry: cables and cable accessories, MCC and motor protection, and lighting. We begin with a detailed examination of cables and cable accessories—the fundamental components for every electrical project. Our team explores new trends in cable technology, from innovative materials to intelligent cable management solutions that meet today’s needs for efficiency and safety. With updates on standards, installation techniques, and
controls, and human-focused solutions. Our articles explore the latest product launches, lighting design strategies, and case studies from commercial, industrial, and residential projects. Whether upgrading existing systems or planning new installations, you’ll find inspiration and practical advice to brighten your projects. At Sparks Electrical News, we are dedicated to promoting excellence and supporting South Africa’s electrical professionals with relevant, up-to-date information. We hope you enjoy this issue and find it both informative and empowering for your work ahead.
product innovations, we aim to help you make well-informed decisions for both routine and complex applications. Our coverage continues with a focus on Motor Control Centres (MCC) and motor protection. As facilities aim to optimise performance and minimise downtime, effective motor control and protection systems have never been more important. In this issue, you’ll find expert commentary on best practices for MCC specification, installation, and maintenance, as well as an overview of the latest protection technologies designed to safeguard your assets and ensure operational continuity. Finally, we focus on lighting—a sector swiftly evolving with
Minx Avrabos sparks@crown.co.za
energy-efficient designs, smart
The critical importance of circuit breaker compliance I n South Africa’s bustling industrial, commercial and residential
minimises costly downtime. Technological relevance. Advanced functions are only reliable when the base device meets the latest edition of the relevant SANS or IEC standard. Retrofitting older panels with non- compliant replacements often creates coordination gaps that compromise the entire protection scheme. Electrical professionals have a clear duty: specify, install, and maintain only certified circuit breakers. This involves checking test certificates, verifying the SABS or IEC markings, and insisting on documentation from reputable manufacturers. Regular inspection and testing in accordance with relevant SANS codes further ensure ongoing compliance. In an industry where milliseconds separate normal operation from catastrophe, circuit breaker compliance is the foundation of professional integrity. It protects lives, safeguards assets, and upholds the reputation of every electrical practitioner. The cost of compliance is always lower than the price of failure. Choose compliant breakers - every time. Onesto KCM1, KCMD2, and KCM5 breakers ensure the highest compliance standards and are manufactured for various applications. Giving you peace of mind that, behind the scenes, you are safe. For more information, contact: www.mce.co.za
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number of electrical incidents. In an era of increasing load densities—from EV chargers and solar inverters to data-centre expansions—fault currents are higher than ever. Only compliant devices are tested to safely interrupt these currents. Legal and financial protection. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) imposes strict duties on employers and electrical contractors. Using non-compliant equipment can make an installation illegal, expose the responsible engineer or contractor to personal liability, and invalidate insurance coverage. A single incident involving injury or property damage can lead to fines, litigation, and reputational damage that significantly surpass the modest premium paid for certified products. Reliability and system longevity. curves throughout their service life. They coordinate properly with upstream and downstream devices, preventing nuisance tripping while ensuring selective disconnection. In critical applications such as hospitals, mining operations, and manufacturing plants, this selectivity keeps essential services online and Compliant circuit breakers maintain calibrated tripping
sectors, circuit breakers are the silent guardians of every electrical installation. These compact devices safeguard wiring, equipment, and people from the destructive effects of overloads and short circuits. However, their ability to perform this life-saving function relies entirely on one non- negotiable factor: full adherence to applicable standards. Compliance is not just a bureaucratic tick-box. It is the proven assurance that a circuit breaker will function exactly as intended under fault conditions. In South Africa, there are primary benchmarks for low-voltage switchgear and control gear, miniature circuit breakers (MCBs), and a relevant SANS standard for overarching regulations. Understanding what makes a circuit breaker compliant is one thing, but why does this matter so much? Safety first. A non-compliant breaker may fail to trip, allowing sustained arcing that can ignite insulation and start fires. Statistics from the Department of Employment and Labour and insurance loss-adjusters consistently show that substandard or counterfeit protective devices contribute to a disproportionate
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Expanded test laboratory provides polymer users with more data M otion plastics manufacturer igus has expanded its international testing facilities to a total test laboratory footprint of over 5500 m² of dedicated research space to support its growing product portfolio and enable continuous improvement of its product quality. The newly expanded test laboratory now combines testing for energy chains, highly flexible Chainflex cables, iglidur plain bearings, drylin linear technology, low-cost automation components, and igus:bike applications. New developments are expected to enable a more comprehensive evaluation of product performance before reaching customers. “We have expanded our test laboratory area to support quicker innovation cycles and more comprehensive real- world testing scenarios,” says Ian Hewat of igus South Africa. “This means our customers benefit from even greater
confidence that the components they use will reliably perform in their specific applications under the most demanding conditions. A key feature of the expanded facility is the new 1500 m² test area, which enhances existing dedicated outdoor and indoor test spaces. Customers can now access testing environments that replicate real operating conditions, including outdoor weather exposure, extreme temperatures as low as -40 °C, cleanroom-compatible formulations, and tailored application trials,” says Ian. He mentions that the test laboratory carries out over 15,000 individual tests at more than 742 test stations each year. These include endurance runs, multi-axis stress tests, and application-specific cycles such as long travel simulations for energy chains and dynamic loads for bearings. The large volume of data generated in the expanded facility feeds into Igus’s online tools, including the service life calculator, product finders, CAD configurators, and predictive maintenance tools. These tools assist engineers and procurement specialists in more accurately selecting the right components for their projects. www.igus.co.za
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WIRED TO INSPIRE
SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS
APRIL 2026
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