Sparks Electrical News April 2025

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER | EDITOR’S COLUMN

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Turning challenges into opportunities

applications, smart energy meters and power factor correction units from ACDC Dynamics help monitor and regulate electricity usage. These systems provide real-time insights into power consumption and power quality, helping businesses identify inefficiencies and make informed decisions to reduce costs. This can lead to reductions in Max Demand and Reactive Power charges. Lighting accounts for a significant portion of energy usage in homes and businesses. Switching to LED lighting can lead to substantial savings. ACDC Dynamics offers a wide range of energy-efficient LED bulbs, floodlights, and industrial lighting solutions that consume up to 80% less electricity compared to traditional lighting. As electricity costs continue to rise, proactive energy management is essential. By investing in solar solutions, timers, smart automation, and LED technology from ACDC Dynamics, consumers can take control of their energy consumption while enjoying long-term savings. “Whether you are a homeowner looking to reduce your monthly bill or a business aiming to cut operational costs, the right combination of technology and strategic planning can make a significant difference,” said ACDC Dynamics. “Visit ACDC Dynamics today to explore a wide range of energy-efficient solutions tailored to your needs.” also spoke about the long-term energy-saving benefits of solar (below, on page 3). According to ACDC, by integrating solar energy, timers, and smart automation, homeowners and businesses can significantly cut down on their electricity bills. There clearly is an opportunity here. If there’s one thing I know about South Africans, it’s that we’re very good at making a plan and turning challenges into opportunities. Perhaps the end of loadshedding doesn’t have to be bleak news for those in the solar sector. What other opportunities are we missing by staring ourselves blind at the challenges instead? Speaking of turning challenges into opportunities, our profile this month is an interview with Vera Maditsi from the Institute of Energy Professionals Africa (IEPA). Vera’s journey from trainee to trainer is truly inspiring. (Read more on page 2.) What else is happening? In this edition, we look at Motor Control Centres, Cables, Lighting and more. Congratulations to Ptytrade 228 for turning 21 (Page 5), to Fuchs Lubricants for doubling their sales volume (page 6), and RS Group for being included in the CPD A List (page 2). Did you know ElectroMechanica has expanded its range to include electric motors too? (Page 6) On page 14, Radiant discusses LED

retrofitting and why it’s necessary, while on the next page (page 15), Henk Rotman from IESSA looks at boosting energy efficiency with lighting controls. Also on page 15, read more about BEKA Schréder supplying solar lighting to waste water treatment works in the Eastern Cape. It’s inspiring to see so many local companies and individuals doing such great things. What is your proudest achievement? Perhaps you finished a nice project or got a new certification? Maybe you landed a new job... If you want to share your story (or that of someone you admire), feel free to reach out to me any day. I love learning more about what’s happening on the ground.

these appliances should turn on and off, ensuring they operate only when needed. They can also monitor electricity usage, which, in conjunction with using the PV to power high-usage appliances during the day, will lead to savings. For instance, a geyser timer can be set to run only during off peak hours, significantly reducing electricity costs. Similarly, timers for pool pumps can ensure they operate for just a few hours a day instead of running continuously. Businesses can also benefit from timer switches for signage and office lighting, reducing unnecessary power usage after hours (e.g. in the early hours of the morning when few people are active). Smart technology is revolutionising energy efficiency. ACDC Dynamics’ range of smart plugs, motion sensors, and automated control systems allow users to manage their power consumption remotely. Smart plugs enable users to switch off appliances from their smartphones, preventing standby power wastage. Motion sensors and daylight harvesting controls are another game-changer in energy conservation. ACDC Dynamics’ motion-activated lighting solutions ensure that lights are only on when needed. This is particularly beneficial in office buildings, warehouses, and outdoor security lighting. For industrial and commercial that little app tells me my power woes have been “suspended”, but I’m certain there are many others who don’t share in that joy. After speaking to several local industry professionals about this topic, I’m starting to realise it doesn’t have to be one or the other – we can both be happy. Me having electricity and the solar industry making money aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. What we need is perhaps as simple as a mindset shift. Moving from simply seeing solar as a back-up to viewing it as a way to save energy and money. Yes, it’s great to have solar for a backup-up when you get that 55-minute loadshedding warning, but what about the rest of the time? What if solar could be saving users money every day? This was one of the key topics that came up when I met with industry doyen Trevor van der Vyver from Maxlite to discuss the state of the industry and potential challenges and opportunities. Trevor has been working with solar since 1974 – since before I was even born – and truly has a wealth of knowledge on the subject. Check out his view on solar and other local issues on our cover page (page 1). Trevor wasn’t the only one who brought up this topic. ACDC Dynamics

For now, I hope you enjoy this edition.

Ilana Koegelenberg sparks@crown.co.za

Ilana Koegelenberg

W ith loadshedding becoming more infrequent (and annoyingly inconsistent), many working in the solar sector are becoming increasingly frustrated by the seemingly dwindling opportunity to promote their solar solutions. Sure, as an end user, I’m super happy when

Smart energy management: saving electricity with ACDC Dynamics W ith Eskom’s rising electricity tariffs, South Africans are feeling the pressure to reduce energy costs. While many pumps, and outdoor lights running longer than necessary. ACDC Dynamics offers a range of programmable timers that allow users to schedule when

have turned to solar as a solution for load shedding, its potential for long term savings is often overlooked. By integrating solar energy, timers, and smart automation, homeowners and businesses can significantly cut down on their electricity bills. ACDC Dynamics offers a range of products designed to help users optimise their energy consumption efficiently. Many households and businesses invest in solar solutions as a backup power source, but its true benefit lies in its ability to reduce overall energy costs. ACDC Dynamics provides high-quality solar panels, inverters, and energy storage solutions that allow users to generate and store their own electricity. By using solar energy during peak tariff hours and switching to grid power during off-peak times, consumers can drastically lower their electricity expenses in commercial settings. ACDC Dynamics’ range of solar inverters seamlessly integrates into existing electrical systems, ensuring that users maximise the energy harvested from the sun. By combining these with an energy storage system, excess solar energy is harvested during the day and can be used to supply the loads during the night. Another simple yet effective way to cut down on electricity consumption is by using timers to control high-energy appliances. Many people unknowingly waste power by leaving geysers, pool

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SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

APRIL 2025