Sparks Electrical News December 2021

DBS, SWITCHES, SOCKETS AND PROTECTION

13

Highly efficient home automation solutions improve safety and enhance energy efficiency

H omeowners all over the world are looking for simple and cost-efficient ways to have a per- fectly connected home. The investment in a home is one of our greatest commitments, which is why it’s important to enhance the value of our proper- ties by maximising comfort and improving security at home. According to Legrand specialists, smart homes are no longer an intimidating and unaffordable luxury, but with the advancement of user-friendly technology, home automation is now easily attainable. Through ‘Arteor with Netatmo’, which is easy to install, configure and use, Legrand has made smart homes a reality for South African homeowners. Legrand’s Arteor with Netatmo is a collection of connected switches and socket outlets that make home automation effortless. This convenient system adds comfort, simplicity and safety to daily life, at the same time ensuring energy savings to combat esca- lating electricity costs.

Arteor with Netatmo is a radio technology and Wi-Fi enabled solution which simplifies usage by making complex functions in home automation easy to use. This home automation system offers homeowners and electricians the freedom to cre- ate a connected, customised home by combining controls and features to manage scenarios, create centralised functions and allow remote-control of individual functions – to suit exact requirements. Users are impressed at how many useful functions can be implemented in the installation, using a few simple components. Legrand’s voice-control technology makes it even easier and more hygienic to control the home, by minimising the need to touch surfaces. Users sim- ply need to give uncomplicated voice commands to Siri, Google Assistant or Alexa, to manage lights and home appliances, without lifting a finger. It’s as easy as saying: “OK Google, turn off my bedroom lights” – Google Home; “Hi Alexa, open my blinds to 50%”

Msebe acquires a controlling stake in Power Process Systems

Nhlanhla Zondo and Michael du Toit.

Legrand’s Netatmo smart range encompasses connected security, energy, weather and air care products. Netatmo smart security systems include secu- rity cameras, alarms, window and door sensors, and sirens and smoke alarms that offer total peace of mind. With Netatmo security products, users are alerted wherever they are, via the Netatmo App. Smart thermostats and radiator valves, which can be used in conjunction with existing heating systems, are designed to save energy while enhancing com- fort in the home. The Netatmo smart home weather station, rain gauge and anemometer efficiently measure and analyse the indoor and outdoor environment, while smart indoor air quality monitors ensure the best noise level for sound sleeping or the correct humid- ity levels for a child with asthma. This smart monitor, with advanced sensors, highlights potential prob- lems and advises on how to fix them. Luxul wireless routers also form part of connected home solutions by combining wired router function- ality with extended coverage, dual-band wireless technology. Legrand is committed to making smart connect- ed homes easily accessible for South African home- owners and continues to develop new products and upgrade existing systems to ensure the best smart home experience. The company’s team of home automation experts offers a technical advisory and support service throughout the country.

– Amazon Alexa and “Hey Siri, turn on my kitchen socket.” This flexible system is easily integrated into exist- ing installations, requiring no additional wiring, as it uses the existing electrical infrastructure. To upgrade or extend an installation, Arteor with Netatmo wire- less connected controls can be paired with wired devices. Selected scenarios can be modified and upgraded at any time, according to changing needs. By using wireless switches, users have their controls always exactly where they want them. If furniture is re-arranged or small children need to be able to reach a switch, the wireless switches can be repositioned easily at any time. All functions can also be used in the traditional way via switches on the wall. Arteor with Netatmo creates central control of lights, curtains and roller blinds and also manages scenarios in and away from the home. A single press of a button turns off the lights and closes curtains and shutters, as the user leaves home. A scenario can be set to switch off lights and socket outlets when users go to bed and, in the morning, they can enjoy the ‘wake up’ scenario, where a soft light comes on and curtains open automatically. It is also possible to simulate presence when no-one is at home. In the event of a power failure, fire alarm signal or safety siren while users are away, the app gives an automatic alert so appropriate action can be taken. Greater energy efficiency is achieved by checking real-time energy consumption and doing in-depth analysis.

E Toth, N Zondo, M du Toit, F Zondo and C du Toit.

commitment, is very keen to participate in driving the business to grow this investment. Power Process Systems will be celebrating its 30 th birthday in 2023. During the company’s tenure it has supplied meter kiosks, pole boxes, distribution cabi- nets and stubbies to some of the largest and most complex reticulation projects in the country. Today, with facilities in the Western Cape and Gauteng, the business has long standing relationships with most municipalities, Eskom, developers and contractors across South Africa, and have supplied major con- tracts in Namibia, Botswana, Uganda and some Eu- ropean customers. “We are excited about the future,” says Mike du Toit of the present team. “We have connected with a business and people who we are confident will share our commitment and passion to grow the business into the future sustainably. Msebe has put their mon- ey where their mouth is – they now have as much a vested interest in the business as all our shareholders. And as Nhlanhla pointed out, this was not a rushed transaction – it has been done right.” The present and incumbent shareholders have engaged in many transactions and projects togeth- er to date and are comfortably familiar with each other and what each brings to the partnership.

Msebe Investment Holdings (Msebe), an investment company with interests in energy, health and retail, has announced that it has acquired a controlling stake in Power Process Systems (PPS), an electrical enclo- sure and distribution equipment manufacturer. All the Binding Agreements were concluded on 4 October 2021. Msebe will take an active and operational role in the business with Nhlanhla Zondo (director) and Msebe’s technical team working directly with the PPS management staff. Zondo is an accomplished electri- cal engineer with more than 25 years’ business and operational experience and has held various leader- ship roles in South Africa. He is currently a registered Professional Engineer with ECSA as well as a director at Msebe. “We have been driving towards this eventuality for a few years now and we are excited by the prospects of growing the company’s footprint and strengthening the business. The investment represents an important strategic opportunity, one which has not been fully re- alised due to limited transformation efforts – fortu- nately, that all changes now,” says Zondo. A significant feature of this acquisition is that there is no funding arrangement or equity scheme. This is a straightforward buy and sell transaction. Msebe Investment Holdings has purchased its shares off its own balance sheet, and having made the financial

Enquiries: legrand.south-africa@legrand.co.za

Enquiries: www.ppspower.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

DECEMBER 2021