Sparks Electrical News February 2019

DBS, SWITCHES, SOCKETS AND PROTECTION

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NEW SLIMLINE SOCKETS OFFER VERSATILITY WHILE MEETING REGULATIONS

HIGH QUALITY AND LONG LASTING PROTECTION

the end user will have controlled access via two switches to a three socket outlet within a 4x4 footprint. Catering for both the slimline earthed plugtops as well as the non-earthed euro 2-pin plugtops, these two slimline sockets cater for multiple applications. Another benefit for the end user is that the three outlets limits the need for adaptors. The 164-1 socket is accompanied by two slimline sockets to meet the new building regulations as well as to allow for user versatility.

CRABTREE ELECTRICAL has recently introduced a new com- bination socket to the market. Locally designed and manufac- tured, the socket boasts a variety of benefits for installers as well as end users. Featuring a triangular layout box terminal design, the 16 A 250 V rated monoblock socket allows for easy, hassle free wiring and installation. The large mov- ing box terminal size allows for easy wiring and wire looping for thick wires with its exceptional clamping ability. Wire entries are all from one angle and screws from another angle to ensure that the wiring process is easy and convenient. Once installed,

ONESTO is a Sino-European joint venture company that boasts fully automated production and testing systems. All ONESTO products are manufactured in accordance with international standards and the company is internationally recognised as a high quality and reliable brand which is now available in 20 global markets. ONESTO’s circuit breakers offer protection against overloads and short circuits caused by lightning strikes, electrical surges or load shedding, and thus provide a vital safeguard against fires and electric shocks. ONESTO’s thermal magnetic overcurrent limiting design provides fast short circuit interruption which re- duces the energy let through in time to prevent damage to the protected circuit, connected equipment and appliances.

MCE Electric supplies a complete range of ac and dc miniature DIN rail mounted ONESTO circuit breakers which are approved in accordance with the IEC 60947-2 and IEC 60898 standards. Available with C or D trip curve characteristics, they are suitable for domestic and commercial applications. Single- pole, two-pole, three-pole and four-pole models are available, rated up to 125 A with optional 3 kA, 6 kA and 10 kA breaking capacities. ONESTO circuit breakers are designed and manufactured with high quality and reliable long lasting protection in mind.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 874 7600

Article by Wesley Batho

Enquiries: www.mce.co.za

“In his words, he owes his family a lot of time,” notes van Rooyen, pointing out that after 26-odd years with a business you do not simply cut ties. “He will still be available for a chat, and despite the ‘changing of the guard’ becoming official on January 1st of this year, Rod is here until the end of March. When he walks away, having invested so much time in the company, he will want to know he has left a stable company in the right hands.” The road ahead for HellermannTyton The new management duo want to ensure that the company’s brand and products remain number one in the chosen markets in Sub-Saharan Africa, and also want to grow the product offering into renewable energy. “We see that as a key growth area, along with the engineering division we acquired three years ago,” says Middleton. Focus will be placed on the plastic injec- tion tool design and manufacturing division of the business where custom moulding has been identified as a possible growth area. “We all know that the economy is not where it should be, so if there’s no growth you have to go and find it and diversification is key,” states van Rooyen. With this in mind, being solutions-based, as opposed to product-based is imperative. “We want to gear the business towards providing solutions, whereby we help with the design of product, as well as the manufacture; providing a total solution for clients,” he says. Middleton notes that with times being tougher, HellermannTyton is aiming to provide a better, faster and smarter solution. “As we are part of the global HellermannTyton group, we have the strength of the group behind us, which gives us access to global design teams and software, so although we can provide a local solution, it is with the backing of a large global team.” Challenges to overcome “Our biggest challenge at the moment is Eskom and, apart from other obvi- ous risks, we are a player in the electrical industry. If your only electricity sup- plier fails, that is a problem,” says van Rooyen. “You can try to mitigate it as far as possible,” continues Middleton, “but if there is no electricity, the electrical market will not grow. As we have mentioned, we are diversifying, however, our roots are still strongly based in the classic electrical market in South Africa – it’s our core income stream. Eskom’s failures and load shedding have an immediate and very direct impact on the company due to the fact that we are a local manufacturer.” The pair still feels positive about the future, however. “Despite Eskom and some of the political challenges the country faces, the positive is that with a small amount of effort we have a lot of turnaround potential in South Africa,” explains Middleton. “We are rich in natural resources, we have good work eth- ics, we have skilled people and we have quality manufacturing in the country. It is not as if we have to build all that – it exists. With some key focuses, I think the potential for a quick turnaround is there,” Van Rooyen agrees; “The signs are that things are about to change.” Despite the changes internally at HellermannTyton, it is clear that the new management team in charge of the company is ready to drive the company forward by leading by example. “I have always prided myself on being an enabler and being inclusive, and that style will continue in my management,” says Middleton. “Although management leads by example, you cannot do everything and need to offer an environment where people can flourish. With Gerhard and me at the helm, it is still the same HellermannTyton people have come to trust.” NEWHELLERMANNTYTON MANAGEMENT TEAM ANNOUNCED CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Enquiries: www.hellermanntyton.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

FEBRUARY 2019