Sparks Electrical News September 2016

DISTRIBUTION BOARDS, SWITCHES, SOCKETS AND PROTECTION

18

SPLICING CONNECTORS FOR RAPID, RELIABLE CONNECTIONS IN CONFINED SPACES

Creating a sustainable, liveable and resilient city for all Joburg residents

The executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Parks Tau (left) and the MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Cllr Matshidiso Mfikoe (right) unveil the plaque at Lufhereng Substation near Soweto on 27 July. The R260 million construc- tion of this substation will enable City Power to provide additional electricity capacity for new and existing customers in the areas that are to be supplied by this substation and related infrastructure. The substation’s generation capacity of 125 MVA will supply over 22 500 residential and business properties. The investment follows the COJ budget allocation from MMC of Finance in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Geoffrey Makhubo earlier this year. Sicelo Xulu, managing director of City Power says, “The new substation at Lufhureng will increase the security of electricity supply in Johannesburg. New technologies installed include compact switch gear using gas for insulation, which will reduce fire hazard. Security lighting and access control will monitor all movement in and out of the substation, to help minimise vandalism, theft and equipment damage. This will enable City Power to operate more efficiently will further ensure business con- tinuity and boost our ability to keep the lights on for the residents of Johannesburg.” About 120 job opportunities were created on this project, with labour sourced from local communities close to the construction sites. The utility is working towards the creation of a sustainable, liveable and resilient city for all Joburg residents, in alignment with the Joburg 2040 Vision, which dictates that it delivers services infrastructure with the capacity to respond to unexpected events.

the connectors in all situations. The transparent housing – a critical safety feature – enables easy visual inspection to ensure the wire is inserted properly and stripped to the correct length. Two accessible test ports are suitable for all standard test probes. One test point in the wire entry direction and one opposite this, provide easy test conditions, even when installed. The 221 series, with suitability for small and large loads, con- forms to international ratings up to 32 A/450 V, with a con- tinuous maximum service temperature of 105 °C and ambient operating temperatures of up to 85 °C. These two-, three- and five-wire connectors accommodate any combination of wire types, with sizes from 0,14 mm² to 4 mm² (24 – 12 AWG). These compact Wago splicing connectors, which are avail- able nationally from Magnet, are completely re-usable. The company provides a technical advisory, installation and main- tenance service throughout Southern Africa.

MAGNET has extended its range of products for electrical instal- lations to include Wago’s 221 series compact splicing connectors for all wire types. “Wago’s new splicing connectors, which are 40% smaller than the previous series, enable solid, stranded and fine- stranded wires to be connected faster and more reliably, without the need for any tools,” says Brian Howarth, manag- ing director of the Magnet Group. “The flexibility of the design means these connectors can be used wherever different wires have to be connected in a confined space. “This series is suitable for use in diverse applications, includ- ing general electrical installations, junction boxes, lighting fix- tures and for the connection of motor leads. These connectors are also used for mobile applications, including recreational and emergency vehicles.” The compact 221 series, with reduced dimensions, is suitable for space restricted applications and has been designed for future expansion if required. For comfortable and easy handling, the operating levers can be opened and closed using less force. Sidewall indentations provide a firm grip on

Setting efficiency benchmark in sheet metal fabrication

Enquiries: +27 31 274 1998

low voltage

World Power Products’ Igmar van Rie (factory manager); Samuel Maluleke; Jan Gortzen (managing director) and Elias Mtshali inspect electrical enclosures powder coated in B26 orange. High-precision, custom-designed sheet metal products and components account for 70% of World Power Products’ production with the balance focused on standard line items including standard mild steel and stainless steel enclo- sures and cabinets as well as locks and hinges. Görtzen says that product develop- ment has resulted in a new range of standard enclosures, which will be aimed at the entry level market. “We are also expanding our market footprint into the renewable energy sector,” he adds. Enquiries: +27 11 680 5524

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2016