CBI-electric: low voltage - Experts & Thought Leaders

Financial pressures in South Africa and across Africa have led to a surge in demand for cheaper products, creating a lucrative market for counterfeiters. This has even extended to electrical goods, which have infiltrated between 40% and 80% of markets on the continent, posing a potentially lethal risk to millions of consumers.  At best, they simply might not operate, but in the worst case, these products may result in unprotected installations, with burns or electrical shocks being inflicted on users as a result. In severe circumstances, fires or fatalities occur. Flood of uncertified components “Unfortunately, wherever there is demand, counterfeiters will find opportunities to profit,” points out Dr. Andrew Dickson, Engineering Executive at CBi-electric: low voltage. “A case in point is solar power systems which have been surging in popularity especially in South Africa. This has led to a flood of uncertified components and substandard solar panels, raising concerns from the electricity minister and local solar companies.” “Despite the risks, the tempting price tag of counterfeit electrical products keeps them in high demand,” he notes. “Consumers are unfortunately unaware of the implications of these purchases. This short-term focus on price, coupled with the absence of immediate consequences can lead to a preference for cheaper counterfeit goods.” Key difference between real and counterfeit electrical goods Dickson compares a R50 counterfeit circuit breaker to a genuine one costing R100 Illustrating the long-term cost-implications for consumers, Dr. Dickson compares a R50 counterfeit circuit breaker to a genuine one costing R100. “The short-term savings might seem appealing, but the potential repercussions are severe. A malfunction could lead to damage to property or personal injury, so the total cost of losses from a counterfeit product far exceeds the initial savings gained from their purchase.” He highlights that a key difference between real and counterfeit electrical goods lies in the materials used. “With manufacturers of these items cutting corners, this translates to the use of substandard materials. For example, instead of using tested and compliant plastic materials that are non-flammable or self-extinguishing to produce products and components, they use cheap, untested, and non-compliant alternatives." "This is a huge health and safety hazard as they are highly flammable, do not self-extinguish and may also produce toxic smoke, making the electrical installation unsafe and consequently putting the consumer at risk.” Investing in compliant electrical goods Dickson investing in compliant electrical goods offers a wealth of benefits that far outweigh a cheaper version “Additionally, authentic products undergo rigorous testing to meet stringent safety, environmental, and performance standards and regulations required both domestically and internationally, which is why they tend to be more expensive. Counterfeit products, however, bypass these essential checks, as compliance is costly and time-consuming,” adds Dr. Dickson. Beyond safety, he shares that investing in compliant electrical goods offers a wealth of benefits that far outweigh a cheaper version, as these products typically last longer since they are made with better materials and construction. “Compliant products offer an extended lifespan, saving consumers money on replacements. In addition to comprehensive safety assessments, these products undergo accelerated life tests which include exposure to harsh environmental conditions such as aging and salt spray. They also perform better and are more efficient.” Importance of using reputable suppliers and contractors Dr. Dickson observes that despite efforts by African governments to implement safety, quality, and environmental regulations for electrical goods, the primary challenge lies in the blatant disregard by counterfeiters. “This, however, is being driven by the demand for cheaper, non-compliant products, and is a trend evident not only among individuals but also businesses and even government institutions.” “Legitimate manufacturers, certification bodies and distributors have a shared responsibility to inform consumers about the risks associated with counterfeit electrical goods, so they understand that the lower cost is not worth the risk,” he stresses. “Additionally, by providing guidance on identifying genuine items and the importance of using reputable suppliers and electrical contractors, we can empower consumers to make informed choices.” Illuminate the economic and safety hazards If consumers come across counterfeit electrical products, Dr. Dickson advises that they report them to the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa and/or to their nearest police station. “The difference between life and death can hinge on a plug. While the initial price of authentic products might be higher, it pays off in the long run,” he concludes. Recognising that informed consumers can help curb the counterfeit trade, CBi-electric: low voltage has produced a white paper titled “Pulling the Plug on Counterfeit Electrical Goods in Africa”. The document, which aims to illuminate the economic and safety hazards posed by counterfeit products and provide a multi-pronged approach to combatting their prevalence on the continent.

With a 12% year-on-year growth in revenue per available room (RevPAR) anticipated this summer, South Africa’s hospitality sector is preparing for a lucrative festive season. To maximize profitability, hotels, guesthouses, and other hospitality establishments are encouraged to embrace smart technologies. Energy efficiency powers hospitality This is according to Dr. Andrew Dickson, engineering executive at CBi-electric: low voltage, who says that smart technologies can reduce energy consumption in hotels by as much as 30%. “Although energy costs represent a relatively small fraction of hospitality business turnover, reducing them directly translates into higher revenue. With energy prices escalating, these savings are more critical than ever.” “Curbing energy usage also supports sustainability efforts as the hospitality industry accounts for 1% of global carbon emissions, with hotels contributing about 21% of this share,” he notes. “Additionally, 83% of tourists globally consider sustainable travel important and 75% want to travel more sustainably in the coming year." IoT solves energy wastage Smart isolator with occupancy sensors ensures that electricity is automatically turned off when a room is vacant Stan Wilson, Head: Product Management and Value Engineering at CBi-electric: low voltage, explains how IoT solutions like the Astute Smart Isolator (ASI) can help optimize energy management. “This tool provides valuable insights into electricity consumption, enabling businesses to control the amount of electricity guests use and avoid unexpected utility costs that eat into profits.” To illustrate, he points out that combining a smart isolator with occupancy sensors ensures that electricity is automatically turned off when a room is vacant and restored when guests return. “Additionally, power can be programmed to shut off at the designated checkout time, helping ensure guests depart on time and allowing cleaning crews to prepare the room for the next arrival.” Other connected smart devices Wilson adds that a smart device designed for centralized management of multiple devices or systems, can communicate with and instruct other connected smart devices to perform a particular action. “Using an app, staff can remotely control geysers through Astute Smart Controllers (ASCs), air-conditioners via smart isolators, and refrigerators connected to Astute Smart Plugs (ASPs) in unoccupied units. This allows them to deactivate appliances when not in use and reactivate them prior to guest arrivals, minimizing energy waste and eliminating the need for manual intervention from maintenance teams.” Use smart isolators and automation  "Some hotels schedule geyser and fridge downtimes between certain times, when rooms are not occupied to save energy without compromising guest satisfaction.” “Additionally, accommodation staff can remotely adjust schedules or override settings via an app to cater to individual guest preferences. Unit owners with hot tubs can use smart isolators and an automation to ensure guests don't leave these high-energy-consuming appliances running continuously,” shares Dr. Dickson. Simplified power outage management Solar PV systems to prepare for random interruptions to the national grid power supply Although South Africa has been free of load shedding since March, he cautions managers of holiday properties equipped with solar PV systems to prepare for unexpected interruptions to the national grid power supply caused by load reduction, severe weather conditions, or increased cable theft. “An Astute Smart Power Indicator (ASPI) can send real-time outage alerts to property owners, enabling them to take immediate action —either through manual or automated intervention— such as turning off high-energy appliances and staggering their restart to prevent power surges. It also regulates voltage to protect devices when power is restored, ensuring that the voltage remains within a safe operating range.” Adoption of smart technology Dr. Dickson highlights that in these properties, the tool keeps essential infrastructure, like lighting, running when mains power is disrupted. “This allows users to deactivate energy-hungry appliances such as geysers and pool pumps, preserving battery life and preventing the system from overloading.” “The adoption of smart technology is a crucial step forward for the hospitality industry, offering deeper insights into energy consumption and system performance. By connecting devices and automating processes, property managers can optimize operations, conserve energy, reduce waste and improve the guest experience. Doing so ultimately increases profitability - all while ensuring guest satisfaction remains a top priority,” he concludes.

South Africa has committed to net-zero emissions by 2050, but the country’s power crisis is putting achieving this in jeopardy. Consequently, the cabinet has recently approved the Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan (JET IP), which will purportedly guide South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy through the scaling up of renewable energy sources while also meeting the country’s energy needs and ensuring inclusive economic growth and employment. However, a balanced portfolio that includes nuclear power should be considered as a more holistic solution. Backup power or energy storage solutions This is according to Dr. Andrew Dickson, Engineering Executive at CBI-electric: low voltage who explains that nuclear power plants provide a stable base load supply of energy. “Conversely, renewable energy sources like solar and wind have output gaps when the sun sets, or the wind stops blowing and therefore require backup power or energy storage solutions. Additionally, a typical nuclear reactor easily produces 1GW of electricity per plant and requires about 3.4 km2 of land to do so, whereas solar farms need between 116 km2 and 200 km2 to generate the same amount of electricity and 670 km2 to 930 km2 for wind.” Transmission grid capacity constraints Dickson notes that nuclear power plants reportedly emit no greenhouse gases during operation Moreover, he adds that, unlike renewable energy projects, which are currently hampered by transmission grid capacity constraints in places like the Northern Cape, the Western Cape, and some parts of the Eastern Cape where these natural resources are in abundance, nuclear power plants can be constructed in areas with greater grid capacity. Highlighting the role it could play in combating climate change, Dr. Dickson notes that nuclear power plants reportedly emit no greenhouse gases during operation. Carbon emission footprint Dickson added: “Furthermore, over the course of their lifecycle, nuclear plants are said to produce about the same amount of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per unit of electricity as wind, and one-third of the emissions per unit of electricity when compared with solar." "This does not take into account the carbon emission footprint of grid-scale battery storage, including all steps in the manufacture of the battery from mining and refining of the materials used through to recycling the battery once it comes to the end of its lifespan.” Decarbonize electricity by 2035 France has committed to fully decarbonize electricity by 2035 and will phase out coal entirely by 2024 In France, for example, 88% of electricity is produced from zero emission sources with nuclear accounting for 63% of its energy mix and wind at 12%.  This has led to the country becoming the European Union’s largest producer of zero-emission power and being far ahead of other EU countries in decarbonizing electricity. France has committed to fully decarbonize electricity by 2035 and will phase out coal entirely by 2024. Concerns about the safety of nuclear power “Despite all this, South Africa only makes use of 1.9 GW of nuclear power versus 3.4 GW of wind and 2.3 GW of solar,” he points out. “While there are concerns about the safety of nuclear power, largely due to two major accidents: Chernobyl in Ukraine in 1986, and Fukushima in Japan in 2011, this does not compare to the number of deaths that are caused annually from pollution from coal-fired plants." "In fact, a report by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air has found that Eskom’s coal power stations alone are responsible for approximately 2,200 deaths every year. Nuclear has actually been deemed one of the safest sources of energy - even more so than wind.” Net-zero emissions commitment “And while it takes on average around eight years to build a nuclear reactor versus two to six months to construct a wind farm and eight to 12 months for a solar farm, delays in the Renewable Independent Power Producer Programme have meant that these projects aren’t being built much faster,” highlights Dr. Dickson. “Additionally, with nuclear plants, we will be able to generate gigawatts of electricity unlike renewable projects, which only produce a couple hundred megawatts in some cases.” “By increasing the amount of nuclear power in South Africa’s energy mix, this could help to ensure a bigger, better and more stable baseload, which in turn will help to bring about an end to load shedding, spur economic growth and enable us to uphold our net zero emissions commitment,” he concludes.