News Electrical

The next article in our series on Circuit Breakers discusses a few common types of breakers. Missed out on the first two articles? Follow the links below to catch up on parts one and two in the series: Part One - Gain an understanding of what circuit breakers are, how they work and how they compare to fuses. Part Two - Learn about...

In this NEW series, we will be taking you through the ins and outs of circuit breaker technology. Part one of the series shares a basic understanding of what circuit breakers are, how they work and how they compare to fuses. In Part two below, we get into the detail of circuit breaker components. Watch this space to catch the full series! What does a circuit breaker comprise of? Although low and medium voltage circuit breakers have unique designs that are speci...

High magnitude abnormal currents could be a result of various faults that may occur at your facility. These lead to the unnecessary replacement of equipment and electrical wiring - a costly affair, especially if it causes production downtime…. Is there protection that will prevent this from happening in your facility? In this NEW series, we will be taking you through the ins and outs of circuit breaker technology. In part one of the series, we give you an understanding of what circuit breakers are, how they work and how they compare to fuses. What is a Circuit Breaker? A circuit breaker is an ...

Transient earth faults can be dangerous to your workforce, and can also be the cause of significant downtime. Is your facility adequately protected against them? In this article, we’re giving you a basic understanding of transient earth faults, how to detect them and how to prevent them. Describing Transient Earth Faults A transient earth fault is an inadvertent fault that occurs when a conductive path is created between the phase and ground conductor. It results in the electrical system being short-circuited and this current then flows through the system. The cause of Transient Earth Faults ...

The first “thing” on the Internet was created in 1982: a soda machine at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that reported on the number and the temperature of the drinks it contained. It was unique back then, but by some point in 2008 or 2009, the number of things connected to the Internet came to exceed the world’s human population for the first time in history. Since then, the “Internet of Things” (IoT) has experienced a rapid expansion. According to predictions, the number of “things” will exceed 30 billion in 2020 and 75 billion in 2025, worth an estimated $1.6 trilli...

If you’re in the market for a UPS, read our quick article to learn UPS basics, the type of protection they offer, and what important considerations you should keep front of mind when selecting a UPS… What is a UPS? An uninterruptible power supply or uninterruptible power source (UPS) is a device that: 1. Provides back-up power when utility power fails, either long enough for critical equipment to shut down gracefully so that no data is lost, or long enough to keep required loads operational until a generator comes online. 2. Conditions incoming power so that all-too-common sags and surges...

Safety, innovation and technology – these words have become synonymous with the Marechal Electric brand and their extensive portfolio of low voltage electrical industrial plug and socket outlets. These words also accurately capture the essence of EVO, the world's first separable switch disconnector… A customer’s pain point: When it comes to industrial electrical equipment, it’s not a simple process to connect or disconnect a plug and socket outlet under load. There are several protocols to follow, such as: - calling out a qualified electrician - ensuring the electrician and his team ...

READ | The latest edition of SANS 10142-1 has been published! The third edition of SANS10142-1 (The wiring of premises Part 1: LV installations) has recently been published. In this article, we’ll outline why the standard was revised, along with the most important changes made. What is SANS 10142-1? This South African standard is referenced for all forms of low voltage electrical installations. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act) deems it compulsory for electrical installations to comply with all requirements of the standard. Moreover, the OHS Act stipulates that a registere...

Grounding is so much more important than most people think! Grounding errors can cause electrical shock, fires, equipment damage, and power quality problems. In this article, we’ll give you a basic understanding of grounding and outline its importance. What is a ground? The US National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 100 defines a ground as: “a conducting connection, whether intentional or accidental, between an electrical circuit or equipment and the earth, or to some conducting body that serves in place ...

Magnet is an authorised channel partner for Brady - global leaders in safety solutions. Brady identifies and protects products, people, and premises with high performance labels, industrial label printers, software, safety & facility identification, spill control, Lockout Tagout solutions and more!  Brady helps you create and maintain safer work environments and comply with regulatory standards. Their high-performance materials clearly identify products, components and other assets, even in the most extreme conditions. Brady offers solutions for: - Area and logistics marking...

Safety is still a prevalent topic that needs to be kept front of mind - no matter how compliant your facility is, or how informed you assume your employees may be… Facilities that prioritize workplace safety report fewer accidents and a higher productivity rate. The best tip for a safer facility is to make it visual. Hazard communication using labels and signage assists workers to clearly identify risks. In this article, we provide a few reminders on workplace safety – a great read to share with all your colleagues and staff! How safe is your workplace? Standardizing all processes and pr...

Temperature can be a sign of trouble ahead. With Fluke thermal cameras you can detect issues before they become problems. Designed for everyday use, in the toughest industrial environments, Fluke offers infrared cameras for a wide range of applications. Handheld Thermal Cameras: Ideal for preventive maintenance, electrical inspections, and frontline troubleshooting 1. Troubleshooting and line inspection Compact PTi120 Pocket Thermal Camera 2. Preventive maintenance and analysis Ti300+ Thermal Camera...

What is Partial Discharge?  A partial discharge (PD) is an electrical discharge or spark that bridges a small portion of the high voltage insulation between two conducting electrodes or a conducting electrode and earth. Partial discharge can occur at any point in the insulation system, where the electric field strength exceeds the breakdown strength of the insulating material. PD activity can have a detrimental effect on your MV and HV assets.  Click here ...

Did you know that regular inspections using infrared cameras can help keep your facility’s systems running efficiently? Using thermal imagers is also a safer way to detect system failures, especially in hazardous environments. Whether you’re looking for hot or cold spots, or the apparent surface temperature of a component or target area, using infrared cameras help you find problems quickly and safely. In this article, we’re discussing the use of infrared cameras in industry for preventive maintenance and the promotion of safety. Let’s start by taking a glance at how infrared cameras work, the...

The electrical event that produces the most significant downtime is the transient. A transient is also known as a spike or surge, although, generally these terms refer loosely to the same event. Transients are high energy (with magnitudes in the thousands of volts) and short duration (with rise times in the 1 to 10 microsecond range). Since they are sub-cycle events, they should not be confused with longer duration events such as swells or temporary over-voltages. Click here...

In Part 1 of this informative 2-part read, we began by outlining what power factor is. In Part 2, we discuss power factor correction and how it is performed to achieve a maximum power factor of 1 (unity). The power of unity Power factor correction is performed to restore the power factor as close as possible to unity. This is done with the addition of capacitors to the electrical network. It will compensate for the reacti...

Think you may have poor power factor, or any other power quality issue? Then inquire about a-eberle's PQI-DA Smart. This robust power quality analyser and fault recorder detects issues such as transient activity, voltage dips and swells, harmonics and much more!  Click here to download a full product brochure now! Click here to chat to one of our experts for an a-eberle solution for your facility now!? ...

We’re wrapping up our Power Quality series by giving an overview on power factor and the correction of poor power factor. If you missed our previous articles in the series, click below to catch up now!     1. An Introduction to Power Quality     2. Understanding Power Quality issues and what to do about them:         a) Voltage instability...

Did you know that we are an Eaton Premium Distributor? We stock a comprehensive range of Eaton products and solutions at competitive prices. Think Eaton, think Magnet! Watch a quick video on Eaton’s C441 Motor Insight Solid State Protection Relays – Eaton’s offering within the C400 series of advanced motor protection … Click here to inquire now! ...

Design. Preview. Print. All from your phone, with Brady's M211 Label Printer... • Built for the job site:  Running all day on a powerful battery while resisting drops, shocks and crushes, all in a lightweight and wearable printer • Easy to use: Seamlessly design, preview, print, save and share labels from your familiar smartphone using the Express Labels Mobile App • Quick: Easier and faster with the enhanced communication between the Brady Authentic cartridges and the printer • Innovative: Now with both pre-sized and continuous labels in the familiar M21-catridge format, filled with rel...

Over the past few weeks, we’ve discussed facets of Power Quality in our new series. We’re just scratching the surface of Power Quality (PQ) to give you a basic understanding on the aspects that contribute to poor PQ, and what you can do about them: Understanding Power Quality Understanding Power Quality issues and what to do about them: a) Voltage instability...

  In the first article of our new series, we learnt that good power quality saves money and time, ensures a safer workplace, prolonged equipment life and increased efficiency. On the other hand, we also learnt that poor power quality often leads to reduced energy efficiency, and various other downsides. Power Quality has become increasingly prevalent in industry. Power Quality is also such a vast topic that can be discussed at length. We’re just scratching the surface of Power Quality (PQ) to give you a basic unde...

What is power quality, and how important is it? Good power quality saves money and time, ensures a safer workplace, prolonged equipment life and increased efficiency. On the other hand, poor power quality often leads to reduced energy efficiency, and various other downsides. The topic of Power Quality has become increasingly prevalent. Power Quality is also such a vast topic that can be discussed at length. In this series, we’re scratching the surface of Power Quality (PQ) to give you a basic understanding on the aspects that contribute to poor PQ, and what you can do about them: Underst...

Schneider’s Illuminated Emergency Stop Our extensive range of Schneider Electric products and solutions includes the Harmony XB5 range of illuminated Emergency Stops. Emergency stops are an integral part of all machinery installations. Schneider innovated the Illuminated E-Stop with two customer pain points in mind: 1. Difficulty in locating an emergency stop in a dark or crowded environment 2. Difficulty in locating the activated emergency stop in long machines Locating an emergency stop quickly is crucial, as a second too late could result not only in production loss, but also the potentia...

Make the most of your energy with Schneider Electric's Altivar Easy 610 Variable Speed Drive... Watch our quick video demonstrating energy savings that can be achieved using this incredible VSD!   Click here to chat to one of our electrical experts now! ...

Did you know that Magnet is a proud Value Added reseller of Siemens products and solutions?  As a Value Added Reseller of Siemens products, we supply everything from industrial control & automation, to electric motors. Click on the image below to inquire about our full range now!   ...

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Call us now for a comprehensive electrical solution to keep your facility operating efficiently!   ...

Introducing Marechal Electric DS2 Metal Decontactor. For more information on this product email: sales@magnetgroup.co.za ...

Magnet’s portfolio of space saving Eaton motor control and protection devices offer motor starting and protection solutions in diverse industries, including mining, oil and gas, pulp and paper, the automotive sector and general utilities. “This range, which encompasses contactors, circuit breakers and overload relays, has been designed for easy installation and simple set-up, increased accuracy, greater visibility into the motor status and a higher degree of protection,” says Magnet Group managing director, Brian Howarth. “Eaton motor control and protection products efficiently meet the demand...

Introducing Eaton Essential Line Interactive UPS System For more information on this product please email: info@magnetgroup.co.za ...

Magnet’s portable Mobiya solar LED lanterns, which have been designed by Schneider Electric as a convenient, safe and reliable source of energy efficient lighting, are highly effective for use in power outages in many circumstances, including mine site accommodation. Mobiya TS 170S off-grid portable solar LED lanterns consist of a solar panel and an integrated mobile phone charging facility, with a USB cable with five adaptors. This system has three level settings which provide 48 hours of light at 20 Lumens output, 12 hours of light at 85 Lumens and six hours of light at maximum170 Lumens. To...

Magnet continually enhances its extensive range of electrical equipment, industrial instrumentation and automation systems, to meet exact market requirements. “The Magnet team is committed to helping our customers create and maintain a safer work environment and to comply with regulatory standards,” says Brian Howarth, managing director, Magnet Group. “It is critical in the workplace – particularly in harsh, potentially hazardous environments – that all products, components and materials are clearly labelled, for easy identification. “For this reason, we have introduced a new high performance,...

Magnet's range of Schneider energy management and automation systems includes Altivar ATV320 Variable Speed Drive. This system which improves a machine's performance in diverse applications, has also been developed to optimize design and engineering costs for original equipment manufacturers. To read more on this article click here: https://bit.ly/2NQccAJ...

New to Magnet’s range of Schneider low voltage motor starting solutions are EasyPact TVS motor starters, designed for motor control and protection for simple applications. The new E range (an extension of the current range) includes contactors, thermal overload relays, control relays and motor circuit breakers precision-engineered to give OEMs and panel builders a motor starter solution offering high performance and safety at a competitive price. Direct mounting of the thermal overload underneath the contactor minimises cabling and installation time, enhances system reliability and saves ...

Introducing Eaton's 5E range of Interactive UPS.  For more information email: info@magnetgroup.co.za ...

Introducing Schneider Harmony XB5R range!  For more information on these products,  email: info@magnetgroup.co.za ...

Magnet Special!!!  Don't miss out on this great PVC Enclosures offer.  Enquire now by emailing info@magnetgroup.co.za ...

  Equipping your employees with the proper lockout tools and warning devices can save lives, reduce lost employee time, and cut insurance costs. Butterfly valve lockout devices have an innovative design built to lock out butterfly valves with the lever handle in the OFF or ON position. Locks valves in the open or closed position: • Are Sturdy, resilient, and highly resistant to chemicals, solvents, cracking, and abrasion • Can be locked by up to 2 padlocks directly, or more with a lockout hasp Product Specifications: Materia...

Schneider Altivar 320 Variable Speed Drive.  For more information on the image below.   ...

Schneider Electric ATV 610 Easy line range, provides drives for pumps & fans. ...

Did you know that Magnet is the leading distributor for Schneider Electric in South Africa? ...

Magnet’s new A.Eberle high-performance PQ Box 150 is a network power analyser, meter and transient recorder in one device. Find out more on this efficient product. https://bit.ly/2GswG3n.   ...