News Electrical

In our latest series, we’re discussing the cascading of circuit breakers. In Part 1, we give an explanation of what cascading is, its advantages, and the conditions required to implement cascading. This second and final instalment in the series touches on the topic of selectivity, by giving an overview on how it can be enhanced in your system by the implementation of cascading circuit br...

Innovation comes right to your doorstep in one convenient place... Hop aboard the Siemens demo bus to view their latest products and solutions in switchgear... Date: Monday 11 October 2021 Time: 09h00 - 12h00 Venue: Magnet Head Office, Durban Space is limited. ENQUIRE now to book your visit! ...

Have YOU seen Klingspor's Kronenflex™  A 630 N Supra in action?  The Kronenflex™ large cutting-off wheel A 630 N Supra allows any craftsman to achieve professional results. This abrasive lives up to the highest standards and is used primarily on: steel stainless steel aluminium castings The product delivers its best results when used on these materials. This cutting-off wheel proves particularly useful on metal – especially during maintenance and repairs, in metal construction and work in fabrication shops. Klingspor offers this large cutting-off wheel in a...

Due to technology advancements, thermal imaging has become more affordable, easier to use and more broadly deployed in a variety of industrial and commercial markets. That is good news if you’re a contractor looking to add thermal imaging to your range of services, because most customers have likely heard of it. Thermal cameras produce thermal (heat) pictures of equipment, allowing your customers to see nearly immediate benefits from such a service. In one pass through a facility, you can usually find at least one comp...

  Anyone who makes their living by working with electricity quickly develops a healthy respect for anything with even a remote chance of being "live." Yet, the pressures of the getting a job done on time or getting a mission-critical piece of equipment back on line can result in carelessness and uncharacteristic mistakes by even the most seasoned electrician… The list below was developed by FLUKE as a quick reminder of what not to do when taking electrical measurements: Replace the original fuse with a cheaper one. If your digital multimeter meets today's safety standards, that fuse...

Welcome to your comprehensive guide on Transformers. Before you get started on the final instalment, why not take a moment to catch up on all the articles in this interesting series: Part 1: Understanding Transformers and how they work Part 2: Advantages, disadvantages and types of 3-Phase Transformers Part 3: ...

  The challenge… To quickly and reliably identify large volumes of various outdoor cable types Exposure to the elements can pose a challenge, particularly when it comes to an identification solution. How can you ensure that tags remain attached to your equipment, and legible for 10 years under active UV-radiation and other environmental conditions…? The solution… Reliable, colour-coded tags printed on site Brady has a comprehensive range of solutions to beat this challenge: B-7598 polyester cable tags Durable outdoor cable identification The B-7598 polyester cable identification t...

Covering all applications in medium-voltage and high-voltage protection, from overcurrent or motor to complex distance protection, Schneider Electric’s protective relays give you the safety and reliability needed to operate with confidence. Overcurrent Protection made Easy Overcurrent protection relays can be used for primary electrical protection, a backup for phase overcurrent or earth fault protection. Instantaneous definite time, IDMT, directional or non-directional are types of overcurrent characteristics often use...

We’re unpacking transformers in our NEW series. An important discussion point is the protection of transformers. In this article, we give an overview of protection schemes specifically for oil-type transformers. Catch-up on previous articles in the series: Part 1: Understanding Transformers and how they work Part 2: Advantages, disadvantages and types of 3-Phase Transformers...

  Short cutting times and long service life, who wouldn't want that? With Klingspor's EDGE special cutting-off wheel, you get this and more... Advantages: Low burr formation Low thermal load 25 pieces delivered in the Kronenflex® box for long-lasting high performance and moisture protection Short cutting times Long service life The benefits at a glance: High-grade raw materials The bond is perfectly matched to the grit type used and guarantees a greater level of aggressiveness as well as a longer service life. Enhanced per...

What if your production line stopped because of a single pushbutton? Imagine the operating loss that may induce the failure of the operator control of your equipment, which represents less than 1% of its cost. In industry, there is usually a loss of productivity that can exceed 10%, due to industrial equipment failures. This is a very important source of economy. To reach this deposit, a sum of precautions must be in place and we must think of every eventuality, including the failure of the operator dialogue devices. Installation stopping because of a banal pilot light or pushbutton is in...

Welcome to part two in your guide on 3-Phase Transformers. In this NEW series, we’re unpacking the different types of these transformers, how they are connected, their advantages and disadvantages as well as a view on the protection they require. Stay tuned to catch the entire series! Part 1: Understanding Transformers and how they work Part 2: Advantages, disadvantages and types of 3-Phase Transfor...

Unidrive - High Performance, Scalable, Future-Proof AC/Servo Drive Solutions Control Techniques has set the standard in motor control since 1973. Every company has a flagship, a product that leads the charge. For Control Techniques, it's Unidrive - a high performance, universal AC/Servo drive series. Unidrive is the accumulation of almost half a century of motor control expertise, and it is the embodiment of what Control Techniques is all about. In 1996, Control Techniques was the first to integrate the control of ...

Welcome to your guide on 3-Phase transformers – what are they, what different types exist, how are they connected, what are their advantages and disadvantages and how do you protect them… We’re answering all these question in our NEW series. Don’t miss out, SUBSCRIBE to receive these newsletters straight to your inbox!   What are Transformers? A transformer is an electrical device that consists of two or more coils of wire that transfers electrical energy by means of a changing magnetic field. A voltage transformer is a sta...

Shop the Magnet Store to buy your electrical components and back-up power online! | Quickly access product information | Pricing and stock availability is at your fingertips | Quick and secure payment options Visit shop.magnetgroup.co.za now!   Click below to WATCH our launch video.    ...

Marechal Electric works closely with EPC’s, OEM’s and Panel Builders, across most industries such as Mining, Oil & Gas, Tunnels, Water & Waste, Food &Bev, Ports & Marinas and Atex / Hazardous areas (Zone 1, 2, 21 & 22) Offering Low Voltage Electrical Connections and solutions up to 1000V and 1250A in Industrial and ATEX/IECEx Environments. Specialising in the design and manufacture of Industrial Plugs and Sockets for over 68 Years.   MOTOR CONNECTIONS with the  DECONTACTOR™ Secure ...

  Fluke's 393 FC CAT III 1500 V True-rms Clamp Meter with iFlex is designed for technicians who work in high voltage dc environment: solar arrays, wind power, electric railways, data centers battery banks for uninterruptible power supplies. The clamp will measure up to 1500 V dc, 1000 V ac, and up to 999.9 A dc or ac through the clamp jaw.   The included iFlex flexible current probe extended ac current measurements up to 2500 amps. This clamp has a thin jaw, giving you access to cables in crowded combiner boxes. Test leads are ...

  Calibration improves optimization Calibrating equipment improves optimization and quality. This holds true in process industries as well, whether it is chemical processing, nuclear power, pharmaceutical or pulp and paper. Process manufacturing plants require hundreds, even thousands of sophisticated devices that perform countless critical operations ceaselessly, accurately, and reliably. Those devices in turn require regular inspection, testing, calibration, and repair. However, traditional testing, calibration and documentation practices are also labour-intensive, and with senior ...

Motor management intelligence made easy Our extensive range of Eaton electrical products and solutions includes the C445 Series of motor management relays.   Overview The Power Xpert C445 global motor management relay is Eaton’s most advanced offering in the C400 series. Customizable control functionality, extensive on-board communications and superior diagnostics make C445 ideal for critical applications where uptime is key. An intuitive interface allows users to safely access all that C445 has to offer - includin...

  Kronenflex cutting & grinding disc A 46 VZ Special for demanding tasks The Kronenflex cutting-off wheel and grinding disc A 46 VZ Special is the perfect complement for work with an angle grinder. What makes this Kronenflex cutting-off wheel and grinding disc special, is that it is very hard and aggressive. These qualities make it ideal for processing: - stainless steel - steel - NF metal Its innovative composition furnishes the abrasive disc A 46 VZ Special with properties that are ideal for cutting as well as for light grinding applications. Users opting for this Kronenflex grin...

  We are authorised resellers of 3M products and solutions.  For reliable adhesive action, turn to 3M's Scotch® Super 33+™ Vinyl Electrical Tape – the original, market-leading PVC insulating tape.  Product Details Highly conformable with good flexibility – for moisture-tight electrical and mechanical protection with minimum bulk Keeps a high level of performance in ambient temperatures up to 105°C Suitable for cold weather applications down to –18 °C, without becoming brittle UL, CSA and VDE approved This professional grade tape provides moisture-tight electrical and...

A 330 Extra - Kronenflex large cutting-off wheel for metal With the Kronenflex large cutting-off wheel A 330 Extra, Klingspor is offering a powerful abrasive for processing metal. More specifically, this cutting-off wheel is used for cutting steel, stainless steel, aluminium, and castings. Offered as a member of the Extra performance class, this cutting-off wheel impresses with its great aggressiveness and long service life. These qualities are appreciated by professional users and provide do-it-yourselfers with a tool that lets them finish their projects with the best possibl...

Commander variable speed drives have established the standard of excellence in motor control since 1983 when Control Techniques launched the first world commercial vector drive. Since then, Commander has undergone several successful enhancements, each time bringing new technology and innovations to the world of automation. The new Commander C series has been designed to be a simple and compact AC motor speed controller that meets advanced requirements for a wide range of applications while optimizing the user experience. Commander C Highlights ? Set just 4 parameters to get your drive sta...

  The CCG industrial cable glands range is extensive and covers just about every size and type of armoured and unarmoured cables for every kind of cable gland installation. Their range of armoured and compression cable glands are designed for installation in diverse and demanding environments such as those found in the power generation, mining, industrial, construction, rail, defence and marine industries. The Captive Component Gland® design has been recognised within these industries as the obvious choice because of the built-in safety™ and wastage saving features. CC...

NEW product alert! Schneider Electric - the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has recently announced the release of new generation of TeSys Giga series Motor Starters. The iconic TeSys Giga series has been reimagined with the latest smart digital innovations to deliver a simpler, more sustainable, safe and secure customer experience for panel builders, consulting engineers, system integrators, facility managers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) further building on proven reliability and high electrical durability. With 56 patents under the...

Are you an electrician? Then join the mySchneider Electrician Programme, and start getting rewarded when you buy Schneider products from us! How it works: The Programme is aimed at rewarding residential and small building electricians for purchasing Schneider Electric products. Electricians need to register on the mySchneider partner portal. Electricians can claim rewards each time they make a purchase of an applicable Schneider Electric product by simply uploading invoices to the portal. The mySchneider partner portal also serves as a knowledge tool to support Electricians in expanding thei...

More time for the really important things… Thanks to Eaton’s new control relay generation - easyE4 Our extensive range of Eaton products and solutions includes the easyE4. Eaton’s easyE4 is a true all-rounder and the ideal choice for anyone looking to implement control tasks with as little effort as possible—from installers in building installations, to automation engineers in machine building applications. Easy future-proof connectivity easyE4‘s simple...

Schneider Electric pushes boundaries with their TeSys Island digital load management solution!   This innovative device is designed to switch, protect, and manage motors and other electrical loads up to 80Amps (AC3) in an electrical control panel. TeSys Island is an innovative load management solution that makes machines smarter and more reliable, while reducing machine time to market, enabling OEMs to move forward in their Industry 4.0 journey. Features Up to 20 modules / 1 meter at one bus coupler One-click...

Residual Current Monitoring in an Industrial Environment We're wrapping up our series on Condition Monitoring, by discussing Residual Current Monitoring (RCM) as an essential system to implement in any industrial environment. By monitoring the state of the electrical system in a facility, RCM assists in detecting faults early – reducing downtime and saving money. Catch up on previous articles in our ...

A new, smaller-sized moulded case circuit breaker (MCCB) is now available. Schneider Electric's ComPact NSXm MCCB is the smallest and newest addition to our range of Schneider Electric products. Specifications of the ComPact NSXm MCCB are: New smaller frame size Dimensions: width 81 mm, height 137 mm, depth 80 mm Flexible installation -  can be fitted in any position, switchboard or wall-mounted Nominal current: 16 A to 160 A Five breaking capacities: 16 kA, 25 kA, 36 kA, 50 kA, 70 kA at 415 V Integrated...

Advanced monitoring control and protection of electrical motors Schneider Electric's TeSys T is a smart motor management system. When associated with a short circuit protection device and a contactor, the device provides full motor monitoring, control and protection for electrical motors. Features: The TeSys T motor management system provides protection, metering and monitoring functions for single-phase and 3-phase AC motors up to 1...

Eaton’s M22 Pilot Devices - Proven and Versatile Our extensive range of Eaton products and solutions includes the M22 series Pilot Devices. These 22 mm pilot devices combine an attractive appearance and modular functionality. The M22 series is a full line of pilot devices with features specifically designed for OEMs and panel builders. Features: 1. Ease of use The M22 uses a conventional mounting nut for fast, easy, secure installation. The mounting adapter snaps to the back of operators without the use of tools. ...

Are electrical motor faults and failures a prominent cause of downtime in your facility? Then you should be engaging in methods to increase the lifespan of your equipment. In our latest series on Condition Monitoring, we’re unpacking the various means of predictive maintenance and equipment preservation.   In Part 1...

When vibration increases beyond normal levels, it may be a sign of alignment issues or a source of trouble. In order to avoid costly downtime, you will need fast and actionable answers. In our NEW series on Condition Monitoring, we’re discussing what it entails to implement a condition monitoring system in a facility. In Part 1...

Monitoring machines for vibration can save you time and money. A machine going offline can impact quality and production. Monitoring machines for vibration issues identifies trends and helps reduce the potential for the machine going offline. In our NEW series on Condition Monitoring, we’re unpacking what it entails to implement a condition monitoring system in a facility. In Part 1...

Employing a condition monitoring system in your facility can ensure the reliability of your operations. How? By implementing processes to monitor your equipment, you can ensure machine up-time, the reduction in consequential damage to machinery, and the improvement of the overall operational efficiency. In this NEW series, we introduce you to condition monitoring. In Part 1, we start by reviewing the various benefits of a condition monitoring system, the commonly used techniques and the different types of condition...

Take control of your process with Eaton’s C441 Motor Insight motor protection relays Magnet’s extensive range of Eaton products and solutions includes the C441 Motor Insight overload relays. This advanced low-voltage motor protection relay, with embedded intelligence, helps you save energy, optimize maintenance schedules and configure greater system protection - reducing overall costs and downtime. Core features of C441 Motor Insights protection relays include: The ability to calculate power enables you to no...

What is Partial Discharge (PD)? A partial discharge 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. Partial discharge can occur in voids within solid insulation, across the surface of insulating material due to contaminants or irregularities, within gas bubbles in liquid insulation or around an electrode in gas (corona...

Are you considering efforts to reduce the electricity cost in your plant? Do you require extra power for a plant upgrade, but without having to change the existing electrical supply? If you answered ‘Yes!’, then you will appreciate this NEW series on power factor correction. In this informative 2-part read, we begin by outlining what power factor is. In the second article, we will discuss power factor correction and how it is performed to achieve a maximum power factor of 1 (unity). What is the Power Factor? The power factor is a ratio between ...

  While exceptionally thin at merely 1 mm, The Klingspor Kronenflex cutting-off wheel A 60 TZ Special delivers high aggressiveness and long service life. This highly effective wheel truly shines when used for cutting metal sheets, thin pipes or profiles made of stainless steel, steel and Non-ferrous metal. The Klingspor Kronenflex cutting-off wheel A 60 TZ Special is predominantly used for maintenance and repairs in fabrication shops as well as in plant engineering and steel construction. Properties of the Kronenflex cutting-...

Is your facility connected to a mobile network that is slow in speed? Is your equipment taking too long to upload pertinent system information? Are you often having to deal with frustrated employees or customers as a result? In this quick informative article, we introduce you to the 5G mobile network – the answer to slow and delayed communication. Learn about how 5G compares against the previous generation and how it could potentially affect your business. What is 5G? 5G is the new global wireless standard, known as the 5th generation mobile networ...

New to our extensive range of Schneider Electric products and solutions is the New Generation ComPacT NSX Moulded Circuit Breaker. The ComPacT range now comes connectivity-ready, and modular “plug-and-play” accessories expand the capacity for advanced monitoring capabilities. By keeping the new units the same shape and size as their predecessors, electrical professionals can easily retrofit breakers already in use. This also opens the opportunity to expanding the capabilities of ComPacT circuit breakers...

We’re wrapping up our series on Variable Speed Drives! Missed out on the first two articles? In Part 1, we introduced you to the basic principle of operation of a VSD, and touched on their key benefits In Part 2...

Is there a device that can reduce downtime whilst increasing the lifespan of your electrical motor? In our NEW series, we’re unpacking Variable Speed Drives. In Part 1, we introduced you to the basic principle of operation of a VSD, and touched on their key benefits In Part 2, we give an overview of the types of VSD’s, and delve into how a VSD works Watch this space to catch the full se...

Do you see your plant constantly on a breakdown as a result of a motor failure? Are you forced to spend a vast amount of time replacing electrical motors that are essential to the productivity of your plant? Is there a device that can reduce downtime whilst increasing the lifespan of your electrical motor? In this NEW series, we discuss Variable Speed Drives as an essential component to increase the lifespan of your electrical motors and reduce maintenance-associated downtime.  In part 1, we give you an overview of VSD’s – what they are, their benefits and the protection they offer t...

Step into the future with the arrival of The Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0. Large-scale machine-to-machine communication and the Internet of Things (IoT) are being integrated for increased automation, improved communication, and self-monitoring. Is your facility ready for the automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices, using modern smart technology? Welcome to Industry 4.0 The fourth industrial revolution, which came into existence in the past few years, is established as Industry 4.0. More flexible production, greater productivity, and the development of ...

Set up, switch out and print faster than you ever imagined with the BradyPrinter i5300 Industrial Label Printer, NEW to Brady's comprehensive range of printing solutions! No waste Prints on the very first label to maximise material use and cut costs. Fast set-up 20-second material changeovers with no calibration, sensor or print setting adjustments. Precision printing 300 dpi model aligns and prints on labels as small as 5.08mm. 600 dpi model available soon! Saves time Prints fast, and pauses, resumes and stores jobs in a write-protected list. Prints thousands of label types Options ...

When vibration increases beyond normal levels, it may be a sign of alignment issues or source of trouble. In order to avoid costly downtime, you will need fast and actionable answers. In this article, we outline when and how to use & set-up vibration monitoring on assets. Missed out on the first article in the series? Click below to catch up now: Part One – Understanding vibration: Causes and effects Why choose vibration monitoring? The need for actionable data in plants and other facilities is typically unquestioned by most reliability and maintenance teams. Where people typically diverg...

Monitoring machines for vibration can save you time and money. A machine going offline can impact quality and production. Monitoring machines for vibration issues identifies trends and helps reduce the potential for the machine going offline. In the first article of this NEW series, we will outline what vibration is, common causes of vibration and the effects of vibration. Watch this space to catch the full series! What is Vibration? Vibration is simply a back and forth movement—or oscillation—of machines and components in motorized equipment. Vibration in industrial equipment can be a sympto...

We’re wrapping up our series on Circuit Breakers by taking a look at: 1. The common reasons why an industrial circuit breaker might trip 2. How to size a circuit breaker Missed out on previous articles in this series? Click below to catch up now! Part One              - Circuit breaker basics and how they compare to fuses Par...

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...