Sparks Electrical News November 2016

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SPARKS
ELECTRICAL NEWS NOVEMBER 2016
CONTRACTORS’ CORNER
6
HEAVY DUTY PLUGS AND SOCKETS FOR HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS
Although it may be tempting to dismiss certain electrical prod-
ucts as ‘commodity items’, one sector where this should not
apply is industrial plugs, sockets and connectors, says Dirk
Holm, switchgear specialist ACDC Dynamics.
“Few people would argue that when it comes to specifying,
installing or maintaining these products for industrial use whether
in a building, on a construction site, outdoors at an event or outdoor
leisure location an awareness of safety considerations is paramount,
as well as a clear recognition of fitness for purpose,” explains Holm.
“At ACDC Dynamics, we strive to give customers the best
engineered solution possible. When the requirement calls for a
robust and durable plug and socket solution, nothing compares to
our Palazzoli range,” he says.
“On-site electrical equipment is at the receiving end of a
lot of abuse, whether from the harsh environments it has to
endure or simply from misuse by site personnel.”
IP67 watertight aluminium enclosures
“Palazzoli’s Alupres wall-mounted, heavy duty three-phase
415 V interlock power outlets have been approved for use
by London Underground Limited (LUL) and in factories and
mines across southern Africa. Engineers and contractors
can now specify and install the IP67 watertight aluminium
enclosures with confidence throughout their networks –
above and below the surface.”
The separate supply isolator is mechanically linked or
‘interlocked’ within a single unit to the socket, so
that a plug can only be inserted or removed once
the supply is safely shut off. The AC23/AC3
rated isolator is capable of switching inductive
loads at full-rated current (EN609473).
Available in 163263125A solutions
Alupres sockets have has been designed and
manufactured for heavy duty application in tun-
nels, hazardous area environments and gen-
eral outlets. Fully compliant with LUL standard
1085A3, they have a protection rating of IP66/67
and impact resistance in excess of IK10. They are
available with or without additional localised cir-
cuit protection.
“This is an important third-party recognition
for Alupres, and we are delighted to have our
product approved by London Underground under
its Approved Product Register (APR), as only the
products that have passed through its rigorous
approval process can be commissioned for its
network,” says Lewden’s business development
manager, Guy Birchall.
“Palazzoli has more than one impressive
range,” adds Holm. “At the recent Electra Mining
show, ACDC Dynamics displayed the two new
ranges they are offering to the South African
market – the Atex range for protection against
explosive and hazardous environments, as
well as the Alumax range for applications up
to 400 A at 1 000 V ac, with or without earth
leakage protection.”
For any technical information or application
assistance,email the ACDCDynamics’ switchgear
department at
Enquiries: +27 10 202 3400