Cable Guard system prevents cable theft
5 August 2009
News
Aberdare Cables has established the rights to distribute a locally developed cable theft prevention system. The company has a partnership, sole distribution and intellectual property agreement with the product developer, Bert Gruber, and the inventor, Alan Goldring, to distribute the Cable Guard product in South Africa and sub-Saharan countries where Aberdare is represented and has distribution networks.
According to Aberdare, cable thieves directly cost the South African economy about R5,5-billion a year, with Transnet, Telkom, Eskom and the Gauteng municipality each reportedly losing amounts varying between R863 million and R900 million a year. The modus operandi of these cable thieves is normally to use powerful vehicles to pull long lengths of cable out of the ground.
Lengths of cable fitted with Cable Guard have been subjected to continuous full-throttle pulling and deliberate jerking in a number of tests to simulate cable theft. In one case, a 185 mm² multicore PILC electrical cable, typically used for a mains supply ring feed, was conventionally laid in deep trenches, and compacted to the required 93% MOD (ASHTO) standard. An 8 ton truck, an 8 ton double differential mechanical horse, and a model 428 Caterpillar 4-wheel drive backactor excavator all failed to remove the cable.
Gruber said that the strength of Cable Guard was clearly demonstrated by the final test involving the excavator. “In this case a digital strain gauge was used during the pull-out tests, and it measured a direct pull force of more than 6 tons. The unburied length of cable coming out of the trench, and connected to the towing point, actually broke as a result of the tensile force applied, leaving the remaining buried cable, with Cable Guards fitted, unmoved and undamaged underground.” The cable in the trench fitted with Cable Guards was then excavated and closely examined. “This cable had clearly not moved, and there was no visible damage to either the cable, or the Cable Guards,” added Gruber.
The Cable Guard system components are injection moulded from reinforced engineering polymers, resulting in both strength and corrosion resistance. Cable Guard has been registered, is trademarked and a worldwide patent on the product has been lodged.
For more information contact Aberdare Cables, +27 (0)11 456 4200.
Further reading:
From the editor’s desk: Windows 10’s end of support arrives bringing industrial risks
Technews Publishing
News
By the time you read this column, support for non-LTSC editions of Windows 10 will have ended, officially having their last day on 14 October 2025. This means no more security patches, feature updates,
...
Read more...
Electronic News Digest
News
A brief synopsis of current global news relating to the electronic engineering fields with regards to company finances, general company news, and engineering technologies.
Read more...
Correction: Marijana Abt, Rebound Electronics
News
In the August issue of
Dataweek magazine, the article titled ‘Celebrating innovation, leadership, and the next generation’ featured Marijana Abt, senior account manager at Rebound Electronics. Owing
...
Read more...
Trasna and RF Design announce distribution agreement
RF Design
News
Trasna and RF Design have announced a strategic distribution agreement for cellular IoT solutions which will ensure seamless availability of Trasna’s cellular connectivity solutions.
Read more...
Local partnership puts demand-side management to work in South Africa
News
Sensor Networks has partnered with European demand-side management specialist ThermoVault to bring advanced load-shifting capabilities to one of the country’s biggest energy consumers: the household geyser.
Read more...
Hisense SA launches year-long learnership programme for youth
News
Hisense SA’s manufacturing plant in Atlantis recently welcomed 100 young people from the local community, to embark on a year-long learnership and skills development programme.
Read more...
Comtest hosts channel partners
Comtest
News
Comtest, together with FLUKE, recently set the stage for an unforgettable afternoon as they welcomed over 80 Channel Partners to their annual celebration of excellence.
Read more...
RS South Africa and Qhubeka empower learners through the gift of mobility
RS South Africa
News
Through its bicycle donation initiative, 354 bicycles have been distributed to date, empowering students to access education more easily by reducing the physical and economic barriers posed by long daily commutes.
Read more...
Deca and SST announce strategic collaboration
News
The collaboration provides customers with a modular, memory-centric foundation for advanced multi-die architectures.
Read more...
Specialised Exhibitions transitions to new name: Montgomery Group Africa
News
As part of a strategic move to streamline operations, strengthen regional alignment, and support long-term growth, Specialised Exhibitions has transitioned to a new name: Montgomery Group Africa.
Read more...
printer friendly version