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Extra Reporters
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has warned the public against buying electric wiring cables from unscrupulous dealers after a random test done by the authority revealed that at least three companies have been manufacturing and selling sub-standard cables.
According to a public notice issued by Zera recently, cable manufacturers Sunlight BLV, Zambezi and Zuncity all failed to comply with local cables standards.
The tests were done on 1,5 cubic millimetre and 2,5 cubic millimetre fixed installation cables and out of the 10 tested companies, the three companies failed.
The three condemned wiring cables do not bear the standards mark certification, for example ZWS/SAZS, SANS.
Buyers are urged to look for these certification features before making purchases.
Sub-standard electric wiring cables can lead to electric faults and fire, thereby leaving a lot of lives in danger given the rapid growth of construction in the country.
The notice read in part: “Zera notes with concern the prevalence of the sub-standard single-core fixed installation wiring cables on the market. These cables may cause high risk of fire, damage to the installation and electrocution. Following the findings, the authority is now expediting the process of creating a legal framework for fixed installation cables.”
Sub-standard cables are popular on the market since they come cheaper. The average price for sub-standard cables ranges from as little as $5 per 100 metres to $14 per 100 metres for single core 1,5 cuic millimetre wire cables while 2,5 cubic millimetre wires range from $7 to $21.
On the contrary, recommended fixed installation electric wiring cables range from a minimum of $18 to around $21 per 100 metres for 1,5 cubic millimetre and a minimum of $27 to around $30 per 100 meters for 2,5 cubic millimetre wires.
It is hard to distinguish the sub-standard cables from the recommended with a naked eye and customers are urged to go to renowned hardwares and dealers.
Energy expert, Professor Edward Chikuni, from the Department of Electric Engineering at the University of Zimbabwe, advised the public on the dangers of using sub-standard cables.
“There are certain dangers associated with these sub-standard wiring cables. They do not have the capacity to carry the load they are required to. They can also fail to provide enough insulation and all these factors can result in fire,” explained Prof Chikuni.
He said the major differences that distinguish the original cables from the sub-standard ones is the capacity to insulate, carry the required load and also how the cable can handle short circuits.
The fixed installation electric wiring cables are mainly used for connecting plugs and lights to the main electric supply unit in the house.
The companies manufacturing the condemned cables are of unknown origin, thereby raising fears that the country is slowly becoming a dumping ground for electric junk.
Prof Chikuni encouraged Zimbabweans to start supporting local industry.
“In Zimbabwe we have our own producer of these cables – CAFCA” he said.
Online Reporter