Page 8 - Energize February 2021

NEWS

Cable, components, and critical space exploration

s NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover begins exploring its new
planetary home after landing on 18 February 2021, it’s
Aoperating with the world’s most advanced technology whilst
equipped with Ty­Rap cable ties from ABB, the same ties that are
widely used on earth.
Found in buildings, subways, the deepest oceans and outer space,
ABB’s Ty­Rap cable ties are designed to withstand the demands of
space flight and resist corrosion and radiation in the most extreme
environments. NASA has integrated the same Ty­Rap cable ties, which
are used in commercial applications worldwide, to fasten the rover’s
interior and exterior conduit and components and to secure research
and lab equipment.
“Similar to how standard cable ties are a practical solution for use
around the home to organize every­thing from indoor cords to household use. Since then, nearly 30 billion Ty­Rap cable ties have
outdoor lights, high­performance Ty­Rap cable ties connect and been produced – laid end­to­end, enough to stretch to the Moon and
secure the rover’s wires and equipment,” said Matthias Heilmann, back more than a dozen times.
President of ABB Installation Products. “For nearly 50 years, these ABB has a relationship with NASA which began more than 30
Ty­Rap cable ties have performed in the most intense conditions on years ago with optical sensor contributions to support experiments
earth and protected components from high impact elements and on the space shuttle. In November 2020, the company announced a
radical temperature changes in previous space expeditions.” contract for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory that will see key
The business known today as ABB Installation Products has technology from ABB and its partner Nüvü Camēras fly onboard the
provided products to the space program since 1973, and Ty­Rap cable space telescope in 2025, on course to capture the first spaceborne
ties are in continued use on the still active NASA Curiosity Rover and images of planets outside our solar system. n
were previously used on the twin Spirit and Opportunity Rovers.
Originally patented in 1958, standard Ty­Rap cable ties became Contact Sisiwe Molefe, ABB, Tel 010 202 5523,
known for their “grip of steel” locking device in business and sisiwe.molefe@za.abb.com

For protection from load shedding switching surges

urge protection is important to reduce of defence against surges. DEHNcord is used in conjunction with
stress on any equipment when load this product at plug points, terminal boxes or other equipment
Sshedding switching surges occur, while housings to provide the best voltage protection level, vastly
higher lightning activity also means surges increasing the protection provided. DEHNcord can also be used
are more common. Therefore, surge with any other DEHN SPDs in distribution boards, whereas
protection devices (SPDs) are critical to DEHNguard Basic is the simplest form of surge protection,
extend the life of appliances, electronics, specifically for distribution boards, protecting the electrical system
and other equipment. and any equipment within 10m.
It is for this reason that leading supplier DEHNguard Basic fits onto DIN rail and Samite, which is
ElectroMechanica (EM) has added two surge uniquely popular in South Africa. It also fits into most residential
protection products in a convenient hanging distribution boards and features a compact footprint. DEHNcord fits
blister pack as part of its comprehensive many popular South African plug boxes, gate­motor boxes and LED
solutions offering. Not only is EM the lighting housings, and comes pre­wired for fast and easy installation.
exclusive local distributor, but the products “As a well­established family­owned brand with over 110 years’
are also easy to display. experience and a great reputation, DEHN conducts extensive up­to­date
DEHNcord is ideal for any low amperage testing on all its devices to the latest standards. Besides additional features,
230 V application, from industrial and DEHN also uses the highest­quality materials and manufacturing,” comments EM Product
commercial to residential. The form factor is Manager Christo van Rensburg. All of DEHN’s imported products comply with the latest
key here as it allows for a SPD to be installed international standards for SPDs, as adopted directly by the South African Bureau of Standards
close to the equipment to be protected. (SABS).
DEHNguard Basic is aimed at residential The latest standards to which all surge protection should be manufactured in accordance
distribution board applications only. This with are IEC/SANS 61643­11 for power SPDs and IEC/SANS 61643­21 for information
may expand into the small commercial technology SPDs. While some SPD manufacturers still use the old withdrawn standards, DEHN is
segment due to the new SANS 10142 coming guaranteed to be up to date. EM also provides first­line technical product support and sales
into effect, which will require a basic device support, working directly with DEHN’s experts for any queries or special applications. n
for higher lightning activity areas.
DEHNguard Basic provides the first line Contact Karen Zotter, EM, Tel 011 249-5000, karenz@em.co.za

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