Company advances cable solutions

Electrical cable coupler manufacturer KonNx Africa is meeting the growing demand in the African mining industry, for safer and more efficient power solutions, with its innovative high-voltage cable products.

The company has enhanced its market presence since 2023 and expanded its client base across Africa’s mining sector through its cables division, now known as KableX Africa.

Consequently, KonNx expanded its capacity to offer full-service solutions to mining clients, not only supplying but also maintaining its high-voltage products.

“We help clients reduce downtime and improve cost-efficiency by ensuring our products are maintained to high standards, which keeps their focus on other critical areas of their business,” says KonNx MD Matthew Robinson.

The transformation has positively impacted on the company’s service offerings and client engagement while emphasising innovation and safety.

“Our aim is to create the safest products on the market. We prioritise uptime to ensure our clients can maintain uninterrupted mining operations,” he adds.

To support this mission, KonNx Africa’s in-house testing laboratory enables for the rigorous testing of products during the design phase, refining each model to achieve optimal performance.

Robinson emphasises the importance of this facility, as an in-house laboratory enables it to fine-tune designs to meet and exceed industry demands.

KonNx Africa’s cable couplers, made from aluminium and stainless steel, incorporate specific safety features customised to the harsh conditions of mining environments.

These include air-expulsion mechanisms that significantly lower partial discharge, reducing insulation deterioration and lowering the risk of failures.

Every coupler design includes complete phase-to-earth segregation, which prevents potentially hazardous phase-to-phase faults.

“Our couplers are rated IP68, which allows them to function, even in submerged conditions, without performance issues.”

The ergonomic design also allows for easier handling, which is essential in high-demand environments where time and efficiency are critical, adds Robinson.

Client-Centric Innovations

A cornerstone of KonNx Africa’s approach to product design is its responsiveness to client requirements, such as the company’s socket release mechanism, which has evolved in direct response to operator feedback.

The original jack-in screw release, while secure, required multiple turns to fully connect. In high-pressure environments, this was found to be too time-consuming, resulting in KonNx’s development of quick- and ratchet- release mechanisms.

“The new option requires only two turns of the handle to connect a plug to a socket, significantly reducing the time required to restore power to equipment.”

Robinson adds that, once engaged, the quick-release mechanism holds the plug firmly in place.

This compatibility across different release types enables clients to easily transition or upgrade without replacing existing infrastructure, supporting smoother adaptation to technological advancements.

Further, KonNx’s plug-and-socket systems are designed according to South African national standards, which also helps the company to ensure product compatibility with existing equipment.

“Our PSZA and PLZA plug-and-socket ranges adhere to these standards, enabling clients to select the release type that best suits their operational requirements,” he adds.

Two of KonNx Africa’s most prominent products are its aluminium 35 kV and 12 kV Ex-certified stainless steel couplers that are used in mining applications where reliable power connections are crucial.

The 35 kV coupler is typically used to connect mobile transformers to overhead lines, allowing for quick disconnection and movement of equipment and, thus, less downtime.

In underground coal mines, where power requirements are continuously evolving, the 12 kV coupler offers a flexible solution for electrical distribution networks, allowing for equipment to be easily repositioned as mining progresses.

Meanwhile, in response to the pressing need for rapid service delivery, KonNx Africa has integrated an on-site foundry and machine shop to produce essential components in-house.

“Having an in-house production facility allows us to be more agile and responsive, and reduces lead times and enhances service delivery, ensuring that customers’ needs are met promptly,” says Robinson.