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Local is lekker for loadshedding and lightning-proof power supplies

Home Engineering Electronic - Instrumentation & Control Local is lekker for loadshedding and lightning-proof power supplies

CRITICAL equipment including security devices and other electronics can now be operated with locally developed power supplies that have been specially designed to function on the local power grid and have built-in features to make them more robust than standard equipment.

That’s according to GSS Group Director, Greg Pritchard, who said more than 30 years spent in the security and electronics industries had given the team the best possible understanding of local operating challenges.

This, he said, had allowed them to develop power supplies that are designed to handle all of South Africa’s extremes, including load shedding and brown outs. The power supplies even have circuitry that is better able to deal with the highveld’s well-known lightning storms.

“Designed and developed by GSS Group, the power supplies are manufactured in a quality-controlled manufacturing plant in China which allows the costs of the high-quality componentry to be incorporated at more affordable prices for the local market,” he said, adding that several of the country’s large security and electronic distributors have already switched to the local brand.

“During my time in the industry I have worked for some of the largest electronic security equipment suppliers and gained decades of experience and long relationships with manufacturers in the East. By setting up our manufacturing operation alongside a large-scale electronics equipment manufacturer we get to enjoy better pricing as a result of the large volumes of components purchased by the manufacturer monthly.”

Pritchard said that by maintaining strict control of the process, they have the agility to change and customise the power supplies to customers’ requirements and even bring the customer’s own branding onto the supply where sufficient volumes are ordered.

“This type of arrangement is only possible as a result of our longstanding relationships with suppliers in the East following dozens of visits and a good understanding of the business culture. As a result, our manufacturing partners work with us to manufacture products that are as good or better than locally available equivalents.”

GSS Group power supplies carry SANS IEC 60950, LOA and NRCS certification both AC and DC power supplies and DC UPS, as well as meeting SANS /IEC 61558 certification for its range of linear transformers. The products also incorporate EMI filtering and meet EMC standards.

These standards are required for effective use in IOT devices, electronics and security applications which includes intrusion, CCTV, access control and automation. He said the power supplies have subsequently also found favour in the electrical and alternate energy industries or wherever power supplies are required.

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