What happens when you connect a world-class product with a distributor driven by excellence, coupled with a security company that pushes the safety protection envelope?
The result is a security supply chain charged with intelligent solutions for an increasingly demanding market.
Project scope
Installation of Optex MKIII digital beams to protect Eskom's electrical sub stations in the Cape.
The history
CADDIC (CSSI) is primarily a security installation company that covers the range of mediums: access control, CCTV, alarm systems and fire detection. Based in Milnerton, the 23-strong staff has been operational for over eight years and concentrates on commercial applications.
"We have been purchasing security products from Elvey Security Technologies since the beginning and are quite impressed with the company's service and exchange policy," states CSSI's technical director, Terrance Ievers. "Elvey provides an immediate exchange on just about all their products, no questions asked. This says a lot about their confidence in their service offering and commitment to their customers," he adds.
The application
The Optex AX-350 MKIII and 650MKIII long-range photoelectric detector is specially designed for unsurpassed stability even in the most hazardous outdoor environments. This new series offers extended detection range and increased reliability, while superior design allows for easy and cost effective installation and maintenance.
"We installed the Optex products to over 20 substations with predominantly perimeter applications," explains Ievers. "Eskom believes in using 'top of the range' with regards to security, which is why the company is so impressed with the quality of the Optex series. Other beams, which were used previously, proved unreliable and now this perimeter protection system will soon be installed in Eskom sub stations around the country.
"The units are easy to install and one doesn't require a multimeter to align and calibrate them. We even pushed the products to the limit and where a range of 200 m was stipulated, we found that they still worked correctly at 210 m," states Ievers.
The benefits
The obvious benefit of this system is that its electronics does not cause interference with electrical fields. Some of the other underlying benefits (and there are many) are worth noting: The unit is fitted with twin synchronised pulsed beams, a 99% beam blocking rate, practical anti-frost design, insect proof, stainless steel screws and back plate.
The result
The biggest security risk faced at Eskom power stations is the theft of copper cables. In the city areas, there has been a substantial reduction in overall risk. However, losses are still suffered in the rural areas, due to the delay in contracted reaction units being able to respond to an alarm notification. The average duration between alarm trigger and on site response is 20 minutes due to the distances that need to be covered.
CADDIC is currently conducting a research project at a pilot site in Cape Town that entails the investigation of linking the Optex beams to a CCTV monitoring system controlled monitored remotely. Watch this space for details!
Fact file
Service providers
CADDIC, Terrance Ievers, +27 (0)21 552 4559
Product Supplier
Elvey Security Technologies, Patrick Pillay, +27 (0)21 448 6390
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