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Power surges are killing our networks

Tobie van Schalkwyk.

With power surges and lightning strikes becoming an all-too-familiar threat to South African infrastructure, Duxbury Networking is calling on local installers and network integrators to follow proper grounding protocols. Recent field diagnostics from DuxNet, Duxbury’s in-house networking brand, have revealed that many switch failures stem from incorrect grounding during installation, leading to avoidable equipment damage and costly downtime.

According to Tobie van Schalkwyk, business unit manager at Duxbury Networking, a significant number of switch failures reported in the field are directly linked to improper or missing grounding.

“We have analysed numerous returns and found a recurring issue. Switches, especially those with PoE, are being damaged, not by manufacturing defects, but by improper or non-existent grounding in the field,” explains van Schalkwyk. “The surge protection built into our switches is highly effective, but it simply cannot operate unless the switch and rack are properly earthed.”

This is particularly relevant in regions like Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal, where seasonal thunderstorms and fluctuating grid stability increase the risk of surge-related damage to connected devices.

The warning is part of Duxbury’s newly launched DuxNet Best Practice series, an educational campaign aimed at helping South African installers avoid common pitfalls during networking equipment setup and maintenance.

Surge interference, a silent killer

In recent diagnostics, Duxbury’s technical team discovered that ungrounded switches are particularly vulnerable to damage during thunderstorms, power outages, or when deployed alongside outdoor cabling and high-voltage equipment. Damaged PoE chips, port failure, and network downtime are common outcomes, all of which can be easily prevented with a grounding wire and proper procedure.

DuxNet switches will soon include a grounding cable as standard to support this initiative, reinforcing the company’s commitment to proactive support rather than reactive repairs. “We have made it non-negotiable. It is a simple step that dramatically increases hardware resilience and protects our customers from avoidable downtime.”

Raising the bar on installation standards

As part of its DuxNet Best Practice campaign, Duxbury is encouraging installers to take simple, but essential steps: always use the grounding screw and cable when installing a switch, ensure both the rack and switch are properly earthed, and adhere to surge protection best practices, especially for outdoor or high-risk sites.

“Our role as a distributor is not just to deliver products, but to empower our partners with the knowledge they need to deploy them properly. That is the difference we are focused on in 2025.”

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