A range of locally manufactured metal and plastic plug and socket products is designed to cater specifically to customers from sub-Saharan Africa in the commercial, mining and industrial sectors.

The AMPCO metal range is manufactured from aluminium and comprises CEE-type metal plug and socket outlets, DIN and Swedish plugs and sockets, as well as explosion-proof plugs and sockets with isolators.

Powermite, a member of the Hudaco group of companies, is a single-source supplier of complete engineered solutions, including the AMPCO range.

The range of products includes the AMPCO CEE type metal plug and socket outlets, which is a 32 Amp to 250 Amp collection suited to harsh environments typically found in underground and surface mines, steel works and ship yards where high heat and rough conditions exist.

The range extends to plug tops, switched dual mechanical interlocked socket outlets, integrated circuit breaker and earth leakage models as well as switched dual mechanical interlocked socket outlets with contractor and overload options.

The products comply with a number of international standards and certifications, including SANS 1239:2004 and SANS/IEC 60309-1+2, 1999 and IEC 60309-1 (EN 60309 part 1) and IEC 60309-2 (EN 60309 part 2).

The CEE type metal plug and socket outlets are also compatible with non-AMPCO products carrying the same accreditations.

The units are offered in standardised pin and voltage configurations and are either IP44 rated, which indicates that they are splash-proof; or IP67 rated, which denotes that they are dust tight and temporary immersion rated.

The units are housed in an epoxy powder coating, aimed at extending the product’s lifespan particularly in corrosive coastal environments. The springs and screws are cadmium plated, and the inserts are manufactured from brass and placed into Amplast insulation for heat resistance and increased strength.

The switch sockets are available with electrical interlock and under-voltage relay, which can prevent automatic reconnection after a power failure. An integrated earth leakage/circuit breaker unit aims to provide protection for the operator and the equipment. Furthermore, a tripped socket will render only one user out of order and not a chain of sockets, as is the case where one earth leakage unit protects a chain of socket outlets.

The Powermite product range also includes cable reeling systems, specialised reeling cables, festoon systems, as well as flexible mining cables. The company supplies products to customers in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Namibia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the UK, Malaysia and Singapore.