Zera warns public, businesses

THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has warned the public and businesses to be warry of sub-standard fixed installation electric wiring cables that have flooded the market saying use of such cables is hazardous.

In a public notice, the energy regulator said it carried out independent tests on fixed installation wiring cables and established that six companies whose countries of origin is unknown were manufacturing non-compliance cables.

The companies are Sunlight BLV, Zambezi, ZunCity, BVR, Mak Cab and Clipszim.

“Zera carried out independent tests on fixed installation 1.5mm2 and 2.5mm2 wiring cables on the market, on their compliance to the local cables standards ZWS 240:1999 and ZWS 732:2001.

“Zera notes with concern the prevalence of the sub-standard single-core fixed installation wiring cables on the market,” it said.

The energy regulator said such cables may create a high risk of fire, damage to the installation and electrocution.

“The public is therefore advised to purchase cables that have been found to be compliant and those that bear a standards mark certification such as ZWS/SAZS, SANS,” it said.

In the meantime, Zera is engaged in the process of creating a legal framework for fixed

installation wiring cables.

Zera is a statutory body established in terms of the Energy Regulatory Authority Act [Chapter 13:23] of 2011.

The Act mandates Zera to regulate the procurement, production, transportation,

transmission, distribution, importation and exportation of energy derived from any energy source.

ZERA is also responsible for the issuing of licences for all electricity and petroleum service providers as provided for in the Energy Regulatory Authority Act [Chapter 13:23] of 2011 as read together with the Electricity Act [Chapter 13:19] of 2002, the Petroleum Act [Chapter 13:22] of 2006 and subsequent amendments.-ebusinessweekly