Prices of Electrical Cables in South Africa
From the glowing neon lights on the streets and the high rises across the nation to the modest building of a barber’s shop, electrical cables never run out of uses.
The walls of our homes and offices are adorned with an enormous number of cables; they represent the lifeline of our electricity infrastructure.
Before we charge our gadgets, put on the TV or run the vacuum cleaners, an electric cable somewhere and somehow supplies the electricity we need to get it working.
To put it succinctly, as long as we use electricity, we’ll all need electric cables in our lives.
Fortunately, South Africa’s electric cable industry is something to be proud of. While the trend in the country backs greater patronage for foreign-made brands, South Africa cables remain a notable exception.
To the delight of local manufacturers, there’s a general perception of quality towards South Africa made cable brands. Usually, this means that South Africa manufacturers have the greatest influence on prices.
However, this doesn’t necessarily translate into lower prices. A myriad of other factors has a significant influence on prices.
If you’re looking to start a building project or just simply being curious about cable prices, here’s a succinct price list for your reading pleasure.
Power Cables in South Africa
South Africa’s electric cable market is huge. With a numerous number of minor and major electrical projects conducted by both the government and private individuals across the country yearly, the need for electric cables is always continuously on the rise.
This means, apart from a huge market, there are lots of manufacturers in the sector to meet up the huge demand by the market. As more and more manufacturers enter the space, prices are significantly influenced by healthy competition among cable manufacturers.
There’s currently a large number of electric cable manufacturers in the country with a considerable number of them existing as long 30 years ago.
Usually, this means these companies possess a wealth of experience in the manufacturing of electrical cables and are well conversant with tailoring products for the local market.
Costs of Electrical Cables in South Africa
Like most other products in the country, prices of electric cables are also significantly influenced by the prevailing exchange rate of the South Africa ZAR against the US dollars. Factors like competition, inflation, and demand also play an equally significant role in determining prices.
The prices listed here are averages across the country. I recommend you make room for a margin of up to 9 percent. The prices below are the prices per coil of the respective brands. A coil is 100 meters measurement of the electric cable.
Doncaster cables prices in South Africa
Doncaster 1.5mm single core copper wire – R$ 267
Doncaster 1.5mm three core copper wire – R$ 907
Doncaster 1.5mm four core copper wire – R$ 1,395
Doncaster 10mm single core copper wire – R$ 1,580
Doncaster 16mm single core copper wire – R$ 2,220
Doncaster 2.5mm four core copper wire – R$ 1,998
Doncaster 2.5mm single core copper wire – R$ 402
Doncaster 2.5mm three core flexible copper wire – R$ 1,628
Doncaster 4mm four core flexible copper wire – R$ 3,515
Doncaster 4mm single core flexible copper wire – R$ 629
Doncaster 4mm three core flexible copper wire – R$ 2,294
Doncaster 6mm four core flexible copper wire – R$ 4,070
Doncaster 6mm single core flexible copper wire – R$ 777
Doncaster 6mm three core flexible copper wire – R$ 2,886
Prussian cables prices in South Africa
Prysmian 1.5mm four core flexible copper wire – R$ 925
Prysmian 1.5mm single core flexible copper wire – R$ 222
Prysmian 1.5mm three core flexible copper wire – R$ 777
Prysmian 10mm single core flexible copper wire – R$ 1,358
Prysmian 16mm single core flexible copper wire – R$ 2,109
Prysmian 2.5mm four core flexible copper wire – R$ 1,477
Prysmian 2.5mm single core flexible copper wire – R$ 333
Prysmian 2.5mm three core flexible copper wire – R$ 962
Prysmian 4mm four core flexible copper wire – R$ 2,701
Prysmian 4mm single core flexible copper wire – R$ 592
Prysmian 4mm three core flexible copper wire – R$ 2,035
Prysmian 6mm four core flexible copper wire – R$ 4,070
Prysmian 6mm single core flexible copper wire – R$ 777
Prysmian 6mm three core flexible copper wire – R$ 2,960
Coleman cables prices in South Africa
Coleman 1.5mm single core copper wire– R$ 267
Coleman 2.5mm single core copper wire – R$ 481
Coleman 10mm single core copper wire – R$ 2,960
Coleman 16mm single core copper wire – R$ 1,943
Cutix cables prices in South Africa
Cutix 1mm single core copper wire – R$ 254
Cutix 1.5mm single core copper wire – R$ 352
Cutix 6mm single core copper wire – R$ 1,203
Cutix 16mm single core copper wire – R$ 3,201
Nigerchin cables prices in South Africa
Nigerchin 1.5mm single core copper wire – R$ 345
Nigerchin 10mm single core copper wire – R$ 1,399
Nigerchin 16mm single core copper wire – R$ 3,177
Nigerchin 1mm single core copper wire – R$ 271
Nigerchin 2.5mm single core copper wire – R$ 555
Nigerchin 4mm single core copper wire – R$ 839
Nigerchin 6mm single core copper wire – R$ 1,277
Vecan cables prices in South Africa
Vecan 1mm single core copper wire – R$ 222
Vecan 1. 5mm single core copper wire – R$ 296
Vecan 2.5mm single core copper wire – R$ 452
Vecan 6mm single core copper wire – R$ 1,055
Vecan 10mm single core copper wire – R$ 1,554
Vecan 16mm single core copper wire – R$ 2,590
Electrical Cable Buying Tips in South Africa
It is very common among South Africans to pay little attention to the quality of electrical cables they purchase. If it’s conducting electricity, it’s enough – some may easily rationalize. But with the numerous documented cases of fire outbreaks, blackouts, and electrocution, it’s pertinent to prioritize quality of cables over the prices.
As I earlier explained, South Africa made cables are generally adjudged to be of superior quality to most imported brands. It’s therefore important to perform a closer and thorough inspection to make sure the brand you are buying is a reputable South Africa brand.
Lots of product counterfeiters buy cheap and low quality imported brands – mainly Chinese – and repackage them as made in South Africa. As a rule of thumb, always make sure the name brand on the cable body corresponds with that of its accompanying pack.
Similarly, for non-professionals who handle small scale electrical jobs at home or office, paying attention to the diameter of wires is important.
The smaller diameter wires used in making substandard cables substantially reduces its electrical conductivity, especially when used for heavy lifting electric jobs. This causes overheating and could result in damages to connected appliances or even fire outbreaks.
Reduction in conductivity could also negatively affect the cable’s insulating properties. This is among the major causes of electrocution induced by electrical cables.
