Advanced Features
Developed over the last ten years, the current generation of New Macey plugs have advanced features found on no other high voltage electrical plug. Some of these benefits are listed below.
Lighter Construction
The plugs have fewer components, so they are about 30% lighter than conventional designs. This makes them easier to handle, causing fewer occupational injuries.
Positive Anchorage
A continuous resin seal on the cable sheath and conductors means there are no cones or grommets to slip or leak.
Permanently Colour Coded
Plugs are pigment coloured to denote different voltages. There is no need to paint plugs to correctly identify them.
Readily Maintained
Plug maintenance is more efficient, saving time in workshops and cable repair facilities. Earth sleeves and all connecting bolts are marine grade stainless steel.
The earth sleeves are replaceable and the stainless steel makes them stronger than conventional brass sleeves.
Quality Materials
Plugs are made from marine grade stainless steel, bronze and Kevlar impregnated resin, so there are no corrosion problems.
Heavy Duty Sockets
Sockets are silver plated and built for maximum heat dissipation. They give positive electrical contact and are readily replaced during plug renovation.
Waterproof and Flameproof
Moisture penetrating plugs accounts for about 30 per cent of electrical cable failures. By eliminating moisture, New Macey plugs are more reliable than any comparable product available to the Australian mining community. Bolted couplers can operate under 10 metres of water (I.P. 68) and are flameproof to Exd. m.e.l. 150o. Restrained plugs can withstand the same water pressure and only need to be dried of surface moisture before being energised again.
Cable Operations
By excluding moisture from plugs, cable availability can be improved by about 30%. This seemingly minor element can increase cumulative equipment availability by about three per cent. On a three million tonne per annum coal mine, this single initiative can be worth about five million dollars per year in increased mine output.