CBI-electric (Circuit Breaker Industries)

An 8.76% electricity tariff increase took effect on 1 April 2025 for Eskom-supplied customers, with a further 8.83% to follow from April 2027. The municipal increase of 9% will be implemented in July 2026.

With the growing concern around increased electricity costs, CBi-electric: low voltage has launched its Intuitive Range of Wi-Fi Meters. The range includes three meters suited to homes, businesses, and industrial sites, all connected via Wi-Fi and managed through the free CBI Home App or web portal at astute.cbi.co.za. The new Astute Portal enables users to access their consumption data via PC, with added functionality including the ability to assign Rand values to kWh, monitor live statistics, and copy energy usage into any document with a single click for easy tracking of spend and consumption.

The meters are also compatible with the company’s existing Astute smart home automation range, allowing users to integrate energy monitoring into a broader connected ecosystem.

"In this environment, understanding exactly where and when electricity is being consumed is a critical first step toward meaningful cost reduction," says Dr Andrew Dickson, engineering executive at CBi-electric: low voltage.

The key product benefit is visibility. Users can view their electricity consumption in real-time from a phone, tablet, or computer. The CBI Home app provides daily consumption data for the last 31 days and monthly data for the past 12 months. Making it easy to spot patterns, identify high-consumption appliances or equipment, and take action to reduce usage.

The meters measure with Class 1 accuracy and support multi-tariff tracking, allowing users to view consumption across different tariffs for different properties.

All data is password-protected, and the meters feature clear LCD screens with backlighting for easy on-site reading. All three meters operate across a wide temperature range of -25°C to +55°C, making them suitable for a variety of installation environments.

The three meters in the CBi Intuitive Range include:

1. Single-phase multifunction Wi-Fi meter (ISR2121) - dual mount (DIN and mini rail) meter, 80 A rated, suited to residential installations.
2. Three-phase multifunction Wi-Fi meter (ISR4321) - DIN rail meter, 100 A rated, for commercial and industrial use.
3. Three-phase multifunction CT Wi-Fi meter (ISR4321CT) - DIN rail meter compatible with 5A/1A external current transformers and external voltage transformers (minimum 30V). The CT meter supports multiple wiring configurations, including 3P4W, 3P3W, 2P3W, and 1P2W, offering flexibility for varied installation requirements. It also features current transformer reverse connection correction, which simplifies installation and reduces the risk of wiring errors.

All three operate on a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection and are certified to IEC 61010-1. They must be installed by a qualified electrician. The meters are available from authorised distributors nationwide. 

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