CBI-electric: Medium Voltage

Name

CBI-electric: Medium Voltage

Legal name

CBI (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://cbi-lowvoltage.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

CBI-electric: low voltage is a South African manufacturer of low-voltage circuit breakers, surge protection, distribution boards, metering, and wiring accessories. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Reunert Limited, it serves utilities, industrial/mining, commercial, and residential customers across Africa, North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Low Voltage Electrical Distribution and Protection Equipment

NAICS

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (3353), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Wiring Device Manufacturing (33593), Current-Carrying Wiring Device Manufacturing (335931)

SIC

Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Circuit Protection Devices (MCBs, MCCBs, ACBs, fuses, RCD/GFCI, surge protection) (IMAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Low-Voltage Switchboards & Panelboards (LV distribution panels, MCCs, switchboards) (IMAGAEAA), Industrial Control Panels & Enclosures (Panel Building, MCCs, Integration) (IMAGABAJ), Home Energy & EV Charging (HEMS, Smart Meters, Batteries, Chargers) (HSAPAQAF), Battery Management Systems (BMS) & Battery Electronics (IMAGAHAC)

Keywords

• Low voltage circuit breakers
• Electrical distribution equipment
• Moulded case circuit breakers
• Surge protection devices
• Smart electrical metering

Headquarters

HQ city

Gauteng

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Electrical Equipment Sales: Sale of low voltage circuit breakers, moulded case circuit breakers, residual current devices, surge protection devices, wiring accessories, and metering products through distributors, wholesalers, and direct sales.
2. Smart IoT Products: Sale of Wi-Fi enabled smart meters and Astute smart home automation range with app-based management through the Astute Portal.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CBI-electric manufactures and sells low voltage electrical distribution, protection, and control equipment, including circuit breakers (MCBs, MCCBs, ACBs, CBE), earth leakage devices, surge protection, distribution boards, metering products, motor control, and wiring accessories. The company also offers smart IoT-enabled products through the Astute Range and Intuitive Range of Wi-Fi meters, serving residential, commercial, industrial, mining, and utility sectors across global markets.

Product overview

CBI-electric: low voltage is a manufacturer of low voltage electrical distribution, protection, and control equipment based in South Africa. The product portfolio is organized around a unified platform of circuit protection devices (MCBs, MCCBs, ACBs, CBE, Earth Leakage) supplemented by complementary product categories including surge protection, distribution boards, metering products, motor control, and wiring accessories. The company has expanded into smart/IoT products through the Astute Range (smart plugs, controllers, isolators, adaptors) and Intuitive Range (Wi-Fi smart meters), which integrate within a connected ecosystem managed via the CBI Home App and Astute Portal. Key product lines include the comprehensive MCCB range (15A-1200A), multiple circuit breaker types (thermal-magnetic, hydraulic-magnetic, electronic), solar/battery protection solutions, and various wiring accessory ranges (Switch Ultra, Metal, Colour). The products serve residential, commercial, industrial, mining, and power distribution sectors across global markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Astute Range (IoT): Smart home automation and IoT products including Astute Smart Controller (ASC), Astute Smart Isolator (ASI), Astute Smart Plug Dedicated (ASP-D), CBI Astute Smart Plug (ASP), CBi Astute Smart Power Indicator (ASPI), and Astute Smart Adaptor (ASA).
• Switch Ultra Range
• Intuitive Range
• CBi-electric: African Cables

Products and services

• Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB) Circuit breakers designed for overcurrent protection in residential, commercial, and industrial applications, including thermal-magnetic and hydraulic-magnetic variants. Used by electricians, contractors, and property developers for safe electrical distribution.
• Air Circuit Breakers (ACB) Air circuit breakers for high-current applications, including Mitsubishi-branded ACBs for industrial power distribution. Suitable for utility, industrial, and large commercial installations.
• Moulded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCB) Comprehensive range of MCCBs from 15A to 1200A covering thermal magnetic, hydraulic magnetic, electronic, and Mitsubishi variants for various industrial applications. Used in industrial, commercial, and utility power distribution systems.
• Circuit Breakers for Equipment (CBE) Circuit breakers specifically designed for equipment protection applications, providing overcurrent protection within OEM equipment and machinery.
• Earth Leakage Products Residual current devices providing ground fault protection for safety against electric shock and fire hazards in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
• Surge Protection Devices Protection devices against voltage spikes and surges for safeguarding electrical equipment and infrastructure in residential, commercial, and industrial installations.
• Distribution Boards Electrical distribution panels including DIN Solar Distribution Board for alternative energy installations, for use in residential, commercial, and industrial power distribution.
• Metering Products Standard metering products and smart Wi-Fi enabled meters including single-phase and three-phase multifunction meters with Class 1 accuracy for residential, commercial, and industrial energy monitoring.
• Intuitive Range of Wi-Fi Meters Smart metering range including ISR2121 (single-phase 80A), ISR4321 (three-phase 100A), and ISR4321CT (CT meter with current transformer support) meters. All operate on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and are managed via CBI Home App or Astute Portal for residential, commercial, and industrial energy management.
• Wiring Accessories Complete range including Standard Wiring Accessories, Switch Ultra Range (white and graphite finishes with slimline design and fluorescent inserts), Metal Range, Switch Colour Range, and USB Socket Outlets for residential and commercial installations.
• Motor Control Motor control products including Mitsubishi motor control solutions for industrial applications, serving industrial automation and mining operations.
• Astute Range (IoT) Smart home automation IoT product line including smart controllers, isolators, plugs, adaptors, and power indicators. Integrates with Intuitive Wi-Fi meters for comprehensive connected home ecosystem, managed via the CBI Home App and Astute Portal.
• QAT-TRDM Touch-Screen Electronic Time Switch Touch-screen programmable time switch for controlling geysers, lights, air conditioners, and pool pumps. Features LCD touch-screen, multiple ON/OFF programs, 15-minute segments, and DIN/Mini rail mount options for residential, commercial, and industrial time-based switching.
• CBI³ Design Tool Web-based intelligent electrical systems design tool for designing and analysing CBI-electric circuit breaker installations, replacing the previous CBI² software with a browser-based platform including improved user interface and system analysis functionality.
• Photovoltaic and Battery Protection Solutions Solar and battery storage protection solutions including QIL Indicator Lights, DC Protection Kit, and QAC Changeover Switch for alternative energy systems. Used in residential and commercial solar PV installations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Manufacturing capacity of 25+ million parts per month
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Moeller Electric GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2008Exclusive distributor for Moeller GmbH Germany in South Africa and selected African countries. The incorporation of Moeller South Africa into CBI-electric was effective from April 2008. The addition of Moeller's product range enhanced CBI's industrial control portfolio.
• Mitsubishi ElectriccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCBI-electric: low voltage is the appointed distributor of Mitsubishi Electric products for the South African market, including Mitsubishi WS Series air circuit breakers and motor control products.
• EatoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCBI-electric: low voltage is the appointed distributor of Eaton products for the South African market.
• American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC)minorOthersCBI-electric: low voltage announced membership of the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC), enabling the company to serve the marine electrical equipment market.
• Reunert LimitedcoreOthersCBI-electric is fully owned by Reunert, a leading South African company listed on the JSE in the industrial goods and services (electronic and electrical equipment) sector. Reunert manages businesses focused on electrical engineering, information communication technologies and applied electronics.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Legrand: French global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructure, with strong positions in wiring accessories, distribution boards, and increasingly connected energy management. Direct competitor in wiring accessories and adjacent IoT categories.
• Eaton: US-based power management company and one of CBI's distribution principals. Eaton's electrical sector produces circuit breakers, surge protection, and motor control products across residential, commercial, and industrial markets. Direct competitor with whom CBI also partners.
• Hager Group: German family-owned manufacturer specializing in low-voltage electrical distribution, circuit protection, and wiring accessories. Comparable to CBI's core MCB/MCCB/Distribution Board portfolio with strong presence in EMEA residential and commercial segments.

Emerging players

• Vertiv: Critical digital infrastructure provider with power distribution, surge protection, and monitoring products. Comparable in low-voltage protection for telecom and data center applications, which is one of CBI's stated customer segments.
• Chint Group: Chinese low-voltage electrical equipment manufacturer with broad MCB, MCCB, ACB, and wiring accessories portfolios, increasingly competing in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Direct competitor in price-sensitive emerging markets where CBI exports.

Broad incumbents

• Schneider Electric: Global leader in energy management and automation with deep portfolios in circuit breakers, distribution boards, surge protection, and increasingly smart home energy management. Directly comparable to CBI across MCBs, MCCBs, ACBs, and now competes in smart metering/IoT through Wiser.
• Mitsubishi Electric: Japanese industrial conglomerate whose low-voltage switchgear and motor control products are distributed by CBI-electric in South Africa. Comparable across ACBs, MCCBs, and motor starters; CBI is simultaneously a partner and competing brand in the same geographies.
• Rockwell Automation: US industrial automation leader with a portfolio including motor control, low-voltage components, and increasingly smart manufacturing platforms. Comparable to CBI's motor control and industrial protection offerings, though more software-centric.
• ABB: Swiss-Swedish multinational with a major electrification segment offering low-voltage circuit breakers, enclosures, wiring accessories, and motor control. Direct competitor in industrial and utility-grade protection equipment.
• Siemens: Global industrial conglomerate with a Smart Infrastructure division offering low-voltage power distribution, circuit protection, and increasingly IoT-enabled energy monitoring. Competes with CBI in industrial, commercial, and increasingly residential segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cbielectriclowvoltage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cbi-electric-low-voltage
• Instagraminstagram.com/cbielectric_lv
• TikToktiktok.com/@cbilowvoltage?lang=en

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CBI-electric: Medium Voltage