Eskom’s loathsome load shedding has again become a daily part of life for South Africans as the state power utility continues to battle ongoing generation capacity shortages caused by poorly maintained infrastructure.<\/p>\n
And aside from the inconvenience it causes, there are also concerns about the impact on electric and electronic devices, notes insurer, Dialdirect.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere have no doubt been many questions about how load shedding affects \u2013 possibly even damages – cell phones, geysers, decoders, modems, gate motors and other devices, as well as how you can safeguard yourself against this,\u201d said Anneli Retief, head of Dialdirect.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe good news is that, with sufficient knowledge and smart planning, there\u2019s a lot you can do to protect your possessions and your wallet.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to energy experts, the effects of load shedding differ significantly from one type of device to the other.<\/p>\n
Batteries, used in anything from cell phones and gate motors to alarms and backup systems, are vulnerable to load shedding. If a battery runs down completely, its lifespan is significantly shortened. In addition, manufacturer\u2019s guarantee batteries for X-amount of charging cycles. More charging cycles caused by load shedding reduces battery life.<\/p>\n
Pure resistance devices, like stoves, geysers, kettles and heaters are unaffected when the power is switched on and off.<\/p>\n
Devices that carry reactive loads, like fridges, tumble dryers, lawnmowers, dishwashers, washing machines, hair dryers and gate motors, normally have an electric motor that is exposed to surges when the power is interrupted. Although unprotected devices \u2013 typically very old devices \u2013 could be damaged, protective measures are normally built-in to protect electronic components against surges, so damage rarely occurs in practice.<\/p>\n
Devices like mobile phone chargers, decoders, computers, radios and modems use relatively little energy and usually have a power source that converts the high supply current to a lower, direct current voltage.<\/p>\n
These power supplies are mostly very robust and don\u2019t allow surges to reach the devices, Dialdirect said. Batteries also tend to provide an extra protective layer against surges. If there\u2019s damage due to power fluctuations, it\u2019s normally only the power source that needs replacement.<\/p>\n
Cooling devices like fridges, freezers and air conditioners mostly work with compressors, making them susceptible because pressurised gas could provide resistance and cause damage to the device\u2019s motor when the power is turned back on, the insurer said.<\/p>\n
3-phase power systems are vulnerable to load shedding, as one or more of the phases could be lost when power is restored, which could cause 3-phase motors to run unbalanced and burn out. Imbalance in this system could also cause damage to single-phase devices, it warned.<\/p>\n
Dialdirect offers the following advice to protect your devices, your property and yourself during load shedding:<\/p>\n
“If you need to manually open and close your gates when you get home, try to have someone come and meet you at your entrance, or arrange for an escort from your security company,” it said.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also important to play your part in reducing pressure on the grid by using energy-efficient bulbs and appliances, smart plugs and smart timers, getting your entire household involved in conserving electricity and investing in alternative energy sources like a generator, backup battery system or solar system, it said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe golden rule is to proactively think about all the ways in which things can go wrong and plan thoroughly,\u201d Retief concludes. \u201cIt\u2019s also vital to have comprehensive insurance in place, should catastrophe strike during load shedding.\u201d<\/p>\n