Damage control and load shedding

Die vernietiging van persoonlike elektroniese toerusting in huise en besighede word deur Eskom se nalatigheid sodanig beskadig dat sommige nooit weer gebruik kan word nie. Selfs batterye van alarmsisteme en hekke gaan tot niet wat vervang moet word. Dit is ekstra uitgawes aan die verbruikers se sakke. Nie almal kan opwekkers bekostig wat vir 2-4 uur moet hardloop nie. Sit maar jou krag af as daar kragonderbrekings is en plaas dit terug sodra dit weer aankom. Die veiliger alternatief is, gaan so gou as moontlik van die Eskom stelsel af, dat hierdie terroriste nie soveel impak op privaat lewens en besighede het nie. Gebruik gas of sonkrag om te help daarmee. Werk aan selfbeskikking en onafhanklikheid, maar ook jou eie beveiliging, gebied, huis en besigheid(e).

Thousands in electrical appliances lost during load shedding - Springs Advertiser

Intussen gaan die kragpryse op en daal nie omdat die verbruikers skade ly en elektriese toerusting moet vervang uit eie sak. Neem ook kennis dat 15% BTW van al hierdie vervangings na die regering gaan vir ekstra inkomste, en dus moet verbruikers nog meer opdok. In die laaste jaar is daar ondersoeke aan die gang oor ‘n paar werkers van Eskom kragstasies so besteel en biljoene word eenvoudig afgeskryf omdat daar gerieflik nie genoegsame sekuriteit of administrasie is om die euwel van korrupsie en diefstal te bekamp nie.

Dit is baie duidelik dat daar groot netwerk van sindikate is wat die Eskom reus tot ‘n stilstand wil dwing sodat hulle dan ook Suid-Afrika, alle besighede en gebruikers tot niet maak. Duidelik beheer en kaap terroriste lankal al hierdie netwerke, staatsentiteite en ook die regering (wat dit eenvoudig toelaat, want hulle tree nie na behore op nie). Dit help nie daar word kommissies aangestel wat niks kan doen nie. Waarom word hul betaal vir niks doen nie?

Eskom sabotage from inside

Batteries, used in anything from cellphones and gate motors to alarms and backup systems, are vulnerable to load-shedding. If a battery runs down completely, its lifespan is significantly shortened.

Devices that carry reactive loads, like fridges, tumble dryers, lawnmowers, dishwashers, washing machines, hairdryers and gate motors, normally have an electric motor, which is exposed to surges when the power is interrupted. Although unprotected devices – typically very old devices – could be damaged, protective measures are normally built-in to protect electronic components against surges, so damage rarely occurs in practice.

Devices like cellphone 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. These power supplies are mostly very robust and don’t allow surges to reach the devices. Batteries also tend to provide an extra protective layer against surges. If there’s damage due to power fluctuations, it’s normally only the power source that needs replacement.

Advice to protect your devices, your property and yourself during load-shedding:

• Switch off fridges and air conditioners during load-shedding. As soon as the power has been restored and is stable with no flickering or dimmed lights switch on these appliances one by one. Keep fridges and freezers closed to keep them cooler for longer.

• Switch off any devices that could cause a fire risk if power is restored.

• A UPS (uninterruptable power supply) is a good way to protect your devices. It should keep them powered long enough to shut them down in a safe manner.

• Alarm systems, garage doors and electric gates generally rely on electricity so make sure that these items all have good back-up batteries.

This is what load-shedding does to devices and appliances

“There have no doubt been many questions about how load shedding affects – possibly even damages – cell phones, geysers, decoders, modems, gate motors and other devices, as well as how you can safeguard yourself against this,” said Anneli Retief, head of Dialdirect.

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’s guarantee batteries for X-amount of charging cycles. More charging cycles caused by load shedding reduces battery life.

Pure resistance devices, like stoves, geysers, kettles and heaters are unaffected when the power is switched on and off.

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 – typically very old devices – could be damaged, protective measures are normally built-in to protect electronic components against surges, so damage rarely occurs in practice.

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.

These power supplies are mostly very robust and don’t allow surges to reach the devices, Dialdirect said. Batteries also tend to provide an extra protective layer against surges. If there’s damage due to power fluctuations, it’s normally only the power source that needs replacement.

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’s motor when the power is turned back on, the insurer said.

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.

Dialdirect offers the following advice to protect your devices, your property and yourself during load shedding:

Switch off fridges and air conditioners during load shedding. As soon as the power has been restored and is stable – i.e. no flickering or dimmed lights – switch on these appliances one by one.
Switch off any devices that could cause a fire risk if power is restored.
A UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) is a good way to protect your devices. It should keep them powered long enough to shut them down in a safe manner.
Keep fridges and freezers closed to keep them cooler for longer.
Have the updated load shedding schedules on hand so that your family will have enough time to prepare for the power outage.
Get a few high-wattage solar powered lights for your garden, and a few LED lights for inside. Light is a deterrent to would-be burglars.
Keep your cell phone charged, or invest in a portable phone charger, so that you can still call for help if you need to.

“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.

Use padlocks, burglar bars and deadbolts to provide an extra level of home security that isn’t power-dependent.
Alarm systems, garage doors and electric gates generally rely on electricity so make sure that these items all have good back-up batteries.
Keep a torch or a solar, battery-powered light that is charged beforehand in multiple, easily accessible locations around your home. Be sure to also have plenty of spare batteries.

It’s 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.

“The golden rule is to proactively think about all the ways in which things can go wrong and plan thoroughly,” Retief concludes. “It’s also vital to have comprehensive insurance in place, should catastrophe strike during load shedding.”