Load shedding

[Marq]

I also got some interesting feedback from my sparkies in the field yesterday. We were getting voltage readings as high as 248V on single phase and 415V on 3 phase installations during the rolling blackouts.

Dave - To us non sparkies out here....what does this mean?

[ians]

They dried that coal quick

[wynn]

This is my attitude!

[pmbguy]

I received 3 dead printers this morning already, not a surprise, I have noticed over the years that when the power goes off I often get some surge damaged machines in the workshop. Power supplies and main boards are expensive, from these 3 machines only one might be economically repaired. I know it’s probably the power failure, or more accurately its return because I know all 3 of the machines did not switch on today- after yesterday.

Can one prove it’s caused by mesko? (eskom).Is there any recourse available for uninsured clients or insurance companies?

[irneb]

Can one prove it’s caused by mesko? (eskom).Is there any recourse available for uninsured clients or insurance companies?

I'm sorry no, I don't think so. I fear there's some fine-print in your elec connection contract which exemplifies Eskom from any damage cause by their supply inconsistencies.

For me, I've usually got my home PC's and most electronic equipment behind a protection device. But that's mostly because of lightning here - surges I'm not too sure if they dampen those. Although I've had several UPS's die on me due to Eskom's poor quality power, I see them as sacrificial - much cheaper to replace a UPS than a PC motherboard, CPU, etc.

[ians]

Only if you had a recorder connected at the time. Many insurance companies will attempt to get out of a claim if there is no lightning protection, and will add a clause to your policy if you don't have lightning protection, which some insurance companies have realised that lightning protection is a hit and miss because it is not designed to protect against over voltage , it is designed to protect against lightning which generates thousands of volts.

There is a device which is designed for over voltages created by load shedding, cable theft etc. I have installed these devices years ago and still prove to be a worthy device saving thousands of rands.

The company now makes a single phase unit for domestic installations.

[pmbguy]

I'm sorry no, I don't think so. I fear there's some fine-print in your elec connection contract which exemplifies Eskom from any damage cause by their supply inconsistencies.

For me, I've usually got my home PC's and most electronic equipment behind a protection device. But that's mostly because of lightning here - surges I'm not too sure if they dampen those. Although I've had several UPS's die on me due to Eskom's poor quality power, I see them as sacrificial - much cheaper to replace a UPS than a PC motherboard, CPU, etc.

That sux, but I guess if it’s in the contract you got no leg to stand on. I still think that there may be some way to overturn the contract though...potentailly

I always advice any client who has had one machine’s boards knocked out to get a surge protector or UPS. If it’s a fax the protector must include line protection. It’s cheaper to buy a new surge protector (or UPS) than replacing the machine in most cases. I must also add that a surge protector is by no means a 100% effective, I have seen surge protectors go with a machine and I have seen a surge protector untouched whilst the printer blows a component -rare. Usually, but not always, those branded as Lighting protectors are what gets people confused, which is not exactly the same as a surge protector. I might have this wrong but I believe a true surge protector does not allow over or under current, whereas a true and only lightning protector only covers over current and blows- high surge.

[wynn]

Had to smile when I saw this new logo for ESKOM