City Power addresses faults linked to Johannes Street mini-substation
An investigation into Fairland’s electrical issues revealed multiple faults at a local mini-substation.
City Power has responded to concerns from Fairland residents, following reports of electrical faults and damage to appliances linked to the Johannes Street mini-substation.
According to Isaac Mangena, communications manager for City Power, no work had been conducted on the transformer that could have affected the electricity supply. “Our planned maintenance records indicated that no work was carried out that could have impacted customers in Fairland.” He noted that routine maintenance formed part of ongoing efforts to ensure network reliability and safety.
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City Power confirmed it had been aware of complaints from residents regarding phase failures and electrical damage. Technical teams were dispatched after reports of a mini-substation appearing to burn in the area. “On inspection, several faults were identified.” These included a burnt neutral conductor at the Johannes Street mini-substation, a loose connection at a nearby pole box, which caused phases to touch, and a damaged service cable at the same location. All identified faults have since been repaired and power supply restored.
Mangena noted that when a neutral conductor burned out or became disconnected, it could result in voltage imbalances. This, he said, may have caused power surges capable of damaging household appliances, which aligned with residents’ reports. Concerns about possible transformer oil leaks had not been confirmed, but were included in further inspections. “Any oil leaks can pose safety risks if left unattended and would be investigated, with corrective action taken where necessary.”
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Residents who experienced damage were encouraged to report faults and submit claims through City Power’s call centre or customer service centres, where each case would be assessed individually.
Mangena added that residents still experiencing electrical issues should log faults promptly and have their internal wiring inspected by a qualified electrician if needed.
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