Residents urged to switch off appliances during load-shedding
"The most damage occurs when the electricity is restored and all the geysers, pumps, stoves, etc. start simultaneously."
Tshwane metro urged residents to switch off their appliances to limit the negative effects of load-shedding.
“Our electricity infrastructure is again facing challenges, particularly the tripping of grids and surges due to overloading when load-shedding ends,” said utilities MMC Daryl Johnston.
“Residents must please switch off all rotating machines, heaters, and/or geysers before the planned reconnection time.
“When electricity is restored, wait a few minutes before boiling the kettle and resuming cooking. Switch geysers, pumps, etc. only on after the electricity supply has stabilised.
“Lights can remain switched on to alert households when electricity is restored,” he said.
Johnston said problems were worse because of the cold weather.
“During load-shedding, switching the electricity supply to the grid on and off happens up to three times per day.
“But the most damage occurs when the electricity is restored and all the geysers, pumps, stoves, etc. start simultaneously.
“This causes an abnormal surge of electricity that can sometimes go high enough to trip a circuit breaker.”
He said it was important that residents all worked together to protect the electricity infrastructure and prevent power outages due to load-shedding.
Johnston urged residents to try to manage consumption during the periods when electricity was expected to be restored.
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