100 days without a power cut - Will we see load shedding again?

Yesterday, Eskom celebrated its 100^th day without cutting the power supply. Steady progress has been made in the maintenance programme of its aging power plants, which means plant availability will be improved and a decrease in plant breakdowns.

However, news is that a substation has erupted into flames!

Video footage has come out of a massive fire engulfing Eskom’s Merensky substation in Steelpoort, Mpumalanga, following an explosion.

The employees at the scene were unable to specify the reason why the transmitter exploded on Sunday night.  Luckily the Tubatse Fire department and mine rescue team were on the scene quickly enough to control the raging fire, however the blaze was only extinguished the next morning.

Because of the blaze, entry to the substation was denied due to safety precautions. Fortunately no injuries were reported.

Take a look at the video here...

So, because of this incident, will we see load shedding in the future? We hope not!

For a wide range of load shedding and back up power solutions, contact Off Grid in Cape Town!

Dealing with a power cut on your aquarium

Tropical fish are fascinating, beautiful and restful creatures. If you own a tropical fish aquarium then you need to know how to keep them safe at all times, and being prepared for load shedding or a power cut is vital.

Tropical fish don’t react well to drastic changes or drops in temperature, so use these tips to protect your fish.

If the power goes off

During a power cut, or if load shedding hits, the water will begin to fall towards room temperature. Most fish will be able to cope well with a gradual rise or fall in water temperature, although they may become sluggish and behave differently; they should make a full recovery. Changes like this happen all the time in nature, only delicate species may be badly affected.

The speed at which the water becomes cooler can be affected by:

- The surrounding air temperature
- The size of the tank
- The volume of water held inside the tank

How to protect your fish

- Be prepared. If you know about the power cut, always plan ahead and stock up on what you need. Use a cheap bubble-up filter that can be run off a battery-powered air pump.

- Insulate. Wrap the fish tank in blankets, and if possible fill hot water bottles with warm water and place them around the outside of the tank. Pay particular attention to the aquarium hood – this is where most heat is lost.

- Oxygenate. Without power the water will lose oxygen at a rate that depends on water volume, the quantity of fish within the aquarium and whether there are oxygenating plants in it. Using a bicycle pump is a cheaper method of moving water.

- Go easy on the food. The tanks filtration system won’t be working so try not to feed the fish during this time, or cut down how much food you give them to minimize waste.

Hopefully these tips help and keep your fish safe and sound during a power cut.

For reliable, affordable back up power solutions, contact Off Grid today!

Risks of load shedding for the small business owner

Depending on the type of business you run, whether you're a guesthouse owner, plumber or franchisee, here are some of the top risk areas associated with load shedding: 

Theft and burglary: Remember that criminals also study load shedding schedules to work out which areas are vulnerable at which times. Tripped and false alarms are great opportunities for opportunistic burglars. Make sure that your alarm system has a working back-up battery, try and keep as little cash on your premises as possible and be extra vigilant about access to your premises and securing your perimeter.

Stock spoiling: It's important to always leave your freezer and refrigerator doors closed to preserve the cold temperature inside. A full freezer should keep food safe for up to two days and a refrigerator for 4-6 hours.

Production halting: If your production relies on machinery, and staff cannot put in additional hours on weekends or evenings, perhaps then consider buying a backup power solution from Off Grid.

Battery life: If your laptop is your life, make sure your battery is fully charged and invest in a portable modem with sufficient data. Another option would be to purchase a UPS or power bank.

Lighting: If your business requires good lighting in order to perform intricate work (e.g. medical professionals), it is very important that you familiarise yourself with the schedules and plan ahead as load shedding can have a direct impact on your business.

Damage to electronics and machinery: Surges or spikes - caused by the electrical supply being switched on and off - can cause damage to electronic equipment and machinery. If your business relies heavily on electrical equipment and machinery, you might want to look into surge protection plugs, back-up batteries or UPS.

In the business world, productivity is everything and load shedding makes it difficult to plan ahead. Consumers can light candles or order a pizza but for small business owners, these interruptions can seriously affect business productivity and profit.