Are your devices and appliances safe from load-shedding?

Power turning on and off can cause permanent damage to your appliances. Worse still, these types of issues are often not covered by your general insurance.

Devices such as PCs, Smart TVs, laptops and gaming consoles have built-in microprocessors that are not happy when they are shut down incorrectly.

Here are 5 ways to protect your devices:

Disconnect your appliances

Power surges that blow appliances usually occur when the power come backs on. So, if you can, unplug all your devices before load-shedding begins. It’s especially important to unplug computer power cables from the sockets and phone cables from your modem.

Invest in surge protectors

You can buy a surge protector for your electric mains board as well as surge-protector plug adaptors from most hardware stores. Surge protectors on your electrical wiring/DB boards should be installed by a certified electrician.

Consider buying a UPS system

A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is a device with a battery back-up system that supplies power to your appliances for a few minutes or hours after load-shedding kicks in, depending on the UPS you have. Even if your UPS only keeps you running for a few minutes, it should buy you enough time to power down your devices correctly.

Back-up batteries & Solar Power

Security systems are also at risk during load shedding. Solar security lights or back-up battery systems are available for alarms, electric gates and fencing to make sure your home stays protected during black-outs.

Revisit your insurance policies

This is not a physical way to protect your devices, but ensuring your home insurance is up to date is a safety net you should have. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, appliances will blow during excessive power cuts. To prevent unforeseen damage and losses, you should revisit your insurance cover and ask your broker for advice.

Load-shedding impacts us all – being prepared is key.

* This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or financial advice.