Load shedding: What it costs to protect your appliances and gadgets

In a country plagued by frequent power blackouts like South Africa, protecting your devices and appliances from the effects of load shedding is an important consideration.

While various backup power solutions are available, they are costly, and there is a lot you can do in the short term to address the potential harm caused to your electronics from power cuts and power surges.

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Here are a few tips on how to keep your devices safe and functional.

Load shedding surge protectors

Power surges pose a significant threat to your electronics when the power abruptly goes out and comes back on. These surges can send a surge of electricity, comparable to a lightning bolt, directly into your devices.

To mitigate this risk, invest in high-quality surge protectors and connect your valuable electronics, such as computers, televisions, and ‘white goods’ (washing machine, fridge, dishwasher) to these adaptors.

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Surge protectors act as electronic bodyguards, shielding your equipment from sudden voltage spikes during and after load shedding hours.

They can be purchased for as little as R140.

Voltage stabilisers

Another concern during load shedding is voltage fluctuation. When the electricity is restored after a blackout, the voltage can fluctuate before stabilising. This fluctuation can potentially harm sensitive electronics.

To combat this issue, consider installing voltage stabilisers, particularly for your more sensitive devices. These stabilisers ensure a smooth and stable flow of electricity, safeguarding your electronics from the adverse effects of power fluctuations.

These will set you back a bit more, starting from around R1500.

Among your electronic devices, your computer is especially vulnerable during load shedding. To protect your computer, invest in an uninterrupted power supply (UPS). This device not only keeps your computer running during blackouts but also shields it from the chaos caused by surges and voltage fluctuations.

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They are particularly helpful during loadshedding stages where you’re without power for four hours at a time. These start from around R1700.

If you’ve got a laptop with a good battery and just want to keep your WiFi router going, these UPSs start at around R520.  

Televisions are relatively less sensitive than computers but can still be a casualty of frequent power blackouts. Surge protectors can again come to the rescue here. Connect your TV and any associated equipment, such as gaming consoles or sound systems, to surge protectors to ensure they are shielded from power spikes.

General household appliances are the backbone of most homes. Consider unplugging your washing machine, dishwasher and any of your other ‘white goods’ during power outages to protect them from power surges.

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Fridges are a tricky one and there have been countless horror stories of food spoiling after continuous, extended blackouts. But these can be unplugged too during shorter load shedding hours to mitigate power-surge damage (provided you remember to plug them back in afterwards!)

While it may be a minor inconvenience, it gives these valuable appliances added protection.

If your budget allows, consider investing in surge protectors for all your gadgets and appliances for the most comprehensive protection from sudden voltage spikes and fluctuations.

Additionally, voltage stabilisers can keep those voltage fluctuations at bay. With these measures in place, you can future-proof your devices and appliances against the uncertainties of load shedding, ensuring their longevity and uninterrupted functionality.

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