With South Africa back to rolling blackouts and fluctuating between Stage 4 and Stage 6 load shedding, many are once again facing the challenge of working around power outages. But beyond the inconvenience, there’s another casualty—electrical appliances.
Many South Africans have reported that their devices stopped working due to power surges caused by the outages. A Twitter poll by Gumtree revealed that 61.6% of respondents had experienced damage to their electronics due to load shedding.
READ MORE: Load Shedding? Here’s How to Power Up Even When the Power’s Down
Why Load Shedding Harms Your Appliances
“Fluctuations in power can wreak havoc on your appliances and cause permanent damage that is often not covered by insurance,” explains Gumtree marketing manager Estelle Nagel.
Many modern devices, especially smart appliances, have delicate microprocessors that require proper shutdown—similar to a computer. When the power cuts unexpectedly, these components can fail, leading to costly repairs or replacements.
“If you own an expensive smart TV or fridge, the R250-R2000 investment in protecting that device is well worth it,” Nagel advises.
How to Safeguard Your Electronics
To avoid the expense of replacing damaged appliances, consider these preventive measures:
1. Invest in an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
A UPS provides backup battery power for a few minutes to hours, giving you time to shut down sensitive devices properly. A UPS can prevent data loss and internal hardware failure even if it only lasts a few minutes. Nagel suggests using one for your office router so that, at the very least, you maintain internet connectivity during load shedding. (Read the 7 best backup UPS to stay connected during load shedding)
2. Unplug Your Devices
If possible, unplug computers, TVs, routers, and other sensitive electronics during outages to prevent damage from sudden power restoration. This simple step can save you from costly replacements.
3. Consider Back-Up Batteries or Solar Power
Load shedding can leave security systems vulnerable. Installing backup battery systems for electric gates and fencing, or switching to solar security lights, can help keep your home protected even when the power is out.
“While load shedding is here to stay, being prepared is key. There are plenty of affordable and effective ways to minimise or prevent damage to your electronics,” Nagel concludes.
