(Foto: Planetcare / Unsplash)
When load shedding increases in the country, it is no wonder that requests for the repair of electrical equipment also skyrocket.
A recent one study by Procompare, an online platform that connects customers with local experts, shows there is a direct link between the frequency of power outages and electrical equipment breaking down.
Procompare explains that when electricity is restored after a load shedding, it causes a sudden power surge that exceeds the normal current voltage (voltage) exceed and then cause damage to electrical appliances and equipment.
“Customers make requests for repairs for a variety of electrical appliances, including air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions, washing machines and geysers.
“This is a clear indication that load shedding does indeed cause electrical appliances to pick up.”
During periods of frequent power outages, electricians are inundated with requests to carry out repairs – so much so that they often cannot keep up.
According to information obtained on the load shedding application EskomSePush, load shedding in the last six months was the worst in October last year and January this year.
Procompare’s research shows that although the demand for electrical repairs increases every year, in October last year it more than doubled (139%) compared to the corresponding month in 2021.
In December and January, requests increased by an enormous 218% and 371% respectively compared to the same period in December 2021 and January 2022.
This high demand continued in February this year and was 113% more than the demand in February last year.
Procompare says that electricians do have more work, but often too little time to carry out the necessary repairs.
“Power of choice therefore affects electricians in a positive and negative way.”
Adam Parson, owner of Abacus Electrical Solution in Cape Town, explains that load shedding creates many problems that require his company’s attention, but that “time” often throws a club in the pigeonhole.
“I can’t fix something that’s down. So I also have to work around load shedding schedules,” Parson told Procompare.
