The energy crisis in South Africa has caused significant damage to electronic business assets and continues to disrupt local business operations and connectivity. In a world where more and more business practices are moving online, reliance on good internet connectivity is paramount for businesses to run smoothly. Over and above connectivity, many businesses rely on electric-powered assets like servers, printers, copiers, and other machinery.
As a downtime mitigation strategy, many businesses seek products like generators and universal power supplies (UPS). However, many do not account for the quality of the power that comes from the grid and alternative sources of power (inverters, UPS, and generators) and how this can impact their assets when the power returns after a stint of load-shedding. Although current products on the market assist with power sourcing, they cannot help with long-term damage caused by grid-related power supply.
Poor power quality arguably impacts businesses more severely than load-shedding or blackouts. The power going off is not the problem, but rather how the power is returned to the establishment. Consistent monitoring and a proactive approach to mitigating power supply problems is the best way forward for businesses that want to save time and money replacing and repairing their electronic assets and connectivity devices.
Types of poor power quality and their impact
The likes of power outages and load-shedding mean that the power supply is halted for a given time. These periods in which no power is supplied from the grid are a common occurrence in South Africa, given the country’s inability to supply sufficient power to meet the demand of its consumers. Although highly inconvenient, it’s not these dead patches that cause long-term damage to the business’s assets but rather what happens to them when the power is switched back on or transitioning from one power source to another. Below are some of the issues commonly encountered due to lack of power quality and the potential damage they can cause.
Surges
Simply put, surges are when too much power is supplied to one area for a short time. A surge often happens when power from the grid is supplied after an outage. Surges can cause significant electrical damage to assets, often destroying them completely. South African businesses have spent millions on replacing equipment that has been fried from power surges, with some insurance companies publishing figures of an increase in damaged equipment claims of 60% or more.
Dips and sags
Have you ever experienced the lights dimming for a second or two? Perhaps you’ve experienced a drop in your wireless internet connection. These occurrences are often due to what is known as a power dip or a power sag. The inconsistency in power supply can wear down the electrical equipment wiring, significantly shortening their lifespans and ultimately costing businesses more money and resources to repair or replace them.
Overvoltage
When power returns to an establishment after an outage, overvoltages are common. This happens when power is supplied to a specific unit at a rate that exceeds 280 volts. Overvoltage can cause similar problems to power surges, where wiring is literally burned out due to an influx of electricity. It also happens when the power comes back after a period of downtime.
Power outages
Power outages mean that electricity is completely cut and supply from the grid stops completely. This is what happens in the event of load shedding or blackouts. Although a lack of power supply rarely causes direct damage to equipment, the switch over to an alternative power source might. Current power supply alternatives also take time to start up after the grid power supply is shut off. These short periods of downtime add up, and the switch to supply from a generator or USP can also cause more severe problems like those mentioned previously.
Brownouts
If an organisation uses more electricity than can be supplied by the grid, a brownout occurs. You may experience lights dimming, certain sockets malfunctioning, or a complete lack of supply in certain building areas. In a brownout, many people choose to switch off unnecessary equipment or pause certain operations. If unplanned, these partial shutdowns can prove detrimental to business functionality. A surge or overvoltage can also occur at the end of a brownout, increasing the risk of long-term damage to mission-critical assets - costing businesses time and money.
The insurance problem
Given the increase in claims over the past two years, insurance companies have tightened their belt on claims. Fewer and fewer companies are offering coverage for damage to assets caused by poor power quality or claims for infrastructure downtime, such as loss of profit and loss of income. The cost of replacing major electronic equipment has meant that insurers are earning reduced profits, given the amount they’ve had to pay out in claims.
For businesses to take on the full cost of equipment replacement, repair, and downtime impacts company cash flow and brand reputation. Damaged equipment also causes significant operational downtime, ultimately costing the business more than the immediate cost of equipment replacement. It’s, therefore, becoming very necessary for businesses to proactively protect themselves against damage caused by power supply inconsistencies.
What are power conditioners?
A power conditioner, also known as a power line conditioner or voltage regulator, is an electrical device designed to enhance the quality of power supplied from the grid or other sources. Its primary function is to ensure a consistent and stable electricity supply, preventing the likes of voltage fluctuations, surges, and sags.
In addition to voltage regulation, power conditioners have surge protection to safeguard connected devices from electrical disturbances. Power conditioners are critical in preventing damage, data loss, connectivity slumps, and performance issues in electronic systems by providing a stable and clean power source, ultimately increasing their reliability and lifespan.
When it comes to running software, irregular power supply can corrupt software, causing a need to reinstall or reboot at remote locations, therefore increasing the amount of operational downtime for businesses and mission-critical devices like ATMs, remote servers, media screens, vending machines etc.
Power conditioners to optimise your business
Power conditioners proactively monitor the incoming electrical power and make real-time adjustments to maintain a consistent voltage level within an acceptable range. They can boost or reduce voltage as needed, ensuring that sensitive electronic devices receive a steady, clean power supply. This is especially important for equipment like computers, servers, audiovisual systems, and medical devices, which can be highly sensitive to voltage variations.
Popular power conditioning brands like Innovolt have become household names. However, many of their products have been upgraded and now lie under the ESP range of power conditioners. If you are looking for power conditioning solutions, look no further than Track Mechanical Services. We are the sole Southern Africa supplier of ESP Power conditioners and filters and offer your business comprehensive plans to actively monitor the quality of your power supply and assist in mitigating risks of damage and business downtime.
If you require assistance or are interested in our products, contact a member of our professional team today, and we’ll gladly help you.