In an environment where load shedding is becoming an increasingly pressing issue, there is bound to be a significant increase in the issues encountered in homes. South African residents and business owners alike need to understand what constitutes a power problem and what it may look like. Power problems don’t just come in the form of outages. Brownouts, dips, sags and overvoltages are also results of poor power quality and occurrences likely to become more common as the electricity supply in South Africa continues to worsen.
Learning how to recognise indications of any possible power issues can help residents and business owners mitigate risks of damage to their electronic assets, which is especially important in an environment where power supply from local utility services is only set to become more sporadic. As professionals in the field of power conditioning, we delve into the signals one can look for when ascertaining whether or not the power supply to their home is in fact problematic, what to do about it and how to manage low-quality power supply.
Why diagnosing power problems is important
In many cases, individuals are unaware that power quality issues even exist, let alone how to detect and solve them. However, there are several reasons why understanding what poor electricity supply looks like matters.
The current climate
The state of South Africa’s power distribution climate is forcing residents and businesses to take agency in power supply risk mitigation. The ongoing load-shedding implemented due to a lack of supply ability continues to cripple businesses and cause frustration for South African residents. Recent reports suggest there is little chance of the situation improving anytime soon, meaning there will be a significant increase in power-related problems as supply quality and consistency remain sporadic.
Asset protection
Not only is there a significant increase in demand for alternative power sources, but the need for asset protection against issues like surges is also on the rise. With the local power supply to homes and businesses in a constant state of fluctuation, electronic infrastructure is under duress. Knowing the signs linked to power quality issues can save households and organisations time and money if they know how to protect their electronic equipment against them.
Outage management
Although there are systems and mechanisms available to consumers that inform them about planned outages due to load-shedding, it's more difficult to work around outages that fall outside of the schedule. However, if power quality issues are detected, it becomes easier to predict when an unscheduled outage may occur. Low power quality detection can also assist businesses and households in planning their own shutdowns should their assets be at risk of damage. If people are able to plan, it makes managing outages a lot easier.
Signs you may have a power quality issue
Whether you’re at home or at work, there are several signs you can look out for that may suggest you have a problem with the quality of your power supply. The most common indications are listed below.
Flickering or dimming lights
Dimming lights are an indication that there may be a fault with the power supply. It's likely that this is caused by a power dip or a sag. By definition, a power dip or a power sag is when there is a temporary lack of voltage supplied from the grid. These can be dangerous as they may result in occurrences like overvoltages when the power supply returns to normal. If you see that your lights are flickering or dimming, then you may need to invest in a stabilising device to help mitigate the risk of damage to equipment.
Slow or no network
Network and internet providers are usually blamed if web pages and other internet-based services are slow or not functioning correctly. However, sometimes the root cause of the issue may be your power supply. Unstable power can disrupt network equipment and cause connectivity problems. For businesses, slow networks can be damaging especially if calls are dropped and delays are experienced.
Error codes displayed
Sensitive electronic devices that use screens, like copiers, printersmay display error codes when they experience power disturbances. These codes can provide valuable information about the health of your power supply. Don't ignore error messages; they may indicate underlying power quality issues.
Voice-over device issues
If you rely on voice-over IP (VoIP) services for communication, inconsistent power can result in call quality problems, dropouts, or complete outages. This is especially frustrating when trying to conduct important business calls and they drop. It can make your customers feel frustrated when they feel they cannot reach you. Monitoring the performance of your VoIP systems can help identify power-related issues and help to mitigate risks associated with customer dissatisfaction.
Hardware malfunctions
Power quality problems can cause premature wear and tear on electronic equipment. If you notice that your devices are failing or malfunctioning more frequently than usual, it could be a sign of underlying issues with the power supplied from the grid. Poor power quality can also be detrimental to hardware like PCs, appliances, and other electronic equipment that is expensive to replace.
Managing poor power quality
Detecting power problems at home and in business is crucial for maintaining the smooth operation of equipment and systems. The indicators mentioned above can help you identify issues related to power fluctuations and interruptions. To mitigate these problems, consider investing in surge protectors and power conditioners. These devices can help stabilize your power supply, protect your valuable electronic assets, and ensure the uninterrupted operation of your critical systems.
At Track Mechanical Services, we offer a range of power conditioning solutions, including ESP power conditioners and filters, designed to address these power quality challenges. Don't wait until the next outage or equipment failure. Take proactive steps to manage and improve your power quality today.