Cape Argus reader says that after the recent bout of load shedding, he needs substantial proof or assurance on whether power surge after load shedding can cause a house fire as he recently read that a formal residence had such an experience.
After reading the letter, Phindile Maxiti, Mayco Member for Energy and Climate Change answer this reader’s burning question. Read more below:
Load shedding power surge a fire hazard?
I need substantial proof or assurance that the power surge after load shedding can cause a fire in our house. I recently read that a formal residence had such an experience. Is it at all possible? On the contrary is this not a possibility?
If somebody out there (a fundi) can give clarity on any such eventuality please assist in assuring me that it's never going to happen. By "Fundi" please read CoCT!
* Ebrahim Wydeman, Mitchells Plain.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media
“Yes, power surges after load shedding can be dangerous”
Thank you for affording the City the opportunity to respond to the letter “Can the power surge after load shedding cause a fire?“.
Residents are encouraged to reduce the risk and occurrence of nuisance tripping by switching off appliances before load shedding and leaving one light on to indicate the return of the supply. Nuisance tripping might in some instances damage electrical equipment or cause a fire to start.
Power surges entail the oversupply of a voltage which generally last a fraction of a second and, if severe, will generally damage digital and computer equipment, which possibly could start a fire. Power surges generally happen in one of two ways:
1. During the necessary switching of the electricity grid: For instance, after load shedding, but these last for milli-seconds and are unlikely to generate enough heat to cause a fire. These surges can, however, be dangerous for sensitive electronic appliances and hence the advice to customers to switch off their electronic appliances during load shedding.
2. If lightning strikes a power line: The lightning uses it as conduit and this has been known to make equipment explode, which could start a fire. This is generally not a Cape Town phenomenon, but rather in Gauteng and inland and the use of surge arrestors are widely used there as mitigation.
An increase in fires during load shedding, however, is mostly associated with pressing irons, cookers, heaters etc. that were in use shortly before load shedding and are inadvertently left “on” during load-shedding.
After load shedding has ended and supply is restored, these appliances are likely unattended because the customer has fallen asleep, has moved away or simply forgotten that these appliances are “on” and could easily start a fire if left under these circumstances for long enough in close proximity to combustible materials.
* Phindile Maxiti, Mayco Member for Energy and Climate Change, City of Cape Town.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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