Load shedding has become a daily reality for most South Africans. While we have all adapted to checking the schedule and charging our phones before the power cuts, many homeowners overlook the invisible damage happening inside their walls and appliances.

It is not just about the inconvenience of the lights going out. The real danger often lies in the moments when the power comes back on, or in the long-term wear and tear caused by constant on-and-off cycling.

In this guide, we break down the specific electrical risks associated with load shedding, from power surges to fire hazards, and offer practical advice from our network of vetted electricians to help you protect your home.

The Risk: Electrical Surges

The most immediate risk during load shedding is a power surge. When electricity is restored to your area, it often comes back with a momentary spike in voltage. This happens because the grid is suddenly energised, and thousands of appliances in your neighbourhood demand power simultaneously.

According to SANS 10142-1 (the South African standard for the wiring of premises), electrical installations must be safe, but standard household wiring does not automatically include high-level surge protection unless you have specifically installed it.

What happens during a surge? When the voltage spikes above the standard 230V, it rushes through your wiring into your appliances. Sensitive electronics are the first to suffer.

• Fridges and Freezers: The compressor is particularly vulnerable. A sudden surge can burn out the motor or the PC board controlling the temperature.
• TVs and Computers: Modern electronics use delicate microchips. A single spike can fry the motherboard or power supply unit.
• Gate Motors: This is a classic South African problem. The battery charger or the control board often blows after a surge, leaving your security compromised.

Expert Insight: "I see this constantly in older suburbs like Kensington or Observatory," says Mike, a qualified electrician on the Kandua platform. "Homeowners call me because their fridge stopped working. Often, the PC board has burnt out due to a 'dirty' power return after load shedding. A repair that could cost R2,500 could have been prevented with a R600 surge plug."

Fire Hazards from Unattended Appliances

One of the most dangerous risks isn't the electricity itself, but human error combined with erratic schedules. It is easy to forget that you left an appliance on when the power cuts at 6 PM.

If you were cooking, ironing, or using a heater, and you leave the house or go to sleep without switching those devices off at the wall, they will roar back to life when the power returns.

Common Risk Scenarios:

1. Stoves and Hobs: A pot left on a stove can boil dry and ignite.
2. Heaters: If a heater was moved or something fell on it in the dark, it can start a fire when it switches back on.
3. Hair Straighteners and Irons: These heat up rapidly and can burn surfaces or catch nearby fabrics on fire.

Safety Tip: Make it a habit to do a "sweep" of your home 10 minutes before your scheduled slot. Switch off all heavy current appliances at the wall.

The Strain on Your Distribution Board (DB)

Your Distribution Board is the heart of your home's electrical system. Constant load shedding puts mechanical strain on the components inside this board, specifically the Earth Leakage unit and the circuit breakers.

While these components are designed to switch on and off, they are generally designed for occasional tripping, not daily switching for years on end.

• Loose Connections: The thermal expansion and contraction caused by wires heating up (power on) and cooling down (power off) can eventually lead to loose connections in your DB board. A loose connection creates resistance, which generates heat and can lead to electrical fires.
• Nuisance Tripping: You might find that your power trips immediately when load shedding ends. This is often because every appliance in your house tries to draw startup current at the exact same second, overloading the breaker.

Security Systems and Battery Fatigue

In South Africa, our security systems are our first line of defence. Load shedding degrades these systems significantly over time.

Most alarm systems and electric fences rely on 12V lead-acid or gel batteries. These batteries have a limited number of charge cycles. If you are in Stage 4 or Stage 6, the battery drains deeply and barely has time to recharge before the next outage.

The Risk:

• Sulfation: Batteries that sit uncharged or are constantly drained lose their ability to hold a charge.
• False Alarms: As battery voltage drops, alarm sensors often malfunction, triggering false alarms that annoy neighbours and desensitize you to genuine threats.
• Vulnerability: A dead battery means your electric fence is not shocking, and your alarm is not transmitting.

Replacing these batteries is a hidden cost of load shedding, often running between R300 and R1,200 depending on the system size.

How to Protect Your Home

You do not need to be an electrical engineer to mitigate these risks. Here are actionable steps recommended by industry professionals.

1. Install Surge Protection You have two main options here:

• Point-of-Use Protection: These are the plug adapters you buy at the hardware store. They are great for TVs and computers. Look for units that indicate they have a "Class 3" rating or higher.
• DB Board Protection: This is a more robust solution. A qualified electrician installs a surge arrestor directly into your DB board (Class 2 protection). This protects the entire house, including lights and plugs, from external voltage spikes.

2. The "30-Second" Rule If you don't have automatic protection, wait at least 30 seconds to a few minutes after the power returns before switching your appliances back on. This allows the voltage to stabilize.

3. Get an Electrical Compliance Check If you live in an older home and haven't had your wiring checked in over a decade, the stress of load shedding might expose weak points. An inspection can identify loose connections or outdated breakers that are fire hazards.

Note on Insurance: Many insurance policies now require you to have surge protection installed to claim for damages caused by power cuts. Check your specific policy wording (SASRIA or general household) to ensure you are covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off the main switch during load shedding actually help? Yes, it is one of the most effective ways to protect your appliances. By manually switching off the main breaker on your DB board when the power goes out, you isolate your home from the grid. When power returns, wait 60 seconds, then flip the switch. This prevents the initial "inrush" current and voltage spike from hitting your electronics.

Why do my light bulbs blow so often now? This is a common symptom of voltage fluctuation. The repeated on/off switching and minor surges weaken the filament in incandescent and halogen bulbs. Even LED drivers can burn out faster. If this happens frequently, have an electrician check your neutral wire connection or install a surge arrestor, as it may indicate unstable voltage in your specific phase.

Can I install a generator changeover switch myself? No, this is illegal and dangerous. According to SANS 10142-1 regulations, any alternative power source (generator, inverter, or solar) that connects to your home's wiring must be installed by a registered person and issued with a Certificate of Compliance (CoC). Improper installation can cause "back-feeding," which electrocutes municipal workers fixing lines down the street.

Read more on certificate of compliance costs in South Africa.

Is a UPS better than a surge protector? They serve different purposes. A surge protector only stops high-voltage spikes. A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) provides backup power and usually includes built-in voltage regulation. For very sensitive equipment like a desktop computer or a gaming console, a UPS is superior because it stabilises the power "sag" (undervoltage) as well as the surges.

Read our guide on UPS prices in South Africa.

This article was written with insights from Kandua’s network of vetted electricians. For professional advice on protecting your home's electrical system, always consult a registered professional.

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