Eskom Question

[paulcam123]

I think we are all a bit confused about how often Eskom changes their story. 1 Minute they need load shedding, but in the middle of winter they have enough power?

But lately my UPS has been beeping a lot, so I have been keeping an eye on it. It seems Eskom has lowered the voltage. Even at 11pm, we only get 210V, and it often drops below 200V during the day.

So they charge us in Ah, but 1A now produces 10% less power because the Voltage has dropped by 10%. So we are actually being overcharged.

Has anyone else noticed a drop in voltage? Is this specific to Centurion?

 

[Frankie]

I think we are all a bit confused about how often Eskom changes their story. 1 Minute they need load shedding, but in the middle of winter they have enough power?

But lately my UPS has been beeping a lot, so I have been keeping an eye on it. It seems Eskom has lowered the voltage. Even at 11pm, we only get 210V, and it often drops below 200V during the day.

So they charge us in Ah, but 1A now produces 10% less power because the Voltage has dropped by 10%. So we are actually being overcharged.

Has anyone else noticed a drop in voltage? Is this specific to Centurion?

Your consumption meter is a "Power/Watt" meter so if the Amps or Voltage are reduced the power measured is reduced.

 

[icyrus]

Your consumption meter is a "Power/Watt" meter so if the Amps or Voltage are reduced the power measured is reduced.

If they actually read the meter.

 

[-toady-]

I think we are all a bit confused about how often Eskom changes their story. 1 Minute they need load shedding, but in the middle of winter they have enough power?

But lately my UPS has been beeping a lot, so I have been keeping an eye on it. It seems Eskom has lowered the voltage. Even at 11pm, we only get 210V, and it often drops below 200V during the day.

So they charge us in Ah, but 1A now produces 10% less power because the Voltage has dropped by 10%. So we are actually being overcharged.

Has anyone else noticed a drop in voltage? Is this specific to Centurion?

For a long time now, I've noticed our lights are much dimmer at certain times of the day and specifically the streetlights as well... does this apply to your question?

 

[Frankie]

It's possibly a tactic Eishkom are using instead of load shedding.

For example: If you have a 220V 2KW rated heater, the actual heating capacity will be reduced at any voltage lower than 220V and thus reducing the burden on the national grid.

 

[alchamy]

Have noticed the UPS kicking in as well (with the power on), some times for short moments and other times for a few minutes.

 

[Paulr]

Question is - how many appliances will be happy with a lower voltage.

Running at 200V implies a 10% lower voltage than rated. With stuff like transformers and motors that causes an increase in current flow, which can lead to overheating etc. etc.

This kind of "mini brown-out" can cause a LOT of damage to stuff....

 

[Kokop]

Question is - how many appliances will be happy with a lower voltage.

Running at 200V implies a 10% lower voltage than rated. With stuff like transformers and motors that causes an increase in current flow, which can lead to overheating etc. etc.

This kind of "mini brown-out" can cause a LOT of damage to stuff....

Agreed, when I was still in POS we would NOT consider any installation without inline ups and dedicated circuits.

I wonder if non IT savy people are getting more blue screens of death lately, would be an interesting stat.

Re other appliances, I assume that this would shortnen the lives of the transformers as they are not operating in their design spec range.

Shiite, thinking of decent 2kva for home entertainment protection now, even in CT