If you’re a South African homeowner or business owner, grounding and surge protection should matter to you. Yes, we’re talking about a topic that might not be the most glamorous, but it’s crucial to the safety and functionality of your electronic devices. Let’s learn about what grounding and surge protection is and why it is so important for South African homes and businesses.
What is Grounding and Why is it Important?
Let’s start with grounding. This is all about creating a direct physical connection between your electrical system and the earth. Why is that important, you might ask? Well, it’s all about safety. If there’s a fault in your electrical system and an electrical current escapes from its intended path, grounding gives it a direct path to the earth, where it can safely dissipate.
But grounding isn’t just about safety. It’s also important for the proper functioning of your electrical devices. Without a proper ground, static electricity can build up and cause damage to your devices. Think of it as a protective device that is essential for every building.
What is Surge Protection and Why is it Important?
Now, let’s talk about surge protection. A power surge happens when there’s a sudden, brief increase in voltage in an electrical circuit. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as lightning strikes, power outages, or even just turning on a high-powered appliance.
These power surges can be extremely damaging to your electronic devices, causing them to malfunction or even completely break down. This is especially relevant now that regular load shedding occurs, where the sudden cut or sudden return of electricity can often be accompanied by a burst of power. Surge protection is all about preventing these surge events from causing damage.
How Surge Protection Works
Surge protectors work by diverting the excess voltage from a power surge away from your electronic devices and into the ground. This is achieved through the use of surge arrester devices, which are designed to handle high-voltage currents.
There are a wide variety of surge protectors available, each with different features and capabilities. Some surge protectors are designed to protect a single device, while others can protect an entire home or business. Surge protection power strips are common for domestic use, while larger surge protective devices may be installed for commercial applications.
The Importance of Surge Protection in South Africa
South Africa is a country that experiences a high frequency of lightning strikes, which can cause direct and indirect power surges that can damage electronic equipment. Additionally, South Africa has an unreliable power grid, which can cause power outages and voltage fluctuations that can also cause surges. We are all familiar with frequent load shedding, and unfortunately, the electrical energy surges that come with switching power plants on and off so frequently are likely to be causing damage to your electronics already.
For these reasons, surge protection is especially important in South Africa. It can help prevent damage to your electronic devices and keep them running smoothly, even in the face of direct lightning strikes or power outages. You won’t need to worry about the initial surges of power when your load shedding ends, and with the right grounding, you can also leave things plugged into your wall outlets without concern.
Choosing the Right Surge Protection Device
When it comes to surge protection, it’s important to choose the right device for your needs. The most important factor to consider is the surge protection device type and its current ratings.
It’s also important to consider the circuit path that your connected equipment takes, as well as the protected load that the surge protector is designed to handle. Digital systems panels and electrical systems that are sensitive to transient voltages require specialised surge protectors to prevent unwanted surge energy from damaging the equipment.
Don’t Forget About Grounding
While surge protection is important, it’s also crucial to ensure that your electrical systems are properly grounded. This means ensuring that all electrical devices are connected to conductive systems that provide a direct path to the earth.
Grounding and surge protection work together to keep your electronic devices safe and functioning properly, even in the face of direct lightning strikes or other electrical disturbances.
Speak to Our Experts for a Solution
If you’re unsure about the best way to protect your electronic devices from power surges and ensure proper grounding, don’t hesitate to speak to one of our experts. Our team of qualified professionals can provide you with a personalised solution to meet your specific needs.
We understand that every home or business has unique electrical requirements, and we’re committed to helping you find the best solution to protect your electronic equipment and connected devices. Our range of surge protection and grounding solutions includes surge protectors, surge arresters, and circuit breakers designed to limit surge currents and unwanted surge energy.
Our surge protection devices also come in different types and current ratings to meet the diverse needs of homes and businesses. We believe that a well-designed electrical system is essential to the efficient operation of any home or business.
Do I Need to Worry About Grounding & Surge Protection at My Home or Business?
Grounding and surge protection are essential components of any electrical system, and they play a crucial role in protecting your electronic devices from damage caused by electrical disturbances. By installing the right surge protection and grounding solutions, you can ensure that your electronic devices and other equipment remain safe and function properly. The only time you will need to worry is if you have not already ensured grounding and surge protection are in place.
At PHD Powerhouse, we’re committed to providing high-quality surge protection and grounding solutions for homes and businesses in South Africa. Our experts can provide you with personalised solutions tailored to your specific needs. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact us today to speak to our experts and find out how we can help protect your electronic devices and ensure proper grounding for your home or business.
How to Extend the Life of Lithium Ion Batteries
/in PHD Blog /by siteadminHow to Maximise the Lifespan of Lithium Ion Batteries
To energy enthusiasts and savvy tech adopters, the switch from conventional lead-acid batteries to lithium-ion batteries can feel like hopping off a rickety ox-wagon and climbing aboard the sleek Gautrain. Lithium-Ion batteries, or “the Gautrains of the battery world”, provide higher energy density, power density, and a nominal voltage that makes them the power choice for devices from cell phones to power tools. They’re lighter in weight, akin to carrying a bag of biltong, rather than a whole springbok. But just like the Gautrain’s timetable, the battery life of lithium ion cells needs careful management to ensure peak performance and longevity.
You can imagine your lithium-ion battery as the hard-working heart of your power system. The number of life cycles – or ‘heartbeats’ – depends on how you use and care for it. Here’s how to keep that heart healthy and ticking for as long as possible.
To fully leverage the benefits of lithium-ion batteries in overcoming our energy challenges, we need to view them as part of a broader energy ecosystem. Alongside innovations like solar power and wind energy, Li-ion batteries can play a crucial role in providing energy storage solutions, which are particularly valuable during peak load periods or power outages.
How to Use Lithium Batteries at Home?
Consider how batteries can fit into your energy setup at home. A lithium battery wall mount, such as the Hubble Lithium Battery Wall Mount, can be an efficient way to store power and ensure you’re never left in the dark when the power goes out. These backup power solutions are becoming increasingly important as our energy grid struggles with increased demand and infrastructure challenges.
Where to Get Started with Lithium Ion Batteries?
So, as we power ahead into a future filled with promising energy solutions, it’s clear that Li-ion batteries will play an important role in our energy toolkit. But remember, just like a well-kept cricket pitch, proper care and maintenance are critical to keep these batteries performing optimally for as long as possible. With these lithium-ion batting tips, you’re sure to hit energy savings right out of the park!
If you’re looking for insights, advice, and tips and tricks for your unique power needs, you can talk to PHD Powerhouse today. We’re experts in power solutions customised to your situation and can help you find the solutions you need to help your business or home with backup power that won’t falter. Even if load shedding hits. We’re ready to take your energy game to the next level!
How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint with Renewable Energy Solutions
/in PHD Blog /by siteadminA Climate Crisis Beckons: Your Carbon Footprint Matters
You might not see it in your morning toast, but your daily energy usage – from toasting bread to taking a hot shower – contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. These are a major driving force behind the current climate crisis. So how does this relate to your carbon footprint? The more energy you consume, especially from fossil fuels, the larger your carbon footprint. In essence, this is the amount of carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases like nitrous oxide that result from your daily activities.
Understanding South Africa’s Energy Mix and the Rise of Renewable Energy Sources
Traditionally, South Africa’s energy mix has been dominated by fossil fuels, a leading contributor to climate change. But as the energy crisis deepens and the climate crisis escalates, South Africa is gradually shifting towards renewable energy solutions. Solar power, wind farms, and other natural sources of energy are transforming the country’s energy landscape, bringing a ray of hope in our fight against climate change.
1. Harnessing Solar Power: The Sunny Side of Energy Consumption
South Africa is blessed with abundant sunshine, making solar power a viable and sustainable source of energy. Solar energy can be harvested through solar panels and can significantly reduce your carbon emissions. Whether it’s powering your air conditioners or heating your hot water, solar energy can provide a clean energy alternative. Moreover, implementing solar projects can help you cut down on your energy bills and drive down electricity consumption.
2. The Power of the Wind: Turbines for a Sustainable Future
Another renewable energy solution that South Africa is harnessing is wind power. With strategically located wind turbines, we can convert wind energy into electricity, effectively reducing carbon emissions. Wind farms are becoming more common across the country, promising a sustainable future for South Africa.
3. Revolutionizing Thermal Energy: A Hot Topic in South Africa’s Energy Scene
Beyond solar power and wind energy, there’s another renewable source of energy gaining momentum in South Africa: thermal energy. The country’s geographical landscape provides an ideal environment for harnessing this type of renewable energy. Thermal energy is an efficient way of converting the heat of the earth into electricity, and with it, we can significantly reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions.
Furthermore, thermal energy not only brings diversity to our renewable energy mix, but it also offers an environmentally friendly solution to meeting energy demand, especially during peak hours. It provides constant power regardless of the weather, unlike solar and wind power, which are dependent on sunny and windy conditions. Thus, with the incorporation of thermal energy, we have a more stable and reliable power supply while maintaining a focus on clean, green energy solutions.
3 Energy Efficiency Measures to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Beyond switching to renewable energy sources, another key step is improving energy efficiency and taking other steps to reduce your impact.
1. Reducing Consumption, Maximising Savings
Consider simple changes like using cold water for washing clothes or upgrading to energy-efficient appliances. Even adjusting your water heater settings can make a considerable difference in your energy costs, and subsequently, your environmental impact.
2. Utilizing a Carbon Footprint Calculator and Carbon Offsets
To understand and track your progress in reducing carbon emissions, using a carbon footprint calculator can be helpful. It provides an estimate of your average carbon footprint, helping you identify areas for improvement. Additionally, you can explore carbon offsets, which compensate for your emissions by financing carbon reduction projects elsewhere.
3. Food Waste: The Unsuspected Contributor to Carbon Emissions
Did you know that food waste is a significant source of greenhouse gases? By reducing food waste, you can curtail the production of these gases, which contribute to climate change. Remember, every piece of food saved is a win in reducing your carbon impact.
From Energy Crisis to Energy Revolution: Towards a Sustainable South Africa
Reducing your carbon footprint is not just about making your home energy efficient. It involves transforming the country’s energy landscape and moving towards renewable energy solutions. The use of solar power, wind turbines, and other sustainable sources of energy are vital steps in South Africa’s journey to tackle the climate crisis.
With a deeper understanding of your carbon footprint and a clear direction towards renewable energy, you’re now equipped to contribute to the fight against climate change and drive South Africa towards a more sustainable future. So, get excited. You’re about to become a major player in this game.
Contact PHD Powerhouse Today
Our future depends on our choices today. Ready to make a difference? Contact PHD Powerhouse, your trusted partner in renewable energy solutions, to learn more about how you can help reduce carbon emissions and secure a sustainable future for South Africa. Because at the end of the day, you’re not just saving energy, you’re saving the world, one step at a time.
The Importance of Grounding and Surge Protection in South African Homes and Businesses
/in PHD Blog /by siteadminIf you’re a South African homeowner or business owner, grounding and surge protection should matter to you. Yes, we’re talking about a topic that might not be the most glamorous, but it’s crucial to the safety and functionality of your electronic devices. Let’s learn about what grounding and surge protection is and why it is so important for South African homes and businesses.
What is Grounding and Why is it Important?
Let’s start with grounding. This is all about creating a direct physical connection between your electrical system and the earth. Why is that important, you might ask? Well, it’s all about safety. If there’s a fault in your electrical system and an electrical current escapes from its intended path, grounding gives it a direct path to the earth, where it can safely dissipate.
But grounding isn’t just about safety. It’s also important for the proper functioning of your electrical devices. Without a proper ground, static electricity can build up and cause damage to your devices. Think of it as a protective device that is essential for every building.
What is Surge Protection and Why is it Important?
Now, let’s talk about surge protection. A power surge happens when there’s a sudden, brief increase in voltage in an electrical circuit. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as lightning strikes, power outages, or even just turning on a high-powered appliance.
These power surges can be extremely damaging to your electronic devices, causing them to malfunction or even completely break down. This is especially relevant now that regular load shedding occurs, where the sudden cut or sudden return of electricity can often be accompanied by a burst of power. Surge protection is all about preventing these surge events from causing damage.
How Surge Protection Works
Surge protectors work by diverting the excess voltage from a power surge away from your electronic devices and into the ground. This is achieved through the use of surge arrester devices, which are designed to handle high-voltage currents.
There are a wide variety of surge protectors available, each with different features and capabilities. Some surge protectors are designed to protect a single device, while others can protect an entire home or business. Surge protection power strips are common for domestic use, while larger surge protective devices may be installed for commercial applications.
The Importance of Surge Protection in South Africa
South Africa is a country that experiences a high frequency of lightning strikes, which can cause direct and indirect power surges that can damage electronic equipment. Additionally, South Africa has an unreliable power grid, which can cause power outages and voltage fluctuations that can also cause surges. We are all familiar with frequent load shedding, and unfortunately, the electrical energy surges that come with switching power plants on and off so frequently are likely to be causing damage to your electronics already.
For these reasons, surge protection is especially important in South Africa. It can help prevent damage to your electronic devices and keep them running smoothly, even in the face of direct lightning strikes or power outages. You won’t need to worry about the initial surges of power when your load shedding ends, and with the right grounding, you can also leave things plugged into your wall outlets without concern.
Choosing the Right Surge Protection Device
When it comes to surge protection, it’s important to choose the right device for your needs. The most important factor to consider is the surge protection device type and its current ratings.
It’s also important to consider the circuit path that your connected equipment takes, as well as the protected load that the surge protector is designed to handle. Digital systems panels and electrical systems that are sensitive to transient voltages require specialised surge protectors to prevent unwanted surge energy from damaging the equipment.
Don’t Forget About Grounding
While surge protection is important, it’s also crucial to ensure that your electrical systems are properly grounded. This means ensuring that all electrical devices are connected to conductive systems that provide a direct path to the earth.
Grounding and surge protection work together to keep your electronic devices safe and functioning properly, even in the face of direct lightning strikes or other electrical disturbances.
Speak to Our Experts for a Solution
If you’re unsure about the best way to protect your electronic devices from power surges and ensure proper grounding, don’t hesitate to speak to one of our experts. Our team of qualified professionals can provide you with a personalised solution to meet your specific needs.
We understand that every home or business has unique electrical requirements, and we’re committed to helping you find the best solution to protect your electronic equipment and connected devices. Our range of surge protection and grounding solutions includes surge protectors, surge arresters, and circuit breakers designed to limit surge currents and unwanted surge energy.
Our surge protection devices also come in different types and current ratings to meet the diverse needs of homes and businesses. We believe that a well-designed electrical system is essential to the efficient operation of any home or business.
Do I Need to Worry About Grounding & Surge Protection at My Home or Business?
Grounding and surge protection are essential components of any electrical system, and they play a crucial role in protecting your electronic devices from damage caused by electrical disturbances. By installing the right surge protection and grounding solutions, you can ensure that your electronic devices and other equipment remain safe and function properly. The only time you will need to worry is if you have not already ensured grounding and surge protection are in place.
At PHD Powerhouse, we’re committed to providing high-quality surge protection and grounding solutions for homes and businesses in South Africa. Our experts can provide you with personalised solutions tailored to your specific needs. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact us today to speak to our experts and find out how we can help protect your electronic devices and ensure proper grounding for your home or business.
Harnessing the Power of the Sun with Solar Batteries
/in PHD Blog /by siteadminIn an age of darkness, at least for South Africa, the sun-loving population does what it can to reduce the burden of load shedding and carry on with their lives as normally as possible. How are people doing this? By installing home solar systems to avoid black-outs as much as possible.
Enter the solar battery. This nifty technology is becoming a norm in South African houses. Find out how it works and why you should consider them for your home or business.
How Home Solar Systems Work
To understand how solar batteries work, let’s start by looking at how harnessing solar energy works. There are two types of solar power that you’ll find: photovoltaics (PV), which are common in the home, and concentrating solar power (CSP), which are more likely to be found in power plants.
Photovoltaics
The sun shines onto the solar panel and its energy is absorbed by the PV cells within the panel. This energy then creates a reaction within the panel where electrical charges move in response to an internal electrical field, which leads to a flow of electricity. This flow can be stored in a battery bank designed specifically for PV solar storage use or used immediately.
CSP Systems
CSP systems, on the other hand, use mirrors to reflect concentrated sunlight onto receivers that collect the energy from the sunlight and convert it to heat. This is then converted into electricity or stored for use later on for electricity supply when it’s needed.
Integrating These Solar Power Options into Homes
The latter system is the one that stores energy for later use, but we can achieve this with the PV solar batteries that we use for domestic applications. These help you store excess energy so you can power your home when the electricity goes off or when your solar panels aren’t generating enough energy, such as on a cloudy or rainy day, or at night.
What is a Solar Battery?
As mentioned, it’s an add-on to your solar system that can help you harness even more of the energy you generate from solar power. There are two main types of batteries you can choose from to help power your home.
Why Lithium-Ion Batteries?
In addition to storing more energy, lithium-ion batteries also have a greater depth of discharge (DoD). The depth of discharge refers to the percentage of the total capacity of the battery. For example, if a battery has a DoD of 90%, that means it can safely use 90% of its capacity before it needs to be charged. Not going beyond the DoD prolongs the battery life by ensuring its used in a way that doesn’t damage it.
Lead-acid batteries have a DoD of 50%, which is much lower than the 90% Lithium-ion solar batteries can handle.
Why an Inverter?
The electrical energy produced by the solar panels is direct current (DC), which we can’t use to power our homes—for this, we need alternating current (AC). An inverter converts the DC that is received from the solar panels or the batteries into usable AC. This AC can either then go straight into the home, powering our lights and electronics directly, or it can be used to charge the solar batteries.
How it All Connects
Now that you know about some of the basics of how home solar power batteries work, let’s look at how the system operates as a whole.
First, the sun shines down onto the solar panel, mounted to the roof of your home—usually in the location where it’ll receive the most amount of sunshine. The produced DC energy flows into the inverter, which converts it into AC energy. This then either goes directly into the home or into the solar batteries.
In the diagram above, we see that excess power is being fed back into the grid, which is possible in some other countries, but is not yet available in South Africa.
Now that you know how solar batteries work, you’re ready to get started with them. At PHD Powerhouse, we have a range of solar batteries for sale that provide adequate solar storage for your home or business. Keep the load shedding blues away with a solar solution from us. Get in touch today!
What Are the Benefits of Installing an Inverter in Your Home?
/in PHD Blog /by siteadminSouth Africans are no strangers to stage 6 load shedding, and many people are searching for ways to power their homes without the help of the national grid. If you enjoy lots of direct sunlight, you could use solar battery power and a solar inverter to generate and store your own electricity off-grid.
Installing an inverter is a popular way to avoid the effects of load shedding in South Africa. They’re relatively affordable, depending on how you look at it, and they can provide hours of power to small electronics while homes go without electricity.
What is an Inverter?
Before we go further, let’s quickly catch up on what an inverter actually is. It’s an electrical device that converts direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). It can also be a battery-based system used to run household appliances through conventional wiring.
You can find two types of inverters in South Africa: modified sine wave, and sine wave. Sine wave inverters are the more expensive option but perform more optimally. But there’s something to be said for a more affordable modified sine wave, especially when you’re desperate to have a little normalcy during hours of load shedding.
An inverter doesn’t produce energy on its own but rather stores it in an inverter battery for future use. Now that we’ve got that out the way, let’s look at the benefits of having an inverter in your home.
What Are the Benefits of Using an Inverter?
Uninterrupted power supply
The best part of installing an inverter is the power! Having lights on, running the TV, enjoying the Wi-Fi; these are all wonderful benefits to have when you’re living in South Africa. They take away the load shedding blues that we all feel whenever our power gets cut. Depending on the size of the batteries you get, an inverter could easily last you through the longest load shedding stint—four hours. It might not be full electricity capacity, but it’s enough to power the basics.
Modern
Compared to other alternative energy devices, such as generators, they’re sleek and modern. They hardly make a noise—just a mild hum, which is a huge bonus compared to the din that generators produce.
They also don’t create fumes like generators do, which is better for your immediate environment. This means you can also keep them indoors.
No Maintenance
Because they’re powered by an inverter battery or two, inverters don’t need any routine maintenance, such as cleaning. Much like a car battery, they just get on with the job and only need to be considered again when they start to deteriorate.
For an inverter, this would mean not holding a charge for as long as it used to. This is different to a generator, which does need routine maintenance, sort of like a car engine does.
Automatic Start-Up
There’s no time between when load shedding starts and the inverter kicks in, providing continuous power. This means you can carry on watching whatever TV show you’re bingeing without missing a beat, or keep working without having to wait for the internet to start up again.
No Running Costs
Because there is no maintenance required, it means that there are no running costs associated with having an inverter if it is connected to a renewable source of energy like solar. There is an initial cost for the system, and costs further down the line when the batteries need replacing.
If there is any running cost, it will be the cost of charging the batteries with power from the grid, if your system is set up this way. This is still much better than the more expensive costs associated with running a generator, which requires you to keep buying fuel to keep it running.
Tips to Keep in Mind for Your Inverter
To make the most of the benefits of these electronic devices, here are some things we recommend you keep in mind:
Looking to reduce the time during load shedding that gives you the blues? At PHD Powerhouse, we specialise in alternative power supply solutions that can keep you sane during grey-outs. We have offices throughout South Africa—in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. Send us a message from wherever you are, and we’ll get back to you.
Why Use a UPS? Find Out the Benefits
/in PHD Blog /by siteadminAn uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is an essential piece of equipment for any business or home that relies on computers, servers, or other electronic equipment to function. It provides a safe, reliable source of power to keep your equipment running in the event of a power outage or surge. A UPS will protect your equipment from damage, keep your data safe, and maintain your productivity.
Why You Need an Uninterruptible Power Supply
In South Africa, despite load-shedding schedules, you never know when the power is going to go out. That’s when a UPS is absolutely vital if you want to protect your electrical equipment and electronic devices with voltage regulation, as well as keep your home and business running smoothly.
What to Look for in a UPS?
Power Capacity
To find out the power capacity you need, you must first determine the load you use at home or the office. You can do this by assessing which devices need a UPS and finding out what the power output of each is.
If you buy a UPS that cannot handle the output of your connected devices, you’ll simply have wasted your money.
Voltage Regulation
Irregular voltage supplies are a common problem in South Africa, and they can damage or destroy equipment and devices if the incoming power is too high. A UPS that maintains a stable voltage will save your appliances and your money at the same time.
Battery Backup Capabilities
The first consideration is whether or not lithium-ion batteries are used in the UPS. These are becoming increasingly popular as they last longer than lead-acid batteries and are therefore more affordable over a longer period of time.
Your backup batteries should also be user replaceable. You don’t want to have to replace the entire UPS when the batteries do reach the end of their life, but rather replace only the batteries.
You can also look at a UPS that supports extended runtime with external battery packs that can work in conjunction with the internal batteries.
Surge Protection
Power protection is an essential part of a UPS’s function. Because the power supply is never interrupted, it means that you’re not dealing with power surges in input power from the grid due to power failures.
Connectivity
Many modern UPSs come standard with network ports or support for network management cards. These enable owners to monitor and manage them remotely. This is particularly useful if you need one in your office but you’re not there all the time—you can still check how the UPS is performing.
Where to Find an Affordable UPS?
If you’re looking for an affordable UPS power supply service, you’ve come to the right place. At PHD Powerhouse, we offer various line-interactive UPS systems, which come equipped with a multi-tap variable-voltage autotransformer, and online UPS systems.
The former is also known as buck-boost transformers, while the latter supply 100% of the load all the time from an inverter. There’s no interruption when a power outage occurs—it happens seamlessly, and it provides clean energy at all times.
What Are the Advantages of Using a Voltage Stabilizer for Your Home and Business?
/in PHD Blog /by siteadminVoltage stabilizers are a vital component of any home or business electrical system. They provide protection against power surges and fluctuations, ensuring that your electronics and appliances remain safe and running efficiently. They also help reduce your electricity bill by regulating the amount of power flowing into your home or office.
What is a Voltage Stabilizer?
A voltage stabilizer is a piece of equipment that keeps the voltage that runs to your appliances and machinery stable. With all the load-shedding we face in South Africa, voltage surges are common. That’s why it’s important for home- and business-owners to protect their electronic devices and electrical equipment from voltage fluctuations.
Why Use a Voltage Stabilizer?
• Protects your Electrical Appliances
Voltage dips can cause irreparable damage to electrical and electronic equipment. A voltage stabilizer will ensure that your devices continue to run smoothly even when the voltage is unstable. Ultimately, they protect your electronic appliances from being destroyed due to voltage fluctuations.
• Saves You Money
Should your appliances get damaged due to unstable voltage, it’s going to cost you money to replace them. Even if you’re insured, you’d likely pay an excess to get a new device. But with a voltage stabilizer, you never have to worry again about replacing broken equipment due to surges.
In addition to this, they’re highly energy efficient, which saves, money on your electricity bill too.
• Improves the Durability of Your Electrical Appliances
Voltage surges don’t always break electronics immediately; however, over time, when the voltage is unstable repeatedly, it can eventually lead to a complete breakdown of that item. Voltage Stabilizers prevent this long-term damage from occurring.
Types of Voltage Stabilizers
At PHD Powerhouse, we offer four types of voltage stabilizers: servo type, electronic type, supervolt, and isolation transformers.
Voltage stabilizers are good for more than just what it says on the tin. Besides their basic stabilising function, they can come with other features such as zero voltage switching, voltage cut off display, an output start -and -stop mechanism, manual/auto start, voltage cutoff, and more. Get yours from us today!
How Does a Pure Sine Wave Inverter Work?
/in PHD Blog /by siteadminIf you’re in South Africa and in need of an electrical device that can convert direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity for your electronic equipment, a pure sine wave inverter may be the perfect solution. This type of inverter is preferred over other types of inverts because it produces a stable AC power wave that is similar to the electricity supplied by the electric grid.
In this article, we’ll explain how pure sine wave inverters work and the benefits they offer.
Understanding Electrical Waves
Before diving into how pure sine wave inverters work, it’s helpful to understand the basics of electrical waves. An electrical wave is created by alternating the direction of the flow of electrons through a conductor, such as a wire. The shape of the waveform produced depends on the frequency of the alternating current. For AC power systems, the frequency is typically 50 Hertz (Hz) in South Africa and many other countries.
The Advantages of a Pure Sine Wave
So, what makes a pure sine wave superior to other types of electrical waves? A pure sine wave has a smooth, symmetrical waveform that is mathematically described as a sine function. This type of waveform is preferred for electronic equipment because it is less likely to produce annoying humming noises or interference that can affect their performance.
How Pure Sine Wave Inverters Work
Now that we have a better understanding of electrical waves, let’s take a closer look at how pure sine wave inverters work. These inverters use an oscillator circuit to generate a high-frequency AC signal, which is then passed through a transformer to increase or decrease the voltage level as needed. The output of the transformer is then filtered to remove any remaining noise or distortion, resulting in a smooth, pure sine wave output.
Applications of Pure Sine Wave Inverters
Pure sine wave inverters are used in a variety of applications, including renewable energy systems, backup power systems, and portable power supplies. They are particularly useful in situations where clean, stable power is critical, such as when powering sensitive electronic equipment or medical equipment.
Pure sine wave inverters are a reliable and affordable option for those in need of an AC inverter in South Africa. They produce a clean, stable wave output that is similar to the electricity supplied by the electric grid, making them ideal for use with electronic equipment. If you’re tired of dealing with the frustrating humming noises and interference caused by other types of inverters, a pure sine wave inverter may be the perfect solution.
Get the Right Inverter for Your Needs from PHD Powerhouse
PHD Powerhouse is here to help you with all your energy needs. Are you considering going the solar energy route? We have the answers, the expertise, and the products. We can help you find an economical choice to optimise your equipment performance or to give you stable emergency backup power.
Why is a Surge Protector Necessary During Power Outages?
/in PHD Blog /by siteadminA surge protector will help protect your devices from dips and surges. For example, spikes occur when Eskom switches the power back on, and these spikes can damage your electronic devices. If you do not use an uninterruptible power supply with surge covering abilities, you could also suffer from power instability on the grid that may cause dips. Finally, lightning strikes can cause massive surges that could fry your device.
What Does a Surge Protector Do?
Manufacturers have designed surge protectors to protect your electrical devices by stabilising the electric current your device receives. Since power surges could reduce the life of your sensitive electronics, this type of protection is important. Electrical equipment and appliances suffer damages during unstable power conditions, but thankfully SPs can help.
6 Advantages You Can Enjoy When Using a Surge Protector
Surge protectors are an essential tool for anyone who wants to keep their electronics safe from power surges. Not only do they provide protection against sudden spikes in voltage, but they also offer a variety of other advantages that make them worth investing in. Here are three advantages you can enjoy when using a surge protector:
1. Cost Savings
A surge protector can help you save money by preventing damage to your expensive electronics and appliances.
Save money on expensive repairs and replacement of electronic equipment. Get added protection by installing a UPS device. This will give you enough time for a safe shutdown. Load shedding is here to stay. Get the right protection to ensure voltage fluctuations don’t ruin expensive equipment.
2. Convenience
Surge protectors are designed to be easy to use, so you don’t have to worry about complicated installation processes or dealing with complex wiring. All you need to do is plug the surge protector into a wall outlet and then plug your device into the surge protector.
3. Peace of Mind
Knowing that your electronics are protected from power surges can give you peace of mind and help you sleep better at night. You won’t have to worry about your devices being damaged due to sudden spikes in voltage or lightning strikes.
4. Versatility
Surge protectors come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find one that fits your needs perfectly. Whether you need a single-outlet surge protector or a multi-outlet model, there’s an option out there for everyone.
5. Safety
Surge protectors also provide an extra layer of safety by preventing electrical fires caused by faulty wiring or overloaded circuits. This added protection can help keep your home safe from potential disasters caused by power surges.
6. Extend the Life of Your Electronic Equipment
Switching the power on and off during load shedding is not a healthy situation. This could damage your sensitive electrical appliances. A surge protector will help you protect your expensive equipment from voltage fluctuations.
Your surge protector will help keep your fridges, freezers, television sets for longer. Get the longevity out of your connected equipment with the right levels of protection.
Get Your Surge Protector and Avoid Unnecessary Damage from PHD
PHD Powerhouse has a wide range of surge protectors to help protect your devices. Find out how to extend the life of your expensive equipment today. PHD offers critical equipment for automatic voltage regulation.
How to Get the Best UPS for Your Home or Office
/in PHD Blog /by siteadminWhy a UPS System & How Can it Help Keep Me Functioning?
A UPS device is a battery backup system. It supplies power and protects electrical appliances during unstable power conditions. The type and size of UPS all depends on the business type you fall into.
What is the Function of a UPS System? What Purpose Does It Serve?
Your UPS will switch over to battery power when the power goes out. Your UPS device provides continuous battery power.
This depends on the life of the battery.
Battery types vary. The type of batteries also differs from one UPS system to the next. How long the battery lasts depends on how much power you consume during blackouts.
Unannounced power outages are an enormous problem. Your UPS system will give you sufficient time to power down everything from video games to servers.
There is No One Size Fits All for Home UPS Systems
There are 3 categories of UPS systems. These depend on the type of power requirement you need.
The 3 different UPS systems are line-interactive systems, double conversion UPS systems, and standby UPS systems.
Different Power Problems You Could Experience in South Africa
An unstable power supply is so much more than blackouts and load shedding. Other power problems include brown outs, power surges, and voltage sags.
Why Choose PHD Powerhouse to Help You with Your Power Conditions?
Many power challenges we experience originate from Eskom’s power grid. Avoid damage to sensitive equipment by getting the best UPS for your home or business. Find the one best suited to your needs.
For more information on our wide range of backup systems, contact us today.