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How Does Surge Protection Work? 

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If you’re living in South Africa and subjected to unreliable electricity from the utility company (Eskom), knowing what surge protection is and how it works can protect your expensive equipment.

What is a Surge Protector?

A surge protector is a device that helps protect your electronic devices from sudden spikes or dips in voltage levels. In South Africa, these could include load shedding, power cuts, brownouts, and an unstable surge current that fluctuates.

Why is a Surge Protection Device Important?

An unstable power supply can damage your valuable electronic devices. Insurance companies seldom pay for claims for damage caused by dips and spikes in power supply. If you want your plugged-in devices to last longer and cost you less, surge protection is vital.

Voltage spikes can last between from 1 to 30 microseconds. These can sometimes reach 1000 volts! Most worrisome is that a single lightning strike could spike over 100,000 volts and fry electronic components in your devices.

Common Surge Protections in South Africa

1. Electric Mains Surge Protector Systems

These types of surge protector systems will protect your electronic equipment from lightning strikes. They also protect electrical devices from electrical surges from the utility. We install these devices on your electric mains board for the best results.

2. Strip Plug Surge Protectors

Lightning could bypass your electrical switchboard and travel through your home. Point of use surge strips and plugs will prevent power surge damage at entry and plug points for this eventuality. It’s best to get both forms of modern surge protectors to protect your devices from massive surges.

3. Uninterruptible Power Supply

Many UPS devices act as surge protection for any equipment plugged into them. The excess current or dips won’t affect your PC, laptop, Wi-Fi, or other devices when they are plugged into your UPS.

 

How Effective are Panel Surge Protectors in Protecting My Home?

Panel surge protectors are very effective in protecting all your electrical equipment from a surge in electricity. Direct lightning strikes can enter the home in other ways than the power grid. For example, lightning surges can travel along phone cable lines. For this reason, a multi-faceted approach to surge protection is important.

Does a Surge Protector Save Money On Utility Bills?

You won’t save money on your utility bill. But, you will save money by not replacing expensive devices as frequently. The function of a surge protector is to safeguard your electronic devices.

Why Do I Need Surge Protection if I Never Needed it Before?

Most areas across the globe experience unstable power. Lightning is one of the primary culprits. Electrical equipment is a lot faster and more compact. More so than in the past.

The overabundance of devices has made transient related problems a reality. Recent problems related to electronic equipment are more frequent than those in previous generations. The need to protect devices from a voltage spike and an electrical surge has become a necessity.

Protect Your Devices from Power Surge Damage with PHD Powerhouse

Find out everything you need to know about protecting your sensitive equipment from surges in power. Unexpected power surges can wreak havoc on your electronic devices. PHD Powerhouse can help you with surge protection devices that will safeguard delicate components in your expensive electronics from surges in electrical energy.

What's the Best UPS for Home Use in South Africa?

What is the Best UPS for Home Use in South Africa?

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What is the Best UPS for Home Use in South Africa?

Working from home comes with its own set of challenges. A lack of power is at the top of the pile! A UPS system can and will make a vast difference, especially if you work from home.

Your UPS gives you enough backup power to save your work. It also gives you plenty of time to shut down sensitive electronic equipment correctly. UPS system offers surge protection too. The Question is, which is best for your home?

What Does a UPS Do and What are the Key Benefits of Having One?

During power outages, your UPS system offers battery power backup to sensitive equipment. Power cuts are harmful to routers, monitors, computers, and other devices. A UPS device provides automatic voltage regulation to avoid damage.

What Can I Expect During Power Failures?

When uninterruptible power supplies sense a loss of power from the grid, their battery automatically kicks in. As a result, you won’t have any interruptions in power supply to your connected devices. Your UPS offers a constant power source, although they are not meant to be used for an extended period.

When the power goes down while you are working on your computer, your UPS will notify you of a loss of power. You will have enough time to save your data. You will also have enough time to switch off your device safely.

What UPS System is the Best One for Home Office Use?

There are THREE different types of UPS systems available in South Africa? Various UPS systems are ideal for different applications. You won’t need a UPS under normal circumstances, but when the power goes down, having a backup is important.

The 3 Different Uninterrupted Power Supply Systems you get are:

  • Line Interactive UPS Systems. It has technology that responds automatically to low or high voltage conditions. It’s also ideal for supporting systems when there is a power outage with no battery drainage.
  • Offline UPS Systems. These types of UPS supply power to the load circuit directly from the AC mains when the power goes out.
  • Online Double-Conversion UPS Systems. This system uses a rectifier and power inverter to ensure safe, stable electricity that won’t damage your electronic devices.

What is a Battery Backup System and How Does it Benefit Me?

What do you rely on for your everyday communication, entertainment, and security when the power goes out? How do you keep everything running? A battery backup system is the answer for your home-based business.

  • Your UPS system will keep your computers, televisions, and gaming consoles functioning. It will also keep your mobile devices and security systems running for a couple of hours.
  • It will absorb any excess voltage from the utility.
  • Find one with additional features to fit in with your specifications. Perhaps you need one with an additional USB port to charge a mobile device or additional surge protection.

Get the Best UPS for Home at PHD Powerhouse

If protecting your high-end devices like your LCD display is a priority for you, a UPS is pertinent. You can get the best-rated UPS with elevated battery capacity to protect your devices from surges and outages at PHD Powerhouse. Your electrical equipment and critical systems will experience no power loss or power spikes, and your home will thank you.

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Why Every Business Needs a UPS Backup

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Backup power is essential for South African businesses. A UPS is vital for protecting your electronics and the continued operation of your business in South Africa. 

You have a couple of options as a business owner to keep the lights on. What are you doing about protecting your sensitive equipment? Some options include standby generators or uninterruptible power supply devices.  

Some businesses use both as backup power supplies and to protect electronic equipment. UPS act as surge protection for connected equipment, so that sudden power supply changes don’t break sensitive electronics. 

How familiar is your company with uninterrupted power supply units? We answer a couple of questions. This will help you choose the right power source when experiencing unacceptable levels of power. 

How Does a UPS Backup System Act as a Source of Emergency Power? 

A UPS system is a battery backup system when the main power goes out. Your uninterruptible power source has sensory technology designed to detect fluctuations in the power grid. Thanks to this technology, electronic devices like your WiFi router  and laptop won’t get damaged when loss of power occurs. 

But a UPS acts as more than just protection for when a power failure occurs. They can also supply you with some backup power and keep your Wi-Fi router on. You get constant power and enough time to finish any urgent tasks on your PC even after load shedding has started. 

Benefits of a UPS Backup for Your Business 

A power surge could reduce the longevity of your electrical apparatus. A UPS will protect equipment from voltage dips. It is there to prevent potentially destructive effects of unstable power. 

Power outages are a reality in South Africa. UPS is useful even if for a limited period. They may not keep your devices running for hours on end, but they will give you enough time to stay productive. 

With a UPS, you can ensure a smooth switch-over or transfer time to minimise damage. It acts as a backup battery s you can save your work. 

What Type of UPS Backup Does My Business Need? 

What type of temporary power backup unit will you choose for your business? Different models will offer a range of features. They will also offer varying levels of continuous power support.  

You can choose your UPS system to protect your equipment from unstable utility power. Choose from a wide range and enjoy normal operation during outages. 

Standard Standby UPS Systems 

The on-battery run-time of most uninterruptible power sources is normally quite short. Although they are short, they start a standby power source. The system will shut down sensitive equipment correctly, preventing a reduced lifespan in the event of power loss. 

Ferro-Resonant UPS Backup Systems 

We use Ferro-resonant power when we need a constant output of voltage. An uninterruptible power supply is required when there are instabilities in the utility voltage. Ferro-resonant power supplies can absorb fluctuations in the grid power supply.  

Line Interactive UPS Systems 

Businesses often select line-interactive UPS systems as an alternative power supply during unstable power conditions. This is one of many alternative power sources to choose from. 

These systems contain a tap-changing transformer and filter. They ensure the transition from the power grid to battery supply is smooth. It offers essential power protection to your sensitive equipment from over-voltage surges. 

Online UPS Systems 

The standard rule of an online UPS system is it uses the current from the utility. This takes place when transitioning to the battery power supply. This is how the system supplies true uninterrupted power during unstable power conditions. 

Delta Conversion as an Alternative Power Supply 

Delta conversion enhances the flow of power using an additional delta converter. 

Double Conversion Models 

Double conversion UPS systems are online systems. They use chargers as alternative power options. We use them for the monitoring of power for critical load applications. 

Get Your UPS Back at PHD Powerhouse 

Don’t miss a day’s productive input with the right uninterruptible power supplies. Protect your sensitive equipment with a UPS backup system from PHD Powerhouse. We have the right one for your unique business needs! 

 

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5 Clever Load Shedding Tricks for When the Power Goes Out

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Are you tired of living in darkness even though you pay your utility bills? You don’t have to be stuck without power and lighting whenever Eskom has issues. Use these simple hacks to brighten your day (or night).

Here Are 5 Clever Load Shedding Tricks to Keep Going When the Light are Out

 

1. Go Solar.

Installing solar is a good way to keep the lights on. Many solar providers offer pay off terms that allow you to pay an affordable monthly amount for your solar installation, making it more affordable. Solar lamps inside and out are another great idea during load shedding and are often much more affordable than an entire solar system.

You can even go solar with your cellphone charger. If you have an LED lamp with a USB port, you can also use it to charge your cell phone or other mobile devices during power outages.

2. Keep the Lights on with Battery-Operated Lights.

Battery-operated lanterns and torches are great to keep around when the power goes out. Invest in a couple of these cost-effective lights. You will find a range at your local supermarket or hardware store.

Many battery-operated lights have USB ports to charge your phone. These are a convenient, cheap and easy option that promise to keep you going.

2. Invest in gas! A Gas Braai or Two-Plate Stove Is a Brilliant Solution.

Gas stoves are becoming the more obvious solution when replacing your electric stove. Are you renovating your kitchen or building a new home? Your best choice should be a gas stove, since it keeps working even when the power goes out.

Invest in a little gas stove or braai for when the power goes out. Not only does a braai add a fun element to your cooking, it will feed hungry mouths. Portable camping gas stoves are perfect for making tea and coffee when you don’t have power.

3. Take Recycling to a New Level. Freeze Empty Plastic Bottles for Emergencies.

Recycle your empty cold drink and water bottles by filling them with water and freezing them. Power outages can last anything from a couple of hours to days! Keep your frozen food cold for long periods by freezing water.

  • You will do the environment a favour by recycling your plastic.
  • You will keep your food fresh for longer with this smart hack.

4. Invest in a Generator to Keep Your Lights on and Your Business Running.

A generator will keep you going and your business running during unstable power episodes. Investing in a generator could be the best thing you could ever do in South Africa.

Find the right generator for your specific needs. There are generators that will keep your entire house running. You can also get smaller ones that will keep your smaller appliances running.

Find Out More About Generators, UPS Systems, and Back-Up Battery Solutions Today at PHD

PHD Powerhouse offers solutions for when the power goes out. Our range of world-class products will help you fight load shedding and keep your business operating. Find out everything you need to know by contacting us today.

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Find UPS Solutions in South Africa

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Where Can I Find the Right UPS Solution for Me?

Are you looking for uninterruptible power supply solutions? Eskom tells us the power grid is taking strain. We are struggling to keep our businesses, homes, and offices running because of continuous power outages.

Choose a reliable UPS supplier like PHD Powerhouse to get back your peace of mind. With our help, you can keep the lights on and your businesses running. Our UPS power devices provide protection from power surges, load shedding, and blackouts.

Let us solve your energy challenges. We do this with a range of fully integrated solutions and quality innovations. These include networks, data centres, critical systems, and manufacturing processes.

What is Uninterrupted Power Supply? What Does It Do?

A UPS system supplies us with basic power protection during unstable power conditions for critical applications. It provides a battery backup for your electrical devices. As South Africa continues to face the harshest power conditions, we need solutions.

  • Devices commonly run on a UPS system are mobile devices, cellphone chargers, laptops, tablets, routers, monitors, and your computers.
  • A UPS offers backup power solutions when the power from the grid dips to low levels. It also supplies emergency power when we experience blackouts. They are an ideal solution for business owners.
  • Your UPS battery power kicks in when the device senses power losses. Protecting devices from power surges has become part of our lives. In doing so, you can preserve your devices for longer and ensure they aren’t damaged by an unstable flow of energy.
  • Don’t leave your equipment without power. PHD offers devices that deliver efficient power protection from the unstable power supply and gives you extra time to work and shut down advanced devices after load shedding has hit.
  • The UPS kicks in the very moment it senses power loss, giving you enough time to save data and exit before your battery runs out. Businesses can avoid the adverse circumstances of data loss or hardware damage with a UPS.
  • A UPS system is often the only power supply during a power failure. While generators do the job well, they are noisy and costly. Plus, they run on expensive fuel. People rarely allow generators in regulated environments. UPS solutions would then play a vital role.

Will My UPS Cope with the Load?

Will my UPS have sufficient power to keep me going? This depends on the load and the KW power of your UPS system.

A powerful UPS system will support equipment for quite some time. Your UPS should keep you up and running during the 4-hour load shedding periods.

You need the right batteries for an efficient input power source. We help you find the right size battery for your UPS system. Read up about UPS systems on offer at PHD.

Choose from our wide range of Uninterruptible Power Supply solutions. These can provide enough power for critical industries, such as running medical facilities and office blocks.

There are businesses that need far more than a powerful UPS to keep their businesses functioning. Manufacturers, for example, would have to combine generators with UPS systems to adequately protect their business and electronics.

It is important to consider the application and the load when investing in a UPS system.

Call PHD Today for Reliable Protection with Backup Power Supply

Get a quote and find out how you can keep functioning, even during load shedding and power outages. Do you need a backup power solution? We have all your backup power requirements covered.