As you all know load shedding was sprung on us again without warning.
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I AM GOING TO BE HIT BY LOAD SHEDDING?
The answer is very simple, know your power provider and check the correct load shedding schedules.
- City of Cape Town? Click here
- Johannesburg? check here
- City of Tshwane? Click here
- City of Ekurhuleni? Check here
- Straight from Eskom? click here to check your load shedding schedule
For more information please check Energy expert Coalition by clicking here
Wondering how you can prepare for load shedding?
Here are 7 simple ways to prepare for load shedding:
- Check your load shedding schedule regularly so you have enough time to prepare.
- Avoid power surges nuisance tripping: if you know that your area will be affected by Load shedding, switch off appliances, geysers, pool pumps, air conditioners, lights and other electrical equipment to reduce the risk of damage caused when the power comes back on.
- Use a solar geyser and also solar lamps when lights are out.
- Make sure your computer, laptop or phone is fully charged so you can still use them
- Draw some cash as the ATM will be offline
- Keep your bottles in the freezer so they are ice cold when load shedding starts.
- Prepare meals in advance as it is possible to wake up to no electricity and will be stuck to make breakfast or might not make it home in time to cook supper.
WHAT DOES THE DIFFERENT LOAD SHEDDING STAGES MEAN?
Stage 1: To keep the national grid stable, Eskom needs to shed 1000MW.
Stage 1 is the least disruptive of the schedules. Your area is likely to be hit Three times over a four-day period for 2 hours at a time or Three times over an eight-day period for 4 hours at a time
Stage 2: To keep the national grid stable, Eskom needs to shed 2000MW
Stage 2 double the amount of the load shedding planned in stage 1 meaning your area is likely to be hit Six times over a four-day period for 2 hours at the time or Six times over an eight-day period for 4 hours at a time.
Stage 3: To keep the national grid stable, Eskom needs to shed at most 4000MW
Stage 3 increased by 50% of the amount of the load shedding planned in stage 2 meaning your area is likely to be hit Nine times over a four-day period for 2 hours at a time or Nine times over an eight-day period for 4 hours at a time.
Stage 4: To keep the national grid stable, Eskom needs to shed at least 4000MW
Stage 4 double the frequency of stage 2, meaning your area is likely to be hit Twelve times over a four-day period for 2 hours at a time or Twelve times over an eight-day period for 4 hours at a time.