Power up your protection: - How to safeguard your home from power surges

Don't let power surges shock your pocket - here's how to protect your home.

Loadshedding keeps knocking at South Africa's door like an unwelcome guest. Stage 6 even made a reappearance as recently as 22 February 2025. With loadshedding comes a heightened risk of power surges, which can damage appliances like fridges and washing machines, as well as devices with sensitive circuitry like flatscreens and laptops.

Surges aren't limited to loadshedding, however. They can also result from power grid switching, faults in transmission lines or transformers, or lightning strikes during storms. Here's what you need to know to keep your appliances and devices damage-free.

What is a power surge?

In South Africa, the standard voltage is 220-230 volts at 50Hz. Power surges happen when the voltage is higher than this level. This excess voltage generates heat, which can damage electronic circuit boards and connected devices.

While major surges can cause immediate damage, like a fried flatscreen, smaller surges often shorten a device's lifespan over time. That's because smaller surges can happen if high-powered appliances like fridges or air conditioners switch on and off frequently (hello, loadshedding!). These devices need a lot of energy to switch on, which can disrupt the normal voltage flow.

How do you know if you've had a power surge?

Items most prone to power surge damage include alarm and camera systems, electronics, large appliances, gate motors, and pool pumps. Apart from something instantly blowing from a lightning strike, for example, there are other power surge signs to look out for, such as:

• The clock or lights of a device or appliance are flashing
• There may be a burning or acrid odour near the device or appliance (especially near the power source)
• A power strip or surge protector may need re-setting.

How to protect your household items from power surges

Whether due to loadshedding or otherwise, consider these helpful tips:

• Unplug electrical devices and appliances during storms, a power outage, or a loadshedding period. For items like geysers and fridges, it's advisable to switch these off at the distribution (DB)DB board. This reduces the risk of damage when the power comes back on. Your neighbours will thank you, too, as this limits the likelihood of a substation trip.
• Avoid overloading power outlets, especially with high-energy appliances. Devices like computers, TVs, and modems should ideally be plugged into separate outlets to prevent strain on a single power source.
• Use surge protectors for your main electrical (DB) board and individual plug points. While plug-in surge protector strips are easy to use, a certified electrician should handle any protection for your DB board.
• Consider a UPS (uninterrupted power supply) to protect essential electronics like modems and routers. A UPS can also keep devices running during loadshedding.

Does your home insurance cover power surges?

For complete peace of mind, review your home insurance planolicy to check if it covers surge-related damage. This means you won't have to fork out for unexpected repair or replacement costs.

Discovery Insure's Essential and Classic plans with building or household contents cover offer embedded power surge cover* up to a specified amount, while the Purple Plan includes cover for the full amount insured.

Power surges can strike when you least expect them. By taking precautions and having the right household cover in place, you can rest assured knowing your home is protected from unexpected voltage spikes - whether from loadshedding, storms, or electrical faults.

To find out about power surge cover from Discovery Insure, call us on 0860 751 751 or speak to your financial adviser today.

*Discovery Insure offers additional power surge buy- up cover on the Essential and Classic plans.