Power cuts are not only inconvenient. The moment the power comes back, and unstable voltage while it is low, are what damage electronics: fridges, TVs, routers, laptops and chargers. In Ghana, "dumsor" and unstable supply make this worth planning for; the same advice applies anywhere with an unreliable grid.
The three devices, and what each one does
| Device | Protects against | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Surge protector (a power strip with surge protection) | Sudden spikes, such as when power returns or lightning strikes nearby | Laptops, chargers, TVs, decoders, routers. Cheap, and everyone should have one |
| Voltage stabiliser (AVR) | Power that is too low or too high for long periods | Fridges, freezers, air conditioners, TVs |
| UPS (uninterruptible power supply) | Cuts, by switching to a battery instantly, plus surges | Desktop computers, routers, CCTV. Gives minutes to save work, not hours |
A cheap extension board is not a surge protector. Look for the word "surge" and a joule rating on the packaging, and replace it after a big surge, because the protection wears out.
When the power goes off
- Switch off and unplug sensitive appliances, or switch off at the wall: TV, decoder, fridge, air conditioner, microwave.
- Leave one light switched on so you know when power returns.
- When power comes back, wait a few minutes before switching everything on again. The first minutes are when surges happen.
- Switch appliances back on one at a time, not all at once.
Many voltage stabilisers for fridges include a time delay that does step 3 for you.
Keeping the internet and phone going
- A small UPS or a DC mini-UPS (made for routers) keeps home Wi-Fi running for hours during a cut.
- Keep phones charged above 50 percent when a cut is scheduled, and keep a charged power bank. See chargers and power banks.
- Laptops are their own UPS: keep yours charged and it rides through a cut.
Generators and inverters
- Run a generator outside, far from windows and doors. Generator exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which kills without warning in closed spaces.
- Cheap generators produce uneven power. Plug electronics into a surge protector or stabiliser, not straight into the generator.
- Switch appliances off before switching between mains and generator.
- An inverter with batteries, or a solar system, gives silent backup power. Choose a pure sine wave inverter for electronics, and have it installed by a qualified electrician with a proper changeover switch.
Lightning
During a thunderstorm, unplug the TV, the decoder's satellite cable, and the router. Surge protectors help but do not stop a direct strike.