How to protect your appliances

Feb 25, 2008

VOLTAGE fluctuations are the leading cause of damage in electrical appliances.<br>Farouk Kaddu, a technician with Ssebagala and Sons Electrical Centre, explains that under-voltage damage all motor-driven appliances like refrigerators and freezers. <br>

By Agnes Kyotalengerire

VOLTAGE fluctuations are the leading cause of damage in electrical appliances.
Farouk Kaddu, a technician with Ssebagala and Sons Electrical Centre, explains that under-voltage damage all motor-driven appliances like refrigerators and freezers.

This is because motors draw higher current to satisfy their load. If such appliances fail to get the required power to wind the motors they get damaged.
He says, however, that power surges similar to over-voltage in some instances generally damage electric equipments.

He advises users to always safeguard their electrical appliances by buying gadgets that will protect them from such power-related hazards.

“There are many gadgets that protect electrical appliances, for example, fridge guards (which protect fridges), automatic voltage switcher (AVS) and automatic voltage stabilisers,” Kaddu says

Kaddu explains that each of the gadgets work differently depending on the capacity of the appliance (load). For example, a fridge guard protects the fridge by stabilising the power and safe-guarding it from power fluctuations. The fridge is plugged into the fridge-guard socket.

A fridge guard costs between sh65,000 and sh90,000 in most shops around Market Street in Nakasero.

An AVS, on the other hand, is best used when one is protecting more than one appliance at a go. It provides appliances with complete protection from voltage fluctuations. It disconnects the power when the voltage is low and reconnects it automatically when the voltage is normal.

AVS capacities range from 13Amps to 30Amps and can be used with most home appliances. An automatic switcher costs sh110,000 in shops on Market Street.

He advises that apart from a fridge guard and an AVS, one can opt for a voltage stabiliser which steps down power automatically.
It does not switch off the appliances and has a voltmeter /amp meter which indicates the voltage of the appliance.

Voltage stabilisers are available in brands such as Unlight, Ieko and Jacobs and cost shs130,000 and above.
Extension cables are another option that have inbuilt surge protection with capacity of 13Amps.

These are available in brands such as Sollatek and Tripplite. Four to six appliances can be plugged in at a go. They cost between sh30,000 and 50,000.

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