Eskom Data Portal · Actual Generation · May 2025 – May 2026
Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) Generation
Eskom OCGT + Dispatchable IPP OCGT · Hourly actual dispatch · Last 12 months
1,567 GWhTotal OCGT energy generated (Eskom + IPP, 12 months)
462 GWhEskom OCGT only (30% of total)
1,105 GWhIPP OCGT (70% of total)
3,058 MWPeak combined dispatch 7 Jul 2025, 20:00
0.74%Avg OCGT as % of residual demand (12m)
Key finding: Eskom OCGT was dispatched heavily in May–Jul 2025 (winter onset, 397 GWh across 3 months) then almost completely stood down from August 2025 onwards — dropping to near-zero from Aug 2025 through Feb 2026. IPP OCGT ran continuously throughout at a near-constant ~100 MW baseload, suggesting a contracted minimum dispatch obligation. Eskom OCGT has resumed modest dispatch from March 2026 as winter approaches again.
Data: Eskom Data Portal historical download (Apr 2022–May 2026) · OCGT columns: “Eskom OCGT Generation” and “Dispatchable IPP OCGT” · Each row represents one hourly interval · MW values are average sent-out generation for that hour · GWh calculated as sum of hourly MW / 1000
Flattening the Curve — What Every Solar Installer Needs to Know
Technical Guidance · Solar PV Installers
You Installed the Panels. Now Flatten the Curve.
South Africa’s grid load profile reveals a clear daily pattern of stress and relief.
This article describes that problem — and one approach to addressing it.
The principles are universal. The execution will vary by site, inverter platform, and client.
Based on Eskom Actual Residual Demand data · Apr 2022 – May 2026 · Weekday averages
29.3 GWWinter evening peak demand (18:00 average)
3.6 GWSeasonal peak gap winter vs. summer
~5 GWEmbedded rooftop solar installed nationally
What the Load Curve Is Telling Us
The interactive chart below is not just a technical diagram. It is a map of exactly when South Africa’s
electricity infrastructure is under stress — and by extension, when every poorly configured solar system
on the grid is making things worse rather than better.
Two features of the curve demand attention from anyone who installs rooftop solar and battery systems.
Use the controls to toggle between seasons and explore how the TOU tariff bands align with the actual
demand peaks.
Interactive · Eskom National Grid Load Profile · Actual Residual Demand · Apr 2022 – May 2026
Eskom Data Portal · Actual Residual Demand · Weekday averages
Look at the chart above and three things stand out immediately. First, a sharp morning spike
from around 05:00 as the country wakes up — strongest in winter when heating loads stack on
top of the usual morning routine. Second, a midday trough visible in the summer curve between
11:00 and 15:00, the fingerprint of embedded rooftop solar now suppressing grid draw during
peak generation hours. Third, the most severe feature of all: the evening peak, where demand
climbs hard from 16:00 and hits 29.3 GW at 18:00 in winter — at the exact
moment solar generation reaches zero.
These three features define the grid’s daily stress pattern. They are as consistent as the
sunrise. And they are precisely what a correctly configured battery system should be designed
to address.
The Problem: What Most Systems Actually Do
Before describing a possible solution, it is worth being precise about what the problem
actually is — because it is not the hardware. The panels, inverters, and batteries installed
across South Africa are largely capable of far more intelligent behaviour than they are
currently delivering. The problem is the default dispatch pattern that most systems follow
after installation, and the absence of any deliberate strategy to change it.
The dominant pattern among installed solar-plus-battery systems follows a simple and deeply
inadequate cycle:
The Common (Wrong) Dispatch Pattern
Battery discharges after sunset through the evening. Once depleted, the system draws from
the grid through the night and into the morning. Solar charges the battery back up during
the day. Battery reaches 100% by mid-morning and then sits there — fully charged, doing
nothing — until the sun goes down again. Repeat.
On paper this looks reasonable. In practice it means the battery is idle at 100% through the
midday period when it should be absorbing surplus solar generation — and it means the morning
peak, one of the two hardest periods for the grid, is covered entirely by Eskom because the
battery exhausted itself the previous evening and solar hasn’t recovered it yet.
The battery is cycling once per day, serving one peak, and sitting unused through most of the
period when it could be most useful. This is not a grid asset. It is a glorified UPS.
A Possible Solution: The Full-Day Dispatch Model
What follows is one approach to addressing the problem described above. It is not the only
approach, and its execution will depend on the inverter platform, battery capacity, site
load profile, and the client’s priorities. The underlying principles, however, are consistent:
the battery should be cycling in response to the grid’s actual daily stress pattern, not
simply reacting to sunset and sunrise.
The model described here targets two discharge events per day — one at the
morning peak, one at the evening peak — with two corresponding recharge events: a slow
overnight grid charge during the off-peak trough, and a solar midday charge during peak
generation hours. The target state of charge before each discharge is 95%,
with a 40% floor maintained as an emergency reserve that is never drawn into
under normal operation.
On a 10 kWh battery, the usable window of 95% to 40% gives 5.5 kWh per discharge event —
11 kWh of active daily contribution across both events. The specific numbers will differ by
system size and load profile. The principle does not.
The 24-Hour Dispatch Cycle
22:00 – 06:00
🔋
Slow grid charge to 95% SoC
Off-peak period — lowest grid demand of the day. Slow charge rate to avoid adding load spike. System draws steadily through the night.
06:00 – 08:00
⚡
Discharge — morning peak cover
Battery discharges to cover morning loads. No grid draw. Floor: 40% SoC emergency reserve. Grid demand climbs sharply here — the battery absorbs it.
08:00 – 10:00
☀️
Solar ramps up, covers daytime loads
Solar takes over household consumption. Battery at ~40–50% resting. Grid demand is declining — no battery action needed.
10:00 – 15:00
🔋
Solar charges battery back to 95%
Peak generation window. Priority: serve loads → charge battery → export surplus only. Target 95% SoC by 15:00. This is the midday recharge that makes the second daily discharge possible.
Deferred PV charging: Do not start battery charging from solar at first light — allow morning solar (08:00–10:00) to serve loads directly while the battery rests at 40%. Defer bulk PV charging to the midday window when generation is at its strongest. This intentionally deepens the midday demand dip on the grid curve, maximising the embedded solar benefit at exactly the point it is most visible. The battery charges faster and more efficiently at peak irradiance, and the grid sees a more pronounced suppression during the 10:00–15:00 window.
15:00 – 17:00
☀️
Solar covers loads, battery holds at 95%
Battery fully charged and waiting. Solar still generating. Grid demand beginning to climb. Hold battery in reserve for the peak ahead.
17:00 – 20:00
⚡
Discharge — evening peak cover
The critical window. Battery discharges to cover all loads. Zero grid draw. Floor: 40% emergency reserve. This is where the national grid hits 29+ GW — every kWh discharged here is one less Eskom must generate.
20:00 – 22:00
🌙
Grid covers remaining evening loads
Battery at 40% reserve. Grid demand easing. System draws lightly from grid. At 22:00 the overnight charge cycle begins again.
On Overnight Grid Charging
Overnight grid charging is likely the most counterintuitive element of this approach —
and the one most likely to need explanation to both clients and fellow installers.
The principle behind it is worth understanding clearly, because the justification is
not primarily financial.
Between 22:00 and 06:00, national demand drops to its daily low — around 19–21 GW. Generation
capacity is in surplus. Coal stations that cannot be ramped down are running at minimum load.
Pulling a slow, steady charge from the grid at this hour adds almost no marginal stress —
it is absorbing capacity that would otherwise go to waste.
Compare that to the morning peak at 07:00, when demand climbs toward 26 GW and every available
generation unit is running hard. A battery that is still recovering from the previous evening —
drawing from the grid at this moment to recharge — is adding load at exactly the wrong time.
The overnight charge eliminates this entirely.
This Is Not About Cost — It Is About When
The motivation for overnight grid charging is not primarily financial, though on TOU tariffs
the off-peak rate saving is a genuine client benefit. The motivation is grid timing. Charging
slowly through the night at low-demand hours, and discharging at the two daily peaks, is
what active grid participation looks like. A battery configured this way is doing something
useful 24 hours a day — not just for four hours after sunset.
On flat-rate and IBT installations, overnight charging costs the same per kWh as any other
time. There is no financial penalty for the client. The grid benefit is identical. The case
for doing it is purely about responsible system configuration.
The 40% Floor — Always Hold the Reserve
The 40% state of charge floor is not a soft guideline. It is a hard limit that should be
programmed into the inverter’s depth-of-discharge setting and never overridden.
It serves two functions. The first is practical: it preserves genuine emergency capacity.
An unplanned grid outage at 19:30, a client’s medical equipment, a power cut that runs
longer than expected — the 40% reserve is what covers those events without the system
being caught empty. The second is technical: consistent deep discharge below 40% accelerates
battery degradation, particularly in lithium iron phosphate chemistry. Holding the floor
protects the battery investment and maintains usable capacity over its service life.
The usable window — 95% to 40% — represents 55% of nominal capacity per
discharge event. On a 10 kWh battery that is 5.5 kWh. On a 15 kWh system, 8.25 kWh.
Twice daily that is a meaningful and consistent contribution. Do not be tempted to squeeze
the floor lower to extend evening coverage — size the battery correctly instead.
This Applies to Every Installation
The full-day dispatch model described above applies equally to TOU-billed clients and to those
on flat-rate or inclined block tariffs. The grid does not differentiate. The morning peak at
07:00 is just as real for a client paying a flat rate per kWh as for one on Megaflex (TOU). The battery’s
state of charge at that moment has the same effect on grid stress regardless of the bill.
TOU billing provides a financial signal that reinforces good behaviour — cheaper overnight
charging, more expensive peak-hour grid draw — but the underlying configuration logic is
identical. An installer who only applies active dispatch management to TOU clients is doing
a disservice to the majority of their installed base and to the grid they all share.
“The load curve is your configuration brief. It tells you exactly when the grid needs
help. Your client’s tariff structure does not change that — it only changes whether
the client notices the benefit on their electricity bill.”
Principles for Implementation
The following points describe what a system configured along these lines should achieve,
and the considerations relevant to each phase of the daily cycle. How each is implemented
will depend on the inverter platform and its scheduling capabilities — the intent here
is to describe the desired outcome and the reasoning behind it, not to prescribe
specific menu paths or parameter values.
The intent is to enter the morning peak with a full battery, charged during the
period of lowest national demand. The charge rate should be spread across the available
window rather than concentrated at the start — a slow, steady draw is what makes this
benign to the grid. On most platforms this means setting a charge current that would
fill an empty battery over six to eight hours, not two. The specific current value
depends on battery capacity and inverter capability.
2
Morning Discharge — Battery as Primary Source, 40% Floor
During the morning peak the battery should be the primary source, with grid draw
minimised or eliminated until either the 40% floor is reached or solar generation
takes over. The 40% floor should ideally be enforced at the inverter firmware level
rather than purely as a schedule parameter — this ensures the floor is respected
regardless of what the schedule is doing. On most winter mornings solar will not be
generating meaningfully until well after the peak begins, so the battery carries
the full load for this period.
3
Midday Solar Charge — Battery Before Export, Deferred Start
During peak solar hours the charge priority should be: serve loads → charge
battery to 95% → export only the genuine surplus. This is the setting that enables
the second daily discharge event — without it, the battery arrives at the evening
peak partially charged. Most factory defaults favour export over charging; this
behaviour should be explicitly reviewed and changed where necessary.
The solar charge should be deferred — not
started at first light. Between early morning and approximately 10:00, solar should
serve loads directly while the battery rests at its morning floor. Starting the bulk
charge when irradiance is approaching its daily peak means faster charging, better
panel efficiency, and — across the installed base — a more pronounced midday demand
dip on the national grid curve. How this deferral is implemented depends on the
inverter platform: some support a self-consumption period type that achieves it
natively; others require a charge current limit or a scheduled block.
4
Evening Discharge — Battery as Primary Source Through the Peak
The evening peak is the critical window — the highest national demand period of
the day. The battery should be the sole source through this period, with grid draw
suppressed and export disabled. The same 40% floor applies. In winter this window
runs broadly from 17:00 to 20:00; in summer the peak shifts later, broadly 18:00
to 21:00. Both seasonal variants should be considered at commissioning and documented
clearly. If battery capacity is insufficient to maintain the floor through a typical
winter evening peak, that is a design conversation, not a configuration adjustment.
5
Geyser and Large Loads — Out of Both Peak Windows
The geyser is typically the largest controllable load on a residential installation.
Running it inside either peak discharge window forces the battery to cover it at the
expense of other loads, or draws from the grid at the worst possible moment. Scheduling
it during solar midday or deep overnight off-peak removes it from the battery’s discharge
burden entirely. The same principle applies to any other large schedulable load —
pool pumps, underfloor heating, EV charging. The specific scheduling method will depend
on what controllable switching is available on site.
6
Seasonal Variation — Summer and Winter Profiles Differ
As the load curve makes clear, the summer and winter demand profiles are meaningfully
different in shape and timing. Evening peak starts earlier in winter, morning peak is
sharper, and solar generation windows are shorter. A system configured for summer
conditions will not behave optimally through winter. Whatever approach is used,
the seasonal difference should be considered — whether through dual seasonal
configurations, a scheduled review, or a platform that adapts automatically.
The Bigger Picture
South Africa has approximately 5 GW of embedded rooftop solar installed,
growing by over 1 GW per year. The midday dip now visible in the national load curve is
direct evidence that the installed base is having a measurable effect on grid demand.
That is a meaningful achievement.
But the morning and evening peaks — the two moments of greatest daily grid stress — remain
almost entirely served by Eskom’s conventional generation fleet. At 18:00 on a winter
weekday, the grid is carrying 29+ GW. The sun is down. Solar contributes nothing. At 07:00
the following morning, demand is surging toward 26 GW and most battery systems are still
recovering from the night.
The hardware to change this is already installed on rooftops across the country. The potential
is tens of gigawatt-hours of active daily dispatch capacity sitting in residential batteries,
cycling once a day at best, configured to serve the client’s convenience rather than the
grid’s need.
The gap is not hardware. It is not cost. It is configuration knowledge and the professional
standard to apply it on every job. That is entirely within the control of the installer.
What Flattening the Curve Actually Means
A flatter load curve means less strain on generation and transmission infrastructure,
fewer emergency generation events, a more stable grid frequency, and a lower average
cost of electricity production for everyone. For your clients it means genuine energy
independence at the moments that matter — morning and evening, every day, not just
during load shedding. For the industry it means installations that can be pointed to
as a demonstrated contribution to grid stability rather than a rooftop accessory
that happens to reduce one person’s electricity bill.
Summary of Principles — Not a Prescriptive Checklist
The following summarises the intent behind each phase of the dispatch approach described
above. How each is achieved depends on the inverter platform, site conditions, and
available controls. The goal in each case is clearly stated; the method is for the
installer to determine.
◎ Overnight: charge battery to ~95% using slow grid draw during low-demand hours
◎ Morning peak: battery as primary source; minimise grid draw; hold 40% reserve
◎ Early solar: serve loads from PV directly; defer bulk battery charging
◎ Midday solar: charge battery to ~95% before exporting surplus
◎ Pre-evening: battery fully charged and held in reserve
◎ Evening peak: battery as primary source; suppress grid draw; hold 40% reserve
◎ Large loads (geyser, pool): scheduled outside both peak discharge windows
◎ Seasonal difference: addressed — whether through dual configs or platform adaptation
◎ All of the above regardless of tariff structure
The panels are the easy part. Anyone can put panels on a roof. The value you add as an
installer is in the intelligence of what sits behind them — a dispatch strategy that puts
stored energy into the grid at the moments of greatest need, twice a day, every day,
summer and winter.
A battery configured for active full-day dispatch is doing its job. Everything else is
leaving the work half done.
World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD) is celebrated on 18 September each year.
The South African Department of Water and Sanitation, under the slogan; “Enhancing accountability and sustainability for every drop!” says that World Water Monitoring Day is an international education and outreach program that builds public awareness of the importance of protecting water resources around the world by engaging with people to conduct basic monitoring of their local water bodies.
Straton Water Monitors say; “Along with monitoring and management of our water resources we would say that measurement of our water usage is the first step and of paramount importance as, simply, if you cannot measure you cannot manage or monitor!”
The addition of a simple IoT Water Monitor device from Straton Water Monitor will certainly assist you in the above with management at your fingertips via an Android App or online.
If you take these three facts into consideration: (1) Household leaks can waste more than 3.8 trillion liters annually nationwide. That’s equal to the annual household water use of more than 11 million homes. (2) Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 340 liters or more per day and (3) A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 11 400 liters per year – then it will become clear that managing water properly can lead to massive savings – not only of water but also of money leaking back down the drain!
Straton Water Monitor IoT Device
The Straton Water Monitor is the first step in takling back control. This IoT Device simply plugs into the ‘probe hole’ on most meters, is self powered and communicates to any IoT enabled ‘tower’ as it communicates your water usage to an Android App or online browser. Exceptions are reported and leaks can be diagnosed long before they become a major problem.
“Our first installation of the Straton Water Monitor was in a self owned rental premises currently being used as a private school. On the first weekend after installation we were alerted to high water usage from what should have been an unoccupied building. Immediate investigation revealed a leaking toilet cistern that, if left unattended to, would have led to the loss of tens of thousands of liters of water which we would have paid hundreds of rands to the local municipality for,” says Straton.
World Water Monitoring Day is officially celebrated on September 18 annually, but monitoring and educational events can take place any time between March 22 and December 31 annually. During this time, people of all ages throughout the world community have an opportunity to monitor the quality of their local watersheds and enter the results of their efforts into an international database. Water boards and stakeholders also use this period to educate and create awareness on natural water resource monitoring targeting professionals and managers in the sector, across different disciplines and end users.
The SA Government Department’s Surface and Groundwater directorate (SGWI) engages in a wide variety of data collection and analysis activities such as specialised springs, transboundary aquifer and Acid Mine Drainage monitoring, surface and groundwater quality and level monitoring including rainfall station, in support of the public’s needs and in support of decision making processes. This is in line with adhering to the South African National Water Act (NWA, 36 of 1998) to protect and ensure all natural water resources are used and managed sustainably, and the public has reliable, affordable, accessible and good quality water on daily basis for domestic and economic use.
Monitoring these water resources and ensuring environmental sustainability further contributes towards the progress of achieving SDG goal(s) namely Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6);
Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate
Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes
WWMD activities are aligned with ensuring progress towards Target 6.B: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management
World Water Monitoring Day was established in 2003 by America’s Clean Water Foundation (ACWF) as a global educational outreach program. The program, subsequently named the “World Water Monitoring Challenge” and “EarthEcho Water Challenge,” aims to build public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by empowering citizens to carry out basic monitoring of their local water bodies. Roberta (Robbi) Savage, ACWF’s president and CEO created WWMD, and Edward Moyer was the first WWMD Coordinator.
A simple test kit enables everyone, children and adults, to sample local water bodies for a set of water quality parameters including temperature, acidity (pH), clarity (turbidity) and dissolved oxygen (DO). Information on purchasing low-cost test kits is available from the current sponsoring organization, EarthEcho International, and the results of monitoring events are then shared with participating communities around the globe on the sponsor’s website.
In South Africa:
School-aged girls spend several hours a day trekking to and from deep water boreholes (wells).
Women often walk 10-15 kilometers per day to carry 15 liters on their heads for the long trek home.
Typically, 15 liters of water typically lasts a family for only a day or two.
Here is why we need to conserve water:
Earths water supply is limited – we only have the water that we have now
97 Percent of all the water on the earth is salt water and hence, it is not suitable for drinking
Out of the three percent fresh water, only one percent is available for drinking
The other two percent is sealed in glaciers
Every one of us relies on that one percent water for survival, so it should be one of our responsibilities to preserve and conserve water
Saving water helps in preserving our environment. It reduces the energy required to process and deliver water, which helps in reducing pollution and in conserving fuel resources
Saving water will make water available in the future
It helps in building a better defence against future drought years
We use water for many other and important reasons like making electricity, cleaning, cooking, irrigating, etc
We need to conserve water so that our trees and plants can have life
It is also needed for the survival of some endangered species.
The water amount stays the same: Because of its cyclical nature, the amount of water that has ever been present on earth has remained the same since the beginning of time.
Water is a sign of life: If scientists wish to search for life in dark unexplored corners of the earth or space, they will look for water as all the species known to humankind are dependent on water in one way or another.
Water is good for temperature regulation: Your body’s temperature as well as the earth’s temperature is regulated by water.
Water defies gravity: Unlike many other liquids, water can defy gravity, and a prime example of this is how water travels up a plant’s roots and through its inner vessels.
Water is Life – More Reasons Why:
Read on to find out why you could be drinking water that once passed though a dinosaur!
The freezing point of water lowers as the amount of salt dissolved in at increases. With average levels of salt, seawater freezes at -2 °C (28.4 °F).
About 6,800 gallons of water is required to grow a day’s food for a family of four.
To create one pint of beer it takes 20 gallons of water.
780 million people lack access to an improved water source.
In just one day, 200 million work hours are consumed by women collecting water for their families.
1/3 what the world spends on bottled water in one year could pay for projects providing water to everyone in need.
Unsafe water kills 200 children every hour.
It takes 454 liters of water for one egg.
A jellyfish and a cucumber are each 95% water.
70% of the human brain is water.
80% of all illness in the developing world is water related.
Up to 50% of water is lost through leaks in cities in the developing world.
In Nairobi urban poor pay 10 times more for water than in New York.
In some countries, less than half the population has access to clean water.
$260 billion is the estimated annual economic loss from poor water and sanitation in developing countries.
40 billion hours are spent collecting water in Africa alone.
A person can live about a month without food, but only about a week without water.
Water expands by 9% when it freezes.
There is about the same amount of water on Earth now as there was millions of years ago.
85% of the world population lives in the driest half of the planet.
Agriculture accounts for ~70% of global freshwater withdrawals (up to 90% in some fast-growing economies).
Various estimates indicate that, based on business as usual, ~3.5 planets Earth would be needed to sustain a global population achieving the current lifestyle of the average European or North American.
300 tons of water are required to manufacture 1 ton of steel.
It takes about 145 liters per day to sustain a human (this figure takes into account all uses for water, like drinking, sanitation and food production).
Each day, we also lose a little more than a cup of water (237 ml) when we exhale it.
By 2025, water withdrawals are predicted to increase by 50 percent in developing countries and 18 percent in developed countries.
By 2025 half the world’s people will live in countries with high water stress.
A water-efficient dishwasher uses as little as 15 liters per cycle but hand washing dishes uses 56 liters of water.
The average family of four uses 681 liters of water per day outdoors. It is estimated that over 50% is wasted from evaporation, wind, or overwatering.
It takes more than twice the amount of water to produce coffee than it does tea.
Chicken and goat are the least water intensive meats to consume.
There have been 265 recorded incidences of water conflicts from 3000 BC to 2012.21
Hot water can freeze faster than cold water under some conditions (commonly known as the Mpemba effect).
If the entire world’s water were fit into a 4 liter jug, the fresh water available for us would equal only about one tablespoon.
Over 90% of the world’s supply of fresh water is located in Antarctica.
On average, 38 liters per day of your water footprint (or 14% of your indoor use) is lost to leaks.
The average pool takes 83 000 liters of water to fill.
It takes about 265 liters of water to fill a bathtub.
Water use has grown at more than twice the rate of population increase in the last century.
Only 0.007 percent of the planet’s water is available to fuel and feed its 6.8 billion people.
A swimming pool naturally loses about 3 785 liters a month to evaporation.
Producing a 3.79 liters of corn ethanol consumes 644 liters of water in total, from irrigation to final processing. On the other hand, the water requirement to make a gallon of regular gasoline is just 19 liters.
40% of freshwater withdrawals in the United States are used for agriculture.
65% of freshwater withdrawals in China are used for agriculture.
Freshwater withdrawals for agriculture exceed 90% in many countries: Cambodia 94%, Pakistan 94%, Vietnam 95%, Madagascar 97%, Iran 92%, Ecuador 92%.29
An acre of corn will give off 15 000 liters of water per day in evaporation.
In a 100-year period, a water molecule spends 98 years in the ocean, 20 months as ice, about 2 weeks in lakes and rivers, and less than a week in the atmosphere.
Water is the most common substance found on earth.
Water makes up about 66 percent of the human body.
There are no scientific studies that support the recommendation to drink 8 glasses of water per day.
Drinking too much water can be fatal (known as water intoxication).
There is more fresh water in the atmosphere than in all of the rivers on the planet combined.
If all of the water vapor in the Earth’s atmosphere fell at once, distributed evenly, it would only cover the earth with about an inch of water.
263 rivers either cross or demarcate international political boundaries.
Of the estimated 1.4 billion hectares of crop land worldwide, around 80 percent is rainfed and accounts for about 60 percent of global agricultural output (the other 40% of output is from irrigated crop land).
Each cubic foot of Martian soil contains around two pints of liquid water, though the molecules are not freely accessible, but rather bound to other minerals in the soil.
There is an estimated 1234 million trillion gallons of water on earth.
NASA has discovered water in the form of ice on the moon.
A 2.6 billion year old pocket of water was discovered in a mine, 2 miles below the earth’s surface.
Two-thirds of the world’s population is projected to face water scarcity by 2025, according to the United Nations.
1 kilogram of beef requires 15 000 liters of water.
1 kilogram of wine requires 8 400 liters of water.
A 14o gram burger requires 5 500 liters of water.
1 slice of bread requires 41.6 liters of water.
1 apple requires 68 liters of water.
1 pound of chocolate requires 26 500 liters of water.43
500 sheets of paper requires 11 000 liters of water.
Ground water occurs almost everywhere beneath the land surface. The widespread occurrence of potable ground water is the reason that it is used as a source of water supply by about one-half the population of the United States.
Hydrologists estimate, according to the National Geographic Society, U.S. groundwater reserves to be at least 33,000 trillion gallons — equal to the amount discharged into the Gulf of Mexico by the Mississippi River in the past 200 years.
At any given moment, groundwater is 20 to 30 times greater than the amount in all the lakes, streams, and rivers of the United States.
About 27 trillion gallons of groundwater are withdrawn for use in the U.S. each year.
In the realm of electrical systems, distribution boards play a vital and often under-appreciated role. Serving as the hub for electrical distribution within a building or structure, these boards ensure that power is safely and efficiently allocated to various circuits. This article delves into the concept of electrical distribution boards, exploring their essential functions, the different types available, and the considerations involved in their selection and installation.
What is a Distribution Board (DB)?
A distribution board, also known as a breaker panel or electrical panel, is a critical component in an electrical system. Its primary function is to distribute electrical power to different parts of a building through individual circuits.
Basic Function and Components: A distribution board consists of main components such as circuit breakers, fuses, and switches. These elements work together to regulate the flow of electricity, providing protection against overloads and short circuits that could lead to electrical fires or equipment damage.
Location and Installation: Typically installed near the point where the main power supply enters a building, distribution boards are carefully designed and placed to provide easy access for maintenance and monitoring. Their connection to the main power supply ensures a seamless distribution of electricity throughout the premises.
Safety Considerations: Safety is paramount when dealing with electricity, and distribution boards are no exception. They must comply with specific electrical codes and standards, providing essential protection for both people and property.
Types of Electrical Distribution Boards
There are several types of distribution boards, each designed to meet specific needs and applications:
Single-Phase Distribution Boards: Commonly used in residential buildings, single-phase distribution boards handle the distribution of single-phase electricity. They are suitable for powering standard household appliances and lighting.
Three-Phase Distribution Boards: Designed for industrial settings or commercial buildings with higher power requirements, three-phase distribution boards manage the distribution of three-phase electricity. They are essential for powering heavy machinery and large electrical loads.
Sub-Distribution Boards: These boards are connected to the main distribution board and are used to further distribute electricity to specific areas within a building. They allow for more localised control and monitoring of electrical circuits.
Specialised Distribution Boards: Certain environments require specialised distribution boards, such as marine or explosion-proof boards. These are designed with unique features to meet specific safety and functional requirements.
Selection and Installation Considerations
Choosing the right distribution board and ensuring proper installation is crucial for the safety and efficiency of an electrical system:
Choosing the Right Type: Assessing the power requirements, environment, and location is essential in selecting the appropriate distribution board. Factors such as the number of circuits, load capacity, and environmental conditions must be considered.
Professional Installation and Maintenance: Installation should always be handled by qualified electricians who understand the intricacies of electrical codes and standards. Regular inspection and maintenance are also vital to ensure ongoing safety and performance.
Distribution boards are foundational to modern electrical systems, providing a structured and safe means of distributing power. From the simple single-phase boards used in homes to the robust three-phase boards in industrial settings, these essential components cater to diverse needs. Understanding the various types and their applications, along with the importance of proper selection, installation, and maintenance, is key to ensuring a safe and efficient electrical system. Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or industry professional, a comprehensive understanding of distribution boards empowers you to make informed decisions about your electrical needs. find out more from Electrical Board Manufacturers (PTY) Ltd
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At the beginning of the year, an amendment to South Africa’s wiring code came into effect which makes a new plug and socket standard, SANS 164–2, mandatory for new installations.
SANS 164–2, also known as ZA Plug, has the same hexagonal profile as the Europlug seen on cellphone chargers, but includes an earth pin.
It is substantially more compact than South Africa’s three-prong plug standard, and has much thinner pins.
SANS 10142-1 Edition 2 states:
6.15 Socket-outlets
6.15.1.1.1 Except where otherwise specified in this part of SANS 10142, single-phase socket outlets for general use (see also 6.14.1.4) shall
a) be of the two-pole earthing contact type,
b) comply with SANS 164-0
c) Effective from January 2018, all socket outlet points for new electrical installations must include at least one socket outlet complying with the dimensions of SANS
164-2. Socket outlet points may also include socket-outlets complying with the dimensions of SANS 164-1.
With the wiring code amendment taking effect in January 2018, each plug point in a new building must have at least one socket that can accommodate a ZA Plug.
Cecil Lancaster, a regional director for the Electrical Contractors’ Association of South Africa ECA(SA), said that from the installer’s side there was initially some confusion about the wiring code requirements.
There was also some initial resistance due to the price difference between installing an outlet with at least one ZA Plug socket in it, and outlets that only support the older standard.
The price has since reduced to the point where it is no longer a factor, said Lancaster.
A natural knee-jerk resistance to change has also been a factor, he said.
“There was some consumer resistance due to existing appliances bearing the old type plug, but it is mostly satisfied by offering combination socket outlets containing both types,” he said.
On whether manufacturers have been supporting the standard, Lancaster said that most consumer goods have been coming with compatible plugs for some time.
“Think phone chargers, audio-visual equipment, TVs, DVD players, decoders, kitchen appliances, and similar unearthed appliances,” he said.
“Earthed and more energy-intensive appliances like kettles, washing machines, fridges and such are slower taking it up.”
Lancaster said that it remains a chicken-and-egg situation, however, as the installation of outlets increases, appliances will follow. Conversely, as more appliances come equipped with new plugs, it will stimulate the need for outlets.
One obstacle to the transition is that socket-outlet units seem freely available in the retail market, but plugtops less so.
To help reduce resistance to the change and further improve uptake, Lancaster said that “reverse adaptors” may be considered.
These would make it possible to plug equipment with old type plugs (164–1) into an adaptor which fits into a new socket (164–2).
“Such adaptors are currently frowned upon by the powers-that-be because it was seen as a manner of circumventing or slowing down the transition,” said Lancaster.
When the IEC first began development on IEC–906–1, which became IEC60906–1, it was trying to establish a universal plug and socket system.
Despite its efforts, commercial and political interests caused the standardisation initiative to fail in Europe. Brazil and South Africa are the only countries to have adopted the standard.
However, Brazil deviated from the standard by delivering either 127V or 220V mains using the same socket.
Japan and the US have plugs and sockets that are compatible with the IEC’s envisioned global standard for 125V sockets.
Talk of adopting the new standard began in South Africa in 1993, and a version of SANS 164–2 that dates back to 2006 is available online.
According to the SABS, the ZA Plug appeared in South Africa’s wiring code (SANS 10142–1) during 2012.
Although it is now required to integrate sockets which comply with the ZA Plug standard in new buildings, the old standard remains legal.
As Lancaster mentioned, combination outlets are available which include the old SANS 164–1 socket, as well as ZA Plug sockets.
So long as an outlet includes at least one ZA Plug socket, it complies with the wiring code requirements.
The wiring code amendment also does not affect existing buildings, including homes.
It is therefore not currently necessary for South Africans to switch the existing electrical sockets in their homes.
SANS 164-2 Plug Standard
FAQs
Q: Do you need pins that could carry 40 A on a 16A system with a 2.5 mm wire and a 20 A circuit breaker in the board?
A: Simply put: No.
Q: Is this new socket outlet safer than the old type?
A: Yes. When a plug is inserted it goes into a 12 mm well, so when the pins touch the live terminals they cannot be seen and interfered with.
Q: Are the plug tops available?
A: Yes, they have been on the market for eight years but not everyone stocked them. Most of the large wholesalers now have stock.
Q: What about appliance manufacturers, are they changing to the new plug?
A: Appliance manufacturers have been aware of the new regulations for a while but some have been slow to react, however, now that it’s law, they will have to change.
