It’s difficult to keep track of all the things that can disrupt a business. Sudden mandatory shutdown, as seen recently across the planet, has now been added to the list. However, nothing can come close to the disastrous affect Eskom’s load shedding has had (and continues to have) on SA businesses of all shapes and sizes. This article unpacks why backup generators are so important in this new normal South Africa, by looking at five benefits of having one to keep shop doors open when sudden power cuts arise:
Remain connected when the lights go out
In this digital age, where so many aspects of our lives and businesses happen on electronic devices, having a solution to keep the plugs working makes sense. Computers, card machines, wifi routers and network switches all need electricity to function, and with a backup diesel generator in place – they’ll have all the juice they need when it goes dark.
Keep customers and staff comfortable
What do customers do when the power goes off while they’re shopping? They usually put things back on the shelves and leave. With backup power available, trading can continue unhindered. Also important to a favourable retail experience (for both shoppers and sales staff) is air conditioning, which can keep everything cool while waiting for load shedding to end during the warmer months.
Food and other fresh products stay fresh
Where no backup power really becomes a problem is in the case of fresh food grocers. These shops that sell perishable foods rely on industrial fridges and carefully-controlled room temperatures to keep their produce fresh. With a diesel generator connected to the mains, shops like this can keep their stock in the optimal conditions while the power is out.
Diesel is normally cheaper than petrol
You might not remember this, but diesel is usually cheaper than petrol in South Africa. Well, until 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Once things normalise, and we can put the devastating effects of the corona virus behind us, we expect diesel prices to normalise too. This means that running a diesel generator is going to become a cheaper alternative to petrol-powered backup generators.
Avoid the inconvenience of sudden outages
The last benefit of a business backup generator, but certainly not the least important, is the fact that generators equal peace of mind. Think about all of the business operations affected by a single flick of a power switch. With the simple installation of a backup power source, these concerns can be avoided completely – as long as you remember to keep the generator’s fuel tank topped up!
Backup generator installations & services in KwaZulu-Natal
There’s no doubt that a backup generator benefits any business, regardless of size or nature. Diesel generators can be setup to kick in as soon as the power goes off, which means there doesn’t have to be disruptions to trading and other business operations. Contact S&A Generators to arrange a site inspection and backup generator quote, or if your existing generator needs some TLC!
Yet another highly successful S&A Generators project took place between 14 and 19 October 2019, when we partnered with Diesel-Electric once more to deliver exceptional power-generation services to a client situated in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State. This business generator installation required us to travel cross-country from KwaZulu-Natal, and deploy our trusty S&A Generators crane truck once again. Three S&A Generators team members worked on this job. Below we detail what our client’s problem was, the solution we were able to put in place for them, and the steps we took in the process:
The Problem
It is a problem faced by businesses and households across South Africa, and it doesn’t seem to have an end in sight. We’re talking about load shedding, which drove our client to seek the assistance of generator specialists. His business was suffering due to constant power cuts, which led to losses in both business and subsequently cash flow. The client approached Diesel-Electric, who then contacted us, for a quote on a brand new generator that could power his business when the lights went off.
Our client’s new generator being delivered to site by our trusty S&A Generators crane truck.
The Solution
S&A Generators assessed the situation, and provided a competitive quotation that included both the cost of a new generator and the cost of the business generator installation. Once the client had accepted our quotation, we sprung into action by ordering the new generator and preparing our team members for the task at hand. S&A Generators staff members involved with this project were Roger Smith (one of our technicians who oversaw the project), Velani Gumede (an assistant who was vital during the installation process), and Siphelele (our talented electrician who was involved with hooking up the generator).
The new generator in position and awaiting wiring to connect it to the client’s power system.
Once we had the new generator and everything was good to go, we set off from our HQ in Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal, and travelled across the border to the neighbouring Free State province. Upon arrival, we ascertained where the best place would be for the business generator installation to take place, and constructed a plinth and bund from scratch.
S&A Generators team members starting to construct the plinth and bund wall where the generator was to be installed.
Once the plinth and bund wall was completed, and given enough time to set, the next phase was bringing in the S&A Generators crane truck and carefully lowering the new generator into position. This takes a high level of accuracy, and we had our team members close by to guide the generator until it came to its final resting place.
Our crane truck lowering the new generator into position upon the plinth.
Finally, all that was left to do on this business generator installation was to run electrical wires from the new generator to the client’s DB board. This in itself is half of the challenge, but our talented electrician Siphelele was up to it. Once everything was connected and tested, we built fencing around the unit to secure it and constructed a small awning to protect the generator from the weather. This was all in all a very successful project that left our client highly satisfied with the result.
