Prepaid electricity in the main, is quite a good concept to look into if you are still running a post paid system and are struggling with exorbitant monthly fees and costs. If you are controlling your energy spend with the post paid method, then this is in order however it can easily become a costly expense. Prepaid electricity too, are not without it’s errors and issues and below we will discuss some very common errors you will come across some time or the other with your prepaid electricity set-up:

Error Messages: 

1. SAD face – probably means it is just finger trouble in typing the token number – please retry
2. DDDD –  Duplicated token. The token has probably been entered already, causing this error. Please double check.
3. Error 30 – Technical error on your meter. To try and troubleshoot this error, please switch off your meter, as well as your electricity mains and give it a few minutes. Afterwards, turn back on your mains and meter back on and retry your token. If the error 30 persists, please contact your municipality and get a technician to come out and have a look at the meter.

Meter Blocked? – It does occur that a meter is blocked by a municipality’s credit control. This means that the municipality prevents your meter from making a prepaid purchase until the block is lifted. To have this lifted the client needs to sort this out with the municipality.

While we are on the subject, also important to note that any outstanding fees on your utility bill that is deemed to be in arrears, can be deducted from your prepaid electricity purchase. If this takes place, it is wise to contact the municipality to resolve this.

For more information please visit: https://straton.co.za/pre-paid/about/prepaid-meter-error-codes/

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HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I AM GOING TO BE HIT BY LOAD SHEDDING?

The answer is very simple, know your power provider and check the correct load shedding schedules.

• City of Cape Town? Click here 
• Johannesburg? check here
• City of Tshwane? Click here
• City of Ekurhuleni? Check here
• Straight from Eskom? click here to check your load shedding schedule

For more information please check Energy expert Coalition by clicking here

Wondering how you can prepare for load shedding? 

Here are 7 simple ways to prepare for load shedding:

• Check your load shedding schedule regularly so you have enough time to prepare.
• Avoid power surges nuisance tripping: if you know that your area will be affected by Load shedding, switch off appliances, geysers, pool pumps, air conditioners, lights and other electrical equipment to reduce the risk of damage caused when the power comes back on.
• Use a solar geyser and also solar lamps when lights are out.
• Make sure your computer, laptop or phone is fully charged so you can still use them
• Draw some cash as the ATM will be offline
• Keep your bottles in the freezer so they are ice cold when load shedding starts.
• Prepare meals in advance as it is possible to wake up to no electricity and will be stuck to make breakfast or might not make it home in time to cook supper.

WHAT DOES THE DIFFERENT LOAD SHEDDING STAGES MEAN?

Stage 1: To keep the national grid stable, Eskom needs to shed 1000MW.

Stage 1 is the least disruptive of the schedules. Your area is likely to be hit Three times over a four-day period for 2 hours at a time or Three times over an eight-day period for 4 hours at a time

Stage 2:  To keep the national grid stable, Eskom needs to shed 2000MW

Stage 2 double the amount of the load shedding planned in stage 1 meaning your area is likely to be hit Six times over a four-day period for 2 hours at the time or Six times over an eight-day period for 4 hours at a time.

Stage 3: To keep the national grid stable, Eskom needs to shed at most 4000MW

Stage 3 increased by 50% of the amount of the load shedding planned in stage 2 meaning your area is likely to be hit Nine times over a four-day period for 2 hours at a time or Nine times over an eight-day period for 4 hours at a time.

Stage 4: To keep the national grid stable, Eskom needs to shed at least 4000MW

Stage 4 double the frequency of stage 2, meaning your area is likely to be hit Twelve times over a four-day period for 2 hours at a time or Twelve times over an eight-day period for 4 hours at a time.

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