Piet du Toit, Modimolle, writes:
In reply to several letters that recently appeared in Die Pos/The Post following the letter “Wat is die waarheid?”
The reason given for the power outages following loadshedding is not an Eskom problem.
Eskom can only switch off the supply and not reduce or control the supply. The problem is that the protection settings of the circuit breakers in the main substation needs to be serviced and properly maintained.
There should be a gradient setting. If a fault occurs downstream, the relevant breaker must clear the fault and not trip the main feeders.
The main feeder should be set to maintain the power supply when Eskom restores the supply after loadshedding.
The batteries in the main substation also need urgent attention.
The problems regarding the electrical network maintenance were mentioned in various meetings (ward meetings and integrated development planning meetings).
I also refer to my letters published in The Post in December 2016 and January 2017.
I am concerned that the network is heading for a disaster. Loadshedding and the upcoming thunderstorms will worsen the situation.
