Lights Out, Lessons On | Top 8 Ways to beat Loadshedding (Rolling Blackouts) & stay connected.

💡 How to Ensure Uninterrupted Online Teaching in South Africa. Here are 8 Ways to Beat Load-Shedding (Rolling blackouts). 🔦🪫

If you're an online English teacher in South Africa, you're no stranger to the daily reality of rolling blackouts, known as load shedding. To continue your lessons without interruption, you need backup power and a reliable internet connection. Here are eight effective ways to ensure you stay connected, even when the lights go out.

1. Inverter and Battery Combo 🔋

Invest in Quality | When it comes to backup power, quality matters. Look for a reputable inverter and battery system. I won't beat around the bush, good systems are pricy, but a quality system provides a clean and stable power supply, essential for sensitive electronic devices like computers, and most importantly gives you peace of mind that you can continue teaching uninterrupted. For convenience ensure that your inverter has a recharge function, so that it charges the batteries when the power is back on.

Capacity Matters | The capacity of your inverter should align with your specific needs. Calculate the total wattage of the devices you intend to power during blackouts, including your computer, modem, and router. Ensure the inverter's capacity meets or exceeds this requirement.

Deep-Cycle Batteries | Deep-cycle batteries are designed for frequent discharging and recharging, making them ideal for backup power. Invest in high-quality deep-cycle batteries to prolong your backup power duration.

2. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for Internet 🌐

Guard Your Internet Connection | To prevent interruptions in your online classes, a UPS for your modem and router is invaluable. These devices provide a seamless transition to backup power when the main supply is cut off.

Runtime Consideration | While selecting a UPS, pay attention to its runtime. A UPS with at least 4 hours of runtime is advisable. This ensures that even during longer power outages, your internet connection remains unaffected.

3. Leverage Solar Power 🔆

Daytime Power Source | Solar power systems can be a game-changer. During daylight hours, solar panels generate electricity, which can power your devices directly and charge your backup batteries. This approach minimizes reliance on the electricity grid.

Sizing Your System | Consult with a solar expert to determine the optimal system size for your needs. They will consider factors like your energy consumption, location, and availablesunlight, and can design a system that suits your needs best.

4. Invest in a Generator

Comprehensive Backup | Generators are powerful backup solutions that can provide electricity to your entire home, including your modem, router and PC. Opt for a generator that can comfortably handle your essential appliances and electronics. Do take the noise factor into consideration, naturally you can't put a noisy generator right next to your teaching area.

Maintenance | Regular maintenance is key to keeping your generator in top shape. Ensure that it is serviced periodically to guarantee reliable operation when you need it most. Also, take into consideration the monthly fuel costs of a generator vs the once-off cost of an inverter & battery system.

5. Invest in Power Banks 🦾

Portable Power | Power banks offer a cost-effective alternative to UPS systems. These compact, portable devices are specifically crafted to maintain your internet connection during power outages. With a simple Google search, you can explore assorted options, some of which may also be tailored to prolong your laptop's battery life. Their user-friendly design makes them a convenient choice, ensuring uninterrupted online teaching, even when you're conducting classes away from home.

6. Back up Internet Connection 🛜

Explore mobile hotspots | A 4G or 5G mobile hotspot device, paired with a data plan, serves as a reliable alternative internet source. If your primary connection fails for any reason, including no power, you can quickly switch to your mobile hotspot to maintain your online presence.

Consider a Fiber Optic line | Fiber optic internet stands out as the ultimate reliable internet connection solution during power outages. Unlike conventional copper-based connections, fibre optic lines draw power from centralized sources equipped with robust backup systems, ensuring your internet remains operational even when the power is down. Moreover, the immunity of fibre optic cables to electrical interference, thanks to their data transmission via light signals, eliminates disruptions caused by power surges or fluctuations in signal strength during blackouts, ensuring your lessons proceed seamlessly and uninterrupted.

7. Stay Informed About Load Shedding Schedules 📆

Strategic Scheduling | Knowledge is power. Stay informed about load-shedding schedules in your area. Try to arrange your teaching schedule around power-out periods for minimal disruption, this way you can minimize the impact of blackouts on your classes. Of course, this is not always possible, so be prepared, be ready, and make sure your devices are always fully charged and that you have sufficient backup lighting.

8. Plan ahead 📝

While the upfront expenses for backup power systems may seem daunting, there are indeed budget-friendly alternatives available, which may necessitate a bit of additional research. Moreover, local electronics outlets and online stores frequently feature exclusive offers and discounts on backup power equipment. It's always advisable to explore various options to discover cost-effective solutions that align with your financial resources. It's crucial to emphasize the importance of routine maintenance and testing of your backup power systems to ensure their optimal functionality during critical situations. By proactively planning and implementing a well-devised backup power strategy, you can secure uninterrupted online English teaching, even amid South Africa's load-shedding challenges. This way, you can stay connected and continue imparting knowledge, and making a meaningful impact on your students' lives, despite power outages!

For more detailed information and insights, you can also refer to the following sources:

- Back-up Power Sources for Online TEFL Teachers in South Africa (https://ittisouthafrica.com/back-up-power-sources-for-online-tefl-teachers-in-south-africa/)

- How to stay connected during load shedding (https://businesstech.co.za/news/industry-news/676131/how-to-stay-connected-during-load-shedding-discover-your-best-internet-options/)

- Keep your fibre internet going during load shedding (https://www.news24.com/news24/bi-archive/how-to-keep-a-fibre-internet-connection-on-during-loadshedding-2020-7)

- Four tips to beat the load shedding blues - UCT ICT (https://icts.uct.ac.za/Beat_loadshedding)

-  Online teaching affected by load shedding (https://www.citizen.co.za/witness/news/online-teaching-affected-by-load-shedding/)

- South Africa's crippling electricity problem (https://www.opml.co.uk/blog/south-africa-s-crippling-electricity-problem

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