Setting Up the Electricity

Study the electricity requirements of the machines you are planning on using. Try to estimate how much power you might need at any given time. Generally speaking, laser printers draw a lot more current than ink-based printers.

What power sources are available to you?

• Grid power. If you live close to a city, perhaps you have access to grid power. What is involved in getting that grid power to your building? How much does it cost? How reliable is it? How safe is it (is there a lot of fluctuation that could fry your machines)?
• Generator power. If grid power is not available or reliable, you may consider generator power. Do you have the budget for a generator of sufficient quality and size for your needs? Is diesel regularly available?
• Solar power. If you have access to solar power, it is highly recommended to prepare a budget and get set up on solar power. Once you invest properly in good equipment, savings are significant when power comes from the free sun compared to diesel or power company bills.

Be ultra careful with voltages! Sometimes you might need to use a machine imported from America where the standard voltage is 120V. In most of Africa where there is electricity, the standard voltage at the outlets is 230V or 240V.

Here are a few dangers to be aware of:

• Plug adapters do not change the voltage. If you plug a 120V device into a 240V outlet, you will likely destroy or damage the device because of the voltage mismatch. Because of the danger and risk involved, we recommend prohibiting the use of plug adapters.
• Fire or electrical shock. Plugging a 120V device into a 240V outlet may not only destroy the device, but it may overheat the device or cause a fire or an electrical shock.
• Transformer direction. Some transformers work both directions (120V to 240V and 240V to 120V), but you need to make sure the switch is set properly.
  • If the transformer is set to transform down from 240V to 120V, and you plug it into a 120V power source, the output will be 60V.
  • If the transformer is set to transform up from 120V to 240V, and you plug it into a 240V power source, the output will be 480V! This is obviously very dangerous.

Most of the world uses 50Hz (50 cycles per second) electricity with the exception of North and South America and Japan and some areas of the Middle East which use 60Hz electricity. Many modern devices such as laptops and computers and phone chargers come with their own power adapter which can use anywhere from 100V–240V and 50Hz/60Hz.

Voltage transformers do not convert frequency; they only convert voltage.

However, some devices may be designed to work only on one frequency, and may be damaged if used otherwise. A 50Hz fan running on 60Hz power will spin faster than normal. This can damage the fan. Also, a 60Hz fan running on 50Hz power will run slower. The motor isn't designed for that, and may overheat and destroy itself.

Examples of devices affected by frequency:

• Fans
• Pumps
• Compressors