Frequently Asked Questions

Power surges are surges of electrical voltage and/or current that are higher than normal and can damage devices connected to a power supply. The electronics and microprocessor controllers found in most household electrical appliances are especially sensitive to power surges and are often permanently damaged.
Electronic devices that are connected to the electrical grid, such as computers and televisions, require a specific and constant voltage supply. If the voltage and/or current of the electrical supply increases temporarily, it can result in damage to these devices and any other appliances connected to the grid.
Transient voltage spikes, also known as voltage transients, transients, or power surges, are brief, high-amplitude increases in voltage that occur on an electrical power line or circuit. These spikes are characterised by their short duration and rapid rise time, typically lasting only a few microseconds or milliseconds.
A type 2 surge arrester or surge protector is designed to be installed at the main distribution board or sub-distribution panels within a building’s electrical system. These devices protect against transient voltage surges that can occur due to lightning strikes, switching operations, and other sources of power surges. This differs from a type 1 surge arrester which protects against indirect surges (which occur via electrical induction), and type 3 surge arresters which are typically point-of-use devices that connect between a wall plug and a device.
These can be obtained from the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), libraries, professional organisations, universities, or from online standards portals.
Yes, Hollard recommends Efficient Automation as their preferred supplier. Efficient Automation provides a device that exceeds the abovementioned ratings by ±25% and is more cost-effective than most off-the-shelf surge protectors. The supplier’s devices also offer replacement cartridges for their surge protection devices which provide a long-term cost benefit in the event of a surge.
How can I access the approved suppliers?
Please visit  Hollard Efficient Automation
No, an inverter does not typically provide surge protection on its own. The primary function of an inverter is to convert direct current (DC) power from a power source, such as a battery or solar panel, into alternating current (AC) power that can be used to run electrical devices. While some inverters may have builtin surge protection features, such as surge suppression circuits, it is not a standard feature on all inverters. These built-in surge protection measures, if present, are usually limited in their capacity and may only provide basic protection against certain types of surges. Moreover, they may only protect equipment downstream of the device (after it). Furthermore, an inverter may itself be prone to power surges.
A UPS, which stands for Uninterruptible Power Supply, is a device that provides back-up power to electrical devices in case of a power outage or voltage fluctuation. It acts as a reliable bridge between the main power source and the connected equipment, ensuring uninterrupted operation and protection against potential damage or data loss. A UPS typically utilises internal batteries that automatically take over the power supply when a disruption occurs, allowing for a seamless transition until normal power is restored or a safe shutdown can be performed. The device does provide a small amount of surge protection depending on its rating for equipment connected after the device, however the UPS device itself may be prone to surge damage if the surge is high energy.
This can be done in a few ways:
• in consultation with Efficient Automation via their WhatsApp line
• through inspection by a registered electrician or electrical engineer
• by looking for the device in the distribution board which states T2 with the relevant IEC standard.
If, over time, the surge protector protects the electrical installation from a major surge or a number of surges, it may ultimately stop working due to it having performed its job of protecting the electrical system and diverting current. The status indicator is a physical light (LED) or a green/red strip which shows whether the surge protection is operational or not. Green means it is in working order, and red means it needs replacement.
It depends on the device itself. You may not need to replace the entire surge protector, but rather just swap out the cartridge in the device. Efficient Automation offers replacement cartridges for their surge protection devices.

If you live in the Gauteng area, you can make use of a Hollard-approved electrician via https://hollard.efficientautomation.co.za/ If you do not opt to use a Hollard-approved electrician or your area is not covered for installation through the Hollard network, we recommend that you search for a local electrician via the Electrical Conformance Board of SA (ECBSA) website https://ecb.org.za/ or speak to your friends or neighbours to source a reputable certified electrician.

You need to check the licensing requirements and thereafter verify the credentials of the electrician according to these. The ECBSA plays a central role in registering electricians and therefore allows you to confirm whether a contractor has all the applicable licences. You can visit the website at https://ecb.org.za/
Approved Hollard electricians are contracted third parties. Neither Hollard nor Efficient Automation take responsibility for the installation of the surge device. Should there be an issue with installation, we recommend that you contact the installing electrician directly. Should the matter not be resolved, please direct all complaints to support@ efficientautomation.co.za, upon which an investigation will be opened.
If you utilize your own electrician, you will need to engage with your electrician directly to resolve the matter.
Yes, the electrician will issue a supplementary Certificate of Compliance (CoC). This indicates that the component installed (the surge arrester) is compliant, without commenting on the overall electrical compliance of the rest of the building. Alternatively, the electrician must complete the Hollard surge protection checklist form.
A surge protector or surge arrester is a device used to redirect excess energy, therefore safeguarding equipment from the harmful effects of power surges.
A distribution board (often referred to as a “DB board” in South Africa) is a central point for the distribution of electrical power to circuits throughout a building. It is a great place to add protection against a surge as it is central and the most cost-effective place to do so.
There are multiple reasons for this, including safety, reliability of protection, compatibility, technical specifications, and compliance with regulations. By following these standards, surge arresters are designed and manufactured to effectively protect electrical systems and equipment from the damaging effects of power surges and transient voltage spikes.
While this is an option, and even preferable to include with other devices, a type 2 surge arrester offers more protection, and it is more cost-effective. Type 3 arresters such as red plug arresters only protect the equipment plugged in after the device, and thus are more costly to protect your whole house if used at each plug point. They are also often not rated appropriately to be protective.
This rating refers to the maximum current that the protection device can withstand (in other words, the maximum current it can handle) during a surge event. It indicates the maximum current that the device can suppress/divert in the event of a surge.
An inverter is an electronic device that converts direct current (DC) power into alternating current (AC) power. It is commonly used to enable devices that require AC power, such as household appliances, to be powered by DC sources like batteries or solar panels. Inverters work by rapidly switching the direction of current flow, resulting in an output waveform that mimics the shape of utility grid AC power (a sinusoidal wave).
Following the installation of the surge protector and the receipt of your supplementary certificate of compliance (CoC) from the installing electrician, you are required to send a picture of the installed device on your DB board and the compliance certificate or the completed Hollard surge protection checklist form to your broker.
If you are not able to provide proof of the installation or have not met the surge arrester requirements, at the time of claim, you will have to pay an excess and your cover will be limited (where you had the option to increase cover).
Due to the frequency of surges in South Africa, it is now a requirement to send a picture of your working surge protector to your broker or Hollard every 60 days. Failure to do so will mean you will not be covered in the event of a surge claim?
You can identify if your surge protector is no longer operational via the status indicator on the surge protector. The indicator is either a physical light (LED) or a green/red strip which shows whether the surge protection is operational or not. Green means it is in working order and red means it is not operational.
If the indicator shows your surge protector is no longer operational, you must either replace the device or swap the cartridge.
Please note that a red strip on a surge arrester does not mean the surge arrester is faulty. Instead, it means that the surge arrester has reached its maximum capacity to absorb surges. In this event, please refer to Question [What happens if my surge arrester is no longer operational due to a surge?]
If you utilised an Efficient Automation device and your device is damaged or faulty, please contact Efficient Automation at https://hollard.efficientautomation.co.za for an assessment of your surge arrester. If it can be proven that the device is indeed damaged or faulty, then Efficient Automation will arrange for a replacement arrester or cartridge to be sent to you. They provide a one-year warranty in the event of a faulty arrester.
If you did not use an Efficient Automation surge arrester, then you will be required to contact the supplier of your device to arrange for a new cartridge or device (please read the supplier’s terms and conditions carefully to ensure there is a warranty).
Yes, however, it is your responsibility to notify your broker if your arrester is faulty. You will also be required to provide proof that your arrester is non-operational or faulty.

In this case, you will be given a 30-day grace period to replace your cartridge or surge arrester. Following the installation of your new cartridge or arrester, you will need to advise your broker and ensure that you follow the steps in Question 20 again to ensure that you are covered.
Yes, upon ordering the device from Efficient Automation, you will be covered immediately. If you purchase the device from an alternative supplier, you will have to provide proof that the surge arrester meets the Hollard requirements.

No, under the regulations, the electrician you hire is responsible for your electrical installation by issuing a CoC. The CoC must have a unique number to allow for it to be traced.

Where any addition or alteration has been done to an electrical installation for which a CoC has already been issued, a supplementary CoC must then be provided. Both CoCs must be kept together in a safe place. An electrical CoC is also required for other purposes, for example when you sell your house.

Nevertheless, Hollard will accept the checklist where a client is unable to produce a CoC. The electrician completing the checklist must however confirm that the installation adhered to the required electrical standards and regulations when the device was installed.

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