Cape Town: Does the City control your geyser? Take note of these systems-testing dates

This ripple-control testing will affect a limited number of households in select metro areas—particularly in the metro eastern suburbs.

What is ripple-control and why is it important?

Ripple-control allows the City to remotely manage customers’ geysers (water boilers) to reduce electricity demand during peak hours.

This helps to lower energy costs and prevent grid overload.

These systems were predominantly installed in the metro’s eastern suburbs from 1978 onwards.

The programme was scaled down in 2008 when Eskom’s load shedding began, but was halted altogether as the load shedding intensity worsened over time.

Who is affected?

A few homes in the following areas will be part of the testing taking place from from 3 to 7 March 2025:

Uitkamp; Kraaifontein (Marais; Langeberg); Durbanville (substation); Eversdal; Strand (Clinic substation); Somerset West, Gordon’s Bay; Feige and Langverwacht (Welverwacht substation areas).

No action is required from affected residential customers.

What will happen to your geyser

Between 3 and 7 March, the geysers of affected residents with be switched on and off remotely over the five days.

Switch-off durations will last for five minutes every 30 minutes, between 18:00 and 20:00.

Affected residents may hear a clicking sound from the load control relay operating box, located near their electrical distribution board.

A separate capacity test will also take place between 22:00 and 04:00, where all geysers in the affected areas will be switched off during this off-peak period to assess the number of active receivers still on the system.

Regular testing ensures that the system remains operational and that signals from electrical substations effectively control geysers as intended.

“In the unlikely event that customers experience a problem with water heating after the testing has been completed, they may please call the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089,” the City said in a statement.

“Energy teams will assist to restore power as soon as possible.”

Will you be affected by ripple-control testing?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. 

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