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Zesa

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) is a subsidiary of ZESA Holdings. ZETDC is responsible or the transmission of electricity from the power stations, the distribution of electricity as well as its retailing to end users

Safe use of electricity

To keep you and your loved ones healthy and safe, here are some precautions to follow around electricity:

A repeatedly blowing fuse is a sign that there is something wrong with that particular circuit.  Such a fault should be isolated until a qualified electrician takes remedial action.

• Never bridge-out fuses by using silver paper or tin foil, it is extremely dangerous.  All such devices are there for protection of the wiring, your property and ultimately yourself.
• Never ignore the warning signs.  If a plug-top feels excessively hot or if the socket-outlet is discolored then the appliance being usedis too large an electrical load or there are loose connections.
• Never take portable electrical equipment into a bathroom.
• Never cover flexible cables and cords under carpets.  The conductor temperature does not dissipate as it should, overheating occurs and a conflagration can result.
• Keep flexible cables and cords as short as possible and well maintained.  Do not use taped joints rather buy a new lead as this could save money in the long run.
• Where the flex enters the plug-top ensure that the sheath is properly and securely clamped, inner cores should not be showing, and ensure that the right colored core terminates in its correct terminal i.e.
  • Brown-‘L’ (LIVE)
  • Blue-‘N’ (NEUTRAL)
  • Green/Yellow-‘E’ (EARTH)
• It is recommended to purchase appliances that bear a standard mark or number that has been approved by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ).  Have foreign standards verified by SAZ.
• Unless double insulated all appliances will need to be effectively connected to earth either permanently or by a flexible cord/cable.  If you are not sure that this is the case, consult a competent Electrician. The earthing system at your premises is of paramount importance and to ensure that it remains completely reliable it should be inspected by you at regular intervals particularly if a plumbing repair job has been carried out.  All pipe-work and exposed metal work should be bonded to the installation’s earth electrode. A maximum earth resistance of ohms is recommended.
• A socket-outlet(s) installed for use with outdoor appliances such as a lawn mower should be electrically supplied by a 30milli Amp (0.03 Ampere) sensitive earth leakage protective device.
• Never leave young children unsupervised in a room containing an appliance that is energized.  Natural curiosity leads them to playing with such items and possibly inserting spoons, forks, etc into accessible openings.  So switch off and unplug or supervise the child.
• Never fill or top-up an electric kettle while it is plugged in.
• Never fill a steam iron while it is plugged in (besides which only distilled water should be used).
• Ensure that the element of your appliance is completely immersed in the water.
• Never leave an energized iron lying flat on its face.
• Never leave an appliance switched on and un-attended for any prolonged length of time, accidents do happen and a fire can result.  This applies to every household appliance.  It is only the time scale that differs.
• Do not wipe appliances down with a damp cloth; electrical components and water are not compatible.
• Do not wipe or clean electrical switches or socket outlets with a damp cloth, you could be electrocuted.
• Replace all broken switches or switch covers.
• Never replace a lamp (globe) while switched on.
• To lessen the risk of fires and electrocution, Always get the wiring of your house checked periodically, e.g. after every five years.

To reduce the risk of electrocution, always treat all ZESA cables as LIVE, especially during load shedding as power can be restored without warning. All dangling wires should be avoided and reported to the nearest ZESA Fault Centre as they can pose a serious hazard to both humans and livestock.

Why load shedding is necessary

Load shedding simply stated is a controlled temporary way of cutting power to parts of the country when there is not enough electricity to meet the needs of customers. This is a result of a shortage capacity and a high demand for electricity.

One a typical day demand begins from 2a.m and climbs steadily as people. Any problem on the system such as a breakdown at a power generation station or on a transmission line, can impact the supply to customers. When this happens the system is unable to meet the demand of customers. ZESA system controllers under these conditions have no choice but to implement load shedding as a last resort.

 

Get pre-paid electricity from-:

Agribank

ZB Bank

CBZ Bank

Powertel

PAY ON-LINE

Zympay

EcoCash

NetCash

NetOne

Other places to get ZESA tokens

O.K

GREENS

CHOPPIES

HADDON `n’ SLY

Contact details

Bulawayo East (commercial)

Halco House

Fife Street/ 10^th Avenue

(09) 67180 / 79521 / 79526 / 880953

Bulawayo East District Depot

Electricity House

Lobengula Street/ Khami rd

(09) 889891-4 / 79379 / 887894 / 78152

Bulawayo West District (Nketa Depot) ( Entumbane Depot)

Accriton road / off Plumtree Donnington

(09) 460535 / 460537

Bulawayo West District (commercial)

Richmond House

Lobengula Street / Khami Rd

(09) 78233 / 77021

CONTACT ZETDC

0771636894 or (09) 889891 EXT 257 / 227 / 249 or (09) 60221

After working hours (09) 290603/ 0712615127-8 / 0775995535

TEMPERING WITH ZETDC ELECTRICITY METER IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE WHICH ATTRACTS A HEAVY FINE AND UP TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON[/fusion_text]