Kenya Power does its best, but the reality is that power fluctuations are common. Every month, we repair printers that were working perfectly until a surge or brownout fried their electronics. This damage is almost always preventable.

Understanding Power Problems

Surges: Brief spikes in voltage, often when power returns after an outage. These happen in milliseconds but can destroy sensitive components instantly.

Spikes: Even shorter but more intense voltage increases, often from lightning strikes or grid switching.

Brownouts: Voltage drops below normal levels. Less dramatic than surges but cause overheating as printers work harder to compensate.

Blackouts: Complete power loss. The outage itself isn't usually damaging – the surge when power returns is the danger.

How Power Problems Damage Printers

Mainboard failure: The electronic control board is extremely sensitive to voltage fluctuations. A single surge can permanently damage it.

Power supply unit failure: This component regulates power to the printer. It often fails trying to protect other components from bad power.

Fuser damage: The fuser in laser printers operates at specific temperatures. Power fluctuations can cause overheating or inadequate heating, damaging this expensive component.

Motor damage: Electric motors in printers can be damaged by sustained low voltage.

Protection Layer 1: Surge Protectors

The minimum protection every printer needs. A basic surge protector costs KES 1,000-3,000 and absorbs excess voltage.

What to look for:

Joule rating of at least 1,000 (higher is better)
Indicator light showing protection is active
Clamping voltage under 400V
Response time under 1 nanosecond

Important: Surge protectors wear out. After absorbing several surges, they stop protecting. Replace them every 2-3 years or after any major surge event.

Protection Layer 2: Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVR)

AVRs maintain consistent voltage output even when input voltage fluctuates. Essential in areas with chronic voltage problems.

Budget KES 5,000-15,000 for a unit suitable for a single printer.

When you need an AVR:

Lights in your building visibly dim and brighten
Your area experiences frequent brownouts
You're on the edge of the power grid
Your building has old or inadequate wiring

Protection Layer 3: Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

A UPS provides battery backup plus surge protection and voltage regulation. When power fails, the UPS keeps equipment running long enough for proper shutdown.

For printers, UPS isn't about continuous operation – a printer uses too much power for extended battery runtime. The value is in protection from the surge when power returns.

Choose a UPS with:

Online (double-conversion) technology for best protection
VA rating matching your equipment needs
Automatic shutdown software for connected computers

Budget KES 15,000-40,000 for a unit protecting a printer and computer.

Additional Precautions

Unplug during storms: Lightning-induced surges can overwhelm any protection. When you see a storm approaching, shut down and unplug your printer.

Avoid extension cords: Use dedicated outlets where possible. Extension cords add resistance and can cause overheating.

Consider dedicated circuits: In high-use environments like cyber cafes, having dedicated electrical circuits for printers prevents problems from other equipment.

What to Do After a Power Event

If your power fluctuated significantly:

Wait 30 seconds after power stabilises before turning on equipment
Check your surge protector's indicator light
Power on equipment one piece at a time
Run a test print to verify proper operation
Note any error messages or unusual behavior

At ilexDigital, we repair power-damaged printers and help businesses implement proper protection. Prevention costs far less than repair. Contact us for protection recommendations specific to your equipment and location.

Power Surges and Your Printer: Protecting Equipment in Kenya