Why this matters
Power cuts, low voltage and sudden surges are part of working life in many parts of Ghana. When power drops suddenly, unsaved work is lost and files can be corrupted. When power returns, a spike can destroy power supplies, routers, printers and phone chargers. Lightning storms in the rainy season add more risk. An IT person who sets up good power protection prevents a whole category of expensive problems.
Ghana's mains supply
Ghana's mains electricity is 230 volts at 50 hertz, and sockets are mostly the three pin types known as D (round pins) and G (rectangular pins). Equipment from abroad must accept 230 V; most modern laptop chargers say "100 to 240V" on the label, which is fine. Always read the label before plugging something in.
Three kinds of protection
They solve different problems, and people often confuse them.
- Surge protector. An extension board or plug with components that absorb short spikes of high voltage and protect what is plugged in. It does nothing during a power cut and does not fix low voltage. Surge protectors wear out after absorbing big surges, so replace old or damaged ones. A cheap extension board is not necessarily a surge protector: check the packaging says surge protection.
- Voltage stabiliser (often called an AVR, automatic voltage regulator). Corrects voltage that is too low or too high and keeps it steady. Useful where supply is weak, for example at the end of a long line or when heavy machines start nearby.