Freeing capacity at a Free State broiler house.

The Eskom capacity challenge in the Free State

In the heart of the Free State, a prominent broiler house faced a critical challenge: insufficient electrical capacity from Eskom. The facility was operating perilously close to its maximum supply, and frequent breaker trips disrupted operations and threatened business continuity for the entire agri-processing site.

The client had explored various options to secure additional Eskom capacity without success, a common bottleneck for industrial users in the region. The constant tripping caused disruptive downtime and risked damage to vital, temperature-sensitive equipment.

The Augos solution: PFC for peak demand control

Recognising the urgent need, Augos proposed a targeted Power Factor Correction system. PFC improves the power factor of an electrical system, which enhances efficiency and, critically, optimises the use of available capacity without expensive infrastructure changes.

Augos assessed the broiler house's unique operational load and implemented a tailored PFC system to address the specific challenge of capacity limitation.

Results and benefits: gaining available capacity

The installation delivered rapid, tangible benefits:

• Business continuity: the constant breaker trips became a thing of the past, securing the production schedule.
• Reduced maximum demand: lower kVA created headroom, letting the client operate comfortably within the existing Eskom limit.
• Decreased equipment load: a more efficient use of power reduced stress on capital equipment and extended its life.
• Lower costs and risk: addressing the root cause cut the maintenance costs tied to frequent trips and equipment failures.