Cathcart Hit by Major Power Outage After 11kV Cable Fault

CATHCART, EASTERN CAPE – Large parts of Cathcart remain without electricity following a major underground 11kV cable fault, with repair work and equipment testing still underway.

Amahlathi Local Municipality confirmed that the outage was caused by a fault on an underground cable approximately 300 metres long. The fault resulted in a loss of supply to several areas in the town, affecting homes, businesses and public facilities.

Among the areas impacted are Cathcart High School, De Smith Street, Robinson Road, the Country Club and the Richardson Block.

The Municipality indicated that multiple service providers were appointed in an effort to identify and locate the underground fault. After the fault was traced, an alternative cable was pressure tested and energised in an attempt to restore electricity. However, the cable termination subsequently blew due to the existing fault, resulting in continued power disruption.

Substation Testing Now Critical

With the cable failure raising concerns about potential damage to infrastructure, municipal technicians and an appointed service provider are now focusing on the mini substation where the underground cable had been connected.

The Municipality stated that testing is being conducted to ensure that the mini substation equipment did not sustain damage when the cable termination blew. The outcome of these tests will determine the next steps before a new 11kV cable can be installed and energised.

Repairs and Preventative Work

As part of the ongoing repair process, officials reported that fault currents caused compound material inside the substation to melt. This damaged compound is currently being removed.

In addition, the transformer oil is being replaced with new oil before further testing proceeds. These steps are aimed at ensuring that the equipment is safe and stable before electricity supply is restored to affected areas.

The Municipality has advised residents to switch off electrical appliances during the outage to prevent possible damage when power is restored.

The Cathcart outage remains a priority, and further updates are expected once testing has been completed and a confirmed restoration plan is in place.