Are you wondering what are the best fridge guards in Kenya? Fridge guards play an important role in protecting refrigerators and freezers from power fluctuations and outages in Kenya. With frequent blackouts and voltage spikes in the country, a good fridge guard has become essential to prevent damage to the compressor and electronic circuitry in modern refrigerators.
This comprehensive guide looks at:
- The various types of fridge guards
- Top brands in Kenya and how much fridge guards cost
- Key factors to consider when purchasing one
- Frequently asked questions about fridge guards in Kenya
Types of Fridge Guards in Kenya
There are several types of fridge guards in Kenya that you may consider. The commonly used ones include:
1. Surge Protectors
Surge protectors shield refrigerators from sudden power spikes. They divert excess electrical current to the grounding wire which prevents them from reaching sensitive electronic components in the fridge. Most basic surge protectors have an indicator light that shows their on/off status and replacement notification when their lifespan nears end.
2. Voltage Stabilizers
Voltage stabilizers work by maintaining a constant voltage supply to the refrigerator when there are fluctuations in the power line voltage. They use auto-transformers or servo motors to either increase or decrease the supply voltage if it goes above or below the safe operation range. This allows fridges to operate smoothly during brownouts or over-voltage situations.
3. Automatic Voltage Switchers (AVS)
AVS devices automatically switch to a backup power source like an inverter or generator when the main AC power goes off. Once the electricity supply resumes, they transition back to the grid. This allows uninterrupted operation of refrigerators during blackouts.
4. Battery Backup Systems
These are inverter systems with connected batteries that offer backup power to refrigerators when there are power outages. The battery gets charged when the mains supply is available and provides power to the fridge when grid electricity fails through the inverter.
5. Wall-Mounted Guards
As the name suggests, these fridge guards are mounted on the wall socket and protect against short circuits, spikes, and lightning surges apart from regulating erratic voltages. They have multiple outlets allowing the connection of various appliances.
6. Extension Cables with Surge Protection
Extension cords and power strips with inbuilt surge protection, overload, and short circuit safeguards also serve as good fridge guards. They shield connected electronic appliances from sudden power fluctuations.
Top Fridge Guard Brands in Kenya
Some of the popular fridge guard brands in the Kenyan market include:
#1. Mika
Mika offers a range of British-standard fridge guards designed to handle voltage fluctuations for refrigerators up to 410 liters. Their guards provide both under and overvoltage protection between 140V to 270V allowing smooth functioning during brownouts or power surges.
Key features of Mika fridge guards include:
- Advanced microcontroller-based voltage correction
- Time delay mechanism to prevent frequent On/Off cycling
- LED indicators for power and overload alerts
- Thermal overload protection shutoff
- Noiseless operation
- Wall mountable sleek body
- 18 months warranty
With quality components and a robust design focused on reliability, Mika fridge guards offer a cost-effective solution to stabilize voltage variations.
The prices for Mika fridge guards are highlighted below:
- Mika Fridge Guard 5A: KSh 1,995
- Mika Fridge Guard 7A: KSh 2,195
- Mika Fridge Guard 10A: KSh 2,395
#2. Sayona
Sayona is a leading Indian power protection brand with a wide selection of automatic voltage stabilizers tailor-made for refrigerators. Their guards provide efficient protection against sudden electrical spikes and low voltages from 160V to 280V. Their offerings are:
- Sayona Fridge Guard 5A: KSh 2,200
- Sayona Fridge Guard 7A: KSh 2,400
- Sayona Fridge Guard 10A: KSh 2,600
Salient features offered in Sayona fridge guards:
- Copper wound double-insulated transformer
- Motorized variac for accurate voltage regulation
- Time delay restart to prevent repetitive cycling
- High/low voltage cut-off with automatic reset
- Overload and short-circuit protection
- LED display showing input/output volts
- Wall mountable casing with ventilation
- 2 years overall warranty
Sayona combines safety with performance at a reasonable price point. Their quality components ensure optimal voltage regulation for steady refrigerator operation.
#3. Armco
Armco fridge guards are designed and safety tested to CE certification standards. Available from 5A to 15A configurations, Armco guards stabilize inconsistent voltages in the 140V to 270V range suiting most domestic refrigerators. Their products and rates are:
- Armco Fridge Guard 5A: KSh 2,595
- Armco Fridge Guard 7A: KSh 2,795
- Armco Fridge Guard 10A: KSh 2,995
Useful capabilities of Armco fridge guards:
- Buck and Boost voltage correction
- Servo stabilizer for precise regulation
- Compact and lightweight wall-mounted unit
- Additional surge and spike protection
- Over-voltage shutoff and system alerts
- Low minimum starting voltage
- Extended 3-year warranty on product
Armco fridge guards offer advanced European engineering for appliances up to 600 liters at budget-friendly rates.
#4. Tronic
Tronic focuses on reliability and affordability with its wide range of fridge guards engineered for steady performance. Their voltage regulators can tackle input fluctuations between 140V to 280V – adequate for most household refrigerators. Their products include:
- Tronic Fridge Guard 5A: KSh 1,600
- Tronic Fridge Guard 7A: KSh 1,800
- Tronic Fridge Guard 10A: KSh 2,000
Key attributes of Tronic fridge guards:
- Quality copper wound transformer
- Effective spike and lightning protection
- Wide input voltage tolerance without resets
- LED indicators for overload warnings
- Thermal safety cutoff against overheating
- Noiseless operation for bedrooms/living rooms
- 2 years overall warranty
For those looking for a basic, no-frills fridge guard that gets the job done, Tronic offers a cost-effective solution.
#5. PowerPoint
Specializing in power protection devices for sensitive electronics, PowerPoint offers advanced true sine wave fridge guards. This enables excellent voltage regulation from the 160-280V range without affecting refrigerator performance. Their products are priced as below:
- PowerPoint Fridge Guard 5A: KSh 2,495
- PowerPoint Fridge Guard 7A: KSh 2,695
- PowerPoint Fridge Guard 10A: KSh 2,895
Standout features of PowerPoint fridge guards:
- Advanced PWM sine wave inverter technology
- Battery backup option for uninterrupted operation
- LED console displaying relevant parameters
- Automatic restart after power outage
- Overload and open circuit protection
- High surge energy rating for spikes
- Comprehensive 3 years warranty
For mission-critical refrigeration applications, PowerPoint sine waveguards ensure optimal performance despite large voltage variations.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Fridge Guard
Fridge Specifications
Choosing a fridge guard aligned to key electrical parameters of your refrigerator model including wattage rating, starting current, voltage requirements, and capacity ensures complete appliance protection. Properly sizing the guard prevents premature tripping or overheating while supporting optimal performance. This matcher approach delivers smooth operations sans disruption or safety risks.
Advanced Technology & Features
Modern fridge guards incorporate sophisticated capabilities like wide input voltage ranges, high surge ratings, and intelligent battery backups to reliably tackle extreme brownouts, spikes, and outages. Choosing options with such premium components ensures full appliance protection even when electrical conditions deteriorate drastically, reducing disruption risks.
Brand & Reputation
When selecting a fridge guard, reputed legacy brands inspire greater confidence in product quality and safety standards compliance thanks to their substantial investments in rigorous R&D testing and certifications. Additionally, leading brands offer the assurance of better after-sales service support in case any issues emerge – critical for household appliances. So brand image matters significantly for performance reliability & peace of mind.
Budget & Price
Getting the best fridge guard means balancing performance protection aspects with reasonable pricing tailored to usage needs rather than simply buying the cheapest option. Prioritizing critical safety features over unnecessary frills and evaluating long-term costs helps extract maximum value. Investing a bit more upfront on a properly sized quality guard saves much more down the line in appliance repairs or replacement.
Installation & Maintenance
Hassle-free DIY installation and minimal maintenance needs ensure optimal longevity of fridge guards. Choosing options with screw-based wall mounting, detachable casings, and manual reset buttons makes inspection and cleaning easier. Periodically checking indicators, electrical terminals, wiring, etc. improves lifespan by early failure detection – critical for steady refrigerator operations.
FAQs About Fridge Guards
Do Fridge Guards Work?
Yes, fridge guards work when purchased from reputable brands and installed correctly. By regulating voltages and insulating refrigerators from power surges/blackouts, they prevent damage to sensitive electronic circuitry and compressor motors enhancing product lifespan.
Is It a Must to Use a Fridge Guard?
While a fridge guard is highly recommended for Kenyan households, it may not be an absolute necessity if voltage fluctuations in your locality/building are insignificant. Many modern inverter compressor refrigerators also have built-in voltage protection mechanisms that can handle limited spikes or low-voltage situations.
Does the Fridge Guard Increase Power Consumption?
High-quality voltage stabilizer or surge protector fridge guards that regulate the current drawn by the motor do not lead to higher electricity consumption. In fact, by correcting fluctuations and maintaining a steady optimum voltage supply, they can improve the energy efficiency of refrigerators resulting in power savings over time.
Which is Better—Fridge Guard or Stabilizer?
While fridge guards are an umbrella term for appliances providing electrical protection to refrigerators, voltage stabilizers represent one specific type of guard. Stabilizers work by correcting AC voltage fluctuations to prevent voltage damage.
Conclusion
Finding the ideal fridge guard demands a holistic evaluation of technical specifications matched to your refrigerator model alongside protection levels, features, brand reputation, pricing, and convenience factors. While absolute safety increases with cost, smartly prioritizing the parameters that address your specific usage needs rather than blindly buying on a budget helps extract the most value.
Investing in a properly sized, feature-packed guard from quality brands pays dividends over the long run by enhancing appliance longevity and performance while eliminating disruptive power-related headaches. So take the time to size up the multiple facets covered above while shortlisting options for reliable electricity regulation fuller voltage protection peace of mind.
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