Power Play2 Traditional Geocache
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The cache is placed a short distance off the road near the Theewaterskloof dam. One can park nearby or drive closer to the cache.
Eskom produces electricity at power stations, most of which are grouped near coal mines in Mpumalanga and the Northern Province. This is not where most of the electricity is used, however. The big “load” centres are in places like Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal.
So the electricity must be sent from the power stations to the load centres in the most reliable and cost-effective way. Much research has shown that this is best done by sending the power over high voltage power lines. As it leaves the power station, the electricity is boosted by a device called a step-up transformer to voltages such as 132 000 volts (132 kV) or 400 kV or 765 kV. When the electricity reaches its destination - a substation near a load centre - it is “stepped down” to voltages used for distribution to customers.
In South Africa, we have about 28000 km of high voltage transmission lines and 325 000 km of distribution lines, a formidable distance to inspect and maintain. All overhead lines (those not buried under ground) give rise to some electrically related effects such as interference with telecommunication circuits, electric shocks, electromagnetic fields, audible noise and corona ion discharges. If the ambient air conditions are right you may hear the sizzling sound of corona discharge near the cache site. Transmission lines can generate a small amount of sound energy during corona activity.
This audible noise from the line can barely be heard in fair weather conditions on higher voltage lines. During humid weather conditions, water drops collect on the conductor and increase corona activity so that a crackling or humming sound may be heard near the line. If you walk beneath the power lines to the cache site you may be lucky enough to hear the corona effect.
You can park at S34 06.020 E019 16.952 and walk up to the cache or if you have a high clearance vehicle you can drive to nearby to the cache.
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