Electrical installation defects

A defect notice means that a part of the electricity supply to the property has become defective and requires your attention to have it rectified by an electrical contractor. We are committed to keeping our employees and customers safe around the electricity network. All connections to our electricity network must comply with safety standards, including the NSW Electricity Supply Act 1995, the Electricity (Consumer Safety) Regulation 2006 and Ausgrid’s Network Standards. We inspect new and existing connections and can issue defect notifications to customers and/or electrical contractors for electrical installations that do not comply with safety standards.

 

Your electrical installation does not comply with minimum safety standards. This may be due to incorrect or faulty or deteriorated wiring, recent alterations or additions to the connection not installed correctly, or trees or branches growing too close to electrical wires on the property.

Our officers carry out inspections across our electricity network to ensure the safety of customers, the community and our own staff. During these inspections the defective work was identified and the notice was given to the property

If the defects relate to work carried out by an electrical contractor or ASP, we will notify both the occupant and the contractor, specifying the fault and the period in which the fault needs to be fixed.

All work relating to electrical connections to Ausgrid’s network must be carried out by licensed electrical contractors or ASP. It is the contractor’s responsibility to address any defects identified by our inspectors.

Any defects that are not repaired within 21 days after notification may result in electricity supply to the property being disconnected until repairs are completed to safety and service standards. If your original contractor is unable to carry out the repairs, it is the customer’s responsibility to engage another qualified electrical contractor for the work. You can then consider taking action against the original contractor and Ausgrid may refer the matter to NSW Fair Trading.

Disconnecting an electrical supply is a last resort, but we are required by law to ensure all electrical connections comply with relevant safety standards. This is done in the interests of customers, the local community and our staff.

Defect notifications issued on existing service connections usually relate to trees or branches coming into contact with electrical wires, or alterations or additions to existing connections. Clearing vegetation around electricity wires should only be carried out by licensed operators.

Ausgrid has responsibility for maintaining and repairing its electricity network in the street. Residents and businesses are responsible for maintaining safety clearances and connection points for the service mains that extend onto the property. All work from the first point of connection on the property is the customer’s electrical installation and it is the customers responsibility for ensuring it is safe and properly maintained.

You will have received the defect notification because the letter is sent to the property address. If you are a tenant, you should forward the notification to the property owner, or your landlord, as soon as possible and follow up until the matter is resolved.

It may be possible to negotiate an extension on the period for repairs, depending on the severity of the defect. You should contact Ausgrid’s Field Operations group to discuss your options.

Some repair work may involve disconnecting the property from the electricity network at the point where it connects to the distributor pole. A fee may apply to reconnect to the pole. A Re-inspection Fee helps to cover the cost of arranging for an authorised network representative to inspect the installation to make sure it is safe. If the defect was caused by a contractor, that fee is charged to the contractor.