Service Fuse Blowout, customers with no power

Across Victoria, main service fuses that protect the network from your properties power demand are burning out from overloading as customers draw sustained amounts of high energy from the electrical network in the free hours of power.

The new challenge today is we can no longer just keep attaching equipment to old small switchboards as peoples needs change, we once used batteries to just store energy, now we use them to draw power from the grid in cheap time periods, while exporting power in high demand time periods such as nights when people come home to cook. I saw this happening back in 2003 when I was working on behalf of the electrical network in Tasmania, a state that was already 100% electric due to hydro dams. We would patrol streets with thermal imaging cameras on our shoulders to see hot joints created by demand time periods and new solar generating systems, while managing homeowners replacing light bulbs due to high voltage issues in the day from aging electrical infrastructure.

Now as Melbourne makes the transition from gas to more electric living that it was never built for, solar and batteries have a chance have a chance at saving an old infrastructure before trouble starts, but we all have to work together. As a consumer you now have the responsibility that once lay on the shoulders of your electrical supply authority, to install an adequate electrical infrastructure while properly maintain it, to support your new lifestyle choices.

Stacking multiple solar and battery inverters can be devastating to your property if done incorrectly. This increases the demand of the property from the electrical network supply, as you can draw large amounts of power from the electrical network to charge the battery for a long duration. This puts electrical stress on the connections and wiring throughout your property, exposing you to any underlying issues you may have already had but was unaware as gas reduced your electrical consumption in the past.

The tail of the storey is to have your switchboard and mains upgraded in preparation, before increasing the load and output of your solar / battery system. A few checks done properly by your installer will set your mind at ease, we have a list of checks necessary; that is why we use our electrical testing equipment in our pre-scope for every job before we install any hardware.

Powercor have provided some useful information for customers below. Powercor Understand Your Electricity Needs

Transitioning from unaffordable and less efficient solutions to more efficient options are always worth the purchase price, we just need awareness to navigate the transition into the future.

Checklist before installation

If you are going to install any of the below, stop! Have an electrician (sparky) check your supply and switchboard for fitness. Don't just get a sparky (Electrician) to just install the new appliance, not all sparkies are born equal, simply ask them to give you the Maximum Demand of the house and the Consumer Mains. These numbers should be less than the size of the main switch usually 40-63A. If they are higher you will need to upgrade the service and switchboard.

Have them give you the Fault loop impedance value from the switchboard, this number should be less than 0.85 Ohms, any higher and I have litterally seen a switchboards with a reading of 0.9 Ohms catch on fire a week later, don't risk your property or families lives on an incompetent installer.

If they can't give you the result using a tester, don't have them install anything! Get another sparky.

Heavy consumption Electrical Products

• Batteries
• Solar
• Electric Cars
• Heating (Heat Pump) / Cooling (Air Conditioner)
• Induction cooktops
• Electric hotwater

Identifying a fault

You get home, it's hot, so you turn on the Air Conditioner and the lights flicker and your appliances go off for a second then come back on. Any high consumption appliance drawing a high load can stress an already bad connection at the mains Service fuse or switchboard, if this happens call a sparky immediately. Have them do a Fault Loop Impedance test until they find the issue, most of the time it will be obvious, like tingling from taps or metal switchboards, shocks in the shower or bath, and flickering lights and power through the home.

At Pro Tradie, we only offer after-hours support for our clients (past customers). If you are new, please call an after hours sparky near you to make safe then have us come out in the daylight hours.

I hope you find this information helpful, stay safe.