LV safety program
To ensure a safe and reliable electricity network for you now and into the future, we're running the Low Voltage (LV) Safety Program. At this stage the program will be run in selected locations in Queensland.
This program will help us to improve the safety and power quality of the LV electricity network in Queensland. It will also help us get ready for a future where more solar systems and new technologies, like electric vehicles and battery storage systems, are connected to our network.
If your premises is selected for the program we will send you a letter by post.
We'll connect a network monitoring device in your electricity switchboard to monitor electricity current and voltage. We'll install the devices over a number of deployment phases and you'll receive written notification of the actual installation date a minimum of four (4) days prior.
Please be aware that:
- No action is required by you during this program
- Your electricity bill won't be affected
- We’ll need to turn your power off for up to 120 minutes to install the device
- If your premises is selected and you receive a letter from us, installation may not take place if the site is unsuitable or if we've already reached our target of program premises.
Any data we collect will be handled in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). If you would like further information please refer to our Privacy Statement.
For more information
Email us at networkenquiries@ergon.com.au as soon as possible if you:
- need to advise us that you have a dog on the premises
- would like more information.
You can also call us on 1300 366 338.
FAQs
This device will help us to monitor the safety of your electricity supply 24/7 and protect you and your family from being exposed to faults such as some electricity shocks. Also, this technology will help us improve the quality of your power supply by remotely investigating voltage fluctuations so we can take the necessary actions. During power outages, this device will give us more visibility of the issues and help us to restore your power sooner.
No, the installation is free and the device will remain our property. The device draws power directly from the network and will not affect your electricity bill.
Our representative or authorised contractor carrying an Electricity Officer personal identification card will complete the work at your premises. An interruption to your power supply of up to 120 minutes is needed to carry out the work safely. If you're not home when the work is completed, a calling card will be left at your premises so you'll know we've been there.
Yes, we need access to your electricity switchboard (or meter box) to install the network monitoring device. Our representative or authorised contractor carrying an Electricity Officer personal identification card will complete the work.
As a guide, it's expected to take up to 120 minutes and an interruption to your electricity supply is required to complete the work safely. This timing is a guide only and may vary depending on the complexity of the work required at your switchboard.
An interruption to your electricity supply is required to carry out the work safely and it's expected to take up to 120 minutes to complete. This duration is a guide only and may vary depending on the complexity of the work required at your switchboard.
The device is installed in your electricity switchboard (or meter box) before your meter, with an antenna attached to the outside of the switchboard. This is installed in accordance with the Queensland Electricity Connection Manual (PDF 5.2 mb).
If we find a defect or safety risk in your switchboard, we’ll leave a notice (Form 3) with information about the issue we found. Depending on how serious it is, we may need to disconnect your power and the notice will show why we had to disconnect you and explain how the issue should be fixed.
There should be no change to your electricity supply after the installation of the monitoring device.
Yes. However, as the device is installed before your meter, it draws power directly from the electricity network so you're not charged.
The device is owned, installed and operated by us and will remain that way after installation.
A network device is equipment or apparatus that allows us to monitor the electricity network, such as measurement equipment. A network device is located at or adjacent to the connection point of a retail customer. This is in accordance with the National Electricity Rules.
Your electricity meter measures the power you've consumed and is used to issue your power bill. The network device isn't used for metering or billing purposes. Instead it's used by us for safety, power quality and network service purposes.
The device measures electricity current and voltage for safety, power quality and network purposes.
The device isn't an electricity meter and carries no guarantee as to its accuracy. The data won't be used for billing purposes, it will be used for power quality, safety and network service purposes only. The measurements by your existing meter meet Australian Standards for accuracy and will remain as the source for metering and billing purposes.
Yes, the monitoring data collected from a network device is confidential. The data collected from the device will only be used for safety, power quality and network service purposes and not for billing. The electricity meter at your premises will remain as the only device to record your electricity usage for billing. Any data we collect will be handled in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
The monitoring data collected from a network device is confidential data. The data collected by the device may only be accessed, disclosed and handled in accordance with our Privacy Statement and the Australian Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
The device will remain installed in your switchboard and will be monitored. If at any time it needs to be removed, we’ll send you a letter in advance to make sure the removal can be done at your convenience.
As the device is owned and operated by us, it will remain in the switchboard.
Removing the device would require a power outage at your premises. In that case, we’ll send you an outage notification in advance to make sure the device can be removed at your convenience.
It may be advisable to notify your landlord.
No. If you're not home when the work is completed, a calling card will be left at your property so you'll know we've been there.
If you'd like to make special arrangements or provide instructions to ensure the work can be completed at your convenience, or to advise that you have a dog, please email us at networkenquiries@ergon.com.au. You can also call 1300 366 338.
Email us at networkenquiries@ergon.com.au or call 1300 366 338.