ASP & Electrical contractor Briefing - 2022 Central West Floods

ASP and Electrical Contractor Briefing: 2022 Central West Floods

  • Safety must be the highest priority when testing and reconnecting customers.
  • All submerged meters must be bypassed by an Essential Energy representative before reenergising premises.
  • A CCEW must be submitted to Essential Energy to confirm the premise is safe to connect.
  • A NOSW must be submitted as soon as possible after an ASP reconnects a premise.

Flood Recovery

The recent floods in the Central West of NSW have caused catastrophic property damage for our customers. Essential Energy is committed to supporting Accredited Service Providers (ASP’s) and Electrical contractors safely reconnect properties after thorough testing has been completed.

Safety

At all times consider the safety of yourself, customers and Essential Energy team members when testing and reconnecting customers.

Ensure the following:

  • Follow your own safety management systems and safe work methods.
  • Ensure you have isolated all incoming supplies, even if the network is deenergised.
  • Disconnect and isolate faulty circuits at the switchboard. Prevent customers reconnecting until safe.
  • Do not leave exposed cabling, GPO and light terminals after gyprock has been removed.
  • A GPO mounted in the switchboard can provide electricity supply if all other circuits are isolated. Ensure that all new installations are installed to current standards and protected by a RCBO.
  • All meters and frequency injection relays (FIR) that have been submerged by flood water must be bypassed by Essential Energy before the premise is energised.

CCEW

All premises must be inspected, tested and repaired before reconnecting. A Certificate of Compliance Electrical Work (CCEW) must be submitted to Essential Energy via Essential Energy’s Secure Web Form (SWF) portal immediately after the premise is deemed safe to connect. The premise does not have to be brought up to currents standards if only safety testing and no additional equipment is installed.

For further information see the recent Essential Engagement “Reimbursement for reconnection – Flood impacted customers Central West” dated 17/11/22.

Only accredited and authorised ASP’s can reconnect disconnected premises. Electrical contractors can either contact an ASP or Essential Energy will reconnect upon receipting a CCEW without an associated NOSW. SPDs with a sealed escutcheon plate are the only exception for electrical contractors.

NOSW

A Level 2 ASP must submit a NOSW immediately after reconnecting power to a premises (this will avoid our crews having to re-visit these premises).

A Level 2 ASP authorised person can perform the below:

  • Class 2A – Reconnect at the connection point only.
  • Class 2B – Replace the Service Protection Device (SPD) and reenergise customers isolated at the switchboard.
  • Class 2C – Replace the Service Protection Device (SPD), reenergise customers isolated at the switchboard and reconnect at the connection point and point of common coupling.
  • Class 2D – can only reenergise at the Service Protection Device (SPD) / Meter Protection Device (MPD).

Information for Re-energisation by Level 2 ASPs

Required Actions for appropriately authorised Level 2 ASPs when re-energising a premises with flood affected meters and FIRs:

  1. Confirm a CCEW has been submitted and the customers electrical system has been thoroughly checked and tested and is safe to be energised.
  2. Check the meters and FIRs have been bypassed. Please contract Essential Energy to bypass meters before re-energising by calling the Essential Energy Supply interruptions – 13 20 80.
  3. Submit a Notification of Service Work (NOSW) through SWF. For consistency and clarity, in the ‘Comments’ field in Section E make the following note:

a. For sites with meters only note ‘ALL METERS BYPASSED’.
b. For sites with meters and an FIR note ‘ALL METERs AND FIR BYPASSED’.

Essential Energy Contacts

Further Information:

If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.