Electrical Contractors


  • Proactive discussions, engagement and insights from Electrical Contractors;
  • Critical information updates; and
  • Other useful and relevant information.

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


  • Proactive discussions, engagement and insights from Electrical Contractors;
  • Critical information updates; and
  • Other useful and relevant information.

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

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Reminder - Authorising your connection

    supporting image

    What is happening?

    Essential Energy has seen an increase in the volume of connections and connection applications that are late or missing the required documentation, particularly for smart meter new connections.
    This aligns to Section 68 of the Electricity Supply Act 1995 which states that it is an offence to connect an electrical installation to Essential Energy’s network unless authorised to do so.

    What do you need to do?

    1. As per the NSW Service and installation rules; the following paperwork is required in a timely manner by Essential Energy to authorise your connection:

      2. What’s Required By Who By When
      A. Connection Application via: https://www.essentialenergy.com.au/our-network/connecting-to-the-network Accredited Service Provider (ASP), Electrical Contractor or Customer Before any physical work can commence for your connection
      B. Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) via Secure Web Forms (SWF): https://swf.essentialenergy.com.au/swf Electrical Contractor Within 7 days of completing any safety and compliance test on an electrical installation
      C. Notification of Service Work (NOSW) via Secure Web Forms (SWF): https://swf.essentialenergy.com.au/swf Level 2 - Accredited Service Provider (ASP) Within 48 hours of completing work to connect to the network

    2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation

    Further Information

    If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    SafeWork NSW Safety Alert – Working Live

    supporting image

    SafeWork NSW has released a safety alert on the Dangers of working on or near energised (live) electrical equipment.

    This safety alert reminds electrical workers of the hazards associated with working on or near energised (live) electrical equipment. These hazards include electric shock, arc flash explosion and fire.
    This alert, and others, can also be viewed on the SafeWork NSW website - Safety Alerts.

    What do you need to do?

    1. Click on one of the above links to visit SafeWork NSW website
    2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation

    Further Information

    If you need further information, please visit email www.safework.nsw.gov.au or call 13 10 50.

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Ausgrid Safety Alert SA17_18 Unintended discharge of electricity during live low voltage works

    supporting image

    What is happening?

    Essential Energy wishes to reinforce the safety messages contained within this Safety Alert issued by Ausgrid (SA17-18) dated 3 December 2018. For ease of reference, we have listed the equivalent references to Essential Energy’s documents, together with some additional restrictions that apply to the Essential Energy network:

    • Ensure all Authorised Workers comply with Essential Energy’s CEOP8030 - Electrical Safety Rules (ESRs) when undertaking live low voltage work on the Essential Energy network, noting that Clause 6.3 specifically deals with work on or near live low voltage exposed conductors.
    • Only qualified, trained, competent and authorised workers may work on or near live low voltage apparatus (Clause 4.3).
    • Operating work and commissioning must only be carried out by authorised Essential Energy workers.
    • Appropriate clothing and PPE must be worn (Clause 4.4) and in the case of energised low voltage underground work, an Arc Rated Face shield worn (Clause 4.4.2(i)).
    • Connect neutrals before actives and disconnect actives before neutrals (Clause 6.5).
    • Essential Energy does NOT allow a low voltage transposition crossarm to be changed live (Clause 6.3).
    • Essential Energy does NOT allow work on live low voltage CONSAC or PILC cables (Clause 8.5.3).
    • Essential Energy does NOT allow its employees to carry out live low voltage cable jointing or work within a pit or excavation where their feet are below ground level. ASPs need to consider their own Safety Management Systems before considering similar work, i.e. that all risks are addressed and controlled including the requirements for performing a rescue.
    • Essential Energy does NOT allow the connection of a generator to live low voltage connections except by the prior approval of the Electrical Safety Office (ESO).

    ASPs may only work live low voltage on Contestable Works projects (i.e. Network Assets) as defined in the ASP Scheme Rules, the ESRs and the ASPs Safety Management System. Work within a customer’s installation is governed by Work Health and Safety (WH&S) legislation, codes and guides – in particular Division 4 of the WH&S Regulation 2017.

    What do you need to do?

    1. Review the '20181218 - Ausgrid Safety Alert SA17_18 Unintended discharge of electricity during live low voltage works.pdf' located on Essential Energy’s Document Library
    2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation

    Further Information

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


  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Statement of Business Ethics and Code of Conduct

    supporting image


    Essential Energy values and enjoys strong business relationships with its many suppliers. These relationships are founded on a shared commitment to conduct business according to the highest ethical standards and complying with all relevant laws and regulations.

    Our employees are governed under the Essential Energy Code of Conduct and our relationship with ASPs, contractors and suppliers are governed under the Statement of Business Ethics.
    To help provide clarity in upholding these ethical standards, Essential Energy operates a ‘no gifts’ policy across the business. This means that our employees cannot receive a gift from a third party under any circumstances.

    This policy can be challenging for suppliers and employees alike, as the gifts are usually intended as a token of genuine appreciation.

    Put simply, saying thanks is enough. We really appreciate your support and feedback and ask that you refrain from offering any gifts that might jeopardise either your own or our employees’ integrity.
    Additional information on Essential Energy's Code of Conduct and our ‘no gifts’ policy is available on our website.

    What do you need to do?

    1. Visit Essential Energy's website at https://www.essentialenergy.com.au/about-us/corporate-governance/policies for our Code of Conduct and a range of documents detailing our policies
    2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation

    Further Information

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

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Safety Brief SB-817 Electrical Safety Rules Issue 16

    supporting image


    What is happening?

    Essential Energy’s Electrical Safety Office (ESO) has completed a full review and update of CEOP8030 - Electrical Safety Rules (ESR’s) to incorporate recent Safety Briefs, Incident Investigation recommendations, audit findings and industry developments.

    There are no major policy or procedural changes in this update. All changes are summarised in the Revisions section at the end of the document.

    What do you need to do?

    1. Review the revisions section on the final pages of CEOP8030 - Electrical Safety Rules (ESR’s) located on the Document Library
    2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
    3. View this communication via Essential Engagement at engage.essentialenergy.com.au/ASP

    Further Information

    If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    NoSW / CCEW Historical Inspections Commencement

    supporting image


    You may have noticed and/or observed, Essential Energy is currently undertaking additional inspections of customer connections or alterations. The inspections are being conducted on historical data ensuring customer Installation and Service Works are meeting the requirements of the NSW Service & Installation Rules, AS/NZS 3000:2007 and Essential Energy’s requirements in line with Code of Practice Installation Safety Management.

    Essential Energy has started with a pilot inspection program in the Coffs Harbour area and will extend the program to the remaining regions in our footprint in the coming months.

    What do you need to do?

    Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

    Further Information

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

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Installation of Cable Covers (Tiger Tails)

    supporting image


    What’s happening?

    There have been several instances recently where Level 2 ASPs, or in some cases unauthorised trade contractors, have fitted cable covers (tiger tails) to energised overhead service lines.

    As a result of further investigation, it has been identified that confusion exists as to who is authorised to undertake this task. The WorkCover Code of Practice (CoP): Work Near Overhead Power lines provides direction in relation to the implementation of control measures for unauthorised persons working near low voltage overhead service lines.

    Consideration should be given to Eliminating the hazard by deenergising the supply for the duration of the work, and where there is a danger of physical damage to the overhead service its temporary removal. Where this is not practicable, separating the hazard from the worksite may be achieved through the installation of insulating matting and tiger tails at the point of attachment.

    Essential Energy’s response

    Cable covers must only be fitted to energised service lines for the purposes of adherence to the CoP by electrically qualified Essential Energy authorised employees. ASPs and contractors are not authorised to carry out these tasks as this is not classified as Contestable Work, unless working on behalf of Essential Energy under the conditions of a contract can these be installed.

    A Level 2 ASP can however, de-energise and remove a service line for the duration of the proposed works, or fit cable covers on a deenergised service line for mechanical protection and visual indication so long as the covers are removed prior to the installation being reenergised.

    When de-energising a service line, the service connections at the Point of Common Coupling must always be disconnected and made safe. The service line should then be visually assessed to determine its condition. If it is not of sound condition or there are other factors preventing the service removal. The disconnected service is to remain in situ and covered with insulating matting and tiger tails for visual awareness and mechanical protection. Special attention should also be paid to protecting the consumer mains at the Point of Attachment.
    If the service line is deemed to be in sound condition, and providing it is firstly disconnected at the Point of Common Coupling, then disconnect the connections at the Point of Attachment, remove the service from the attachment, and carefully roll up.

    The completely disconnected service can then be secured where practicable to the non-trafficable side of the distribution pole or private pole at a minimum height of 4.6m. If this is not practicable or introduces other hazards, then the service should be removed and stored in a secure location ensuring no physical damage to the service is sustained.
    Before re-energising, precautions must be taken to ensure that the service and electrical installation are in a state suitable for energisation and that all required testing (e.g. insulation resistance, polarity, neutral integrity and phase rotation) has been satisfactorily completed.

    What do you need to do?

    1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation
    2. Click on the below link for additional information on Essential Energy's website

    Further information

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






  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    IPART Reviews of the NSW Energy Market

    supporting image


    IMPORTANT: Commencement of IPART Reviews of the NSW Energy Market

    Below are two reviews that Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) have been asked to be undertaking by the NSW Minister of Energy:


    IPART has commenced its annual review of the performance and competitiveness of the retail electricity and gas markets in NSW for the most recent financial year.
    The report on 2017-18 period will be their fourth annual monitoring report on the retail electricity market and the first reviewing competition in the retail gas market since gas prices were deregulated on 1 July 2017.

    As part of this review, the NSW Minister for Energy and Utilities has also asked to report on:

    • electricity and gas price movements from July 2018, and whether any such changes reflect efficient costs in a competitive market, and
    • whether retailers are delivering acceptable levels of customer communication and service in their delivery of metering services

    As part of the annual review of the performance and competitiveness of the retail electricity and gas markets in NSW, IPART have been asked to review NSW electricity retailers’ metering practices, and report on whether retailers are delivering acceptable levels of customer service and communication.

    What do you need to do?

    1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
    2. Participate in these reviews by click on the links and having your say on the above topics.

    Further Information

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


  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    AER Price Increase 1 July 2018

    supporting image


    IMPORTANT INFORMATION

    From 1 July 2014, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) introduced new regulatory charges for Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services. As an Accredited Service Provider (ASP), Authorised Person (AUP) or Electrical Contractor (EC), you would be aware of the current Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services charges applicable to services you provide to your customers.
    The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has approved the new regulatory charges for Essential Energy’s Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services to be implemented from 1 July 2018.

    You can read more about Essential Energy’s pricing for Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services on our website at: Essential Energy > Our Network > Network Pricing and Regulatory report > Network Pricing

    What do you need to do?
    • Review the 2018 ‘Approved’ Pricing Schedules for Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services available on the Essential Energy website
    • Accredited Service Providers, Authorised Persons and Electrical Contractors should consider pricing changes when preparing quotations for customers regarding future work
    • Ensure you communicate this information to your customers and employees
    For further information

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

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Important changes to the description of Inspection of Service Work (Level 2) on Essential Energy invoices.

    supporting image


    To more accurately describe the fee Essential Energy applies for each Notice of Service Work (NOSW) we receive, we’ve made the following changes:

    There is no change to fee amounts – they remain as per the Price Schedule for Ancillary Network Services located on our website at: Our Network > Network Pricing and Regulatory Reporting > Network Pricing.

    Please note that we undertake Inspection of Service Work (Level 2) and apply fees in accordance with the Scheme Rules (see below).

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


Page last updated: 16 Apr 2024, 02:29 PM