David RichardsACCC Targets Electricians + Builders Over Dodgy Electrical Cable Risk To 40,000 Homes
0Overall Score
Hundreds of Australian electricians and builders who used dodgy electrical cabling in over 40,000 homes are now being told by the ACCC that they have to fix the problem they created using cheap bottom end unapproved cabling, the move will cost some tens of thousands of dollars.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is urging electricians and builders to replace the dangerous Infinity electrical cables despite many builders and electricans refusing to accept any liability for the issue
The cables used by these contractors fail to meet safety standards due to poor quality plastic insulation coating.
Tests have shown that the cable may become prematurely brittle from 2016 onwards, which could cause fires or electric shock if the cables are then disturbed.
“More than a year after the recall of Infinity cables, 62 per cent of the faulty cables are yet to be remediated, posing a serious and unnecessary risk to community safety,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
“Electricians and builders have an obligation to inform the home owners and businesses where they worked that their electrical installations are unsafe and non-compliant.”
“State and territory regulators can issue rectification orders requiring electricians and builders to replace non-compliant cables, and will do so where Infinity cables are known to have been installed and contractors have simply ignored the problem. Such orders have already been issued and more are expected to follow,” Ms Rickard said.
Ms Rickard advised electricians to immediately contact the suppliers of Infinity cables they installed to seek assistance with remediating Infinity cables under the supplier’s recall. As outlined in the recalls (link is external), electricians should not fear costs as these are being met by their suppliers. If an electrician thinks they bought Infinity cable from a supplier not listed in the recalls they should contact the ACCC.
“It would be far better for electricians to be on the front foot and schedule this work rather than waiting to see if a regulator contacts them. While they do nothing, they run the risk of a house burning down, or a fellow tradesperson or home owner being electrocuted.”
Licensed electricians can expect further contact via the licensing schemes in their respective states and territories to be advised about their legal obligations and urged to take action now-before it’s too late.
Home owners are also urged to have all electrical cable installations carried out between April 2010 and October 2013 inspected by an electrician. Any Infinity cables that are discovered should be remediated as soon as possible under the supplier’s recall. An inspection can be carried out for as little as $100.
If you have Infinity cabling in your home tell us who the builder or electrician was: send an email to [email protected].