Warning on older switchgear installed within switchboards
Issued 01/2005
This is an urgent safety message which needs to be brought to the attention of electrical contractors, licensed electrical workers and plant operators.
Currently there is a potential fault that has the possibility of developing within a type of switchboard manufactured in the 1960’s.
The warning has been instigated by an incident, where it appears that cables within the combined fused switch carriage, shorted to earth, causing a severe electrical fault and fire at a major public institution.
The Electrical Safety Office recommends that these switchboards require regular inspection and maintenance to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
In addition, the Electrical Safety Office strongly recommends that all electrical installations that contain switchgear, be inspected for damage as soon as possible to ensure that incidents of a similar nature are avoided in the future.
The following points need to be taken into consideration when there is an inspection to take place;
- Broken and deteriorated tension springs;
- Damaged cables within the combined fused switch carriage;
- Heat damage to connection points; and
- Foreign and loose items within the fused switch carriage
Citing: Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector – Victoria
October 17, 2005
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