Network operators inspect the equipment that connects homes and businesses to the grid. When they find a problem on the customer’s side of the connection, they issue a defect notice to the property owner. It can be unsettling to receive, but it is usually straightforward to fix.
What a defect notice usually covers
- A private power pole that is rotten, leaning, cracked or damaged by termites
- Trees or vegetation too close to your private overhead line
- A damaged or corroded point of attachment, service bracket or meter box
- Private overhead lines that are too low or poorly tensioned
- Damaged consumer mains or service fuses
Who is responsible?
The network operator looks after the poles and wires in the street. Private poles, private lines and the fittings on your side of the connection are the property owner’s responsibility, which is why the notice is addressed to you.
What to do, step by step
- Read the notice carefully and note the deadline for the repair.
- Do not attempt any repair yourself. Network-side work must be done by an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) Level 2.
- Take photos of the notice and the defect, and send them to a Level 2 electrician for a quote.
- Book the rectification work before the deadline. Contact the network operator if you need more time.
- Your Level 2 electrician completes the work and lodges the paperwork so the defect can be closed.
If a notice is ignored, the network operator can disconnect supply to the property until the defect is fixed. Acting early is always cheaper and less stressful.
What affects the cost
- The type of defect: a bracket repair is very different from a pole replacement
- Access to the site, slope and distance from the street
- Whether a planned outage needs to be arranged
- Pole material if a replacement is needed (timber, steel or composite)
- Whether converting to underground is a better long-term option
We handle defect notices across Sydney as Level 2 ASP accredited electricians. Send us a photo of the notice and we will explain your options and give you a clear price.