Electrical Connection Winter 2016

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10 E L EC TR I C AL CONNEC T I ON W I N T E R 20 1 6
EDITORIAL
Paul Skelton
ON AND ON...
Y ou’re probably getting quite sick
of hearing about Infinity Cable... I
know that I’m getting over writing
about it. But the potential problems
caused by the sale of this non-compliant
rubbish are expected to flare up in
coming months, and despite the best
efforts of the Australian Competition and
Consumer Commission (ACCC), industry
associations (for example NECA and MEA)
and State regulators the issue remains, in
large, unresolved.
Infinity and Olsent branded cables were
recalled by the ACCC in 2014, having been
found to become more brittle than the
standard, compliant cable. The condition of
these cables could deteriorate to the point
where a heat source could spark a fire or
shock as early as this month.
Electricians, builders and other
tradespeople who installed Infinity
electrical cables and some Olsent electrical
cable may face regulatory action including
rectification orders and possible penalties
if they don’t act now.
Retailers and suppliers recalling the
cable are reporting that electricians and
builders are ignoring requests to notify
them where the cable was installed,
so that it can be remediated under the
supplier’s product recall.
There is also evidence that homeowners
are not taking steps to have cables
inspected and, where appropriate,
remediated under the recall arrangements.
The accompanying table outlines how
many kilometres of Infinity remains
installed in each state.
Have you installed this cable? If so, have
you remediated the problem?
If not, call 1300 302 502... Before it’s
too late.
MANAGINGDIRECTOR
Jeff Patchell
GENERALMANAGER
Jeremy Sweet
EDITOR
Paul Skelton
03 9542 9016
EDITOR –
ACROSS THE TRADES
Jacob Harris
STAFFWRITERS
Jacob Harris, Joe Young
GRAPHICDESIGNER
Elizabeta Todorova
PRODUCTIONTEAM
Sam Elliott, Gail Dwyer
CONTRIBUTORS
George Georgevits, Phil Kreveld,
Gary Busbridge, Jan Jinadasa,
Wes McKnight, Rebecca Mair,
Craig Roseman, Brian Seymour,
Steve Arthur
ADVERTISING 1800063371
Simon Clark
0428 733 248
TOSUBSCRIBE
Australia Freecall 1800 623 214
New Zealand 613 9542 9000
Fax (with credit card details) 03 9542 9090
By mail, please write to the address below
PUBLISHEDBY:
Connection Magazines Pty Ltd
Unit 2/18-22 Lexia Place,
Mulgrave, Victoria
AUSTRALIA 3170
ISSN 1839-2288
Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed in this magazine do
not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.
Although all materials are checked for accuracy,
no liability is assumed by the publisher for
any losses due to the use of material in this
magazine. Copyright 2016 by Connection
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this publication may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system or transmitted in any
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the prior permission of Connection Magazines.
CONNECTION
ELECTRICAL
INFINITYCABLE REMEDIATION (AS OF 31 JANUARY2016)
State Installation
period
KM
supplied
KM
remediated
KM recovered
from
warehouses
KM scheduled
for future
remediation
KM
outstanding
(% of total
national)
Properties
made safe
NSW 2010-2013 1849 73 - - 1,776 (46%) 204
QLD 2012-2013 680 29 - - 651 (17%) 271
SA 2012-2013 44 0.9 - - 43 (1%) 9
TAS 2013 4 0.1 - - 4 (1%) 1
VIC 2012-2013 910 22 - - 888 (23%) 88
WA 2012-2013 251 2 - - 249 (6%) 22
ACT 2011-2013 162 6 - - 156 (4%) 203
NT - 0 - - - N/A
State not
specified
- - 226 403 778 - 186
TOTAL - 3,900 359 403 778 2,360** (61%) 984
* Remediated is replaced, rendered safe
under the recall, or returned to stores.
**Cable remediated or recovered for
unspecified states/territories has been
deducted from total KM outstanding, as has
cable scheduled for future remediation.