Causes
We work hard to keep the lights on however for a number of reasons your power supply may be interrupted, resulting in a power outage.
Often outages are caused by events outside our control. For example, during storms, branches and debris can be blown into powerlines, while during bushfires power poles can be burnt and powerlines affected by the heat.
We also carry out maintenance on the electricity network that may result in an outage.
Common causes of power outages include:
- vehicle or machinery accidents
- high winds, lightning strikes and storms
- debris or vegetation hitting powerlines
- animal life, such as birds or possums coming into contact with network equipment
- vandalism
- bushfires
- equipment failure
- wiring or appliance faults on your property.
If your electricity supply is interrupted, then we work as safely and quickly as possible to restore power. Our emergency response teams work 24 hours a day seven days a week to fix faults that may occur.
While we are prepared to respond to power outages when they occur, we ask that you are also prepared. For example, we recommend that people who live in high fire risk areas have access to a generator.
If you see fallen powerlines or hazards on the electricity network, stay clear and make the safe call to our 24/7 emergency line on 13 13 51.
Pole top fires can occur when hot, dry, and windy weather is followed by a cool, misty change. Humidity and light rain mix with built-up dust and pollution on insulators, creating a conductive path that allows electricity to arc. Over time, this can heat metal fixtures and, in some cases, ignite fires.
We actively reduce the risk of pole top fires through regular washing and siliconing of insulators, preventing dust buildup, as well as insulator replacements in high-risk areas. Given the size of the network and with 860,000 poles in the system, a targeted, risk-based approach ensures mitigation efforts are focused where they’re needed most.