❓ Dr. Thomas questions the Minister for Energy regarding Western Power's differing electricity supply allocations for rural vs. urban properties and the safety rationale behind it. The Minister's response clarifies the policy and defers responsibility for compliance to customers and contractors.
AnsweredQoN 820Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WESTERN POWER — SUPPLY ALLOCATION
820. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I will try again. I
refer to Western Power's supply allocation of 32 amps for single-phase
rural residential properties in WA versus 63 amps for cities and towns in WA,
and to public comments by the minister saying that the action is due to safety
concerns.
(1)
How many regional and rural properties in Western Australia have had their
higher circuit breakers replaced with 32-amp circuit breakers since February
2022?
(2)
How many regional and rural properties in Western Australia still have circuit
breakers that allow for a current above 32 amps to be received?
(3)
If the reason for the change is safety, how quickly will the government change
all regional and rural households to the restricted 32-amps limit?
(4)
What is the exact risk to regional households of receiving 63 amps rather than
32 amps, and what is the measure of damage that has occurred over the many
decades that regional households have been receiving more than 32 amps?
820. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I will try again. I
refer to Western Power's supply allocation of 32 amps for single-phase
rural residential properties in WA versus 63 amps for cities and towns in WA,
and to public comments by the minister saying that the action is due to safety
concerns.
(1)
How many regional and rural properties in Western Australia have had their
higher circuit breakers replaced with 32-amp circuit breakers since February
2022?
(2)
How many regional and rural properties in Western Australia still have circuit
breakers that allow for a current above 32 amps to be received?
(3)
If the reason for the change is safety, how quickly will the government change
all regional and rural households to the restricted 32-amps limit?
(4)
What is the exact risk to regional households of receiving 63 amps rather than
32 amps, and what is the measure of damage that has occurred over the many
decades that regional households have been receiving more than 32 amps?
AnswerView source ↗
I
provide the following response based on information provided to me by the
Minister for Energy.
Customers who have
opted to maintain the default 32-amp connection are now required to install a circuit
breaker for protection at their main circuit board. Customers who wish to
upgrade their connection can do so, which has always been the case.
(1)–(2)
Western Power does not collect information on the exact construction of a customer's
main switchboard and expects electrical
contractors and their customers to follow the Australian Standards and the
requirements of the WA Electrical Requirements and the Western Australian
Service and Installation Requirements.
(3)
The requirement is triggered for new connections to the grid, and when a new
circuit is added to already connected premises, including when solar systems or
electric vehicle charging equipment is connected. Installation of 32-amp
circuit breakers is dependent on the customer choosing to upgrade their
systems.
(4)
A mains switch circuit breaker is designed to provide overload protection if
the connection service capacity on a phase
is exceeded for an extended period. This prevents customers' equipment
and distribution transformers from overloading, which can risk longer
outages and equipment damage.
provide the following response based on information provided to me by the
Minister for Energy.
Customers who have
opted to maintain the default 32-amp connection are now required to install a circuit
breaker for protection at their main circuit board. Customers who wish to
upgrade their connection can do so, which has always been the case.
(1)–(2)
Western Power does not collect information on the exact construction of a customer's
main switchboard and expects electrical
contractors and their customers to follow the Australian Standards and the
requirements of the WA Electrical Requirements and the Western Australian
Service and Installation Requirements.
(3)
The requirement is triggered for new connections to the grid, and when a new
circuit is added to already connected premises, including when solar systems or
electric vehicle charging equipment is connected. Installation of 32-amp
circuit breakers is dependent on the customer choosing to upgrade their
systems.
(4)
A mains switch circuit breaker is designed to provide overload protection if
the connection service capacity on a phase
is exceeded for an extended period. This prevents customers' equipment
and distribution transformers from overloading, which can risk longer
outages and equipment damage.
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