Planned power interruptions
Sometimes it may be necessary for us to interrupt your power supply (turn your power off) so we can safely maintain and improve the network. This work is essential to ensure we keep your power reliable and are able to meet your power needs.
Our obligation to you
While Western Power is not always able to schedule power interruptions at a time that best suits all, we do understand that these interruptions can be extremely inconvenient for our customers and want to work with you to reduce the impact of our work.
If we notify you about a planned power interruption and you believe it will result in significant problems, we may be able to help. We will consider your safety and health, economic loss, community disruption, and any other significant events that will be affected by this work.
If you believe our power interruption will cause undue hardship to you, the community or your business then please call us on 13 10 87. Western Power will balance your concerns with the need to do the work. If possible, we will pursue options such as moving the time of the interruption, staging the way we turn the power off and on, cancelling the interruption, compensation, generators or other forms of support to reduce the impact.
We will notify you of the interruption at least three business days in advance. If you do not receive our notification, you may be eligible for a $50 payment as compensation. To apply, please call us on 13 10 87 or visit the ‘make a claim’ section of our website. You will need to contact us within 60 days of the power interruption to register your claim.
Details about our obligations for planned interruptions are set out in section 11 of the Electricity Industry (Network Quality and Reliability of Supply) Code 2005.
During a planned power interruption you should:
- unplug sensitive appliances - for example computers & TVs to reduce the risk of damage from power surges that can occur when power is restored
- unplug electric heaters so they are not a hazard when power is restored
- keep fridge/freezer doors closed. Food will keep for at least 12 hours if seals are in good condition and doors not opened
- only use generators to provide power directly to appliances and do not connect to the house switchboard or wiring as equipment could be damaged when power is restored
- locate generators in a well-ventilated area and do not run them inside, as generators produce carbon monoxide fumes
- know how to manually operate automatic garage doors.
- check your meter box to ensure safety devices, including residual current devices, have not operated
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