Consumer Mains Installations, Upgrades & Repairs
Consumer mains are the key component of your electrical switchboard. Also known as supply cables; they are conductors that carry electricity from a power pole, batteries, electrical pit, service point (POA) or transformer pad or pole to your main switchboard. Without consumer mains it is impossible to have an electrical power supply, not just the main switchboard but in the entire property.
As one of the leading electrical companies in Adelaide, C & R All Spark Electrical is focused on providing consumer mains installation, upgrade, and repair. We are a team of qualified electricians that specialise in consumer mains electrical work, from electrical installation, fault finding, repairs to designs. Call us today for a free, no-obligations consultation.
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The Dangers of Outdated Consumer Mains
Outdated electrical wiring of consumer mains cables are not meant to meet the electrical needs of today’s modern household. An old and faulty consumer main can generate electrical short circuits and cause your mains switch, service fuse or meter isolator to trip. This happens when the circuit is overloaded or damaged, which brings about unusually high demand on the cabling. Outdated consumer mains can also deteriorate or have low insulation resistance which doesn’t meet the current standards resulting in them needing to be replaced.
Defective Consumer or Sub-mains Can Lead to Power Outages
Power outages often result from overload of the maximum demand of the cabling, voltage surges, burst water pipes, trenching, fallen trees, heavy winds causing damaged to the consumer mains. When these events occur the circuit protection & or cabling can no longer handle the amount of current & or voltage. This may result in power issues, loss of power, defect notices from power authorities or worse! Electrocution or electrical fires.
Every Connection Counts
Who Can Design, Repair, Upgrade/Replace & Or Install Consumer/Submains Main?
Consumer mains can only be designed, repaired, replaced, or upgraded by a licensed electrician. Ordinary electricians are not qualified to connect the consumer mains to the supply network. This needs to be coordinated with retailers & supply authorities. So it’s important your talking with an electrical business trained & equipped to handle the communication with you & other third parties for the installation and or repair of the overhead & or underground cabling. Depending on the size of the project & its complexity this process can take as little as 6 to 12 weeks & even up to 6 to 12 months for larger projects.
C & R All Spark Electrical is a benchmark residential & commercial electrical service company offering a wide range of electrical services. We can provide you with a solution for all your requirements & keep you up to date throughout the process.
How Are Consumer Mains Installed?
Consumer mains can be installed protected or unprotected meaning you may have fuses on a pole/fascia or service fuses in your switch board; however, the cable size and type must comply with the minimum specifications of the Australian standards.
Underground cables:
All underground services must be installed to a minimum depth with marking tape installed above the cabling. This now becoming the most common & preferred method for installation of consumer mains.
Aerial cabling:
Aerial cabling was a very common way of installing consumer mains prior to the 2000’s & is now being phased out. However, you can still replace/install aerial cabling so long as you meet the requirements set. Meeting minimum heights & clearances from other services
For those requiring mechanical protection, the consumer mains must be installed in heavy duty conduit enclosed in galvanised steel tubing or pipes. Another suitable means of protection can be a galvanised box section or a suitable galvanised steel cover with a minimum thickness set by the Australian standards.
Testing: Consumer Mains
There are compulsory electrical tests required following consumer main installations.
- Insulation resistance test
- Fault Loop
- Polarity test
- Low Impedance test for earthing
These results should be recorded & noted on the ECOC & or authority to connect form left in your MSB for the supply authorities to connect your power.
