Thousands of Tasmanian households are expected to be contacted by TasNetworks in the coming days after a fault was found in a batch of electrical products.
The fault was been detected in the shear bolts of fuse holders (of 100 ampere current) manufactured by Michaud by a TasNetworks electrician whose spanner became electrified while tightening a plastic bolt.
These faulty products have been installed in numerous homes and businesses in recent years.
The state-owned business is working with regulators to investigate and rectify the situation involving defective devices.
TasNetworks CEO Seán Mc Goldrick said the device poses no direct danger to people while left alone and left in place.
“Our advice to Tasmanians is clear and simple: please do nothing. Under no circumstances should you inspect or interfere with these devices,” Mc Goldrick said.
“There’s no cause for concern. Under normal circumstances, the conductive bolts don’t pose a threat to homes or businesses – inside or out. And it’s completely safe to use your fuse box as normal.”
“This is purely about a point-of-attachment component conducting electricity when it’s not supposed to, and the risk that could pose to people – usually professionals – who might have contact with it.”
“Therefore, please don’t test or inspect your home or business point-of-attachment, where the defect could potentially exist,” he said.
