Faulty cabling troubles industry again

A major industrial project is likely to be at risk due to faulty electrical cables.

Just months after the national recall of Infinity cable, the Australian Cablemakers Association (ACA) has reported yet another batch of faulty electrical cables. This time it is Ecables CCA RE 110 Insulated power cables with the identification 2012-2014 RE 110 Electric Cable 0.6/1 Kv.

Master Electricians Australia CEO Malcolm Richards said: I’ve been told that around 160 km of cable has been installed in Victoria, around 15 km in NSW and 8 km in Queensland. Unfortunately, the cable has been installed at a major industrial project and the fixes are quite expensive.

The association is providing legal assistance to its members.

The products have been predominantly used for major projects such as apartment buildings, hotels and commercial installations, according to ACA.

Ecables Director Ken McIver confirmed that the majority of the cable was sold in Victoria but could not confirm the total quantity saying the recall process is still in preliminary stages. “As more information comes, we will be able to give you more updates.”

“The responsible supplier believes they know where all cable has been supplied and believe they can arrange a full replacement of all cable,” said the National Electrical and Communications Association in a statement. This type of cable needs to be accessible and it is not as hard to replace as the Infinity cable, explained Barry Jackson, communications manager, NECA. In 2013, NECA and the electrical industry information portal Voltimum launched the ‘Does it comply?’ initiative in a bid to raise awareness and educate users to the dangers of using products that are not compliant to Australian Standards. The peak Australian electrical industry body is pushing for a register of compliant products and complaint manufacturers. The association has already informed its members about the latest recall and can provide legal assistance through its division NECA Legal.

ACA Chairman Andrew Davenport said the latest round of cable recalls applies to Ecables CCA product sold between 1 January 2012 and 30 June 2014. “This cabling is designated to operate at temperatures up to 110°C and to conduct low-voltage power up to 1000 V, which means it is supposed to be able to withstand higher load currents than similar size but lower temperature rated cables,” Davenport said.

The ACA established the Approved Cables initiative in a bid to address the use of unsafe, non-compliant and counterfeit cable in the Australian marketplace. As a part of the initiative, the ACA performs independent testing of Australian as well as internationally manufactured cables to ensure they meet Australian standards and specifications. The ACA has introduced the ACI logo in order to help the Australian electrical industry supply chain to have confidence in the electrical cables that they are using.

The Ecables units were sold in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia, according to WorkCover Queensland. “The cable was incorrectly manufactured with incorrectly cross-linked insulation. When the insulation is exposed to temperatures in excess of 50°C, the insulation may become susceptible to mechanical damage exposing live conductors.”

According to WorkCover Queensland, the product was sold by the following traders:

• Ecables
• Active Elect
• Awesim Elect
• AWM Elect
• Cetnaj
• CNW
• E&S
• Go Elect
• Hastings Elect
• Ideal Elect
• John R Turk
• Lecky’s
• Lawrence & Hanson
• Middendorp Elect
• Rexel
• Ritera
• TLE Elect