An electrical contracting company has been fined tens of thousands, and a sparky was fined thousands, after failing to install a key safety component in a switchboard.

Sampson Electrical Contractors and a licenced electrician both pleaded guilty at Joondalup Magistrates Court to breaching WA’s electrical licensing regulations.

The court heard when installing a switchboard to supply power to a property in September 2019, the electrician did not install a multiple earthed neutral (MEN).

Sampson Electrical Contractors that the electrician had been working for submitted paperwork declaring that the work was checked, tested, and complied with the regulations.

A Western Power inspector found the switchboard had no MEN, a key safety component, during tests one week after the man’s work.

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Without an MEN, protective devices such as circuit breakers and fuses may not operate if an electrical fault occurs, which can cause metal objects to become live with dangerous levels of electricity.

The buildings were closed off until an MEN was fitted, and the switchboard passed all safety tests.

The electrician was fined $7500 for the non-compliant installation, and Sampson Electrical Contractors $25,000 for submitting the incorrectly declared form.

The failure to install MENs had cost the lives of at least two WA children in recent decades and led to several electric shocks.

Under WA law, electricians must undertake testing and verifications. Had these tests been done the serious defect could have been discovered.

Sampson Electrical Contractors then falsely declared that the electrical work was checked, tested, and complied with the regulations when it obviously did not.

WA Energy Safety director Saj Abdoolakhan said in this case, the consequences could have been devastating if a fault had occurred while there was inadequate protection against electrocution.

“The company then falsely declared that the electrical work was checked, tested, and complied with the regulations when it obviously did not.

“There is simply no excuse for cutting corners with any area of electrical work when people’s lives are at risk.”

If you need help implementing and using a safe system of work chat to the MEA team.  Master Electricians have unlimited access to the MEA Safety hotline, specialist resources and expertise. Call direct on 1800 889 198.