Storms, floods, cyclones and unpredictable weather are all a part of life in South-East Queensland. To ensure you are ready for the storm season, you can follow our tips on how to prepare your home and property before it’s too late.
As experienced emergency-response electricians, we are here for you when the unthinkable happens. Here we share with you what to do in the wake of a weather emergency.
Your Clean-Up Checklist
If safe to do so, it is important to clean up after a storm.
Listen to your local radio station for further warnings and advice.
Report fallen, low or damaged power lines to the emergency services or your local electricity distribution entity and stay away from them.
Stay away from electrical signs, street lights, electrical cables, foil insulation or other conductive material that may be lying around your house.
Stay away and don’t touch switchboards if they are damaged by water, fire or if lightning is close, and warn others to do the same.
Don’t do your own electrical work - it's illegal and dangerous. Always use a licensed electrician.
If you have a solar power generating system, avoid getting on the roof unless absolutely necessary and keep away from solar panels and their cables.
Property or Connection Damage
If your property or connecting line has been damaged by a storm or flood, you may need verification tests on your switchboard, wiring, equipment and appliances to be carried out prior to reconnection to ensure the electrical circuits are still working.
A licensed electrician will need to perform this task and a certificate of test will ensure your local electricity distribution entity can reconnect your service. We advise you do not conduct your own electrical inspection as electrical danger can be present in unexpected places.
Solar PV Systems
If your solar PV system has been damaged, get a licensed electrician to inspect it, make any repairs and check it’s electrically safe before it is re-commissioned. This check needs to be done before other clean-up work starts around the PV cells and associated electrical wiring.
Even if the network supply is turned off, PV systems will continue producing voltages during the day, so the PV cells and associated wiring will be still live.
During a clean up:
Do not attempt to turn off the system after a storm/flood/cyclone.
Stay away from the solar panels and wiring.
Have an electrician check the system.
While the sun is out, your solar PV system is generating electricity. Always treat the system and associated wires as if they are live.
It pays to have our number close by this storm season, for any enquiries in South East Queensland get in touch with the Ehlerth Electrical team on 1800 940 413 or contact us, here.
