tech talk - may 2013

Tech TalkConnection Standards newsletter – May 2013

In recent months, the business has successfully continued the rollout in our network areas addressing customer concerns with the support of the State Government. For instance, the Minister of Energy has helped to clarify the government’s position regarding safety concerns, stating on a number of occasions that installation safety is not an issue, and that health

concerns are not justified as RF/EMF emissions represent only a fraction of the strength of a mobile phone text.

In addition, through our Contact Centre and customer management, CitiPower and Powercor continues to help customers each day by providing useful and practical information about the rollout.

>>

• Smartmeteringupdate• MeetourConnectionsTechnicalAdvisors(CTA’s)• Solarpre-approvals• SafetyGram• REConnectturnsone• RenewalofLicensedElectricalInspector

contract for Powercor Network• Multipleoccupancybuildingsorsubdivisions• RECListing–customer-sidedefects• DedicatedcontactpointsforRECs

Contents

AnothermilestoneintheAdvancedMeteringInfrastructureProgram,alsoknownasTheSmartMeterProgram,willsoonbereachedwhenCitiPowerandPowercorAustraliainstallsit’sonemillionth smart meter in Victoria.

To all Registered Electrical Contractors TheaimofthisTech Talk is to provide you, your employees, CitiPower and Powercor with information that will help us to improve service for our customers.

Please read the document and pass it onto your employees or associates for their information.

Smart metering update

<<

Mildura

Swan Hill

Horsham

Hamilton

Bendigo

Charlton

Melbourne (CitiPower)

Ballarat

Geelong

ColacWarrnambool

EchucaShepparton

Western Suburbs

Central Victoria

Murray Valley

CitiPower Smart Meter Rollout 2013 Quarters 1 and 2 - indicative only

Powercor Smart Meter Rollout 2013 Quarters 1 and 2 - indicative only

BrunswickNorthcote

Kew

North Balwyn

Prahran

Richmond

Carlton

Collingwood

Hawthorn

Camberwell

Balwyn

Toorak

Armadale

PortMelbourne South

Melbourne

St KildaCitiPower South

Melbourne CBDSmart Meters being

installed in Melbourne CBD (western end) during

Quarters 1 and 2

CitiPower NorthSmart Meters being

installed in CitiPower North during Quarters 1 and 2

Smart Meters being installed in CitiPower South

during Quarters 1 and 2

Percentage of Smart Meters installed

CitiPower East 90%CitiPower North 80%CitiPower South 75%CitiPower CBD 70%

Smart Meters being installed in the Mildura, Swan Hill, Echuca and Shepparton

areas during Quarters 1 and 2

Western DistrictFurther deployment of Smart Meters in the Western District

area during Quarter 3

Smart Meters being installed in the Ballarat, Colac

and Apollo Bay areas during Quarters 1 and 2

Smart Meters being installed in the Western Suburbs area


Smart Meters being installed in the Central Victoria area


Smart Meters being installed in the

Geelong area during Quarters 1 and 2


Western Suburbs 95%Geelong 90%Western District 80%Bendigo/Charlton 75%Ballarat/Colac 60%Murray Valley 55%

CitiPower EastSmart Meters being

installed in CitiPower East during Quarters 1 and 2

Power Smart Meter Rollout 2013Quarters 1 and 2 - indicative only

Mildura

Swan Hill

Horsham

Hamilton

Bendigo

Charlton

Melbourne (CitiPower)

Ballarat

Geelong

ColacWarrnambool

EchucaShepparton

Western Suburbs

Central Victoria

Murray Valley

CitiPower Smart Meter Rollout 2013 Quarters 1 and 2 - indicative only

Powercor Smart Meter Rollout 2013 Quarters 1 and 2 - indicative only

BrunswickNorthcote

Kew

North Balwyn

Prahran

Richmond

Carlton

Collingwood

Hawthorn

Camberwell

Balwyn

Toorak

Armadale

PortMelbourne South

Melbourne

St KildaCitiPower South

Melbourne CBDSmart Meters being

installed in Melbourne CBD (western end) during

Quarters 1 and 2

CitiPower NorthSmart Meters being

installed in CitiPower North during Quarters 1 and 2

Smart Meters being installed in CitiPower South



CitiPower East 90%CitiPower North 80%CitiPower South 75%CitiPower CBD 70%

Smart Meters being installed in the Mildura, Swan Hill, Echuca and Shepparton

areas during Quarters 1 and 2

Western DistrictFurther deployment of Smart Meters in the Western District

area during Quarter 3

Smart Meters being installed in the Ballarat, Colac

and Apollo Bay areas during Quarters 1 and 2

Smart Meters being installed in the Western Suburbs area


Smart Meters being installed in the Central Victoria area


Smart Meters being installed in the

Geelong area during Quarters 1 and 2


Western Suburbs 95%Geelong 90%Western District 80%Bendigo/Charlton 75%Ballarat/Colac 60%Murray Valley 55%

CitiPower EastSmart Meters being

installed in CitiPower East during Quarters 1 and 2

CitiPower Smart Meter Rollout 2013Quarters 1 and 2 - indicative only

Tech Talk2

Over 50,000 Remote EnergisationsRecently, CitiPower and Powercor began delivering remote energisation services and so far, has performedover50,000remotere-energisations andde-energisations.

Many of Victoria’s electricity retailers are currently offering remote energisation services to their customers.RetailersincludeOriginEnergy,AGL,Powerdirect,AustralianPowerandGas,REDEnergy,Energex and Momentum Energy. New retailers are coming on board regularly.

Remote energisation processes have been operating safely and effectively since commencement of the service.

CitiPower and Powercor would like to take this opportunity to remind RECs about Remote Energisation Safety:

• Theremotede-energisationsitesarenotsafe forperformingelectricalwork.DONOTrelyon the meter for isolation!

• Theservicefuseneedstoberemovedbeforecommencing any electrical work.

• Distributionstaffwork–onmeteringassets: -Electricalworkonthemeterorothermeterpanel

assets requires removal of the service fuse.

• RECwork–oncustomerinstallation:

-Workontheloadsideofthemainswitch should rely on isolation via the main switch.

-Workonthesupplysideofthemainswitch/ consumer mains requires removal of the service fuse.

No longer pulling

the fuse!

RemoteEnergisationTeamLeader,ChrisPoradsaid:“Remotere-energisationsandde-energisationshave been a real boon for both our business and our customers.Wecangetcustomersonsupplyquickerwhile charging less. Everybody wins with Remote Energisation Services”.

Further Developments ThenextstepintheSmartMeterProgramwillbethelaunchofInHomeDisplaysandotherinteractivedevices to give consumers access to their consumption information.

Extensive information about smart meters is available ontheDepartmentofPrimaryIndustries,retailers’and the CitiPower and Powercor web sites. Video presentations which explain the background of the program and how the meter operates are also posted on our websites.

Connection Standards newsletter – May 2013 3

Mildura

Horsham Bendigo

Kyneton

Melbourne

Ballarat

Ardeer

Geelong

ColacWarrnambool

Echuca

Shepparton

WER RIBEE R IVER

LIT T LE RIVER

DIGGERS REST - COIMADAI RDDIGGERS REST - HOLDEN RD

GREIGS RD GREIGS RD

MT.

COTT

RELL

RD

DUK

ELO

WS

RD

GREENS RD

COBBLEDICKS F

ORD RD

WESTERN FREEWAY

PRINCES FREEWAY

MELTON PLUMPTON

SYDENHAM

KEILOR

ST ALBANS

ROCKBANK

RAVENHALL

TRUGANINA

LAVERTON

WERRIBEE

MOUNTCOTTRELL

LAVERTONNORTH

SUNSHINE

BROOKLYN

ALTONA

ALTONAMEADOWS

POINTCOOK

TARNEIT

HOPPERSCROSSING

WYNDHAMVALE

DEERPARK

BROOKFIELDYARRA RIVER

MORELAND RD

BRUNSWICK RD

LYGO

N ST

DAR

EBIN

CRE

EK

MO

ON

EE P

ON

DS

CREE

K

RAT

HMIN

ES S

T

WESTGARTH ST

DUNDAS ST

EASTERN FREEWAY

BURK

E RD

WAR

RIG

AL R

DM

UNIC

IPAL

BOU

NDAR

Y

GLEN

FERR

IE R

D

BEACONSFIELD PDE

QUEENS RD

ST KILDA RD

WILLIAMSTOWN RD

UNIO

N RD

BARKERS RD

BRIDGE RD

VICTORIA ST

RACECOURSE RD

SMITHFIELD

RD

FLOCKHART S

T

VICTORIA ST

TOORAK RD

BALACLAVA RD

SOUTH EASTERN FREEWAY

WESTGATE FREEWAY

BRUNSWICK

CARLTONFITZROY

COLLINGWOOD

KEW

BALWYN

CAMBERWELLHAWTHORN

RICHMOND

TOORAK

ARMADALE

CAULFIELD

PRAHRAN

SOUTH MELBOURNEPORT MELBOURNE

NORTH MELBOURNE

MELBOURNE CBD

ST KILDA

NORTH BALWYN

NORTHCOTE

Meet our Connections Technical Advisors (CTA’s)

Terry Long

John Hooper Ballarat

Milan Ritonja Geelong

Ian Rycroft

Ian Rycroft

CitiPower and Powercor provide technical advice including Service andInstallationRules(SIRs)interpretationandcompliancethrough ourConnectionTechnicalAdvisors(CTAs).

AllPowercorareasoutside the designated areas will be serviced by our contractor.

Peter MarshallBendigo

Tech Talk4

Mildura

Horsham Bendigo

Kyneton

Melbourne

Ballarat

Ardeer

Geelong

ColacWarrnambool

Echuca

Shepparton

WER RIBEE R IVER

LIT T LE RIVER

DIGGERS REST - COIMADAI RDDIGGERS REST - HOLDEN RD

GREIGS RD GREIGS RD

MT.

COTT

RELL

RD

DUK

ELO

WS

RD

GREENS RD

COBBLEDICKS F

ORD RD

WESTERN FREEWAY

PRINCES FREEWAY

MELTON PLUMPTON

SYDENHAM

KEILOR

ST ALBANS

ROCKBANK

RAVENHALL

TRUGANINA

LAVERTON

WERRIBEE

MOUNTCOTTRELL

LAVERTONNORTH

SUNSHINE

BROOKLYN

ALTONA

ALTONAMEADOWS

POINTCOOK

TARNEIT

HOPPERSCROSSING

WYNDHAMVALE

DEERPARK

BROOKFIELDYARRA RIVER

MORELAND RD

BRUNSWICK RD

LYGO

N ST

DAR

EBIN

CRE

EK

MO

ON

EE P

ON

DS

CREE

K

RAT

HMIN

ES S

T

WESTGARTH ST

DUNDAS ST

EASTERN FREEWAY

BURK

E RD

WAR

RIG

AL R

DM

UNIC

IPAL

BOU

NDAR

Y

GLEN

FERR

IE R

D

BEACONSFIELD PDE

QUEENS RD

ST KILDA RDWILLIAMSTOWN RD

UNIO

N RD

BARKERS RD

BRIDGE RD

VICTORIA ST

RACECOURSE RD

SMITHFIELD

RD

FLOCKHART S

T

VICTORIA ST

TOORAK RD

BALACLAVA RD

SOUTH EASTERN FREEWAY

WESTGATE FREEWAY

BRUNSWICK

CARLTONFITZROY

COLLINGWOOD

KEW

BALWYN

CAMBERWELLHAWTHORN

RICHMOND

TOORAK

ARMADALE

CAULFIELD

PRAHRAN

SOUTH MELBOURNEPORT MELBOURNE

NORTH MELBOURNE

MELBOURNE CBD

ST KILDA

NORTH BALWYN

NORTHCOTE

Robert Doig

Danny MorganTerry Long

Miles TobiasMiles Tobias

Stephen Dawes

Miles Tobias

Scott ThomsonIan Rycroft

Damien Harris

CTAs are available in all CitiPower areas, and in the Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo regions of Powercor from Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

Ifrequired,CTAscanprovideadviceonsite.

ToarrangeanappointmentwithaCTA,pleasecontactus:

CitiPower Area: 1300 132 [email protected] Area: 1300 360 410ore-mail [email protected]

Inner CitiPower and Powercor region Electrical Inspection Areas


Thenumberofphotovoltaic(PV)systemshasincreasedrapidly over the last two years, with the trend for larger capacity PV systems to be installed.

Some parts of the distribution system may not support the connection of PV systems as we are not able to ensure adequate network protection and operation in order to provide a reliable connection.

Power quality issues related to the connection of PV systems to the low voltage network have been identified, and include overvoltage and voltage imbalance.Toensurethatqualityandreliabilityofsupply is maintained, studies have shown that the connection of embedded generation should be limited to no more the 30 per cent of the transformer nameplate capacity.

Tominimisepowerqualityissues.apre-approvalprocess has been introduced to assess the impact of the proposed inverter capacity on the part of the gridtowhichitwillbeconnected.Theassessmentconsiders the proposed inverter in conjunction with any existing PV systems already connected to the same transformer.

It is recommended that RECs and solar installers do not provide a commitment to the customer to install a PV system until confirmation of approval has been received from CitiPower and Powercor for the proposed PV system. Small capacity transformers in rural locations, or a high number of existing PV systems already connected to an existing transformer, may mean that

we are unable to connect any more PV systems to that part of the distribution network.

ThePre-approvalofSmallInverterConnectionformisthemeans whereby a request can be made to determine if a PV system can be connected to the distribution network. TheformisavailableontheCitiPowerandPowercorwebsite and completed forms should be submitted to the address as shown on the form.

http://www.powercor.com.au/docs/pdf/Electricity%20Networks/Powercor%20Network/Embedded%20Generator%20Pre-approval%20Form%20V4.pdf

Toassistwithvoltagebalance,inverterloadsshouldbe balanced between phases. If the transformer has capacity, the maximum single phase inverter that can beconnectedis5kW,andforthreephasethereisto benomorethan5kWininvertercapacityoutofbalance between phases.

Key points:• Apreapprovalisnowrequiredforall

embedded generation systems

• Embeddedgenerationmustbenomore than5kWoutofbalancebetweenphases

CitiPower and Powercor is supportive of small renewable embedded generation sources that can be interconnected with the grid, provided there is no adverse impact on reliability and quality of supply to the customer and other customers.

Solar pre-approvals

Tech Talk6

SAFETY GRAM

Brief DescriptionAmetertechnicianinstallingameter at a multiple occupancy found the meter wiring to be alive whiletestingforde-energised.

Themetertechnicianfollowedcorrect testing procedures which identified the hazard.

Contributing FactorsPrior to the initial connection, fuse wedges installed on the meter board by the REC were incorrectly loaded with fuse cartridges.

Local Action TakenACTA/LEIwascalledtoinvestigate and removed all incorrectly loaded fuse cartridges to make safe.

REC and supplier advised that it is the responsibility of the distributor to supply, install and maintain fuse cartridges on meter boards and panels.

Additional CommentsMetering and servicing personnel are reminded that it is critical to complete all applicable testing. Testingforde-energisedisacriticalstep in preventing electric shock

Further ActionCitiPower and Powercor personnel or contractors undertaking the initial “test and connect” of a multiple occupancy are reminded to ensure that any unused wiring for future metering is appropriately insulated and terminated at the rear of the panel or within a junctionbox(asperService&InstallationRule8.4.2.6).

Whilethemetersupplytailswereterminated inside a junction box by theREC(notshowninpicture)themethod shown for terminating the wires, in a bundle wrapped in tape, isnotsuitable.RefertoAS3000andthe Service and Installation Rules for guidance on appropriate cable termination.

Potential SeverityElectric shock

Discussion and Notification• PleasediscussatWorkGroup

Meeting

•Pleaseforwardtocontractors as relevant

Safety Gram number 07-13 UPDATEDTime 9.30am Date 15 February 2013 Location 56WirrawayDrive,PortMelbourne

1. Existing meter

2. SealedFuseWedgescontainingFuse Cartridges

3. NewMeterSupplyTails(Live)

SAFETY GRAM

1

2

3


Tech Talk8

w | www.citipower.com.au or www.powercor.com.au e | [email protected] or [email protected]

• SubmitEWRsonline

• AttachCES

• Receiveupdatesonjobp

rogressviasmsoremail

• Abilitytomonitor

• Accuracy

• TimeSaver

InDecember2012,wecelebratedthefirstbirthdayofREConnect.ThepopularityoftheREConnect system is maintaining a steady increase of registrations, approaching 500 RECs who are currently signed up and using the system regularly.

REConnect turns one

WhynottakeaminuteandsignuptoREConnect?Select the link from the CitiPower and Powercor websiteunderContractors&Suppliers/RegisteredElectricalContractors(RECs)orbyenteringthelinkdirectly www.portal.powercor.com.au and under the Electrical Contractors and Energy Retailers heading select the “Registered Electrical Contractor Sign Up (REConnect)”link…itisaseasyasthat.

Register today to experience first hand the efficiency REConnect has to offer you. Our emphasis is on providing you with a better service that helps you become more efficient and save time. SMS and email notifications are sent to you to keep you informed on the progressofyourEWR.Alternatively,youcangoonlineand check for yourself. You can do this any time, 24x7.

Letusassistyouwithoursystemsolutionthat alleviates your concerns with the current manual processforsubmittingEWRs.

Our aim is to continue introducing improvements to the system to make it better and more efficient. Wealsoliketoreceiveyourfeedbackregardingthesystem’s functionality. Your feedback provides us with scope to enhance the system to suit your needs.

If you have any questions about REConnect or would like more information, please email us at [email protected] or [email protected]

ForREConnectsystemorprocess-relatedissues you can contact us on our REC dedicated phone number Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 5.00 pm.

CitiPower 1300 132 894 Powercor 1300 360 410

LatelastyearPowercorAustraliasentoutan expression of interest to the market for the renewal of the Powercor Network LicensedElectricalInspectorcontract.

ItwasannouncedlastmonththatTechSafeAustraliaPtyLtdwassuccessfulintheirtenderbidfortheprovision of Electrical Inspection and Connection Services within the Powercor Network.

TechSafecommencedthis12monthcontractfrom1May2013.Thetransitionprogressedremarkablysmoothly and we don’t foresee any interruptions to the faults and business as usual requirements.

WeareexcitedtohaveTechSafeonboardandlookforward to an affable working relationship with our new contractor.

Renewal of Licensed Electrical Inspector contract for Powercor Network

Theplanmustbesubmittedpriortofinalisationoftheelectricity supply, and the distribution and metering arrangements associated with the particular multiple occupancy building or subdivision.

Failure to submit a plan prior to construction of the electrical installation may result in unnecessary expense and substantial delay in rectifying any discrepancies at the time of connection of the electricity supply.

Thesubdivisionormultipleoccupancyplanmust:

• Showorstatethelocationofthemeteredandun-meteredconsumer’smains,sub-mainsandmetering points in relation to the common property or common area

• Includeaschematicdiagramrepresentingtheproposed electricity distribution arrangement to the occupancies or lots contained within the property

• Themeterlocationsandisolationarrangementsasdetailed in SIR 8.8.3 Multiple Occupancy Electrical Occupancy Electrical Installations.

Subdivisions incorporating common property

Theelectricitytoallofthelotsshownonaplanof subdivision shall be supplied from a common distribution point which is connected to a single point of supply where:

• Theplanofsubdivisionincorporatescommonproperty

• Thelotsshownintheplanofsubdivisionare affected by any owners’ corporation.

Lotsshownontheplanofsubdivisionincorporatingcommon property that are not affected by any owners’ corporation and abut a public road reserve may be provided with a separate point of supply.

Wiring arrangements

Wiringarrangementsformultipleoccupancybuildingsand subdivisions are required to comply with the ElectricitySafetyActandRegulations,andtheserules.TheActandRegulationsrequirementsincludebutarenot restricted to mean:

• Wiringforanindividuallottobecontainedwithin that lot, common area or common property

• Alterationsandadditionstoexistinginstallationsto bemadeinaccordancewiththecurrentWiringRules

• LabelstobeappliedinaccordancewiththeElectricitySafetyActandRegulations.

Thearrangementforthesupplyofelectricityassociatedwithmultipleoccupancybuildings or subdivisions should be determined early in the planning stage. In seeking the arrangements it is essential that a copy of the proposed/final version of the Plan of Subdivision, or a plan of the Multiple Occupancy Building, together with the maximum demand of the electrical installation/s and any other information deemed necessary is submitted to CitiPower or Powercor.

Multiple occupancy buildings or subdivisions


Tech Talk is published on a needs basis with the aim of providing relevant information for Registered Electrical Contractors as part of CitiPower and Powercor’s commitment to provide industry best practice service to our mutual customers.

Contact us if• YouareaRegisteredElectricalContractororassociatedindustry

participant and you don’t currently receive a copy of Tech Talk, but would like to

• YoucurrentlyreceiveTech Talk and will change, or have changed, your address

• YouwouldprefertohaveTech Talk emailed to you.Please advise TinaTotikidis–PowerfulCustomerServiceCoordinator,[email protected]

If you have not yet registered with us to feature intheRECListing,nowisthetimetodoso!

WehavepreviouslyannouncedtheexpansionoftheRECListingwhichisusedtoassistcustomerswhomay need the services of a REC to assess and rectify defects in customers’ electrical installations.

Theservicehasoperatedwithsuccessduringthe AMISmartMeterProgram.

Wehaveexpandedtheservicetoallprocesseswherecustomer installation defects are identified. Customers who need help to rectify a defect may be offered a number of REC contacts by our Contact Centre.

Many REC’s have joined the listing, which is growing with each issue of Tech Talk.

Thosewishingtodoworkindefectrectificationandwho have not yet expressed interest with CitiPower and Powercor are invited to do so by emailing us at [email protected]

You will need to provide your REC registration number, trading name and full business address, and best contact telephone number.

Remember, it is the responsibility of each REC to ensure that the contact details provided are accurate and up to date.Atanystage–onrequestinwriting–RECscanbe added or removed from the list.

Privacy Policy – REC ListingCitiPower and Powercor is bound by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).Thisprivacypolicyoutlinesthemannerin which we collect and use the personal information and contact details that you email us when requesting tobeincludedintheRECListing.

WecollectpersonalinformationforthepurposeofcompilingtheRECListing.WemayprovidecustomerswiththeRECListingwhereweidentifyadefectintheirelectricalinstallation.Wewilltakereasonablestepstokeep your personal information secure. You can access your personal information at any time on request and you can request removal of your details by emailing us at [email protected]

Wewillcomplywithallreasonablerequeststohaveinaccuracies corrected.

Registered Electrical Contractors

in the CitiPower and Powercor Distribution Areas

REC Listing – customer-side defects

REC Dedicated Phone LineYou can contact us on our REC dedicated phone number MondaytoFriday8.00am–5.00pm

CitiPower 1300 132 894 Powercor 1300 360 410

Connection Standards newsletter – May 2013Tech Talk10

tech talk - may 2013

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