Property Pole Inspection — Ergon Energy Defect Notices
If you have received a defect notice from Ergon Energy about a private pole on your property, you are legally required to fix it under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld) and the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (Qld).
Ergon gives you a strict timeframe to rectify defects. If you don't act, your power can be disconnected.
For most electricians, full replacement usually makes the most sense as they can upgrade your meter board at the same time. This however does not come cheap and is often not necessary.
As RPEQ engineers we look at it differently.
For a private pole replacement we first inspect the pole and advise you on if full replacement is warranted. In many cases we can design and certify a repair solution that allows for the structural strength of the pole to be reinstated.
Safety Notice
Do not attempt any repairs yourself. Property pole work carries serious electrical risk. Contact us or a licensed electrician before touching anything.
Ergon gives you a strict timeframe to rectify defects. If you don't act, your power can be disconnected.
For most electricians, full replacement usually makes the most sense as they can upgrade your meter board at the same time. This however does not come cheap and is often not necessary.
As RPEQ engineers we look at it differently.
For a private pole replacement we first inspect the pole and advise you on if full replacement is warranted. In many cases we can design and certify a repair solution that allows for the structural strength of the pole to be reinstated.
Safety Notice
Do not attempt any repairs yourself. Property pole work carries serious electrical risk. Contact us or a licensed electrician before touching anything.
What Ergon Energy Looks for in a Property Pole Inspection
Ergon's routine inspection program checks every privately owned property pole every five years. If they find a defect, they issue a written notice with a strict timeframe to fix it. Common defects include leaning poles, decay above or below ground, termite damage, rust, deteriorated cables or meter boxes, and damaged cross arms or attachment points. The inspection must include below-ground assessment, not just a visual check from the surface.
Can Your Pole Be Repaired Instead of Replaced?
Full pole replacement is expensive. Most electricians will automatically quote replacement because they are not qualified to engineer a repair. As RPEQ engineers, we assess whether the pole can be repaired and recertified, potentially saving you the cost of full replacement. We inspect the pole above and below ground, identify the cause of the defect, and where possible design a repair solution that meets Ergon's requirements. In some cases a temporary repair can be implemented quickly to satisfy Ergon's immediate concerns while you arrange more significant works, buying you time and keeping your power on
