Alice Springs power restored

26 Aug 2010

Shortly before 7am a switch on a 22kV busbar failed, resulting in an outage to a number of areas in Alice Springs.

Technicians and field crews attended promptly and progressively restored power to customers.

Early testing indicates the fault may have been caused by moisture (humidity) getting into sensitive electrical equipment possibly as a result of the unusual fog event of this morning.

Restoration was a lengthy process as the high voltage equipment had to be isolated, disassembled, tested and the faulty equipment removed.

Customers in Bradshaw, Larapinta, Araluen, Elders Street and rural areas were affected. The final customers in the Dixon Road area were connected shortly before 3.40pm.

Power and Water appreciates customers' understanding of the time taken to work within necessary safety restrictions on this high voltage equipment.

For information on food safety during and after power outages, please read the fact sheet.