Power meter replacement
The manufacturer of a batch of power meters supplied to us has issued an electrical safety recall notice for that batch.
We have been closely monitoring all meters installed from the batch while we work to replace them and ensure customers maintain a stable power connection.
There may be delays in sending your usage data to your electricity retailer while the upgrades are taking place.
How will I know if the meter at my property is affected?
We are directly contacting all customers who have a meter installed from this batch.
You will have already received an SMS or letter from Power and Water advising when our contractors will be in your area to replace these meters.
Are you monitoring these meters until they are replaced?
We are recording voltage data at one-minute intervals to check for any unusual fluctuations for each meter from this batch. Fluctuations could be a sign of this fault. We will continue to do this until all meters in this batch are replaced.
What is the fault?
Some meters in this batch may have a faulty weld on an internal component. This can make the power connection unstable, causing fluctuations. There is also a small risk of electric shock and fire, although the risk is low due to fail-safe features in the meter.
If you feel a zap or tingle from any of your taps or appliances contact our emergency line immediately on 1800 245 090.
How did you become aware of the fault?
A customer contacted us to say their lights were flickering. We informed the meter manufacturer, and they investigated and confirmed there was the possibility of a similar fault occurring in other meters from the same batch.
What are you doing to identify meters with this issue?
For this batch of meters, we are recording voltage data at one-minute intervals. To date we have not identified any other meters with this fault, however as a precaution we will be replacing all meters from that batch.
How many meters in the batch are faulty?
From our batch of 18,000 meters, 5,100 were installed and 2 have displayed faults.
How many meters will be replaced?
All 5,100 meters installed are being replaced, and all 18,000 meters are being returned to the manufacturer.
If only two meters have been found faulty and my lights aren’t flickering, why does the meter at my property need replacing?
As a precaution all meters in the batch must be replaced to ensure our customers continue to have a safe and stable power connection.
Is this a common fault in this sort of meter?
No. This type of meter is widely used across Australia and the world. We have been using this model of meter since 2008 and have installed more than 40,000 of them across the Territory with no issues.
How do you know it is only this batch of meters affected?
The manufacturer has confirmed only this one batch might be affected. They have since changed their processes to avoid this happening again.
Where have these meters been installed?
Most of the meters are installed in Darwin, with a few hundred in Alice Springs. We have already replaced the few that were installed in Katherine, Tennant Creek, and some remote regions.
How long will it take to replace the meters?
We plan to have all meters in this batch replaced by 30 June 2025.
Last updated: 21 May 2025