The National Electrical and Communications Association has endorsed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) campaign to alert homeowners and electrical contractors about the dangers of Infinity Cables.

“As NECA members would be aware, Infinity and Olsen-branded electrical cables that failed to meet mandatory electrical safety standards remain installed across Australia. The risk of fire and electrical shock from these brands of faulty cables will only get worse as time goes on,” said NECA CEO, Suresh Manickam.

Infinity and Olsen branded cables were recalled by the ACCC in 2014, having been found to become more brittle than the standard, compliant cable. The condition of these cables could deteriorate to the point where a heat source could spark a fire or shock as early as next month.

“We are reminded by the ACCC that a failure to remediate known concerns could lead to a fine, prosecution, financial liability and potentially the loss of life,” Mr Manickam said.

“Homeowners who installed electrical cable from 2010 in NSW or 2011 in other States should notify the retailer they bought it from, or the electrician they used to install the cable, and arrange for a licensed electrician to carry out an inspection. If Infinity Cables are discovered, the cost of the inspection will be covered by the cable supplier along with the full cost of remediation,” said the ACCC’s Deputy Chair Delia Rickard.

More information about the ACCC’s Infinity Cable recall campaign can be found here and here.

To view or download the ACCC Infinity Cables safety bulletin, please click here.

-ENDS-

Media enquiries and interviews

Barry Jackson – National Marketing and Communications

E barry.jackson@neca.asn.au

D 02 9962 6904

M 0457 767 328

Notes for editors

1. NECA is the peak industry body representing the interests of electrical and communications contractors Australia-wide.
2. NECA is run by electrical contractors, for electrical contractors.
3. We have 5,000 contracting companies as members – and they in turn employ over 50,000 people Australia-wide.
4. NECA employs almost 350 people across its seven chapters (Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia).
5. The chapters provide NECA members with a range of services including: Industrial Relations, Health & Safety, Legal, Technical, Training, business-support services, product discounts and advocacy representation in Canberra with Government, Industry bodies and Training bodies.
6. NECA wholly-owns its Legal firm, Group Training and the NECA Colleges (in WA) and EcoSmart Electricians – and has joint ventures with a superannuation company (NSW) and one of the national cabling registrars (ACRS).
7. NECA also employ around 2,000 apprentice electricians and provides training to a further 2,000.

For further information go to www.neca.asn.au