Segregation of telecommunications and electrical cabling

Electrical contractors, electrical workers and metering providers involved in the roll out of smart meters must ensure that antenna/communication wiring systems are suitably segregated from electrical wiring in accordance with the Wiring Rules.

Wiring systems must be selected and installed in a way to avoid any detrimental effects arising between:

• electrical installations and telecommunication/data cable installations
• different electrical installations
• different parts of the same electrical installation
• circuits operating at different voltages
• circuits supplying different safety services
• safety services and the remainder of the electrical installation
• electrical installations and non-electrical installations, such as gas and water supply.

Recently, a coaxial cable was found inside a domestic electrical switchboard without suitable segregation from low voltage electrical cabling (pictured below). This presented an electrical safety risk if there was a breakdown in cable insulation. The issue was rectified following ESO enforcement action.

ESO continues to conduct audits throughout Queensland which include a focus on the installation of smart meters in residential switchboards.

Further information

Find more information,

• for the community at electricalsafety.qld.gov.au
• for electrical workers at WorkSafe.qld.gov.au