SKL electrical cables prohibited
Some SKL brand electrical cables have been prohibited in Queensland, meaning they are not to be sold or installed.
This applies to 'polymeric insulated electrical cable', which is PVC sheathed and PVC insulated, commonly known as TPS in the trade.
The following cables have been prohibited:
- SKL brand model No. VVF2C1E001 1mm2 thermoplastic sheathed and insulated cable marked with the year 2013
- SKL brand model No. VVF2C1E105 1.5mm2 thermoplastic sheathed and insulated cable marked with the year 2013
- SKL brand model No. VVF2C1E205 2.5mm2 thermoplastic sheathed and insulated cable marked with the year 2013
- SKL brand model No. VVF2C1E004 4mm2 thermoplastic sheathed and insulated cable marked with the year 2013
- SKL brand model No. VVF2C1E006 6mm2 thermoplastic sheathed and insulated cable marked with the year 2013
- SKL brand model No. VVF2C1E010 10mm2 thermoplastic sheathed and insulated cable marked with the year 2013
- SKL brand model No. VVF2C1E016 16mm2 thermoplastic sheathed and insulated cable marked with the year 2013
This relates to electrical cable and not to computer/data cable or TV cable (coaxial cable) or speaker wire. It only relates to TPS cable with 2013 marking.
Why is the product prohibited?
The PVC material used as electrical insulation on the cable is not a suitable compound and does not comply with Australian safety standards.
While there is no immediate safety risk to householders, current testing shows that this cable is likely to deteriorate faster than standard cable. The cable may go brittle prematurely, particularly where exposed to high heat sources, and as such the cable may crack and present a risk of electric shock or fire.
Who should I contact?
House occupiers who are concerned that this cabling may have been used in their homes should contact their builder or licensed electrician for an inspection.
A risk assessment will help determine the timeframe before the cable should be replaced, based around factors such as the ambient temperatures the cable is exposed to, the duration of any higher temperature exposure, the electrical loading on the cable and the location of the cable. As each installation is different the assessment would be unique for each installation.
House occupiers should always engage a licensed electrician and never undertake their own electrical work or inspections.
Unused cable
Unused SKL cable with 2013 marking must not be installed. The Electrical Safety Office is in discussions with SKL regarding actions the company needs to undertake to remove the electrical risk.
More information
The ESO is in discussion with SKL Australia Pty Ltd, the responsible supplier of the affected cable, to determine the amount of cable sold, and to whom and where it was sold, and the recall actions SKL Australia Pty Ltd will take in relation to the non-compliant cable.
Other SKL cable is currently being reviewed, however the 2015 marked TPS cable from SKL has passed the tests that have been applied to date.
Further information is available by calling the Electrical Safety Office on 1300 362 128.
The prohibition notice was issued on 9 October 2015.