The TasNetworks Basic Micro EG Connection Technical Requirements outlines the standards for solar systems being connected to our network.

Maximum system capacities, Export Limits, phase balancing and inverter settings are all outlined in detail for 1, 2 and 3 phase sites.

The supporting document for TasNetworks technical requirements for solar connections can be found on the TasNetworks website 'Solar Connections' - relevant documents.

TasNetworks is changing the supplier of the 100a service fuse holders.

The new fuse holder is a Sicame Australia product and will replace the 100A Michaud Fuse holder.

Changes

The difference in the new Sicame fuses compared to the MichaudSicame 100a Service Fuse Holder Fuse are;

• Cable entry is on the underside of the holder; drip loops are not required to be made.
• Shear-off IPC bolts are located at the end of the fuse holder for easier installation.
• The fuse holder is vented which will increase fuse life and installation reliability.
• IP rating is better than the existing fuse holder. An ID plate can be fitted with punch out numbers/letters that can be used to identify the customer’s house number.

Note:

• Fuse holder fits existing TasNetworks brackets, fuses, and operating sticks (fuse stick).
• Accepts cable sizes 6 – 95mm2

Impact

A review (change assessment) has been carried out which identified the need to update standards and develop guidance around which fuse holders are to be fitted with IDs.

Service Fuse Holders will be fitted with the optional yellow ID plateYellow Plate ID (SI 221762) in the following situations.

• Where a service connection comes off a pole and goes underground
• Where multiple service connections are fed from a single pole

The numbering system TasNetworks will use is:

• For numbers 100 and over - the last two digits of the customers address will be used.
• For units - the unit number will be used.
• For subdivided properties - where houses have the same street number (eg 1a / 1b) these will be identified by the letter.

** These new service fuses are being installed statewide so you will start to see them in the field **

The Technical Advice Team are taking a few extra days leave over the Easter Holiday period.

They will be unavailable from 29th March 2024 and will resume 8th April 2024.

You can still submit an online technical advice request via the Connections portal and the team will review these when they return.

TasNetworks wish you and your loved ones a fun and safe Easter break.

TasNetworks will have all inspections & mitigation of potential defective batch Numbers completed by mid March 2024.

All known potential sites will have been inspected and the fuse holders mitigated - there will still be some fuses out there with the red heat shrink (find the previous alert here).

We are now beginning the process of replacing any fuses that are from the defective batch where they are installed on any privately owned structure and this work will be completed by May, 2024.

Customers who were identified as potential sites for the defective fuse will be starting to receive letters from TasNetworks advising the outcomes appropriate to their scenario (no impact, service fuse mitigated, or service fuse replaced)

If you do get any queries, please direct them to TasNetworks Customer Service Centre Phone: 1300 137 008 Monday to Friday 9am-5pm or Email: customer.enquiries@tasnetworks.com.au

As part of TasNetworks 2024-2029 Network Pricing Strategy, there are changes to Network Tariffs that you need to be aware of:

Our proposal is subject to AER approval.

From 1 July, 2024 the following Network Tariffs will no longer be available for New Connections and will become obsolete.

• TAS31 – residential general light and power
• TAS41 – heating and hot water
• TAS22 – small business general light and power

The default Network Tariff assignment for customers will be;

• TAS93 – residential time of use consumption
• TAS94 – small business time of use consumption

These changes have come about to encourage customers to use the network more efficiently and better utilise emerging technologies.

We recommend that electrical professionals advise customers to contact their retailer if they wish to discuss retail tariffs.

Existing customers who have TAS31, TAS41 or TAS22 as at 30 June 2024 can remain on those tariffs but may move to cost reflective tariffs under certain conditions or upon request to their retailer.

Additional detail is available on the Fact Sheets on the TasNetworks Website (under the 2024-2029 Distribution Regulatory Proposal).

If you have any queries regarding the Network Tariffs please contact our Leader Regulated Pricing on email regulation@tasnetworks.com.au

Electrical Contractors can now submit ‘Online Technical Advice Cases’ via the Connections Portal.

Online Technical Advice Cases are lodged just like an EWR or Basic application but please refer to the Work Instructions here if required.

Benefits of the Online Technical Advice Case

• Available 24/7 – You can submit the online request any time of day or night.
• Add Supporting Documentation – It has capacity to add documents or photos to clarify your query. Clear information will support the team in providing you timely and accurate information.
• Response available in the 'Documents Tab – Once provided the advice will be available to view in the 'Documents Tab' of the case.

** Make sure that you have consulted the SIR before contacting Technical Advice **

Cases will be picked up by a technical advice team member within 10 business days. If you require a site visit, please allow plenty of notice so that we can schedule accordingly.

Once assessed and Technical Advice has been provided, a response will be made available in the documents tab of the relevant case.

The Technical Advice Team can still be contacted via phone (1300 300 545) between 9:00am -3:00pm Monday to Friday (please note upcoming Holiday period)

A number of our teams are taking a well-earned break over the Christmas and New Year period.

• Technical Advice Team - will be unavailable from 21/12/23 returning 15/01/2024.
• Customer Service Centre, Market & Connections and Field operations teams will be operating with limited resources.
• Negotiated Applications Team - will be unavailable from 21/12/23 returning 15/01/2024.

All other areas of the business will shut down from Saturday 23^rd December 2023 and return to usual operations on Tuesday 2^nd January 2024.

From all of us at TasNetworks, we wish you a safe and happy holiday period.

Mid span connections will only be approved when there is no alternate connection option available.

1. Contact Technical Advice on 1300 300 545 or via the Online Technical Advice Request
   • These connection types must be approved by one of Technical Advice team. They will discuss your options and advise accordingly.
   • A case number will be provided - this must be included as a reference on both the Application & the EWR.
2. Submit a Basic Application via the connection's portal.
   • Reference a 'mid-span connection is required' and include the case number.
   • Once reviewed a quote will be provided (*approx. $1,500)
3. Submit an EWR once all work has been completed onsite.
   • Reference a 'mid-span connection is required' and include the case number.
     
   • The customer may need to accept this fee via their retailer.
4. Standard EWR process follows from here.

*These connection types are covered in the Ancillary Services - Quoted Services application & Price Guide

To avoid delays to your connection, ensure you follow the above process.

There is an increase in the number of jobs that TasNetworks attends where there are no fixings (saddles & screws) supplied or the incorrect sizes and quantity supplied.

To help avoid delays to your connection or additional charges for wasted site visits, you must (as per the Service & Installation Rules 6.5.2);

• Provide enough saddles & fixings to run the full length of cable up the TasNetworks pole.
• Ensure the saddles are the correct size to ensure a 'snug' (not too loose / not too tight) fit around the cable.
• Enough fixings must be supplied to support the cable at 1 metre intervals.
• Saddles provided must be full saddles (not half).

If these fitting are not provided or are not the correct size, your job may be delayed.

TasNetworks has begun an inspection program for all homes and businesses where defective 100A Michaud Service Fuse Holders may be present (original safety alert available here).

The program will see the service fuse holders inspected and, if identified as being from one of the impacted batch numbers (#214306 or #214113), red heat shrink will be placed over the shear bolts and the location recorded to support a timely replacement program.

The inspection program is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024. Once the inspection has occurred, customers will be notified as to whether their fuse will need to be replaced or not.

TasNetworks are continuing to work with the supplier and other stakeholders to determine the replacement program timeframes.

To read the full alert - please open this link.