The " Infinity " Nightmare !

Four years ago 4313 kilometres of " Infinity " brand electrical cable was imported into Australia from China.  It was distributed to all states and because of attractive pricing it quickly found favour in the electrical trade.  Only then was it discovered that the insulation used was inferior and would quickly age.   There was a high risk of product failure where it was laid close to entry points or heat sources.  It was subjected to a national recall.

That recall has been dismal here in New South Wales.   It is estimated that seventy-four percent still awaits rectification and it is highly likely that many people are living in new or renovated homes where it lurks like a ticking time bomb.  The usual outcome of cable failure is a house fire.

This contrasts with a 96% recovery rate in Queensland,  80% in Victoria,  70% in South Australia,  72% in the ACT and 100% in Tasmania.   It is thought that many homeowners here in New South Wales are remaining silent because the work was done by unlicensed electricians and they fear prosecution or a drop in the value of their homes.

If people know - or suspect - that electrical work was done in their home in the past four years they would be wise to book an inspection by a licensed electrician., costing between $100 and $ 200.
 If Infinity cable is discovered, that inspection cost plus the remedial work of stripping and replacing the faulty cable with be covered by the supplier.

The ACCC is now applying a risk based approach in NSW.  Homeowners are only required to replace cable that is exposed or near a heat source.  In such instances an indelible sticker is placed in the meter box to alert future tradesmen that this solution has been applied and whether this will impact on home values is unknown.

All stocks of this brand of cable have been removed from stores selling electrical supplies but there is a chance that some unlicensed tradesmen may have bought several coils because of its attractive price.  It is quite possible some may still be active where unlicensed operators intend to use the faulty cable rather than suffer the loss of its disposal, or who simply do not care that it delvers a risk.

This debacle should also b a wakeup call for our customs inspection regime.  China is particularly prone to numerous small manufacturing companies trying to compete on a price basis.  When they offer a product for import to Australia and it is required to meet safety standards that apply in this country it needs some sort of international verification.   The fact that Infinity cable was able to come into this country undetected and below the standard required here illustrates that the required safeguards are not in place.

The customs barrier is our first line of defence against faulty products.