With temperatures predicted to range from 2C to 9C, residents and businesses will lose power at 8am on July 15 with all but 400 customers having their electricity reinstated about noon. The final customers should be reconnected by 3pm.
Powercor spokeswoman Emma Tyner said the device being installed would improve the safety of the electricity network.
“The Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiter is a network protection device installed in a zone substation that can reduce the risk of a fallen powerline causing a fire to start,” she said.
The device works like a safety switch, detecting if a high voltage powerline has fallen to the ground and almost instantaneously reducing the voltage to that line.
The installation is in response to recommendations from the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission .
“We understand outages are inconvenient and we thank customers for their understanding while our crews work to improve the safety of the network,” she said.
By Michelle Smith, Ballarat Courier
