What are Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiters?
Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiters (REFCL) are leading edge bushfire mitigation technology that act like a large safety switch in the electricity network. When there's a fault on a powerline, such as if it touches the ground or a tree falls on it, the REFCL detects this and quickly limits the flow of energy through the powerline. It can do this within a tenth of a second.
For example, if one line of a three-phase powerline falls to the ground, the REFCL cuts power to that line and increases it on the other two lines. This way, power can still be supplied to nearby homes and businesses while reducing the chances of fires or electric shocks.
After a few moments the REFCL checks if the fault is still there. If it is, the REFCL switches off power to that line and we’ll send a crew out to investigate and repair the fault. Otherwise the REFCL restores power immediately.
Watch our video below to learn more about REFCLs:
What we did
Since 2017 we have installed REFCLs to operate across 22 high bushfire-risk regions of Victoria. They now protect over 40,000 square kilometers of our electricity distribution area. To see how our REFCLs were built, watch our time-lapse videos.
The Victorian Government made REFCLs mandatory as part of the Powerline Bushfire Safety Program to make the electricity network safer. We're also doing other things to reduce the risk of fires by:
- covering powerlines in high bushfire-risk areas (undergrounding)
- regularly checking and maintaining powerlines
- managing and clearing vegetation near powerlines more effectively.
- upgrading Automatic Circuit Closers (ACR)
- REFCLs will operate at their highest settings on Total Fire Ban and high fire danger days during summer.
For more information, read our REFCL program fact sheet (PDF, 444KB).
Impact on customers
We will inform customers and the community in advance about planned outages or potential interruptions. To get SMS updates from us, make sure your electricity retailer has your correct mobile number. You can also check Outage Tracker for a list of planned outages.
There may be more short, intermittent outages during Total Fire Ban days or Code Red days. This is because the technology will shut down specific sections of the network if a fault is detected to reduce the risk of a fire starting. Our crews will be on stand-by to fix the fault and restore power as quickly as possible.
If you have any questions about this program, please:
- Call 1300 360 795.
- Email customersupport@ausnetservices.com.au.
Impact for high voltage (HV) customers
According to the Electricity Distribution Code of Practice by the Essential Service Commissions, HV customers are responsible for modifying their electrical assets, at their own cost, to withstand REFCL operations. This includes new HV customers connecting to our REFCL networks.
For any inquiries regarding HV customer-related matters, please email us at HVcustomers@ausnetservices.com.au.
- HV Customer Solutions (PDF, 520 KB)
- HV Customer Policy for REFCL Protected Networks (PDF, 307 KB)