South Australian electricity provider SA Power Networks has filed a lawsuit seeking $19 million in damages against Schneider Electric, alleging the energy management and automation company provided 1,500 pieces of vital equipment that “prematurely” rusted, melted and failed.
According to Adelaide Now, SA Power Networks has asked the Supreme Court to order Schneider Electrical reimburse it for the millions spent installing, then removing and replacing, its technology.
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SA Power Networks says Schneider’s reclosers, sectionalisers and enclosed load break switches—intended to protect the network from catastrophic faults—were unfit for purpose and incapable of handling Australian environmental conditions.
It asserts Schneider was required to deliver items capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 50°C, wind speeds of 80km/h and wind gusts of 160km/h. It further asserts the devices were to handle 630A of electricity, be protected against corrosion and “have a service life of at least 30 years with minimum maintenance”. After installation, it asserts, SA Power Networks discovered the devices could handle only 450A.
“They were not suitable for the atmospheric conditions … they were, and are not, adequately protected against water, corrosion oxidisation and heat,” SA Power Networks said in its submission to the court.
“(The devices) have experienced premature oxidisation and corrosion … resulting in arcing (of electricity) and overheating. The arcing causes (the devices) to experience ‘hot joints’ where the metallic connections overheat, melt and fail. (The devices) do not have a service life of at least 30 years … this has caused damage and loss (including) the costs required to replace them.”
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Schneider Electric denies liability, saying any problems experienced with its products were the result of SA Power Networks’ own operations.
In its defence papers, Schneider Electrical asserts SA Power Networks’ claim against it is “not sufficiently particularised” and says further details must be provided.
