Due to the Island’s power system being underground, community members should ‘dial before you dig’ to double check for underground services. This will help avoid harm to yourself or major electrical infrastructure. 

The LHI Powerhouse is responsible for the Island’s underground electrical reticulation system and can locate both high voltage (HV) and low voltage (LV) cables as a service to the community. 

Telstra is not the LHIB’s responsibility, but it may be possible in some circumstances to locate large Telstra cables with our equipment. 

Acting Senior Electrical Officer Peter Higgins should be contacted at the Powerhouse (02 6563 2080) before excavation is completed around properties and Island-wide. 

• general advice to prospective consumers and contractors
• electrical compliance
• limitations on the connection of specific electrical equipment 
• balancing of electrical load

Community members are reminded that the LHI Electricity Supply Service Rules must be adhered to in conjunction with the AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules in regard to electrical work.

All electrical work in NSW must be completed by a suitably licenced person, regardless of whether the work is residential, commercial, or industrial.

It is an offence to undertake electrical wiring work without a licence or certificate. Unlicensed electrical work may affect your insurance claims now and in the future.

Within 7 days of electrical work being completed, a copy of ‘Certificate of Compliance – Electrical Work’ form must be supplied by the supplied by the licenced electrician or electrical contractor to the customer, supply authority (LHIB) and, where relevant, the Department of Fair Trading. The Compliance form records the details of the work carried out during the installation.

The Lord Howe Island Electricity Supply Service Rules, on LHIB’s website here, outline:

• general advice to prospective consumers and contractors
• electrical compliance
• limitations on the connection of specific electrical equipment 

balancing of electrical load