Contractor fined for faulty solar installations

A Perth electrical contractor and its director have been fined a total of $6000 under WA’s electricity licensing regulations, following prosecution by the state’s safety regulator, Building and Energy.

Russell Peter Brown and his company, Powerflex Electrical Pty Ltd, were convicted of several compliance offences following dangerous wiring errors at two properties in the Goldfields–Esperance region. Brown did not appear at Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court on 14 July 2025 for the hearing.

The court heard that in May 2023, Powerflex was contracted to install solar panels, an inverter and a weatherproof power outlet at a Norseman property.

When a Horizon Power inspector later carried out a polarity test, it was found that the power outlet was unsafe because the active and earth conductors were transposed, creating an electric shock risk.

The company had also provided solar installation work at a Hopetoun property in August 2023. While Brown was on site, the property owner engaged Powerflex for additional electrical work involving three switchboard upgrades and the installation of a sub-mains cable in a shed.

A Horizon Power inspector who came to check the solar installation happened to notice the additional shed work — something the network operator was unaware of because Powerflex had not lodged compulsory documents for this extra work.

The inspector found an upgraded shed switchboard was missing a key part of the earthing system: the multiple earthed neutral (MEN). Without an MEN, protective devices such as circuit breakers and fuses may not operate if an electrical fault occurs.

Brown was found to have breached the regulations at both properties, because his work did not comply with the required wiring rules. Furthermore, Powerflex failed to ensure Brown’s work was checked and tested on both occasions.

Powerflex was also convicted for failing to lodge a compliance notice and an electrical safety certificate for the additional work in Hopetoun within the required timeframe. In addition to the fine, the company was ordered to pay costs of $571.

Magistrate William Yoo noted the serious potential consequences of the breaches, which could have caused the installations to become energised.

WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Peter Stewart, said it was incredibly fortunate that the hazards were found before any injuries or property damage occurred.

“The electrical industry must uphold their responsibilities every time because the consequences can be so serious,” Stewart said.

“In this case, the electrician would have easily identified the dangerous faults by carrying out checks and tests, which are mandatory for this reason.

“Likewise, the law requires electrical contractors to submit timely notices to enable prompt sample inspections of electrical work to ensure it is compliant and safe.”

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