Install Whole-Home Surge Protection
Brisbane experiences some of the highest lightning activity in Australia, particularly during summer thunderstorms. A single lightning strike near your home can send a massive power surge through the grid, frying electronics, appliances, and even starting fires. A whole-home surge protector is installed at your switchboard by a licensed electrician and costs $300 to $600 including installation. It protects every circuit in your home from external surges. For added protection, use point-of-use surge protector powerboards for sensitive electronics like computers, TVs, and modems. These cost $30 to $80 and are available at any hardware store.
- •Whole-home surge protector: $300–$600 installed at the switchboard
- •Protects against lightning-induced and grid surges
- •Add point-of-use surge protector boards for sensitive electronics
- •Replace surge protectors after they absorb a major surge
- •Standard powerboards without surge protection offer zero defence
Test Your Safety Switches Monthly
Safety switches (RCDs) are your protection against electric shock and electrical fires. Queensland law requires safety switches on all power and lighting circuits. Testing them is simple and should be done monthly, especially before storm season. Push the TEST button on each safety switch on your switchboard — the switch should trip immediately to the OFF position. Reset it by pushing it back to ON. If a safety switch does not trip when you press the test button, it is faulty and must be replaced by a licensed electrician before storm season. A faulty safety switch is like a broken seatbelt — it will not protect you when you need it most.
- •Push the TEST button on each safety switch monthly
- •The switch should trip immediately to OFF — then reset it
- •If it does NOT trip, the switch is faulty — call an electrician
- •Replace faulty safety switches before storm season
- •QLD law requires RCDs on all power and lighting circuits
Trim Trees Near Power Lines and Your Home
Overhanging branches are one of the biggest causes of storm-related power outages and electrical damage in Brisbane. Trees touching or falling on power lines can cause outages, fires, and dangerous situations. In Queensland, only Energex-approved tree trimmers can work near powerlines — do not attempt this yourself. Contact Energex to request tree trimming near their lines (this is usually free if the tree threatens their infrastructure). For trees on your property that are near your home's electrical meter, switchboard, or private power lines, hire a qualified arborist. The cost of preventive trimming ($200 to $600 for most trees) is far less than storm damage repair.
- •Contact Energex for free trimming near their power lines
- •Never trim trees near power lines yourself — it is extremely dangerous
- •Hire an arborist for trees near your home's electrical infrastructure
- •Preventive trimming costs $200–$600 vs thousands in storm damage
- •Check for dead branches that could fall on your roof or power lines
Prepare an Electrical Emergency Plan
Before storm season hits, make sure your household is prepared for electrical emergencies. Know where your switchboard is and how to turn off the main breaker. Have a battery-powered torch (not candles) in an accessible location. Keep your phone charged — invest in a portable power bank. Know the Energex emergency number (13 19 62) and have a local emergency electrician's number saved. If you have a backup generator, have it serviced and tested before storm season. Make a list of critical appliances that need protecting and ensure your surge protection is up to date. After a major storm, have an electrician inspect your switchboard and wiring if you experienced any electrical issues during the event.
- •Know where your switchboard is and how to use the main breaker
- •Keep battery-powered torches (not candles) accessible
- •Invest in a portable phone power bank
- •Save Energex emergency (13 19 62) and an emergency electrician number
- •Service and test backup generators before storm season
- •After a major storm, get an electrical inspection if issues occurred