$35,000 in fines after electrical error puts elderly residents at risk

An elderly couple in Gosnells faced the risk of electric shock after a wiring error left their home live with dangerous voltages for a week. The electrician had replaced a deteriorating power pole and installed a new switchboard, but a Western Power inspection a week later found that the neutral conductor was not connected to the main switchboard. This oversight made exposed metallic parts live with dangerous voltages, posing a serious risk of injury or electrocution. Separate prosecutions led to fines for both the electrical contractor and the electrician involved, who pleaded guilty to breaching WA's electricity licensing regulations.