Low voltage fault disrupts power

EIGHT hundred homes and businesses in Wexford town experienced problems with their power supply in Wexford town on Tuesday.

The problem which occurred on the ESB low voltage network saw some customers experience what one person described ‘as a trickle of power’ with power appearing to come and go or flicker. Given the heavy rain and high wind on Monday it was thought that the fault related to this however it turns out that the fault was as a result of interference with an underground cable from previous construction work in the area.

Apologising for the inconvenience caused a spokesperson for the ESB said: ‘ESB Networks can confirm that a fault occurred on our low voltage network in Wexford town on Tuesday, April 17, which impacted on supply to approximately 800 homes and businesses in the town.

‘With the issues reported early afternoon, a crew was immediately dispatched. The team quickly sectionalised the particular fault, which meant that approximately 100 customers remained without power. Supply was restored to all remaining homes and businesses in the town by 5 p.m.

‘We are continuing to investigate the cause of the fault, but we can confirm that this fault was located on underground cable, which have been as a result of interference with the line from previous construction work in the area.

‘These incidents serve as a timely reminder to all those involved in the construction industry of the potential danger to life and limb for anyone striking a medium voltage cable.’

Further information for contractors and contact information for site maps are available on https://www.esbnetworks.ie/staying-safe/ contractor-safety.