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Safety and connections

Household Voltage in Australia: Normal Range and Problems

Your power should arrive at about 230 volts. Here is the allowed range, why solar homes often see more, and what to do if your voltage is out of range.

Checked against regulator sources, October 2026

The normal voltage range

Australian standard supply voltage (AS 60038)
MeasureVoltage
Nominal230 V
Upper limit (+10%)253 V
Lower limit (-6%)216.2 V
At the point of supply. Wiring inside the home allows a further small voltage drop.

Most appliances sold in Australia are built to cope with the whole range. Voltage at the high end of the range is common in older networks that were designed for 240 volts, especially on sunny afternoons.

High voltage and solar inverters

When many homes in a street export solar at once, the voltage rises. Inverters are required by the AS/NZS 4777 standard to reduce their output as voltage climbs past about 253 volts and to disconnect if it goes too high, so on mild sunny days a system can produce less than expected, or show over-voltage errors.

Signs of a voltage problem

Your inverter logs over-voltage faults around midday, lights flicker or appliances fail early. SA Power Networks, for example, asks customers to report voltages above 258 volts so it can check the supply up to the service point.

How to report a voltage problem

  1. Note the details

    Record dates, times and readings from your inverter app or display, and any error codes.

  2. Contact your network

    Call its general enquiries line or use its online form. Find yours on the networks page.

  3. Let them test

    The network may fit a monitor or check your service line and the local transformer settings.

  4. Escalate if needed

    If it is not resolved, contact your state energy ombudsman. See complaints.

Common questions

Officially 230 volts since the AS 60038 standard in 2000. The allowed range of 216 to 253 volts overlaps the old 240-volt system, so readings around 240 volts are still common and normal.

When many homes export solar, street voltage rises. Inverters must reduce output and then disconnect at set voltages to protect the network. Report repeated faults to your network so it can check the supply.

Your distribution network, up to your point of supply. Problems inside your home, such as loose connections, are for a licensed electrician.

Sources

Every rate on this page comes from the regulator or the regulated retailer. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.