Fire, shock risk forces cable recall

About 40,000 Australian households and businesses may be using faulty electrical cables that could start fires and put lives in danger, the consumer watchdog warns.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is working with 18 electrical groups to recall Infinity and Olsent-banded Infinity cables after the products failed electrical safety standards.

The cables were sold around the country by Masters Home Improvement, Thrifty, Mitre 10 and other retailers between 2010 and 2013.

The watchdog estimates about 40,000 households and businesses may be affected.

Testing found the cables could degrade prematurely and lead to electrocutions and fires in future years.

The recall is a reminder products sourced from less-expensive overseas suppliers can have quality issues.

ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard urged consumers not to inspect the faulty cables themselves and leave the work to licensed electrical contractors.

Homeowners and tradespeople should turn off all the main power switches before heading up into ceiling space.

Ms Richard stressed the cables posed no immediate danger, with expert advice suggesting they could become brittle from 2016.

Suppliers have been asked to assess and work on the oldest or highest-risk installations first.