The Powerline Bushfire Safety Taskforce recommended that during the six weeks of greatest fire risk, all single-wire earth return (SWER) powerlines should automatically shut down in the case of a fault, such as when a tree branch hits the line.

The recommendation would have meant significant disruptions, as power would be shut off until the electricity distributor could send someone to check the powerline.

Last week Energy Safe Victoria approved SP AusNet's plan to adjust settings only on high-risk days, rather than for the entire six weeks.

SP AusNet spokesman Jonathon Geddes said that in areas prone to bushfire, the company would suppress nominated SWER oil circuit reclosers on days when a total fire ban or code red had been declared.

"We will also do this on the morning of total fire ban or code red days during the six-week period of highest bushfire risk as declared by the Fire Services Commissioner, commencing January 23, rather than suppressing for the whole six weeks," he said.

Mr Geddes said the decision meant customers would not be as susceptible to power cuts caused by common faults such as falling trees and animal interference.

Energy Safe Victoria director Paul Fearon said changes were recommended for the six-week period only if it were not practical to manually make changes on code red or total fire ban days.

SP AusNet's solution balances managing fire risk with maintaining reliability and security of power supply for customers, he said.

Mr Fearon said SP AusNet was able to manually change settings as the lines were in a small area that could be reached quickly by crews before 10am on high-risk days. There are 15 SWER powerlines supplying 595 customers in Whittlesea, Eden Park, Hume Vale, Kinglake West, Yan Yean, Woodstock, Beveridge, Donnybrook, Wollert, Mernda, Doreen, Epping, Mill Park, Lalor, Thomastown and Bundoora.

Energy and Resources Minister Michael O'Brien was unable for comment by NW's deadline.