Electricity distributor ETSA Utilities is changing its name to SA Power Networks.

Company spokesman Paul Roberts said it had seemed like a good idea to retain the term ETSA when the Electricity Trust of South Australia was broken up and privatised in the 1990s.

"Hindsight perhaps has shown that it's actually been a little bit confusing for people in terms of retaining that name, because even today we find people still believe we do all elements of the electricity supply, rather than just distribution," he said.

The company says its faults and emergencies telephone numbers will stay the same when it becomes SA Power Networks from September.