Distribution Board tampering

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  • Doris
    New Member
    • Nov 2023
    • 1

    #1

    [Question] Distribution Board tampering

    Was wondering, is it at all possible to tamper with the db board wiring to 'slow down' a prepaid sub-meter. I suspect one of my tenants had some fiddling done as readings ar suddenly much lower than usual consumption and nothing has changed ito what is plugged in/used in the premises.
  • Derlyn
    Platinum Member

    • Mar 2019
    • 1748

    #2
    Yes it is posśble.

    Comment

    • Thys LOW Elektries
      Silver Member

      • Jan 2021
      • 269

      #3
      The easy answer is yes, it can happen, but there can also be other reasons for the change in consumption.

      I was at a house recently that had a changeover on the prepaid. Part of the month they run on the prepaid meter, and part of the month they don't.
      Also, the user might have been gone on holiday, hence a lower reading. A constant lower reading might be due to tampering or a change in consumption habits.
      I have clients that have a control meter before the prepaid meter. They compare the control meter units with the prepaid meter units and can easily see if something is fishy.

      Comment

      • Dylboy
        Gold Member

        • Jun 2020
        • 777

        #4
        How does one slow down the meter ?

        Racking my brain and only was I can think is to tap into the supply side some cables and run a load ? Other than that I am not sure haha

        Sent from my CPH2197 using Tapatalk

        Comment

        • Derlyn
          Platinum Member

          • Mar 2019
          • 1748

          #5
          The most common monkey business is to put a bridge piece across the input and output of the meter with a wire so some of the load goes through the meter and some through the bridge.

          Easy to detect.

          Switch on a light. Turn the meter off and if the light is still on, the meter has been bridged.

          Comment

          • Dylboy
            Gold Member

            • Jun 2020
            • 777

            #6
            Ahhh yes ok, seen that before! Newly installed sub meter, client calls to say they only paid R60 in 2months and had just moved in!

            Went to go look and a nice little 2.5mm bridging the line in and out.

            Easy to pick up visually but I was thinking maybe something else non visible maybe happens to slow It down

            Sent from my CPH2197 using Tapatalk

            Comment

            • Derlyn
              Platinum Member

              • Mar 2019
              • 1748

              #7
              I notice the new sub meters now have a transparent cover over the terminals so now it's quite easy to see minkey business on the terminals but not in the past.

              I doubt if there is a way of slowing down a meter.

              Comment

              • GCE
                Platinum Member

                • Jun 2017
                • 1473

                #8
                There are ways to slow down meters on credit disc type and prepaid
                There are some guys running around charging for it which is why municipalities are losing revenue

                Comment

                • Thys LOW Elektries
                  Silver Member

                  • Jan 2021
                  • 269

                  #9
                  The old wheel meters had a bridge, if you remove it the meter stop working. One week on and one week off saves you half your bill. With the new electronic meters it is a bit more difficult

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