Hotline of power engineering specialists:
IDGC of Centre - Smolenskenergo division within the framework of the declared by PJSC "Rosseti" Year of Combating Electricity Losses increases the work on detection and suppression of unauthorized electricity consumption. Specialists of the branch developed a whole range of measures aimed at reducing the level of electricity losses in the grids.
So, for example, in the branch there is organized "initial check" of installed electric energy meters. That is, the consumer before installing the meter, passes it to a Distribution Zone at the place of service to check for damage, unauthorized built-in control units or interference in the software. As part of measures to reduce electric energy losses, Smolenskenergo’s employees conduct raids on revealing facts of non-contractual and non-metered electricity consumption monthly in all districts of the region. Particular attention is drawn to consumers of the private sector.
"Our specialists periodically identify attempts to steal electricity using neodymium magnets, underestimate readings of electricity meters, breakdown of devices, unauthorized illegal connections to electric grids bypassing the meter," said Oleg Bonadyshev, the head of Smolenskenergo’s electricity metering department. "Today the branch has all technical means, allowing to identify and prevent various methods of theft of electric energy. For example, the use of modern numbered seals and signs of visual control with increased protective properties allows to accurately determine visually the fact of unauthorized interference in the meter of electric energy and its impact with the magnetic field. In addition, many modern electricity meters have the so-called "electronic seal" that records the fact of the meter’s exposure to an external magnetic field, allowing not only to confirm the fact of interference in the electricity meter, but also to record actions of dishonest consumers in an attempt to steal electricity with an accuracy of one minute."
Smolenskenergo reminds that unauthorized consumption of electricity is an administrative and criminal offense. In addition, unauthorized connection to power grids or unauthorized interference into the operation of meters can provoke the failure of household appliances, voltage surges, fire, or even create a threat to life and health of people.
IDGC of Centre operates 24/7 the toll-free telephone of the direct line of the company at 8-800-50-50-115 (short number 13-50), where it is possible to report the theft of electricity, wires, power equipment and other material assets, as well as on facts of damage, property damage, vandalism at Smolenskenergo’s facilities. Also, the company has a separate mailbox vorunet@mrsk-1.ru, where you can send information about the theft of electricity. In the shortest time, all applications will be checked by the company’s specialists.