Hotline of power engineering specialists:
For 2014 IDGC of Centre - Smolenskenergo division revealed 456 facts of electricity theft. The volume of unaccounted energy thus amounted to 8.4 million kW/h.
The branch conducts systematic work on the detection and prevention of facts of non-metered consumption. The main tool to combat theft is raids, during which employees of Distribution Zones check operation of meters and inspect overhead lines for illegal connections. If a theft fact is identified, then an act of non-contractual or non-metered consumption is drawn up. For 2014 under acts of non-contractual consumption 0.475 million rubles were collected, which corresponds to 0.2 million kW/h. Payment is made on them by the consumer who committed the theft of electricity directly to the branch. In cases where payment is not made, offenders await a trial. Additionally acts of non-metered consumption of 8.2 million kW/h were compiled. According to them the payment is made by a retail company under an electric energy transmission contract.
The main types of violations, based on which power engineers reveal theft, include various ways of influencing a metering device, breaking the seal off an electricity meter, replacement of a metering device without notifying the staff of the branch, concealing the fact of a metering device failure, connection of power devices bypassing a meter and connection to the electric grid without a contract with a retail company.
In addition to violations of the law the electricity theft has two serious problems. Firstly, grid connection, bypassing the grid company, performed in an "artisanal" way, may result in the malfunction of grid equipment and electrical shock. Secondly, additional unaccounted grid load results in a voltage drop and damage to appliances and less reliable energy supply.
Conscientious consumers can help the energy company in addressing these issues, reporting on possible evidence of theft to the grid company by the around-the-clock straight phone line at 8800 50 50 115.