In high school I had a subject called Measurements in electrical engineering. The subject was mostly boring, but sometimes topics were interesting. While we were learning about electricity meter our teacher told us how people used to steal electricity. They would put their electricity meter at an angle so the needle would turn slower and the electricity bill at the end of the month would be smaller. There were other techniques like putting a magnet inside and slowing the needle like that. Some even went as far as digging the cables out of the ground and avoid their electricity meter and having a charge free socket.
Even it they had some savings, most of the time it wasn't worth it. People who got caught had to pay huge fines many times bigger than the money they saved. Our teacher also told us a story how some guys in America wanted to grow weed in their basement. They bought artificial lights that imitated sunlight and heating. Electricity suppliers have noticed that usage has increased by 2000%. They sent someone to see if something was wrong, but no one answered. They called the police who broke into the house and caught them in action. The funny part about the story is that if they have stolen electricity they would have never been caught.
Now that my county is entering 21st century our government has decided to replace all old analog meters with new digital ones who are more precise and can be controlled from their office. For them that is very important because before when you didn't pay their bills they had to send a man do turn off your power and the electrician would often be attacked and unable to do his work. The new meters have killed two birds with one stone but how beneficial will they be for the society only time will tell.
Interesting story Juer I tought we were still in high school....
We are.
Here in Ontario we have smart meters which enable pricing schemes that vary throughout the day. They said it was for the 'Green' way of doing things and it would save consumers money. Like all things the government says, the opposite actually occurred. Rates have skyrocketed and now instead of running your laundry, dryer, dishwasher etc during the day while you're at work, most people perform these tasks in the evening for cost savings. In Ontario, even if you attempt to use the bulk of your electricity during the evening, hydro still costs MORE! Now you work all day and spend the evenings doing chores.
Smart meters are great for squeezing every last nickel out of the consumer and now Ontario has the highest electrical rates in North America. Get ready to pay more. Sorry about your luck. :(
We also have those, cheaper energy starts at 9 pm or 10 pm in the summer. Their goal was to make the difference between night and day consumption smaller because during the night energy would be wasted. They never wanted to give us cheaper energy, it was a side effect.
Most interesting topic Yuri
Interesting topic to write about. But I think the smart metering is a good thing. It makes sure for proper billing protecting the customer from estimated over billings. And if the right amounts are paid and as at when due, supply of electricity will continue. In Nigeria where I am from electricity theft is one of the major reasons the power industry is finding it difficult to keep the lights on