energy theft in NI

Old_Git

Suppliers suspect around 5,000 keypad meters are being interfered with. Small powerful magnets are blamed for much of the theft.

However the losses from the theft involved have not been revealed.

The Regulator is consulting on how to deal with the problem which, it is pointed out, results in higher bills for customers.

NIE owns and looks after electricity meters.

It says modifying or replacing 5,000 meters would cost £419,000.

NIE suggests that suppliers requesting the meter change should foot 57% of the bill. The rest would be levied across all suppliers and paid for through distribution network charges.

The Energy Regulator is now seeking views on the scale of these charges and who ultimately should cover the bill.

http://www.u.tv/News/2015/06/06/Document-shows-levels-of-energy-theft-in-NI-38556

I am surprised only 5000 meters are involved but £83.80 to replace a meter seems reasonable .Then again NIE and the others have been robbing us for years

donnac2558

I recently had my meter changed to digital, I am in NIHE flat and non keypad. They guy doing the work said they are doing all the non keypad meters first and then the keypad ones will go digital. He said the whole of NI will take two years to complete. Oh and he was also doing no NIHE houses and flats in the area.

I was told that if anyone tries to put a magnet on a digital meter the electric shuts off and the electric supplier has to come out and reset it all. Not sure if this is true, but someone else I know did say that to me as well. Oh and they do use a magnet on their keypad meter, but only if running the tumble dryer:D

warmhands.coldheart

Old_Git wrote: »

Suppliers suspect around 5,000 keypad meters are being interfered with....

My BIL works for NIE.... 5000..... that's probably just in Derry alone !!!!! 5000 is just the tip of the iceberg....
He says there are some streets in some areas of Derry that probably don't have a meter untampered with and they can't do anything about it for "obvious" reasons.... the joke is too that they can't cut them off either as they have "human rights".... !!!!!!! joke.... !!!

donnac2558

The guy who came and changed my meter said most of east Belfast fiddle their meters.

qwert_yuiop

Well, so far we've had "5000 meters", "some streets in Derry" and "most of east belfast". Any advance? Do I hear "all of Fermanagh" from the new bidder at the back?

Is it that easy? This magnet story is of course nonsense.
I used to live in an upstairs flat off the Lisburn road, where the man downstairs had a jump lead across the two leads to his meter in the hall. I used to catch my bike on it, which was a bit alarming.
Not that I'm going to do it, but what is the method used nowadays?

warmhands.coldheart

qwert_yuiop wrote: »

..... This magnet story is of course nonsense. ...

Trust me, It's NOT!! I've no "personal" experience and no idea how it works exactly but I have it on good authority from numerous NIE Employees..

Cherryscone

Rife in North Antrim as well and no not myself I would be too scared but I know a few people and have seen them for sale on Facebook Pages.

chunter

Oh, the magnets work. No doubt about it.
Half the country won't open the door to the meter man until they've hidden it.

warmhands.coldheart

chunter wrote: »

Oh, the magnets work. No doubt about it.
Half the country won't open the door to the meter man until they've hidden it.

The places in Derry I'm talking about, the meter man wont even go near the place!! Even NIE have been know to require a police escort at times...

donnac2558

Oh the magnet does work, I have seen my friend use it. In fact it fell off and the beeping starting saying they needed to put money on. They picked up magnet and stuck it back on and beeping stopped straight away.

The one I saw was round and and about half an inch in depth and width. It had to sit exactly in the right place or it did not work. Most people do know the meter man is on his rounds and know to take it off for a few days whilst he is in the area.

Old_Git

A Joiner told me how to do it and exactly where to place the magnet .
As I only use £1 a day to begin with and my meter is outside I decided not to bother .I did get £40 free electricity from Airtricity ,now i am moving back to Budget .
I know one person in Craigavon who posted on facebook when the meter reader was round.