Bypassed Electric meter.
- Thread starter 1878efc55
- Start date
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
The original post/question doesn't make sense to me.
Never mind, I have worked it out just this second! Will edit above post as dangerous info if the wrong eyes read it.
Never seen anything done like this before just took me off guard, there was one vital bit of info I couldn't see or didn't clock onto lol
Never seen anything done like this before just took me off guard, there was one vital bit of info I couldn't see or didn't clock onto lol
If an old mechanical meter doesn't have a Neutral then it cannot sense the voltage and thus cannot record how much power is being used.
The description of the switch wiring isn't very clear but is seem like this could be a variation on the "no Neutral" method. It wouldn't need a high current switch as the meter takes almost no current ( a few milli-amps ) from the Neutral to supply the meter.
Best advice is report it NOW to the DNO for rectification BEFORE the new tenants / landlord / you come under suspicion of fraud / theft of electricity.
The description of the switch wiring isn't very clear but is seem like this could be a variation on the "no Neutral" method. It wouldn't need a high current switch as the meter takes almost no current ( a few milli-amps ) from the Neutral to supply the meter.
Best advice is report it NOW to the DNO for rectification BEFORE the new tenants / landlord / you come under suspicion of fraud / theft of electricity.
Indeed. The same must surely be true of any meter (unless it 'guesses' voltage), not just "old mechanical" ones?
Indeed. As above, depriving the meter of any neutral (or 'earth' masquerading as neutral) would be expected to 'disable' the meter (prevent it determining/recording power/energy). However, I'm struggling to understand how a switched connection between 'the neutral tail' and the CU's 'earth bar' would/could achieve that. To disable the meter, one would surely have to totally disconnect everything (neutral or earth) from the (both incoming and outgoing) N terminals of the meter?
Kind Regards, John
There would need to be more done than just the switch as described.
Last edited:
So?
1) Do you really think that people who want to do that will be created by reading your post?
2) Are you unaware of how utterly discredited is the policy of security by obscurity?
As I said I've workout it out anyway, don't need to discuss it further. Was just after any pointers for anything I had missed.
Basically yes, there was no neutral but it looked like there was, this was at the cutout. Had been cleverly disguised then from the cu when the switch was open it would divert the return path away from the neutral down the earth instead thus turning off the meter. When the switch was in the closed position it would go back through the neutral tail to the meter thus making it come back on but through earth instead of a neutral, of course when I stripped it all out there was no neutral so nothing worked! As that 'return earth path' through the meter was no longer present.
Basically yes, there was no neutral but it looked like there was, this was at the cutout. Had been cleverly disguised then from the cu when the switch was open it would divert the return path away from the neutral down the earth instead thus turning off the meter. When the switch was in the closed position it would go back through the neutral tail to the meter thus making it come back on but through earth instead of a neutral, of course when I stripped it all out there was no neutral so nothing worked! As that 'return earth path' through the meter was no longer present.
DIYnot Local
Staff member
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local
Sponsored Links
