With the regular increase in prices for the services of electricity suppliers and, in particular, for electricity itself, some citizens and small businesses decided that they could get it absolutely free. However, at that moment, not many of them understand the degree of responsibility for the decision. Such unauthorized unauthorized connection to power grids has a high probability of turning into huge troubles. What this accession threatens and how to avoid violations of the law will be discussed in this article.
Content:
- What is unauthorized connection
- Responsibility for theft of electricity
- How to avoid punishment or how to prove innocence
- Methods for detecting illegal connection of electricity
What is unauthorized connection
What connections to the power grid and methods of deception are punishable by law:
- Any connection that is unauthorized by the electricity supplier in the region, even if there is a meter.
- Application and use of any devices that underestimate the real indicators of accounting elements. These are all kinds of zero-to-ground connections not through the counter, or devices for unwinding it in the opposite direction. Although with modern electronic accounting mechanisms, this is almost impossible to do.
- Failure of seals, violation of their integrity, as well as a change in the design of the device keeping records. Seal the meter only employees of the supplier's company are entitled.
- If there is a malfunction associated with mechanical destruction or obvious failure of the electric meter, then the consumer is obliged to notify the supplier within the terms specified in the contract.
That is, the work on power supply should be carried out by a company specializing in this in the region. She should conduct the wiring to the input machine, to the meter and bring it to circuit breaker, which can be switched on and off by the consumer himself, as well as to seal the meter. All other work in the house or in the apartment is carried out independently or by hiring qualified workers. In case of any problems, you need to contact only the personnel of the supplier's company, no arbitrarily do not take action, maximum disconnection of the input machine in case of fire and excessive heating.
Important! If, nevertheless, a power outage occurs due to untimely or incomplete payment, in such in the case of unauthorized use in the electrical panel and to power lines, it is also prohibited to connect circuits consumer. This procedure is performed exclusively by the employees of the power supply company, after submitting an application and providing a payment for the payment of all debts. It is even possible to pay for the electricity connection service itself. Learn more about what to do if the light was turned off for non-payment, you can from our separate article.
Responsibility for theft of electricity
Until 2017, unauthorized connection to power grids was clearly regulated by the law spelled out in Art. 7.19 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. However, with the increase in the number of illegal connections to power grids, the State Duma deputies in 2017 decided to toughen the responsibility for this offense. They want to amend Article 158 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (on theft), and now consider the theft of electricity on a par with the theft of energy resources from an oil or gas pipeline. This, according to them, will lead to a decrease in the losses of companies working in this area. If this law is finally adopted, then the fine in 2017 will be significantly increased, and even if impossibility of compensation for damage and large-scale theft, the convicted person will be imprisoned for a term of 1.5 to 6 years.
This law also has one nuance that in the case of an independent appeal and recognition of an unauthorized connection, as well as compensation for damage, criminal liability from a person who violated the law may be removed.
However, at present, the following penalties are still provided for unauthorized connection of electricity:
- for individuals and citizens this is a fine in the amount of 10,000 to 15,000 rubles;
- for officials and legal entities in the amount of 30,000-200,000 rubles.
If this is not the first such offense or the damage has exceeded 1 million. rubles, then by a court decision a person can easily incur criminal liability. In any case, this should be decided by the court, and not by the supplier itself.
How to avoid punishment or how to prove innocence
It is possible to avoid punishment if an act of unauthorized connection to the power grid has already been drawn up, only if it succeeds prove in court that the accusation is false or that the disconnection occurred in violation of the current legislation.
For this, a complaint is submitted to the following authorities:
- the prosecutor's office;
- Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS);
- management company.
The likelihood of acquittal is, of course, insignificant, but still exists.
Methods for detecting illegal connection of electricity
To detect unauthorized connection or other illegal actions related to the theft of electricity, there are several ways with the use of special devices and without them:
- The first, easiest way is to turn off the input machine, but at the same time the subscriber still has voltage in the sockets.
- The second method requires the use of special measuring devices such as an ammeter or a clamp meter. Although it is inconvenient, it is very effective. That is, when you turn off the electrical consumer or all electrical appliances in its sockets, the current should be zero.
- Also, for detection, a visual inspection of both the metering element and the input machine and the power lines themselves is used.
In order for the consumer himself to control that no one is connected to his network, it is recommended to notice and record the meter reading and turn off all appliances from the sockets at night, even those that are in standby mode. In the morning, check if there are changes urgently inform the company dealing with the power supply of the area. How to punish neighbors for stealing electricity, you can find out from our article!
As you can see, the consequences of unauthorized connection to electricity are always deplorable and therefore you should not risk it for the sake of such free illegal pleasure. Energy sales staff can check at any time.
Finally, we recommend watching useful videos on the topic:
Now you know what the threat of unauthorized connection to power grids and what the penalty is for this in 2017. We recommend that you do not break the law, because insignificant savings in money entails quite serious consequences!
It will be helpful to read:
- How to pay less for light legally
- Electricity saver: cheat or really works
- What is a self-propelled electric meter
