How To Secure Meter Box (Following Prowler Switching Power Off)

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#2427520 26-Feb-2020 14:14

None of the houses I have lived in have had a power switch in the meter box. They have only ever had just the meter and ripple control relay.

Generally speaking.
Does seem like a dumb idea to have a master power switch in an outside meter box if the box can't be easily secured.

Yoban

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#2427523 26-Feb-2020 14:18

djtOtago:

None of the houses I have lived in have had a power switch in the meter box. They have only ever had just the meter and ripple control relay.

Generally speaking.
Does seem like a dumb idea to have a master power switch in an outside meter box if the box can't be easily secured.

could not agree more...switch plus a fuse...will grab a photo later today.

robfish

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#2427526 26-Feb-2020 14:24

I may be wrong, but I believe that there must be a means of "isolating" the installation from the mains power with either a switch or a fuse and that it must not be locked.

Rob

djtOtago

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#2427546 26-Feb-2020 14:54

Thats the master switch on the fuse / distribution board inside the house.

None of my previous houses have had an outside master switch in the meter box. But, all my houses have been at least 70 years old. So maybe it is a new requirement.

kol

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Vocus

#2427562 26-Feb-2020 15:23

I don't have any suggestions on securing or knowledge of regulations, just wanted to mention a switchboard upgrade done recently on my 70s house. The Vector tech that came to isolate the house before work from my sparky was done was also a local volunteer firefighter, who strongly recommended a master switch installed at the meter box just in-case of a fire. With the explanation that they (responding firefighters) could access the box and flip the switch instead of having to call Vector to request power be disconnected. Now I have no idea if this is a common suggestion or legitimate issue for those without an isolating switch in the box but I was happy to accept and have one installed.

Groucho

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#2427563 26-Feb-2020 15:26

sqishy:

I wonder what is in the logic of turning the power off if breaking in?

-a good alarm has a battery

-maybe its a door bell or security camera that links to wifi router -> but these could be on UPS with ONT so that internet is not cut off.

A few years ago I heard prowlers were going around turning selected toby taps off on the roadside. They then came back a day or two later and if the taps were still off then it confirmed nobody was home. Neighbours might clear your mailbox and might notice if security lights or interior timer lights don't come on but who checks the water's running unless someone specifically waters the garden?

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MadEngineer

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#2427566 26-Feb-2020 15:34

Yoban:
sqishy:

I wonder what is in the logic of turning the power off if breaking in?

-a good alarm has a battery

-maybe its a door bell or security camera that links to wifi router -> but these could be on UPS with ONT so that internet is not cut off.

yep still racking the brains on this one too....possibly thinking most UPS would not run for long and CCTV dies....puzzling...

two possibilities - some alarm systems by default will sound the siren after a set length of time after loss of mains power and switching over to battery so someone could have been testing for an alarm. Alternatively someone with nothing better to do.

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

neb

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#2427593 26-Feb-2020 16:36

Yoban:
The box has two screws top & bottom left had side (swings to right), plus a u-shaped pin. All was removed by the prowler who was spoted leaving with a screw driver.

Was shown a video yesterday by a Russian friend for a security device there, a tripwire along the top of a fence that ran to the pin of a hand grenade taped to the fencepost. You could try the same, make the U-shaped pin the pin of the hand grenade.

You can get dummy grenades pretty easily, and most people won't be able to ID a practice grenade.

neb

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#2427594 26-Feb-2020 16:39

Yoban:
yep still racking the brains on this one too....possibly thinking most UPS would not run for long and CCTV dies....puzzling...

Random prank, take a selfie of yourself cutting the power at $random_house_number.

It could have been anything, and given the high chances of being caught doing it a second time the easiest response may be to do nothing since they're unlikely to come back.

neb

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#2427595 26-Feb-2020 16:42

davidcole:
Where's the fun in life if you can't dream of the Darwin award that will come the way of your said burglar, prowler, micreant getting hurt doing said mischief.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/antiques-collectables/militaria/other/listing-2549703708.htm

MadEngineer

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#2427602 26-Feb-2020 16:53

It’s all fun and games until you get randomly inspected.

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

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#2427623 26-Feb-2020 17:16

Yoban:
sqishy:

I wonder what is in the logic of turning the power off if breaking in?

-a good alarm has a battery

-maybe its a door bell or security camera that links to wifi router -> but these could be on UPS with ONT so that internet is not cut off.

yep still racking the brains on this one too....possibly thinking most UPS would not run for long and CCTV dies....puzzling...

Maybe you were supposed to notice and go out to the meter box while the prowler walks in your open door. Unless you were specifically targeted by someone that knows you, other people in the area could have had something similar done to them. Talk to your local cops.

Tracer

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#2427751 26-Feb-2020 21:44

djtOtago:

None of the houses I have lived in have had a power switch in the meter box. They have only ever had just the meter and ripple control relay.

Generally speaking.
Does seem like a dumb idea to have a master power switch in an outside meter box if the box can't be easily secured.

Excellent idea if you have a fire, or need to do mains work on your inside switchboard.

Ge0rge

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#2427759 26-Feb-2020 22:00

djtOtago:
None of the houses I have lived in have had a power switch in the meter box. They have only ever had just the meter and ripple control relay.

Generally speaking.
Does seem like a dumb idea to have a master power switch in an outside meter box if the box can't be easily secured.

Every house that I have lived in has had a mains switch in the external meter box. Those that I've lived in with the meter inside, have had the mains switch on the same board.

It's generally mains -> switch -> meter -> fuses. Otherwise, to work on the meter etc, you have to pull a pole fuse...

richms

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#2427769 26-Feb-2020 22:19

I couldnt figure out the thread on the antique 80's box on the wall here. Tried some M6 which didnt fit, tried some M5, also no fit, tried some inch size that looked about right, also no fit. Neighbours with the stupid kids moved out and problem stopped.

Richard rich.ms

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