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

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Yoban

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#268063 26-Feb-2020 12:14

Hi there

I am after some ideas on how I might go about securing my meter box following a prowler switching the power off at 0630h last week.

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.

Currently have longer screws (hard to find the right thread) in place and cable tied the holes where the pin goes.

Thanks in advance.

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#2427418 26-Feb-2020 12:37

First thing, put up one of those "Smile you're on camera" signs. That will definitely make him think twice, regardless of whether you have a camera or not.

davidcole

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#2427426 26-Feb-2020 12:53

Wire a live wire to the screw of the power box, and have a remote cut off. That'll teach the blighters.

#notserious

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andyb

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#2427428 26-Feb-2020 12:55

Cut a hole in front of where the numbers are for reading the metre and glue some perspex so the meters can still be read by yourself or the meter reader. Then padlock the box.

andyb

Yoban

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#2427431 26-Feb-2020 12:57

davidcole:

Wire a live wire to the screw of the power box, and have a remote cut off. That'll teach the blighters.

#notserious

#mostly

Now we are talking...did think of laying razor wire in proximity too...

Thinking some locking approach would prevent me accidentally frying/cutting myself though :-)

Yoban

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#2427432 26-Feb-2020 13:01

andyb: Cut a hole in front of where the numbers are for reading the metre and glue some perspex so the meters can still be read by yourself or the meter reader. Then padlock the box.

Cheers for that...already have the perspex, albeit a bit flimsy so will look to make a bit more rigid - possibly source a new door assuming I can get hinge pins out and start from scratch as you have mentioned.

No where at present for a padlock - I thought about rivet on a latch or to that would allow it

sqishy

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#2427433 26-Feb-2020 13:01

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.

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Rikkitic

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#2427434 26-Feb-2020 13:02

A security light ought to help. Most prowlers don't like illumination. Web cams are cheap and it wouldn't have to be functional.

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Yoban

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#2427435 26-Feb-2020 13:04

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...

Yoban

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#2427437 26-Feb-2020 13:05

Rikkitic:

A security light ought to help. Most prowlers don't like illumination. Web cams are cheap and it wouldn't have to be functional.

Adding to the system a view of the meter box now. Certainly enough daylight when this occurred at 0629h (NAS ups logs)

Dugimodo

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#2427447 26-Feb-2020 13:16

Maybe you could ask your power supplier if they have anything to offer.

And joking aside don't boobytrap anything, the way the law works these days you can be charged for any injury you might cause regardless of what the person was up to at the time.

Yoban

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#2427451 26-Feb-2020 13:30

Dugimodo:

Maybe you could ask your power supplier if they have anything to offer.

And joking aside don't boobytrap anything, the way the law works these days you can be charged for any injury you might cause regardless of what the person was up to at the time.

Good approach - will give Vector a call. Interestingly when they came to fix the issue (flick the switch back one, I did not think to check inside), they did not suggest anything. Possibly up to my local electrician and me to resolve.

Interestingly enough, a number of companies do exactly this in aussie....secure gas/electric meter boxes.

With you re the boobytraps....

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davidcole

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#2427454 26-Feb-2020 13:34

Yoban:

With you re the boobytraps....

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.

Yoban

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#2427455 26-Feb-2020 13:34

Thanks all for some great ideas.

Current line of thinking is getting a couple or eye bolts https://www.bunnings.co.nz/zenith-eye-bolt-316-stainless-steel-10-x-100mm_p0306606) - assuming I can figure out the right thread and long enough - and replace the screws, then run some chain with a padlock or cable bike lock so they can not be unscrewed.

timbosan

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#2427506 26-Feb-2020 14:05

Easy, just leave a glitter bomb right in front of the meter box, with some fake label like "10 x iPads". Make sure to record it for us all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoxhDk-hwuo

Yoban

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#2427516 26-Feb-2020 14:10

timbosan:

Easy, just leave a glitter bomb right in front of the meter box, with some fake label like "10 x iPads". Make sure to record it for us all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoxhDk-hwuo

Brilliant...was thinking about the dye bombs used by banks and money bundles when door is opened....

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