While illegal connections or meter bypass might seem like the cheapest alternative to resolving your electricity needs, there are some serious dangers attached to using an unauthorized connection. One of which includes death.
In this post, we’ll be highlighting five dangers of illegal connections no one tells you about and how they can affect lives and property negatively.
1. Prolonged Power Outage
Distribution companies usually weigh each household based on certain criteria to be able to accurately distribute electricity evenly. However, with illegal connections, you start drawing electricity from other households. Sometimes, when you connect to an overhead pole or substation, it significantly increases the chances of overloading the system.
And when a system gets overloaded, it’ll immediately trip off. This is sometimes the reason why certain neighbourhoods experience power outages for an extended period of time.
2. Fire Outbreak
Power outage isn’t the only downside of having an overloaded system. In some cases when there’s a trip, these wires can spark and cause a fire. Fires are known to spread fast. So houses, buildings and valuables can get engulfed in a matter of minutes.
3. Electrocution
Asides from the risks involved when an unqualified person connects electricity illegally, innocent people are also exposed to electrical shock or electrocution.
Because these wires are not properly concealed, children can carelessly touch them and get electrocuted. Sometimes these wires can touch other household items like roofs, drainage pipes or cloth lines and make them live or able to conduct electricity. All it takes is one touch to get an electrical shock.
4. Damage to Electricity Items
When you connect electricity without authorization, there’s no proper load sizing and even distribution. With this, your electrical appliances can get damaged because the current might be too high or low. And trust us, your stabilizer might not be able to get you out of this one.
5. Electricity Debt and Possible Jail Time
Now when caught, Nigerians found guilty of illegal connection will automatically get a debt migrated to their respective meters. This is to cover for all the unpaid electricity used within the period of this unauthorized connection. If you’re charged to court and convicted, you could be facing serious jail time.
Now looking at all above listed outcomes, are illegal connections still worth it? With the rise of prepaid meters, you can now pay for electricity as you go. If you don’t have a prepaid meter yet, here’s how to apply online.
What happens when you need electricity and you’re cash strapped? Well, luckily for you, we have several loan options available on Buypower.ng. Learn how to borrow units for your meter here.
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