India's Power Grid Collapses

[Parts]

We have a main switch in the house too, but there is a panel, that is opened with a key, where you can put on/off the electricity before it enters the main switch in the house.

The power company can do that here but most of the time they do it from up on the pole

[midlifeaspie]

We have a main switch in the house too, but there is a panel, that is opened with a key, where you can put on/off the electricity before it enters the main switch in the house.

Why?

And why would you ever turn your electricity off? 

[TheoK]

If you would like to repair some electrical cables etc 

[bodie]

I had no electric myself for four hours on Saturday,  but that was because the urchin had hidden the key

Huh?  The electricity to your house is controlled by a key? 

Yes i have a pre pay meter.  I have to top up using this key at petrol station or newsagent, then i have to plug it into my meter

It is doubly annoying because my meter is under the stairs and behind my fridge and tumble dryer,  i have to climb on top of tumble dryer and wedge myself through a tiny gap and i can just about reach.

It is hassle but both gas and electric meters were pre pay when i moved in, and they quoted me £700 to change the meter to  a 'normal' one.

Pre pay gas and electric are more expensive too.

[midlifeaspie]

I didn't even know such a thing existed.  Learn something new every day 

[TheoK]

That's not the kind of key I meant, but that's an interesting thing, yes 

[bodie]

You must live in a land where you pay for a service after you have received it

I assume the previous owners were disconnected at one time, through non payment or a dispute.  If that happens it is standard to install pre pay meters.

I didn't think about checking when i purchased this house

At times, in the past, when i have been really broke it has meant i have to just sit here in the dark    i am annoyed that i didn't get chance to run up a hefty utility bill that i couldn't pay

[skyblue1]

You must live in a land where you pay for a service after you have received it

I assume the previous owners were disconnected at one time, through non payment or a dispute.  If that happens it is standard to install pre pay meters.

I didn't think about checking when i purchased this house

At times, in the past, when i have been really broke it has meant i have to just sit here in the dark    i am annoyed that i didn't get chance to run up a hefty utility bill that i couldn't pay

sitting in the dark without power, with no internet. That could be dangerous

[Parts]

You must live in a land where you pay for a service after you have received it

I assume the previous owners were disconnected at one time, through non payment or a dispute.  If that happens it is standard to install pre pay meters.

I didn't think about checking when i purchased this house

At times, in the past, when i have been really broke it has meant i have to just sit here in the dark    i am annoyed that i didn't get chance to run up a hefty utility bill that i couldn't pay

Is your house attached to the neighboring houses are stand alone?  If attached what are the walls made of?

[bodie]

You must live in a land where you pay for a service after you have received it

I assume the previous owners were disconnected at one time, through non payment or a dispute.  If that happens it is standard to install pre pay meters.

I didn't think about checking when i purchased this house

At times, in the past, when i have been really broke it has meant i have to just sit here in the dark    i am annoyed that i didn't get chance to run up a hefty utility bill that i couldn't pay

Is your house attached to the neighboring houses are stand alone?  If attached what are the walls made of?

It is semi detached.  The attached wall is brick then lath and plaster...why? 

[Parts]

You must live in a land where you pay for a service after you have received it

I assume the previous owners were disconnected at one time, through non payment or a dispute.  If that happens it is standard to install pre pay meters.

I didn't think about checking when i purchased this house

At times, in the past, when i have been really broke it has meant i have to just sit here in the dark    i am annoyed that i didn't get chance to run up a hefty utility bill that i couldn't pay

Is your house attached to the neighboring houses are stand alone?  If attached what are the walls made of?

It is semi detached.  The attached wall is brick then lath and plaster...why?

Just wondering how easy it would be to tap off the neighbor for an emergency outlet

[bodie]

I wish


It has been a long time since i had no power due to economics.  My recent 'darkness' was simply because the urchin had 'hidden' the key