The Oil Drum | DrumBeat: July 21, 2006

321 comments on DrumBeat: July 21, 2006

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

totoneila on July 21, 2006 - 4:18pm

Hello Tate423,

How about power outages caused by people stealing the oil from electrical transformers? This is really getting oil the most dangerous way possible!
------------
The company was forced to buy new transformers to replace those burnt down.

Once oil is drained from a transformer, it overheats, and if power is not switched off on time, the transformer explodes and cannot be repaired for future use.

The above mentioned losses only include replacement of transformers, but does not include the loss of revenue incurred by the Company for the inability to sell electricity units to consumers.

The loss does not also include many hours lost in tackling the theft. There are reports that 40 per cent of the power supplied to India's capital of New Delhi disappears through "transmission losses" meaning it is consumed without being paid for. It is stolen.
---------------------------
I predicted some time ago that detrito-terrorists will add positive feedback greatly to Tainterian collapse. The path to Olduvai Gorge gains more people everyday.

Bob Shaw in Phx,Az Are Humans Smarter than Yeast?

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

totoneila on July 21, 2006 - 4:35pm

Hello TODers,

If you are going to steal electricity, stealing an extra electrical meter is a pretty clever way to do it. I would imagine the Tanzanians use their regular meter for 3 weeks, then switch to the stolen unit for the week prior to when the utility company meter-reader arrives to determine the monthly billing. After he/she leaves, then switch back to the original unit for more free juice [this process only takes a few minutes to accomplish due to snap-in, snap-out design]. A unique theft tactic if you ask me!

Bob Shaw in Phx,Az Are Humans Smarter than Yeast?

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

pondlife on July 22, 2006 - 7:59am

You could just make 2 connections before the meter and get it free.

There is a gizmo you can make that requires only 1 low power connection before the meter and 2 after it [ie any domestic wall socket]. It will subtract x kilowatts from the meter measurement, where x depends on the internal construction.

I met a guy who used to hire them out for a few weeks before meter readings..

At one time, I believe you could drive round gas meters with a vacumn cleaner after they were removed.

Then again, our water is unmetered, so just run a generator from the tap.

All ranked up there with treason, if you get caught.

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

TN Granny on July 22, 2006 - 8:07am

Yeah, and electric distributors (at least in this area) have software programs which can identify habitual thieves from usage records. I know because I hace worked on such programs. In our area people who bypass meters are usually either running an underground 'weed' growing farm or a moonshine still in the barn and don't want to appear to be using unusual ammounts of electricity.

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

tate423 on July 21, 2006 - 6:00pm

I hope thats motor oil, like lubricant. That's when you know its bad. This is something! Gas is, as you may guess, starting to become hard to come by. So much so, it is on the radio and it's turned into a game. People are calling in to talk about where the gas still is and where people can go if they need to.

So I got the thinking. Downtown there is a concert, Live on the Levee, it's going on as planned. That's going to drain the power, and its shutting down eads bridge, aptly renamed eats bridge for the concert. So transportation flow takes a hit for "economic gain." Its a contractual agreement that they go on with the restaurants. I wonder what kind of financial hardships that could arise from insurance being hit for a lot of cancelled events due to lack of "ingredients?" What do you think?

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

totoneila on July 21, 2006 - 9:33pm

Hello Tate423,

Not sure if I understand your question: "I wonder what kind of financial hardships that could arise from insurance being hit for a lot of cancelled events due to lack of "ingredients?"

My guess is a lot of future events will never get off the ground because people won't be able to afford to travel to them, much less spend money on the food and trinkets, excluding local neighborhood 'potluck' parties.

The ins cos. that refused to write hurricane and flood coverage along the East Coast are so far looking profitably vindicated [these cos. could care less if your uninsured property got flooded]. Tropical Storm Beryl could have spun up further into real bad news, and the season is still young.

Bob Shaw in Phx,AZ Are Humans Smarter than Yeast?

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

321 comments on DrumBeat: July 21, 2006

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

Beware email scams!

Beware email scams claiming to be from this site. We do not have any job openings. If anyone contacts you about a job at The Oil Drum, do not reply to them, and definitely do not give them any personal information or send them money. Read more here.