Tenants are backfeeding using generators...

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We have two tenants here that I found out are backfeeding electricity using generators during loadshedding.

I'm no electrician, but I think this is illegal? I did send out a complex wide notice to advise as such.

Is this very dangerous? What steps can be taken to prohibit this? Any advice? I feel bad for them, they gave the "what else can we do?" excuse..

I'm a bit at a loss at what to do here.

Thanks
 
If you can motivate with good reasons why it's not safe then your complex can make it mandatory that people running generators can only do so through a properly wired changeover switch, no idea how you will enforce it though. They are just being lazy with what else can we do excuse, tell them to get an electrician to sort them out.
 
PsyWulf said:
Are they using Suicide plugs to connect to the house?
Mandate changeovers to be installed for any generators used that will disconnect them from mains. Kla
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Yes I think so, the one woman tenant complained to me she had to replace the wall socket three times now, that it makes sparks etc and destroyes her kettles, that's how I found out they are backfeeding using that socket....
 
BlackStatic said:
Yes I think so, the one woman tenant complained to me she had to replace the wall socket three times now, that it makes sparks etc and destroyes her kettles, that's how I found out they are backfeeding using that socket....
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That's enough to go on, you need to be very firm with them, not only are they putting their own life's in danger but everyone in the complex as well as City employees working on the network.

Address it immediately with them and take further steps if they don't cooperate.
 
TheChamp said:
That's enough to go on, you need to be very firm with them, not only are they putting their own life's in danger but everyone in the complex as well as City employees working on the network.

Address it immediately with them and take further steps if they don't cooperate.
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So if they want to continue to backfeed like this, they have to have electricians install automatic changeover switches?
 
BlackStatic said:
Yes I think so, the one woman tenant complained to me she had to replace the wall socket three times now, that it makes sparks etc and destroyes her kettles, that's how I found out they are backfeeding using that socket....
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It's illegal,dangerous,a fire hazard for the entire complex and will make any insurance claims void
 
BlackStatic said:
So if they want to continue to backfeed like this, they have to have electricians install automatic changeover switches?
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No, they do not have to have automatic changeover installed. The generator is linked to the main DB board. A switchover switch is installed on the main DB. They can manually start the generator and then switch over to the Generators' power. Not all generators are compatible with automatic changeovers and this is also not a requirement. They will need the services of a qualified electrician to do this.
 
PsyWulf said:
It's illegal,dangerous,a fire hazard for the entire complex and will make any insurance claims void
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And to add, therefore putting everyone's financial investment into the complex at risk

Completely ignoring everyones health and safety of course. For some reason, finances seem to kick people into gear faster
 
If they feed power back into the grid, why doesn't the neighbors lights also turn on? Or is it a case of the load being to high and "browning out" but still works in their house due do the electricity taking the path of least resistance?
 
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