Tenants are backfeeding using generators...

BlackStatic said:
Sounds like she's liable for damages caused, you should inform the neighbors, it'd be the right thing to do. Maybe she'll listen to a magistrate before she ends up killing people.
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Neighbors are the property owners and suggested it be done this way unfortunately, they just don't know that it is actually the genie backfeeding that caused the issues and I have advised them but there is no listening to me.
 
ronnie_94 said:
Neighbors are the property owners and suggested it be done this way unfortunately, they just don't know that it is actually the genie backfeeding that caused the issues and I have advised them but there is no listening to me.
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Then report it to the police and save the case number, get your side squared and clean ASAP. Don't try to be a nice guy, doesn't matter, cover your ass you don't want to be legally involved in the consequences of this.
 
ronnie_94 said:
Thankful I came across this thread, my gf's mom is backfeeding and I tried to explain how dangerous it is and that its illegal if not done correctly.

However she does not want to listen and keeps doing it, I have got to the point where I just refuse to start the generator or touch any plugs in the house when the generator is running.

The dstv adapter has already caught fire as well as the neighbors fibre ONT popped whilst the generator was on and not sure how that wasn't a eye opener.
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How come she is not turning mains and earth off before turning the generator on?

If she did no back feeding.
 
BlackStatic said:
Then report it to the police and save the case number, get your side squared and clean ASAP. Don't try to be a nice guy, doesn't matter, cover your ass you don't want to be legally involved in the consequences of this.
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This will have to be done, will get it done.
 
AstroTurf said:
How come she is not turning mains and earth off before turning the generator on?

If she did no back feeding.
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I will actually look into this as well to be sure I am not just worrying for nothing.

Thanks for this insight, will check it out when there is load shedding this evening.
 
Amazing that people will mess about with electricity with little to zero knowledge.

Maybe it should be mandatory for all kids to stick their fingers into a wall socket (/s) at around age 6 or so in order for them to carry the lesson that Electricity is dangerous for the rest of their lives.
 
ronnie_94 said:
Thankful I came across this thread, my gf's mom is backfeeding and I tried to explain how dangerous it is and that its illegal if not done correctly.

However she does not want to listen and keeps doing it, I have got to the point where I just refuse to start the generator or touch any plugs in the house when the generator is running.

The dstv adapter has already caught fire as well as the neighbors fibre ONT popped whilst the generator was on and not sure how that wasn't a eye opener.
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How do you know the neighbour's ONT has anything to do with what your MIL is doing?
 
BlackStatic said:
Sounds like she's liable for damages caused, you should inform the neighbors, it'd be the right thing to do. Maybe she'll listen to a magistrate before she ends up killing people.

You're aware she's breaking the law and operating a system which potentially threatens the lives of people, you're 100% required to report this to authorities especially so if she ignores you and continues using it, you'll be held accountable if someone gets hurt and she admits to authority you told her, means you're aware of what's going on. Sorry the situation sucks but it'll turn into a full blown life destroying nightmare for you personally if something goes very wrong.
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Implying such things without proof is just as irresponsible as the MIL insisting to operate the generator in a non compliant way.
 
ronnie_94 said:
its one house, its just doored off at one of the hallways.
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Still not proof? I appreciate what you are trying to do but do refrain from making such inferences unless you can provide proof, maybe you MIL won't sue you but it's just a very good idea in general.

Whose house is it, yours or your MIL's?
 
BlackStatic said:
Then report it to the police and save the case number, get your side squared and clean ASAP. Don't try to be a nice guy, doesn't matter, cover your ass you don't want to be legally involved in the consequences of this.
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If there is any reporting to be done it should be at the municipality not the police.
 
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TheChamp said:
Still not proof? I appreciate what you are trying to do but do refrain from making such inferences unless you can provide proof, maybe you MIL won't sue you but it's just a very good idea in general.

Whose house is it, yours or your MIL's?
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Understand what you saying and will be more careful. Just tried to get more insight before actually doing anything which @AstroTurf provided and I will check to be sure.

It is the neighbors house, MIL is renting.

The genie is plugged into a standard wall plug, should there be anything installed instead of just plugging a 3 prong plug directly from the genie to the outlet?

The more insight the better, so I can understand at least the correct way it should be done then all I can do is pass it on.
 
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AfricanTech said:
Amazing that people will mess about with electricity with little to zero knowledge.

Maybe it should be mandatory for all kids to stick their fingers into a wall socket (/s) at around age 6 or so in order for them to carry the lesson that Electricity is dangerous for the rest of their lives.
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Oh don't worry, we had some bright sparks who want to mess with the muni water reservoir stations at one point to take maters into their own hands.
 
ronnie_94 said:
Understand what you saying and will be more careful. Just tried to get more insight before actually doing anything which @AstroTurf provided and I will check to be sure.

It is the neighbors house, MIL is renting.

The genie is plugged into a standard wall plug, should there be anything installed instead of just plugging a 3 prong plug directly from the genie to the outlet?

The more insight the better, so I can understand at least the correct way it should be done then all I can do is pass it on.
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Generators should NEVER be plugged into a wall socket. You either plug a lead extension into THEM or have a proper handover with a caravan plug to a dedicated socket with full switchover and isolation behind that, there is no other manner, legally.
 
Kosmik said:
Generators should NEVER be plugged into a wall socket. You either plug a lead extension into THEM or have a proper handover with a caravan plug to a dedicated socket with full switchover and isolation behind that, there is no other manner, legally.
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Thanks so I am not completely crazy for feeling it is unsafe and should not be done the way it is being done :unsure:
 
ronnie_94 said:
Thanks so I am not completely crazy for feeling it is unsafe and should not be done the way it is being done :unsure:
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Its also pretty clearly stipulated in generator docs so they cannot claim innocence.

Mine gennie docs from a few posts back

Tenants are backfeeding using generators...

What happens if they’re backfeeding and the eskom main power returns as well? Since they didn’t isolate that feed? The issue is phase synchronisation. Remember, your electricity comes in an AC signal, which is a sine wave. If you want generators to work together, they have to be in phase...
mybroadband.co.za mybroadband.co.za
 
Just think how wide spread this is. The prepaid boxes were supposed to be tamper proof, clearly not. Even that CoCT official hacked his box to count usage in reverse.
 
ronnie_94 said:
should there be anything installed instead of just plugging a 3 prong plug directly from the genie to the outlet?
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Blue Caravan connector run to DB with a changeover switch

She's running a suicide plug that's rated for about 2500watts before things get overheaty and melty melty
 
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