Electricity theft costs TNB

RM500 million yearly[1]

Siti Fina Rohizah Binti Mohd Yusof
(CE120126)
Nor Aqilah Binti Mohd Zaibidi
(CE120002)
Ezleen Binti Samsunorial
(CE120309)
Shirllyana Ak Riang
(AE120045)

Introduction
Meter

installation tampering occurs when

TNBs meter installation/meter is tampered
with altered or damage which cause the
meter fails to record the output or actual
consumption of electricity[2]
Meter tampering is a major factor in power
industry where the total revenue loss of
transmission and distribution loss. Its also
been categorize under electricity
undercharges

What is meter tampering?

Meter

tampering also called as

electricity theft. It was an act using the
electrical power without a contract with
TNB and interfering the metering
system in the way to ensure inaccurate
consumption of electricity recorded[2].

Report of case study/Issue

Meter

tampering or meter theft was

major issue in distribute the electricity
at their residence and factory. In 2011,
TNB losing as much as RM500 million
annually to thieves the manner in which
meters are tampered is becoming more
and more sophisticated with various
electronic gasgets used to make sure
the low reading in TNB meter[1]

Meter tampering method that

been reported

1. USING
MAGNET

2. METER BYPASS

3. POWER LINE
TAPPING

 Tampered

meters will have signs of tampering

on the meter, such as security seals and stickers
that have been tampered with, meter accuracy is
slow, scratch marks on the meter disc and or
body, foreign wires or switches connected to the
installation etc,[3]

Discussion
Under Section 37 of the Electricity Supply Act, those found guilty
of electricity theft can be slapped with a maximum penalty of
RM100,000 or three years jail by the Energy Commission

By doing the meter tampering, the electricity bill more save to

user. But the truth by doing that it might high risk for the user.
Especially for meter bypass where the illegal wiring might be not
properly connected and arcing possibly to occur where it will
lead to fire. For the direct tapping power line, the electrical
equipment at distribution substation might be damage due to
overload. As we know, the power been supplied was depending
on the total load at the area that has been contracted.
Customers are exposed to electric shock risks when attempting
meter tampering. In the event of short-circuits due to meter
tampering, the fuse may not operate properly and may cause
fire[4].

Nowadays, TNB has many team member trained with

knowledge how to carry out meter inspection with
the fully equipment and TNB can trace and detect
the meter tampering by using a TNB system and by
check the TNB bill decrease from the last month

1. USE
ELECTRICAL
POWER SAVER

How to save electric

bill?
2. SWITCH OFF THE
LIGHT OR ANY
APPLIANCES WHEN
NOT BEEN USED

3. USE THE
LOW POWER
RATING
APPLIANCE

Conclusion
In

conclusion, the meter tampering was

illegally action where its not safe to user
or other consumer if anything happen
although its save electricity bill. Since
the TNB fixed the electricity tariff rate in
Peninsular Malaysia then theres no
need to do such illegal thing which
might high risk toward us while the
supplier had loss due to electricity theft.

References
[1] Metering.com, 2011,Electricity theft costs TNB RM500
million yearly,metering&smart energy international,
[online],16september, available at:
http://www.metering.com/electricity-theft-costs-tnb-rm500million-yearly/
[2]Tenaga Nasional Berhad(TNB), 2015, FAQ on meter
replacement,[online],16september, available at:
http://www.tnb.com.my/faq/category/meter-replacementdue-to-meter-tampering.html
[3]Ir.Nirinder,2012, Tenaga Link, Vol 04/12,
[online],16september, available at:
http://www.tnb.com.my/tnb/application/uploads/tenagalink/
ef9d1264d7a709ca6fa9bbf84fdabff2.pdf
[4] Anon, 2014. Electricity meter tampering rampant. The
Borneo Post, [online] 12 April. Available at:
http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/06/16/fines-up-to-rm1mln-for-electricity-theft-meter-tampering-under-new-law/

Personal reflection

Name: Siti Fina Rohizah Binti

Mohd Yusof
Age: 25 years old
Major: Electrical Engineering
Motto: Change for a better life
Idol: My family

This assignment had gives me many

knowledge about how to save
electricity bill. Im as student
studying of engineering fields and
laws makes this an important issue
for me into career worlds. Lectured
that been taught in UTILISATION class
also very useful to me to completing
this assignment. The case that Ive
been studying has realizing me
about so many illegal method to
theft electricity. And now I became
more interesting about the act or
penalty of the person who steal the
electricity for save the electricity
bill and unfair to consumer that use
a legal electricity.

Personal reflection

Name: Nor Aqilah Bt Mohd Zaibidi

Age: 26 years old
Major: Electrical Engineering
Motto: Always think positive
Idol: My parents

This assignment had gives me more

idea to learn about utilization
subject. Every day we use electricity
for our life. The important to save
energy is very useful to our earth.
This assignment is a case about
theft electricity. The act or penalty
of the person who steal the
electricity for save the electricity
bill and unfair to consumer that use
a legal electricity. This case cannot
be happen because it is not fair to
others. Knowledge about this case
is very important to give some
advantages and advice that theft
electricity is not good. We can save
energy and also our bills with others
way that really help us that can be
more saving and intelligent person.

Personal reflection

Name: Shirllyana Ak Riang

Age: 22 years old
Major: Electrical Engineering
Motto: Together even thou
different
Idol: Grezia Epiphania

This assignment had gives me

understanding about power losses
and cases that including as meter
tampering. Commonly , we users
always heard about electricity theft
but we never know detail about it. By
doing this assignment, I able to
understand what is dos and don'ts
for users. Other that, I learn the
logically the law and penalty that
implement by TNB. Lastly, I also
learned and realized that certain
habits of user s that caused the
waste of electricity . For example,
unplug the sockets after used. It was
very simple thing but yet we are too
lazy to take action on its.

Personal reflection

Name: Ezleen bt Samsunorial

Age: 24 years old
Major: Electrical Engineering
Motto: Be the best.
Idol: My Parents

This assignment had gives me more

understanding about the usage of
electricity in our daily life. It is
important that we learned about it
because we can reducing electricity
theft. Besides that, we can also can
improve the meter device so that
the theft cannot steal the usage of
electricity. This subject give more
idea in tariff TNB and in law. For me,
it is very unfair for those who take an
advantages to steal the electricity.
As an engineer, we must figure out
how to reduce the electricity theft .