Smart meters

My brother tested a socket with a screwdriver when he was little

Guess what I just got paid for

 

A way of saving on electricity charges that I can remember from many years ago, is where living in rented accommodation with it's own a metered supply, but with sockets in corridors/landings/etc. via a landlord's meter, was to take the plug off an extension lead, run the cable under the entrance door, under the corridor carpet, and connect the bare cables into a landlord's socket, holding them in place with matchsticks and using 'free' electricity.

Upon hearing the landlord making a surprise visit, simply yank the cable back a couple of feet to pull it under the carpet, or if the socket outside was close enough, back under the door.

 

I remember being sent some years ago a piece of electronic junk that you fitted around your in coming electric cable and a digital readout watsit that you were supposed to put somewhere prominent in order to watch your money draining away, I took it straight down the local tip.

I'm only hoping, that god forbid, some poor old soul living alone, and getting fitted with this kind of junk isn't encouraged to turn their heating off during a cold spell because they can see the numbers rising and fear of a massive bill.

If that should happen I only hope that the chief executives of the energy companies involved are held personally responsible, and should any deaths result, end up facing manslaughter charges.

 

Regarding safety covers: you can turn a 3 pin socket upside down and expose the live cables.

 

Hi JWK, I rewired most of my house over 20 years ago, so perhaps my 13 amp wall sockets are not up to today's standards.

 

What do you actually mean by turning the "socket" upside down?

 

Sorry folks I mean, turn the plug upside down in the socket.
I think the medication is wearing off

 

When I had a student flat, with an old-fashioned 50p-in-the-slot meter, I discovered that as soon as I approached the meter the wheel slowed down, and if I got close enough, it stopped turning, no matter what was switched on. Backed away and it started turning again! I put the one armchair right in front of the meter and bingo! Cheap living
Shame it doesn't work on this one, although as it's outside anyway, it could get a bit chilly.
We're being threatened with a Linky smart meter but the locals are forming action groups to refuse them, so I doubt EDF will win