Neighbor fiddling with his electric meter showed me how to save. I tried my meter and it broke. Help?

Question

One night my neighbor was outside with a flashlight near his electric meter. I know him fairly well & walked over to see him fiddling around with the interior dials. The glass cover was completely off!!!!!

I asked what the hell he was doing and he told me I better not tell anyone. I agreed and he taught me everything he knew. This guy was saving thousands a year!!!

I tuned mine back shortly afterward but ran into a problem as the little pointer needle for the '100 KPH' broke right off when I tried to turn it backwards. There is definitely no way to get it back on there are even some weird coils sticking out now.

To make matters worse all the other dials seem to be moving faster now (I assume charging me more). I put the cover back on but am worried. My neighbor is vacationing in Europe for the next 3 weeks so he can't help me.

How do I fix this? Are there any electricians that can help me with an answer? Actually anyone that can help me?

Answer 1

What you are doing is most probably against the law, and the power companies have ways of checking to see if a metre is tampered with.
Go straight to jail, do not pass go.
Good Luck.

Answer 2

Jumping Electric Meter

Answer 3

I have to say, I can't believe all of you people are so self-righteous, and have never tried to save a buck in a way that might be considered questionable. Let's face it most utility providers screw the common people everyday! I don't know about you all, but my electric company sucks-cheating rip-off artists? absolutely!
However; it's also my experience that when I try to cheat, I end up paying for it somewhere. I loved the answer that said swap your meter w/the neighbor's while he is gone, but that probably won't work either.
My immediate answer would be to file a police report--that whole "vandal theory"-but unless you actually pay for that additional insurance, most utility providers offer (which is doubtful since you are trying to reduce your current bill) you are most likely still going to end up paying the electric company to fix it. The only up side is if your bill increases during that time frame, you may be able to argue w/them that the meter not working properly caused the increase.
LOL Good luck

Answer 4

Well, I'm sure you've been told that "This is WRONG!!!!" I on the other hand don't mind sticking it to the power company after all, they've hand their hands DEEP in the pockets of America for to long. Charging WAY to much for way to long. I will agree with you that you could be in some real trouble, however this is what I would do......

Cut the tag and remove the meter all together. Hide the meter. Next call the electric company and tell them that your power went out last night and you noticed it this morning. Tell them you've checked all of your breakers and then you went out side and someone had stolen your meter. - I know this seems a little hard to believe however, stranger things have happened and besides that I'd like to see them prove you wrong.

Now on your new meter they install, don't bother with opening up the plastic cover all you have to do is drill a hole on the top side if the meter and stick a long screw down the hole to stop the main wheel from turning thereby ceasing the meter from registering. Have way through the month remove the screw and bit the bullet. You should always know when your meter will be read.

I guess I have to say this

DISCLAIMER:
I do not recommend the previous statements

;-)

Answer 5

Sorry, I had to laugh when I read this. But, you learned something. And I am glad you are not laying in your yard smoking and smelling bad. I would call the power company and tell them you happened to be looking at your meter and noticed that a dial is missing and the thing doesn't look right. If they ask if you messed with it, look them straight in the eye and say, "heck no, an electrician told me never to mess with this stuff cause it is real dangerous." I'll verify I did tell you that. Then tell your neighbor he is a DA.

Answer 6

Where I come from tradesmen were "jumping" meters for years, using the power to remodel and make repairs. It was all with the blessings of the power company that they didn't have to send someone out to hook up the meters and then disconnect them later only to hook them up again.
Then one day, one of their own men was hurt when he forgot to unhook the jumpers from the tradesman, he was almost killed and the meter was blown off the house, this happen several times.
The electric company then had a law passed, $300.00 fine for tampering or 90 days in jail, this was for intentional misuse of the electric, so, your screwed.

Answer 7

Your up shiits creek without a paddle. Short of making it look like vandalism, your busted. They will charge you through the nose for the energy, until you complain. Then they will see your handiless work and throw the book at you. Your only course of action is to come clean and make a deal...suggest they check out and research the neighbors utility bills. You guys can share a cell together.

NEVER CHEAT THE UTILITIES: THEY ALWAYS WIN!

Answer 8

You got exactly what you deserve for trying to cheat the power company. If you want to save on your power bill, cut back on electrical useage.
BTW when the guy comes to read the meter, he'll see that it's been tampered with and you'll be charged with theft.

Answer 9

Sorry to tell you but you are pretty much screwed. There is no way to fix it. When the meter reader comes he will see that your meter has been tampered with and since they will not know how long you have been doing this before it broke you will be fined. Usually it is upwards of $5000.

Answer 10

Everyone is being mean about the jail thing, although I'm sure its illegal. I would try and call them ahead of time. Either that or take off the cover and throw it on the ground, maybe even break it. when they tell you that your meter is broke, act really shocked. Ask how much it will cost to fix it.