Why is there no electricity in a house or apartment: what should I do, who should I call?

How to connect the light yourself in an apartment if it was turned off for non-payment?

It depends where it was turned off. Usually it is turned off in the switchboard, where only electricians from the housing and communal services have access. Still, I would recommend paying your electricity bills and living in peace.

The distribution panel for the apartment in most houses is installed on the stairwell, and the electricity meter is also located there. To connect to the phase and working zero bus, you need to find the wires coming from the meter and connect them, although finding the phase wire will be difficult because 1) the meter is de-energized and sealed 2) connecting bypassing the meter is a crime 3) without the appropriate qualifications and training you can injure yourself with an electric shock, or even lose your life. The conclusion from this is to pay off the debt on electricity, call a specialist and make a connection.

So, I categorically do not advise you to go into the switchboard and break the law, but in fact you are going to steal electricity , and I will not tell you how to do this!

But you can get out of the situation using another method, firstly without breaking the law, and secondly without running the risk of being shocked in the distribution panel.

You can agree with your neighbors and carry out the transfer to your apartment, naturally compensating the costs for your rescuers; if your wiring is in order and it is disconnected from the power supply line, then you can attach not a socket, but a plug at the end of the transfer, inserting it into your socket you will give electricity is completely supplied to the network of the entire house (apartment).

Firstly, you can use batteries that have been pre-charged, for example, in the garage next door. From them, using an adapter device, you can get a standard voltage of two hundred and twenty volts.

If you use a gasoline generator, it will be noisy and smoky, so the generator must be located away from the house, for example, in a barn next door.

There are also wind power plants, which are a generator with blades and are driven by the force of the wind.

And finally, solar panels.

If the electricity is turned off for non-payment, you can connect it yourself in the apartment.

I found myself in this situation. A neighbor suggested how to get out of it.

He allowed me to connect to his home electrical network while I worked out the problem of paying the debt and connecting.

We mutually decided how much I would owe him for the period of consuming his electricity.

Having bought an electrical cable, socket and plug of the required length and cross-section, and connected to the neighbor’s network, I used electricity without any problems.

It seems illegal, but through a meter.

You can connect electricity in your apartment if your electricity supply is cut off, you can get power to your neighbor (of course, after warning him, talking to him), you can throw a wire from the access wiring, as electricians say, “snot”, but this is illegal, if you get caught, you will get all this, By connecting it to the entrance, you will receive electricity and will be careful to use it all the time.

Be careful when working with current; if you don’t know how to do it, don’t get involved.

In a large-panel house, you can connect to your neighbor without him knowing about it (or he will find out over time). There are distribution boxes, KON, (they are located on the wall, people call them “crescent”) They contain connecting wires. You will have to work under voltage and keep in mind that your neighbor is unlikely to thank you.

What to do when the light is turned off for non-payment and how to reconnect it? This question begins to interest defaulters when an extreme measure is applied to them, although the problem could have been solved much earlier and without consequences.

But even after the shutdown, you can reach an agreement with the utility companies.

Legislation

1. The Civil Code of the Russian Federation regulates relations in the field of rights and contractual obligations, including on the part of public utilities. Article 1064 applies when property is damaged due to illegal interruption of the supply or connection of light.
2. The Housing Code of the Russian Federation establishes criteria for the quality of housing and communal services.
3. Federal Law of the Russian Federation dated March 26, 2003 No. 35-FZ “On Electric Power Industry” introduces the concepts of electricity suppliers and the principles of operation of the energy market.
4. Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated May 4, 2012 No. 442 “On the functioning of retail markets for electrical energy, complete and (or) partial restrictions on the consumption regime” approves the rules for limiting the use of light: reasons, order depending on the grounds.
5. Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated May 6, 2011 No. 354 “On the provision of utility services to owners and users of residential premises in apartment buildings” lists the criteria for the quality of water supply, payment procedures, and recalculation practices. Paragraph 122 prescribes what utilities must take into account when cutting off the electricity supply. Chapter 11 contains a mechanism for limiting and shutting down a resource due to non-payment of debt, and the notice period. Appendix 1 contains information about energy supply standards and permissible breaks.

Read more: Is management an economic education or not?

What terms are considered as debt?

Resolution No. 354 of the Government of the Russian Federation, Part VI[3] established the procedure for paying a consumer for services and the concept of a debtor, if the personal account contains an amount formed from non-payment for 2 months or more. The terms and procedure for payment are usually provided for in the contract for the supply of electricity and, as a rule, have the following form:

• first advance payment by the 10th of the current month;
• the next advance payment is due by the 25th of this month;
• final payment by the 18th of the next month.

The terms can be adjusted when drawing up the contract. Not knowing them will not be an excuse in case of disconnection from the power supply system.

Is it legal to cut off electricity for rent arrears?

Shutting off electricity for non-payment of money is a legal way to deal with rent debtors. Government Decree No. 354 prohibits the cessation of the supply of two services: cold water in an apartment building and heating, as this threatens the life support of the entire residential area, as well as the sanitary condition of the neighbors.

IMPORTANT! Shutting down is possible for 2 hours if there are 2 independent power sources, for a day - with one.

Reasons

Legislation allows, under certain circumstances, to stop providing a resource without warning users:

• when a natural disaster or network failure occurs;
• a fact of an illegal act was revealed: the user unauthorizedly connected to the power supply network;
• receiving an order from a government authority;
• the wiring inside the apartment is not in proper condition and threatens the safety of the property of the house and the owners;
• the consumer uses devices and equipment whose power is higher than the permissible parameters of the electrical network or interferes with the operation of the network, trying to change the characteristics.

The user is warned in advance about disconnection in cases where:

1. The decision was made due to non-payment. The amount of debt is equal to a two-month contribution , calculated according to the standard without taking into account the readings of the flow meter. This will be considered incomplete payment for the service.
2. It is necessary to carry out scheduled ongoing or major repair work on the network. The service will be terminated 10 days after written notice.

IMPORTANT! Entering the down payment on the receipt is voluntary and is not included in the debt.

Utilities, when deciding to take such a serious step, must ensure:

• operability of electrical wiring in an apartment building for bona fide residents;
• integrity of common property;
• maintaining sanitary standards at the proper level.

If these conditions cannot be met, the measures taken against the defaulter must be changed.

Who is eligible

After following the legal procedure for notifying the debtor, the shutdown is carried out by an employee of the electricity supplier company with which the contract is concluded, or the management company (HOA), which is an intermediary.

What should an apartment owner do in case of illegal disconnection?

Termination of electricity supply is considered illegal if:

• it is used for heating an apartment building - in winter it cannot be turned off even if there is a debt;
• this creates a threat to the life of a patient connected to a life support machine or a small child;
• The entire entrance/house is de-energized due to one or more debtors.

The actions of the RSO are considered illegal if the procedure was violated: the user did not receive a warning, the deadlines specified in the law were not met, etc.

Where to contact?

First, the claim is sent to the supplier (Energosbyt, Management Company, Homeowners Association). If the subscriber is not given an answer, he must file a complaint with the prosecutor’s office, Rospotrebnadzor or the district administration. If a power outage results in damage, you can sue the supplier.

How to write a complaint correctly?

This document is written on a sheet of A4 paper. In the upper right corner indicate the last name, first name, patronymic position of the employee of Rospotrebnadzor or the prosecutor's office to whom the consumer is filing a complaint. Below is the address of the organization's location.

Then the full name of the applicant, his contact information, registration address and actual residence are indicated. The name of the document (Complaint) is written in the center of the next line. The next line indicates the reason for its occurrence (for example, “to disconnect the apartment from electricity”).

The following describes in free form the history of housing blackouts:

• what circumstances preceded this: there was non-payment for the service or the supplier violated its obligations;
• when the power was turned off, the supplier's response to the claim.

Next, the applicant demands to restore the power supply and recalculate the fee.

The document then describes the list of attached documents:

• electricity payment receipts;
• the supplier's responses to the complaint;
• other evidence - for example, written testimony from neighbors about illegal disconnection.

At the end of the complaint there is a date and signature.

The complaint can be collective or individual. In the first case, it is signed by all citizens whose rights have been violated. Collective requests are processed faster than private ones.

Fine and other types of liability for illegal actions

The type of punishment for the perpetrator depends on the degree of damage caused by the power outage. The victim has the right to demand compensation for material and moral damage.

Administrative responsibility

Applies if, as a result of legal measures, equipment fails. In this case, the actions of a housing and communal services employee or housing department are considered arbitrariness in accordance with Art. 19.1 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. A fine is imposed on the guilty person. Moral damage can be compensated on the basis of Art. 15 Federal Law 2300-1.

Criminal liability

Illegal blackouts can be qualified as arbitrariness under Art. 330 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Responsible persons are subject to sanctions or subject to forced labor. If during a housing blackout, physical force was used against the owner or he was threatened with violence, the matter may end in imprisonment of employees of Energosbyt or the management company.

Thus, legislative acts provide for the disconnection of electricity for debts, but instructions have also been developed regarding the inadmissibility of violating the rights of bona fide payers, requirements for the operation of the building and its individual premises. It is forbidden to turn off the electricity to the debtor if this will lead to damage to common property.

When is it illegal?

The management company must responsibly approach the procedure for turning off electricity so that their actions are not considered illegal in the future. Possible illegal situations:

1. The debt specifically for electricity is taken into account. If there is non-payment for water or heating, they have no right to turn off the lights.
2. If the house is officially heated in winter with electrical appliances, turning it off is unacceptable. This threatens the life and health of residents, and also makes the apartments unsuitable for habitation.
3. Rotating restrictions on services are prohibited, that is, when sanctions are imposed, the neighbors of the defaulter should not suffer.
4. Citizens included in the category of socially unprotected, such actions against whom are illegal, were disconnected.
5. The process prescribed by law was not followed.
6. Feed breaks exceed the specified maximum.
7. After repayment of the debt, the service was not restored within 2 days.

To prove such a fact, you need to invite an energy sales employee and draw up an act on illegal shutdown.

Categories of citizens

IMPORTANT! The provision of subsidies is of a declarative nature, that is, the applicant must inform social security of his desire to receive it and confirm his right with documents. Moreover, the debt accumulated up to this point will have to be repaid in full.

The law protects segments of the population who, due to life circumstances, are temporarily unable to fulfill rent obligations:

1. Citizens registered for housing have low-income status. This means that their total income does not reach the subsistence level and gives them the right to receive a subsidy. Then the state takes on part of the costs.
2. The debtor is a good-faith payer, but the employer is delaying wages. You need to notify the energy supply about such a situation, attach the appropriate certificate and ask for a deferred payment.
3. Socially vulnerable citizens live in the apartment: a minor child, a disabled person. The deterioration of their living conditions is not allowed.

Citizens must be the initiators of a peaceful resolution to the conflict with the utility service. When there are objective reasons for non-payment and they are obliged to return it, energy sales will agree to individual terms for repaying the debt. Litigation is not necessary for both parties, so utility companies always meet halfway.

When is a power cut illegal?

When disconnecting, the established procedure must be strictly observed. If the management company violates it in any way, then such a disconnection is considered illegal and can easily be challenged in court.

In practice, it turns out that management companies often grossly violate the shutdown procedure. Many users are simply unaware of their legal rights, and therefore almost never challenge the actions of their electricity supplier.

The following disconnections are considered illegal:

• if the user has not been sent a corresponding notification or there is no information that he has become familiar with it;
• if a minor is registered in the apartment, who may suffer irreversible health consequences from such an action;
• if a patient lives in the room, the normal support of whose vital functions is impossible without devices powered by electricity.

In these situations, the user can go to court to demand free restoration of the right to use the supplier’s electricity. In addition, a person can demand compensation from the management company for material or material damage that was caused to him by such actions.

It is important that in order to go to court it is necessary to have evidence of the guilt of the electricity supplier, and also that there is no debt to this organization. If there was one, then it must be paid off before the start of court hearings.

Responsibility

Utility companies will bear serious responsibility for illegal power cuts:

1. Administrative – cases of non-compliance with the legal procedure for terminating the service, exceeding the permissible breaks are punishable by a fine.
2. Civil – when due to illegal actions property has been damaged, moral or health damage has been caused.
3. Criminal - if the actions caused damage on a large scale, serious harm to health, or death of a person.

A person who tries to connect the light without permission will be subject to a similar punishment. The extent of liability will depend on the severity of the consequences: if there is no harm to the common property and the property of neighbors, then it will be limited to a fine.

If the network in the house is damaged, people or their property are injured, liability will range from civil to criminal.

Notice of disconnection for non-payment

If the consumer does not pay for 2 months (regardless of size), a decision is made to turn off the light.

Before this, he must be properly notified.

Notification procedure

The consumer is required to notify the consumer 20 days before termination of the service. This period is provided for voluntary payment of the debt or agreement on a debt repayment schedule.

Important! Proper notice will be considered if it can be proven that the debtor knew about the upcoming sanctions and did nothing to resolve the situation peacefully.

To ensure these conditions, utility companies are required to deliver a warning against signature to the debtor or send the document by registered mail with notification by mail.

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The law also allows for other methods of warning: a line in the next receipt, an email message, or a personal account on the State Services website.

After 20 days, a supply restriction is introduced, and after another 10 – a complete cessation.

Act of disconnection

When an employee of a sales organization comes to stop the supply of electricity, a disconnection report is drawn up, which contains information:

1. The resource is completely or partially blocked. If the latter, then the level of restriction is indicated.
2. Date and time of the procedure.
3. Debtor's address.
4. Basis (order of the head of the organization).
5. Technical manipulations.
6. Current meter number and readings.
7. Reasons if the event did not take place.
8. Date, time of compilation, signatures of the parties.

This is the structure of a sample act, failure to comply with which may result in the actions being declared illegal. The document is drawn up in 3 copies, one of which remains with the tenant. The preparation of this document makes it impossible to accuse energy sales workers of arbitrariness.

Grounds and reasons for turning off your electricity

Disconnection of residential buildings (apartments) from essential engineering systems (electricity, gas and water supply) cannot be done without compelling reasons. This provision is spelled out in regulations. The cases in which the service provider can disconnect the consumer or limit the supply of energy are strictly specified. These include:

1. Agreement of the parties to terminate the contract for the provision of services.
2. Technical reasons for turning off the lights.
3. Economic reasons.

Everything is clear with the first point of the questions, but the second and third require clarification. Let's consider on what grounds power can be turned off.

Technical

Such situations can arise both due to circumstances independent of the consumer, and through his fault. In the first case, we are talking about emergency situations and planned repairs, in the second, we are talking about the decision of Rostechnadzor. Now in detail for each option:

1. Accidents in power supply systems can occur for many reasons.
   This may be due to improper condition of the equipment, violation of standards during its installation and operation, or damage caused by weather conditions. In the latter case, preventive measures can only minimize damage, but not prevent an accident. Example of an emergency

Naturally, it is impossible to warn consumers in advance about the suspension of electricity supplies in the event of emergencies. In such situations, electric companies can only announce repair work through the media. Connection of consumers to the network will be carried out immediately after the emergency situation is eliminated. Unfortunately, at the legislative level the period for carrying out restoration work is not specified.

1. Things are completely different when carrying out planned and routine work in power supply systems.
   Before they begin, consumers must be informed about the power outage. If the supply agreement is concluded with the management company, then notification of the residents of the house is the responsibility of the management company. Example of a notification about planned repairs

The timing of such work must be reflected in the contract, but at the same time they must not contradict the standards for consumers belonging to the 3rd category (residential buildings are included in this group). That is, during planned outages, the supplier must turn on the lights no later than 24 hours after the start of work. The total time for scheduled repairs should not exceed 72 hours during the year (if consumers are de-energized).

1. Lights can be turned off to a consumer due to the improper condition (or non-compliance with standards) of the power-receiving equipment installed by the owner of the apartment or house. This is due to a violation of electrical safety measures, which can cause serious consequences.

Economic

These grounds are directly related to the violation of the terms of the contract (or lack thereof) between the supplier and the consumer, which caused losses to the electricity supplier. Based on current legislation, the service provider may stop supplying electricity (following the appropriate shutdown procedure) in the following cases:

1. When a certain amount of debt is exceeded. It may vary depending on the region and the terms of the service agreement. As a rule, the supplier initiates the disconnection procedure (this will be discussed in detail separately) when the debt of defaulters exceeds the monthly norm three times. But cases were also described when they “cut off the light” with debts of 100-200 rubles.
2. If the inspectors of the company providing the services are not allowed to check the metering device for more than six months.
3. Unaccounted use of electricity, that is, its theft. This can be either a connection that bypasses the meter, or interference with its operation.
4. Connecting to the electrical network without a corresponding contract for the provision of services (illegal use of electricity).
   A classic example of an unauthorized connection is “throwing” an overhead line

In the last two cases, in addition to turning off the lights, the violator will face a serious fine.

Rules and process for disconnecting electricity

The mechanism for turning off the light is the same for all subscribers. The electrician opens the panel, disconnects the wires that supply a specific room with electricity from the general network and seals them.

For individuals

If we are talking about an apartment building or an apartment, then it is important to determine the number of the living space on the panel so as not to accidentally disconnect the wrong subscriber.

In a private house, the disconnection occurs from the network that provides light to the street or cottage community. The same mechanism applies to a house in the country.

The garages have electricity meters and are connected by the garage cooperative to the power line. They are cut off by disconnecting the cable leading from the power line to the premises. The payment of utility bills is monitored by the chairman of the GSK.

It is allowed to limit the supply of electricity to residential apartments. This is done by sealing energy-intensive appliances and leaving the light bulbs on.

Legal entities

They have responsibilities for making utility payments on the same basis as individuals, so a similar notification procedure applies to them. An electrician comes on the appointed day and disconnects their premises from the network of the shopping center or apartment building where the office or store is located. Legal entities have 10 days to pay the debt.

What to do if the lights in the house are turned off without warning?

Initially, there is no need to panic, since right now it is important to be collected and quick in action. The main reasons for power outages are:

• A malfunction of any electrical appliance in the house that will ultimately cut off the entire electrical supply. The influence can extend only to an individual apartment, or maybe to the entire building;
• Preventative work carried out to prevent the greatest danger, or to increase the service life of wires and cables. Such activities are most often periodic, that is, they can be started and completed several times a year;
• Forced blocking of access to light and electricity in the event of payment violations or deliberately incorrect connection, creating a danger for other residents and installed electrical devices.

There are also unlawful or conniving attitudes of energy supply organizations. As a rule, it is expressed in the absence of routine repairs and the cessation of maintenance of all main networks leading from the power plant to a residential building. Or management organizations may be considered guilty if a breakdown occurs within the apartment building itself.

Based on the above, it is very important to track where the problem arose and who can be found responsible for its occurrence. Only after this can you decide where the application will be submitted and when it is best to submit it.

Why can they turn it off?

The reasons for blocking electricity supply channels can be completely different, but in practice the following situations apply:

• Long-term unreasonable lack of payment for utility services imposed on the electricity consumer;
• “Theft”, which, as a rule, looks like this: a citizen installs special devices on meters that show the lack of consumption or a significant underestimation of indicators;
• The owner or other individual living in the apartment, through his actions, connects the equipment to the general network, which increases the risk of the networks being damaged. Moreover, there is a risk of fire, which will subsequently lead to a fire.

If we talk about the first situation, the energy supplier is obliged to warn the debtor about the shutdown a month before the proposed dismantling. At the same time, documents are submitted to the judicial authority for forced collection.

The second case is a little more complicated. However, if a person is discovered during his illegal actions, a special act is drawn up and on the same day the flow of current into the offender’s apartment is stopped.

What to do if the disconnection is illegal?

If a citizen regularly pays all bills, has installed correct, serviceable and updated electrical equipment in his own apartment, but all the same, at one moment the lights go out and the refrigerator stops working, it means that we are talking about an illegal shutdown.

First, you should look out the window and check if there is light in other rooms. The situation then develops in two directions:

1. The lights are turned off in the entire house or in several houses at once. Here we are talking about either preventive work, or the organization is eliminating an emergency situation that has already occurred.
2. There is no electricity in only one apartment. This is where the problem that usually arises is when the current supply exceeds the maximum permissible level.

This happens when several devices are working simultaneously: a TV, a washing or sewing machine, a refrigerator, an electric kettle and a vacuum cleaner. In this case, either the fuses blow or the “plugs” fly out. Naturally, further treatment of the problem is not so difficult. It is enough to switch the toggle switch to the reverse position, thereby restoring the supply of electricity.

What to do if there is a power cut in the apartment

If a consumer has taken the situation to extremes and his light has been turned off for non-payment, the only thing he can do is pay. If it is not possible to pay the full amount at once, you can contact the energy sales office with an application for installment payments.

Where to contact

Depending on the method of managing the apartment building, this issue is supervised by the management company, the homeowners’ association, to which homeowners pay membership fees, or energy sales.

ADVICE! Contact the Criminal Code in front of witnesses or record it on camera.

What to write

You must contact the utility organization responsible for the issue with a written application for connection to the network and provide paid debt receipts.

If the subscriber wants to repay the debt in installments, the application must request an installment plan for a certain period of time and promise to comply with the schedule. The debtor should understand that if he evades payment, he will be sued, where he will be charged a fine, legal costs and the full amount of the debt.

How long will it take for them to connect back?

Subject to full payment or an agreement for partial reimbursement, the service will be restored within 2 days.

Price

Reconnection is paid by the guilty party. That is, when the supply of a resource is stopped legally, the consumer will pay for the electrician’s services at the tariffs of the service company.

The cost for citizens should not exceed one thousand rubles. The norm is enshrined in government bill No. 442. You can find out how much the procedure will cost by contacting the service organization.

Illegal power outage

The management company is obliged to comply with the procedure for turning off electricity, but in practice this does not always happen.

It is illegal to turn off the lights for non-payment of rent in the following cases:

1. No notification. In this case, the debtor can file a claim for violation of rights. Even for persistent defaulters, this is a chance to restore the electricity supply without paying the debt.
2. Residence of a minor. If the power is turned off and there are consequences for the health and life of a child, then this is regarded as harm, which will lead to administrative punishment and compensation for moral damage.
3. Accommodation for a seriously ill person whose vital functions depend on devices connected to the network.

For illegally restricting the supply of electricity for non-payment, the service provider can be held liable under the following articles:

1. Disabling public services not in accordance with established rules is arbitrariness and is punishable under Article 330 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Criminal prosecution is possible if significant damage is caused to the consumer.
2. The consumer, through the court, may demand compensation for moral damage in accordance with Art. 15 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Consumer Rights”. Only a citizen who uses electricity for personal purposes can receive compensation.
3. Energosbyt is a natural monopolist in the field of electricity supply. An organization can be brought to administrative liability under Article 14.31 of the Administrative Code.

Damage can be defined as direct (for example, spoilage of food in the refrigerator) and indirect (for example, the inability to watch TV). But to argue your claims in court there should be no debt.

Is it possible to connect yourself?

A situation where a consumer tries to illegally connect a cut-off light is considered a crime and entails liability up to and including criminal liability.

It happens that, having paid the debt, the subscriber independently restores the supply of the resource. It is important to understand that this is illegal. Such specific activities should be carried out by professionals, since responsibility for the consequences falls on the performer. Incorrect manipulations can harm the common property and neighbors’ own property, as well as the health of the former debtor. All consequences will be his fault and he will have to pay the costs.

Therefore, you need to write an application to the utility service, attach documents about payment of the debt and electrician services, and wait for the power to be officially restored.

Useful video

Very good consideration of the issue:

To prevent an emergency, repair electrical networks, or simply replace input circuit breakers, it becomes necessary to turn off the power at the entrance to the apartment.

In private households, the question does not pose any difficulties: in the vast majority of cases, the input panel is located right in the yard. How to turn off the electricity in an apartment if the machine is located outside it?

What does it mean to turn off the electricity?

There are at least two options:

1. The supply of electricity to the electricity meter is stopped. At the same time, you have safe access to all electrical appliances, switching devices and power cables in your area of ​​responsibility.
2. The line is disconnected after the meter. In this case, only the internal networks will be de-energized: the power wiring from the energy supplier to the electric meter remains energized.

It is prohibited to interfere with the operation of electricity metering devices (meters) by disconnecting or connecting the wiring. Power can only be switched off using switching (and at the same time protective) components designed for this purpose.

How to safely turn off power to an apartment

Let's consider a typical option for the correct distribution of electricity in an apartment building.

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In addition to the general electrical safety requirements, there are purely mercantile requirements of the energy sales company. They are aimed at stopping unauthorized (more precisely, unaccounted for) electricity withdrawal. In this regard, there should be no access points for connection between the apartment entry machine and the electricity meter.

In practice it looks like this:

At the entrance there is a common use panel with circuit breakers or fuses (plugs) for each individual apartment. After the machine there is a metering device, the contact block of which is sealed by a representative of the energy company. If the meter and machine are located outside the apartment, it will not be possible to connect unnoticed “bypassing”. In practice, you can turn off the electricity meter, but for unauthorized selection you will have to pull the cable into the apartment.

In theory, the panel should contain information about which metering device or circuit breaker belongs to your apartment. At least for safety reasons (in case of an accident or electric shock to a person), and simply for the convenience of taking meter readings.

If your driveway panel looks exactly like this, the question is: “how to turn off the lights in the apartment?” can be solved by switching the desired machine to “off” mode. Unfortunately, in practice, many driveway panels look like this:

You can identify your metering device by its serial number (it is indicated in the electricity supply contract). Then you need to visually trace which wire goes from the meter to the circuit breaker (or fuse). If this is possible, you're in luck. You simply turn off the machine or unscrew the plug.

What kind of protection devices can be found in access panels:

1. A classic modern machine that is triggered by excess current. On the case there are marks on the position of the key and a color indication: “on” (red or I icon) and “off” (green or O icon).
2. The classic “plug” is a fuse in a ceramic housing.

   
   Turning off the power supply is done by simply unscrewing the fuse from its socket. Sometimes this is difficult to do - the thread may stick to the cartridge. At the same time, check whether a so-called wire bug is installed instead of the fuse.

3. A circuit breaker that replaced the outdated ceramic fuse (the so-called plugs).

   
   The socket is made exactly the same as on the “plug” (thread and central contact); instead of a fuse, there is a mechanism inside that is triggered when the rated current value is exceeded. To turn it off, you need to press the small red button. Considering the general dilapidation of the design, it is better to unscrew the machine after turning it off.

With this connection scheme, as a rule, there are two switching devices at each input to the apartment. A switch in front of the meter (most often without automatic protection), and machines (plugs) after the meter. The first switch is needed to service the electric meter, and with the help of the second, the electricity in the apartment is actually turned off.

What to do when the lights go out

First of all, you shouldn’t panic, but you should try to find the source of the problem. If you don’t know what to do when the lights in your apartment go out, we offer an approximate algorithm of actions.

1.Where did the light go?

Find out where there is no power - just you or the whole house. Exit to the landing. If it’s dark there and the elevator doesn’t work, it means the whole house is out of power. To find out the reason, call the emergency service. The dispatcher will explain the reason and tell you the approximate time to restore the line's functionality.

All electricity consumers must know the numbers:

• emergency dispatch service, which belongs to your management company;
• 112 – rescue services;
• city ​​operational dispatch service;
• Energosbyt services.

If only you have lost electricity, we move on.

2.Disconnecting electrical appliances

Carefully inspect all electrical appliances plugged into outlets. If you smell a burning smell, carefully unplug the appliance using the plug without touching the exposed wires. Also turn off all powerful appliances.

In some cases, professional help from an electrician is required; it is not recommended to do anything on your own:

• sockets or electrical panels spark;
• There is a distinct smell of burnt plastic coming from the wiring.

Electrical wiring should only be repaired by a professional; do not attempt to repair it yourself.

Advice. In case of a sudden power outage, always keep a flashlight, candles, matches or lighter in an easily accessible place. Then you will know what to do if the light in the apartment goes out.

3.Checking the machine

Check that the circuit breaker switches are turned on. The machine knocks out during sudden voltage surges or during a short circuit. If the plugs are knocked out, do not turn it on immediately; first carefully inspect the insulation for damage. Carefully unplug all electrical appliances, only then activate the machine.

Using a tester, check for voltage by touching one end of the wire to the neutral terminal and the other to the input and output terminals:

• the indicator lights up every time you touch it – there are no problems with the machine;
• turns on only at the input terminals - the automatic device is faulty and needs to be replaced;
• does not turn on at all - a problem with the counter or automatic input device.

Note! Perform all operations with the electrical panel with only one hand, the other should be free and not touch anything.

4.Call an electrician

If turning on the circuit breakers does not help, call an electrician to your home. He knows exactly what to do when the light in the apartment goes out. The specialist will check the condition of the wiring, electrical appliances, voltage, and quickly solve your problem.

If the machine is in the entrance, and the meter is in the apartment

Quite a common situation. The dashboard can be organized neatly, with signed apartments, or randomly (most often).

In this case, the identity of the machine can only be determined visually by tracing the path of the wire. In practice, this is impossible to do - the wire simply goes into the common channel.

Important! You should not search for your machine at random, that is, turn off all the switches one by one until you find the one you need.

You can turn off the electricity in your neighbors' apartment, causing a conflict situation. In addition, this method (without warning) can damage electrical appliances or destroy information on a personal computer.

It would be more correct to call an electrician from the service company and ask them to accurately identify your circuit breaker. After that, try to make an information plate with apartment numbers on your own (although this is the direct responsibility of the power engineers).

Advice: whenever possible, install a circuit breaker in your apartment after your meter.

The value of the tripping current does not matter: this is not a protective device - but a simple switch. The main thing is that the parameter is not lower than on the circuit breaker in the driveway panel. With this switch, you can always turn off the power to the apartment for work, or simply when leaving for a long period of time.

Important: with such a disconnection, you will remove the voltage from the electrical wiring in the apartment, but the meter will remain connected.

Consumer actions during a power outage in Moscow in 2022

The first thing to check is whether your housemates have electricity. If the apartment building is completely de-energized, then most likely, the planned work of Mosenergo led to a power outage. If the other residents have complete order with the light, then the reasons may be as follows:

1. A large number of appliances are used in the apartment at the same time, which led to overvoltage and knocked out a plug in the electric meter. To eliminate this, return the toggle switch to its previous position.
2. The situation is similar to the previous one, but the reason is a blown fuse. Will need to be replaced with a new one.
3. Malfunctions in the wiring of the house/apartment. In this case, it will not be possible to solve the problem without an experienced electrician.
4. The last option is having debt on electricity bills. This means that Mosenergo cut off electricity for non-payment.

On the first three points, you should get high-quality advice from a RSO specialist. If you have a debt, contact the company’s office and ask for an installment plan. As a rule, RSO cooperates in regulating such a situation.

Areas of activity of JSC Mosoblenergo in the Moscow region

The maximum period for repaying the debt is 6 months, with mandatory monthly payments of current amounts for electricity + part of the old arrears. The debtor is given a paper stating that the financial problem has been “conditionally” resolved.

After this, the employee will return the electricity, but the service is paid and starts from 1000 rubles.

Where to call and how to find out why the power was turned off

Having made sure that the light is turned off not due to a blown fuse or a broken plug in the meter, you must continue to look for the reason for the shutdown.

First, you should call the office of the management organization and find out the latest information. The hotline numbers serving the company's home are indicated on the back of the payment receipt.

The table provides information on where to call if there is a power outage in Moscow and the Moscow region:

Table 1.

When visiting RSO offices in person, you should know the operating hours:

• from Monday to Thursday from 8-30 to 17-30 hours;
• Friday from 8-30 to 16-00;
• Saturday, Sunday are days off.
• lunch time from 12-30 to 13-00.

What to do if the light was turned off illegally

Human factor is a common problem. If the lights are turned off by mistake, which also happens, you should contact the RSO that supplies electricity to the house. Most likely, the issue will be resolved quickly.

If not, then you need to seek advice from lawyers or complain to supervisory authorities.

Institutions for appeal

The power was illegally turned off, where to call and contact in Moscow and the Moscow region. After a citizen has visited the offices of the Criminal Code and the local power supply company, you can safely write a statement of claim to the prosecutor’s office or the district court office.

At the same time, it is allowed to send a complaint to the antimonopoly service. When applying, it is necessary to record what material and moral damage was suffered as a result of the illegal power outage.

Safety measures when disconnecting the apartment from the power supply

• Before turning off the power to the apartment, turn off all electrical appliances and unplug them from the sockets. Modern TVs, computers and stereos are in standby mode even when turned off.
• Before turning off the machine, check the functionality of the voltage indicator by connecting the measuring contact to the socket or phase terminal of the machine.

• After de-energizing the apartment, re-check the absence of voltage on the phase and neutral conductors.
• If the circuit breaker is located in the entrance, it is necessary to take measures against unauthorized activation. Hang a sign that says “Do not turn on, people are working!” to your machine. It’s better to have an assistant next to the shield while the work is being carried out.
• After completing the work, before applying voltage, check whether there are any connected electrical appliances left in the apartment. If you do something wrong, you can damage the equipment.
• After connecting the apartment, check the voltage value in the network using a multimeter. After making sure that the power supply system is working properly, you can use electrical appliances.