A series of high voltage electric poles in Hanoi had their grounding cables stolen.

Since April, there have been dozens of thefts of grounding cables in Hanoi 's high-voltage power grid system, with nearly 2,000 meters of cables cut.

Hanoi High Voltage Grid Company said that the unit is operating 68 high voltage cable poles, and 32 pole positions have had ground cables stolen by thieves. These are the cable sheath ground wires and lightning protection ground wires of the 110 kV high voltage power system.

The grounding cable sheath was thrown right under the high voltage electric pole. Photo: Nguyen Truong — The grounding cable sheath was thrown right under the high voltage electric pole. Photo: *Nguyen Truong*

At many high-voltage power poles, thieves cut the wires, pulled out all the copper cores, and left the shells right at the base of the poles. Wherever the power workers repaired, the thieves cut and stole more.

There are high-voltage power poles in Ha Dong district that have had their grounding cables stolen up to 8 times, while at the end of Van Tien Dung street in Bac Tu Liem district, there is a pole that has had its grounding cables cut up to 5 times.

The Hanoi High Voltage Grid Company has applied many measures such as placing warning signs, barbed wire fences around poles, and even removing ladders to climb up poles, but has not been able to prevent theft.

Even after replacing the lightning protection cable with a steel bar, the thief still climbed up the pole and cut the grounding wire connecting the lightning counter.

Barbed wire fence to prevent theft of grounding cables. Photo: Nguyen Truong — Barbed wire fence to prevent theft of grounding cables. Photo: *Nguyen Truong*

Ground wire or grounding wire is used to connect equipment in the electrical system to the ground, with the role of ensuring the safety of the electrical grid, avoiding damage due to discharge, overload or electrical leakage.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Hung, Deputy Head of Line Operation Management, Hanoi High Voltage Grid Company, said that when the ground wire is cut, the lightning current on the line will not be eliminated to the ground, causing cable head destruction, cable fire, affecting the safe operation management of the power system.

With 2,000 meters of ground wire stolen, the estimated damage is one billion VND.

Hanoi High Voltage Grid Company has reported to the authorities to find the culprit.

Viet An

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