Electricity leak behind meter causes customer's electricity bill to skyrocket more than 8 times

Thanh Hoa Electricity Company (PC Thanh Hoa) recommends that customers regularly check the electrical system after the meter, proactively monitor their family's daily electricity consumption and immediately contact the Northern Electricity Corporation Customer Care Center at 19006769 or the phone number of the management unit, selling electricity directly in the area when there are unusual signs so that the electricity industry can check and promptly support handling.

Nghi Son Power Line Management Team workers check and handle electrical leakage at the wire behind the meter (customer's property).

In July 2025, Mr. Duong Van Tam's family, residing in Lien Vinh residential group, Hai Binh ward, Thanh Hoa province, received an electricity bill of up to 9.8 million VND, more than 8 times higher than the normal consumption in previous months. It is known that the family's daily life has not changed, no new equipment has been installed, no unusual electricity usage, the incident made the whole family worried and confused.

During the closing period of electricity meter readings of households in the area in July 2025, the Nghi Son Regional Electricity Management Team discovered that Mr. Tam's household's meter readings were unusually high and immediately notified the family. During this period, the unit still issued invoices in accordance with regulations for Mr. Tam's household. Immediately after receiving the electricity bill, Mr. Tam proactively reported it to Thanh Hoa Electricity Company (PC Thanh Hoa) and the Nghi Son Regional Electricity Management Team for inspection and verification.

After receiving the feedback, Mr. Hoang Hai, Director of Thanh Hoa PC, directed the Nghi Son Regional Electricity Management Team to conduct a direct inspection at the scene. The inspection results showed that the wire behind the meter belonging to the customer's property and management had a damaged insulation layer, causing continuous electric leakage for a long time. In particular, this is a rare case. During the survey, the Nghi Son Regional Electricity Management Team discovered that the main cause was that the telecommunications network operator's staff had hung the signal wire on the electric pole in an incorrect technical manner, tying it to the electric wire behind the meter and pulling it into Mr. Tam's house. At the same time, due to the recent hot and stormy weather, the network wire rubbed against each other, causing wear and tear, peeling off the insulation layer, causing a silent electric leakage. The amount of leaked electricity recorded by the meter as Mr. Tam's household consumption was completely accurate on the electricity industry's metering system.

When network operators hang equipment on the power system, they must ensure technical and safety standards to avoid causing electrical leakage or short circuits that affect the power grid of the electricity industry and customers.

As soon as the cause was determined, the Nghi Son Regional Power Management Team immediately supported the household to repair and fix the leak in the wiring system after the meter. At the same time, they worked with the relevant telecommunications unit, requiring the separation of the signal wiring system, the proper hanging of the equipment, ensuring no encroachment or impact on the power system, and taking responsibility for refunding the difference in the household's electricity bill. Along with that, the unit advised and instructed customers on how to recognize leaks, how to monitor meter readings, and how to use electrical equipment safely and effectively.

Mr. Duong Van Tam's family thanks the electricity industry for its prompt intervention and fair and transparent handling.

Mr. Tam's family expressed satisfaction with the receptive spirit, quick and transparent handling of the Electricity sector; at the same time, committed to coordinate periodic inspection of the electrical system in the house, proactively prevent incidents, and use electricity more economically and effectively.

After this incident, PC Thanh continued to request telecommunications units to inspect the entire fiber optic cable system connected to the power grid in the whole province to ensure compliance with technical safety standards, avoiding risks for households using electricity.

The initiative of the people along with the spirit of support and responsibility from the Electricity industry is the key to preventing unfortunate incidents like the above. Timely detection and handling will help minimize damage, protect the safety of users and ensure fairness in electricity bill payment. Thanh Hoa Electricity Company is committed to accompanying customers in all situations, ensuring transparency in meter reading and handling complaints quickly and satisfactorily. At the same time, we hope that people and the electricity industry will join hands to save electricity, protect resources and the environment.

Potential electrical leaks in many homes

According to electricity experts, electrical leakage is not a rare phenomenon and it not only increases electricity bills but also poses a risk of serious fire and electrical short circuits, affecting people's lives and property. It can be seen that in hot and stormy weather conditions, combined with old equipment if not checked regularly, the risk of electrical leakage is very likely to occur. Common causes include: Old wires, peeling insulation, especially wires hidden in the wall, bitten by rats, termites...; damaged electrical equipment, moisture or leaking shells, such as water heaters, pumps, air conditioners...; grounding systems that do not meet technical standards, causing leakage current to escape into the environment; third-party equipment (such as telecommunications networks, advertising...) incorrectly hung on electric poles, sharing the same source or indirectly affecting the civil system.

Therefore, people need to pay attention to the following warning signs: Electricity bills increase abnormally, not commensurate with consumption; electrical equipment has a slight burning smell, radiates heat abnormally; wires emit heat even though there is no load or a small load; Circuit breakers/circuit breakers frequently turn off without clear cause...

Faced with this situation, Thanh Hoa PC recommends that people regularly check the wiring system after the meter; equip anti-leakage devices to promptly disconnect when there is leakage current; do not arbitrarily repair the electrical system if you do not have expertise, but contact the power unit; download and install the EVNNPC.CSKH App of the Northern Power Corporation (EVNNPC) to proactively monitor the daily power consumption of the family, for any questions, please contact the Northern Power Corporation Customer Care Center 19006769 or the phone number of the unit managing and selling electricity directly in the area.

Hung Manh (PC Thanh Hoa)

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ro-ri-dien-sau-cong-to-khien-hoa-don-tien-dien-khach-hang-tang-vot-gap-hon-8-lan-257254.htm