E-Paper
ABC system, too, fails to check power theft
THE AERIAL Bunch Conductor (ABC) mechanism, introduced by KESCo to check power pilferage, failed to deliver the expected results. ABC is a bunch of an insulation of three cables and an earth wire. While insulation prevents a person from using katia connection, the earth wire performs the role of a deterrent that give the power pilferer electric shock.
THE AERIAL Bunch Conductor (ABC) mechanism, introduced by KESCo to check power pilferage, failed to deliver the expected results.
ABC is a bunch of an insulation of three cables and an earth wire. While insulation prevents a person from using katia connection, the earth wire performs the role of a deterrent that give the power pilferer electric shock.
However, a police constable exposed the chinks in the much-touted ABC mechanism here on Saturday.
The constable concerned was caught for his misadventure. But the KESCo officials had to beat a hasty retreat when several top police officials came to his rescue and forced the power corporation team to withdraw the complaint.
However, the fine of Rs 15,000 was imposed on the constable by the KESCo team.
The incident caused much embarrassment to the KESCo officials who claimed ABC to be a foolproof system to prevent power pilferage. Despite ABC mechanism, power was being stolen directly from the plastic box installed on an electric pole in Sisamau market. During the raid and combing operation at Sisamau market, the members of the KESCo team were shocked when they came across a katia that was connected directly with plastic box installed on an electric pole. This has happened barely 48 hours after the introduction of the ABC system.
The system has been introduced in Sisamau market, replacing ordinary conductors, to check rampant power pilferage. While installing the system, the power officials felt that they would be able to check power pilferage.
However, the official claims fell flat when the first case of power theft, after the introduction of the system, was unearthed by the KESCo team.
Assistant general manager (AGM) of KESCo Ashok Kumar told HT that during the combing operation in Sisamau market, the raid team came across a connection taken directly from the plastic box installed on an electric pole.
“After tampering with the plastic box, the constable took power connection from the box itself,” added Kumar.
Plastic boxes are being installed on electric poles as part of the ABC system. Connections are issued to consumers from these boxes. But the first case of power pilferage after the installation of ABC has exposed the system to various anomalies.
The shocked KESCo management has started making efforts to do away with the anomaly. Along with the prestigious Rs 95-crore Accredited Power Development and Reforms Programme (APDRP), another Rs 4- crore project for laying of ABC was approved for specific areas of the city. The KESCo management is according top priority to this project. Technical and Commercial (ATC) loss in the city varies around 40 to 45 per cent causing huge financial loss to Kesco.
To solve this problem, it was decided to replace ordinary conductors by Aerial Bunch Conductor..
