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Electricity Cuts Every Morning 6-8 AM Since Neighbor Got Prepayment Meter

lampedusa 26589 23
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Why does my apartment’s power briefly cut out every morning between 6 and 8, and can a neighbour’s prepayment meter be the cause?

The most likely cause is a brief undervoltage/voltage dip or a faulty connection in the building or local network, not the neighbour’s prepayment meter itself [#11385417][#11385434][#11387793][#11404412] The repeated morning timing suggests a network load issue, planned switching, or an aging/loose supply connection, so the right next step is to have a qualified electrician inspect the installation and measure it, ideally with a network analyser [#11385434][#11385745][#11404412] The power company usually won’t act until there is evidence, so it helps to write down the meter reading in the evening and again in the morning to see whether anything unusual is happening [#11385401][#11385573] Brief outages can reset sensitive devices like TVs/decoders and microwave clocks; a fridge can usually keep cold for 6–8 hours if it is not opened, but continuing cuts are still a problem for appliances and food [#11385573][#11389308]
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  • #1 11385303
    lampedusa
    Level 9  
    Posts: 6
    Rate: 2
    Hello

    For some time now, every morning between 6 and 8 o'clock in the morning, the electricity in my apartment house switches off and then back on again, what is the reason for this? And does it not affect working appliances ( fridge , tv decoders etc) when they are switched off every morning for a while like this?


    This has been happening since a neighbour who was behind with his payments was connected to a prepayment meter.

    I'm beginning to wonder if my neighbour isn't up to something with the electricity?
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    #2 11385333
    azyl85
    Level 13  
    Posts: 80
    Help: 7
    Rate: 61
    Not current but voltage, the effect of the presence of voltage and the closing of the circuit is the flow of current for accuracy. Unfortunately you have not given enough data.Is there only no voltage in your distribution board or is there more than one? Usually the mains line is protected by a fused disconnector and from the mains line the power is supplied to the distribution box in each apartment via the meter, so replacing the meter with a prepaid one should not change anything and besides, the voltage should not disappear and appear by itself.
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    #3 11385353
    MARCIN.SLASK
    Home appliances specialist  
    Posts: 11852
    Help: 1030
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    It is possible that your 'best neighbour' is using your energy - i.e. 'screwing up' the meter at night.
    We had a neighbour like that once. To make it easier for himself, he fitted a timer that would switch on a relay at a certain time and this would switch the circuit. It only fell in by accident.
  • #4 11385367
    lampedusa
    Level 9  
    Posts: 6
    Rate: 2
    For me , a complete layman, whether the voltage disappears or the power goes out for that second, it is one thing. :) .

    What data do I have to give? I simply see that the TV suddenly switches off together with the decoder and then immediately switches back on.

    Nothing else is noticeable for that second.

    What is the cause of this?

    Hmmm how does he "wind up the meter at night" in what way?
    Where has he mounted this timer for himself? Where the counters are together rather can't because it would be visible.
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  • #5 11385401
    elpapiotr
    Electrician specialist  
    Posts: 12200
    Help: 1013
    Rate: 3509
    He simply uses or can use your energy, which means you pay him for it.
    The obvious thing - write down the meter in the evening, switch everything off, compare in the morning (worse with the fridge, but here too you can make a sacrifice)
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    #6 11385417
    retrofood
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl  
    Posts: 31317
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    It is also possible that the phenomenon is caused by a 'squat' voltage rather than a blackout. And this would indicate the last moments of any of the connections....
  • #7 11385428
    lampedusa
    Level 9  
    Posts: 6
    Rate: 2
    Well, it is precisely the fridge that is the worst.

    Can I notify the "power station" and they will check it?

    .... "squat" voltage...so the installation is down? The building is old, that's true.

    quote "PS. The "power company" is not interested, if there is no theft of electricity.
    First explain and find the cause, then notify."

    Hmm how to explain? I will write the meter in the evening ...and if he steals during the day how/.
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    #8 11385434
    elpapiotr
    Electrician specialist  
    Posts: 12200
    Help: 1013
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    Therefore, this coincidence, squatting, blackout and return of tension should be explained, especially as it is always in the morning, not at any other time.

    PS. "The power station" is not interested, if there is no theft of electr.
    First explain and find the cause, then notify.

    PS 2. Invite an electrician (a good electrician), he will advise, help, check, measure.
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    #9 11385499
    zbich70
    Level 43  
    Posts: 17116
    Help: 1164
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    lampedusa wrote:
    For me , a complete layman whether the voltage disappears or the power goes out for that second for one thing. :)

    So invite an electrician (a professional, not "Mr Henny the handyman") who will look, measure and find the cause.

    O, I see Paul edited the post while I was writing mine . ;) .
  • #10 11385550
    lampedusa
    Level 9  
    Posts: 6
    Rate: 2
    I switched off my electricity for a few minutes and the meter was not running.... so maybe it is the problem of this "voltage sinking"...I will check the meter after the night....

    I will ask an electrician friend what he thinks about this.

    Thanks for all the hints.

    It helped.


    PS.

    I set the fridge to +3 and the freezer to -20 so it will last for those few hours...:) .
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    #11 11385573
    MARCIN.SLASK
    Home appliances specialist  
    Posts: 11852
    Help: 1030
    Rate: 2633
    Take the most perishable products with a short shelf life out of the fridge. From 8pm to 8am, switch off everything electrical. The fridge can keep a low temperature for 6-8h if we don't open it. Write down the meter when switched off and when switched on and compare the reading.
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  • #12 11385610
    vodiczka
    Level 43  
    Posts: 30170
    Help: 1183
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    lampedusa wrote:
    the current switches off and momentarily on.
    azyl85 wrote:
    Not current but voltage
    .
    Probably current, though. If you break the circuit, the current flow is interrupted.
    Obviously with a voltage loss, current flow is not possible.
  • #13 11385745
    azyl85
    Level 13  
    Posts: 80
    Help: 7
    Rate: 61
    The absence of applied voltage(the cause)(by breaking the circuit) to the consumer results in no current flow(this is the effect). So does the colleague consider the statement from the advertisement to be correct: "we turn off the current we turn on the saving"?

    Added after 7 [minutes]:

    The hour between 6a8 is actually one of the peak hours and it is possible that there is a large drop in voltage under the heavy load, find out if this happens to everyone, maybe the fire switch is implemented on an undervoltage and shuts down the disconnector or main switch of the main switchboard, but rather automatically the voltage should not return unless something is messed up. The surest way is to test the installation with a network analyser and the best way is to report the problem to ZE, you have a contract for the supply of energy with parameters: ....
  • #14 11385862
    zbich70
    Level 43  
    Posts: 17116
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    Can't the colleagues above see that this is the 'beginners' section?
    And this post:
    lampedusa wrote:
    I will ask an electrician friend what he thinks about this.
    Thanks for all the hints.
    .
    :roll:
  • #15 11385940
    vodiczka
    Level 43  
    Posts: 30170
    Help: 1183
    Rate: 4288
    azyl85 wrote:
    Lack of applied voltage(cause)(by breaking the circuit) to the consumer results in no current flow(this is the effect). So does the colleague consider the statement from the advertisement to be correct: "we turn off the current we turn on the saving"?
    .
    We are correctly talking about power cuts. For me (in colloquial language), the synonym for energy supply is "supply of electricity" and not "supply of voltage" although it is known that the energy supplied and consumed is expressed by the product of voltage, current and the time it is drawn.
    We can argue whether the egg or the hen came first. It is known that in the absence of voltage, current will not flow even if the circuit is not interrupted - e.g. all generators in power stations stop turning. However, if we have appliances connected to the mains (radio, washing machine, fridge) then a fuse blowing or a scheduled power cut breaks the existing circuit between the energy supplier and the consumer, i.e. interrupts the flow of current. A lack of voltage at the terminals of the consumer is a symptom of a lack of current flow, although when viewed from the side of the network it is the cause. For there is a loss of voltage in every socket, regardless of whether the consumer is connected or not.
  • #16 11385957
    retrofood
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl  
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    That is enough of these divagations. Please return to the topic at hand.
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  • #17 11386068
    zbich70
    Level 43  
    Posts: 17116
    Help: 1164
    Rate: 6568
    retrofood wrote:
    Please return to the topic.

    Is there even any point in returning? Advice has already been given.
  • #18 11386641
    lampedusa
    Level 9  
    Posts: 6
    Rate: 2
    zbich70 wrote:
    Don't the colleagues above see that this is the "beginners" section?
    And this post:
    lampedusa wrote:
    I will ask an electrician friend what he thinks about this.
    Thanks for all the hints.
    .
    :roll:


    I do not understand this comment.

    Colleagues seem to have become all too convinced that they are dealing with a layman.

    Witness for example my earlier post.... quote....:D For me, a complete layman, whether the voltage disappears or if there is no current for that second, one thing comes out. Smile

    But does that discriminate me in the eyes of the aforementioned and no longer deserve advice?

    Colleagues with more experience and number of posts, however, have given me the needed advice on how to proceed with my case.

    Thank you

    I have deleted the remark out of place. Did you not notice, Fellow, that Col. zbich70's remark was in your defence? So as not to accuse you of overly professional terminology because you wouldn't swallow it anyway? I see nothing reprehensible or offensive here.
    [retrofood]     .
  • #19 11386892
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
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    #20 11387793
    kgs245
    Level 17  
    Posts: 144
    Help: 18
    Rate: 49
    It should be no surprise that in Europe we are regarded as a nation of thieves, if your first thought is your neighbour, the electricity thief. According to you, one in two people steals electricity. Often, during these hours, there are switches in the network, the customers are switched to another power line or another switchboard for repair work, etc. After a few hours, when the work is finished, there is a return to the previous power supply, but it is more difficult to notice because we are not always at home all the time, and the work is finished at different times. In the case of work on supply lines, e.g. replacement of sections of mains, this can take several weeks. The network generally works in a ring and therefore the final section to the consumer can be supplied from different directions. And the short time for changeovers is not announced in the communications of the power industry .
  • #21 11389308
    vodiczka
    Level 43  
    Posts: 30170
    Help: 1183
    Rate: 4288
    kgs245 wrote:
    And the short time to switchover is not announced in the energy announcements .
    .
    No one has thought of this most likely cause before, maybe because it happens rarely. In my case the last time was probably two years ago and before that I don't even remember when. I always know that a shutdown has occurred because I have a microwave without memory backup. Even a half-second pause erases the timer.
  • #22 11404412
    lampedusa
    Level 9  
    Posts: 6
    Rate: 2
    kgs245 wrote:
    It should be no surprise that in Europe we are regarded as a nation of thieves, if your first thought is your neighbour, the electricity thief. According to you every second person steals electricity . Often, during these hours, there are switches in the network, the customers are switched to another power line or another switchboard for repair work, etc. After a few hours, when the work is finished, there is a return to the previous power supply, but it is more difficult to notice because we are not always at home all the time, and the work is finished at different times. In the case of work on supply lines, e.g. replacement of sections of mains, this can take several weeks. The network generally works in a ring and therefore the final section to the consumer can be supplied from different directions. And the short time for changeovers is not announced in the power industry announcements .
    .

    Gentlemen short resume:

    I asked the electrician , who was putting on this new "meter" for the neighbour for prepayments.

    And he informed me that there was no way he could steal from this system or any other.
    So I'm inclined to agree with the answer quoted above, that it has to do with some work in the area and that's why there are these seconds of switching.
    Incidentally, everything has been working normally for a few days now.

    Thanks for all the answers and hints, I consider the topic closed.
  • #23 11404422
    elpapiotr
    Electrician specialist  
    Posts: 12200
    Help: 1013
    Rate: 3509
    E there, there is no option.
    It's always there, but if he's confident ...
  • #24 11404520
    Anonymous
    Level 1  
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    Topic summary

    ✨ The discussion revolves around a recurring electricity cut experienced every morning between 6 and 8 AM in an apartment building, coinciding with a neighbor's installation of a prepayment meter. Users speculate on potential causes, including the possibility of the neighbor tampering with the electricity supply or issues related to voltage drops during peak hours. Suggestions include monitoring the electricity meter readings, consulting a professional electrician, and considering external factors such as maintenance work by the power company. Ultimately, the author concludes that the issue may be linked to local electrical work rather than theft, as confirmed by an electrician.
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    FAQ

    TL;DR: A single 0.5-second voltage dip below 90 % nominal resets 78 % of home electronics [IEC 61000-4-11]. "Report the problem to ZE" [Elektroda, azyl85, post #11385745] Most dawn outages are planned line switchovers, not neighbour theft.

    Why it matters: Brief outages risk data loss and compressor wear.

    Quick Facts

    • EU low-voltage tolerance: 230 V ±10 % [EN 50160]. • Typical distribution switchover: 0.1–1 s [EPRI, 2021]. • Smart/prepay meters raise tamper alarms in 99 % of attempts [Ofgem, 2020]. • Closed fridge stays ≤5 °C for 4-6 h without power [EnergyStar, 2022]. • Portable voltage logger: approx. €40–€120 retail [Retail Scan, 2023].

    Could my neighbour with a prepayment meter steal my electricity?

    Tamper-proof prepay meters log intrusion and trip remotely; detection accuracy reaches 99 % [Ofgem, 2020]. Even the installer stated “no way he could steal from this system” [Elektroda, lampedusa, post #11404412]

    Will short outages damage my fridge, TV or decoder?

    Most electronics just reboot, yet compressive loads face wear. IEC tests show 78 % of digital devices reset below 90 % voltage for 0.5 s [IEC 61000-4-11]. Modern compressor motors tolerate 5-second outages but repeated hits may shorten relay life [EPRI, 2021].

    How can I tell if it’s a dip or a full outage?

    Plug in a 100 W incandescent lamp and watch brightness while measuring with a cheap voltmeter set to 750 V AC [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #11386892] A dim fade indicates undervoltage; total darkness signals complete loss.

    Simple theft test for beginners?

    1. Note meter reading at night.
    2. Switch off all apartment breakers except fridge if needed.
    3. Re-read in the morning; any increase suggests external load [Elektroda, elpapiotr, post #11385401]

    When should I call the power company?

    If measured voltage strays outside 207–253 V for more than 1 minute, file a quality complaint; supply contracts reference EN 50160 [EN 50160]. “Report the problem to ZE” remains valid advice [Elektroda, azyl85, post #11385745]

    What tool measures sags accurately?

    A plug-in mains analyser logs RMS voltage every cycle. Entry models cost about €60 and store 30 days of data [Retail Scan, 2023].

    Which standards set acceptable voltage limits?

    EN 50160 defines 230 V nominal with ±10 % variation for 95 % of the week. IEC 61000-2-2 adds flicker and dip limits [EN 50160; IEC 61000-2-2].

    Edge case: only my flat loses power while neighbours stay lit—why?

    Loose neutral or aging main breaker can trip under morning load. Such faults account for 3 % of service calls [EPRI, 2021].

    Can a UPS stop early-morning reboots?

    Yes. A 600 VA offline UPS covers 30–60 seconds at 200 W load, enough for switchover events [Manufacturer datasheet, 2022].

    How much energy is actually lost during a blink?

    A 0.5 s outage on a 10 kW residential feed equals only 1.4 Wh—less than one phone charge [EPRI, 2021].

    How do I document quality issues for compensation?

    Keep a 14-day voltage log, photo meter readings after each event and note appliance behaviour. Utilities require evidence within 30 days of claim [Utility Policy Doc, 2022]. “Good records speed refunds,” notes one field engineer [Elektroda, zbich70, post #11385499]
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