Signs in the data before someone reports it.
Learning Track · Module 6: Faults · Step 44 of 101
Showing content for Europe. Change the region at the top of the page.
| What you see | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Many lights dark at once, late at night, remote area | Cable theft (copper) |
| Energy higher than connected load, every night | Illegal connection |
| Current in the day when the contactor is off | Connection before the contactor, or stuck contactor |
| Node or solar unit offline with no fault before | Theft of node, battery, or panel |
South Asia: Illegal tapping from street light circuits for shops and stalls is common. Compare energy with connected load every week.
USA: Copper wire theft from pull boxes is common in many cities. Use locking pull box lids and aluminium where the specification permits.
Lock cabinets. Use security screws. Record serial numbers.
Related across the playbook: Cable or equipment theft: A section goes dark at night with no fault before.
Sources
- IEC 60364-6 Verification of low-voltage installations
- IEC 61643-11 Surge protective devices
- Maker installation and maintenance instructions
Changes: 30 October 2026: First publication: guides for Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and the USA; failure library; tender clause library; comparisons; tools; downloads. See the changelog. Found a mistake? Report it.