Over 10 lakh consumers under the jurisdiction of Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) are facing penalties for surpassing sanctioned voltage due to the simultaneous usage of multiple electronic devices. This unfolds amidst BESCOM’s endeavors to promote awareness regarding the importance of applying for an increase in sanctioned load, particularly with the acquisition of power-intensive appliances such as air conditioners (AC).
Nearly 11 lakh consumers faced penalties during January and February of this year, with a slight decline observed in March and April. Of these, around 85 percent were residential connections, indicating a trend towards increased electronic device usage among households.
A senior official from BESCOM highlighted that many residential structures, aged between 10 to 20 years, initially applied for a maximum voltage of 2-3 kW. However, as the number of electronic devices within these premises grows over time, the sanctioned voltage remains constant, leading to a breach of the sanctioned load and subsequent penalties.
Another official recommended that consumers should take proactive measures to increase their sanctioned load as the number of appliances in their possession increases. For instance, the addition of an air conditioner to a household, alongside existing devices like refrigerators, televisions, and geysers, can easily surpass the sanctioned voltage threshold, typically standing at 2-3 kW for residential connections.
BESCOM usually plans its demand based on sanctioned voltage, and excess usage can result in supply issues, including load shedding. Consequently, fines are levied to address such challenges. Especially during peak hours, heightened load strains BESCOM’s infrastructure, leading to supply disruptions and necessitating penalties to mitigate losses.
