MEPCO Consumer Safety Guidelines — Electrical Safety for South Punjab Households

This page covers what MEPCO advises consumers to do, what to absolutely avoid, and what to do in an electrical emergency.

General Electrical Safety Rules for Consumers

Never touch exposed, broken, or hanging wires. If you see a wire that has fallen from a pole, is visibly damaged on a line outside your home, or is dangling near a road or open area — do not approach it, touch it, or allow children near it. Report it immediately to the helpline (118).

Keep children away from meters, transformers, and electricity poles. A meter box looks like an ordinary fixture but contains live components. Distribution transformers near residential areas carry high-voltage electricity that is fatal on contact.

Use certified electrical wiring and components. Uncertified or substandard wiring, switches, and circuit breakers are a leading cause of house fires. Any new or repair wiring work should be carried out by a qualified electrician using Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA)-certified materials.

Never overload sockets or extension boards. Running multiple high-draw appliances from a single socket or an extension board not rated for the load creates a fire risk. ACs, geysers, and water motors should each have dedicated, properly rated circuits.

Switch off the main supply before doing any repair work. No repair or maintenance on any internal wiring, appliance connection, or switchboard should be attempted with power on — not even what seems like a minor fix.

Do not use damaged or visibly worn appliances. Appliances with frayed cords, cracked casings, or sparking connections should be repaired or replaced before use, not taped up and continued.

The Kunda System — Why It Is Dangerous Beyond the Legal Risk

A kunda is an illegal direct connection tapped from the distribution line, bypassing the meter entirely. Beyond the serious legal consequences under Sections 39 and 39-A of the Electricity Act 1910 — which include detection bills, disconnection, and criminal prosecution — kundas carry direct physical risks that most consumers don't consider:

No protection from overload or short circuit. A metered connection has a consumer's internal circuit breaker protecting the household from dangerous current surges. A kunda bypasses this entirely — your household wiring is directly connected to the distribution line with no protection layer between them.

Risk to neighbors on the same feeder. Unauthorized load on a feeder affects voltage stability for every other connection on it, increasing the risk of appliance damage from fluctuating voltage across the entire neighborhood.

Risk to the person installing it. Tapping a live distribution line is a direct electrocution hazard. A significant number of electricity-related fatalities each year in Pakistan are connected to illegal connection attempts.

Safe Distance from High-Voltage Infrastructure

When building construction, roof extension, or landscaping work is happening near overhead lines, have the work reviewed by an electrician before proceeding. Trees that have grown into contact with distribution lines should be reported to your subdivision office for trimming, not cut by residents independently.

During Rain, Storms, and Monsoon Season

South Punjab's monsoon season brings specific electrical risks. Standing water near distribution infrastructure, downed lines from storm damage, and lightning all create hazards beyond normal usage:

• Avoid areas with standing water near electricity poles or transformers
• Stay away from flooded sections of streets where distribution infrastructure may be submerged
• Don't stand under or near electricity poles during lightning storms
• If your meter box or internal distribution board is in a location that could be reached by flooding, report it to your subdivision office before monsoon season — not after

What to Do in an Electrical Emergency

Electric shock: Do not touch the person directly — cut power first using the main switch. If power cannot be cut, use a non-conductive object (dry wood, dry rope) to separate the person from the source. Call emergency services immediately (1122 in Punjab).

Electrical fire: Do not use water on an electrical fire — it conducts electricity. Use a dry chemical or CO₂ extinguisher. If the fire cannot be safely contained, evacuate and call 1122 and your subdivision office to cut the supply to the building.

Broken pole or hanging wire: Keep everyone away from the area, don't let traffic drive through, and call the MEPCO emergency helpline at 118 immediately. This is treated as a priority fault requiring urgent repair.

Sparking from your meter box: Turn off your main switch if safe to do so and call your subdivision office. Don't attempt to open the meter box yourself — meters are sealed and accessed only by authorized MEPCO staff.

MEPCO Emergency Contact Numbers

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I see a fallen power line?
Stay at least 10 meters away, keep others away from the area, and call 118 immediately. Treat any fallen line as live — do not approach it regardless of whether it appears to be sparking.

Is it safe to let my children play near electricity poles?
No. Distribution poles and the ground immediately surrounding them should be kept clear of activity. Children should be kept away from poles, meter boxes, and transformers at all times.

What is a kunda connection and why is it dangerous?
A kunda is an illegal direct tap from the distribution line that bypasses the meter. Beyond the legal risks under the Electricity Act, it removes all overcurrent protection from your household wiring, creating a direct electrocution and fire hazard.

What do I do if my neighbor has an illegal kunda connection?
You can report it anonymously through the MEPCO helpline (118) or the CCMS complaint portal. Illegal connections on your feeder affect your supply quality and contribute to the line losses that drive longer load shedding hours for your entire area.

Can I do my own electrical wiring at home?
Any significant wiring work should be done by a qualified electrician using certified materials. Minor replacements (a switch, a socket) can be done safely by a competent person with the main supply off, but new circuits, panel work, or anything near the meter should always involve a qualified electrician.

Last updated: August 2026
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