EXCESSIVE voltage in power cables, which damaged home electrical appliances in Johor, were caused by the theft of cables and other equipment at power substations.

State International Trade and Industry, Energy, Water, Communications and Environment Committee chairman Tan Kok Hong said that more than 90 per cent of excessively high voltage were caused by such incidents.

During the past year, Tenaga Nasional Bhd had recorded losses amounting to RM4 million due to theft at these substations.

Among the stolen items were copper cables and electrical tools such as neutral bus bars and outgoing fuses.

In the past year, 468 neutral bus bars were stolen from substations statewide.

Other items stolen were outgoing fuses (393), cables (12) and overhead components (two).

In reply to a question from Ab Aziz Sapian (BN-Nusajaya), Tan said TNB was cooperating with the police to step up inspection at burglar-prone substations.

On possible compensation for the damaged home electrical appliances, Tan said TNB would only pay if it was responsible for the excessive voltage problem.

He said the utility company was not responsible for excessive voltage caused by a third party.

TNB would, however, consider an ex gratia payment if consumers lodged a complaint with the utility company.