Socket Bombing

Socket Bombing is the name given to a type of direct action performed as a protest against excessive electricity consumption. It is derived from the actions of the [http://clanduneon.over-blog.com/5-index.html Clan du Néon] . It involves purposfully causing a short circuit in a buildings' electrical mains. This trips the circuit breakers and so cuts the power to all the electrical sockets on that circuit.

The activists use cheap timer switches of the kind used to turn lights on and off at home when the occupants are on holiday. By wiring a loop of cable between the Live and Earth pins of the plug, a short circuit is caused when the timer switches to 'On'. Plugging these devices in to unguarded sockets in the public areas of buildings, the pirates can cause the main circuit breakers in the building to trip at a pre-set time, cutting power to many of the plugs in the building. Similar devices are used to cut the power to lights, and when a number of such devices are synchronised the power within an entire building can be cut.

The Socket Bombers claim benign intent, and while no injuries have been caused thus far, it can cost money and create chaos when for instance the power to the checkouts at a supermarket is cut.

The power remains cut until the device has been located and unplugged. The activists use this to create further inconvenience by plugging the devices in to sockets in out of the way areas like behind desks, seats, or display stands. Incidents have been reported in London, Paris, Istanbul and Stockholm. The activists have targeted supermarkets, large shops and office buildings.

References

[http://www.socketbomb.org.uk Socket Bombing UK Group]

[http://clanduneon.over-blog.com/5-index.html Clan du Néon]