Powering The Nation & The Region

1.Registration Via SMS

To register using your cellphone simply type: joinsms (leave space) your ZESCO Account number (leave space) 1234 and send to 3600. NB: Please note that “Joinsms” is one word and your personalized pin must be 4 digits.

You will receive an immediate response with further instruction confirming your registration.

2.Registration Via Customer Center

Present your cell phone number and service number details at any of our Customer Service and ask to be registered for SMS Power

3.Using the SMS Power

For account balance Send "bal pin (1234) to 3600 For meter reading Send" meter pin (1234) to 3600.

For mini account statement (last four {4} transactions) Send "changepin " to 3600

4.De-registration Via SMS

Customers are now able to delete an account from their mobile phones by sending the message below to 3600:- Delete send to 3600.

To delete an account with service number 2468123 the customer should send the message below:- Delete 2468123 1234 then this should be sent to 3600.

Customers are also able to send an sms to the 3600 number which will be received in an e-mail address defined at call centre to report a fault or just for any information e.g., a customer may send a text message reporting an occurrence and this message will be translated into an e-mail which will be received in your defined e-mail address. This is to help you de-congest your lines at call centre. A group email account sms@zesco.co.zm is operational which will handle all your SMS queries. Kindly send all your queries/concerns to this account so that you are attended to without much delay.

1.Obtaining Application Forms

Visit any Customer Service Center or ZESCO office and collect two forms namely the Customer Application Form and the Supply Inquiry Form. The forms are provided at no cost. This form is to be filled in by a qualified electrician to certify that the wiring of your premises is sound as well as provide details of the proposed energy requirements.

2.Customer Application form

Carefully read and correctly fill in the form. If not sure of certain details ask the Customer Service Officer for help. Attach to this form the map clearly highlighting the location of the premise you want supplied with power, this will make it easy for ZESCO to locate the place for site inspection. The map could include landmarks where they exist and the location of the existing ZESCO network. Do not give wrong information on the kind of job i.e. standard or non-standard, this could result in cancellation of the application and you would be required to start the process over again.

3.Submission of Filled In Forms

Submit the correctly filled in forms to a customer services center or ZESCO office Once your application form has been processed, a 14 digit work reference number that starts with the letter ‘P’ will be given to you. This is your reference number that you will use to make follow up on the status of your application. You could follow up through the Call Centre and at any ZESCO Customer Service Center or Office, it does not have to be where you submitted your forms. Do not apply for electricity supply on undeveloped land (farm/plot) or an incomplete building. This will create an artificial backlog and perceived delays in connections.

4.Site Visit

Once you have submitted your application form, ZESCO will visit your premises to ascertain the feasibility of supplying quality and safe power. They will look at the existing capacity i.e. available transformer, poles etc in the area.

Standard job: Where the pole (point of supply) is within 30 meters or below from the premises. Non standard job – where the pole is more than 30 meters away and requires a pole or more to connect your premises Do not give another person to fill in this form for you. Customers who engage and entrust another person to transact for them risk being swindled.

5.Quotation

Once you have submitted your application and a thorough site inspection has been done, a quotation will be generated upon which your payment will be based. The quotation is valid for 90 days. A prospective customer you should not pay anyone for the quotation.

6.Payments

Make your payment only at a ZESCO Customer Services Center or Office and ensure to collect a correctly written ZESCO official receipt.

7.Connections

Do not make any connections that are not authorized by ZESCO. If found you will be arrested for fraudulent appropriation of power under Cap 87, Section 290 of the Laws of Zambia which states that: “Any person who fraudulently abstracts or diverts to his own use of any other person any mechanical, illuminating, or electrical power derived from any machine, apparatus, or substance, the property or another, is guilty of a felony and liable to imprisonment for five years.”

8.Be Conscious Of, Resist and Report Corruption

The Anti-Corruption Commission Act No. 46 of 1996 of the Republic of Zambia defines corruption as “the soliciting, accepting, obtaining, giving or offering of gratification by way of a bribe or other personal temptation or inducement, or misuse and abuse of public funds for private advantage or benefit.” Acts of corruption take place when two parties are involved; the person who offers and the person that receives. Customers must make every effort never to offer any such temptation or inducement. It is the responsibility and duty of members of the public to report corruption.

My Safety My Responsibility

Electricity is our most useful energy resource, and we depend on it for nearly everything we do. It drives the wheels of the nation’s economy and powers smart technologies that enhance our quality of life. Electricity is a potentially dangerous product when not properly handled. Electrical accidents can cause serious injury and lead to loss of life and property. Therefore one must take precaution when handling electricity to minimize the risk of electrical accidents.

Unsafe Wiring

Poor wiring is a common cause of electrical fires that may result in serious injury, loss of life and property.

• Use qualified electricians to wire your premises.

• Use proper and recommended wiring materials; avoid using materials such as telephone cables and plastic paper for insulation.

• Ensure regular inspection and maintenance of your premises wiring system to check for wear and tear of insulation and make replacement when needed.

• Switch off appliances during a power outage

• Acquire and install surge protectors and fuses to protect your electrical appliances and equipment during power surges.

• Avoid using faulty electrical appliances, sockets and plugs, replace them.

• Avoid overloading your electricity supply system.

Lack of Fusing

A fuse is a device that can limit the current flowing to any appliance or circuit. For example a fuse designed to carry an electric current of five amps will melt if a current of more than five amps passes through it. When the fuse melts, the circuit is broken.

Home made appliances normally lack the use of a plug with a fuse; instead bare wires are inserted into the socket outlet. If the appliance developed a fault, the user would not be protected from electric shock and electrocution.

Do Not Construct Structures & Undertake Activities Under ZESCO Power lines

• This could burn and damage the poles and bring down power lines. Report all fallen power lines to ZESCO immediately.

• Temporarily barricade them to keep away children and protect them from electrocution. Children are usually attracted to fallen or hanging wires and are therefore at high risk.

• Do not tie laundry lines to electricity poles.

• If a high loaded vehicle has to cross under the power lines, contact ZESCO so that arrangements could be made to switch off the line to facilitate crossing.

• Do not cut trees that are under power lines. Inform ZESCO to facilitate the cutting.

Tampering With ZESCO Installations (Theft)

Tampering with installations through acts of vandalism to steal ZESCO equipment such as transformer oil, cables and pylons, support materials, is illegal and unsafe and can cause serious injury or death

Illegal Connections & Extension Of Power Supply (Theft Of Electricity)

Illegal connection and extension of power supply is dangerous and compromises the quality of supply in affected areas. Illegal power connections are unsafe and normally constitute the following:

• By-passing or interfering with meters to falsify readings

• Tapping power in neighbouring premises

• Tapping power directly from overhead distribution power lines

• Electrifying fences or metal grills without notifying ZESCO

• Using illegal lines to reconnect power supply

Home Made Electrical Appliances

There are a lot of dangers associated with assembling and using home made electrical appliances. These dangers include electric shock and electrocution normally resulting from poor wiring and lack of fusing. Cookers and water heaters are the most commonly used home made electrical appliances. These are mainly used in boarding schools, colleges and camps.

Poor Wiring

There are laid down standards that should be adhered to when wiring any electrical appliance such as a cooker, but these are not adhered to when assembling home made electrical appliances. The result is exposure to electric shock and electrocution of the user of the appliance even innocent children around the house.