Ethics of Pluging In on Non-Designated Outlet

That's a very good point and well taken.

This wasn't a Pip incident, but I tripped something important once by just plugging into a wall outlet in a service stairwell.

I was activating a portable 2ghz microwave unit, power draw unknown, on the roof of a hotel where a presidential candidate was staying in SC in the 80's. Our TV station was going to live interview him on the 5 o'clock news. We had go-ahead from the campaign and the blessing of the Secret Service. Turns out the hotel was also location of temporary security radio repeater for Secret Service detail, and my plugging in completely blew out their radio system for the entire campaign stop. The hotel called in an electrician so that we could have our power, and the security guys could have theirs.

Honest mistake, but inconvenient.

 

I would ask, just make sure you make it easier for the person to approve, than not.

"Is there any problem with my plugging in my Prius into that outlet?"

 

This is the best advice I've seen.

(But I expect to 'just do it' sometime, plugging in without asking, too).

 

Theft is theft.

Granted....if you get permission (like, from an employer), it's not theft.
Failing this....if you plug your car into a exterior outlet (like your local supermarket) then to me it's no different than siphoning some gas out of the owner's tank.
Yeah... I know.
"Oh.....but it's just a cupful, and my cause is just!!!"

Your call...but I don't consider a 12A load to be insignificant, and stealing is stealing.

I'm sure that we'll be hearing more about this in the future.