GSM based prepaid energy meter with theft detection

Project Title

GSM based prepaid energy meter with theft detection

Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject Summary

Electrical energy has been considered as an
essential form of energy. Whether it is Industrial need or
household need, electricity is a must. Nowadays, with the
increasing need for electricity, power theft is also
increasing. This power theft is a severe problem like load
scheduling will just become a hoax because of this Theft.
Also, in developing countries like India, this power theft
is 30%- 40% of total generated power and the electricity
board has to provide this from their funds this results in
major losses to electricity boards. This paper presents a
way to detect power theft, alert the consumer, and cut off
the supply accordingly. When unauthorized actions are
detected, and a separate message is sent back to the
microcontroller to remove the illegal supply, an SMS is
sent automatically to the user via the GSM module. The
GSM is interspersed with a unique system energy meter
with a relay to handle the non-technical losses, problems
with billing, and variations in voltage fluctuations

Project Objectives

The Prepaid Energy Meter with Theft Detection System mainly works for detecting internal as well as external energy theft.
Internal energy theft occurs after the energy reaches to energy meter while external energy theft occurs before the energy reaches to energy meter.
The system works for theft detection and also allows user to use prepaid energy meter functionality.
Using this functionality user will able to pay in advance and use the exact amount of energy.
The system starts with GSM modem Connection and first configures the user number and gives authority to that number.
When the external or internal theft occurs in system, the system immediately inform authority or user with message also system will able to send message when the prepaid balance is low or Zero.
The system is made up of AVR Microcontroller, current sensors , GSM modem, LCD display ,energy meter and loads.

Project Implementation Method

The block diagram representation of the project is shown in figure. It simplifies the system into various blocks for better visualization and interpretation. It describes the various blocks of the system and shows which components receive output from the Arduino and which ones provide an input to the Arduino. Some work as sensors and other as controllers.

A five Volt power supply provides power to the system. The current sensor provides an input after sensing the flow of current to the Arduino. The LCD module receives inputs from the Arduino for displaying customary messages to the user and for sending SMS alerts in case of electricity theft and system tampering. The GSM module interfaced to the Arduino is responsible for sending alerts. A single phase 220V electricity meter counts the units being consumed by the load. A relay is used to trigger the load ON or OFF.

COMPONENTS used and their FUNCTIONS:

1. Arduino Uno: - This is the board used in the project and it is the heart of the project where microcontroller is ATMEGA 328. It is responsible for sending commands to the GSM module, for sending SMS alerts to the user and to the 16x2 LCD module to display proper messages to the user. It also receives input from the LDR sensor and the current sensor. The LDR input is used to compute the electricity consumption by the load. The input from current sensor is used to detect the theft of electricity. It also drives a relay switch to switch ON and OFF the load.

1. GSM Module: - It is responsible for sending SMS alerts to the user as well to the electricity company and it allows the user to recharge the electricity meter by sending a simple SMS.

1. 16X2 LCD :-The 16X2 Liquid Crystal Display is employed to display proper messages on its screen .This is used to print additional information like units remaining, welcome text for the user whenever the system is turned ON, theft detection message etc. It is employed to make the system more users friendly.

1.  Electricity Meter: - Single phase 220 V electricity meter which is used in homes for metering of electricity is used as the meter in the project.

1. Current Sensor: - This sensor detects the flow of current through the load side of the electricity meter and generates a signal proportional to that of current. This sensor is used to detect the theft of electricity by the user.
2. Relay: - A relay is used to switch ON/OFF the load which is connected to the electricity meter in case of Zero balance in the system. It is also triggered in case of tampering with the meter. It also gets triggered whenever theft of electricity is detected by the system.

1. Optocoupler: - An opto-isolator (also called an optocoupler, photocoupler, or optical isolator) is an electronic component that transfers electrical signals between two isolated circuits by using light. Opto-isolators prevent high voltages from affecting the system receiving the signal.

Benefits of the Project

>>Utilization and results of project:-

·This project will number out those consumers which are involved in power theft.

·The issue with the unpaid bills is also tackle by this technique since the consumers and WAPDA or any other utility will get information about day to day energy consumption.

·Using a prepaid meter thus allows you to save electricity, which in turn leads to saving money.

·Therefore, one of the big advantages of prepaid electricity is that it enables you to manage your bills properly.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The project Prepaid electricity meter with theft detection has been implemented successfully and has applications in households especially in rural areas. This system can be adopted widely because of its low cost and also because it stops revenue leakage to the already burdened electricity boards because of electricity theft. The main advantage of this project is its low cost solution for prepaid metering of electricity usage and also stops theft of electricity at household level. The facility of tamper detection stops any intrusions by the user into the electricity meter to alter or stop the calculation of units being consumed.

Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry Energy Other Industries Legal , Security , Telecommunication Core Technology OthersOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	67800
5V power supply battery	Equipment	2	1000	2000
ICs	Equipment	8	350	2800
GSM Module	Equipment	1	8000	8000
LCD display	Equipment	3	500	1500
Arduino	Equipment	2	1500	3000
Energy meter	Equipment	1	10000	10000
Connecting wires	Equipment	50	10	500
Smart phone for receiving texts	Equipment	1	30000	30000
FYP Thesis bindings and research	Miscellaneous	1	10000	10000