Prepaid Energy Meter With Theft Detection

Project Title

Prepaid Energy Meter With Theft Detection

Project Area of Specialization Internet of ThingsProject Summary

The aim of the project is to minimize the queue at the electricity billing counters and to restrict the usage of electricity automatically, if the bill is not paid. The project also aims at proposing a system that will reduce the loss of power and revenue due to power thefts and other illegal activities. The work system adopts a totally new concept of “Prepaid Electricity”. The GSM technology is used so that the consumer would receive messages about the consumption of power (in watts) and if it reaches the minimum amount, it would automatically alert the consumer to recharge. The implementation of this project will help in better energy management, conservation of energy and also in doing away with the unnecessary hassles over incorrect billing. The automated billing system will keep track of the real time consumption and will leave little scope for disagreement.

Project Objectives

The aim of this project is to use the technology that is used so that the consumer would receive messages about the consumption of power (in watts) and if it reaches the minimum amount, it would automatically alert the consumer to recharge detect the power theft and prepaid energy meter using load comparison method. The difference with other existing system is that even transmission line theft can also be detected apart from the meter bypassing. The additional feature of this system is that there is no need of manual interface as the entire system is fully automated and also meter reading also accurately calculated in this system which can be added to the system later which overcomes the on consumption and billing traditional manual meter reading.

Project Implementation Method

Digital signal processor or high performance microprocessors are used in digital electric meters. Similar to the analog meters, voltage and current transducers are connected to a high resolution ADC. Once it converts analog signals to digital samples, voltage and current samples are multiplied and integrated by digital circuits to measure the energy consumed.

For current meter, we have used 10A current sensor to sense the amount of current. Arduino gets analog data from current sensor and converts those values into discrete value by taking 4096 sample in per cycle. Then, Arduino compares the peak values and Converts those discrete values into digital by using codes.

For voltage meter, at first, we have used step down transformer to step the voltage down. Then use voltage division to get desired voltage which can be tolerated by Arduino Mega. After that, values are converted into discrete values and then in digital form by Arduino codes. 

After powering system, Arduino mega first initialize the GSM Module and connect with user. Then it will turn on Display monitor and set back ground. After that, Arduino Mega starts its’ main job. It will continue a loop for 1 second where it takes samples of voltage and current for 60ms (3 cycles) again and again and average them. Then it will calculate the power, energy consumed and remaning units.

Prepaid Billing system is the main feature of our project. In this system consumer will purchase energy units just like calling card from market then load it in its Prepaid Energy Meter and start 

using units. When loaded units gets zero system will cut off the supply and alert user to load its units. This whole process is totally controlled by Arduino Mega.

One more interesting feature in our project is theft detection. If electricty is stolen from consumer side, our smart meter will detect it.

To make theft detection possible, we design our system in such a way that we used two Current Sensor, First one is connected in phase line to measure the curent that is entering in the house and second one is connected in netural line to measure the current that is leaving the house. Arduino Mega take both reading and compare it minimum difference of 0.6A. If the difference is greater then 0.6A, Arduino Mega trip the relay and alert user about theft detection. 

Benefits of the Project

Consumers will get more accurate bill according to their usage.

Consumers will be more concern about their electricity usage due to real time monitoring system.

Not everyone can get access to the meter.

Distributors can trip the meter for any unusual cases.

All Data stored in Database and Consumers can see their usage update using their

unique user ID and password.

Smart Meter is more reliable compare to Digital Meter.

Over Current Protection.

A smart power distribution system with smart meter will be able detect and stop theft of electricity.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

In the this project one microcontroller and modules compatible with them were used. For voltage sensor, a step down transformer and a relay module are used. 

2.2: Components used:

Arduino Mega(Microcontroller)

SIM 900A (GSM/GPRS Module)

Relay Module

Current Transformer

Potential Transformer

20x4 block LCD Display

Voltage Converter

Adapter

Programming:

Arduino library from the Arduino IDE were included for smooth and quick process.

Liquid Crystal: Library for 4bit mode and 8bit mode for 20*4 display

Wire: Library for i2c serial connection over more than one Arduino.

We will buy 2x products cause when during implementation chances are there may be our some components goes burnt out as our project is related with electronic circuits

Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemCore Industry Energy Other IndustriesCore Technology Internet of Things (IoT)Other TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean Energy, Responsible Consumption and Production, Peace and Justice Strong InstitutionsRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	41000
Arduino Mega	Equipment	1	8000	8000
GSM module	Equipment	1	10000	10000
Relay module	Equipment	2	750	1500
Current transformer	Equipment	2	3500	7000
Potential transformer	Equipment	2	2000	4000
Led display	Equipment	1	1500	1500
Voatage converter	Equipment	2	1000	2000
Adapter	Equipment	1	1000	1000
Stationery and printing of different documents	Miscellaneous	1	6000	6000