International Journal of Advance Foundation And Research In Science & Engineering (IJAFRSE)
Volume 1, Special Issue , ICCICT 2015. Impact Factor: 1.036, Science Central Value: 26.54
Minimizing Electricity Theft: A Review
Maninderpal Singh
Er.Varun Sanduja
Student M.Tech Department of ECE
Chandigarh Group of Colleges Technical Campus
Assistant professor , Department of ECE
Chandigarh Group of Colleges Technical Campus
Jhanjeri, Mohali, Punjab, INDIA
Jhanjeri, Mohali, Punjab, INDIA
email: manindersandhu13@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
As there is limited non-renewable resources are present in our daily life , Electricity is one of
them which utilized in every country that results abundant losses due to electricity larceny .This
review paper proposes a smart energy meter which is used to minimize the electricity larceny.
Basically energy meter is a device that calculates the cost of electricity consumed by a home,
business, or an electrical device. Here, energy meter is connected through wireless technology
which provides reliability. This energy meter gives the phenomenon of detecting electricity
larceny and automatically cuts the power of dishonest user. Meanwhile it checks the status of
energy meter as well as minimizing electricity larceny which helps to reduce the power cut .This
review also has scope in future which automatically sends a message if any fault occurred in
transmission lines due to natural phenomenon .
Index Terms - Communication technologies, Energy meter, Ferrari’s wheel meter, Smart meter,
Electric energy, Raspberry pi.
I. INTRODUCTION
As the electric transmission and distribution is smartness from the use of renewable energies and latest measurement and
communication technologies, also the utilities become smart. Therefore, in order to be a smart utility, it has to be equipped
with a measurement and control to efficiently manage the various energy sources and loads [1].The key element of such a
measurement and control network could be a smart meter. Energy meter device that calculates the cost of electricity
consumptions. So in this paper energy meter is continuously monitored and is connected with raspberry pi via wireless
through web server to minimize electricity theft is presented.
II. ELECTRIC ENERGY
Electric Energy is a vital resource in everyday life and a backbone of the industry. Its limited, so proper use and
measurement is very important. Before utilization of electricity it passes some phases. It is first Generated (G) then
Transmitted (T) over long distances and finally Distributed (D) to consumers. In this process of GTD energy losses take
place. Energy loss is defined as the difference between energy generated and consumption. There are mainly two types of
losses [2]-[3].
A. Technical losses.
B. Non-Technical losses [3].
A. Technical losses
Technical losses are those losses which occur due to properties of materials used in transmission and distribution system.
For example, energy dissipated due to resistance of conductor used in transmission lines [2].
B. Non technical losses
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International Journal of Advance Foundation And Research In Science & Engineering (IJAFRSE)
Volume 1, Special Issue , ICCICT 2015. Impact Factor: 1.036, Science Central Value: 26.54
Non technical losses are those losses which occur due to Theft in electricity [3]. Non Technical Losses cannot be precisely
computed, but can be estimated from the difference between the total energy supplied to the customers and the total energy
billed.
III. NETWORK ARCHITECTURE
Fig. 1. Network architecture.
A. Energy meter
Energy meter is a device that calculates the cost of electricity consumed by a home, business, or electrically powered
device [6]. It sends data to raspberry pi through wired or wireless connections. An Electronic Energy Meter (EEM)
functionally outperforms the traditional Ferrari’s wheel meter. One important advantage of EEM is that in non linear loads,
its metering is highly accurate and electronic measurement is more robust than that of the conventional mechanical meters.
The benefits from EEM in three significant ways.
1. It reduces the cost of theft and corruption on electricity distribution network with electronic designs and prepayment
interfaces.
2. Electronic energy meter measures current in both Phase and Neutral lines and calculate power consumption based on the
larger of the two currents.
3. EEM improves the cost and quality of electricity distribution.
1) Ferrari’s wheel meter and electronic meter: The conventional mechanical energy meter is based on the
phenomenon of “Magnetic Induction”. It has a rotating aluminium Wheel called Ferriwheel and many toothed wheels.
Based on the flow of current, the Ferriwheel rotates which makes rotation of other wheels. This will be converted into
corresponding measurements in the display section. Since many mechanical parts are involved, mechanical defects and
breakdown are common. More over chances of manipulation and current theft will be higher.
Theft in Electromechanical Meters
1. Taking connections directly from distribution lines.
2. Grounding the neutral wire.
3. Putting a magnet on electromechanical meter like neodymium [1].
4. Inserting some disc to stop rotating of the coil.
5. Hitting the meter to damage the rotating coil
6. Interchanging input output connections.
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International Journal of Advance Foundation And Research In Science & Engineering (IJAFRSE)
Volume 1, Special Issue , ICCICT 2015. Impact Factor: 1.036, Science Central Value: 26.54
Fig.2. Ferrari’s Wheel Meter [12]
Electronic Energy Meter is based on Digital Micro Technology (DMT) and uses no moving parts. So the EEM is known
as “Static Energy Meter”. In EEM the accurate functioning is controlled by a specially designed IC called ASIC
(Application Specified Integrated Circuit). ASIC is constructed only for specific applications using Embedded System
Technology. Similar ASIC are now used in Washing Machines, Air Conditioners, Automobiles, Digital Camera etc.
Fig.3 Electronic Meter [12]
2) Evolution of smart meters: Being a limited and very important resource the metering of electricity consumption is
essential. Generally people don’t care for the consumption of electricity in their day to day processes and are concerned
about it when they get their electricity bills or in case of power shortage. Measuring of electricity consumption was started
with Electromechanical Induction meter which operates by counting the revolutions of a metal disc rotating at a speed
proportional to the power. The number of revolutions is proportional to the energy usage. Later in 1990s Electronic meter
was introduced which use LED or LCD displays. First generation of Smart meter was introduced in 2005.
B. Raspberry pi
Raspberry Pi is a small, powerful, cheap, and education-oriented computer board introduced in 2012. This credit card-sized
computer with many performances and affordable for 25-35$ is perfect platform for interfacing with many devices.[5]
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International Journal of Advance Foundation And Research In Science & Engineering (IJAFRSE)
Volume 1, Special Issue , ICCICT 2015. Impact Factor: 1.036, Science Central Value: 26.54
Fig.4. Raspberry Pi model
The Raspberry Pi board contains a processor and graphics chip, program memory (RAM) and various interfaces and
connectors for external devices. Some of these devices are essential, others are optional but all Raspberry Pi models have
the same CPU named BCM2835 which is cheap, powerful, and it does not consume a lot of power. Raspberry Pi operates
in the same way as a standard PC, requiring a keyboard for command entry, a display unit and a power supply [5]. Internet
connectivity may be via an Ethernet/LAN cable or via USB dongle Wi-Fi connectivity [5]. Like any other computer, the
Raspberry Pi also uses an operating system and the “stock” OS is a flavor of Linux called Raspbian. Linux, as a free and
open source program. We installed the Raspbian operating system, that is a version of the Debian port, and we used Python
as programming language to create the Concentrator Data Application and the Database Management System (DBMS My
SQL) where storing data. The decision to use Python as programming language was taken for two reasons. The first is the
presence of Python in the Raspberry Pi as a Personal Computer (PC) development language within Raspbian operating
system; the second is the possibility to connect Python application directly to MySQL database. Another important aspect
is the possibility to consult the concentrator data in the local network through the use of the browser using a PHP script
with a direct connection to MySQL database.
Fig.5. Raspberry Pi components
C. Server
Raspberry pi send data to backend through server. Server is the wireless connection between Raspberry pi and the backend.
D. Backend
Backend is the electricity office where we want to see the status of energy meter. In this way, we detect the dishonest
customer
IV. ELECTRICITY THEFT
Electricity theft includes bypassing, tampering with the energy meter and other physical methods to evade payment. Illegal
tapping of electricity from the feeder and tampering with the meter are the most identified and accounted ways of theft [7].
A. Causes and effects of electricity theft
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International Journal of Advance Foundation And Research In Science & Engineering (IJAFRSE)
Volume 1, Special Issue , ICCICT 2015. Impact Factor: 1.036, Science Central Value: 26.54
Theft is a serious crime, creating short fall, increase of load, decrease of frequency, which is not acceptable and causing
load shedding, increase of tariff on the legal customers[1].The main reason behind electricity theft are low literacy rate and
lack of awareness. Electricity power is produced through many ways like from oil, turbines are operated. So now if oil is
supplied to the utility for their use to run turbines for electricity generation. While utility is not paying to the oil suppliers,
and utility is producing electricity from that oil, and selling it to customers. Then losses come into act non paying
customers, and thefts are also very dangerous, this is what it means that they are not paying the utility back.
People are mostly not able to pay their utility bills. Government can also help deserving people by avoiding the electricity
theft thus providing subsidy to minimize per unit cost. For further improvement in electrical power system respective
government needs to give incentives to the capable people to focus on their own electricity production, like emerging
technology for production of electricity from solar cells, wind power, hydel etc. Fulfil their own use and sell it to the utility
for their own good as well, and be benefited from the Utility by synchronizing their systems successfully.
Power generation plant is very important part, because whole of electricity is generated at power plants from water. Head is
one important issue. Water head and turbine size are mechanical portions which are also needs to be controlled. These all
controls are present for power generation plants on mimic board in control room. Water level is also to be noticed, flow of
water through gates. Water reservoirs are kept in water bays for running turbine at peak hours. For control at power
generation and control at remote areas Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) is used.
V. COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
A. Wired technology
The term "wired" is used to differentiate between wireless connections and those that involve cables. A wired setup uses
physical cables to transfer data between different devices and computer systems. Most wired networks use Ethernet cables
to transfer data between connected PCs. In a small wired network, a single router may be used to connect all the
computers. Larger networks often involve multiple routers or switches that connect to each other. One of these devices
typically connects to a cable modem, T1 line, or other type of Internet connection that provides Internet access to all
devices connected to the network [8]. Smart Meter measurements and other data can be transmitted across the utility power
lines from the meter to a Data Concentrator. Advantages include the exploitation of existing utility infrastructure, in terms
of poles and wires, improved cost effectiveness for rural lines, more effective in challenging terrains, and the capability to
work over long distances. Disadvantages include long data transmit time, small bandwidth and throughput and higher cost
in urban and suburban locations
B. Wireless network
Wireless network refers to the use of infrared or radio frequency signals to share information and resources between
devices. Many types of wireless devices are available today; for example, mobile terminals, pocket size PCs, handheld
PCs, laptops, cellular phone, PDAs, wireless sensors, and satellite receivers, among others[8]. Smart Meter measurements
and other data are transmitted by wireless radio from the meter to a Data Concentrator. Advantages include acceptable
latency, large bandwidth and the coverage of long distances. Disadvantages include terrain and distance challenges for
rural areas, proprietary communications and multiple collection points.
VI. RELATED WORK AND MOTIVATION
In [3] authors explained theft control very well in a sense that they proposed a model. In this model they calculated non
technical losses in external control section, and if non technical losses greater than 5%, legal customers are disconnected
for some interval. Harmonic generator is operated in this time period, which destroys the electrical equipment of all the
illegal consumers. Reconnect normal supply for genuine customers. This model can be improved to stop functioning of the
equipment of an illegal user, weather using smart meters or any other technique. Some of the energy theft in Advanced
Metering Infrastructure (AMI), proposed an idea of a communication architecture from smart meter to grid using meter to
meter communication.
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International Journal of Advance Foundation And Research In Science & Engineering (IJAFRSE)
Volume 1, Special Issue , ICCICT 2015. Impact Factor: 1.036, Science Central Value: 26.54
In [3] authors elaborated ways of communication, in how many ways we can transmit the data of smart meter to utility. S.
S. S. R Depuru and et. al. shown how an electromechanical meter works and why is smart meter better than
electromechanical meter. In [3] central observer meter is placed, which is cost effective because a smart meter is placed at
secondary side of transformer. It used matrix based approach in excel to show electricity theft case and normal case. Where
as if large amount of data has to be managed than larger matrices will be required. Memory requirements will increase,
time consumption to solve large matrices will increase. Have some mathematical modelling techniques which help to
detect and control electricity theft using some classifiers. [3] Discussed Graphical User Interface (GUI) based software
implemented in Malaysia.
VII. CONCLUSION
In this review paper a low cost solution for the real-time energy management is presented. It provides several energy
meters that continuously monitor connected loads communicating with raspberry pi via wireless. Through the web server
the users can also control their consumption using a web browser and it prevents electricity theft. The proposed Smart
Meter network can be easily installed in a home and in industries with the possibility to monitoring the various loads
through a local friendly user interface or the remote web server.
VIII. REFERENCES
[1]
Gianluca Aurilio, Daniele Gallo, Carmine Landi, Mario Luiso “A Low Cost Smart Meter Network for a Smart
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Karan Gandhi and Hari Om Bansal, “Smart Metering in Electric Power Distribution System” IEEE International
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International Journal of Advance Foundation And Research In Science & Engineering (IJAFRSE)
Volume 1, Special Issue , ICCICT 2015. Impact Factor: 1.036, Science Central Value: 26.54
[11]
A. Delle Femine, D. Gallo, C. Landi, M. Luiso, “Advanced Instrument for Field Calibration of Electrical Energy
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[12]
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