CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Electricity is now more than a necessity. The need of electricity is increasing

day by day. With increasing need of electricity the power theft is also
increasing. It has become a must to develop a system to avoid the increasing
theft. With the development of GSM network and its increasing popularity,
GSM Modem and Short Message are gradually used to transmit information but
there are still a few shortcomings, such as the unsatisfactory real-time ability to
control the theft of electricity when user is not at home.

The objective of this project is to design a system in order to avoid

the displeasure for the users from paying hefty bill irrespective of use of the
electricity due to theft .Utility companies are
under pressure. Growing populations are using increasing amounts of power, w
hich is putting a strain onexisting supplies. In many countries the increase in
demand is growing at a faster rate than transmission capacity and the cost of
providing power is also increasing due to higher fuel prices and increases in the
cost of construction and capital expenses. This project provides an overview of
Wireless Sensor Network for Power Management, including the cost savings as
well as theft indicator cum prevention system it
can provide. It then looks at how fits into this picture, and the ways in which it i
s ideally suited for thedevelopment. Our project uses PIC microcontroller along
with relay drivers, sensors and GSM module to detect power theft as well
as wastage of energy in malls and hotels.

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 CHAPTER 2

OBJECTIVE

This system would provide a simple a symbol way to detect and it

would be electrical power theft without any human interface.
It would indicate extra zone and distribution line on which unauthorized
tapping is done in real time.
It would be time saving if distribution company personal take reading by
the wireless technique.
To detect the theft and protect the power system from theft of power.
Reduce the heavy power and revenue losses.
It aims to reduce the energy wastage.
We can successfully and efficiently address the problem of power theft.

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 CHAPTER 3

Power Theft

Electricity theft is the criminal practice of stealing electrical power. The practice
of stealing electricity is nearly as old as electricity distribution. Electricity theft
is accomplished via a variety of means, from methods as rudimentary as directly
hooking to a power line, to manipulation of computerized electrical meters
Electricity theft is most common in developing countries where power
grids deliver inadequate and unreliable power. The global cost of electricity
theft was estimated at $96 billion every year. Some punishments for the crime
include fines and incarceration. The electricity losses caused by the theft are
classified as non-technical losses.

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 CHAPTER 4

TYPES OF POWER THEFT

There are various types of electrical power theft, including Tapping a line or
bypassing the energy meter. According to a study, 80% of worldwide theft
occurs in private dwellings and 20% on commercial and industrial premises.
The various types of electrical power theft include:

Direct Hooking From Line

What's known as "cable hooking" is the most used method. 80% of global
power theft is by direct tapping from the line. The consumer taps into a power
line from a point ahead of the energy meter. This energy consumption is
unmeasured and procured with or without switches. It can cause severe electric
shock or fire outbreak.

Bypassing the Energy Meter

In this method, the input terminal and output terminal of the energy meter is
bridged, preventing the energy from registering in the energy meter.

Injecting Foreign Element in the Energy Meter

Meters are manipulated via a remote by installing a circuit inside the meter so
that the meter can be slowed down at any time. This kind of modification can
evade external inspection attempts because the meter is always correct unless
the remote is turned on.

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Physical Obstruction

This type of tampering is done to electromechanical meters with a rotating

element. Foreign material is placed inside the meter to obstruct the free
movement of the disc. A slower rotating disk signals less energy consumption.

ESD Attack on Electronic Meter

This type of tampering is done on electronic meter to make it either latent

damage or permanent damage. Detection can be done correctly in high end
meters only.

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 CHAPTER 5

LITERATURE SURVEY

Io T based Power Theft Detection

In order to prevent from power theft they used Io T system to detect the
power theft and it is done by using Arduino, GSM, LCD, ESP module
and current transformer. Among the two CTs one is connected to the
source side and another is connected to load side and signals of both the
CTs are given to Arduino. Basically Arduino compares both the data
received from the CTs from source and load side. If any difference
beyond the tolerance is detected then it simply means that there is a theft
load is connected, then by using Io T and ESP module which works on
internet this data is sent to the substation, If incase the internet failed to
operate GSM module is used to send the message to the substation to
which that line is connected where the theft load is detected. In this
system the detection of the power theft is done by using Io T and GSM.
In case of failure of Io T system GSM will work properly to neglect this
huge global threat of power theft from the electrical network

Io T Based Power Theft Detection And Monitoring System

Smart energy meter which is connected at the starting of transmission line and one at
the load side, the signals from both given to the Arduino. Arduino collects the data
from each consumer side’s smart meter and compare that data with the source current
given by the source side smart meter if the difference is within the tolerance then it
means there is no theft load connected, if difference is beyond the tolerance then it
means that theft load is connected to the system then the system will be

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 isolated from the supply by using relay circuit and message will sent to
the utility company by using GSM module. All this process is done by
using Arduino and further by using Beagle bone black system. So, in this
system power theft from the line is detected and required action is taken
without any human interference.

GSM Based Electricity Theft Detection

To limit this global threat of power theft, this project provides good
provision to reduce the illegal usage of electricity and also reduce the
chances of theft. This project contains the automatic reading collection
and detection of theft without any human interference. In this system the
provision is mainly done by using GSM, current transformer, PIC
18F4520 and energy meter. As we know the common methods to do theft
are by bypassing the meter using a piece of wire before or after
connecting to the meter. In this system two CTs are used, one is
connected to the input side and other is connected to distribution point of
the house line, both signals from the two CTs are given to the
PIC18F4520 in the case of bypassing the meter reading from input side
will not match to the consumer or load side beyond the given tolerance
for losses then it simply means that there is power theft takes place by
meter bypassing and the message is given to the utility using GSM
module. In other case if there is meter tampering, an IR sensor is
connected to the meter so that the indication is given to the utility by
using GSM fitted on the PLC kit and theft is detected without any manual
interface. So, in this project the power theft detection is done in simple
way without any manual manipulation.

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 Electric Power Theft Detection And Location
Tracking Using Io T

To overcome this global threat they present electric power theft

detection and location tracking using Io T. In this method there is
current and voltage sensor connected before the wire connected to the
meter and connection from energy meter also given to the PIC
microcontroller which compares both the values of current and if
difference is sensed by the PIC microcontroller then it indicate that
there is theft occurred in the system, and that circuit will be isolated
from the supply by using relay circuit and message will sent to the
utility company by using GSM module. So, in this system power theft
from the line is detected and required action is taken without any
human interference.

Distribution Line Monitoring System For The Detection

Of Power Theft Using Power Line Communication

In this proposed system there is a provision for power theft using

power line communication. Basically in this system a high frequency
is added to the power frequency of magnitude in between 3 kHz to
500 kHz according Indian electrical standards. When tapping on the
power line takes place then variation occurs in the system frequency
that is analyzed in substation using Matlab System and area in which
power theft occurred is detected and in due to the provision of high
frequency the equipment connected to the Theft load fail to work. In

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 this project power theft is detected and actions are taken without any
Human interference.

Electrical theft detection and Wireless meter reading

They are using digital meters, wireless data transmitter and power line
communication to detect the theft in the power line. Basically in this
system one digital meter is connected on the pole and other is connected
in the consumer‘s premises or at load side. Digital meter on the load side
collects the data and send it continuously to the pole side digital meter on
which microcontroller is fitted with the help of wireless transmitter. The
microcontroller receives both the data from source side and load side,
with the help of wireless receiver and compares the data, if the difference
is under tolerance band then there will be no theft occurring on the power
line. In other condition if the difference is beyond tolerance then it means
that theft is happening on the line that is detected by the microcontroller
and the required information is sent to the substation by using power line
communication, and further actions are taken, so the power line theft is
detected and line is protected from the theft using this system. And by
using same data given by load side meter consumer’s meter reading is
taken out.

Smart Meter Data Analysis for Power Theft Detection

In this proposed system there is provision for power theft is done by

using ardunio uno controller, Smart energy meter and GSM technique. In
this one CT is connected to the distribution box and data is given to
substation periodically by using GSM module and the data from energy

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 meter fitted on the consumer premises is programmed to measure the
consumed current and send it periodically by using GSM module to the
substation. At substation data from both the distribution end and from
consumer premises is collected and compared if there is a difference in
the reading is occurred above the permissible tolerance then it simply
means that the theft load is connected to the system and from that there is
an GPRS which fitted on the poles and energy meters fitted in consumer
premises the area in which theft takes place is found out and further
action takes place. In this project electric theft is detected without any
manual interruption using real time data.

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 CHAPTER 6

Components Used

GSM Module

A GSM modem or GSM module is a device that uses GSM mobile telephone
technology to provide a wireless data link to a network. GSM modems are used
in mobile telephones and other equipment that communicates with mobile
telephone networks. They use SIM to identify their device to the network.

Fig: 1 GSM Module

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PIC Microcontroller

PIC microcontrollers (Programmable Interface Controllers), are electronic

circuits that can be programmed to carry out a vast range of tasks. They can be
programmed to be timers or to control a production line and much more. They
are found in most electronic devices such as alarm systems, computer control
systems, phones, in fact almost any electronic device. Many types of PIC
microcontrollers exist, although the best are probably found in the GENIE range
of programmable microcontrollers. These are programmed and simulated by
Circuit Wizard software.

Fig: 2 PIC Microcontroller

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Arduino

Arduino is an open-source hardware and software company, project, and user

community that designs and manufactures single-board
microcontrollers and microcontroller kits for building digital devices. Its
hardware products are licensed under a CC BY-SA license, while software is
licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) or the GNU
General Public License (GPL),[1] permitting the manufacture of Arduino boards
and software distribution by anyone. Arduino boards are available commercially
from the official website or through authorized distributors.

Fig: 3 Arduino

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Current Sensor

A current sensor is a device that detects and converts current to an easily

measurable output voltage, which is proportional to the current through the
measured path. There are a wide variety of sensors, and each sensor is suitable
for a specific current range and environmental condition. Among these sensors,
a current sensing resistor is the most commonly used. It can be considered a
current-to-voltage converter, where inserting a resistor into the current path, the
current is converted to voltage in a linear way. The technology used by the
current sensor is important because different sensors can have different
characteristics for a variety of applications.

Fig: 4 Current Sensor

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Voltage Sensor

A voltage sensor is a sensor used to calculate and monitor the amount of voltage
in an object. Voltage sensors can determine the AC voltage or DC voltage level.
The input of this sensor is the voltage, whereas the output is the switches,
analog voltage signal, a current signal, or an audible signal.

Fig: 5 Voltage Sensor

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 CHAPTER 7

HOW CAN ELECTRICITY THEFT BE REDUCED

Non-Technical Solutions

Periodic Check
Financial Rewards
Enforcement of law

Technical Solutions

Electronics Tamper Detection

Pre-payment Meters
Plastic Meter Enhancements

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 CHAPTER 8

Applications

Power Grid

Factories

Industrial Area

Home Automation System

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 CHAPTER 9

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Advantages

It would indicate extra zone and distribution line on which unauthorized

tapping is done in real time.

To detect the theft and protect the power system from theft of power.

We can detect the location from where the power is being stolen.

Disadvantages

If implemented on a large scale is may taken a lot of time and manual.

If implement on a large scale it may take a lot of time.

Changes may be applicable for network use.

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 CHAPTER 10

Future Scope

We know that electricity demand is increasing day by day and at such

time we can't afford the power theft . If mentioned provisions will be

implemented then we can overcome this global threat of power theft and

able to meet the increasing demand of electricity. It will reduce the

economic losses in power sector and contribute to overall economic

growth of country.

The huge development in engineering field by using Internet based

things we can connect all the system and control it as per requirements

from remote locations and we can avoid unwanted things to be happy.

It would indicate extra zone and distribution line on which unauthorized

tapping is done in real time.

To detect the theft and protect the power system from theft of power.

We can detect the location from where the power is being stolen.

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 In future following objectives can be achieved to save power and avoid

thefts :-

o We can make a IOT based system where consumption pattern of

consumer is open for users and for utility and user can pay bill

accordingly.

o We can also message to the consumer in case of over loading of

line and also for power theft detection.

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 CHAPTER 11

Conclusion

We have reviewed some papers on power theft detection which consist of

different proposed system and techniques to detect and prevent the power theft.

Basically all these systems uses Arduino, GSM, PIC Microcontroller and

current transformers etc., By using these techniques we can easily detect and

prevent our system from power theft and we can overcome this global threat of

power theft and able to meet the increasing demand of electricity. It will be

helpful for overall growth of our country. It aims the reduction of energy

wastage. It detects the illegal wastage of electricity without any human errors.

Save time and man power. We can successfully and efficiently address the

problems of power theft.

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 CHAPTER 12

Reference

Ajay Mahato, A. N. (2018). Electric Power Theft Detection And Location

Tracking Using Io T. International Journal of Scientific Research in
Computer Science, Engineering and Information Technology
(IJSRCSEIT).

Nikovski D, W. Z. (2013). Smart Meter Data Analysis for Power Theft

Detection.

Guhesh Swaminathan, M. S. (n.d.). Distribution Line Monitoring System

For The Detection Of Power Theft Using Power Line Communication.

R Giridhar Balakrishna, P. Y. (2017). Io T based Power Theft Detection.

IJIET.

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