Tamper Proof Smart Energy Metering System with Power Factor Correction and Surge Protection

Abstract

Currently, Sri Lankan electricity suppliers have adapted a postpaid tariff system, in which the consumers with a contract demand equal to or less than 42 kVA are only charged for the active power consumption. This tariff method has several disadvantages for both consumers and electrical suppliers in many ways. Lower power factors, Electricity theft, tampered meters, avoided bill payments, and manual meter reading procedures have caused considerable losses for the electricity suppliers. Similarly, consumers are also discomforted by the postpaid nature of this tariff method since it has caused long queues in the bill payment locations. To overcome above problems, this paper presents a smart energy meter with automated billing capabilities, power factor correction, and tamper protection. This meter is currently intended only for single-phase consumers, in which consumers are allowed to choose the payment method from prepaid or postpaid according to their preference.