Prevention of electricity theft using distribution board remote switch control (DBRSC)

Abstract

One of a major problem in many developing countries is electricity theft. In Malaysia, the most common forms of stealing electricity are tapping electricity directly from the distribution feeder and manipulating the meter reading via tampering. Refuse to pay bills also one of the problem contributors. Many electric utilities face this problems, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) as the largest electric utility in Malaysia, is no exception. To counter the power theft problem, disconnecting the offenders’ electric supply is a popular approach attempted by TNB for many years. However, this has caused a lot of hazardous events such as injury and potentially loss of life. Therefore, in this paper, a more practical and safer solution is proposed to counter this issue, in which a Distribution Board Remote Switch Control (DBRSC) control approach is proposed. To design this DBRSC, an Arduino Uno microprocessor was used to communicate with an MIT V3 smartphone app using MIT App Inventor Software. From the experimental test, it has been found that the proposed DBRSC unit has been successfully designed, developed, and functioning well in disconnecting and reconnecting the electrical supply remotely. This DBRSC also has been proven works well for both single and three-phase distribution systems. It is therefore, as implication, TNB’s technicians able to cut the electricity connection of the electricity thefts’ premises and houses easier and safer as the electrical connection can be switched off/on from the installed DBRSC on the substation posts on the streets.