Development of a remote accessible electrical power measuring system for domestic customer

Abstract

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is a power utility company in Malaysia that performs three main thrust in the electricity sector. One of which is the distribution sector. The distribution sector involves other activity associated with the customer. Many initiatives have been introduced by TNB to satisfy all its customers. This research introduces a method of reading electric meter without sending meter readers to the premises of the customers. This method was introduced to large power customers (LPC) to ensure total consumption recorded is accurate. Since 2005, remote metering reading project has been using global packet radio service (GPRS) technology as a medium of communication. However, GPRS communication system at that time has not been widely used. Use of electronic meters is introduced to LPC because this meter can provide current information about electricity consumption. A total of 45,000 users of LPC involved in the installation of electronic meters and global system for mobile communication (GSM) modem in which this system can determine the amount of electric current consumption compared to manual meter reading is applied. In this project, the XBee radio module is used to send data to a GSM modem. From GSM modem, users can get the total electricity consumption through the SMS (short message service) system in their mobile phones. This project aim is to facilitate the customers so that they do not have to waste time going to the Kedai Tenaga (electricity payment counter) to find out the amount of energy consumed during the period. TNB can also collect the metering details without sending personnel to produce monthly bills.