A Solution to Remote Detection of Illegal Electricity Usage via Power Line Communicat

Power line communication (PLC) presents an interesting and economical solution Ior Automatic Meter
Reading (AMR). A mechanism to detect the illegal electricity usage can be added in the existing PLC
network. In this system , second digitally energy meter chip is used and the value oI utilised energy is
stored and than this is compared with the main kilo Watt-hour meter. error signal is generated and
transmitted via PLC network is there is any anomaly in the reading oI the meter and the value stored in the
chip.

Detection of illegal electricity usage
The diIIerent ways in which the user can illegally use electricity are:
Using the mechanical objects:
This involves the use oI mechanical objects to prevent the revolution oI a meter.

Using a fixed magnet:
It is used to change the electromagnetic Iield oI the current coils to alter the reading

Using the external phase before meter terminals:
The energy used Irom here will not be recorded in the meter.

Switching the energy cables at the meter connector box:
In this method oI tampering, the current does not pass through the current coil oI the meter, so that the
consumption is not recorded.

The last two methods are valid Ior digital meters too.

Building blocks for detection
Automatic Meter Reading (AMR):
It has three main components:
- Meter interIace module: It has controlling electronics , communication interIace, power supply, meter
sensors etc.
- Communications systems::Ior transmitting the telemetry data
- Central oIIice systems equipment: This consists oI modems, receivers, data concentrators, controllers,
host upload links, and host computer.

Power Line Communication (PLC):
In this ,a high Irequency AC carrier is injected onto the power line.This carrier is modulated with data
originating Irom the remote meter or central station.extra cables. are not required here Ior transmission oI
data.