2017 IEEE 3rd International Conference on Control Science and Systems Engineering
Theft Detection Based GSM Prepaid Electricity System
Muhammad Saad
Department of Electrical Engineering
College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
National University of Sciences and Technology
Islamabad, Pakistan
e-mail: saadjavaid2010@gmail.com
Abstract—As a part of measure to make electricity accessible
to every Pakistani, to overcome the problem of overbilling,
meter tempering and to ensure a cost effective operation, we
have introduced the Prepaid Electricity System. The user
receives message on their mobile phones about the units they
purchased via GSM technology. Mikro C PRO for PIC
software is used for controller programming and Proteus is
used for simulation purposes. The data was sent through the
serial ports to the user energy meter. The PIC microcontroller
detected how much units the user have purchased and the
relay was switched accordingly. When the units purchased
became equal to the units consumed, the relay performed its
function by switching off the electricity system. The warning
message was sent to user mobile through GSM technology
before the disconnection of electricity. Hardware model is also
designed using GSM module. The theft detection of electricity
also became possible by using this system through which
server received the message when users by passed the meter.
Keywords-GSM prepaid electricity system; theft detection
system; prepaid electricity system
I. INTRODUCTION
In utility distribution system, electricity metering plays
an important role, as it measures the electricity consumption
of users and generates bill, which is a source of revenue [1].
Over the years, the Electricity Companies were using the
conventional credit metering and billing system which was
much time consuming system. It was discovered that this
system also faced much problems including incompetent
monitoring of consumption, wrong meter reading,
unproductive revenue collection and useless energy use. So
the scientists started to identify technologies which may
become useful and easier for consumers to pay for the
services [2].
In the developing countries, electricity theft has raised as
a serious problem in power sectors. A great amount of
profits lost due to electricity theft. In some countries it has
become such a severe problem that the governments are
facing losses instead of revenue. Due to this financial loss
the shortage of funds occur for investment to expand the
existing power capacity and due to which governments
become failed to satisfy the ever enhancing demand of
electricity [3].
Prepaid Systems are progressively more popular in the
delivery of urban services, particularly for electricity and
water. The use of prepayment system is irregular, with some
978-1-5386-0484-7/17/$31.00 ©2017 IEEE
Muhammad Faraz Tariq, Amna Nawaz, Muhammad
Yasir Jamal
Department of Electrical Engineering
University of Engineering and Technology
Lahore, Pakistan
countries dynamically seeking the use of prepayment, while
others are apprehensively making steps towards the
adoption of this system. In the context of the Millennium
Development Goals, the case for prepayment of utility
services has been predominantly applicable [4] , in the face
of difficulties posed by climate change to the energy poor
[5], [6]. Much of the support of prepayment thus comes
from an electric group of specialists linked with an energy
provision [7], [8].
Electric group of energy specialists are usually positive
about the profit of prepayment for both utility providers and
consumers. Prepayment is presented as a suitable mean to
improve the effectiveness of utility billing for low income
customers without a balanced income, where there may be
low rate of literacy, high levels of utility pilfering, isolated
or unbalanced settlement and an insufficient street address
system and / or postal service [9].Prepayment system
upgrades technology from mechanical disc rotating meter to
advanced intelligent metering system [10]. It also becomes
helpful for households to manage their disposable income
and to study out of dept. by overshadowing only what they
can afford it [7], [ 8].
The world's most accepted standard for mobile
telephony systems is Global System for Mobile
Communications (GSM). GSM is such a widely used
system by over 1.5 billion people over more than 212
countries and territories. GSM also pioneered low-cost
accomplishment of the short message service (SMS) which
allows parties to substitute postponement tolerant short text
messages. The status and extensive exposure of cellular
networks have fascinated researchers to judge the use of
SMS service. Nevertheless, there are certain problematic
issues regarding GSM network such as its scalability,
consistency and protection, principally under high load. The
scientists also analyzed real data taken from a real GSM
network in India. SMS deliverance success rate was found to
be 94.9%; 73.2% of the successfully delivered messages
reach to the target within 10 seconds; about 5% of them
entail more than an hour and a half. Using SMS for AMR
service will absolutely enhance the flow of messages
extremely. GSM uses several cryptographic algorithms for
defense. The development of UMTS introduces an optional
Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), which uses a
longer authentication key to give larger security, as well as
equally authenticating the network and the user [9], [10]. In
the past, electricity was considered a luxury but with the

passage of time it has become our compulsory need. The
demand of electricity is increasing day by day. Due to which
most of developed countries are facing many problems.
Pakistan has been troubled with energy crisis since
2007.There has been an enormous increase in energy
demand as a result of industrial development and population
growth, in comparison to enhancement in energy production.
Energy resources play a role of backbone in country
development program. Pakistan’s energy infrastructure is
considered to be underdeveloped and poorly managed .The
daily energy demand is around 15,000 to 20,000 MW.
Approximately 8000 MW on daily basis has been observed.
This short fall is too much high and is responsible for
economic destabilization of regions of Pakistan. Several
steps are taken by present government to overcome this
shortfall. It has been observed that the major reasons of slow
development of energy sector are electricity theft, line losses
and mismanagement.
All above problems can be solved by using prepaid
electricity meter. Technology is improving day by day, at
the same time our system requires high security and
automation. Old method of meter reading was not reliable
as it requires large no. of labor operators and sometimes this
process of meter reading is also slow down due to bad
weather conditions [10].
II. OBJECTIVE
Its objective is to overcome electricity consumption
problem beyond consumer’s budget, to overcome
electricity theft problem, to avoid bill dues, and to avoid
mistakes while taking the meter readings.
III. BLOCK DIAGRAM
Figure 1. Block diagramDŽ
Figure 1 shows global System for Mobile (GSM) based
electricity billing system. The consumer purchases the

electricity according to his requirements and credit. He can
consume electricity until his credit exhausted. PIC16F887
microcontroller is used for controlling all operations. There
is a separate microcontroller for each purpose. User can
receive or send Short Service Message (SMS) via GSM
technique. XOR gate is used for theft detection and at the
end relay operation is for cutting off the electric supply
when credit becomes zero.
From server, consumer’s payments for specified amount
of units terminated by letter “K” will be entered. The
terminated letter “K” is necessary to ensure that the credit
amount has been entered completely. In our project, price of
one unit is Rs. 10. LCD will display the consumer credit. At
the same time, relay will be turned ON by signal from this
microcontroller. Due to which, consumer will start
consuming electricity. “Power and Energy” microcontroller
will measure consumed units and display on the LCD. The
comparison task is performed by “controlling device”
microcontroller. It will compare the units purchased and
units consumed. When credit becomes zero, a signal will be
sent from this microcontroller to server to ensure that the
credit is zero. Then server will turn off the relay in order to
cut off the power supply for consumer. At this point, GSM
module will sent message to consumer mobile to deposit his
recharge. The theft activity is normally done by meter
tampering and bypassing.
IV. NUMERICAL METHODOLOGY
We are using GSM Technology for sending post
payment and warning messages, Proteus software is used for
simulation prospective. Micro C for PIC is used for coding
purposes. Serial communication is done between server and
consumer.
V. RESULTS
A. Software Results
Figure 2 shows that initially simulation, one unit is
bought. Price of one unit is Rs. 10. This amount is send to
server via USART terminal Generic User Information
(GUI). After entering amount, a terminating letter “K” is
necessary indicating that amount has completely entered.
After payment to server, “THANKS FOR PAYMENT”
message will be send to user’s mobile and LED connected
to RA3 pin of server microcontroller will blink indicating
that supply has been given to load.
Energy = power x seconds (1)
Equation 1 shows that at a specific time, server energizes
the relay; supply will be given to load. The energy meter
will measure power on supply side. This power will be
converted to energy, by multiplying with seconds.
The programming of energy meter is done in such a way
that seconds will continue to be incremented until relay is
de-energized.
Proteus layout of GSM circuit scheme is configured as:
For example, RD0 pin of “Control the GSM”
microcontroller will monitor payment given to server. When
this pin is 1, RC0 will give zero signal. RC0 pin of “Control
the GSM” is attached to RC2 pin of “GSM” microcontroller.
By accepting the input signal at its pin RC0 “GSM”
microcontroller will send “THANKS FOR PAYMENT”
message to consumer mobile. In the same way, other
messages will be sent to consumer’s mobile through “GSM”
microcontroller.
Figure 2. Proteus simulation for payment to server.
Another important feature is theft detection. Normally,
electricity theft is done by meter tampering. In this project,
meter tampering situation has been created by-passing the
relay. Actually energized relay is an indication of
consumer’s payment to server, whereas de-energized relay
gives an indication that consumer has not bought any unit or
he has totally consumed his units. Electric supply can be
given to load only when relay is energized. In other words,
without any payment, electric supply to load cannot be
supplied. We can say that, without relay scheme, we can
take electric supply directly. That’s why, in this project,
electricity theft feature has been created bypassing relay.
When amount is entered to server, RA4 and RA5 pins of
server controller generates output signal. Relay connected to
RA4 pin of server energizes. At the same time, server sends
a signal from its RA5 pin to RB7 pin of energy meter. In
case of no payment, both pins RA4 and RA5 of server
controller will give zero signal. Bypassing the relay for
electricity theft, AN2 pin of energy meter will read voltage
across 60 ohm resistor. Energy meter compares AN2 pin
status with its RB7 pin. For theft, both pins will be at
different output status. That’s why energy meter will send
signal from its RD0 pin to RB7 of controlling device.

Proteus simulation for server and load side is done in case
of theft detection. On server side, indication of theft units
will be displayed on LCD. On load side, theft detection
message on LCD will be displayed. User will be forced to
remove by-passing for relay. Two LEDs, showing the
indication of theft will also blink. Also after theft detection,
penalty (i.e. Rs. 20/unit) will be charged from consumer if
he wants to purchase units for next time. “PAY PENALTY”
message will be sent to consumer’s mobile through GSM.
Figure 3. Circuit status during loan issuance for one unit.
Figure 3 shows the circuit simulation of loan issuance
feature. After consuming loan unit, consumer cannot
purchase more units until payback for loan unit. A “PAY
BACK” for loan unit message will be sent to consumer’s
mobile. Server is aware of the loan received by user because
a string “LOAN ISSUED” is shown at server. If the loan is
returned to server then operator at server will press the
buttons named “Loan clearance” and “Penalty
clearance-loan permit”. First button will clear the loan if the
loan is returned by user to allow the user to again avail of the
loan facility. If the user has by-passed the relay, then
irrespective of the fact that either the user has already taken
the loan or not, loan facility will be cancelled. So if the user
has committed to tempering or cheating then due to
indication on server side, server will first charge the penalty
and then press the button named “Penalty clearance-loan
permit”. Now the user is allowed to take loan again. Thus
our project also supports “Post payment” feature in case of
loan for facility of user in case of any emergency situation.

B. Hardware Results
Figure 4 explains the energy meter system hardware
results for consumers.
Figure 4. Hardware result of consumer side energy meter system.
VI. CONCLUSION
Theft detection based prepaid electricity system is
designed. On the other hand customers get rid of over billing
and wrong meter reading problems. The primary preferred
standpoint of our undertaking is that electric supply
organization gets most extreme income for the power gave
by this innovation and robbery location is likewise
conceivable. Accordingly this innovation ought to be

actualized in such Countries where income gathering and
power thefting are significant issues.
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