5 Tempering Protection Components in 2024
Smart energy meters use various techniques and components to minimize tampering and enhance security. These methods are crucial in preventing unauthorized access, manipulation, or theft of electricity.
Energy meters play an important role in the distribution system to measure the consumption of energy. one of the surveys shows that electricity theft was 53 billion Rps in 2018. There are two types of tempering used in the energy meters. One is physical tempering and the other is soft tempering.
In physical tempering, it's easy to detect the tempered energy meters for example someone not using neutral wire etc. In soft tempering, you can not easily judge, for example, you create a strong magnetic field with a permanent magnet etc.
In the latest digital meters or smart meters, the tempering process is reduced by different methods or techniques. the different protection methods or components that are used in the smart energy meters to minimize the tempering process including
- By using the Cover open switch
- by using Potential Transformer(pt)
- by providing backup
- using memory system
- using ultrasonic welding or sealing system
By using the Cover open switch Method
In this method, different manufacturers used a push switch that is directly connected to the microcontroller with a high or low logic state depending on the situation. when the top cover is fitted on the top side the switch is pressed and the logic is low value controlled by a microcontroller.
when anybody tries to open the top cover, the switch logic becomes high and the microcontroller generates a signal which is displayed on the screen and shows the 'open status' that shows the tempering condition so this switch protects the cover open temper condition.
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| 5 Anti-Tempering Components 2024 |
By using Potential Transformer (P.T)
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By providing backup
In the latest energy meters, we provide a battery backup to avoid the tempering attempt. this battery is actually a lithium-ion battery of 3.6 v that lifetime is also up to 15 years.
we also used a supercapacitor in the three-phase, LT, and HT meters as a backup for the battery. In the previous mechanical meters, there are no backup is provided in the energy meters.
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using memory system
This is a very important feature introduced in the latest energy meters or smart microcontroller-based energy meters. this is an EEPROM-based memory system that stores each and every value for example date, time, total consumption in KWH, Total reactive Power in Kvar etc.
This memory is non-volatile and does not lose its value even if the light is disconnected. if someone tries to temper the energy meter value is saved in the Rom and easily retrieved by the manufacturers.
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using ultrasonic welding or sealing system
Different manufacturers used different types of techniques to join the upper case and lower case. the most influential system is the ultrasonic welding system which is used to join the system to avoid external tempering conditions.
The sealing system is used to avoid the external magnetic field or extra tempering conditions. Smart meters are often equipped with tamper-evident seals and robust enclosures to deter physical tampering. If someone attempts to open the meter, these seals break or leave visible evidence of interference.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the role of energy meters in measuring electricity consumption is pivotal for the distribution system. Tampering, a significant concern, has been addressed through various measures in both traditional and smart meters.
Traditional energy meters faced issues of physical tampering, such as bypassing the neutral connection. Additionally, soft tampering methods, like creating magnetic fields with permanent magnets, posed challenges in detection.
In 2018, electricity theft was estimated at 53 billion, underscoring the importance of addressing these vulnerabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What is an energy meter?
How does an energy meter work?
What are the different types of energy meters?
What is the difference between electromechanical and electronic energy meters?
- Electromechanical meters use mechanical components like rotating disks and gears to measure energy consumption.
- Electronic meters use solid-state electronics and digital displays for measurement.
1 Comments
this is used in energy meters?
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