Feasibility study of electricity theft detection using mobile remote check meters

Check metering is an effective method for measuring the losses and electricity theft in a low voltage (LV) reticulation network. Populating a LV reticulation network with permanent check meters is expensive. Electricity theft or tampering is a dynamic process. Current developments in the telecommunications industry make it possible to implement a mobile remote check meter. A data collection infrastructure and data mining software, combined with check metering, can provide valuable information regarding the network. Before devices are placed in the field, a study is conducted to determine the optimum stationary time period for detecting electricity theft in the area, based on available consumption data in the area. This paper discusses simulations and models based on data from pre-paid meters in order to determine the feasibility and method of operation of a remote check meter.