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Simulation of RF Technology Based Power Theft Detection

Article  in  European Journal of Engineering Science and Technology · September 2019

DOI: 10.33422/EJEST.2019.01.54

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Simulation of RF Technology Based Power Theft Detection

Hussien Alalem 1, Abdalla Fadel 2, * Abdalla Turki 3, * Manal Shlibek4, * Mona Shlibek5
1
Associate Professor - School of Engineering and Applied Science/ Libyan Academy
2
Professor - School of Engineering and Applied Science/ Libyan Academy
3
Abdalla Turki - General Manager, Tripoli Dairy Company
4
MSc - School of Engineering/ Libyan Academy- Engineer at GECOL
5
MSc - Faculty of Electrical & Electronic Engineering / Tripoli University

ABSTRACT
No doubt that electricity is an essential thing in our daily life. It has a vital role to facilitate
the human life as without it we cannot run appliances in our homes, hospitals, offices…etc.
Day by day, the demand of electricity increases rapidly due to its uses. This leads to illegal
connection of electricity for those who cannot pay for it. Such theft of electricity from
distribution line leads to huge losses for electricity utilities . Libyan power grid is facing this
problem due to huge losses that resulted from illegal usage. This paper is designed to show
the simulation by Proteus to design and model of power theft detection and monitoring using
RF technology. The proposed system detects the theft whenever is occurred. It is supposed
that at substation side which is pole 1 there is Arduino, and at consumed side which is pole 2
there is Arduino as well. Transferring data from Arduino at pole 2 to Arduino at pole 1 through
modulo RF 433 MHZ modules. Arduino at pole 2 will calculate electricity theft and transmit
data to Arduino at pole 1 to make a comparison between data. This was done in this paper via
the UART interface to the UART terminal embedded in the Proteus. The source code has been
shown for both Master and Slave boards.

Keywords: GECOL, Adruino, Current Sensors, RF 433 module, LCD displays.

1. Introduction
In Libya, power theft is a common problem, which results in loss of electrical. The general
electricity company of Libyan (GECOL) is the solely company responsible for supplying
electricity. Because of the electricity theft, GECOL is facing the frequent problems of load
shedding. This power theft phenomenon is definitely needed to be decreased as much as
possible. The paper is designed to overcome of this phenomenon. As the ways for stealing the
electricity is countless so we can never keep track where exactly the theft has occurred.
The proposed system via Arduino kit will automatically calculate the real power
consumption from houses or buildings in general and compare the real measured data with
the assumed consumption data. The Arduino kit attached to energy meter at substation side,
which is pole 1, named Master kit. The Arduino kit attached to energy meter at home side,
which is pole 2, named Slave kit. The measured data will be transferred via RF 433 MHZ
module from Master kit to Slave kit. The Arduino kit attached to every pole consists of
Atmega328 and wcs2702 module-current sensor, LCD display, and RF 433 MHZ module. The
current sensor senses the amount of current that flow through the Slave kit. the sensed
reading will be fed to microcontroller/Atmega328 type. Then the Arduino will calculate this
sensed reading and send it to RF module to be transferred to Master kit. Then the RF module
will send the calculated data to the substation. Depending on current sensor readings at poles
1 and 2, the power theft is detected. The target of the paper is to design a system which
automatically detects and control illegal connection of electricity. The simulation was done in
this paper by Proteus to design and model of power theft detection and monitoring using RF
technology. Many studies related to electricity theft have been done. In 2013, Pandey, Gill,
and Sharma proved that applied Zigbee technology to wirelessly detect the electricity theft,
give high efficient and inexpensive method [1].
Moreover, in this year, Patil, Gopal, and Kirtikumar made a real time system to identify
wirelessly where exactly the location of illegal tapping is done on a specific distribution line in
case a theft is done by tapping. The model was tested for varying amounts of power thefts
and also for different types of circuit approximations [2]. By the year 2014, Prashanthi, and
Prasad made an organization model to calculate exactly the power consumed in a household
consumers from a main source connected on that area at a certain time. This work is detecting
the illegal use but not for finding out where exactly it is [3]. In 2015, Dike, et. al. made a system
to send a message instantaneously when the theft is done at a certain location [4]. While, two
years later, 2017, Prakash, Jebaseeli, and Sindhu identified power theft project using GSM
technology. The objective of their project is to design a system which will try to minimize the
illegal use of electricity and also reduce the chances of theft. This paper presented the
different methods of power theft and the methods to identify the theft occurred in houses
and industries [6]. Lastly, in 2018 Saini stated that a primary cause of high distribution losses
in India state is a power theft and presented a solution [5]. In the same year, 2018, Khan, Xie,
, et. al , designed and Modeled an anti-theft electricity distribution system, their proposed
system detects the illegal load and burns it by sending high voltage signal from capacitor bank.
The legal load is made safe and uninterrupted during execution of illegal load [7].
2. Proposed System and Methodology
This paper presented a control system that provides a solution of power theft problem by
placing the system which will be constructed utilizing the Arduino UNO microcontroller with
a wireless module. Arduino UNO microcontroller with current sensor will be formed as a
number of Master and Slave boards. Arduino UNO microcontroller was designed to detect
exactly where the probable power theft has occurred. They will assist in the distinction of the
illegal consumption. However, the Microcontroller will be interfaced between the energy
meter and a mobile communication network in order to transfer data wirelessly. A signal will
be sent from the Microcontroller to the communication medium in case there is a difference
in the compared values. Then a communication medium wirelessly sends a notification
message to inform GECOL that there is an additional unexpected consumption detected in
that specific home or in that particular electricity pole. As a result, GECOL can ensure whether
or not this detected power is authorized by the company. Consequently, the power theft once
detected the procedures will be taken by the company. The Master and Slave boards consist
of same components (explained in section 2). As each board has a different functionality, the
difference between them is the code written in C/ C++ language.

2.1 Functions of Components

2.1.1 Arduino UNO microcontroller
Arduino is an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software.
It's intended for anyone making interactive project. Arduino board senses the environment by
receiving inputs from many sensors, and affects its surroundings by controlling lights, motors,
and other actuators. Arduino software, you can tell your Arduino what to do by writing code
in the Arduino programming language and using the Arduino development environment [8].

2.2 Atmega328:
An Arduino board consist of Atmega328 IC. In this Atmega328 IC we can implement our
program [11].
2.3 Rf 433 MHZ

The RF 433MHz Transmitter/Receiver modules with Arduino. One of its application

environment is the automobile anti-theft products [9]. An RF module stands for radio
frequency module. It is a small electronic device used to transmit and/or receive radio signals
between two devices. The medium of this wireless communication does not require line. It is
either through optical communication or through radio frequency (RF) communication [10].
2.4 WCS 2702 module-current sensor
The WCS2702consists of a precise, low-temperature drift linear hall sensor IC with temperature
compensation circuit and a current path with 98mΩ typical internal conductor resistance. This
extremely low resistance can effectively reduce power loss, operating temperature and
increase the reliability greatly. Applied current flowing through this conduction path generates
a magnetic field which is sensed by the integrated Hall IC and converted into a proportional
voltage [12].

2.5 Liquid Crystal displays (16x2) and (20 x4)

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen is an electronic display module. It is a flat panel display,
electronic visual display. In this paper there is an interfacing 20x4 & 16 x2 LCD With Arduino.
A 16x2 LCD means it can display 16 Columns and 2 Rows. A 20x4 LCD means it can display 20
Columns and 4 Rows.
2.6 Power Supply
There are many types of power supply. Most are designed to convert high voltage AC mains
electricity to a suitable low voltage supply for electronics.

3. Software implementation
The proposed system was designed in Proteus version 8.6. the system takes power supply from
the main distribution line as shown in figure1.

Figure 1. shows the main distribution line.

So, the system detects the theft whenever is occurred. It is supposed that at substation side
which is pole 1 there is Arduino kit named Master board, and at consumed side which is pole 2
there is Arduino kit as well named Slave board. Transferring data from Arduino at pole 2 to
Arduino at pole 1 through modulo RF 433 MHZ modules. Figures 2 and 3 show the Simulation
results of both Master and Slave Board respectively.

Figure.2 Simulation result of Slave Board

Figure.3 Simulation result of Master Board.

Here, in Proteus simulation, Arduino at pole 1 will calculate electricity theft and transmit data
via the UART interface to the UART-terminal embedded in the Proteus as shown in figure 4.
When developing a real project (in hardware), the UART interface easily connects to a
computer COM port or USB port throuht USB-RS232 adapter.
For best accuracy it will be more correct to use external ADC module (it has greater resolution
than in-build arduino ADC). In the proposed system there are two potentiometers and switch:
• Switch 1 "SW1" for switching power line regime (theft or no theft).
• First Potentiometer "Consumer" for adjusting consumer current consumption.
• Second Potentiometer "Theft" for adjusting theft current.
The internal resistance of potentiometer is equal it full resistances (500 Ohm) * percent. From
the last figure, it can be clearly seen that voltage drop across a 98 mΩ resistor (its equal to
wcs2702 internal resistance) and amplifying the signal to the levels specified in the data sheet
for the wcs2702 module. Figure.5 shows the internal construction of wcs2702 module.

Figure.4 Simulation result of the Power Theft Detection System.

Figure.5 Proteus model of wcs2702 module-current sensor.

The Proteus model of wcs2702 module-current sensor provided:

• Internal resistance equal to internal resistance of wcs2702 module
• Galvanic isolation low voltage output part from height voltage line
• Output signal is analogical to output signal of wcs2702 module (Figure 6)

Figure 6. Output signal of wcs2702 module

In normal condition (no theft) (Figure 7) consumer part send to source part information about
own current consumption and source part compared it with own measured line current. As far
as this data is similar, no power theft signal is generated.

Figure 7. Proteus simulation of Power Theft Detection Model in Normal Load Condition.

Also model has a program over current protection – if consumer current is greater than current
limit of wcs2702 module, then it shows on LCD display (Consumer current: MAX, Source
current: MAX) as shown in figure 8.

Figure 8. Proteus simulation of Current Protection Model.

In power theft mode (Figure 9) Source part is detected consumer and source currents mismatch
and generated power theft signal on Proteus terminal by UART interface.

Figure 9. Proteus simulation of Power Theft Detection Model in Power Theft Condition.
4. The Source Code of Arduino
4.1 The Source Code of Master Board (Arduino Kit)
4.2 The Source Code of Slave Board (Arduino Kit)
5. Conclusion
This circuit utilizes the RF module (Tx/Rx) for making a wireless communication between
Arduino boards. This will help both consumer and utility to use it easily. As the medium of this
wireless communication does not require line. So data which represent the total power
consumption is transmitted as signals at a particular frequency and a baud rate. A receiver can
receive these signals only if it is configured for that frequency can be transferred from energy
meters of homes in a certain areas to the substation. The advantages of RF module are
numerous such as cheap, high accuracy, reliability, flexibility, and friendly use. RF uses radio
frequency to send signals. Rf module has been used because its greater efficiency, and the
ability to remove signal variations and noise. This will help the electricity utility can know
where exactly the theft has occurred. In addition, RF module used for cellular mobile phone
service. So, through mobile phone, consumer can receive SMS message from the electricity
utility in case there is theft of electricity.

6. References
[1] Virendra Pandey, Simrat Singh Gill, Amit Sharma, 2013, Wireless Electricity Theft Detection
System Using Zigbee Technology, International Journal on Recent and Innovation Trends
in Computing and Communication, ISSN2321–8169, volume1 Issue: 4.
[2] Sagar Patil , Gopal Pawaskar , Kirtikumar Patil, April 2013, ELECTRICAL POWER THEFT
DETECTION AND WIRELESS METER READING, International Journal of Innovative Research
in Science, Engineering and Technology Vol. 2, Issue 4, Copyright to IJIRSET
www.ijirset.com 1114.
[3] G. L. Prashanthi, K. V. Prasad.
[4] G. L. Prashanthi, K. V. Prasad, Nov - Dec. 2014, Wireless power meter monitoring with
power theft detection and intimation system using GSM and Zigbee networks, IOSR
Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering (IOSR-JECE) e-ISSN: 2278-2834,p-
ISSN: 2278-8735.Volume 9, Issue 6, Ver. I, PP 04-08 www.iosrjournals.org
www.iosrjournals.org 4 | Page.
[5] Damian O. Dike , Uchechukwu A. Obiora , Euphemia C. Nwokorie , Blessing C. Dike, 2015,
Minimizing Household Electricity Theft in Nigeria Using GSM Based Prepaid Meter,
American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER) e-ISSN : 2320-0847 p-ISSN : 2320-0936
Volume-4, Issue-1, pp-59-69 www.ajer.org.
[6] Sunita Saini, January 2018, ELECTRICITY THEFT–A PRIMARY CAUSE OF HIGH DISTRIBUTION
LOSSES IN INDIAN STATE, International Research Journal of Management and Commerce
ISSN: (2348-9766), Impact Factor-5.564, Volume 5, Issue 1, Website- www.aarf.asia,
 Department of Management Studies, DCR University Science & Technology, Sonepat,
India.
[7] November 2017, International Journal of Advanced Research in Electrical, Electronics and
Instrumentation Engineering (An ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization) Vol. 6, Special
Issue 3, Copyright to IJAREEIE www.ijareeie.com 72, "Power Theft Identification Using
GSM Technology". Rhea Prakash, E. Annie Elisabeth Jebaseeli, and Y.S.U.Sindhu.
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Sathyabama University, Rajiv Gandhi
Salai, Chennai, India.
[8] MATEC Web of Conferences 160, 02010 (2018) , EECR 2018., " Designing and Modeling
of Automated Anti-theft Electricity Distribution System". Researches Awais Khan1 Wei
Xie1, Suhail Aftab Qureshi2, Muhammad Ilyas3, JingChun Lin4 and Guidong Liu4 1 College
of Automation Science and Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou,
China, Electrical Engineering Department, UET Lahore, Pakistan 3Iqra International
University Peshawar, Pakistan. College of Electrical and Information Engineering,
GuangDong Baiyun University, Guangzhou, China.
[9] https://www.arduino.cc/
[10] Datasheets/Products/433Mhz_RF-TX&RX.pdf
[11] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RF_module
[12] International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-
0056 Volume: 05 Issue: 03 | Mar-2018 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072.
[13] © Winson, 2019/1/21

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