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FAQs Smart Meter Booklet With Revised Text On 27-10-2021

Smart meters allow two-way communication between utilities and customers, providing benefits like tracking electricity use, prepaid billing options to avoid unexpected costs, and helping utilities improve operations. Customers can choose to install smart meters, which will be rolled out gradually according to regulations. Smart meters collect usage data but utilities cannot share personal customer data without consent.

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Balasubramani Ranganathan
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90 views8 pages

FAQs Smart Meter Booklet With Revised Text On 27-10-2021

Smart meters allow two-way communication between utilities and customers, providing benefits like tracking electricity use, prepaid billing options to avoid unexpected costs, and helping utilities improve operations. Customers can choose to install smart meters, which will be rolled out gradually according to regulations. Smart meters collect usage data but utilities cannot share personal customer data without consent.

Uploaded by

Balasubramani Ranganathan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF POWER

t M eter
Smar
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About smart meters and their benets

1. What are smart meters?


Smart meters are a new generation of energy meters that allow you to learn about your consumption
pattern and help utilities conduct system monitoring and customer billing without manual intervention.

2. What is the prepaid function in a smart meter?


The prepaid function in a smart meter operates similarly to a prepaid mobile. You need to recharge your
meter in advance to use electricity. In the case of low or no balance, you will receive 2 or 3 alerts through
your meter and/or SMS before supply is disconnected. The prepaid function helps in avoiding unexpected
bills and also allows you to budget your usage.

3. Can I choose between a prepaid and a postpaid smart-meter?


The option lies with the DISCOM based on the regulatory provisions.

4. Are smart prepaid meters compulsory?


Regulations mandate the installation of prepaid smart meters in a phased manner.

5. Will I have to pay for installing a smart meter?


You are not required to pay upfront for the smart meter installation.

6. What are the benets of using smart meters?


a) You can track electricity consumption using a mobile application.
b) You can recharge your electricity account in advance.
c) Smart meters can digitally send your electricity reading to the utility.
d) It helps the utilities improve power supply.

7. What is the process for smart meter installation?


Your utility will take the initiative to change your present meter into a smart meter.

8. Do I need to install a 'smart' sub-meter for separate oors or tenants?


The mandate is to install smart meters at the interface points with DISCOM. Further, you may install smart
sub-meter for separate oors/tenants at your option.

9. I have a solar rooftop system; can I get a smart meter?


Yes, smart meters can be installed with a solar roof top. However, the policy for installation may vary from
state to state. Thus, you may contact your local utility ofce for more information.

2 FAQs: Smart Meters


Billing and Recharge

1. Would there be a change in my electricity tariff due to smart or prepaid meters?


There may be no change in the tariff structure for smart or prepaid meters. However, you may check with
your local utility's mobile application or website for more information on discounts or incentives offered for
installing smart meters.

2. Will my electricity bill increase after installation of a smart prepaid meter?


There will be no increase in your electricity bill as compared to a traditional meter. Smart meters will
increase the accuracy of meter reading by eliminating human errors associated with manual meter reading
and will also allow you to monitor your consumption pattern.

3. How can I recharge smart meters (including minimum recharge amount)?


You can recharge your smart meters through any of the following:
a) Utility collection counters.
b) Nearest power station.
c) Nearest common service centre.
d) Digitally through the utility's mobile application, website, or payment wallet linked application.

4. Will I receive any alerts from my utility for low balance or disconnection?
Yes, you will receive alerts from the utility on your registered mobile number, smart meter, and the utility's
mobile application.

5. How long will it take for the recharge to reect on my meter?


Typically, the recharge should reect on your meter within few minutes. In case of a delay, please contact
your utility ofce.

6. What is the minimum balance amount I need to maintain in my account to prevent disconnection?
Although there is no mandate for a minimum balance, it is still advisable for consumers to keep a minimum
balance to continue to enjoy uninterrupted power supply.

7. How can I check the balance on my prepaid smart meter?


You can check the balance amount by doing any of the following:
a) Checking the display on energy meters.
b) Using your mobile application.
c) Logging-in to the utility's website with your customer ID.
d) Calling the utility's toll free number.

3 FAQs: Smart Meters


8. Will my power supply be cut off immediately if my recharge gets exhausted?
In the event of a low balance, you will receive alerts from the utility on your registered mobile number, smart
meter, and the utility's mobile application before the supply cuts-off.

9. How can I distinguish between a power outage and a disconnection?


In the case of a disconnection, the meter will still have supply and show a message of low or no balance.

10. How will I receive my electricity bill – physical, SMS or electronic?


You will receive electricity bills through the existing modes provided by the utility. The information shall also
be available on the utility's mobile application.

11. How frequently will I receive my electricity bill?


The billing would be as per your existing cycle.

4 FAQs: Smart Meters


Feedback and Redressal

1. Can I check the accuracy of my smart meters?


If you suspect the smart meter to be tampered with or is giving an incorrect reading, you can contact your
utility (in-person, toll-free number, or any other mode provided by the utility) with your complaint. Your
utility will get the meter checked at payable charges.

2. What can I do if I am unable to recharge through the mobile application or if there is a transaction
failure?
You can complain about the recharge failure at the grievance redressal numbers of your utility or register a
complaint through the utility's mobile application. The concerned authority will guide you through the
process.

3. Who should I approach if the power supply does not resume even after recharge?
Typically, power restoration takes place within a few minutes of recharge. If the connection is not restored,
you may contact your utility via a grievance redressal number to get the problem rectied.

4. What should I do if my supply gets disconnected even though the balance in my prepaid meter is
available?
This normally would not happen, however in rarest such possibility, please contact your utility helpline
number, available on the website and mobile application.

5. How can I track my complaint status?


The present complaint redressal mechanism will be applicable, for smart meter related complaints.

6. How can I change my registered mobile number?


The change of mobile number may be done through the established KYC process of your utility.

5 FAQs: Smart Meters


Data Protection and Privacy

1. What data does a smart meter collect?


Smart meters are programmed to collect real time electricity usage data. This data helps the utilities to
improve their service quality.

2. Can utilities share electricity consumption data with third parties?


Utilities cannot share any personalised consumer data without your consent. Anonymised electricity
consumption data can be used for analysis and research by utilities. Data privacy laws will be adhered to in
respect of sharing of any data with third party agencies.

3. Who will be responsible for managing the privacy and security of my data?
The concerned power distribution company (utility) will be responsible for managing the privacy and
security of data in accordance with the applicable laws.

4. Can I request access to the data collected through the smart meter?
Yes, you can access your smart meter data via your utility's mobile application or website.

6 FAQs: Smart Meters


Miscellaneous

1. What are the features of a smart meter?


The following are the consumer-friendly features of a smart meter:
a) Easy Top-up facility with option for small recharge
b) Notication of Low Credit

Few utilities may also provide (to be checked from utility's website):
a) Provision of emergency credit by the utility during holidays and non-working hours (1600 – 0800 the
next day).
b) Enablement of promotional discounts and offers on the sale of power

2. How can smart meters help me reduce my energy bills?


You can check and track energy consumption on a real-time basis with the help of the utility's mobile
application or website. This information can track the electricity usage data and the tariff paid for the same.

3. What are the Value Added Services that will be available with smart meters in the future?
There are several value-added services that can be rolled out in the future. For example:
a) Daily meter reading and energy calculation.
b) The ability to compare daily, monthly, and seasonal electricity consumption via graphical
representations.
c) Direct online payment facility, in certain cases without requiring registration
d) Setting a usage threshold limit alert is an option.
e) Status of the monthly load
f) Option for real-time notications
g) Tracking electricity expenditure with a daily prepaid balance.
h) Registering a complaint and contacting customer service through the mobile application.
i) Allowing data collection at the appliance level and providing personalised recommendations for energy
savings.

4. How can I monitor my electricity usage? Can I switch ON/OFF my meter remotely?
You can use the utility's mobile application or website to track your electricity consumption. However, due
to security concerns, the interface is not meant for switching meters ON/OFF.

5. Does a smart meter mean that the power supply can be cut off more easily?
The primary purpose of the smart meter is two-way communication and real time data collection for
proactive intervention by the utility in case of a consumer complaint. Disconnection and reconnections will
be executed with adequate warnings and as per the state regulations.

7 FAQs: Smart Meters


6. Do smart meters have any adverse effect on health?
Smart meters do not pose any additional health risk compared to other forms of communication devices
used regularly.

7. Can smart meters help to improve the quality and reliability of the power supply?
Yes, with real-time dependable data on quality and reliability, the utilities will be able to monitor and analyse
the power supply situation in your area. An informed and active utility can proactively restore power supply
faster in the case of a fault or interruption.

8 FAQs: Smart Meters

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