Prepaid energy meters network via power system communication

Abstract

This paper presents a new idea of designing a prepaid energy meters that has the ability of being connected to a unified centre (Energy Company). The process of connecting the meters to a unified centre can facilitate the security, control and maintenance purposes. The mentioned network is economical because it is established using the existing power lines instead of constructing a new wired or wireless network. The data are transmitted over this network using Power Line Communication (PLC) technology. A special device is used to inject the data to the network and captures them from the network; this device is the power line communication modem. A simple design of the network is done using two computers and two modems (PLM) plus a program code. By using a modem the program can take the measured data from the meter then send them to the computer server and vice versa. The designed network makes the energy company able to access any prepaid energy meter in the unified area and control the measurements of this meter; and as a result, stealing of electricity can be prevented. Also company can communicate with the consumer by sending text messages such as a serial number for recharging the energy or alarm the consumer before the whole amount of electricity is totally consumed. Moreover, this network offers the ability of controlling the supply of energy such as switch “On” or “Off” of the electricity supply.