Power Theft Detection with Short Message Service (SMS) Alert and Auto Shutdown

Energy theft has emerged as a pressing issue in developing countries, notably in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, threatening the economic stability of these nations. Illicit use of electricity poses significant challenges, and identifying and resolving such theft in real-time applications remains a formidable task. This paper presents a novel approach for detecting energy theft by leveraging Arduino technology and a GSM modem, offering an innovative solution to address this growing problem. Various forms of energy theft, including meter tampering, meter bypassing, and direct hooking from power lines, continue to plague the energy distribution sector in these countries. To combat this issue, the proposed system incorporates Arduino-based hardware and a GSM modem. An LCD display is employed to provide users with real-time data on power consumption, as well as the extent of power theft occurring. Furthermore, this critical information is relayed to the consumer via text messages, which also include details of the distribution transformer involved. This integrated system substantially reduces the need for manual intervention in monitoring and addressing energy theft. The proposed system not only detects and displays instances of energy theft but also proactively informs consumers with critical information, contributing to a more transparent and secure energy distribution network. This innovative solution offers promise in curbing energy theft and promoting a sustainable and reliable energy ecosystem in developing regions.