International Journal of Academic Engineering Research (IJAER)

ISSN: 2643-9085
Vol. 6 Issue 5, May - 2022, Pages: 1-3

Current Tampering Techniques on Prepaid Domestic Meters in

Uganda
Kibirige David1, Bob Rich Mwecumi 2, Namulawa Hawa3, Kitone Isaac 4, Sserunjogi Solomon5, Kayenga Tendo Joshua6,
Nelson Njubo7, Nakitto Immaculate8, Kanyana Ruth9, Dr. Primrose Nakazibwe10, Dr. Rita Makumbi11
1-8
Department of Electrical Engineering, Ndejje University, Kampala, Uganda
semkibirige@gmail.com1, abooki2014@gmail.com2, hawanamulawa@gmail.com3, kitonei@gmail.com4,
solomonsserunjogi29@gmail.com5, kayengatendojoshua4991@gmail.com6, tag.nnt@gmail.com7, nakittoimmy@gmail.com8

Kanyana Ruth
Directorate of Research, Innovation, Consultancy and Extension, Kampala International University
Kampala, Uganda
ruth.kanyana@kiu.ac.ug

Dr. Primrose Nakazibwe

Directorate of Research and Innovations, Ndejje University
Kampala, Uganda
pnakazibwe@ndejjeuniversity.ac.ug

Dr. Rita Makumbi

Directorate of Quality Assurance, Ndejje University
Kampala, Uganda
barymaks@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract: Energy theft is a common activity in our country today according to reports and it is causing utility companies to lose
money, making it a major source of concern. Consumers have been caught tampering with their energy meters, causing them to stop,
under register, or even circumvent the meter, effectively utilizing electricity without paying for it. The resulting losses cause power
utilities to raise electricity prices in order to recoup distribution and operation costs which affect new entrepreneurs thus hindering
economic growth. In this paper, we discuss the two common tampering techniques identified during our survey, this will help the
stakeholders in the utility distribution company to mitigate or further reduce on the losses incurred during meter tampering.

Keywords—Tampering, Prepaid Meter, Theft, distribution, losses, Consumers, Utility

The BEC44(09) meter has optional tamper protection, that is
configured in production. If the tamper feature is enabled, any
1. OVERVIEW
attempt to tamper with the meter can result in the consumer’s
The BEC44(09) meter is a single-phase Standard Transfer supply being disconnected, if so configured [3]. The supply is
Specifications pre-payment electricity meter with a Dual In only reconnected when a Standard Transfer Specifications
line rail mounting and is ideal for residential applications [1]. (STS) clear tamper token is entered into the meter. The STS
The solution comprises two elements, a measurement control tamper token is meter specific. When enabled, tamper is only
unit (MCU), more commonly known as the meter and a user active once the meter is commissioned. The meter is shipped
interface unit (UIU) which is the consumer’s keypad in a decommissioned state to facilitate installation. In this
interface. The installation is termed "split" or "split metering", mode, the tamper feature is disabled to allow the installer to
as the metering device is separated from the consumer’s fit and remove the terminal cover, without the unit going into
interface. The meter is housed outside the consumer’s tamper. Currently, electric theft is becoming common and
premises, for example in a street kiosk or pole top box, which there are several ways in the which the prepaid domestic
enables easy access for the utility [2]. The User Interface Unit meters are tampered with i.e. breaking the seals on the meter
(UIU) is installed in the consumer’s premises for easy user and the terminal cover opening either to bypass the meter at
access. The UIU is used by consumers to enter their electricity the terminal or tamper with the meter circuitry.
tokens, to view information regarding their consumption and In this paper we review some of the common current
other functional abilities. The BEC44(09) solution provides a techniques of prepaid meter tampering in Uganda.
number of innovations, where the device can operate as a
smart pre-payment meter or post-payment meter. The device
has over 50 programmable functions, to provide a high level
of customization for each utility.
www.ijeais.org/ijaer
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International Journal of Academic Engineering Research (IJAER)
ISSN: 2643-9085
Vol. 6 Issue 5, May - 2022, Pages: 1-3
use when the relay is opened was used thus registering
2. TAMPERING TECHNIQUES enormous losses by the distribution company.
Reduction of the amount of current entering the meter.
In partially earth condition one of the loads is connected to
earth and other is returned back to neutral of the meter. In fully
earth condition the total load is earthed. In both the cases the
current in the neutral wire IN, is less than that in the Phase wire
(IP). To detect this condition, the meter monitors the currents
in both energy wires - Phase and Neutral with the Measuring
current transformer and compares them. If they differ
significantly, the meter uses the larger of the two currents to
determine energy. The missing neutral tampering condition
occurs when the neutral is disconnected from the meter. In
this condition, there is no voltage input and thus no output
would be generated by the power supply. However, when the
load is applied, there would be a valid input signal on current
circuit, hence power will be consumed. Since the voltage on
Neutral is zero, Power P = V x I = 0. This condition is also
known as single wire operation. During our study the amount
of current entering the metering control unit was reduced by Figure 2: Circuit board with relay for meter bypass.
placing a resistor on the signal wire feeding the Meter control
unit which reduced power consumption in Kilowatts on the 3. CONCLUSION
side of the consumer, thus translating into an energy loss to As part of a drive to reduce theft losses, Uganda's main power
the Electricity distributing company. The figure below shows distributor, UMEME limited, implemented prepaid meters,
energy theft by insertion of a resistor in the meter circuit and by the end of 2020, 97 percent of her customers had been
which was confiscated during the survey. connected to prepaid meters [4]. It has reduced losses from
around 40% when it first joined as a utility service provider in
2005 to 17.5% by the end of 2020. Despite the fact that this is
a great achievement, it is still above the statutory objective of
14%, and more effort needs to be done to further reduce it [5].
The figure below shows the performance road map of
UMEME as far as Energy losses are concerned.

Figure 1: Energy theft by insertion of resistor in the meter

circuit

Tampering with the follow of current.

There are many ways to bypass an energy meter. The most
common way is by putting a jumper in meter terminal such
that connection is bypassed and the energy consumption is not
registered. This kind of meter bypass can be easily detected
by monitoring the currents in all energy wires – all Phases and
Neutral, and compares them. But in this case an external
bypass circuit containing a microprocessor that was Figure 3: UMEME's loss reduction performance
programmed to open or close a relay connected in series with
the meter, bypassing the meter and not recording any energy

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International Journal of Academic Engineering Research (IJAER)
ISSN: 2643-9085
Vol. 6 Issue 5, May - 2022, Pages: 1-3
Despite the fact that prepaid meters have made a major
contribution to loss reduction, they still face a barrier that, if
addressed, might assist further cut losses. The prepaid single-
phase meters in use are unable to detect tampering when it
occurs during a power outage, giving questionable electricity
customers the opportunity to alter the meter for energy theft.
The meters also lack the capability to notify tampering in real
time, while having tamper detection capabilities. These flaws
highlight the importance of finding ways to improve these
components of prepayment meters.

References

[1] S. S. Sable, Saurabh Padalkar, Akshay Rathod,

Gaurav Tayade, and Vaibhav Bhadmukhe, “Smart
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[3] Kannan P, A. Devaraj, Esakki Rajavel. S, Nisharni
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[4] Abubaker Mayemba, “Umeme Loses Billions to
Power Theft,” Observer-26 august, 2016.
[5] J. Mawejje, E. Munyambonera, and L. Bategeka,
“Powering Ahead: The Reform of the Electricity
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