thesis format

Pamantasan ng Cabuyao Laguna Philippines 4025

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

WIRELESS ILLEGAL ELECTRICITY CONNECTION DETECTOR

AND LOCATOR WITH SMS NOTIFICATION

A Design Project Proposal Presented to the

College of Engineering

Pamantasan ng Cabuyao

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering

by

Bragais, Darren Mark M.

Gendrano, John Philip D.

Pilotos, Evaristo III P.

October 2014



Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

One of the problems in electricity transmission and distribution is the

system loss that mainly caused by the electricity pilferage. Electricity pilferage is

an ongoing problem for every electricity providers as well to the customers. Most

cases of electricity pilferage occur when violators physically alter the mechanisms

inside their power meters or by tapping to the main power lines. The most basic

method of stealing electricity is a direct wire-connection to a main power route

passing by a house or shop so that electricity can flow to the consumer without

crossing the electric meter installed by a governmental agency which is responsible

for providing electrical services to costumer. Other methods may include opening

the meter itself, without damaging its seals and reversing the dials, a complicated

procedure that requires expert skill. There are various types of electrical power

pilfering done in all over the world. The various types of electrical power pilfering

are as follows:



1. DIRECT HOOKING FROM LINE

Figure 1.1: Direct hooking from the line

It is the most used method for pilfering electricity. 80% of total power

pilferage all over the world is done by direct tapping from line. The consumer taps

into a direct power line from a point ahead of the energy meter. This energy source

therefore is unmeasured in its consumption and procured with or without switches.



2. BYPASSING THE ENERGY METER

Figure 1.2: Bypassing the energy meter

In this method, the input terminal and output terminal of the energy meter

has been shorted by a wire. So energy cannot be registered in the energy meter.



3. INJECTING FOREIGN ELEMENT INTO THE ENERGY METER

Figure 1.3: Injecting foreign element into the energy meter

Sometimes skilled individuals inject foreign elements such as transistors,

resistors or IC chips into the electrical meter which causes a lower consumption of

electricity. Also some meters are manipulated with a remote control circuit by

installing the circuit inside the meter which can be operated remotely and the meter

can be slowed down at any time consumer desires. If someone tests the meter for



its accuracy by external inspection, it always found correct unless the remote is

turned on.

4. DRILLING HOLES IN ELECTROMECHANICAL METER

Figure 1.4: Drilling hole in electromechanical meter

Drilling holes is a visible type of manipulating an electrical meter. This

type of tampering is done to electromechanical types of meters. The individual

inserts foreign material inside the meter to obstruct the free movement of the

rotating disc.



As the overall result, violators are not charged for the total number of

kilowatt-hours actually used causing lost revenue for both utility or distributers and

electricity providers. Mainly, electricity pilferage cause higher monthly bills for

the consumers.

Background of the Study

Nowadays, electricity is more than a necessity. It is important to human life.

Electricity is the one responsible in running a vast number of machines that are

part of our daily lives. Electricity is used mostly in four main areas: industry,

public health, media and transportation. In the industry sector, electricity plays a

significant role in running the machines that produce the foods we eat, the clothes

we wear and other products that is essential to human life. In public health,

electricity is the one responsible in running the equipments used to revive and

sustain human life. Electricity is also responsible in lighting our homes and in

making our transportation easier to access. With electricity, wireless

communications become possible. As the need of electricity is increasing day by

day, the cases of power pilferage and illegal electricity connections are also

increasing.



Most cases of electricity pilferage occurs in areas were the demand for

electricity is increasing. Electricity pilferage is common in many countries and

energy worth huge amount is stolen annually from electricity grids that passed to

the consumers. The problem has socioeconomic, political, environmental and

technical roots, but the solution is generally sought solely through technical

measures. Mostly electricity pilferage is a problem in areas with informal settlers.

Informal settlers didn't have legitimate electricity connections so thats why they

illegally tap to power lines to sustain their electricity needs. Even some companies

pilfer electricity in order to lessen their electricity bills.

Figure 1.5: Overall Average Retail Rate for January - September 2011



According to Manila Electric Company (Meralco) in 2011, generation

charge is the largest component of customers' bill at 55.6%. Distribution charge or

Meralco's share is at 18.0%, Transmission charge incurred by the National Grid

Corporation of the Philippines from generators at 11.4% Taxes takes up 9.2 % and

System loss at 9.2%. System losses have two components: technical and non-

technical. Technical losses occur naturally and consist mainly of power dissipation

in electricity system components such as transmission and distribution lines,

transformers, and measurement systems. Non technical losses are caused by

actions external to the power system and primary consist of electricity pilferage.

Non technical losses are difficult to quantify. Non technical losses in the power

sector are almost non-existent or negligibly small in developed countries, as most

of the population can afford to pay tariffs reflecting cost of supply (even if they are

higher than those reflecting optimized performance of the service providers). In

contrast, although mixed, the situation tends to be significantly different in

developing countries. Many electricity utilities in developing succeeded in

significantly or eliminating non-technical losses in electric supply on a sustainable

manner, but others continue to show high non-technical losses.



Graph 1.1: World 20 Countries with Highest Deficit in Access to Electricity

(2010)

According to World Bank Global Electrification Database (2012), India has

the highest power deficiency in the world. The graph shows the countries with

highest deficit in access to electricity including our country, the Philippines in 15th

place.



Current State of Technology

One of the current methods present in electricity pilferage detection is the

Meralco Kuryente Watch which is the anti-power pilferage movement of Meralco

in cooperation with concerned citizens and local barangays. Part of Kuryente

Watch efforts includes a public service educational campaign to make customers

aware of the dangers of power pilferage to lives and property.

In this program by Meralco, citizens are encouraged to report any illegal

connection present in their neighborhood. This anti-power pilferage program of

Meralco aims to eliminate illegal connections that could minimize system loss.



Project Description

Wireless Illegal Electricity Connection Detector and Location with SMS

notification present an efficient way to implement the wireless communication in a

project that will benefit the society and can be a solution to one of today's

dilemma; electricity pilferage . This project aims to overcome the power pilferage

where violators are bypassing the energy meter and hence it also controls the

revenue losses and utility of the electricity authorized agency. Mainly this system

is consists of microcontrollers, energy meters and a ZigBee module to monitor

power pilferage and notify the authorized agency through SMS which looks after

the electricity consumed. The wireless communication is used in this system

enabling the system to provide the major advantages such as low power

consumption and also the reliability of the ZigBee module in terms of sending and

receiving data.



Statement of the Problem

This project focused on designing and developing a system that can

minimize the non technical losses mainly caused by electricity pilferage. The

project aims to answer the questions:

1. How can a device be developed in a way that identifies an illegal

connection in a power line?

2. How can a device be designed in a way that can determine the location

of the power line where unauthorized tapping is occurring?

3. How can a device be developed in a way that can notify electricity

providers that unauthorized connection is occurring?

4. How to implement wireless communication in a project addressing

electricity pilferage?



Objectives of the Study

The study aims to develop a system that will detect illegal electricity

connection with the aid of power analyzer, microcontroller and implementation of

wireless technology using ZigBee. The specific objectives of the study include:

1. To develop a device that identifies an illegal connection in a power line.

2. To design a device that can determine the location of the power line

where unauthorized tapping is occurring.

3. To develop a device that can notify electricity providers that

unauthorized connection is occurring.

4. To implement wireless communication in a project addressing

electricity pilferage.



Conceptual Framework

Feedback

Figure 1.6: Conceptual Framework

Based on Figure 1.7, the readings of the PA1 (main) and PA2 will be the

input and the microcontroller will compare PA1 (main) from PA2 and execute the

commands based on the program. The microcontroller will send a SMS to the

electricity distributor once unauthorized connections exist.

INPUT Reading from PA1 (main) and PA2

PROCESS The microcontroller will compare the power reading from PA1 (main) and PA2

OUTPUT If PA1 (main) PA2, the microcontroller will notify the local power distributor about the illegal connection via SMS containing the location of the illegal connection



Assumptions

An effective system that will enable to detect the location where does a

tapped power line is done. With this, such huge losses can be prevented. We will

overcome severe power shortage in our country as well.

Moreover, this kind of implementation of proper billing to all customers

would reduce the reckless use of power and would surely help us to build a greener

and eco-friendly environment for ourselves.

Scope and Limitations

The design is constricted in the following accounts:

1. The project will focus on minimizing non-technical losses mainly caused

by unmetered and illegal electricity connections.

2. The project will focus on developing a system that will identify an illegal

connection in power lines.



3. A microcontroller will be used in comparing the reading of PA1 (main) to

the reading of PA2 located customers area.

4. The project is able to detect any unauthorized connection exist only

between PA1 (main) and PA2.

The project is limited to the following:

1. The project will consume time upon installation.

2. The project can be costly if installed in more complex topology.

3. The power analyzers used are dependent on the current flowing in the

transmission line. Fluctuating current may affect the functionality of the

project.

4. The distance covered by the ZigBee 10-200 meters line of sight and

depending on the power output and environmental conditions.

5. A 10% tolerance is set between the reading of PA1 (main) and PA2.



Significance of the Study

We are all aware that power pilferage is one of the problems that our

country is facing. But preventing it is very difficult to happen because our methods

are insufficient. The effect of this stealing of electricity causes those legal

consumers pay more than they expected and sometimes lead to revenue losses

along with damage to personal and public property. The project is beneficial to the

following:

Local Electricity Distributors.

The project will benefit the local electricity distributors in terms of

maximizing their profit margin.

Community.

The project will be beneficial to the community in terms of minimizing the

system losses that will result to more fairer monthly bills.

Engineering Discipline.

This project could bring developments in electronics and programming area

of engineering. This may also serve as a reference for engineering students to

learn about automation for security purposes.



Future Researchers.

The design project will benefit the future researchers as their reference

guide. The project is also open in innovations and developments.

Now, this study intends to develop a system that could be the solution to

detect power pilferage. The researchers, by this design, could inform the

authorities where that electricity stealing occurs. From what we are experiencing

right now, we could help power shortages be prevented. Furthermore, itll be

helpful for us to live worry-free from costly electricity bill and danger.

Definition of Terms

For much clearer understanding of the terms used in this study, terms are

conceptually and operationally defined below:

Pilferage. The act of stealing in small quantities.

Energy Meter. A device that measures the amount of electric energy consumed by

a residence, business, or an electrically powered device.



Technical losses. Losses that naturally occur in transmission and distribution of

electricity due to power dissipated in electrical system components.

Non-Technical losses. Losses that caused by factors outside the electricity system;

manly caused by electricity pilferage.

ZigBee. A technological standard designed for control and sensor networks.

Microcontroller unit. A microprocessor that controls some or all the functions of

an electronic device or system.

GSM module. A specialized type of modem which accepts a SIM card, and

operates over a subscription to a mobile operator, just like a mobile phone.

Power analyzer. A device used to measure the power in Watts and Kilowatt hour.

It can also analyze and measure harmonics.

Mesh Networking. Network routing permits path formation from any source

device to any destination device via a path formed by routing packets through

neighbors.



Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter provides an overview of previous research and studies from

local and international researchers related to the implementation of technologies

used in the designed project. This chapter introduces the framework for the case

study that comprises the main focus of the research described in this thesis.

Foreign Studies

According to Jamil & Ahmad (2013), electricity pilferage is common in

many countries and a considerable amount is stolen every year from electricity

grids. It deteriorates the financial condition of utilities, curtails new investments for

capacity development that eventually leads to electricity shortage. This study

empirically investigates the effects of various economic and technical factors in

explaining the theft from electric utilities in Pakistan. They employed annual panel

data for empirical analysis taken from nine electricity distribution companies for the

period 1988-2010. The study estimates the Fixed Effects models through the least

squares dummy variable technique and Generalized Method of Moments. The

results indicate that per capita income has significant negative and electricity price



positive effect on electricity theft with sufficiently high coefficient values.

However, the probability of detection does not perform consistently in combating

electricity theft in all the models showing poor deterrence.

A similar study is conducted by Golden & Min (2012). It utilizes data from

the power corporation of Uttar Pradesh, Indias most populous state. They study the

politics of electricity theft over a ten year period (200009). The result shows that

electricity pilferage is substantial in magnitude. The extent of pilferage varies with

the electoral cycle of the state. Golden and Min concluded that power pilferage is

increasing with the intensity of tubewells, suggesting that it is linked to unmetered

electricity use by farmers.

Incumbent legislative members of the state assembly are more likely to be

reelected as power theft in their locality increases. Our interpretation of these

various results is that power theft exhibits characteristics consistent with the

political capture of public service delivery by local elites. Our results fail to

substantiate that theft is linked either to political criminality or is the product of

weak institutions.



According to Pawade et al. (2012), growing populations are using increasing

amounts of power, which is putting a strain on existing supplies. In many countries

the increase in demand is growing at a faster rate than transmission capacity and the

cost of providing power is also increasing due to higher fuel prices and increases in

the cost of construction and capital expenses. The project provides an overview of

Wireless Sensor Network for Power Management, including the cost savings as

well as theft indicator prevention system. It then looks at how fits into this picture,

and the ways in which it is ideally suited for the development. Our project uses PIC

microcontroller along with relay drivers, sensors and GSM module to detect

unauthorized usage of electricity as well as wastage of energy in malls and hotels.

Electricity pilferage can be in the form of fraud (meter tampering) or

stealing (illegal connections).The financial impacts of theft are reduced income

from the sale of electricity and the necessity to charge more to consumer.

According to a research paper by Shubham Agarwal & Mayur Agarwal (2010)

titled Wireless Power Theft Monitoring System, electricity losses in India during

transmission and distribution were about 24%, while losses because of consumer

theft or billing deficiencies added another 1015%. The electrical energy demand

for 201617 is expected to be at least 1392 TeraWatt Hours, with a peak electric



demand of 218 GW. The electrical energy demand for 202122 is expected to be at

least 1915 TeraWatt Hours, with a peak electric demand of 298 GW. If current

average transmission and distribution average losses remain same (32%), India

needs to add about 135 GW of power generation capacity, before 2017, to satisfy

the projected demand after losses.

In this project the researchers considered real-time power monitoring at

houses, sensing the power theft at the exact location and transmitting the

information over wireless to substation. In this model they used two meters one at

consumers house and other at pole (supply source to consumer).



Foreign Literature

ZigBee networks are primarily intended for low duty cycle sensor networks

(



traffic patterns. ZigBee is a low-cost, low-power, wireless mesh networking

standard. The low cost allows the technology to be widely deployed in wireless

control and monitoring applications, the low power-usage allows longer life with

smaller batteries, and the mesh networking provides high reliability and larger

range. ZigBee has been developed to meet the growing demand for capable wireless

networking between numerous low power devices. In industry ZigBee is being used

for next generation automated manufacturing, with small transmitters in every

device on the floor, allowing for communication between devices to a central

computer, (Ahmed, 2009).

Local Literature

According to Sanchez (2014), Meralco does not take the problem of power

theft seriously. Power thieves are the worst free-riders. It is a criminal offense

under Republic Act 7832. Penalties for this crime are imprisonment from 6 years

and 1 day to 20 years, and/or payment of P10, 000 up to P20, 000. On top of this,

those found guilty shall pay for the corresponding amount of electricity stolen plus

surcharges. He heard of some cases where such penalties were imposed on factories

and commercial establishments committing this crime. But in his personal



experience, Meralco appears to be lenient if not somewhat tolerant of households

committing the same.

It is a game of cat and mouse between Meralco and power thieves. He lives

in a densely populated neighborhood where power theft by some of his neighbors

has been going on unabated. At least two multi-family households have been

stealing power for decades. This has been reported to Meralco so many times over

the years. But each time a team from Meralcos Inspection Division would cut their

illegal connections, someone from these households would reconnect the lines again

as soon as the inspection team leaves.

Meralco knows the illegal lines they cut would be reconnected again. They

just go through the motion of cutting without putting a permanent solution to the

problem. His power thief neighbors have complete appliances. One has an

airconditioner; they have washing machines; they sleep with some of their lights

turned on at night until daybreak and many times they have their stereos or

karaokes blaring so loud with total disregard for their neighbors. The feeling of

entitlement runs deep in the veins of these people.



Power theft is no different from stealing money from someones pocket.

Paying customers are the ones charged by Meralco for the electrical consumption of

these power thieves. Kindly take a look at the Meralco bill.

Monthly bill is the total of several Bill Subgroups, the biggest of which is

the Generation charge for the actual amount of electricity used. What is overlooked

by many is the System Loss. Heres a laymans explanation of what

Meralcos System Loss is.

For the month of July, his system loss was 7.8% of my total electric bill.

Which means that if his total bill was P3,000, P234 accounted for system loss.

Assuming that just one third of that was due to power theft, it means that he paid 78

pesos that power thieves should have paid themselves. Thats just for his household

for one month. Add to that the system loss paid by other paying customers.

The biggest problem with power theft, however, is the danger it poses to

lives and properties. It overloads the main power line that can result to whole

neighborhoods being set on fire.



Tanzanian Utilities Review Best Practices in Costumer Relations,

Communications and Loss Reduction; Executive Exchange on Increasing Access to

Electricity by Improving Billing, Metering & Collections, Philippines

March 2014 Manila & Cebu, Philippines Funded by the United States

Agency for International Development (USAID), energy executives from the

Tanzania Electric Supply Company Ltd (TANESCO), Zanzibar Electricity

Corporation (ZECO), Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEM) and

Energy and Water Regulatory Authority (EWURA) recently participated in the

Executive Exchange on Increasing Access to Electricity by Improving Billing,

Metering and Collections in Manila and Cebu, the Philippines. The 14 member

Tanzanian delegation met with their counterparts from the Manila Electric

Company (MERALCO) and Visayan Electric Company (VECO).

The Tanzania U.S. Utility Partnership is part of USEAs Energy Utility

Partnership Program (EUPP), which is aimed at increasing sustainable modern

energy services and clean energy production in developing countries through

volunteer driven partnerships that mobilize overseas utilities to better address

energy service priorities, while improving productivity and quality of service.



Through the Tanzania U.S. Utility Partnership, the United States Energy

Association (USEA) is providing capacity building support to the two utilities in

Tanzania through executive exchanges, workshops and short-term technical

assistance assignments to learn about utility bests practices from their counterparts

in the U.S. and third countries.

TANESCO, Tanzanias state-owned, vertically integrated electrical utility,

has an installed capacity of 1,501.24 MW, of which it generates 37% from hydro-

electric and 62% from thermal (gas and diesel) sources. Currently, TANESCOs

customer base stands at 1,175,000, while electricity connectivity in the country

current is 24%. With this in mind, the utility has plans to increase the connectivity

to 30% by 2015, and 75% by 2025. High energy losses of nearly 20% continue to

create challenges for TANESCO. These are due in large part to aging transmission

and distribution systems, along with electricity theft. As result, TANESCO has

embarked on several loss reduction programs, including a power factor correction

program, smart meter technology, low voltage line improvement projects and public

awareness campaigns. Furthermore, they plan to implement time of use pricing and

a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) distribution program. Taken together, these



programs and initiatives aim to enable more efficient use of Tanzanias base load

capacity.

ZECO supplies power to the islands of Unguja and Pemba, mainly through

two submarine cables from mainland Tanzania. With access to electricity at 82%

and connectivity at 40%, ZECO is seeing a growth rate of 7% annually, while its

average revenue collection stands at 89% per month. The most pressing challenges

facing ZECO revolve around meeting energy demand and addressing an aging

distribution system with high capital costs. In addition, low levels of bill payment

by customers and losses from electricity theft continue to plague the utility. With

this in mind, ZECO has begun to educate customers about the need to work in

tandem with meter readers. In addition, the utility has increased its revenue

collection efforts by segmenting customers, giving credit periods and using pre-paid

meters.

Over the course of the program, the Tanzanian delegates were exposed to

numerous best practices in customer service and communications, billing and

collections, and loss reduction. TANESCO and ZECO recognized many similarities

in the challenges MERALCO and VECO face with their own operations, and



observed the Filipino utilities approaches to mitigate these issues. Beyond the key

topics of customer service and communication, billing and collections, and loss

reduction, the exchange also highlighted related issues in emergency response,

outage and restoration, utility unbundling and restructuring, regulatory affairs and

the integration of renewables into the grid.

Upon the conclusion of the workshop, TANESCO, ZECO, MEM and

EWURA were introduced to many best practices, which included:

Customer Service & Communications

1. Expand the number of ways customers can reach the utility for questions or

complaints. This includes traditional walk-in visits, telephone, SMS, fax, web chat

and social media.

2. Start small with new customer service programs and eventually implement them

on a wider scale once they have proven successful.



3. Utilize annual or bi-annual customer service surveys to help better understand

what areas of customer relations a utility is having success in, and what areas it

needs to improve.

4. Implement a customer information system (CIS) to help streamline call center

operations and expedite customer communications.

5. Engage in information pushes to get ahead of any potentially damaging or

negative news for a utility.

6. Employ a customer service motto which all customer representatives can easily

follow and replicate, such as VECOs GUEST.

Billing & Collections

1. Adhere to a strict and regular schedule for meter testing to ensure false readings

are minimized.



2. Quickly disconnect customers who are delinquent with payments, and charge a

reconnection fee for customers who fail to pay. Taken together, these will help

incentivize timely payments.

3. Understand how customers prefer to pay; for example, if it is in person, establish

payment centers in easy to reach, popular locations.

4. Implement a standardized payment process, from meter reading through the

payment stage, which can be followed for all customers payment cycles.

5. Encourage customers to utilize alternate payment methods, including mobile or

internet payments.

6. For any impending disconnection notice, hand-deliver the notice to the property

with a utility representative available to clearly explain the consequences of non-

payment.

7. Launch an initiative or program specifically aimed at helping customers

understand their bills, emphasizing that only a portion actually goes back to the



distribution company, while many of the charges are related to generation,

transmission and regulations.

Loss Reduction

1. Utilize elevated meter centers (EMCs) in high-risk areas to deter theft.

2. Engage in information campaigns to warn of the dangers of theft and the

potential legal consequences associated with it.

3. If needed, publicize those caught stealing electricity, using public shaming as a

means of deterrence.

4. Encourage customers to report observed theft or any visible signs of pilferage.

5. Work with the countrys regulator to implement strict fines and length of

imprisonment for those caught stealing electricity.



6. Always have police present when attempting to apprehend electricity thieves to

help ensure safety of the utility representative and also legitimize apprehension.

7. Immediately terminate any employee caught stealing or colluding with a

customer.

8. Require that all meter readers are accredited with the utility, in addition any third

party that is contracted to work with the utility.

9. Charge a fee for any utility equipment or material that is lost by a meter reader

as a way to discourage theft.

Local Studies

Automated Restaurant Menu Ordering System Using ZigBee, a design

project presented to the faculty of the College of Engineering of Pamantasan ng

Cabuyao, Laguna, Philippines. The project is a standardized ordering system that

will provide an inexpensive convenient and simple to use scheme for automating

ordering for chosen fine dine restaurants.



The Automated Restaurant Menu Ordering System using ZigBee is an

application of same wireless communication and automation that gives an easier

restaurant ordering system. With the proposed system, the ordering process is more

accurate and was found to possibly lessen restaurant service errors. The ordering

process is done easily with the help of a touch screen device that serves as a menu

list. When the customer is done ordering, the data will be transmitted to the central

server using ZigBee then through LAN connection, the kitchen station will receive

the information and the monitor displays the list of orders (Batac et al., 2014).

Power Monitoring and Control System, a design project presented to the

faculty of the College of Engineering of Pamantasan ng Cabuyao, Laguna,

Philippines. The project is a combination of hardware and software components.

The software develop based on graphical user interface in Visual Basic which

interface with the hardware by the used of PIC microcontroller as controller through

serial communication. The system is expected to become an intelligent management

system that lead to energy saving and also to keep the life span of the light through

eliminating the improper usage.



The Power Monitoring and Control System (PMaCS) is also designed to

monitor the power consumption of the whole structure and some specific rooms.

For general view of the system, by wiring the power outlet and lights at the

provided power socket in the device, the user allows seeing the consumption rate of

a specific load that being monitored and also the user can control the switches of

lights and power outlet. This would be an essential modernize from traditional

switching to PC based switching, (Desipeda et al, 2014).

Relevance to the Present Study

With the literatures and studies gathered, the researchers will be able to raise

a new design project proposal that can be useful in the society.

Some of the information embedded in the studies gathered can be used and

necessary to the overall development of the design project. The related literatures

gathered were significant in terms of application of wireless communication

technology. Combining results and outputs from gathered studies will enable the

researchers to identify the disadvantages of each design and develop a way to

eliminate these disadvantages in the proposed design project.



CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter deals with the methodologies used throughout the study as well

as the sources of data and materials utilized to obtain the objective of the study.

This chapter will introduce project design, research design, project development,

operation and testing procedures, instruments and techniques used.

Project/Research Design

The researchers known that non-technical solution like reporting incidents

concerning this power pilferage are not developed. Now, as technology moves

forward, this might be a solution. We come up with this anti-power pilferage system

for we think it's more convenient and advanced. And with this innovation using

today's technology, we can minimize the cases of electricity pilferage. This project

is designed to detect unauthorized connection from the transmission line by using

power analyzers that measures the current from main power line to the distribution

lines. The system is composed of microcontrollers that will compare the readings

from the power analyzers and transmit data wirelessly using RF modules and



ZigBee module. Once an unauthorized connection is detected, the system will send

message to the local electricity distributor about the illegal connection via SMS

with the location of the line tapped.

Figure 3.1: Project Design

The proposed system is consists of microcontrollers programmed to monitor

the readings of the power analyzers installed parallel on the transmission line.

Based on Figure 3.1, the operation of the project can be simplified as follows:



1. The PA1 (main) will measure the current from the transmission line.

2. The PA2 will measure the current from the other end of the

transmission line.

3. The MCU from PA2 will transmit its reading to MCU of PA1

(main) wirelessly using Zigbee module.

4. The MCU from PA1 (main) will compare its reading to the reading

of PA2.

5. Once the readings of PA1 (main) and PA2 varies, the MCU of PA1

(main) will trigger the GSM module to send a SMS to electricity

provider the location of the transmission line illegally tapped.



Operation/Testing Procedure

The operation and testing procedures are used to make sure that the design

project is capable in executing its' desired function properly and its' reliability

before it goes to production.

The following are the operation and testing procedure of the project:

1. Turn on the system.

2. Wait until the system is finished initializing the programs in embedded

components.

3. Plug the project to an outlet in order to have a current flow to be

monitored by the power analyzers in the system.

4. The readings of the power analyzers are compared by a microcontroller

were data are sent wirelessly using radio frequency and ZigBee.



5. Plug a device in an outlet in between the power analyzers. These outlets

are the representation of where electricity pilferers usually tap in order to

connect to electricity lines illegally and bypassing the electricity meter.

6. The system will detect the illegal connection; the microcontroller will

cut the supply and the system will notify the electricity distributors about

the unauthorized connection detected by the system via SMS. The Text

message sent by the system contains the location of the transmission line

tapped.

Project Development

These are the things to consider in developing the project:

1. Design a plan concerning the prevention of power pilferage.

2. Define the components that are suitable for the device and ZigBee but

consider the compatibility.



3. Construct a series of programs for the system. (Sketch a program for the

microcontroller commanding the microcontroller to compare readings from

the power analyzers and a program for the ZigBee that will implement

wireless transmission of data).

4. Load and configure the programs to the device for the means of

transmission and make sure the program is running.

5. Additional testing on the device's capability (e.g. temperature variation,

elevation, testing equipment's calibration).

These are the components essential to the development of the design project:

Internet

World Wide Web (www) supplied the researchers the data and knowledge

necessary to the construction to the design project.



Arduino IDE

The Arduino integrated development environment (IDE) is a cross platform

application written in Java, and is derived from the IDE for the processing

programming language and the wiring projects. It is designed to introduce

programming to artists and other newcomers unfamiliar with software development.

It includes a code editor with features such as syntax highlighting, brace matching,

and automatic indentation, and is also capable of compiling and uploading

programs to the board with a single click. A program or code written for Arduino is

called a sketch.

Xbee series 1

A device based on IEEE technological standard 802.15.4 used to connect

microcontrollers and computer wirelessly.



Power Analyzer MK11

Power Analyzer Kit that can be interfaced with any USART equipped

microcontroller or PC. It can be easily configured as a standalone power measuring

equipment when used with a Serial LCD II kit. This device can measure:

- Real Power

- Apparent Power

- Reactive Power

- Fundamental & Harmonic Power

- Power Factor

- Volt rms

- Amp rms

- Watt-Hr

AT Command

AT commands are instructions used to control a modem. AT is the

abbreviation of ATtention.



Arduino Pro mini (Atmel328 16 Mhz 5volts)

Atmel382P is a low power CMOS 8-bit microcontroller based on the AVR

enhanced RISC architecture. By executing powerful instructions in a single clock

cycle, Atmel328P achieves throughputs approaching 1 MIPS per MHz allowing the

system designer to optimize power consumption versus processing speed.

GPRS/GPS Quadband Module for Arduino (SIM900)

SIM900 module from SIMCOM is a GPRS shield compatible for Arduino

and its clones. The GPRS shield provides a communication using the GSM cell

network. The shield allows you to achieve SMS, MMS, GPRS and audio via UART

by sending AT commands.

Calendar of Activities

The researchers use a Gantt chart of activities for planning and guiding

projects. Gantt chart is essential in providing a visual overview of milestones and

other key dates, these charts are thought to offer a more understandable and

memorable method of maintaining timescale-based tasks and deliverables whether

tracked on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis.



Legend:

WW = Working Week;

= Accomplished Work ;

= Target work

Table 3.1: Gantt Chart of Activities



Evaluation Procedure

Figure 3.2: System Flowchart



Evaluation Criteria

The proposed project must satisfy the functions it was designed for. The

project must achieve the desired output in order to consider it is functioning

properly. The project is designed to detect unauthorized connection in a

transmission. The main goal of the project is to minimize system losses

accumulated by pilfering of electricity. We all know that it is impossible to

eliminate losses in transmission and distribution of electricity but by implementing

the project, it is expected to lessen the cases of illegal connection. The local power

distributors will benefit from the proposed project in terms of saving man-hours of

monitoring the power lines. It will also benefit the customers in terms of

minimizing the system loss in their monthly bills. The proposed project can also

prevent fires caused by the illegal connections in the transmission line. Table 3.1

illustrates the inputs and the outputs required before considering the project is

working properly.



Table 3.2: Evaluation Criteria

Legend:

NORMAL MODE = no unauthorized connection detected

ALERT MODE = unauthorized connection is detected

INPUT REQUIRED OUTPUT

CASE 1:

PA 1(MAIN) = PA 2

NORMAL MODE

CASE 2:

PA 1 (MAIN) PA 2 ALERT MODE



Instruments and Testing Techniques

The compilation of the data would be provided in the design project will

be gathered by the researchers from latest technology available and reliable

sources. The researchers would acquire information, knowledge or ideas in the

World Wide Web, books and other theses that are related to the project.

Compile the different theories that are gathered and make the general

theory that suits the project. The following instruments are used to develop the

design project. The researchers used several programs to simulate the circuit

designs in the project. By using such programs, the researchers are able to test

the capability of the project and identify the possible adjustments in parameters

of the components used.

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