Pamantasan ng Cabuyao Laguna Philippines 4025
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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
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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).
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Foreign Literature
ZigBee networks are primarily intended for low duty cycle sensor networks
(
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Legend:
WW = Working Week;
= Accomplished Work ;
= Target work
Table 3.1: Gantt Chart of Activities
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Evaluation Procedure
Figure 3.2: System Flowchart
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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.
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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
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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.