PSPCL to install radio frequency meters to curb power thefts

The radio frequency meters will help the department to monitor tampering.It will also help to find if more electricity is being used. DEVINDER SINGH TIWANA, Chief engineer north zone

JALANDHAR: The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) is planning to adopt radio frequency meters, especially for the high power consumption consumers (more than 10 KV). The move is aimed to curb the alleged meter tampering issue by domestic as well as commercial consumers. PSPCL north had recently mooted a proposal on the same along with introduction of prepaid meters.

The concept of radio frequency meters (RFM) is still new to the state power department, which is finding out ways to curb the power theft.

The radio frequency meters will be installed on the electricity polls with automated meter reading technology.

Chief engineer north zone Devinder Singh Tiwana said, “The RFM will help the department to monitor meter tampering of any manner.”

“Power tampering leads to heavy loss of the power. Initially, the department will target the consumers who get three phase power,” Tiwana said.

He said that RFM system will also help the consumers to find if their appliances are using more electricity due to some default.

It is to be mentioned that the department is already using automatic meter reading (AMR) to check readings in the industrial area.

Officials informed that cases of power theft and use of unauthorised power connections increase during the peak of summers as the power demand is high during that time.

The power utility, which is at 4,000 MV in January rises to 11,500 MV in July, during paddy season in the state, said an official.

In a drive conducted by PSPCL north zone in Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr circle from July 31 to August 4, the department has identified a total of 336 unauthorised use of electricity (UUE) and 11 power theft cases.