IOT and GSM based Smart Energy Meter with Overload and Theft Detection

Description

Introduction

Electricity theft remains one of the most serious issues for India’s power sector, accounting for a large percentage of Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses. India incurs almost ₹1.2 lakh crore of power theft and distribution inefficiency every year, according to Ministry of Power and state utility data. Power Finance Corporation (PFC) reports show that AT&C losses in a few states are more than 25%, much above the national goal of 15%. The three most common types of electricity theft are meter tampering, meter bypassing with illegal connections, and direct connection from the distribution cable.

Such pilferage not only causes huge monetary loss to the utility suppliers but also impacts the integrity of the power supply to genuine consumers, leading to regular power failures, voltage fluctuations, and high tariffs. To mitigate these challenges, there is a critical need for smart, technology-based solutions that can improve transparency, enable automatic monitoring, and deter unauthorized usage.

This project presents an IoT and GSM-based Smart Energy Meter with real-time monitoring of energy consumption and overload protection and theft detection feature. The system can identify anomalies like meter bypassing or overcurrent and notify the user or utility company instantly through GSM-based SMS and IoT cloud notifications. With remote control and monitoring, the solution seeks to enhance energy accountability, minimize revenue losses, and assist the shift towards a smart grid infrastructure in India.

This project aims to develop a smart energy meter system that offers several advantages, including the ability to monitor and control energy usage from anywhere at any time. The system follows a “pay-first-then-use” model, where users must recharge or pay for electricity units in advance before consumption. Each user has different load requirements, and they can recharge according to their needs in units measured in kilowatt-hours (KWh). As energy is consumed, the microcontroller receives pulses from the energy meter, decrementing the remaining units accordingly. These available units are displayed on an LCD screen, giving users a real-time view of their energy balance. When the units reach zero, the system automatically disconnects the load, cutting off the power supply. Once recharged, the system reconnects the load, allowing power usage to resume. This project is beneficial for both the electricity board and consumers, as it provides live updates about energy usage through SMS. A GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) module is used to send and receive these updates. Moreover, the system helps identify and reduce energy losses for the electricity board, making power distribution more efficient and transparent.

Objectives

• To monitor energy consumption using smart meters with real-time data logging.

• To transmit readings to the cloud via IoT (ESP8266) and send SMS alerts using GSM.

• To detect overloads and power theft, triggering alerts and protective actions.

• To display voltage, current, and usage locally on an LCD screen.

Block Diagram

Block Diagram of  IOT and GSM based Smart Energy Meter with Overload and Theft Detection

Hardware Components

1. Arduino Uno
2. ESP8266 Wi-Fi Module
3. GSM Module 900A
4. Energy Meter (X2)
5. SIM card
6. 16×2 LCD Display
7. Potentiometer (for LCD contrast adjustment)
8. Two Bulbs (used as load)
9. Two Switches (to control the bulbs)
10. 12V Adapter (for power supply)
11. Jumper Wires
12. Buzzer 5v
13. LDR x2 (5V / 10 mA)
14. Resistor 10 k Ohm

Software Used

• ARDUINO IDE
• EMBEDDED C

Methodology

This project develops a Smart Energy Meter that monitors electricity usage and detects theft using two meters connected in series. Each meter is linked to an LED bulb and LDR sensor to measure power consumption, with readings displayed on an LCD. The system compares both meter readings; if discrepancies are found, it triggers a buzzer and sends a theft alert via GSM to the user. Under normal use, both meters show similar readings. An ESP8266 Wi-Fi module uploads real-time data to ThingSpeak, allowing users to track energy usage through live graphs. The setup offers efficient monitoring and theft detection, enabling smarter energy management.

Related Keywords

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More Project Titles :

1. Smart Energy Meter with IoT and GSM for Theft and Overload Detection
2. IoT-Enabled Power Monitoring System with GSM Alerts and Theft Prevention
3. GSM and Wi-Fi Based Smart Electricity Meter with Real-Time Theft Alerts
4. Smart Metering System with Dual Meter Comparison and GSM Notification
5. IoT-Based Energy Meter with Overload Protection and Anti-Theft Features
6. Real-Time Smart Electricity Monitoring with GSM and IoT Integration
7. Power Theft Detection System Using Dual Meters and GSM Communication
8. Arduino-Based Smart Energy Meter with GSM Alerts and ThingSpeak Dashboard
9. Intelligent Energy Meter with IoT Data Logging and Theft Detection
10. GSM-Based Wireless Smart Meter for Real-Time Power Monitoring
11. IoT and GSM Controlled Smart Power Meter with LCD and Alert System
12. Real-Time Electricity Usage Tracker with Overload and Tampering Detection
13. Dual Meter-Based Power Theft Detection System with IoT Dashboard
14. Energy Theft and Overload Alert System Using GSM and ESP8266

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Get the full working project with components, code, diagrams & explanation.

No branding on project, handmade look for students, and different styles as required by students.

To Buy/ Make this project with training

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