Electricity Theft Detection System
RAM SIDDHARTH R R
, SANTHOSH N , PRAKASH M , SAVIO GODRIC JESUPAL , KALAISELVI C
Electricity theft is a major challenge in modern power distribution systems, leading to significant financial losses, reduced power quality, and instability in the electrical grid. Traditional metering systems lack the capability to detect unauthorized usage, meter tampering, and illegal connections in real time. With the advancement of smart grid technology, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) has emerged as an effective solution to enable two-way communication, remote monitoring, and intelligent energy management. However, existing AMI systems still require improved mechanisms for fast and accurate theft detection.
This project proposes a Change-and-Transmit based Electricity Theft Detection System integrated into Advanced Metering Infrastructure. The system continuously monitors electrical parameters such as voltage, current, power consumption, and load variations using smart sensors connected to a microcontroller-based smart meter. Whenever a significant change in consumption pattern or abnormal condition is detected, the system automatically transmits the updated data to a central utility server using IoT communication technologies such as GSM, Wi-Fi, or LoRa. The system also incorporates tamper detection features to identify unauthorized activities such as meter bypassing, magnetic interference, neutral disturbance, and illegal load tapping.
In addition, machine learning techniques can be applied to analyze historical consumption data and identify suspicious patterns that indicate potential electricity theft. Real-time alerts are generated and sent to utility authorities through SMS or a web-based monitoring dashboard, enabling quick response and preventive action. The proposed system improves billing accuracy, enhances grid security, reduces technical and commercial losses, and supports efficient energy management in smart grid environments. Overall, the Change-and-Transmit AMI model provides a reliable, scalable, and cost-effective solution for modern electricity theft detection and prevention.
"Electricity Theft Detection System", IJSDR - International Journal of Scientific Development and Research (www.IJSDR.org), ISSN:2455-2631, Vol.11, Issue 5, page no.b545-b590, May-2026, Available :https://ijsdr.org/papers/IJSDRTH01021.pdf
Volume 11
Issue 5,
May-2026
Pages : b545-b590
Paper Reg. ID: IJSDR_309111
Published Paper Id: IJSDRTH01021
Downloads: 000290
Research Area: Science and Technology
Country: Madurai, TamilNadu, India
ISSN: 2455-2631 | IMPACT FACTOR: 9.15 Calculated By Google Scholar | ESTD YEAR: 2016
An International Scholarly Open Access Journal, Peer-Reviewed, Refereed Journal Impact Factor 9.15 Calculate by Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool, Multidisciplinary, Monthly, Multilanguage Journal Indexing in All Major Database & Metadata, Citation Generator
Publisher: IJSDR(IJ Publication) Janvi Wave
