In an effort to curb power theft in the capital, the Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL), which operates in North and Northwest Delhi, is leaning on technology. An alleged power theft case against an industrial unit — amounting to over Rs 1 crore — was filed as a result of such a “technological intervention”.
By Kaunain Sherrif
The discom came up with a specially designed software, which tracks power consumption levels of each consumer. “Based on the previous consumption levels, we built a logic and the in-house software was developed based on that,” a TPDDL official said.
The discom then installed an Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system at two levels — one at the distribution transformer and the other at the individual unit. These AMRs were in turn connected to a central server. The system facilitates remote readings of power consumption.
“The central server receives the transmission readings from two different sources and the differential reading is tracked by the server. This enables us to zero in on potential power theft,” the official said.
According to the official, if the deviation in consumption levels exceeds 6-7%, then it is deemed to be a case of power theft. The official said a dedicated team of 10 men track the central server round the clock.
In the present case, the discom found anomalies in the consumption pattern of a steel fabrication unit in Samaypur Badli industrial area.
“Though the steel fabrication unit had a meter, its supply was found disconnected from the line. The factory was running on illegal supply taken directly from a nearby pole-mounted transformer. Using AMR readings, we noticed an anomaly in the factory’s consumption pattern and, on further investigation, we found it to be a case of power theft,” the official said.
An FIR for theft of 115.302 KW— single and three phase industrial load — amounting to Rs 1.89 crore was lodged against the steel fabrication unit.