Electric Meter Testing and Tampering Gyanendra Sharma Npti Delhi

METER TESTING and TAMPERING
ANALYSIS
OF
ENERGY METERS
03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 1

Meter Testing against NABL Procedures
• Meter is tested against IS:13779:1999 and IS:14697:1999 for
Acceptance test
• AC HV Test
• Insulation Resistance Test
• Limits of Accuracy
• Starting Test
• No Load Test
• Repeatability of error
• Meter Constant
• Power Consumption Test

Testing and Analysis of Meters
• Physically Inspection of the meters.
• Functional Testing of the meters.
• Accuracy Testing of the meters.
• Downloading of the meters.
• Analysis of the meters

TAMPERING OF ENERGY METERS
• Any type of mishandling of Energy Meters that can lead to the
disturbance in recording of energy, is said to be Tampering of
Energy Meters.
• Tampering is generally done by consumers to lower down the
recording of consumed energy (or bill).
• Tampering of energy meters is a punishable offence under the
ELECTRICITY ACT 2003 (Art. 135,Clause 1) issued by the
Govt. of India.
• A special observation is required to be studied so as to identify
the type, method and the cause of tampering.
• Some of the special observations regarding the Tampering of
energy meters are discussed here.

TYPES OF TAMPERING
Mainly there are three types of tampering observed in Energy

Meters:
1. Internal Tampering
2. External tampering
3. External Burning
Note: External Burning is not the type of tampering but since External
Burning includes deliberately burning of meter by consumer, so it

is included in Type of Tampering.

1. INTERNAL TAMPERING
• Internal Tampering can be identified by following
observations:
• Internal Tampering is the type of Tampering done by
breaking or disturbing the Seals and ultrasonic welding of
Energy meter.
 Remote circuits in meters.
 Magnetic switch/ thermostatic switch.
 Soldering of resistances on PCB.
 Shorting & Scratching on PCB.
 Shorting / cutting of LCD pins.
 Cutting of Internal Wires.
 Internally By-pass (P-P, N-N)
 Others tampering

A. Remote circuits in Energy meters
• It is very special kind of observation observed in the field of

Tampering of Energy Meters.
• Remote circuits, basically, may include a PCB circuit, Remote
Control, a relay, a Tube Switch, an instrument transformer,
different circuit components, etc.
• In this type of Tampering extra remote circuit and PCB is placed
inside the meter by breaking Meter’s Ultrasonic welding. The
meter is then operated by a remote control from the outside.

Observation:
1. Extra Remote Control.
2. Extra PCB circuit.
3. The extra PCB circuit wires
found soldered at different
locations on Meter’s PCB.
Conclusion:
4. Meter is Tampered.
5. Meter can be operated by a
remote control in a similar
way as a TV. If it is in off-
position, it will not record any
energy.
Single- phase energy meters

A. Manual Remote circuits in Energy meters
Observation:
1. Extra relay.
2. The relay wires are
soldered at different
locations on meter’s PCB.
3. Relay operated by manual
arrangement through
sealing screw.
Conclusion:
5. Meter will not record
energy when relay is ON
Single- phase energy meters manually.

Observation:
1. Extra PCB and remote circuit.
2. Soldering of extra circuit wires at
different locations on PCB.
Conclusion:
4. The presence of internal remote
circuit inside the meter means
that the meter was operated by
the Remote Control.

Observation:
1. Extra PCB and remote circuit.
2. Soldering of extra circuit wires
at different locations on PCB.
Conclusion:
4. The presence of internal
remote circuit inside the meter
means that the meter was
operated by the Remote
Control.
Three– phase energy meter

B. Thermostatic/ Magnetic Switch in
Energy meters
Observation:
1. Thermostatic / Magnetic
Switch fitted.
2. No effect on meter accuracy
when switch is OFF (NC/NO).
Conclusion:
4. Meter recording is as per
consumer choice by
thermal/ magnet
switch.
Three– phase energy meter

C. Soldering of Resistances on PCB
(Low Cost Tampering Method)
 Due to the availability and low cost of resistances, this method is commonly
used to Tamper the energy meters.
 Resistances are soldered to disturb either voltage circuit or current circuit
(signal value) or both of them.
 On the basis of the circuit disturbed by the soldering of resistance we can
identify the type of Circuit Tampering, viz. voltage or current circuit
tampering.
 Voltage Circuit Tampering: If the resistances are soldered across the voltage
circuit connections on PCB of the meter in order to drop the voltage then it is
said to be Voltage Circuit Tampering.
 Current Circuit Tampering: If the resistances are soldered across the current
circuit connections on PCB of meter then it is said to be Current Circuit
Tampering.

Voltage Circuit Tampering

Observation:
1. SMD resistances found shorted
by soldering near R117
location on PCB.
2. Extra soldering spots found at
R117 location on PCB.
Conclusion:
4. Extra shorting of SMD
resistances lead to the 60-
70% less recording of energy
by the meter.

Voltage Circuit Tampering

Observation:
1. Extra resistors soldered.
Conclusion:
3. Extra resistance at the voltage
circuit will drop the voltage
supply to the circuit as a result
due to the lower voltage the
meter will record a lower
energy.

Current Circuit Tampering

Observation:
1. Extra resistors soldered at
current connections (CT4
& CT-5) on meter PCB.
Conclusion:
2. Extra resistances at current
connections drop the
current to be passed
through CT, thus meter
will record lowest energy .

Observation:
1. Extra resistors soldered
at current connections (CT4 &
CT-5) on meter PCB.
Conclusion:
2. Extra resistances at
current connections drop the
current to be passed through
CT, thus meter will record
lowest energy .

Observation:
1. Extra resistance at CT
connections.
Conclusion:
3. The soldering of
resistances across CT
connections will lead
lesser recording of
energy.

C. Shorting on PCB
Observation:
1. Extra SMD resistors soldered
at CT-4 & CT-5 location on
PCB.
2. Extra shorting observed at
LEDs.
Conclusion:
4. Extra SMD resistors will
increase the current drop
across CT circuit.
5. The shorting of LEDs is done
to hide the indication of
Reverse and Earth Leakage.

Observation:
1. Extra soldering spots at
CT-4 & CT-5 location on
PCB.
2. Extra shorting at CT-6
location.
3. Externally burnt.
Conclusion:
5. Since terminals are not
burnt hence it is
externally burnt.

C. Soldering of Resistances on
PCB
Observation:
1.Extra Resistance
component Soldered
on PCB
Conclusion:

PCB
Observation:
1.Extra Resistance soldered &
spots on PCB.
Conclusion:
1.Meter is Tampered.

PCB
Observation:
1.Extra Resistance soldered &
spots on PCB.
Conclusion:

E. Shorting on LCD PIN
Observation:
1.Meter LCD pin found shorted
2. LCD leg cut for hiding actual
reading of meter.
Conclusion:
1. Meter is tempered.

F. Cutting of internal wires.
Observation:
1.Meter internal wires
cut deliberately
Conclusion:
Meter is tempered.

G. Internal By-pass (P-P and N-N)
Observation:
1. Meter is internally by-
passed by jumpers (shunt)
by tampering meter seals
and ultrasonic welding.
Conclusion:
2. Meters maximum current
flows through the jumpers.
3. Meter recording will be
much less 10- 15% only.

G. Internal By-pass (P-P and N-N)
Observation:
1 Meter is internally by-
passed by jumpers
(shunt) by tampering
meter seals and
ultrasonic welding.
Conclusion:
2. Meters maximum
current flows through
the jumpers.
3. Meter recording will be
much less 10- 15% only.

H. Other Body tempering
Observation:
1.Meter internal
sealing screw
housing tempered
for external
triggering.
Conclusion:
1.Meter is tempered

2. EXTERNAL TAMPERING
• If the tampering is done without opening the ultrasonic

welding of the meter, then the type of tampering is said to
be External Tampering.
 a. External Tampering involves:
(i) Extreme High Voltage applied externally to the meter.
(ii) Tampering voltage circuit by making a hole near plastic
seal screw on meter body.
(iii) Externally by-passing the meter (P-P & N-N).
 Externally Bypassed
 Extra Hole on Body

a. High Voltage Tempering
Observation:
1. Meter is working
satisfactorily at normal
condition.

(i) At Normal condition
Observation:
1. A extreme High Voltage
device 25kV- 35kV range is
used around switches of
meter.

(ii) Using High Voltage device on meter
Observation:
1. Display blank/hang.
2. Meter start working
accurately after reset
(ON/OFF input supply).
Conclusion:
1. Meter is Tampered
externally by High Voltage
applied.
(iii) Meter after TamperingGYANENDRA SHARMA

03/27/2021 32
Observation:
1.Display blank/hang.
Meter start working accurately
after reset ON/OFF input
supply).
Conclusion:
Meter is Tampered externally
by High Voltage

• Observation:
• 1.Display blank/hang.
• Meter start working accurately
supply).
• Conclusion:
• 1. Meter is Tampered
externally by High Voltage

Observation:
1.Display blank/hang.
Meter start working accurately
supply).
Conclusion:
1. Meter is Tampered externally

by High Voltage

b. Externally bypassed
Observation:
1. Meter is externally by-passed by

jumpers (shunt) by drilling extra
holes backside of meter
terminals in body.
Conclusion:
Meters maximum current flows
through the jumpers.
Meter recording will be much less
10- 15% only.

Observation:
1.Meter is externally by-
passed by jumpers (shunt)
by drilling extra holes
backside of meter
terminals in body.
Conclusion:
Meters maximum current
Meter recording will be much
less 10- 15% only.

Observation:
1.Meter is externally by-passed
by jumpers (shunt) by drilling
extra holes backside of meter
terminals in body.
Conclusion:
less 10- 15% only.

c. Externally bypassed
Observation:
Meter has extra holes externally

for by-passed by jumpers
(shunt) by drilling extra holes
backside of meter terminals in
body.
Conclusion:
Meter is Tampered.
less 10- 15% only.

c. Externally bypassed
Observation:
Meter has extra holes externally for

by-passed by jumpers (shunt) by
drilling extra holes backside of
meter terminals in body.
Conclusion:
Meter is Tampered.
Meters maximum current flows
through the jumpers.
Meter recording will be much less 10-
15% only.

c. EXTERNAL BURNING
 Any unusual burning of meter is said to be External Burning

whatever may be the reason.
 It is observed ,in most of the cases, that some consumers
deliberately burn the meter in order to remove any clues of
the tampering material and method used to tamper the
meter.
 It is also observed that some consumers deliberately burn
the meter in order to hide the actual reading of meter or the
actual record of consumed energy.

c. EXTERNAL BURNING
Observation:
1.Meter top cover is badly
burnt no sparking
observed At terminals.
2.Normally externally burning
for hiding internal
/external tempering and
actual reading of meter.
Conclusion:
1. Meter is externally burnt /
deliberately burnt .

c. EXTERNAL BURNING
Observation:
1.Meter top cover is badly burnt no
sparking observed
At terminals.
Normally externally burning for
hiding internal /external tempering
and actual reading of meter.
Conclusion:

c. EXTERNAL BURNING
Observation:
1.Meter top cover is badly burnt
no sparking observed
At terminals.
hiding internal /external
tempering and actual reading of
meter.
Conclusion:

c. EXTERNAL BURNING
Observation:
sparking observed
At terminals.
hiding internal /external tempering
and actual reading of meter.
Conclusion:

c. EXTERNAL BURNING
Observation:
sparking observed
At terminals.
Normally externally burning for hiding
internal /external tempering and actual
reading of meter.
Conclusion:

THANKS

Electric Meter Testing and Tampering Gyanendra Sharma Npti Delhi

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Electric Meter Testing and Tampering Gyanendra Sharma Npti Delhi

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

METER TESTING and TAMPERING

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 1

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 2

• Functional Testing of the meters.

• Accuracy Testing of the meters.

• Downloading of the meters.

• Analysis of the meters

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 3

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 4

Mainly there are three types of tampering observed in Energy

Burning includes deliberately burning of meter by consumer, so it

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 5

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 6

• It is very special kind of observation observed in the field of

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 7

Single- phase energy meters

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 9

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 10

Three– phase energy meter

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 11

Three– phase energy meter

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 12

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 13

Voltage Circuit Tampering

Single- phase energy meters

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 14

Voltage Circuit Tampering

Single- phase energy meters

Current Circuit Tampering

Single- phase energy meters

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 16

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 17

Current Circuit Tampering

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 18

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 19

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 20

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 21

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 22

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 23

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 24

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 25

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 26

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 27

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 28

• If the tampering is done without opening the ultrasonic

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 29

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 30

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 31

(iii) Meter after TamperingGYANENDRA SHARMA

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 33

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 34

1. Meter is Tampered externally

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 35

1. Meter is externally by-passed by

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 36

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 37

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 38

Meter has extra holes externally

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 39

Meter has extra holes externally for

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 40

 Any unusual burning of meter is said to be External Burning

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 41

03/27/2021 GYANENDRA SHARMA 42