A novel power theft detection algorithm for low voltage distribution network

Abstract

Rampant power theft at the low voltage consumer end is a growing concern for the power distribution companies. This paper proposes an effective method for detection of power theft at low voltage consumer end. The proposed method is designed to reliably detect hooking in service line cable and bypassing of electric energy meter. In this method, a low magnitude, high-frequency, non-interfering signal has been injected into the power line. Two LC traps have been designed and placed on either side of the energy meter to restrict the flow of the injected component from reaching the load end. In either case of bypassing or hooking, the power of the high-frequency component will deviate from its value under normal operating condition. The proposed algorithm utilizes this fact for the power theft detection. In order to attain the purpose, power spectral density (PSD) coefficients of the acquired line current are evaluated, magnitude of the PSD coefficients corresponding to the injected frequency are identified and subsequently thresholding technique is applied on it for detection of power theft. The proposed algorithm has been validated in simulation environment as well as with real-world data. This algorithm can play a significant role in arresting power theft.