Design and Development of a Tamper Detection System for Single Phase Prepaid Meters
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Date
2026-10
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Busitema University
Abstract
Energy theft and meter tampering remain a significant challenge for electricity distribution companies in Uganda, resulting in substantial revenue losses annually. This project presents the design and development of a tamper detection system for singlephase prepaid (Yaka) meters, aimed at enabling real-time identification and reporting of unauthorized interference with electricity meters.
The proposed system employs an 8-bit RISC Atmel ATmega328P-PU microcontroller interfaced with a magnetic flux sensor, tilt sensor, current sensor, and voltage sensor to detect various tampering techniques, including the use of permanent magnets, physical tilting of the meter, exposure of internal components, and signal cable manipulation. Upon detection of any tampering event, the system triggers an alarm and transmits an SMS notification to the utility company's area manager via the GSM network, enabling prompt remote response.
The system design incorporates an independent Real-Time Clock (RTC) with battery backup to detect power interruption-based tampering, and anti-tamper switches to guard against physical intrusion. A prototype was constructed and tested using unit, integration, and system-level testing methodologies to verify functionality and reliability. The developed system offers a cost-effective, automated, and reliable alternative to existing monitoring approaches such as physical inspection and manual meter reading. It is expected to significantly reduce electricity theft, improve billing accuracy, and lower operational costs for UEDCL and similar utility companies in Uganda.
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Undergraduate Dissertation
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Citation
Ekirapa, B. (2026). Design and Development of a Tamper Detection System for Single Phase Prepaid Meters. Busitema University.