Prototype Development to Detect Electric Theft using PIC18F452 Microcontroller

This paper presents the development of a prototype to detect electric theft using PIC18F452. The proposed prototype is robust, adaptable, repairable and easy installable. It monitors the flow of charge from the phase line i.e. supply line, the neutral line and constantly compares them. Moreover, it shows real time flow of charge in the both phase line and the neutral line. It also represents the real time voltage and the power being supplied to the load. It is also fitted with an alarm system that sounds an alarm when there is any electric theft. The prototype was able to adapt to different kinds of attenuating voltages between 200-240 volts. It was tested at different loads and findings were inconsistent with the theoretical ones. What makes this device unique is that it can be fitted anywhere in any electrical system. It can be used as metering device. It can also be used as a smart grid surveillance device when used in collaboration with multiple devices of same or different kind.