Identification of Unauthorized Electric-Power Consumption in the Phases of Distribution Networks with Automated Metering Systems

Abstract

A power distribution network with an automated information-and-measurement system for electric-power metering is considered. The tasks are to detect unauthorized power (electricity) consumption in the phases of the network, to identify the consumers, and to evaluate the unaccounted power consumption currents using the metering system. The method previously proposed to accomplish these tasks using a simplified three-phase network equivalent circuit is analyzed. Its shortcomings are demonstrated, and a new method for detecting, calculating, and monitoring unauthorized power consumption is proposed. This method involves comparison of measured input currents and those calculated from the readings of consumers’ metering devices, given the parameters of the network conductors and supply voltages. It is shown that the leakage current depends on the difference between these currents and the location of the unauthorized power consumption in the network circuit. Consumers with current leakages are identified by analyzing the calculated impedance of network conductors. The proposed method can be used to implement new diagnostic functions in modern electric-power metering systems.