2023 Smart meter se paisa bachaen har ghar bijli laaye | बिजली | বিদ্যুৎ

Smart meter se paisa bachaen har ghar bijli laaye

In electricity distribution, smart meters are electronic meters that automatically collect meter readings and communicate with both distributors and customers. There is no difference between an old static meter and a smart meter when it comes to measuring the amount of electricity used. In case of earlier meters, a group of workers called 'meter readers' would go door to door to collect meter readings. No one has to go near the meter. A smart prepaid meter is a type of smart meter that allows you to pay in advance.

Why smart meters? No need to deposit money in advance!

Despite best efforts, the technical and commercial losses of distribution companies (DISCOMs) have not come down as expected. Smart meters with prepaid features are an important tool to reduce such losses Due to this, such meters are now being installed in the houses of all types of customers including government offices. This will ensure that customers do not have to pay anything extra, rather they receive regular payments for the distribution company, thereby reducing their technical and commercial losses. Electricity consumers will ultimately benefit if the technical and commercial losses of electricity distribution companies are reduced. Because then the distribution company's electricity purchase cost will decrease, the electricity price will decrease and the consumers will get some relief. So initially there is no loss on either side.

Does smart meter give accurate readings? Or does it give wrong or too high readings?

All smart meters go through various stages of testing before and during installation.

In the 1st stage: Some sample meters are given during the bidding process during the tender process. The meters are tested for production as per the technical specifications recorded in the bid documents, only then the bid evaluation moves to the next stage.

2nd Step: After the order, the 'Smart Meter Service Provider' submits the order to Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) with the "Guaranteed Technical Details (GTP)" of the smart meter. It is checked based on the technical specifications mentioned in the bid document and approved if found correct. After that the meter test started in the factory.

Step 3: Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) before delivery: After the manufacturer manufactures a specified number of meters, the FAT is tested at their premises. The inspection included necessary tests of smart meters, AMI communication tests etc. in the presence of APDCL engineers. Supply of meter is allowed only after FAT test.

Further, in some cases, Site Acceptance Test (SAT) is done instead of FAT test at APDCL's own state-of-the-art Testing and Commissioning Laboratory. In this test, 32 meters are randomly selected out of a minimum of 1,000 sample meters and all required tests are performed on those meters.

Field performance test/field installation test is also done in case of smart meters. In this test, the device has to repeat all the successes shown in the factory test and only then it is allowed to be installed. Even if there are any inconsistencies in the FAT test, they should be removed before this test.

After many tests, the smart meter is very unlikely to give incorrect or over or under readings.

Government regulations regarding installation of smart prepaid meters

It is true that despite the benefits of smart meters, APDC Elle started installing smart meters in few places (even in selected areas) as part of one or two pilot projects in 2017. The old system was used in most parts of Assam. Then came some instructions to APDCL.

The Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020 issued by the Ministry of Power, Government of India on 31-12-2020 states that 'Electricity Distribution Establishment Meters and such meters shall not provide any electricity connection except for smart pre-payment meters. . or Must have a pre-payment meter. After this the Central Government issued Gazette Notification No. 'F'. No. 23/35/2019-R&R date. 17-08-2021' set a deadline of 31-03-2025 for installation of smart meters with prepayment facility at all metered locations.

Meanwhile, the Central Electricity Authority has issued a notification dated 28-02-2022 to supply electricity to all electricity consumers through communication networks through smart meters operated in prepayment mode, should know the relevant rules and regulations laid down by the Center. The government should complete this work within the stipulated time.

In view of these guidelines, APDCL was compelled to take certain steps.

Measures taken by APDCL

APDCL submitted a 'Mixed Application' to the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission for universal installation of smart prepaid meters in Assam as per the guidelines of the Government of India. The regulatory commission of that application is informed that in so doing no financial pressure will be placed on the consumer and no proposal to recover this cost will be put in the pass duty application. Therefore, the order dated 07-11-22 approved the installation of smart prepaid meters in Assam.

APDCL then started switching from postpaid and prepaid meters to smart prepaid meters without burdening the customers. The deadline for this is 31-03-2025 for a total of 66.5 lakh customers of APDCL.

What is the daily bill prepared on? How is the balance deducted?

Suppose a ‘domestic-A’ class customer with a 2 kW connected load consumes 10 units of electricity per day. Now the computer will calculate his bill for that day as follows:

Energy tariff = 10 × 5.70 = Rs 50

Fixed fee = (2×70)/30= Rs. 50

Electricity tariff = (57+ 4.67) × 5% = Rs 50

FPPPA (due to increase in fuel prices)

    = 10×0.30= Rs. 3

Subsidy 10 × 0.75 = Rs 7.5

Total bill = (57+ 4.67+3.08+3 - 7.50) = RS. 60.25

If the customer’s prepaid balance was Rs. 200, next day he will have balance = 200- 60.25 = Rs 50.25

What happens when a customer’s previous meter is converted to a smart prepaid meter?

During this installation, the amount previously paid by the customer to APDCL as load security is added and subtracted from the previous month’s bill. According to the calculations, if the customer owes some money, it is returned to the customer in daily installments. Suppose the customer receives Rs. 5 each at a fixed rate for 60 days. The amount is then added daily to the prepaid balance. That is, if the customer’s prepaid balance was to be Rs. 139.75 in a day, will increase 

(139.75 + 5) = Rs 144.75

On the other hand, if some money is received from the customer on account of APDCL, it is paid to APDCL in daily installments. The CL is cut. Suppose APDCL receives Rs. 5 each from the customer for 60 days as per the prescribed calculation. The amount is then deducted from the prepaid balance on a daily basis. That is, if the customer’s prepaid balance was to be Rs. 139.75 in a day (139.75-5) =Rs 50

Recharge ! What a problem!

Although many customers think recharge is a problem, recharge is easy if you understand. Those who find it difficult to recharge through mobile, computer etc. can go to the cash counter of the sub-division as before and say, 'Recharge this money to my consumer number' and his work will be completed immediately.

Online recharge is similar to mobile phone recharge. Customers need to visit the APDCL website www.apdcl.org and click on Recharge Prepaid Meter on the first page. Then another page will ask for the consumer number and how much money to recharge. After filling it in, click on 'Pay Now' and you will be taken to the payment page where you can pay with your convenient credit card, debit card, internet banking, wallet/cash card/UPI (GPay, PhonePay etc.). hall. People have been paying or recharge so many mobile phone bills online. There is no reason not to recharge electricity. In addition to the APDCL website, you can also recharge through the My Bijulee mobile app.

Why are electricity bills going up?

It is undeniable that electricity tariffs have increased slightly. The fixed tariff has been increased to Rs 70 per kilowatt instead of Rs The FPPPA fee is 30 paise per unit for lifestyle and domestic-A classes and 70 paise per unit for the rest. The associated electricity tariffs have also increased due to the increase. Because of that, electricity costs are rising, but only by a small amount. If it is increasing, it is due to the use of AC, fans, coolers, etc. for heat. There is a lot of electricity consumed especially when running AC. If a typical AC runs for twelve hours a day, the electrical energy consumption will be 24 units and the rough money will be about Rs. On the other hand, if a fan runs for twelve hours a day, it will consume 0.72 units of electricity and cost approximately only Rs. We can simply assume that running one AC means running 33 fans!

Since there are complaints from almost all parts of Assam that electricity bills are high, there is no reason to blame smart meters for that. So far, only about 5 lakh customers in selected areas out of 66.5 lakh customers in Assam have been installed with smart prepaid meters. The rest have the same meters and many of them have complained that their electricity bills are high. In fact, the higher the electricity consumption, the higher the cost. When it gets cold in December-January, electricity consumption will be lower and electricity costs will also be reduced.

Any electricity meter, including smart meters, is a measuring instrument that keeps track of electricity consumption. When the price of gold goes up, no one blames the scales that weigh gold.

It's a pity!

From the perspective of customers, smart prepaid meters have many advantages. They are— customers in the case of smart prepaid meters

Only pay fees for the electricity they consume. This saves them money

Smart prepaid meters apply only the prevailing tariff without any additional charges. In addition, as before, RC-DC (Re Connection-Dis Connection) charges should not be entered here. Smart meters inform the customer of their daily electricity consumption and allow them to spend electricity only as needed and economically.

There is no manual intervention to ensure that customers receive accurate and correct bills. Through a mobile app my Bijulee, customers can know about their electricity consumption, electricity quality, deposits etc.

Customers can wait for their monthly bill at any time at their convenience and you can recharge from any location. Smart prepaid meters do not require the long vendor codes of previous prepaid meters. The recharge money is automatically credited to the customer's account.

Conclusion : Even if the balance is less than the minimum value, the line is not cut off on holidays However, if there is any problem, customers can call 1912 avail 24×7 customer service by calling Unfortunately, many customers are unaware of these benefits.