IoT-Based Smart Energy Meter Monitoring with Theft Detection

This guide outlines the process for creating a smart energy meter that monitors electricity consumption and detects potential theft. The system will provide real-time data on energy usage and alert you to suspicious activities.

Components Required

• Microcontroller (e.g., Arduino, ESP32, or Raspberry Pi)
• Energy meter sensor (e.g., ACS712 for current sensing)
• Voltage sensor (e.g., ZMPT101B for voltage sensing)
• Accelerometer sensor (for detecting tampering)
• GSM module or Wi-Fi module (for IoT connectivity)
• Battery pack or power supply
• Enclosure for protecting the electronics
• Cloud service account (for data collection and analysis)

Setting Up the Hardware

Follow these steps to set up the hardware:

1. Connect the Sensors

   Attach the energy meter sensor and voltage sensor to the microcontroller. Connect the accelerometer to detect any tampering or unauthorized movement. Ensure all sensors are wired correctly for power and data transmission.

2. Install the IoT Module

   Connect the GSM or Wi-Fi module to the microcontroller to enable remote communication. Configure the module for your network or communication requirements.

3. Power the System

   Provide power to the microcontroller and sensors using a battery pack or a suitable power supply. Verify that the power supply meets the requirements of all components.

Programming the Microcontroller

Write code to read sensor data, detect anomalies, and send alerts. Here’s a basic outline of the code:

                #include <Wire.h>
                #include <Adafruit_Sensor.h>
                #include <Adafruit_MPU6050.h>
                #include <SoftwareSerial.h>

                #define CURRENT_SENSOR_PIN A0
                #define VOLTAGE_SENSOR_PIN A1
                #define ACCELEROMETER_SENSOR_ADDR 0x68

                Adafruit_MPU6050 mpu;
                SoftwareSerial gsmSerial(10, 11); // RX, TX

                void setup() {
                Serial.begin(115200);
                gsmSerial.begin(9600);
                
                if (!mpu.begin()) {
                    Serial.println("Could not find a valid MPU6050 sensor, check wiring!");
                    while (1);
                }
                }

                void loop() {
                float current = analogRead(CURRENT_SENSOR_PIN) * (5.0 / 1023.0); // Example conversion
                float voltage = analogRead(VOLTAGE_SENSOR_PIN) * (5.0 / 1023.0);
                sensors_event_t event;
                mpu.getEvent(&event);

                String data = "Current: " + String(current) + " A, Voltage: " + String(voltage) + " V, Acceleration: X=" +
                                String(event.acceleration.x) + ", Y=" + String(event.acceleration.y) + ", Z=" + String(event.acceleration.z);

                if (event.acceleration.x > THRESHOLD || event.acceleration.y > THRESHOLD || event.acceleration.z > THRESHOLD) {
                    data += ", ALERT: Tampering Detected";
                }

                gsmSerial.println(data);

                delay(60000); // Wait 1 minute before the next reading
                }
            

This code reads energy consumption data and detects potential tampering. Adjust the threshold values and sensor calibration based on your specific setup.

Setting Up the Cloud Service

Configure a cloud service or server to receive and analyze the data. Here’s an example of setting up a simple server:

                # Example for setting up a simple server using Python Flask

                from flask import Flask, request, jsonify

                app = Flask(__name__)

                @app.route('/energy-monitor', methods=['GET'])
                def monitor():
                    current = request.args.get('current')
                    voltage = request.args.get('voltage')
                    acceleration = request.args.get('acceleration')
                    alert = request.args.get('alert', 'No')
                    # Process and store data from the energy meter
                    return jsonify(success=True, current=current, voltage=voltage, acceleration=acceleration, alert=alert), 200

                if __name__ == '__main__':
                    app.run(host='0.0.0.0', port=5000)
            

Customize the server code based on your cloud service's requirements and endpoints.

Testing and Calibration

Before deploying the system:

1. Test the Sensors

   Ensure all sensors provide accurate readings. Calibrate them as necessary.

2. Verify Data Transmission

   Check that data is correctly transmitted to and received by the server. Validate the data integrity and format.

3. Implement Alerts

   Set up alerts for anomalies such as unusual energy consumption or tampering. Test alert functionality to ensure timely notifications.