Mitigation of Electricity Theft at Low Distribution Voltage End Using Matrix Converter

Abstract

This study demonstrates the use of a matrix converter to reduce electricity theft at the low distribution voltage end. Residential users' meter bypassing energy theft causes electric power distribution businesses in poor nations like Nigeria to lose a considerable amount of money. Direct tapping on distribution lines remains a persistent problem that needs to be utterly eliminated, even though smart metering systems have solved concerns linked to power theft at the meter. Because there is no need for a large, bulky dc link electrolytic capacitor that increases system complexity, an indirect matrix converter is utilized because it ensures compactness and reliability. Design and simulation of the proposed system are based on the low voltage distribution network's frequency variation (10 Hz to 20 Hz). For the converter's design, a frequency of 10 Hz was used to produce a worst-case Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of 204.99 %.