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Inscape Property Management | Commercial Property Management

Apr 1, 2019 | All Categories, Client Testimonials

“We were put in contact with Republic Metering when battling with one of our customers, who was querying why their electrical account was so high. The Republic Metering team was incredibly professional and proficient – straight after upgrading our existing hardware with smart meters incorrect billing by our existing manual metering reading company flagged along with discrepancies on the municipal metering side. We have come very far since our first contact with them – and have gotten much more than we could have expected by having them as our metering partner”.

Simone Barry

Commercial Property Manager, Inscape Property Management

What is electricity meter bypassing?

Meter bypassing occurs when a person illegally changes the electrical installation so that some or all electricity flows around the meter instead of through it. This allows electricity to be consumed without being recorded or paid for.

How common is meter bypassing?

Meter bypassing is one of the most common forms of electricity theft worldwide. It can occur in residential, commercial, industrial, and multi-tenant properties.

Can a smart meter detect a bypass?

Many modern smart meters can identify abnormal consumption patterns that may indicate a bypass. Advanced systems can generate alerts when usage suddenly drops, remains unusually low, or differs significantly from historical consumption.

How does a smart metering system identify suspicious activity?

Smart metering platforms monitor data continuously and can flag:

              • Sudden decreases in consumption
              • Extended periods of zero usage
              • Consumption patterns inconsistent with occupancy
              • Differences between bulk meter readings and sub-meter readings
              • Unusual changes in load profiles

Can smart meters prove that theft has occurred?

A smart meter can provide evidence suggesting a possible bypass, but physical inspection by a qualified electrician is usually required to confirm theft and identify how the bypass was implemented.

Why is smart metering more effective than manual meter reading?

Traditional monthly readings provide only a snapshot in time. Smart metering creates a continuous record of consumption, making unusual behaviour much easier to identify and investigate.