The demand for prepaid electricity meters among power system management departments is trending toward diversification. The following are various types of prepaid meters commonly required by both power management authorities and end-users:
Three-phase prepaid meters suitable for addressing the needs of small-to-medium-sized power consumers (industrial or commercial/residential) characterized by high mobility and a tendency toward payment arrears.
Three-phase prepaid meters featuring "one meter, multiple cards" functionality, suitable for managing water irrigation usage across multiple farming households.
Three-phase multi-tariff prepaid meters designed for applications requiring differentiated rates and time-of-use billing.
Single-phase multi-tariff prepaid meters suitable for implementing time-of-use electricity pricing policies for residential users.
Single-phase prepaid meters suitable for general residential use, among others.
The adoption of prepaid electricity meters has heightened users' energy conservation awareness and assists power companies in managing load more effectively, improving operational efficiency, and mitigating issues related to payment arrears. Users can purchase electricity "without leaving their homes" via mobile apps, WeChat, Alipay, and other digital platforms. In practical application, however, conflicts have occasionally arisen-such as sudden power outages at commercial premises following the switch to prepaid meters-as well as instances where users have questioned the metering accuracy of newly installed prepaid devices.
Prepaid electricity meters are primarily categorized into several types: IC card-based, RF card-based, remote-access, and code-based systems. IC card-based meters operate on a "pay-before-use" management model and are simple to operate; however, they are susceptible to issues such as card damage or loss. RF card-based meters utilize contactless reading technology for convenient operation, though their RF signals may be subject to external interference. Remote-access prepaid meters enable remote electricity purchasing and management, offering high levels of convenience, yet they rely on a stable communication network. Code-based prepaid meters require no physical card and offer flexible top-up options, but they necessitate robust security measures to safeguard the integrity of the access codes. Furthermore, prepaid meters possess various technical advantages-including strong anti-theft capabilities, a wide metering range, and low power consumption-though they also present certain drawbacks, such as a lack of software system standardization and a reliance on manufacturers for maintenance and management support [23].