Today, all over the world, traditional energy metres are being replaced with new generation smart metres. The smart metres are deployed globally on fast pace. With the installation of smart metres, visits to the consumer premises will be reduced to a negligible amount as smart metres collect the consumed metre reading remotely and there is no need of consumers to visit the premises to collect the metre reading to generate a monthly billing.

Hence, it has become a necessity to use high security smart seals to protect the smart metres and prevent revenue losses. The purpose of a security seal is to protect the revenue completely by preventing unauthorised access for metre tampering. The accuracy of the metres determines the accuracy of recorded revenue. This new tamper resistant smart security seal is designed to replace traditional plastic seals. It is smarter, more secure and facilitates the power it utilities to provide maximum protections to their smart metres to prevent electricity stealing.

Importance of High Security Smart Seals 

We all understand the importance of security. We update the security features of our mobile phones every other day. We even hire security guards to protect our houses, offices and warehouses with reputed professional security agencies. The use of AMI/prepaid/smart metres systems translate to fewer in-person visits to the consumer’s premises. Hence, we need to upgrade the metre sealing with high security smart seals to provide the highest protection to AMI, prepaid and smart metres.  

The smart security seal plays a key role in the automation and secured management to smart metres. Compared with traditional plastic seals there are many advantages and include more convenience, more intelligence, more automation, and a higher level of secured sealing. The RevGuard metre seal provides integrity, prevents unauthorised access, tampering and avoids usage of illegal and duplicate seals.

Tamper resistance

The present day’s most common problem is pre-tampering of anchors before installation of the seal, by pressing the anchors with a plier or filing the anchor with a filer. Safcon effectively solved this problem by introducing a four anchor polycarbonate security seal, in which, two anchors come pre-locked from the factory and two anchors are used for locking. Since the security seal is pre-locked, there is no access to anchors and no possibility of pre-tampering of the metre seal before installation. Once the seal is locked, it has the four anchors locking mechanism which is impossible to open for tampering with the metres. The pre-locked anchor locking insert and housing body cannot be separated without any visible signs of tamper damage. The removals of the wire connecting parts also facilitate easy detection of tampering because of extremely clean look at site.

Another major problem with the traditional plastic seal is reading the serial number with the naked eye due to the compact size of the seal and serial number printed on transparent body. To solve this problem, Safcon provides a serial number with bigger font size for easy error-free readability. In the present digital era, to read, record and verify serial number digitally, the smart security seal is provided with 2d data matrix barcoded serial numbers for reading serial numbers with the help of smartphone/barcode scanner. The barcode is provided on the front side of anchor locking insert for swift reading of the serial number. The barcode is directly laser engraved on the polycarbonate seal itself and the over pasted stickers providing ample scope to counterfeiters for tampering with the seal.

It is human nature that anyone who will read the seal number from the barcode would find it rather difficult to read the seal number from the seal body. When the barcode is provided on the over pasted sticker, the counterfeiter uses the duplicate seal with the over pasted stickers. When the field staffs read the serial number, they read it from the barcode sticker and verify the serial number directly printed on the seal. So, it becomes easy for counterfeiters to conduct metre tampering and replace the metre seal with fake seal. Under no circumstances, should the barcode sticker be overpasted on the seal as transparency of the metre seal is also lost and become difficult to trace tamper evidence.  

Additionally, a hidden encrypted code is provided on the metre seal to deterrent use of any duplicate seal for manipulation. Furthermore, the seal is provided with logo and serial number on both the housing body and anchor locking insert to avoid part swapping for any malpractice.

Innovative approach

Safcon’s Revguard tamper resistant metre security seal is unique and patented. They are not manufactured by anyone else and hence getting the fake seal is impossible. The RevGuard anchor (push fit type) polycarbonate metre security seal is a well-researched designed security seal. The seal is designed carefully to provide maximum protection to the energy metre to prevent metre tampering and electricity stealing. 

The selection of raw materials, seal construction, dimensions, customisation, locking mechanism and sealing wire are based on years of research. The Revguard is 100% tamper proof and easy to lock metre seal. The RevGuard tamper resistant polycarbonate security seal is designed for single use and cannot be opened and reused. The seal has four anchor locking mechanisms with in-built moulded stainless steel sealing wire. The seal wire must be cut with a cutting plier for removal. 

The success of utility metre protection depends on the selection of the security seal, effectively implementing, maintaining and upgrading it from time to time. It requires proper attention to entire process which includes selection, adoption, standardization, procurement, application, record keeping, vigilance and most importantly, disposal.

For the implementation of a successful anti-theft metre protection program, power utilities need a long term partnership with a security seal solution provider who can work with the metre management team of the utility to provide best security solutions based on the regular field reports and expertise in the field.

Safcon is an Indian pioneer in tamper evident security seals for over 25 years. A R&D focused company; they have designed and developed several patented security seal solutions. Adhering to security norms and the best business practices Safcon ensures that their customers can rely on their products. Safcon takes every possible step to safeguard interest of their database of utility customers spread across the globe. 

Commitment to quality

Safcon revolutionises security seals, prioritising ease and efficiency while offering an array of benefits to its customers. Direct supply ensures the integrity and confidentiality of products, bypassing intermediaries for cost-effectiveness. Swift responses to product development cater to specific customer needs promptly. With stringent quality control measures in place, Safcon guarantees zero-defect products. The entire manufacturing process is conducted in-house, ensuring full control over quality and customisation. Committed to customer satisfaction, Safcon adopts a customer-centric policy, prioritising their needs and preferences at every step.

In today’s fast changing world, one should not compromise on security quality. Safcon believes that ‘Poor security is no security’ and they are focused to technological developments.