A Simple Guide to Smart Prepaid Electricity Metering
Electricity management is becoming smarter and more efficient around the world. One of the most widely adopted solutions is the STS prepaid meter (Standard Transfer Specification prepaid meter), which allows customers to pay for electricity before consumption, similar to purchasing mobile phone airtime.
Unlike traditional postpaid meters, where customers use electricity first and receive bills later, an STS prepaid meter gives users better control over their energy consumption and helps utilities reduce billing problems, revenue losses, and manual meter reading costs.
What is an STS prepaid meter?
An STS prepaid meter is a smart electricity meter that uses the international STS token technology to securely transfer electricity credit information from the utility company to the customer's meter.
The system usually includes three main parts:
Utility vending system
The electricity provider operates a vending platform where customers purchase electricity credit through mobile payment, online platforms, banks, or local agents.
STS token generation
After payment, the system generates a unique 20-digit encrypted token. This token contains the purchased energy credit information and security data.
STS prepaid meter
The customer enters the token through the meter keypad. After successful verification, the meter automatically adds the purchased electricity credit and allows electricity usage.
How does an STS prepaid meter work?
The working process is simple:
Step 1: Customer purchases electricity
The user buys electricity credit from a utility office, mobile app, online platform, or authorized agent.
Step 2: Token is generated
The vending system calculates the purchased energy amount and creates a secure STS token.
Step 3: Token is entered into the meter
The customer inputs the token into the prepaid meter keypad.
Step 4: Meter verifies and activates credit
The meter checks the token security information. If it is valid, the purchased energy is added to the customer's balance.
Step 5: Electricity consumption monitoring
The meter continuously measures energy usage and displays the remaining credit. When the balance becomes low, the meter can provide warning messages. If the credit reaches zero, the built-in relay can disconnect the power supply automatically.
Why do utilities choose STS prepaid meters?
STS prepaid metering provides several important advantages:
- Reduced revenue losses: Utilities receive payment before electricity consumption.
- Improved cash flow: Prepayment helps power companies collect revenue faster.
- Lower operation costs: Remote management and reduced manual reading improve efficiency.
- Better customer experience: Users can monitor and control their electricity spending.
- Secure operation: STS encryption technology prevents unauthorized credit transfers.
Hexcell STS Prepaid Meter Solution
As a professional smart energy solution provider, Hexcell develops advanced STS prepaid meters designed for residential, commercial, and utility applications.
Hexcell STS prepaid meters support secure token management, accurate energy measurement, load control, tamper detection, and flexible communication options. Combined with Hexcell's AMI and energy management solutions, utilities can build a complete smart electricity ecosystem from prepaid vending to remote monitoring and data management.
Whether for Africa, the Middle East, or other emerging markets, Hexcell provides reliable prepaid metering solutions that help utilities improve efficiency and support modern energy management.
Hexcell collaborates on water meter pilot projects in African countries (from initiation to on-site commissioning)
Chinese factories ship smart meters to Africa: contributing to the digitalization of Africa's power sector
