Meter Upgrade:4 Days to Go
As the November 24 deadline approaches, Eskom is urging all prepaid meter customers to urgently update their prepaid meters to avoid the risk of losing power. The power utility has warned that any meters still operating on Key Revision Number 1 (KRN1) will no longer accept electricity tokens after the deadline. If customers fail to make the necessary updates, they could face an inconvenient and costly process of meter replacement, which can cost up to R12,000.
What Is Happening with Eskom’s Prepaid Meters?
Eskom’s meter upgrade initiative is part of the utility’s ongoing effort to modernize and secure its prepaid metering systems. For prepaid customers using meters on KRN1, which is an outdated revision, the impending deadline is critical. After Sunday, November 24, 2024, these meters will no longer accept electricity tokens. Once the credit runs out, the meter will become inoperable, cutting off the power supply. In order to prevent this from happening, it is essential for customers to update their meters immediately.
Why the Urgency?
Monde Bala, Eskom’s Group Executive for Distribution, explained that customers who have meters on KRN1 likely haven’t purchased electricity in the past six months or have been using unauthorized tokens, often procured from criminal syndicates. These tokens are not only illegal but could also lead to meter malfunctions. To prevent the inconvenience of losing power and incurring the high costs of replacing the meter, customers are urged to take immediate action and purchase electricity tokens from authorized vendors before the November 24 deadline.
The Risks of Non-Compliance
Eskom has stressed that if the meter remains on KRN1 past the deadline, it will no longer accept the old KRN1 tokens. The consequences are significant: once the current electricity credit runs out, customers will experience a loss of power. To restore power, the customer will need to replace the meter entirely, which can be a costly endeavor, with replacement fees reaching up to R12,000. This is a cost that can be easily avoided by updating the meter in time.
Eskom has revealed that around 140,000 prepaid meters have been tampered with, with an alarming number of customers continuing to use outdated and unauthorized tokens. These meters require urgent software re-coding, which must be completed before November 24, or the meters will become inoperable. Eskom is prepared to assist all customers by issuing the necessary recoding tokens to ensure that they can continue to purchase electricity without any interruptions.
How to Check and Recode Your Meter
To check if your meter needs to be re-coded, follow these simple steps:
- Check your meter’s code: Enter the following sequence into your meter’s keypad: 1844 6744 0738 4377 2416.
- If the display shows 1 or 1.2, your meter needs to be re-coded.
- If the display shows 2 or 2.2, your meter is already updated and requires no further action.
- Complete the re-coding process:
- Enter the first 20 digits of your recode token.
- Enter the second 20 digits of the recode token.
- Finally, enter the 20-digit token from your most recent electricity purchase to recharge the meter.
By following these steps, you will ensure that your meter remains active and functional, allowing you to continue purchasing electricity seamlessly.
Benefits of Recoding Your Meter
Updating your meter before the deadline comes with several key benefits:
- Uninterrupted Power Supply: By re-coding your meter, you ensure that you won’t experience power loss when the KRN1 tokens are no longer valid.
- Ease of Access to Tokens: After recoding, your meter will accept tokens from all authorized vendors, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free purchase process.
- Cost Savings: Avoid the expensive meter replacement costs by simply updating your meter on time. The price of replacing a faulty meter can run into thousands of rands, so it’s better to act now rather than face a larger expense down the road.
Eskom’s Efforts to Ensure a Smooth Transition
Eskom has been actively running awareness campaigns since August 2023, educating customers on the importance of updating their meters before the deadline. The utility is committed to helping its customers through this transition by offering guidance and assistance. If customers need help with recoding their meters, Eskom is available to offer support.
With just four days to go before the November 24 deadline, Eskom urges all prepaid customers using KRN1 meters to act immediately. Failing to update your meter could result in losing power and incurring costly meter replacement fees. Avoid the inconvenience and expense—recoding your meter today is the best way to ensure uninterrupted power supply and seamless electricity purchases moving forward.
For more details on how to update your meter and avoid the November 24 cutoff, visit Eskom’s official website or contact your nearest authorized vendor.
