City to upgrade pre-paid meters – Hart
It is being done through a phased approach but all of Edenvale’s pre-paid meters will be upgraded.
The City of Ekurhuleni has started its token identifier (TID) rollover programme.
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This will see the city upgrading the software of existing prepaid meters in the hope of providing an uninterrupted power supply to its customers.
According to Ward 18 Ald Heather Hart, the upgrade started on June 1.
She said the first two towns to receive it are Edenvale and Nigel.
Although pre-paid meters are being upgraded in Edenvale, Hart said it is not being done all at once.
She said it is being done through a phased approach but all of Edenvale’s pre-paid meters will be upgraded.
Hart said customers will now receive three token numbers when purchasing electricity.
She said the first, second and third sets of token numbers must be entered into the meter for the customer to receive electricity.
Once upgraded the first two 20-digit tokens must be entered before the meter can accept any electricity tokens.
Customers whose meters have not been upgraded will stay make use of the old system where one set of token numbers is used.
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According to the city, the rollover programme will continue until November 24.
After this date, current electricity meters will stop working unless upgraded.
CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said this rollover programme will affect all prepaid meter customers who make use of 11-digit systems and not only CoE pre-paid meters.
Hart said residents whose meters are due to be upgraded will be informed.
She said the process is done remotely so residents will not need to anticipate CoE staff entering their property for the upgrade.
“What the city is doing is accessing certain properties where meters need to be installed or officials have properties with problematic meters,” said Hart.
She said although the rollover programme is going well there has been some confusion.
Hart said if residents have any trouble, they can contact her at Heather.Hart@ekurhuleni.gov.za or phone Edenvale Customer Care Centre at 011 999 7762.
Alternatively, customers may visit the energy department at Edenvale’s customer care centre located on the second floor.
