Electricity meter upgrade explained
The CoE answered common questions about the TID rollover programme for prepaid electricity meters.
Readers of the Springs Advertiser were uncertain about the prepaid electricity meter token identifier (TID) rollover process, so the Springs Advertiser contacted the CoE for clarity.
Their spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, had answers to common questions.
What is happening and why?
All prepaid electricity meters based on STS technology will stop accepting new credit tokens on November 24, 2024, because the TID is referenced to a base date of 1993 and will run out of range in 2024. This will cause the meter to stop accepting new tokens. All meters will require key change tokens with the rollover.
The base date of January 1, 1993, will be changed to a base date of January 1, 2014.
This process will force the meters to reset the TID stack memory to zero and allow the meters to continue functioning past November 24, 2024.
Will everyone with a prepaid meter in SA be affected?
The change affects every prepaid STS meter globally, not only CoE meters. There are over 70m worldwide prepaid electricity customers.
Will the CoE replace prepaid meters?
No. All meters get reset with key change tokens. The city is updating meters area by area.
How will I know they upgraded the system?
The city works through various areas as part of a phased approach to update the meters. The city will update area by area.
If the city did not reach an area, and customers did not receive the updated key change tokens with their electricity purchase, they are not yet due for the update.
Thus far, the city reached four customer care areas in the metro – Edenvale and Nigel from June 1 and Benoni and Springs from July 1. These updates are still underway, and if you have not received your key change tokens yet, you should get them with your next purchase of units.
The remaining areas will be updated as follows:
This month, Alberton and Boksburg.
Next month – Kempton Park and Thembisa.
October – Brakpan and Germiston.
After the upgrade, what will happen when I buy units for the first time?
When customers buy prepaid units, they receive two 20-digit update key change tokens with their usual prepaid electricity credit token.
First, load any token bought before the key change token or update token because it will not work after the update. That is, any units bought before the purchase that includes the key change tokens because they use the old programming. The purchase with the key change tokens should have the units loaded last after the update runs.
Customers can follow these easy steps to enter the key change tokens:
• Enter the first 20 digits marked “key change 1” and wait for it to accept.
• Enter the second 20-digit marked “key change 2” and wait for it to accept.
• Enter the usual 20-digit token to recharge units as usual.
Does it matter where I buy my prepaid units?
No. There are various ways of buying prepaid units, such as Point of Sale (POS). This is through outlets such as the city’s rates halls (in the Customer Care Centres), petrol stations, and grocery retailers like Pick n Pay, Checkers and more, all available nationwide. You can buy units through internet banking, cellphones, ATMs (all banks) and hundreds of vendors across SA.
When buying units, you will need your prepaid meter number or prepaid meter card (supplied when installing the meter), or use a previous token you purchased (the meter number is on it).
After the upgrade, will I lose the units already on my meter?
No, the update will not affect your units or your power usage because it does not affect the meter’s calibration.
If I need help or more information, where do I go?
Customers can visit any energy offices or Customer Care Centres or call the Springs office of the city on 011 999 8520.
