How to Recode Your Prepaid Electricity Meter: Step-by-Step Guide Before the November 24 Deadline

As South Africa approaches the critical deadline of November 24, 2024, prepaid electricity customers must update their meters to prevent them from becoming non-operational. This update is essential to continue using prepaid electricity, as non-updated meters will no longer accept tokens, effectively leaving households without power.

The recoding process involves switching from Key Revision Number (KRN) 1 to KRN 2, ensuring prepaid meters remain functional. Eskom has provided a step-by-step guide to help residents complete this process, but time is running out, so here’s a comprehensive guide on how to recode your meter.

Why the Update is Necessary

Prepaid electricity meters in South Africa are programmed with a unique identifier number in every issued token to prevent fraud and reuse. However, this identifier has a security expiration based on time, and all meters on the current KRN 1 standard will stop accepting tokens after November 24, 2024. By updating to KRN 2, meters can be reconfigured to accept tokens until 2045.

Failure to update will mean that any purchased tokens will be rejected by meters that still operate on the KRN 1 system, leading to service interruptions until the update is completed.

Checking Your Meter’s Status

The first step in the recoding process is to determine whether your meter is on KRN 1 or KRN 2. You can check your meter’s status by following these simple steps:

1. Enter the Code: Type the code 1844 6744 0738 4377 2416 into your prepaid electricity meter.
2. View the Display: Your meter will display either the number “1” or “2.”
   • If the meter shows “1,” it is on KRN 1 and requires updating.
   • If it shows “2,” the meter is already updated to KRN 2 and no further action is required.

This check is crucial, as only meters on KRN 1 need the recode.

Step-by-Step Guide to Updating Your Prepaid Meter

If your meter is still on KRN 1, here’s how to proceed with the recoding:

1. Obtain Your Key Change Tokens: Key change tokens are required to switch your meter to KRN 2. You can obtain these tokens from your electricity vendor, whether online or in person.
2. Enter the First Token: Once you have your key change tokens, enter the first 20-digit token on your meter. Wait for the meter to accept it before proceeding.
3. Enter the Second Token: After the first token is accepted, enter the second 20-digit key change token. Again, wait for the acceptance confirmation.
4. Load Your Electricity Voucher: With your meter now recoded to KRN 2, enter your 20-digit prepaid electricity voucher to reload electricity on the updated system.

Once updated, any previous tokens purchased under KRN 1 will no longer work, so customers are advised to use up existing tokens before recoding.

Challenges and Importance of Timely Action

As of October 25, 2024, only about 28,500 Eskom direct customers have updated their meters daily, even though the target is 85,254 per day to meet the November 24 deadline. Roughly 2.5 million Eskom direct customers have yet to recode their meters, and municipal customers are also behind, with 375,539 households still on KRN 1. If these numbers aren’t met, many customers may face difficulties, such as extended power outages or reliance on water tankers, as Eskom won’t be able to deliver prepaid electricity until meters are updated.

This slow uptake could also indicate widespread electricity theft, as many may have bypassed meters or purchased tokens illegally.

What to Do if You Encounter Issues

If you encounter any issues while updating your meter, Eskom has set up regional support contacts. Below is a list of contacts by province for additional assistance:

These contacts can assist residents struggling to obtain key change tokens or experiencing technical difficulties with the meter.

Preparing for November 24

Residents are strongly urged to complete this recode process as soon as possible to avoid the rush as the deadline nears. With only days left, any delays could leave customers without electricity if the deadline is missed, leading to operational disruptions until the meter is updated.

Additionally, Eskom has launched the “Vikela Amanzi, Protect our Tomorrow” campaign to reduce overall water consumption and prevent system overuse, which is part of a broader effort to ensure sustainability.

Recoding your prepaid electricity meter before November 24, 2024, is critical for continued access to electricity. This update, from KRN 1 to KRN 2, resets the token security standard and allows meters to remain operational until 2045. Avoid delays, check your meter, obtain your key change tokens, and ensure you complete the process in time.

For the latest updates and guidance, consult Eskom’s website or use the contact numbers provided for support.