Eskom says zero buyers can update their prepaid meters after 24 November

mylesillidge

mylesillidge

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Good news for prepaid electricity meter updates — but there's a catch

Eskom says it has finalised a technical breakthrough allowing zero buyers to update their prepaid electricity meters after the 24 November 2024 deadline.

This was announced in a statement on Friday, 22 November. For reference, "zero buyer" is the term Eskom uses to describe someone who consumes electricity without purchasing it.
 
There is no breakthrough here.

This has always been possible via their online vending system. Once the KRN date passes the vending system is forced to issue an additional token at time of credit purchase to bring the meter in line with the online vending system.

The only caveat is only major vending points can do this, not the guy who sells you credit tokens from his cell.

Source: I worked on the system in the mid-2010's.
 
Last edited:
Iwojima said:
There is no breakthrough here.

This has always been possible via their online vending system. Once the KRN date passes the vending system is forced to issue an additional token at time of credit purchase to bring the meter in line with the online vending system

Source: I worked on the system in the mid-2010's.
Click to expand...
My meter shows KRN 1. I tried to input AGAIN now, the KRN revision codes I received and already input in May. It says "token rejected". Could you spell out what happens to my meter after 24 November?
 
ProfA said:
My meter shows KRN 1. I tried to input AGAIN now, the KRN revision codes I received and already input in May. It says "token rejected". Could you spell out what happens to my meter after 24 November?
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Your meter will continue to work, but you will not be able to enter new credit tokens until your meter is switched to KRN 2.

It can happen that a mixup with supply group codes can result in a failure to change the KRN, in which case the munic/Eskom would need to issue what is known as an "engineering key change" to bring it all line. Worst case scenario they'll replace your meter.

What KRN number did your last purchase show?
 
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ProfA said:
My meter shows KRN 1. I tried to input AGAIN now, the KRN revision codes I received and already input in May. It says "token rejected". Could you spell out what happens to my meter after 24 November?
Click to expand...

You better load R15k on that meter so it will last till you get it sorted.
 
Iwojima said:
Your meter will continue to work, but you will not be able to enter new credit tokens until your meter is switched to KRN 2.

It can happen that a mixup with supply group codes can result in a failure to change the KRN, in which case the munic/Eskom would need to issue what is known as an "engineering key change" to bring it all line. Worst case scenario they'll replace your meter.

What KRN number did your last purchase show?
Click to expand...
Where do I see what KRN number it showed? Last purchase just shows the 20 digit purchase token like it always does. Bought R50 now just to check. Same info I always get when purchasing on Capitec.
 
ProfA said:
Where do I see what KRN number it showed? Last purchase just shows the 20 digit purchase token like it always does. Bought R50 now just to check. Same info I always get when purchasing on Capitec.
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Hmm, not sure with Capitec to be honest.

I use Pre-paid24, get an SMS with the token, but also an email with a digital copy of the vending slip, which includes things like your SGC, KRN, Tariff, etc
 
Iwojima said:
Hmm, not sure with Capitec to be honest.

I use Pre-paid24, get an SMS with the token, but also an email with a digital copy of the vending slip, which includes things like your SGC, KRN, Tariff, etc
Click to expand...
Capitec
Electricity Token: 3206 6491 9004 1277 2040
Receipt: 432717414226
Meter: 13500084xxx
Amount: R50.00
VAT: R6.52
Units: 17.7 kWh
Call: 0860102043
 
ProfA said:
Capitec
Electricity Token: 3206 6491 9004 1277 2040
Receipt: 432717414226
Meter: 13500084xxx
Amount: R50.00
VAT: R6.52
Units: 17.7 kWh
Call: 0860102043
Click to expand...
I know its a pain in the arse, but if you're in/around a shop buy R10 from them. You'll definitely get a slip with your KRN printed.
 
Iwojima said:
I know its a pain in the arse, but if you're in/around a shop buy R10 from them. You'll definitely get a slip with your KRN printed.
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OK. I will drop by Pick n pay tomorrow morning. If it says KRN 1 on the slip, what do I do?
 
ProfA said:
OK. I will drop by Pick n pay tomorrow morning. If it says KRN 1 on the slip, what do I do?
Click to expand...
If its says KRN1 and your meter accepts that token then you'll definitely have a problem post-24th Nov 2024 next time you want to buy credit.

You'll need to get a hold of your munic to resolve.
 
mylesillidge said:
Good news for prepaid electricity meter updates — but there's a catch

Eskom says it has finalised a technical breakthrough allowing zero buyers to update their prepaid electricity meters after the 24 November 2024 deadline.

This was announced in a statement on Friday, 22 November. For reference, "zero buyer" is the term Eskom uses to describe someone who consumes electricity without purchasing it.
Click to expand...

Wat de fk is n zero buyer

I really think these articles are vomited out by chatgpt lite

Omfg
 
Iwojima said:
If its says KRN1 and your meter accepts that token then you'll definitely have a problem post-24th Nov 2024 next time you want to buy credit.

You'll need to get a hold of your munic to resolve.
Click to expand...
Fck. It does say KRN 1 and meter does accept it.

=========================
CREDIT VEND - TAX INVOICE
=========================
UTILITY: Centlec Proprietary
TAX NUMBER:

NAME: CENTLEC CUSTOMER CENTLEC CUSTOMER
STAND:
AREA:

METER NUMBER: 135000xxxx
TT: 02
ALG: 07
TI: 01
SGC: 400399
KRN: 1

PAID TOKENS
-----------
DESCRIPTION: Electricity Credit
RECEIPT: 432718462588
TARIFF NAME: Tariff II: IBT Domestic
DATE/TIME: 2024-11-22 18:46:41
PAID UNITS: 7.10 kWh
FREE UNITS: 0.00 kWh
TOTAL UNITS: 7.10 kWh
TARIFF: 7.1 kWh @ 2.46 R/kWh:
AMOUNT: 17.39
VAT: 2.61
TOTAL: 20.00
TOKEN: 0207 1376 1006 3309 xxxx

Unit price: Vat inclusive

Sale facilitated through Prepaid24
Thank you
 
So this is the message I get when I send a whatsapp message to Centlec.

My message:
I have been purchasing electricity regularly. I inserted the key revision codes in May already. But my meter still says KRN 1.
Click to expand...
Their automated response:
Thank you for contacting Centlec SOC.

Please be advised that this Whatsapp line is strictly for TID related questions.

For any other issues, Kindly call 051-409-2345 or Whatsapp 068-178-0700 for assistance.

TID rollover is automated within the system as long as you buy electricity your meter will be upgraded.
If you are able to buy and load tokens you should not be concerned .
Please ignore the KRN1 displayed on your meter
Click to expand...
 
ProfA said:
So this is the message I get when I send a whatsapp message to Centlec.

My message:

Their automated response:
Click to expand...
Interesting indeed.

Theoretically if they've issued a new SGC, then the KRN can remain at 1 and the vending system will happily continue with a new expiry date for KRN1. There is nothing to say they need to handle this exactly the same as other munics/Eskom.

...based on what I recall from 12-13 years ago ;)

EDIT: I just read the PDF you linked earlier, I see they indicated as such there. Only read the last paragraph of the second page.
 
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