Kenya Power Prepaid meters are meant to simplify the entire process of purchasing tokens, and there are a few hacks that can make the process even easier.
The beeping sound when tokens are low can be a nuisance for some, but interestingly, there is a way to go around it. Ideally, it is a sign that you should top up your account to avoid a power outage, but you can disable the sound temporarily depending on your meter type.
If you are using a Shenzhen (Star Instrument) Meter, simply press 1037, then press the Enter button three times.
For those with a Conlog Meter, just long-press the hash (#) key until the sound stops. If you have an Actaris Meter, long-press the Enter key until the noise goes away. For Hexing (Intech) Meters, press 812 followed by the hash (#) key.
These steps will temporarily silence the alarm. However, if your tokens are still low, the beeping will come back. To stop it completely, you need to top up your electricity tokens. The beeping is a reminder to keep your token balance sufficient to avoid power interruptions.
To purchase tokens, use the Pay Bill option on M-Pesa. Enter 888880 as the business number, followed by your meter number. Complete the prompts, and you will receive a token number via SMS. To load the token, connect the Customer Interface Unit (CIU) to a wall socket, key in the 20-digit token number, and press the Enter key.
According to KPLC, if there is no power in the house, you can still load the token using new alkaline batteries in the CIU. Connect it to the wall socket, and load the token as usual. If the batteries are weak, the meter will not connect, as the CIU needs enough power to communicate with the meter.
If your meter shows "Reject" after entering a token, follow these steps: Reconfirm the 20-digit token number to make sure you entered it correctly. Check the meter number to ensure you are loading the token into the right meter.
Then try loading a previous token. If it says "USED", try reloading the new token. If both the meter number and token number are correct, contact KPLC Customer Care for assistance.
KPLC advises Kenyans who are experiencing fast token depletion to check their power consumption. Look at the number of units you use daily and compare that with the appliances running in your house. High-power devices like electric heaters and cookers consume more power. Additionally, check for power leaks at your meter board. A leak can cause units to drain even when you are not using much power.
If you are getting fewer units compared to others, it might be because your meter has an outstanding debt. Some meters deduct a percentage from every token purchase to recover debts. This reduces the number of units you receive. You can confirm your tariff and debt status by calling KPLC's customer service for assistance.
On faulty meters, you are advised to call KPLC on *977# or 97771 so that a technician can be sent to rectify the anomaly, or request to be given a complaint reference number upon reporting for follow-up purposes.
After purchasing the token using a mobile money service and you fail to receive the token number, KPLC advises Kenyans to call *977# or 97771 for assistance. If the meter disconnects when at 9 units instead of 0, you are advised to press 00, Enter, or 00# to reset.
Following these simple guidelines can help you manage your KPLC prepaid meter better and avoid sudden power interruptions.
