If you’ve recently installed a prepaid meter from JED, AEDC, EKEDC, IBEDC, IKEDC, EEDC, KAEDCO, KEDCO, OR PHED, and you’re eager to learn how to recharge it, you’ve come to the right place. Owning a prepaid meter in Nigeria is a cost-effective decision, ensuring you only pay for the electricity you use, and eliminating unnecessary billings.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you understand how to recharge your prepaid meter, whether it’s your first time or you’re looking for a more convenient way to top up.
How to recharge prepaid meter for the first time
Before we dive into the details of recharging your prepaid meter, it’s essential to check whether your meter has been activated. If it hasn’t been activated yet, contact your meter distributors or visit their office to complete the activation process. They will provide you with a 20-digit PIN to activate your prepaid meter.
Once your meter is activated, you can proceed to recharge it. There are various methods available for recharging prepaid meters in Nigeria, and we’ve simplified the process for you.
How to recharge prepaid meter by visiting dealers’ outlets, POS outlets, Disco Outlets, and Offices
This is one of the earliest and easiest options for those who prefer in-person transactions. Here’s how to do it:
- Present your meter’s smart card to the dealer, enabling them to retrieve your meter number.
- Specify the desired token amount you want to purchase.
- Make payment in cash, via bank transfer, or using your ATM card.
- The dealer will process your purchase and provide you with a receipt containing your 20-digit recharge PIN.
How to Load Prepaid Meter Token
After receiving your token from the dealer, you’ll need to load it into your meter. Follow these straightforward steps:
- When you return home, connect your User Interface Unit (UIU) keyboard and wait for the LCD screen to activate. It will only activate when properly connected to your prepaid meter.
- Input the 20-digit recharge PIN and press ‘Enter’ (the green button). If you make an entry error, use the red button to cancel.
- The screen will display ‘ACCEPT’ for successful recharges or ‘REJECT’ for unsuccessful ones. In some cases, your meter’s LCD screen will automatically update after input, and power will be restored without displaying ‘ACCEPT.’
- In the event of an unsuccessful recharge, your UIU will show an error code. Don’t worry; it simply means you didn’t input the PIN correctly. Retry the process carefully.
Alternatively..
If you want to avoid manually entering a 20-digit PIN and potential errors, you can use your smart card to recharge your prepaid meter. Here’s how:
- Open the card slot door on your prepaid meter and insert your smart card into the designated slot.
- Ensure that your control box is connected to a power supply.
- When the meter’s LCD screen displays “—,” it indicates that the card is recharging your prepaid meter. Do not remove the card during this process, as it could damage both the meter and the card.
- After the recharge process is complete, you’ll receive a notification on the meter’s screen, and you can then gently remove the card.
How to recharge prepaid meter with your phone
If you prefer a more convenient approach, you can use your phone to recharge your prepaid meter from the comfort of your home. Here are the options available:
How to recharge prepaid meter online
Recharging your prepaid meter online offers several advantages, including the convenience of doing it from your home at any time, even during off-hours when physical dealers are closed. Here’s what you need to get started:
- Internet connection
- Phone number
- Email address
- Prepaid meter number
- Smartphone or laptop/desktop
- ATM card (as an alternative method of payment)
To recharge your prepaid meter online, visit your electricity distribution company’s official website and follow these steps:
- Select your electricity distribution company.
- Choose your meter type from the available options.
- Input your meter number.
- Click on the ‘Continue’ button.
- Choose a payment method and make the payment.
- Your token will be sent to you via SMS or email, depending on your preference.
Other websites where you can recharge your meter follow similar procedures, sending a 20-digit recharge PIN to your phone via SMS. Some options include:
- BuyPower.ng
- iRecharge.com
- Quickteller.com
- Instantenergy.com
- Or the PHED website for people in Port Harcourt and its surrounding towns
Read More: How to check prepaid meter balance in Nigeria
How to recharge prepaid meter from bank apps
Another convenient method is to use mobile banking apps. If you already have an active mobile banking app for your bank, you can utilize it to recharge your prepaid meter. If you don’t have the app, download it and set it up. Here’s how:
This method also works for those looking for how to recharge BEDC prepaid meter online.
- Launch the mobile banking app.
- Tap on ‘Pay Electrical Bill.’
- Select your electricity distribution company.
- Input your meter number.
- Specify the amount you wish to purchase.
- Provide your bank details and an OTP will be sent to your registered phone number. Use this OTP to confirm your transaction.
- You’ll receive your 20-digit recharge PIN via SMS.
How to recharge prepaid meter without light
In situations where the power is out and you need to recharge your prepaid meter, you can follow these steps:
- Visit the local office of the electricity distribution company that installed your meter.
- Provide your meter number.
- Specify the amount of tokens you want to purchase.
- Choose your preferred payment method and complete the transaction.
- Once the purchase is confirmed, your token will be loaded directly onto your meter.
Prepaid Meter Codes in Nigeria
You may also want to check various details about your prepaid meter, such as your remaining balance, the amount used, or your meter number. Use the following codes to access this information:
- To check your balance, press “07” and the blue button.
- To see how much you’ve used from your loaded token, enter “07” and the blue button.
- To find your meter number, press “65” and the blue or green button (depending on your UIU color).
FAQs
Other topics on prepaid meters you might be interested in.
Conclusion
This guide has provided you with comprehensive instructions on how to recharge prepaid meters in Nigeria, both online and offline, and highlighted the relevant codes to help you manage your meter effectively. Enjoy the cost-effective benefits of owning a prepaid meter in Nigeria.
