Yahya, Salim Mohamed2021-10-182021-10-182020Yahya S.M (2020) Low cost acquisition of power consumption data in electrical secondary distribution network,Masters dissertation,University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam.http://41.86.178.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/16131Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr.Wilbert Chagula Library, class mark (THS EAF IK 7870 .Y33)In modernizing the grid (towards smart grid), especially in distribution network, power consumption data acquisition is of paramount importance, the old installed systems cannot remotely deliver required information and currently available solutions involve mainly smart meters which are usually too costly to be adopted in developing countries. Also, due to installation location, by passing the meter. Affordable data acquisition systems are hence a key requirement to wards realization of the modern grid referred to as smart grid. The study involve stakeholder of electrical power system through Challenge Driven Education (CDE) approach in identifying the problem and requirement gathering. System design, simulation and testing with the help of Proteus and Arduino software for electronic circuit designs and Omnet ++ for identification of suitable wireless sensor network (WSN). Mathematical models for system deployment costs were developed and Matlab software was used in evaluation phase where costs between the proposed data acquisition system was designed, simulate and then successfully implemented and tested for performance. The study found out that the system could be deployed to acquire power consumption data at 50% lower equipment acquisition costs and 75% lower installation costs than that of smart meter hence balancing the functional tradeoffs between the two solutions while fulfilling the utility’s data acquisitions.enElectronic systemEnergy consumptionData transmission systemComputer networkThesis