The complete prepaid smart meter guide
Prepaid meters are now the default for most new connections in Bangladesh. This guide explains what actually happens to your money the moment you recharge, and how to read the meter's own signals.
A prepaid meter feels simple — top up, get power — but the way a recharge converts into units is not a straight division by the unit rate. Fixed charges are deducted first, and the timing of your first recharge each month changes how many units you actually get. This guide explains the mechanics so a "short" recharge doesn't feel like a scam.
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How a recharge is split
A prepaid recharge is deducted in roughly this order before it becomes usable units:
| Order | Deduction | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Outstanding arrears instalment | Only if arrears exist from before the meter went prepaid, or a past dispute. |
| 2 | Meter rent | Small fixed monthly fee, taken once per cycle. |
| 3 | Demand charge | Sanctioned load × category demand rate, taken once per cycle regardless of usage. |
| 4 | VAT (5%) | Applied on the energy and fixed charges together. |
| 5 | Remaining balance → converted to units | Priced at your category's slab or time-of-use rate. |
Why your first recharge of the month buys fewer units
Meter rent and the demand charge are billed once per cycle, not spread evenly across every recharge. Whichever recharge happens first after the cycle resets absorbs both deductions in full, so it converts a smaller share of the token value into units. Every subsequent recharge in that same cycle goes almost entirely to units, since the fixed charges are already settled.
Emergency balance and friendly hours
Most prepaid meters in Bangladesh include two safety features to avoid an inconvenient disconnection:
- Emergency/borrow credit — when your balance nears zero, the meter usually offers a one-time emergency credit (a fixed small amount) that you can activate from the keypad; it's automatically deducted from your next recharge.
- Friendly hours — a nightly window (commonly late evening through early morning) during which supply continues even at zero balance, so households aren't cut off while recharge points are closed.
Exact emergency credit amounts and friendly-hour windows vary by utility and meter model — check your meter's manual or ask your utility's prepaid helpline for your specific settings.
Entering recharge tokens
Recharges are usually delivered as a 20-digit token (from an app, agent or bank) that you key into the meter directly, or applied automatically if you recharge through certain mobile-financial- service integrations. Enter digits carefully — a single wrong digit typically produces a rejection rather than crediting the wrong amount, but repeated failed attempts can temporarily lock token entry as a security measure.
Common error codes
| Display message | Likely meaning |
|---|---|
| "Token used" / "Used token" | That exact token was already applied — check for duplicate entry before contacting support. |
| "Invalid token" | Digits mistyped, or the token was generated for a different meter number. |
| "Low balance" beeping | Balance has crossed a warning threshold; recharge soon to avoid disconnection outside friendly hours. |
| "Tamper" / "Cover open" | The meter detected the cover being opened or unusual current flow — this can trigger a lockout requiring a technician visit. |
| "Overload" | Load drawn exceeds the sanctioned limit; the meter may trip until load is reduced. |
Key takeaways
- • Recharges deduct arrears, rent, demand charge and VAT before converting the rest into units.
- • The first recharge of a billing cycle always buys fewer units than later ones.
- • Emergency credit and friendly hours exist specifically to prevent night-time disconnection.
- • A rejected token is usually a data-entry issue — check digits before calling support.
- • Never attempt to bypass tamper or overload lockouts yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Does the prepaid rebate apply to the whole recharge?
The rebate (commonly around 0.5%) applies to the net energy-plus-demand amount before VAT, not to the token face value. It's a small automatic discount, not the main reason unit counts vary between recharges.
Why did my ৳1,000 recharge buy fewer units than an earlier ৳1,000 recharge?
If arrears, meter rent or the monthly demand charge had not yet been deducted this month, the first recharge absorbs those fixed deductions before any units are credited. Later recharges in the same month go almost entirely to units.
What happens if my balance hits zero at night?
Most Bangladeshi prepaid meters offer an emergency credit facility and/or 'friendly hours' (commonly late evening to early morning) during which the supply is not cut even at zero balance, specifically to avoid disconnections while shops are closed.
My token was rejected as 'already used'. What do I do?
Each token can only be entered once per meter. If you're sure it's unused, check for a data-entry mistake first, then contact your utility's prepaid helpline with the token number and purchase receipt — they can verify and reissue if it was a system error.
Can I still get an itemised bill on a prepaid meter?
Yes — prepaid meters keep an internal ledger of consumption and deductions. Most utility apps or the meter's own menu can show a recent transaction history; ask your utility how to access it if it's not obvious on your model.
Compare prepaid and postpaid costs with the prepaid vs postpaid calculator, or see how to read your bill.