What is the Maximum Limit of Prepaid Electricity Tokens That Can Be Purchased?

Prepaid electricity has become a popular choice among Indonesians due to its convenience and flexibility. With this system, users can control their electricity usage by purchasing tokens as needed. Unlike postpaid electricity, the prepaid system allows customers to be more aware of their electrical energy consumption which can help manage monthly expenses.

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However, it is important for users to understand the maximum purchase limit of prepaid electricity tokens. This is to avoid problems when buying electricity tokens especially for users with high electricity needs. Knowing the limit of charging electricity tokens can also have an impact on managing electricity consumption more efficiently, therefore that customers can avoid wasting energy while supporting more efficient and wise electricity usage patterns.

What is a Prepaid Electricity Token?

Prepaid electricity token is an electricity payment system that allows customers to purchase electricity tokens or pulses in advance before use. This token is a 20-digit number code that is inserted into the electricity meter to add power according to the nominal amount purchased. Customers can purchase tokens through various platforms, such as digital payment applications or official PLN counters.

Prepaid electricity systems have many advantages over postpaid electricity systems. One of them is full control over electricity expenditure because users only use the power that has been paid for. In addition, customers can buy tokens at any time without worrying about a bloated bill at the end of the month, making it more practical and efficient.

Electricity Token kWh Limit

The kWh limit is the maximum purchase limit of prepaid electricity tokens determined by PLN each month. Generally, PLN sets a kWh limit of 720 hours of usage which is adjusted to the electrical power installed in the customer's home. This restriction is often not realized by prepaid electricity users, until when trying to recharge the electricity token the recharge fails. Once traced, the cause is the use of electricity that has exceeded the predetermined kWh limit or over limit.

If you face this situation, you should evaluate your electricity usage pattern at home. Check if there are significant changes in electricity consumption such as the use of new equipment or a higher intensity of usage than usual. This condition is a good momentum to understand more about how the prepaid electricity system works including calculating the maximum kWh limit that can be used according to household needs.

Why is there a maximum limit on electricity tokens?

PLN sets a maximum limit on the purchase of electricity tokens for certain reasons related to the efficiency and sustainability of energy management. One of the main reasons is to prevent excessive use of electricity which can lead to overloading the power grid. PLN also seeks to support more efficient energy management, ensure stable electricity distribution, and prevent potential disruptions to the network due to excessive electricity consumption.

In addition, this restriction is also designed to prevent hoarding of electricity tokens by customers. If unrestricted, customers can buy tokens in bulk quantities to avoid fluctuations in the Basic Electricity Tariff (TDL). Due to the dynamic nature of TDL's Tariff Adjustment mechanism, its value can change according to factors such as the price of Indonesian crude oil, the monthly inflation rate, and the Rupiah exchange rate against the US Dollar. Therefore, with this restriction, customers are expected to be wiser in managing electricity consumption and not just take advantage of tariff differences that may occur in the future.

How to Calculate the Maximum Purchase Limit of Electricity Tokens

To find out the maximum purchase limit of electricity tokens per month, you can use the following calculation:

Formula to find out the maximum number of kWh that can be purchased:

(Power Group / 1.000 watts) x 720 hours

Example:

Power group: 1.300 VA

(1.300 VA / 1.000 watts) x 720 hours

1.3 kWh x 720 hours = 936 kWh

Thus, the maximum limit of power that can be charged on an electricity meter with a power of 1.300 VA is 936 kWh every month.

The formula to find out the maximum limit of tokens that can be purchased in rupiah:

Maximum kWh limit x TDL (Basic Electricity Tariff)

Example:

TDL for 1.300 VA electricity meter is Rp1.444,70

936 kWh x Rp1.444,70 = Rp1.352.239

Thus, the maximum limit of electricity tokens that can be purchased by users with an electricity meter of 1,300 VA is Rp1,352,239 every month.

Prepaid Electricity Charging Limit Based on Power Group

PLN sets a prepaid electricity charging limit that is adjusted to the customer's electric power group. This limit is expressed in kWh and the maximum amount of token purchase in rupiah. The following table summarizes the maximum charging limit based on power group.

The price calculation above is based on the Regulation of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia Number 28 of 2016, which is IDR 415 per kWh for the 450 VA Power Group. Meanwhile, for the 900 VA – 3.500 VA Power Group it is based on the Tariff Adjustment January - March 2025.

To find out the latest electricity price per kWh, you can refer to PLN's official website on Electricity Tariffs.

What happens if you buy more than the kWh limit?

If you purchase electricity tokens with a KWH amount greater than the allowed capacity, either by time (720 hours) or according to the registered electricity power, then the transaction will not be processed and will be rejected. This restriction is implemented to ensure that token purchases are in accordance with the registered power capacity, to avoid errors in payment or excessive energy usage.

What happens if kWh Over Limit?

Electricity token purchases will be rejected or fail if the number of kWh purchased exceeds the maximum allowable limit according to the installed power. Over limit kWh occurs when the amount of electricity token purchase exceeds the allowed capacity based on the power used.

Electricity token purchases are calculated accumulatively every month starting from the 1st. For example, if you have purchased tokens according to the predetermined limit, but on the 28th your electricity meter has run out of tokens, then your house will lose electricity supply. You will have to wait until the 1st of the following month to be able to purchase electricity tokens again.

The maximum purchase limit for prepaid electricity tokens is set by PLN to avoid excessive electricity usage and maintain the stability of the electricity network. This limit also aims to manage energy consumption more efficiently and prevent hoarding of electricity tokens by customers. Therefore, it is important for customers to understand the applicable kWh limit according to the class of electricity used.