Defective Bill: What is IDF, RDF, ADF, and CDF in Electricity Bills?

In case of non-OK electricity bills Power distribution companies usually use different remarks to inform the consumer about abnormality and keeping these Defective bills marked in Billing system for timely revision. In general these remarks are IDF, RDF, ADF, and CDF.

Here, DF stands for Defective.

Full Forms:

• IDF – Identified Defective
• RDF – Reading Defective
• ADF – Appear Defective
• CDF – Ceiling Defective

Now we will go into details-

1. IDF (Identified Defective)

This remark is entered manually by the meter reader when they identify that the meter is defective and needs replacement before the next billing cycle. Also currently this particular remark is reverified by concerned Assistant engineer before finalisation. This remarks is mainly entered in following conditions:

• Meter has no display
• Meter burnt due to short circuit

2. RDF (Reading Defective)

This remark is auto-generated by the billing system when the Current reading is lower than the Previous reading.

In such cases, the licensee must investigate:

1. If the meter is OK but reading was punched incorrectly, the bill needs revision.
2. If the meter is actually defective and showing reverse reading, it needs replacement.

3. ADF (Appear Defective)

This remark is auto-generated when there is no change between the previous and current readings.

Possible causes:

1. No electricity usage for that month.
2. Internal fault in the meter causing reading to stop.

Such meters should be checked on-site and replaced if required.

Note: UPPCL has currently dropped this remark, and bill gets generated OK with 0 consumption

4. CDF (Ceiling Defective)

This remarks is given when in any particular month consumption caused is above ceiling limit. As per norms, Ceiling is defined as 800 units/kW/month. If consumption exceeds this limit, the billing system automatically marks CDF, and the licensee must inspect the site to verify:

1. Whether reading is stored in Meter means previous billing months Normative billing was done without verifying Actual Meter reading at site
2. Whether the consumer is using load higher than sanctioned load.
3. Whether the meter is defective and showing abnormal jump in reading.

Note:

Though DISCOMs have recently raised the limit to 1500 kWh/kW/month to avoid unnecessary CEIL billing, the earlier 800 kWh limit was technically justified.

What to do in each case:

As Explained earlier IDF case generally require meter change but RDF & CDF cases are result of general wrong billing by Discom end which can be corrected without any Infra change. For both type cases contact to Discom personnel or Complaint registration over online portal is required.