Metering

Analogue electricity meter Round Dial Meters

This is a commonly used meter type. This meter consists of a number of 'dials' like clock-faces, each numbered from 0 to 9. The number of dials on any given meter can vary between four and seven. When reading a dial meter, you will note that each adjacent dial rotates in the opposite direction to its nearest neighbor (i.e. clockwise, anticlockwise, clockwise, etc).

To read a dial meter:

• Stand directly in front of the meter so you can see the exact position of each pointer
• Tead each dial in sequence, from left to right, and record the number indicated on each
• When the position of the pointer is between two figures, record the lower number
• The number you record from reading the dials represents your electricity consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh).

Odometers

Odometers Odometers have drum-type registers similar to the mechanical odometer in a car dashboard. The number of dials on a meter varies between four and seven.

To read an odometer simply read each of the numbers displayed in sequence from left to right, and record the number indicated. This represents your electricity consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh).

EMS2100 Electronic Meter

Display Button

When the Display button is pressed, the meter will automatically scroll through a series of up to 20 displays. Each display will have a number on the left-hand side of the reading. As the meter scrolls through each display, note down the readings for the following display numbers:

• 03 Total kWh
• 04 KWh usage, Peak
• 06 KWh usage, Off-Peak
• 07 KWh usage, Off-Peak Hot Water

For GD tariff display 03 is important as it measures the total usage (excluding off peak hot water). For Y8, Y6 or YT, display 07 is the electric off peak hot water register. For Winner tariff (GH/GL), 04 will give you the peak usage, 06 gives off peak usage and 07 registers off peak electric hot water if applicable.

Boost Button

The Boost button can be used if there is a single element electric hot water service. If the hot water service has run out of hot water, press the boost button once. The unit will not automatically switch itself off when boosting is complete. This boosting will take place at the peak rate. If on WINNER tariff, boosting on weekends is at the off peak rates, and during the weekdays it will depend on the time of day boosting occurs.

EMS2600 Electronic Meter

Display Button

When the Display button is pressed, the meter will automatically scroll through a series of up to 20 displays. Each display will have a number on the left-hand side of the reading. As the meter scrolls through each display, note down the readings for the following display numbers:

• 05 Total kWh
• 06 KWh usage, Peak
• 08 KWh usage, Off-Peak
• 09 KWh usage, Off-Peak Hot Water

For Winner tariff (GH/GL), 04 will give you the peak usage, 06 gives off peak usage and 07 registers off peak electric hot water.

Boost Button

The Boost button can be used if there is a single element electric hot water service. If the hot water service has run out of hot water, press the boost button once. The unit will automatically switch itself off when boosting is complete.

This boosting will take place at the peak rate. If on WINNER tariff, boosting on weekends is at the off peak rates, and during the weekdays it will depend on the time of day boosting occurs.

Two register meters with time switch

This picture shows a 2 register meter (left) and a time switch (right). This meter is used to record usage for both Peak and Off Peak.

The time switch does not record any usage – it merely tells the meter when to move between peak and off peak. At 11.00pm, the time switch sends a pulse to the meter which moves the register from High to Low. Then at 7.00am it sends another pulse to move the register back to High.

You will notice that the registers are labeled High (H) and Low (L) on the left hand side. The arrow on the right hand side indicates which register is currently in operation.

Current Transformer (CT) metering

Larger businesses or multi storey buildings use so much power that they can't be connected to the network via the usual methods.

In order for these sites to be metered, the load needs to be broken down so the meter will cope with it and then be multiplied out again in order to get the full amount of power being used. This is called CT metering.

Basically the load comes into a CT chamber from where it is then distributed from buzz bars containing transformers to CT links and then into the meter. The CT chamber also feeds into the customer's switchboard.

The rating of the transformers determines the multiplier to be applied when calculating true usage. For example:

• If you have CTs rated at 200/5 – the multiplier will be 40. This means 200 divided by 5 = 40
• This means that whatever the meter usage works out to needs to be multiplied by 40 in order to get the total figure.

What are peak and off-peak meters?

Peak

A peak meter records all usage in premises 24 hours a day.

Off-Peak

The off-peak meter is usually dedicated to a specific appliance (hot water or heating). Off Peak is normally measured between 11pm to 7am.

2 registers

Some meters have two registers (one for Peak and one for Off Peak) which measure all usage used between 11pm and 7am at the off peak rate. Some businesses and residential customers on GH/GL also receive Off Peak on their entire usage for the weekend (from 11.00pm Friday night to 07.00am Monday morning).

How can I save money by having a peak and off peak meter?

Off Peak rates are cheaper and by moving the use of some appliances to the off peak period savings can be made. This requires a 2 rate meter which would record the off peak component and any meter alteration would be at the customers cost.

What is the standard amount that I can expect on my peak versus my off peak meter?

The peak and off peak meter consumption will vary depending on the appliances, amount of people in the house etc. so it is hard to quantify a standard amount.

Can I see peak and off peak separately if I look at my meter?

It depends on what type of meter you have installed. Please note some meters require you to push a button that will scroll through the reads for each register.

Unique meter identifiers

Gas and electricity meters have both numbers and unique identifiers. The electricity meter identifier is called the National Metering Identifier, or NMI. Records of all NMIs are held in a database—the Market Settlement and Transfer Solution (MSATS). If you change your electricity retailer, the change is made against the record of your NMI in MSATS. There is a similar arrangement for gas meters. They have a Metering Installation Registration Number or MIRN These unique identifiers, or meter numbers, should be on your bill.

Do mistakes happen with NMIs and MIRNs?

Yes, they do, particularly in transfers from one energy retailer to another. The codes are long and complicated and sometimes mistakes are made.

Who reads meters?

Electricity and gas meters are read by electricity and gas distributors—these are the companies that own the electricity poles and wires, the gas pipes and the meters themselves. The distributors send the meter data to the electricity and gas retailers — so the retailers can bill their customers.

Clear Access to the Meter

Meter readers must have clear access to your meter. If there are access issues please discuss this with the Simply Energy team as we must have an actual meter read every 12 months.

Can meters measure wrongly?

There are Australian Standards for meter accuracy. Meters can be tested against these standards. Generally, if the meter is found to be running within the Standards, the customer has to pay for the meter test. If the meter is found not to be meeting the Standards, the company pays for the test and amends your bills. Most testing finds that meters are operating within Australian Standards. If there's a problem, it's more likely the meter is running too slowly, rather than too fast.

Why are some bills estimated?

Electricity, gas and water companies are allowed to estimate your bill if the meter reader can't get to the meter. Electricity and gas companies have to use their 'best endeavours' to read your meter at least once every 12 months. Estimated electricity bills are more common than gas or water bills—probably because electricity meters can be harder to reach. Some are inside older houses. Most are on the front of the building itself, whereas water and gas meters are generally at the front of the property. Locked gates, high fences or dogs can all block meter access, leading to estimated bills. As a customer, you have to provide access for your meter to be read. If access is continually blocked, your electricity or gas may end up being disconnected—though retailers generally prefer to provide you with an estimated bill.

If electricity or gas meter access is a problem, consider getting a suitable Victorian Power Industry (VPI) lock. Some hardware stores, electrical wholesalers and locksmiths stock them. The distributors have keys for these locks.

You can easily measure how many kilowatts (kWh) you use in a day, a week, or any other period, by reading your meter at the start and finish of the period. This can help to identify which appliances use the most electricity; calculate the effect of changes in lifestyle, such as having visitors in the home, and allows you to anticipate a larger or smaller bill before receiving it.

Smart Meters - Victorian Advanced Metering Infrastructure Program (AMI)

What is the AMI program?

• Formally endorsed by the Victorian Government in 2006, the AMI program will see the installation of electricity smart meters for Victorian consumers (with consumption less than 160 MWh per annum) throughout the course of 2009 for an extended four year period through to 2013.

Why is the exchange taking place?

• In line with the Victorian Government's endorsement of the AMI rollout, the Department of Primary Industries has mandated that the meter exchange process take place from mid 2009. It is intended that the switch to smart meters will provide Victorian energy consumers with information to enable them to more effectively manage their energy consumption.

What is the difference between a 'basic meter' and a smart meter?

• Currently, sites are metered with a 'basic meter' which is read quarterly. These meters do not provide detailed information related to the period which energy was consumed; reading meters is manual and connection and disconnection also takes place via a manual process.
• A smart meter is capable of measuring and storing half-hourly electricity flows which identifies the period the energy was consumed as well as supporting enhanced features such as:
  • Remote meter reading
  • Remote connection and disconnection
  • Provision of data related to the performance and quality of electricity supply.

How will the meter exchange take place?

• The exchange process from basic style meters to smart meters will be coordinated via communication between you (the consumer) and your electricity distributor. Due to the fact that the change-over process will take place over a four year period, you will be contacted approximately six weeks prior to the scheduled exchange date.
• Any scheduling queries should be taken up directly with your electricity distributor. Their contact details will be provided in the initial correspondence you receive just prior to your scheduled exchange and have also been listed below.

Distributor	Areas Served	Contact number
Jemena	Northern and south-western suburbs	1300 131 871
SP Ausnet	Outer northern and eastern suburbs and eastern Victoria	1300 360 795
United Energy	Southern suburbs and Mornington peninsula	1300 131 689
Citipower	City and inner suburbs	1300 783 860
Powercor	Western Suburbs and Western Victoria	1300 783 882

Further enquiries:

Should you require further information on the Victorian Government's energy policy or AMI program, please visit the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) website or contact the DPI on 136 186.

Gas meters come in many different shapes and forms. The type of meter you have will depend on certain factors like what sort of pressure you have available to you and what type of regulator is on the meter. The most common meters available are listed below.

• Email 610 or 602
• Atlas U10
• AL425
• AL1000

Metric Gas Meters

They are the most common. The usage is measured in cubic meters. The reading is taken by reading the usage directly off the display. Metric meters or digital meters are very easy to read. When taking a reading from the Gas meter, read left to right. The Meter number on a metric meter will consist of four numbers and two letters, eg 1234AB. For gas meters, you only need to read the black and white digits. The red numbers are used for testing purposes only.

Imperial Gas meters

They are a slightly older version. Imperial meters measure usage in cubic feet, which then needs to be converted to cubic meters. Consumption of gas is measured by reading the values off clock faces. The meter number on an imperial meter will consist of two letters and then four numbers, eg AB1234.

Imperial, or clock face meters, are made up of a number of dials. The hands rotate in different directions. Standing directly in front of the meter, read the dials from right to left. (You must also write the figures down from right to left). If a hand is between two numbers, note the lower number, except when the hand is between 0 and 9 in which case, read 9. For gas meters, read the left most four dials only. The meter reading in the example is 1394.

Metric Gas Meter vs. Imperial Gas Meter

 

	Metric gas meter	Imperial gas meter
Usage for gas connections	Frequently used	Rarely used
Readings

• In Australia, most properties with a gas connection use metric gas meters.
• Metric meters measure gas usage in cubic metres.
• There are still a small number of gas meters that measure gas usage on the imperial scale; that is in units of 100 cubic feet.100 cubic feet is equivalent to 2.83 cubic metres.