What is an Electrical Service Meter?

An electrical service meter is what the power companies use to gauge the amount of power used in a structure. The meters track the amount of electricity provided to the building in various ways. Some are digital and report back automatically, and some require someone to physically read the meter.

With the help of power companies, consumers are able to stay on the electrical grid. There are different power plants that provide electricity through cables. These cables contain high voltages of power; there are substations that will modify the voltage where it is then fed into transformers in smaller regions where they are reduced again.

Electrical Power

Electrical power is when electrons flow through a conductor. The rate of flow for electricity is measured by amperage and by volts. People use electrical power all throughout their home in several different ways. Each appliance that needs electricity will require different watts. The more watts that are needed, the more power is used.

Service Meters

In order for the power company to properly charge you, they need to have a way of knowing how much electricity you are using. To find this out, they will use meters. The electrical service meters will measure the amount of power that you use each month for the benefit of the power company.

Reading Meters

There will be about 4 to 5 dials that are on your meters. The dials must be read and recorded from left to right. When a dial is in between numbers, the smallest number is what is counted. Some dials will go counterclockwise while others will go clockwise. In order to successfully read the meter, it must be read twice. They have to be read 30 days apart, subtract the first reading from your second result and this is the amount of kilowatt hours used.