Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Your Electricity Meter

Your electricity meter: it works for you constantly, but how much do you know about it? In this article we explain everything you need to know about your electricity meter.

What is an Electric Meter?

An electric meter is a device that measures the consumption of electricity used by your household as it passes into your home. Typically it is installed at the point where the power lines enter your building. Like the mileage display in your car that shows you the total distance your car has traveled, the electric meter displays the total amount of power that has been used since it was set, and works constantly. It measures electricity consumption in kilowatt-hours. To find out how much electricity you have consumed within a given time period, you must take two readings and subtract the second reading from the first.

While different types of meters exist, they all perform the same function and include the same basic components:

• A display of total electricity consumption
• A unique meter number that is used to identify your consumption

Meter Number

The electric meter that is connected to your home is given a unique number so that your consumption can be identified and billed correctly. You will need to indicate your meter number when you submit a meter reading to your wires services provider (electric utility). This is not the same as the Site ID, which is used to localize your meter number, and link your consumption to your meter number. You will your meter's number on its face

Where to Find My Electric Meter Number

You will find the meter number on the face of your meter. On an analogue meter the meter number is found at the bottom of the meter. In the example below, the meter number is 320H212121241.

On a digital meter the meter number is found below the consumption screen. On FortisAlberta smart meters the meter number is found next to "FORTISALBERTA"

Types of Electric Meters

There are two main types of electric meters used by electric utilities in Alberta: electromechanical meters and automated ("smart") meters. However, Albertans who install microgeneration capacity must install a third type of meter, a bi-directional meter.

How do Electromechanical Meters Work?

Electromechanical meters contain the following components:

• A plastic or glass cover. The cover is sealed so as to reduce the possibility that it can be damaged or tampered with
• Register
• Nameplate
• The unique number for the particular meter
• A disk that turns as power is consumed
• Dials that indicate the total amount of power consumed

Electromechanical induction meters are the most common type of electricity meters currently used in Alberta. They contain an electrically conductive, non-magnetic metal disk that rotates at a speed proportional to the amount of electricity consumed. The disk is propelled by the interaction of the magnetic fields produced by two electromagnets surrounding the disks: one that is powered by the power being supplied from the incoming power lines, and the other by the current being demanded by the building's electrical circuits. The rotation of the disk is slowed by two permanent magnets that exert a proportional opposing force. The numbers on the dial turn as the disk rotates.

How do Automated "Smart" Meters Work?

Automated meters (or "smart" meters) work in a similar manner to traditional electromechanical meters, but they also contain a battery and a communication chip. This communication chip sends meter reading data by radio signal to a mobile collector several times of day (and rests dormant between these times). This meter reading information is sent to the electricity utility, through the power lines, or by radio frequency or cellular networks. The electricity utility sends customer consumption information to their energy supplier for billing.

The battery in the communication chip in automated meters is designed to last for 15 to 20 years. The communication chip (which is sometimes called an Encoder, Receiver, Transmitter – or ERT – device) operates at the same radio frequency as many cordless phones, but is designed not to interfere with other devices (it will automatically switch to another frequency if it does detect interference).

What Type of Meter Does My Electric Utility Use?

Bi-directional Meters

All microgeneration owners must have bi-directional meters installed. These meters measure the flow of electricity that is used by the buildings onto which they are installed, as well as the flow of power that is produced. In other words, they can measure electricity flow in two directions. Small microgeneration owners can choose between two types of bi-directional meters: bi-directional cumulative meters and bi-directional interval meters. Both meters essentially work in the same way, but an interval meter makes readings at defined intervals (e.g. every 30 minutes), whereas a cumulative meter does not. Larger micro-generators must install a bi-directional interval meter.

Who Owns the Electric Meter?

Your electric utility owns the meter on your house. They are responsible for installing, maintaining, and reading your meter. Your meter is sealed and tampering with it is an offense of the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act. If you would like to have your meter moved or changed, you must contact your electric utility directly to see if this is possible. 

How Do I Read My Meter?

If you have an automated (smart) meter, your information is sent directly to your utility, so you don't technically have to read your meter. That being said, it is a good idea to know how much power you are consuming, regardless of what type of meter you have.

How to Read an Electromechanical (Analogue) Meter

Electromechanical meters display electricity consumption on a series of dials. To read your meter, look at the numbers from left to right, reading the number when the dial is directly on the number, or rounding to the lowest number when it is between two numbers. Find out more about reading your analogue meter.

Reading a Smart Meter

Reading a Smart Meter is more simple, as the LCD screen will display the total kWh consumption as it changes. Find out more about how to read your automated meter in Alberta.

How to Read a Bi-Directional Meter

A bi-directional meter has two displays: kWh received, and kWh delivered. The total kWh will be displayed for both directions. Electricity received will be accompanied with the code "01", and electricity delivered with the code "46". It may display 888 between readings, which is a segment test.

How Do I Know if My Meter is Accurate?

In Canada, all types of electric meters must be approved by Measurement Canada, according to the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act. This Act requres all utilities to submit a prototype of any new type of meter that they wish to use to Measurement Canada for inspection and to verify that it meets stringent standards. Once the prototype is approved, each meter that is used for billing must be inspected and sealed. Meters are checked periodically while they are in service by Measurement Canada or an accredited organization to verify that they continue to be accurate.

Electromechanic meters have a lifespan of about 30 years, and electronic (smart) meters have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years, but may need to be serviced from time to time before they are replaced.Your wires services provider is also responsible for maintaining and servicing your electricity meter.

Meter Safety

Along with tests for accuracy, Measurement Canada tests all meter prototypes for safety. While there are no concerns with traditional electromechanic meters, some people are concerned about the safety of smart meters, particularly with respects to exposure to radio frequency. Smart meters operate at low power and very low radio frequencies, and emit exposure that is well within Health Canada safety codes. Maximum exposure levels defined by Health Safety Canada are in line with international standards, and in any case, the amount of radio frequencies that smart meters emit is much less than many other daily household devices. Throughout the course of a day, most smart meters transmit information for less than one minute in total. The emissions from a smart meter are less intense than the emissions from a microwave oven.

In summer 2014, a series of fires occurred across Saskatchewan that were linked to a particular model of Sensus brand smart meters. This brand of automated meters is not currently used by any electricity utility in Alberta. Electricity utilities follow strict safety protocols during the installation of smart meters, including multiple safety checks to ensure that sockets are in good condition, and installing a silent alarm that sends a signal to the utility if the socket temperature gets too high. There have been no similar incidents reported in Alberta.

Who to Call if My Meter Doesn't Work?

If you are concerned about the accuracy or the reliability of your electricity meter, you should call your wires services provider and ask them to inspect it. Meters are subject to stringent standards, so the possibility of them malfunctioning - though possible - is rare. If you think that your meter is not working correctly and have already tried to resolve the issue with your electricity distributor, you may file a complaint with Measurement Canada. To do so, you must download and complete a statement of complaint found on the Measurement Canada website, and send it to Measurement Canada along with a recent copy of your electricity bills and a description of how you have tried to resolve the matter with your electricity distributor. You can find more information about filing a complaint on the Measurement Canada website. 

Stopping or Slowing an Electric Meter

Tampering with your meter is illegal and is against the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act. If you attempt to slow or stop your meter, your electricity connection may be disconnected and you will have to pay for all of the power you have used. You may also pay additional penalties for tampering. You should contact your electric utility and the police if you think that your own meter or a neighbour's meter has been tampered with.

Slowing a Meter With a Magnet

It is possible to slow the speed of the rotation of the disk in an electromechanic meter by attaching powerful magnets to the outside of the meter. The magnets can interrupt the interaction of the magnetic fields within the meter and cause the disk to slow. It is not possible to stop the meter from moving altogether with this method.

Stopping a Meter With a Needle

Some people have stopped their meter's disk from flowing by piercing a hole in the meter (through the cover) and placing a needle or a piece of card in the meter. This method of tampering is more easily detected as it damages the meter.

What Happens to My Meter When I Move?

The electricity meter on your home will not move or change if you move. You should notify your electricity supplier in advance of an upcoming move. A representative from your electricity utility may need to come to your house for a final meter reading, or you may need to phone in the final meter reading yourself.

Find out more about moving in Alberta

What Happens to My Meter if I Switch Energy Suppliers?

Your electricity utility remains the same even when you switch suppliers, so nothing will happen to your meter if you decide to change energy retailers. Your power supply should not be interrupted when you make the switch. Find out more about how to change energy suppliers in Alberta.