Re: Electric meter readings - tenths or hundredths?

Thanks for taking the time to reply in such detailed manner. All makes
very interesting reading, particularly the complications involved in
checking a meter's accuracy. My reason for originally doubting my
meter's accuracy was that quite a few units get clocked up during the
night. I've turned off all appliances that were previously on standby
or on a clock (microwave, video etc), but I have a fridge/freezer AND a
freezer. The freezer frequently freezes up quickly so I now think that
it is inefficient and is probably the reason. Both are half empty so I
plan to move all contents to the fridge/freezer, turn the freezer
permanently off and see if electric usage drops.

Thanks again for such an interesting insight.

Ross


SQLit wrote:
> "Ross" <teulawrosshence@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:1122827467.439281.77000@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > By the way this is a Brit meter so that explain it somehow. I'm
> > encouraged by your remark that you can't imaging a kWh meter measuring
> > closer than 0.1. I thought about testing it by turning on my 750 watt
> > microwave for say, 10 minutes and calculating the desired usage. But
> > there are other appilances in use, fridge, freezer etc that it wouldn't
> > be accurate.
> >
> > I couldn't find a K(subH) that you mentioned. Below the meter reading
> > there is 240v - S 200.31 - 166 2/3 revs/kWh - 1PH 2W - Class 2 0 -
> > Floton. Beneath 240v, there is 20 80A and 50Hz. It is a Sangamo Western
> > meter and is the property of South Eastern Electricity Board. Most of
> > this is double dutch to me George, but it may mean something to you?
>
> It is a simple Kwh meter. The numbers you provide indicate which meter it
> is.
> The best thing you can do is call your supplier and ask for some one to come
> out and explain it to you. The 80a means that the meter will handle 80 amps.
> Hz is self explanatory.
> I have not a clue what the 20 is.
>
> Here in the US meters read left to right. That gives you a number. Some
> meters are direct read, they actually read correctly. On large users I have
> seen multipliers of 1000. I have seen multipliers on homes of 5-10. Each
> meter can and may be set by the utility for a specific purpose.
>
> The odds that you will be able to "check" your meter are astrominical. I
> have been working on meters for 20 years. You need specific calibrated
> equipment. Utilities where I live are allowed by Arizona law to be within
> 3%. I know a lot of the meter guys and they established plus or minus 0.5%.
> I have seen 3 residential meters out of calibration in 30 years. One was low
> and the customer was bitching. He really bitched when they fixed the
> problem. Commercial demand meters in the old days were subject to some
> whims and could wander out of calibration. I know of one that has been
> wrong for 10 years and the customer knows it the utility knows it and they
> leave it alone. It took me 6 months and well over 100K of equipment to
> prove the meter was wrong. The utility just made an adjustment for that
> month and lowered the kwh charge for future bills. End result was the same.
>
> If you think your bill is to high look carefully on your side. Something
> running more than it should or a new load. Chances are it is on your side of
> the meter not their side.
>
> It might be possible for something in the meter to be awry, odds are against
> ya..
>
> Everything above is referenced from the USA. Should be close enough for
> where you are.

.

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