Your meter
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What does my meter look like?
A meter is a device that measures and records the amount of electricity used. It is usually enclosed in a meter box on an external wall of a house or building. It is important to know where your meter box is so you have an understanding of how Western Power personnel can access it.
There are four types of meters:
- Electro-mechanical dial meters
- Electro-mechanical digital meters
- Electronic digital meters
- Electronic smart meters
It is essential that our service personnel can easily and safely access your meter. When considering safe and reasonable access to your meter, please take into account the following:
- the meter has to be accessible without the need to enter a neighbour’s property
- if the meter box or access way to the meter is locked, it has to be with an approved Western Power masterkey lock – available from licensed locksmiths and security suppliers
- the meter has to be accessible without the need for service personnel to climb fences or locked gates
- service personnel will not enter an enclosed property with dog warning signs or where a dog is enclosed in the vicinity of the meter
- if the meter is locked inside a carport, basement, enclosed verandah or other enclosed area where service personnel can only access by customer appointment, the customer will need to have communications gear fitted to the meter at their cost
- the meter has to be free from obstruction by trees, shrubs, and gardens.
How do I read my meter?
Dial meters
Clock-face dial meters have four, five or six dials, which alternate in direction. To read these meters:
- stand directly in front of the meter
- starting from the right, read each dial and write down the figures
- when a dial hand points between two numbers, write down the lower of the two
- if the hand points between 0 and 1 write down 0, but if the hand points between 0 and 9, write down 9 [previous 2 points need work]
For example, the reading in diagram 1 is 2-7-0-3-8, that is, 27,038 kilowatt hours (units).
Digital meters
The electro-mechanical digital display meters have a six-digit display similar to the odometer of your car. To read these meters you simply write down the figures that are displayed.
| 1000000 | 100000 | 1000 | 100 | 10 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 5 |
Electronic meters
Electronic meters have a six-digit display register. The register can be static or can automatically step through a sequence of displays depending on your tariff. A number that appears at the top right-hand end of the register identifies each display or channel. For those meters on a standard residential or commercial tariff (A1, L1, K1 or M1), where the registers stay static, you simply write down the numbers that are displayed.
For those meters on time of use tariffs, the meter register channels are specific to you
For those meters on time of use tariffs, the meter register displays/channels are:
| Channel | Name / Description |
|---|---|
| 01 | Meter Code |
| 02 | Meter Serial Number |
| 03 | Programme ID Number |
| 04 | Time |
| 05 | Date |
| 06 | Kilowatt hours/Pulse |
| 07 | Total Kilowatt hours |
| 08 | Present Demand |
| 09 | Reset Number |
| 10 | On Peak Kilowatt Hours |
| 11 | On Peak Indicative Demand |
| 12 | On Peak Cumulative Demand |
| 20 | Off Peak Kilowatt Hours |
| 21 | Off Peak Indicative Demand |
| 22 | Off Peak Cumulative Demand |
| 30 | Weekdays Shoulder Kilowatt Hours |
| 40 | Weekends Shoulder Kilowatt Hours |
Not all channels are displayed on all meters. This depends on your tariff.
- Customers on R1 tariff need to write down the figures from channels 10 and 20
- Customers on SM1 (Smart Power) tariff need to write down the figures from channels 10, 20, 30 and 40
- Customers on time-based demand tariffs S1 and T1 need to record channels 10, 12, 20 and 22
Bi-directional meters
Bi-directional meters measure the customer’s energy consumption and their net energy generation. Anyone who has installed a system which generates energy into Western Power’s grid will must have a bi-directional meter fitted. This normally happens as part of the process for successful applicants to Synergy’s Reverse Energy Buyback Scheme (REBS), but also applies to customer’s with generation systems who are not part of the scheme.
Smart meters
A smart meter is a more sophisticated electricity meter that records the electricity usage in the home in half hour intervals as well as the total consumption. It is capable of two-way communication and automatically sends this information daily to Western Power.
Smart meters are part of a wider initiative by Western Power called Smart Grid which seeks to take a traditional “poles and wires” electricity grid into the future by adding digital and communication technology. This makes the grid more flexible and adaptable to your needs.
Why do I need to lock my meter box?
Your meter box houses a number of electrical components including the meter, main switch, fuses and circuit breakers, which control the flow of electricity into your home. For safety reasons it is recommended that all meter boxes be fully secure. Approved locks can be sourced from licensed security suppliers and locksmiths.
What happens if I lose my key?
You may only lock your meter box with an approved Western Power masterkey lock. Approved locks can be sourced from licensed security suppliers and locksmiths.
In the event that you have lost your key, you will need to obtain a replacement key and lock from a licensed security suppliers and locksmiths. For a full list, contact Western Power on 13 10 87.
Ways to keep your meter box safe
- Ask a licensed electrician to inspect your meter box if it shows any signs of burn marks, worn wires or a strange smell.
- Switch the power off at the main switch if you are doing any household maintenance or renovations.
- Label all switches, circuit breakers and fuses in the meter box for easy identification.
- Keep trees and shrubs away from your meter box.
- Install circuit breakers or a safety switch. Safety switches are mandatory in all new homes. They can save lives and prevent injury from electric shock.
- Check your safety switch every six months or in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Check circuit breakers every two years or in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Take special care when replacing fuses and make sure that the main switch is in the off position before starting.
- If a fuse blows repeatedly have a licensed electrician check it.
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