Otis Singleton
An electric meter is a device used to measure the amount of power used in a building or home for billing purposes. It is usually located on the outside of a home but may also be found inside, near the electrical panel. The electrical panel contains multiple circuit breakers, including a main breaker that controls the power to the entire circuit breaker and can shut down the whole house. Before attempting to break into an electric meter, it is important to obtain permission from the local utility company and ensure that all circuit breakers are switched off. Removing the meter may require breaking seals and could pose safety risks, so it is recommended to have a qualified electrician handle any necessary work.
Characteristics and Values of Breaking into an Electric Meter
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Permission | Obtain permission from the local utility to break the seals and remove the meter. |
| Type of Meter | Meters secured with a simple seal (slot and tab on a thin metal ring or on the meter enclosure cover) can be removed. |
| Safety | Do not attempt to remove meters secured with thick rings or special locked enclosures, as it can cause severe damage and pose a risk of shock, burns, fire, or electrocution. |
| Location | Electric meters are usually found on the outside of a home but can also be located inside, near the electrical panel. |
| Disconnecting Power | Switch all branch circuit breakers to OFF, then locate and turn off the Service Disconnect Switch (largest value circuit breaker). |
| Removing Fuses | Unscrew fuses by 2-3 full turns or pull out cartridge-type fuses. |
| Load Check | Inspect the meter for any connected load in the building. Ensure the meter is not spinning, running, or advancing. Check garages and outbuildings for any connected loads. |
| Main Circuit Breaker | The main circuit breaker controls the power to the entire electrical system and shuts down the whole house. |
| Branch Circuit Breakers | Designed to shut off power to individual circuits in case of overload. |
| Resetting the Main Breaker | Turn off all individual circuit breakers first, then reset the lever on the main breaker to the ON position. Wear safety glasses and stand to the side when resetting. |
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What You'll Learn
Locate the electric meter
If you are having trouble locating your electric meter, there are several places you can look. First, check the exterior walls of your home. Electric meters are often located outside, installed by the builders so that meter readers can take readings without entering your home. Look for a small metal cupboard, which will appear flat on the outside but will have some depth when opened.
If you cannot find your electric meter outside, it may be located inside your home. Check your basement, laundry room, porch, garage, closet, or attic. If you live in an apartment building, duplex, or other multiple-family dwelling, your electric meter will likely be grouped together with the meters for the other units in one place. Each meter should be labelled according to the unit it serves. If the meters are not labelled, check with your apartment manager or landlord to determine which meter is yours.
Another way to locate your electric meter is by using your IHD (In-Home Display). If your IHD has a battery and a signal strength display, you can wander around with it to find the spot with the strongest signal. You may need to desensitize it by wrapping it in aluminium foil and leaving just a small hole to see the relevant icon.
Your electric meter number can also help you locate your meter. Your meter number is usually stamped or printed in bold black numerals at the bottom of the faceplate and can be up to ten or eleven digits long. If you have this number, you can compare it to the numbers on the meters to find the one that matches.
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Identify the type of meter
There are three main types of electric meters: analog, digital, and smart meters. Analog meters are found in homes and small businesses. They are simple and straightforward, using a rotating disk to measure energy use. The disk moves faster with increased electricity usage. They are less precise than digital meters and need to be manually read.
Digital meters are the new trend, offering greater accuracy and convenience. They have LED displays and can connect online. They can be single-rate, time-of-use, or prepaid types for homes and businesses. Single-rate meters measure energy usage at a flat rate. Time-of-use meters measure energy usage at different rates depending on the time of day. Prepaid meters require the consumer to purchase energy credits in advance.
Smart meters are the newest type of energy meter. They track real-time energy use in detailed systems for homes and big utility uses. They use wireless technology to communicate with your energy supplier, providing them with regular updates on your energy usage. They can also be programmed to track peak high-cost periods, allowing users to reduce their usage during these times. Smart meters also offer additional functionalities, including power outage notifications and power quality monitoring.
There are also some less common types of electric meters. For example, in India, many homes use induction-type meters, while big industries use advanced three-phase meters. Another type of meter is the Economy 7 meter, which has two displays for 'day rate' and 'night rate' electricity.
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Get permission from the utility company
If you need to break into an electric meter, it is important to first get permission from the utility company. The meter is the property of the utility company, not the homeowner, and tampering with it without permission can result in fines or even legal proceedings.
To obtain permission, start by locating the electric meter. It is usually found on the outside of the home, but can sometimes be inside, near the electrical panel. If you are unable to locate it, follow the power lines into your home, which should lead you to the meter. Once you have located the meter, inspect it to determine if it is secured with a simple seal or a thick ring/special enclosure. Simple seals are typically found on residential meters and can be removed, while thicker rings and special enclosures indicate that the meter cannot be safely removed without causing damage or risk of electrical shock.
After inspecting the meter, contact your local utility company and request permission to break the seal and remove the meter. It is always best to obtain written permission, as this can protect you from any potential fines or penalties. When contacting the utility company, be sure to have the meter's details on hand, including any serial numbers or unique identifiers.
In some cases, the utility company may require you to hire a qualified electrician to perform the work. This is especially important if you are not comfortable working with electricity or if the meter is secured with a thick ring or special enclosure. A qualified electrician will have the training and experience to safely handle the removal and can also ensure that your home's electrical system is properly configured before reconnecting the power.
It is worth noting that some utility companies may not require prior permission for meter removal, especially in emergency situations. However, it is always best to err on the side of caution and contact them beforehand to avoid any potential issues. By following these steps and obtaining the necessary permissions, you can help ensure that your electric meter is safely and properly accessed.
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Turn off branch circuit breakers
To turn off branch circuit breakers, you must first locate your home's electrical service panel. This is typically a large grey metal box attached to one of the walls in or around your home, usually near where the electrical power lines enter the house. The electrical service panel will contain rows of individual circuit breakers, which look like toggle switches, and a main breaker on top.
Once you have located the electrical service panel, open the door to access the breakers inside. Be sure to check that there are no exposed electrical wires, except for a possible exposed (non-insulated) solid copper ground wire. A protective panel should conceal all wiring, with only the breakers or fuses exposed.
To turn off a branch circuit breaker, simply flip the switch to the 'OFF' position. You may hear an audible click as the breaker snaps off, and you may see a red or orange tab in a small window on the breaker. You can use a non-contact tester to check for power at the outlets before proceeding with your project.
If you are carrying out standard electrical DIY projects, such as replacing a switch or upgrading an outlet, you will only need to turn off the branch circuit breaker in the area you will be working in. This will shut off power to individual rooms or circuits, while the rest of your house will continue to have lights and power.
In some cases, you may need to turn off all the branch circuit breakers and the main breaker to ensure that there is no power flow. This is sometimes necessary in an emergency or when completing major rewiring or renovation projects.
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Remove the meter
Before attempting to remove an electric meter, it is important to determine whether or not it can be removed. Meters that are secured with a simple seal, such as a slot and tab on a thin metal ring around the meter or on the meter enclosure cover, can typically be removed. On the other hand, meters secured with thick rings, special locked enclosures, or other security hardware will likely require causing severe damage to the meter or enclosure, posing a significant risk of shock, burns, fire, or electrocution. In such cases, it is recommended to contact the local utility company for removal.
Once it has been determined that the meter can be safely removed, the next step is to obtain permission from the local utility company. This is often done by contacting their customer service department and notifying them of your intention to remove the meter. Nearly all utilities require obtaining permission before breaking seals and removing meters.
After receiving permission, the next step is to locate the electric meter. Typically, it is found on the outside of the home, but it may also be located inside, usually near the electrical panel. If the power is provided via an aerial service lateral, following the wires to the home should lead you to the meter.
Once the meter has been located, it is important to inspect it and the meter enclosure. The meter is often held in place by one of several methods, such as a thin metal ring with a slot and tab that engages the lip on the edge of the meter and the rim of the meter socket or enclosure, securing the meter into the socket. Understanding how the meter is secured will be crucial for safely removing it.
To remove the meter, carefully follow the reverse steps of the installation process, ensuring that all safety precautions are taken. This may involve unscrewing or unbolting the meter from its enclosure, disengaging any locking mechanisms, and gently pulling the meter out of its socket. It is important to handle the meter with care to avoid damage or injury.
By following these steps and taking the necessary precautions, removing an electric meter can be safely accomplished with the proper permissions and knowledge of the meter's specific securing mechanism.
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Frequently asked questions
If the meter is secured with a simple seal, such as a slot and tab on a thin metal ring, it can be removed. If it is secured with thick rings or a locked enclosure, it cannot be removed without causing damage and risking injury.
You must obtain permission from your local utility to break the seals and remove the meter. This can usually be done by calling their customer service department.
Ensure that all branch circuit breakers are switched to the OFF position. Then, locate the Service Disconnect Switch and move its handle to the OFF position. Remove all fuses by unscrewing them and pulling them out.
