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Your Electricity Meter

How to Read your Meter
Dial meters
Digital meters
SmartPower electronic meter
Three-phase electronic A1 Tariff meter
The Meter Box

How to read your meter

There are four types of meters: dial meter, digital meter, SmartPower electronic meter and three-phase electronic A1 Tariff meter. Each of these meters is contained within a special meter box.
 

Dial meters

The Dial meter is read in the following way:

• Stand directly in front of the dial meter
• Read each dial in turn going from right to left, writing down each figure, again from right to left, as you go
• In the first illustration the reading is 2-7-0-3-8 (you would start by writing the 8 first i.e. right to left)
• When a dial points between two numbers write down the lower of the two numbers. For example, if it points between 0 and 1 write 0. Between 9 and 0 write 9
• It is important to only read dials that are black
   
  

  

   
   
  When a dial hand appears to be exactly on a number as on dial (D) in the second illustration, look to dial (C) to the right. If the hand on dial (C) has not passed zero, the number 5 has not actually been reached on dial (D) and the reading on that dial is the next lower number....4. In the second illustration the reading is 0-4-9-8-1.
   
  
  

  

  
  

Digital meters

Simple. This is similar to your car's odometer, where you just read the numbers.
 

SmartPower electronic meter

The SmartPower meter continuously scrolls through the display sequence below. Each display lasts for six seconds and is identified by the number in the top left-hand corner of the meter.
 
We recommend you read your SmartPower meter on a regular basis so that you know when you are using the most electricity. This way you can change your electricity usage patterns to help increase your SmartPower savings.
 

Three-phase electronic A1 Tariff meter

This meter continuously scrolls through the display sequence below, pausing on each of the displayed ID's for a period of six seconds.
 

The Meter Box

Customer fuses

These fuses (usually white) provide over-current protection and operate only in response to an electrical overload or short-circuit. A licensed electrical contractor installs these fuses. If a fuse continues to blow, you should immediately call an electrical contractor – it could indicate an electrical fault.

Black Fuses

The black fuses in your meter box provide over-current installation protection and are the responsibility of the network service provider. For single-phase installations, there will only be one black fuse. Three-phase installations will have three black fuses.

The Main Switch

This is installed by your electrician and provides complete electrical isolation of your home. This switch is your responsibility and any problems should be immediately referred to a licensed electrical contractor.

Circuit breakers

These are a series of switches that provide similar overload protection as fuses. When the switch is in the ‘up’ position, it is on and electricity can flow. When the switch is in the ‘down’ position, it is off and electricity cannot flow. To reset the circuit breaker, simply move the switch to the ‘up’ position and power should be restored. If it continues to trip off, call a licensed electrical contractor immediately.
 

How to wire a fuse

White fuses usually have a number of different amperage ratings, beg. lighting is 8 or 10 amps, power is 16 or 20 amps. These ratings are clearly shown on each fuse holder.
Important: The fuse wire MUST NOT exceed the rating as shown on the fuse holder, beg. DO NOT put 16 amps on an 8-amp fuse. Customer fuses protect against over-current, fire or shock.

If the power goes off, check your fuses. Follow these steps to restore power:

1. Turn off the main switch
2. Pull out one fuse at a time, checking that the fuse wire is still intact (apply slight tension on fuse wire to ensure wire is not broken)
3. If wire is broken, replace with same amperage fuse wire in a similar manner
4. Replace the fuse and turn the main switch on
5. If fuse continues to blow, call a licensed electrical contractor immediately. 
    
   

Locking your meter box

You may lock your meter box, provided that

• an approved lock is used for which the network operator (Western Power) has a master key
• the enclosure door is fitted with a viewing window. 
   
  

The location of your electricity meter

• Your meter must be in an accessible position so that the network operator can read and service it
• In a multiple unit development, your meter may be located at the respective unit
• The network operator must be able to get to your meter without having to enter any neighbouring properties. Also, your meter should not be located in the carport
• For buildings on corner properties, the meter should be located along the principal frontage

If your electrician is not sure about the position of the meter enclosure, point of attachment or ‘customer's pole’, then a request for a network operator ruling must be included in the ‘First Notice’. If a customer's pole is necessary (for road crossing or clearance) then it may be shared with your neighbour, provided you make mutually acceptable arrangements for its position and provide written confirmation to the network operator .

Meter consumption calculator

Try out our calculator - it  helps you to estimate your current electricity consumption.