A meter is a device that measures and records the consumption of electricity. It is usually enclosed in a meter box on an external wall of your house or building.
In most cases, Western Power will read your meter and pass on this information to your electricity retailer. In some rural and remote areas, customers 'self-read' their meter and forward this information to Western Power.
This section also shows you several different types of meters and how to read them.
There are three types of meter:
1. Dial meters are the oldest form of meter still in use, although they are no longer issued. Over time, digital or electronic meters will replace dial meters. How to read dial meters.
2. Digital meters are currently used for residential and small commercial premises. How to read digital meters.
3. Electronic meters are used for 'Time of Use' tariff customers (residential, commercial, industrial, contract and general) and for all customers where interval data collection is required. Interval data is a recording of power consumption taken every half hour over a defined period of time. The data, which is graphed, is used to manage energy consumption, for complex billing and energy settlement purposes. How to read electronic meters.
It is important for Western Power workers to have easy and safe access to your meter. Your meter should be:
You may only lock your meter box with an approved Western Power master key lock. Approved locks can be sourced from licensed security suppliers and locksmiths.
Our meter readers should have safe access to the meter without being harassed by your dog. Meter readers will not enter a property with a 'Beware of the Dog' sign displayed.
Page update on 2 November 2009
