How to read this electricity meter？
- Thread starter Chen Yu
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If you know what the reading was last time, or if you take the reading again tomorrow after it has moved a bit, you may be able to deduce what the numbers are more easily.
If you look at them, or photograph them, dead-on, rather than obliquely, you will be able to see more accurately where they are in relation to the index marks of the dials.
If you know what the reading was last time, or if you take the reading again tomorrow after it has moved a bit, you may be able to deduce what the numbers are more easily.
If you look at them, or photograph them, dead-on, rather than obliquely, you will be able to see more accurately where they are in relation to the index marks of the dials.
Yes but it's the other way round.
As the pointer of the second is near zero, the first must be 3.
Start from the right -
Red pointer - .2
5th pointer - (clearly not .2 past 2) so must be 3
4th pointer - (clearly .32 past 9) so 9
3rd pointer - (not .932 past 1) so must be 0
2nd pointer - (clearly .0932 past 0) so 0
1st pointer - (not .00932 past 2) so must be 3 - even though the needle is not exactly where it should be.
Therefore 30093
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with luck, the supplier will have a recent reading or readings on file, beginning with a "3" and will reject and query a reading beginning with a "2"
That's why it's useful to keep your own records of meter readings. Not only can you track your usage and forecast costs, you also get the ability to spot a number that doesn't make sense.
That's why it's useful to keep your own records of meter readings. Not only can you track your usage and forecast costs, you also get the ability to spot a number that doesn't make sense.
Personally, I think the meter is likely faulty. These old ones rarely have so many pointers so close to a number. Your supplier would replace this type of meter for free.
“Read the dials from left to right. If the pointer is between the two numbers, always take the lower number. If the pointer is directly over a number, write down that one. If the pointer falls between 9 and 0, write down 9 and reduce the reading you've already taken for the dial on it's left by one.”
“Read the dials from left to right. If the pointer is between the two numbers, always take the lower number. If the pointer is directly over a number, write down that one. If the pointer falls between 9 and 0, write down 9 and reduce the reading you've already taken for the dial on it's left by one.”
Why?
Well, obviously it is rare but happens every 10,000 units.
Not if they think there is nothing wrong with it, they won't.
You cannot do it like that.
They are not spot on accurate.
So you do need the one on the right first to determine for sure then.
What difference would you see on the leftmost pointer between 29999 and 30000?
Previous readings will certainly clarify the situation, but not for the reason you give. Since the reading has only recently gone over 30,000, any previous ones would almost certainly start with a "2", but the most recent ones should start "29", therefore clarifying the situation.
Kind Regards, John
As EFLI has said, that seems to be very strange logic. The meter may, of course, be faulty, but even a non-faulty one will, inevitably, occasionally show the sort of thing we are seeing here.
Another way of wording your comment would be to say that the meter is 'likely faulty' because the reading it is showing is very close to 30,000 - which would obviously be a little silly!
Kind Regards, John
Don’t take issue with my quote. It was from the EDF website. I would hope they have done their research.
Whether or not they have 'done their research', they clearly have not adequately thought through or field-tested their instructions - since, in the OP's case, obeying those instructions would (as the OP's landlord is witness!) result in an error of 10,000 kWh in the reading!
Kind Regards, John
If someone makes a severe under-reading then the system is likely to simply reject said reading. If they make a severe over-reading then the supplier may well be left with a very angry customer complaining about their bill for thousands of pounds worth of electricity.
So I wonder if the guidance is deliberately erring on the side of under-reading.
Of course it's also very possible that the guidance was written when those meters were new and has been copied ad-nausium from place to place by clerirical staff without any input from actual meter readers.
So I wonder if the guidance is deliberately erring on the side of under-reading.
Of course it's also very possible that the guidance was written when those meters were new and has been copied ad-nausium from place to place by clerirical staff without any input from actual meter readers.
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Indeed so, particularly when (as in this case) the erroneous reading would be consdierably lower than previous readings.
I suppose that depends upon how cynical you are - many would say that they would be more likely to err in the other direction!
Don't forget that the OP's situation is dramatic because the error relates to the 10,000s dial - and is therefore obviously wrong. If the error occurred a couple of dials to the right of that, then an over-reading might well not be so obviously wrong, but would assist the supplier's cash flow (and worsen the consumer's cash flow) for at least 6 months!
Kind Regards, John
What is the point of guidance?
Why not state properly how to do it properly? Mistakes will still be made.
Why not state properly how to do it properly? Mistakes will still be made.
Well, it obviously ought to be clear and proper guidance as to how to do it properly - which it clearly isn't.
Assuming it's been unchanged for many years, it's surprising that all the hassle (and wasted time, hence cost) which undoubtedly arises as a result of many incorrect readings would have moved them to improve their instructions/guidance!
Kind Regards, John
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