Buzz
An electric power meter is a highly precise device designed to track your household's electricity consumption. Inside its glass casing, you'll notice a metallic disc that spins in direct correlation to the electricity being consumed. The speed of the disc increases with higher energy usage, and each rotation corresponds to a specific quantity of electricity. This motion drives gears, which move dial pointers to display your total usage [source: Georgia Power]. Electricity is quantified in kilowatt-hours, with one kilowatt-hour capable of powering ten 100-watt bulbs for an hour. Utility representatives periodically record your meter's readings to calculate your bill. If access to the meter is restricted, an estimated bill is issued [source: Nevada Energy].
Your power meter consists of five distinct dials:
- The rightmost dial tracks units and spins clockwise.
- The adjacent left dial records tens and rotates counter-clockwise.
- The third dial from the right monitors hundreds and turns clockwise.
- The fourth dial measures thousands and spins counter-clockwise.
- The leftmost dial tracks ten thousands and rotates clockwise.
To read your power meter, start from the right and move left, noting the numbers each pointer indicates.
- When the dial's pointer rests between two digits, note the smaller number. For instance, if it hovers between three and four, write down three. However, if it lies between zero and nine, record nine instead. Zero marks the start of a new cycle, making nine the preceding and lower value.
- If the pointer aligns precisely with a number, simply record that number [source: Nova Scotia Power].
