How can I verify my electricity meter ?

[Martinco]

I guess this would be for Murdock.....................

I recently moved my factory premises and it the process of having the electricity upgraded I moved to a prepaid meter ( 3 Phase )

I now find after 3 months that my bill is more than double the old premises with exactly the same machines and office equipment. From R 995 per month average over 4 months to R 2500 per month

I did a test and switched off all equipment except for the fax, router switch, ADSL router and telephone system.
The meter then flashes once every 3 seconds. ( 1000 flashes = 1 KWH )
That is 1.2 Kw / hour...............surely that is not possible !
With ALL equipment off, there is a flash +_ every 30 seconds.

[Martinco]

Sorry Dave,
This belongs in Technology..........please move it for me.

[Dave A]

Switch off everything in the db after the meter. Is it still running?

If no - then switch on each circuit one by one until you identify the culprit circuit.

If yes - well, that could get interesting.

[Martinco]

The main breaker is after the meter. By switching the main breaker off the flashing stops.
What I am getting at is the question about the calibration of the meter.
I have requested a calibration test by the local municipality but this could take many days/weeks.
I have also checked in the main sub on the pavement, my CB has no "control meter".

[daveob]

Why not have a seperate meter installed on the board ?

I recently bought an Owl Electricity Monitor ( I see also available for 3 phase ).

It has a clip that you place around the live wire on the board ( main board or for an individual breaker ) connected to a sender unit, and a wireless receiver with display.

No installation, no connecting wires, etc. Just clips around - like my old car timing light around a spark plug cord.

You enter the electricity unit cost and it displays current usage, totals for day / week / month year in both cost and kW. It has allowed me to monitor the geyser usage, and is currently on the outbuilding / flat circuit.

Next will be the plugs and lighting circuits. I think a handy little device for figuring out where you are using and what you can improve on.

Cost of the Owl was R650, but I think if you can improve your monthly bill by just R60, it's paid for itself in a year.

[Martinco]

Thanks Dave,

I am going to try this. Can get one on the web for R 899.00

[daveob]

Got mine at Mica and also available from electrical wholesalers.

[murdock]

i have a fluke 435 which is a class A instrument...which can be used for this type of application especially if you want to take this all the way.

however my advice would be to first get a load profile done and determine where the useage is coming from...there could be numerous factors causing this issue...especially if you have moved...

the other thing to check before you take any action is the type of elctricity tarrif you where on before...you could have had a bussiness and general for example which might have been a cheaper rate..

you need t look at the installtion as a whole...transformer....dbs...geysers...security lights etc...exsisitng on the building....its hard to give you advice without actually looking at the electrical installtion.

fitting and addtional meter will only tell you the meter is reading correctly....

by the way there is a fee for them to calibrate the meter...just makes sure you know how much...before they do it...they might contract the calibration out...then you will pay big bucks.

i hear the companies in jhb charge some ridiculous rate like R5000 a week to do load profiles

[Martinco]

Thanks Murdock,

I shall get the sparky that did the complete revamp to check this out for me.

[murdock]

there are very few contractors who are capable of doing a voltage and load unbalance...or a load profile...clamping a tong tester onto each phase is not acceptable test..only a 3 phase tester will do the job.

[AndyD]

by the way there is a fee for them to calibrate the meter...just makes sure you know how much...before they do it...they might contract the calibration out...then you will pay big bucks

They can charge you for calibration checking upon request only if the meter is accurate to class 1 specs. If the meter is found to be inaccurate then the testing cost is for the account of the supply authority.

[murdock]

just remember we have different supply authourities with different bylaws and cost structures in various regions...thats why i mentioned you need to check.

[Martinco]

Thanks Dave,

I am going to try this. Can get one on the web for R 899.00

I have installed the unit and it indicates that my pre-paid meter runs virtually double to what this unit indicates.

I guess the electrical dept of the municipality is next.

[murdock]

so much for quality control...i wonder how many other units are over charging customers...

the next question is will be able to get a rebate....

[daveob]

I have installed the unit and it indicates that my pre-paid meter runs virtually double to what this unit indicates.

Mine is pretty accurate. If I rig it to a line that has 3 x 100W bulbs on it, it shows a little over 300W, and my geyser element comes on and shows 3,012 W ( 3kW element ).

Are you sure you've got it on the main line into the board and not just on a circuit that doesn't have the geyser or pool pump on it ? Nothing else between the meter and the monitor ?