An electric meter installation is an important utility that serves several purposes. The most obvious is that it shows current usage. The consumption is usually listed in amp-hours, but the turning of the most sensitive dial shows overall current power usage. This is valuable for understanding the current power consumption of a building. Owners can use this information to lower their energy bills while power companies send utility workers to check these meters.
Even though meters have been used for decades, they are still the most effective way to determine how much power an individual household is using. A power plant sends energy along a grid and there are several stations along the way. While these stations can monitor the overall flow of electricity, they simply cannot tell the usage by individual households and buildings. For that, they still depend on clockwork meters.
If you are building a new structure or else the old meter is getting bad, then consider a fresh electric meter installation. These units are generally designed to last for decades, and many do. There is a chance of them becoming inaccurate over time, so feel free to call the electric company for a test. It is possible to install an electronic and possibly more accurate meter, although the old clockwork meters are fairly accurate.
There is actually a good reason to change out the old meter. Whenever new power plants and stations are built, it is possible to choose between power plant companies. It is also possible that an old power plant is bought by a new utility company and the infrastructure is renovated. The technicians for the new owner might be trained to recognize different meters or else the new company prefers a new meter. In this case, the building owner might have to contact an electrician to change the meters.
Another reason to perform an electric meter installation on an existing house is that the original meter breaks. This does not happen as they are made with metal cases and glass covers. A very bad accident could knock the old meter out of place or else damage the glass lid. Since an exposed meter might be vulnerable to rain and ice, it has to either be repaired or replaced.
These meters are connected to high voltage and current and cannot be altered by the homeowner. The meter has to be worked on by an electrician, preferably one trained by the power company. The meter has to be installed by someone with the right authority just because several parties have an interest in accuracy.