How to Read Your Residential Electric Meter
How to Read Your Meter TID uses electric meters that have the ability to communicate with TID. These meters can be read in two ways: using the LCD on the meter itself, or remotely using a 900 MHz radio to communicate with TID’s automated metering infrastructure. This technology enables us to serve you faster, in addition to many other benefits.
Scrolling Displays
The meter scrolls through three displays every five to six seconds.
Display Test -
TID primarily uses two types of electric meters that are programmed to display usage based on your rate schedule.
Reading Your Energy Usage
A
TOT(Σ) KWARh
The screen will display all 888888’s to check that all the fields of the LCD are working properly.
Using our example on the right, the initial meter read is 000375. To find out how much energy you use in a given time, subtract this first reading from a second reading taken at a later date. For instance, if you go back to your meter later and it reads 00909, then you have used 534 kWh for that time period (00909 - 00375 = 534).
Reading -
Detail of kWh Display
Registration Info -
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is 1,000 watts of electricity used for one hour. For example, when you use a one-kilowatt appliance for one hour, you’ve used one kWh and your meter read display will show an increase in consumption of one. If you used the same one-kilowatt appliance for two hours, the display would increment by two kWh.
888.88.8T8 000375 A
KW
Your current total kilowatt-hour reading.
1r0366 A
This is for TID use only. There will be a number followed by a lower case “r” as well as four other digits.
For more information regarding reading your meter, please contact Customer Service at 209-883-8222.
How to Read Your Residential Self-Generation Meter Customers on Self-Generation Rate Schedules (SG Rates) have a meter installed that looks the same as a standard residential meter but is capable of tracking Consumption, Generation, Time-of-Use and Demand.
Scrolling Displays
The meter scrolls through six displays every five to six seconds.
Display Test -
The screen will display all 888888’s to check that all the fields of the LCD are working properly.
888 PREV RATE CONT RESETS TOTAL
SEAS ABCD CUM MAX kWRh
Total Net Reading -
Your net kilowatt-hour reading. This is the total amount of electricity you consumed minus the total amount your system generated.
Tier A Net Reading -
Your total net kilowatt-hour reading for on-peak energy.
Tier C Net Reading -
Your total net kilowatt-hour reading for off-peak energy .
Demand -
Demand is the maximum amount of energy used in any fifteen minute interval within the billing period.
Registration Info -
This is for TID use only. There will be a number followed by a lower case “r” as well as four other digits.
88.8.8.8.8 A
575
1
A
TOTAL kW h
2
345 TA KWh
A
3
230 TC
Generation or Consumption ?
88.8.8.8.8 A
The arrows on the display indicate whether your home is using energy supplied by TID or generating energy which is sent to the electrical grid. If the arrow points left, you’re generating. If it points right, you’re consuming.
88.8.8.8.8 A
Self-Generation Setup
Residential Self-Generation systems have four basic components in common; an inverter, a performance/generation meter, an A/C disconnect switch and a Residential Service Panel with a SelfGeneration Meter. All Residential Self-Generation system installations contain these four items although, each installation is unique and the components may not be installed in the same configuration.
Inverter
Self-Generation Meter
KWh
A
2.14
4
A
TOTAL kW h
5
1r0366
How to Determine Your Net Energy
A
To find out how much energy you use in a given time, take an initial reading of both Tier A and Tier C on your net meter. Then, at a later time, take a second reading of both Tier A and Tier C. Subtract the first reading of each tier from the second reading. If the difference is a negative number, you were a net generator. If it’s a positive number, you were a net consumer during that time period.
Performance/ Generation Meter
AC Disconnect Switch
For more information regarding reading your meter, please contact Customer Service at 209-883-8222.