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Thread: Electric Meter reading for Dummies

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    Default Electric Meter reading for Dummies

    This isnt a tutorial but a request on how to properly read the clock faced type of Electricity meter I have.

    After my 'Kick in the Head' estimated bill earlier this year, the readings have been progressively lower each quater but my friend has just received his bill for the last quarter and it has just slighty jumped from $140 to $540 and he basicly lives alone with Gas H/W etc.
    His power usage has also increased 5 times which considering his situation is blunty ridiculous.
    So after his bill I decided I would do as I have 'Bin Gunna Do' and this is to do say a monthy read of the meter to see my useage.
    The meter has 5 dials divided into 10 segments not 12 as I first thought. It also appears to read from Right to Left as the right hand dial shows 1, then left shows 10,next left is 100, then 1000, then 10000.
    I noted where each pointer is, a couple are exactly on a number, some still before so would it read this way ??
    on 1 the pointer is just above the 4, the next (10) is between the 8 & 9, next (100) is ON the 5,the (1000) is between the 8 & 9, the (10000) is ON the 4.
    So, would you read it 38584 if its read Right to left?
    I stand unequivicably behind everything I say , I just dont ever remember saying it !!



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    48584

    is what i make of it ? unless the 10000 si just before the 4 so it would make it
    38584

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    Default

    Have a read here:

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    Thanks for this VK6xlr,
    It reads RIGHT to Left as you would normaly expect but what baffled me was the numbers under each dial, I completely misunderstood them.
    How odd at that moment, itss almost readable either way, trust me to pick then to try to read the damned thing.

    Now to try to make up a card or page with those type of dials on it so I can mark the hand postion when I 'read' it. We had those where I worked so anyone could use them to read water,gas,electricty and send them off to the local head office for the records.
    Last edited by gordon_s1942; 11-12-10 at 11:20 AM.
    I stand unequivicably behind everything I say , I just dont ever remember saying it !!

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    Quote Originally Posted by gordon_s1942 View Post
    Now to try to make up a card or page with those type of dials on it so I can mark the hand postion when I 'read' it. We had those where I worked so anyone could use them to read water,gas,electricty and send them off to the local head office for the records.
    Maybe something like this:


    or


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    I was told you read it from left to right by Energy Australia.And yes,if the hand is between 2 numbers,you take the lower one.

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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gordon_s1942 View Post
    ...on 1 the pointer is just above the 4, the next (10) is between the 8 & 9, next (100) is ON the 5,the (1000) is between the 8 & 9, the (10000) is ON the 4.
    So, would you read it 38584 if its read Right to left?
    Correct, the (10000) dial will be 3 because the previous dial (1000,s) is 8. If the (10000) dial was mean't to be 4 it would be almost on the 5. So your reading of 38584 would be spot on.
    Cheers
    Ted (Al)

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    Cool Perhaps this explains an inordinate increase of the Bill.

    Bullshit, since when do Western Countries read Right to Left.
    38584 is correct for the example given.
    To put it into context-
    10000 = how many blocks of 10000 ... 3
    1000 = how many blocks of 1000 ... 8 .. ( because this is between 8 & 9, the dial above would be read as 3, not 4 as suggested.)
    100 = how many blocks of 100 ... 5
    10 = how many blocks of 10 ... 8
    1 = the final unit scale ... 4
    There is usually a spinning disc indicating low usage.
    Turning on a high energy appliance will soon confirm this.

    Kindest Regards, " The Druid ".


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    Smile Curiously I think you're both correct

    You write down the numbers off the meter reading from right to left so the rounding is correct but then use the left to right 'total' number for the total kWHr.

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    i like my new meter because its a digital one and you can scroll through and check all 3 usage times IE : peak - shoulder - off peak
    dont say linux if i wanted it id install it

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