Mechanics of the Household / A Course of Study Devoted to Domestic Machinery and Household Mechanical Appliances

by E. S. Keene

EXAMPLES OF METER READINGS

Fig. 253a shows an example of an ordinary dial reading. Commencing at the first right-hand pointer, Fig. 253c, it is noted that the last figure passed over by the pointer is 1. The next circle to the left shows the figure last passed to be 2, bearing in mind that the direction of the rotation of this pointer is counter-clockwise. The last figure passed by the next pointer to the left is 1, while that passed by the last pointer to the left is obviously 9. The reading to be set down, therefore, is 9121.

Fig. 253b.—This dial reads 997 kilowatt hours.

Fig. 253c.—This dial reads 9121 kilowatt hours.

In a similar manner the dial shown in Fig. 253b may be read. In this case, however, three of the pointers rest nearly over the divisions and care must be used to follow the direction to avoid error. Commencing at the right, the first pointer indicates 7. The second pointer has passed 9 and is approaching 0. The third pointer appears to rest directly over 0, but since the second pointer reads but 9, the third cannot have completed its revolution and hence the figure last passed is set down which in this case is 9. Similarly, the fourth or left-hand pointer appears to rest directly over 1 but by referring to the pointer next to it on the right, we find that its indication is 9 as just explained. Therefore, the fourth pointer cannot have reached 1, and so the figure last passed which is 0 is set down, which in this case is 9. Similarly, the fourth or left-hand pointer appears to rest directly over 1, but by referring to the pointer next to it on the right we find that its indication is 9 as just explained. Therefore, the fourth pointer cannot have reached 1, and so we set down the figure last passed which is 0. The figures as they have been set down, therefore, are 0997, which indicates that 997 kilowatt-hours of electricity have been used.

If, for example, the reading of this meter for the preceding month was 976 kilowatt-hours, the number of kilowatt-hours used during that month would be 997-976 = 21 kilowatt-hours.

State Regulation of Meter Service.

—Electric wattmeters are subject to errors that may cause them to run either fast or slow. Complaints made of inaccurate records or readings are usually rectified by the electric company. In many States all public utilities are governed by laws that are formulated by public utilities commissions or other bodies from which may be obtained bulletins fully describing the conditions required of public service corporations or owners of public utilities. The following quotation from Bulletin No. V., 233 of the Railroad Commission of Wisconsin, will give an illustration of the requirement in that State.

Rule 14.—Creeping Meters.—No electric meter which registers upon “no load” shall be placed in service or allowed to remain in service.

This means that when no electricity is being used in the system the motor disc should remain stationary and if it shows any motion under such condition it is not recording accurately.