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Electricalaka: electric meteraka: utility meteraka: kWh meter

Meter

In Plain English

The device the electric company installs to measure how much electricity a building uses so they can bill for it.

Definition

The utility-owned device that measures the amount of electrical energy consumed by a building or tenant, typically in kilowatt-hours. Electric meters are installed at the service entrance and can be analog (dial) or digital (smart meters that communicate remotely). In multi-tenant buildings, individual meters allow separate billing for each unit.

Why It Matters in Bidding

Metering scope sits at the boundary between the contractor's work and the utility's, so estimators must coordinate the service entrance, meter base, and utility application timing to avoid energization delays that can hold up substantial completion. In multi-tenant projects, the number and arrangement of meters drives gear cost and affects how tenants are billed, a frequent source of RFIs and scope ambiguity.

Example

The electrical estimator confirmed with the utility that the project required a meter-main combo and four tenant meters, then included the meter sockets and CT cabinet in the gear takeoff while noting the utility would set the actual meters.

Related Terms

Service EntranceKilowattLoad CenterElectrical Panel

Frequently Asked Questions

The utility almost always owns and sets the meter itself, while the contractor furnishes and installs the meter base or socket, conduit, and service equipment per the utility's standards. Estimators should price the meter enclosure and service work but exclude the utility-owned meter, confirming the split in the utility's service requirements.
Separately metering tenants requires meter stacks or multiple sockets, larger gear, and sometimes current-transformer cabinets for higher-amperage services, all of which raise cost. Estimators should confirm whether billing is direct utility, master-metered with submeters, or house-metered, because each changes the equipment scope and the utility coordination required.
Meter setting and energization depend on the utility's application, inspection, and crew availability, which the contractor does not control. Long lead times for utility transformers and meters can delay power-on and push out occupancy, so estimators and PMs should start the utility application early and flag it as a schedule milestone.

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