Metering

Electricity meters

An electricity meter or energy meter is a device that measures and records the amount of electricity conveyed through a point of connection to the electricity network.

Advanced metering systems can have two-way communication between a meter and a remote system. These smart meters have the potential to increase demand-side participation in the electricity market, as households and businesses can track and make informed decisions about their electricity usage.

Metering obligations

Metering equipment providers and the party responsible for ensuring a metering installation is provided (for example a retailer, grid owner or a local or embedded network owner), must ensure every metering installation complies with the Code.

Part 10 of the Code sets out metering obligations as the:

• responsibility of industry participants in relation to the provision of metering installations
• installation, maintenance and testing of metering installations
• ensuring a metering installation complies with standards and accuracy as set out in the Code
• role of the reconciliation manager in relation to metering inaccuracies
• accuracy and security of metering information.

The following guidelines are intended to assist metering equipment providers to understand their obligations under the Code.

Metering equipment provider inspections

Metering equipment providers are required to report the results of their Category 1 inspections to the Electricity Authority by 1 April each year. (See clause 45(8) of schedule 10.7 of the Code)

Complete and return the following inspection report.

Advanced metering requirements

Part 10 of the Code sets out the requirements for advanced metering installations, back office systems and operations. A metering system is 'advanced' when it includes load control and two-way remote communication capability along with the normal metering measurement function.

The following policy and guidelines are intended to assist operators to establish, install and operate their advanced metering infrastructure.

Test houses

Approved test houses calibrate, certify, install and maintain metering installations in accordance with the Code.