Mixed Deck — All MRAB Topics Flashcards

A customer complains that their meter is installed in an inconvenient location. The meter reader should:

Answer: Listen, acknowledge their concern, and provide the correct utility department contact for meter relocation requests

Meter relocation is an engineering and operations matter handled by a different utility department — meter readers should listen and direct customers to the appropriate contact.

Which of the following best describes why meter readings should be documented immediately after taking them?

Answer: To avoid memory errors and ensure accurate data entry

Immediate documentation prevents memory lapses and reduces transcription errors that could result in incorrect billing.

Last month a customer used 450 kWh. This month usage increased by 20%. What is this month's usage?

Answer: 540 kWh

450 kWh × 1.20 = 540 kWh; a 20% increase adds 90 kWh (450 × 0.20 = 90) to the original 450.

Meter readers in the US must typically comply with which agency's safety standards when working near electrical equipment?

Answer: OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets the workplace safety standards that meter readers must follow when working near electrical meters and equipment.

A meter reader is paid $18.50 per hour and works 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. What are their total gross weekly earnings?

Answer: $740.00

$18.50/hour × 8 hours/day × 5 days/week = $740.00 gross weekly earnings.

When a meter reader cannot access a meter, what information should be recorded on the field sheet?

Answer: The reason for non-access and the date/time of the attempt

Recording the reason for non-access and the date/time creates a proper audit trail and supports billing decisions.

A meter reader slips and falls on a wet surface while on a customer's property. What should they do FIRST?

Answer: Assess themselves for injuries and report the incident to a supervisor immediately

All workplace injuries, no matter how minor they seem, must be reported immediately per OSHA regulations and company policy so that proper medical evaluation and documentation can occur.

What is the purpose of the 'Dig Safe' or 'Call 811' requirement before fieldwork involving excavation near meters?

Answer: To identify and mark underground utilities so workers don't accidentally strike them

Calling 811 (the national call-before-you-dig hotline) ensures underground utilities are marked before any digging, preventing deadly strikes on gas, electric, or water lines.

You need to transcribe the following address correctly: "1234 Elm St, Apt 56, Anytown, OH 43001." Which of the following is correct?

Answer: 1234 Elm St, Apt. 56, Anytown, OH 43001

To file meter readings numerically, they must be arranged from the smallest value to the largest. The given readings are 76890, 87654, and 76543. When ordered numerically, the sequence is 76543 (first), 76890 (second), and 87654 (third). Therefore, 76890 is the reading that should be filed second.

A meter reader has completed 75% of a 240-meter route. How many meters remain to be read?

Answer: 60

75% completed means 25% remaining; 25% of 240 = 0.25 × 240 = 60 meters left.

Under OSHA regulations, employers are required to provide meter readers with safety training:

Answer: Before beginning work and whenever new hazards are introduced

OSHA standards require that workers receive safety training before starting work in hazardous conditions and whenever new hazards are identified in the workplace.

A meter reader needs to check 12 blocks of houses, with 15 meters per block. How many meters do they need to check in total?

Answer: 180

To calculate the number of meters completed, you need to find 75% of the total route. This is done by multiplying the total number of meters (80) by the percentage completed (0.75). So, 80 * 0.75 = 60 meters have been completed.

A meter reader reads 125 meters in the morning and 78 meters in the afternoon. How many meters did they read in total?

Answer: 193

To find out how many more readings are needed, you subtract the number of readings completed today from the number completed yesterday. Yesterday, 200 readings were recorded, and today 150 have been completed. Therefore, 200 - 150 = 50 more readings are required to match yesterday's total.

Your starting point is at 100 Main St. You need to visit the following addresses: 200 Park St, 300 Lake St, 400 Hill St, 500 River Rd. Which route should you take to minimize driving time?

Answer: Main St → Park St → Lake St → Hill St → River Rd

Effective route planning involves considering external factors like traffic conditions. Since 5th Avenue experiences heavy traffic between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM, the most efficient strategy is to avoid it during that peak time. By visiting 7th Ave and 6th Ave first, the meter reader can then proceed to 5th Ave after 9:00 AM when traffic is expected to have subsided, minimizing delays and optimizing the route.

A meter reading field sheet includes a column for 'Read Code.' Which read code would typically indicate that a meter was read normally without any issues?

Answer: OK or N (Normal)

A code such as OK or N signals to billing staff that the reading was obtained normally with no access issues, anomalies, or estimation required.

A meter is described as being 'behind the second house on the north side of Maple Street.' Which of the following diagrams best helps a reader find it?

Answer: A street map showing house positions and north arrow

A street map with house positions and a north direction indicator allows the reader to visually locate the second house on the north side and identify the backyard meter location.

A water meter rolled over from 99,950 to 00,025 since last month's reading of 99,950. What is the actual consumption?

Answer: 75 gallons

After rollover: the meter went from 99,950 to 100,000 (50 units) and then to 00,025 (25 more units), totaling 75 units of consumption.

A meter reader smells a strong odor of rotten eggs near a gas meter. They should:

Answer: Immediately leave the area and call emergency services from a safe distance

A rotten egg smell indicates natural gas (which has odorant added for safety) — the reader must evacuate immediately and call the gas company and emergency services from a safe distance.

A meter reader is assigned 150 accounts per day and must enter readings into a handheld device. At the end of the route, 148 readings are logged but 2 accounts show as 'pending.' What is the correct next step?

Answer: Return to or contact the supervisor about the 2 pending accounts to resolve them before route submission

Pending accounts must be resolved—either by returning to the site or notifying a supervisor—before submission to ensure all customers are billed accurately.

Which of the following best describes a 'multiplier' on a utility meter?

Answer: A factor by which the meter reading must be multiplied to get actual usage

Some meters use a multiplier (e.g., ×10 or ×100) so that the displayed reading must be multiplied by that factor to determine actual consumption.