Meter Reading Techniques Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of a test meter or check meter installed alongside a customer's main meter?

Answer: To verify the accuracy of the main meter

A check meter is installed to compare readings against the main meter and confirm it is measuring consumption accurately.

When a gas meter is located in an enclosed pit, a meter reader should:

Answer: Use a flashlight to read through the lid without entering

Meter readers should use a flashlight or mirror to read pit-mounted meters from above to avoid hazardous confined space entry.

A water meter shows a small leak indicator (red triangle) spinning continuously even when no water is in use. What should the reader do?

Answer: Note it on the read card and report a potential leak to the customer or office

A continuously spinning leak indicator with no apparent water use suggests a leak somewhere in the customer's plumbing and should be flagged for follow-up.

On an electric meter with a rotating disc, the disc spinning very fast most likely indicates:

Answer: High power consumption at that moment

The disc rotation speed on an electromechanical meter is directly proportional to the rate of electricity consumption — faster means more load is being used.

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.

A meter reader arrives and cannot access the meter because a locked gate blocks entry. The correct action is to:

Answer: Leave a door hanger and report the meter as inaccessible

Standard utility procedure requires leaving a notice for the customer and flagging the account as inaccessible so a follow-up read or estimate can be properly processed.