An electricity meter

How to read your meter

There are several different types of electricity meters. The following information shows you how to read them.

If you are unable to find your meter on this page, please contact your electricity retailer for assistance.

Clock face (pointer) meters

This meter has up to six clock faces. There is one hand on each clock face. The clock faces have numbers 0 to 9 and alternate between rotating clockwise and anti-clockwise.

Start reading from the left hand dial (A) and read each dial in succession to the right. When a dial hand points between two numbers, write down the lower of the two numbers. If it points between 0 and 1 write down 0 and if it points between 9 and 0 write down 9.

Clock face (pointer) meter display showing the clock faces and numbers

When a dial hand appears to be exactly on a number, as with dial (A), look at the next dial to the right to see if it has passed zero. If the next dial has not passed zero, as with dial (B), then the reading for the first dial is the lower number. In this example the reading for dial (A) is 7.

In this example the reading is 7 - 9 - 8 - 6 - 7.

Digits (cyclometer) display meters - single rate

This meter gives a direct readout of the total amount of electricity used. Read the numbers in the same sequence as shown on the meter.

In this example the reading is 7 - 2 - 4 - 2 - 1

Cyclometer register display showing numbers and the units on how to read

In this example the reading is: 0 - 3 - 8 - 7 - 7

Geneva register display showing numbers and the units on how to read

Digits (cyclometer) display meters - dual rate

These meters are similar to the Single Rate Digits (Cyclometer) Display Meters but with a dual display. Firstly, record the reading for the top display, followed by the reading for the bottom display.

In this example, the meter shows two displays - H (High/Peak) and L (Low/Off Peak). Note some meters may have the H and L displays reversed.

Dual rate register display showing numbers and the units on how to read

The reading for this example is:

H -  0 - 0 - 3 - 1 - 2

L -  0 - 0 - 2 - 9 - 5

Electronic digital display meters

This meter automatically cycles through the various meter readings. It is not necessary to press any buttons to read this meter, simply wait and watch as the various meter readings appear.

If a reading is missed simply wait and it will be displayed again. Enter all readings in the boxes provided.

This meter will also display readings for 'test', 'date', 'time' and 'program ID'. Enter all of these readings in the boxes provided as well.

If 'error codes E and F' appear then there is a problem with the meter. Please report these codes on the meter reading sheet.

In this example the reading is  0 - 0 - 4 - 7 - 6 - 3

Electronic meter display showing numbers for electricity usage

Solar meters (inverter energy system meters)

If you have a solar meter, the meter model type is displayed on the front panel label on the front of the meter. The digital display has two sections, the Display ID (or code) and the Display Data (or the actual reading).

There's no need to push any buttons on the meter to obtain the reading. A test screen will initially display as a series of 8s. This will ensure the digital display is working correctly.

The data displayed on your meter depends on your electricity supply. For example, do you have separate hot water metering, or is your supply single or multiphase?

Generated solar energy will be used by appliances and any excess generation will be recorded on the display ID.

There are a number of different solar meter types. The following information shows you how to read them.

EM1000 and EM1000E Meter – meter used for single tariff installations (Tariff 11 or 20)

EM1000 meter display ID and display data example

Display dataDisplay IDExplanation of reading
Display Test ScreenA B C DThe test displays first as a series of 8s
Total Import kWh (from electricity distributor)(Blank)Energy (kWh) used from the electricity network
Total Export kWh (excess to electricity distributor)-Excess energy (kWh) sent back to the electricity network (occurs when appliance usage is less than energy generated by the solar panels)

EM1210 Meter – meter used for two tariff installations (Tariff 11, 33 or 31)

EM1200 meter display ID and display data example

Display dataDisplay IDExplanation of reading
Display Test Screen88This test displays first as a series of 8s
Date02Current date
Time03Current time
Rate A kWh Element 1 (Peak)
*Only applicable if primary tariff is time of use, eg T62 or T22
04*Energy (kWh) used from the electricity network between 7am- 9pm Monday-Friday - High Rate
Rate C kWh Element 1 (Off Peak)
*Only applicable if primary tariff is time of use, eg T62 or T22
05*Energy (kWh) used from the electricity network between 9pm- 7am Monday-Friday and all weekend - Low Rate
Total Import kWh Element 1 (from electricity distributor)06Energy (kWh) used from the electricity network on primary tariff (eg Tariff 11)Sum of 04 & 05 if applicable
Total Export kWh Element 1 & Element 2 (excess to electricity distributor)07Excess energy (kWh) sent back to the electricity network (occurs when appliance usage is less than energy generated by the solar panels)
Total Import kWh Element 2 (from electricity distributor)09Energy (kWh) used on secondary tariff (ie Tariff 31 or 33)
Program ID10Meter program number - electricity distributor use only

NOTE: New EM1200 meters manufactured from 2012 will not have the Test Display or the Date and Time displays.

MK 10 Meter – multipurpose installations (Tariff 11, 20, 22 or 62)

MK10 meter display ID and display data example

Display dataDisplay IDExplanation of reading
Display Test Screen888The test display first as a series of 8s
Date001Current date
Time002Current time
Total kWh
(from electricity distributor)
003Total energy (kWh) used from the electricity network. Equals sum of 004, 005 and 006
Rate A kWh
(from electricity distributor)
004Energy (kWh) used from the electricity network between 7am- 9pm Monday-Friday
Rate B kWh
(from electricity distributor)
005Energy (kWh) used from the electricity network between 9pm- 11pm Monday-Friday
Rate C kWh
(from electricity distributor)
006Energy (kWh) used from the electricity network at all other times
Previous Maximum kW011Previous demand - electricity distributor use only
Current Cumulative kW012Current demand - billing use for demand trials
Current Maximum kW013Highest maximum demand recorded since last reset - electricity distributor use only
Demand Reset Count040Number of times demand reset- electricity distributor use only
Program ID042Meter program number - electricity distributor use only
Alarm057Displays alarm code - electricity distributor use only
Total kWh Export
(excess to electricity distributor)
114Excess energy (kWh) sent back to electricity network (occurs when appliance usage is less than energy generated by the solar panels)

Q4 Meter – multipurpose installations (Tariff 11, 20, 22 or 62)

Q4 meter display ID and display data example

Display dataDisplay IDExplanation for reading
Display Test Screen888The test displays first as a series of 8s
Date001Current date
Time002Current time
Total kWh
(from electricity distributor)
003Total energy (kWh) used from the electricity network. Equals sum of 004, 005 and 006
Rate A kWh
(from electricity distributor)
004Energy (kWh) used from the electricity network between 7am- 9pm Monday-Friday
Rate B kWh
(from electricity distributor)
005Energy (kWh) used from the electricity network between 9pm- 11pm Monday-Friday
Rate C kWh
(from electricity distributor)
006Energy (kWh) used from the electricity network at all other times
Previous Cumulative kW011Previous demand - electricity distributor use only
Current Cumulative kW012Current demand - billing use for demand trials
Current Maximum kW013Highest maximum demand recorded since last reset - electricity distributor use only
Demand Reset Count040Number of times demand reset- electricity distributor use only
Program ID042Meter program number - electricity distributor use only
Total kWh Export
(excess to electricity distributor)
114Excess energy (kWh) sent back to electricity network. Equals sum of 115, 116 and 117
Rate A kWh Export
(excess to electricity distributor)
115*Excess energy (kWh) sent back to the electricity network between 7am- 9pm Monday-Friday
Rate B kWh Export
(excess to electricity distributor)
116*Excess energy (kWh) sent back to the electricity network between 9pm- 11pm Monday-Friday
Rate C kWh Export
(excess to electricity distributor)
117*Excess energy (kWh) sent back to the electricity network at all other times

*Displays 115 - 117 have been discontinued in IES meters manufactured from September 2009.

Are you worried your meter is not reliable?

If you're concerned about the reliability of your meter, please contact us to arrange a service. A fee may be charged for this service.

You can also call your electricity retailer to discuss your metering.