How to check if electric meter is faulty

timefore


Joined: 01/08/2008
Posts: 495

Message Posted:
11/12/2011 15:39

Does anybody know how to have our electric meter checked. Have just checked the meter and it records us using over 900 units this month and it not at the end of the monthly bill yet. This is over 350 more than last month and we have used less as our pool pump has been broken for 2 weeks. Any idears please.

snd1966


Joined: 10/06/2009
Posts: 353

Message Posted:
11/12/2011 15:50

i would say the kib tek office in town is your first port of call. upstairs of the payment office i am sure you will find someone who can point you in the right direction.

walkerscott


Joined: 13/08/2009
Posts: 901

Message Posted:
11/12/2011 16:06

once your freezer is empty, turn off EVERYTHING, check your meter reading and see if anything is still consuming electric ... just maybe you'll find what's eating into your electricity?!

kibsolar


Joined: 14/09/2008
Posts: 552

Message Posted:
11/12/2011 16:18

in oct/november approx 18 units per day.. of which 4-8 units for the pool pump? makes sense.

Is it this month higher because of a/c heating and the immersion heater for the hot water? one 12000 btu a/c takes as much as a "normal sized"pool pump, an immersion heater three times as much.

timefore


Joined: 01/08/2008
Posts: 495

Message Posted:
11/12/2011 16:34

Thanks for your replies, kibsolar we have used 934 units in 28 days do not use a/c for heating and have only used immersion twice for 20 mins. So sounds as though we have a problem somewhere.

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
11/12/2011 19:29

We had a problem with electric last yr. When we went to Kibtek they advised first switch off the mains and make sure the meter isn't still turning. If it is it may indicate someone is stealing your electricity. Has it been ok in previous months? You need to make sure also that the meter is definitely connected to you. If you switch everything off and the meter is still, just be sure it starts to turn again when you switch the power back on.

Kibtek will send someone out to check the meter but you have to pay for it. If they accept it's their fault, they'll rectify it at their expense but if it turns out not to be a fault on their part then you'll have to pay if they have to replace the meter for example. However, the guy we spoke to in the office left us feeling we'd end up paying whatever the outcome!

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
11/12/2011 23:29

As advised above but let me recap:

1. Switch off the mains. Did your metre stop turning or is it still turning? If it stopped you are on the right metre. If it does not stop either its the wrong metre or somebody is stealing your electricity which should be obvious. If it stopped continue below.



2. Switch back on the mains and now switch everything off in the house. Did your metre stop turning? If it is turning and you are sure you switched off everything, then there is a thief about and you should be able to catch him if you trace the wiring carefully. If it stopped, move to next stage.



3. Switch on the biggest electric heater you have for half an hour and check the nameplate to see how much electricity it consumes e.g. 1.5 Kw or 1500 Watts. Check the reading of your metre at the beginning and at the end of half an hour. Calculate how much you consumed e.g. 1.5 kw * 0.5 hours = 0.75 kwh. If your metre reading is way out, you have a faulty metre and about time for a visit to Kib-tek.



4. Speak to Kib-tek and ask them officially to check your metre. You are entitled to it but you may have to do it in writing. Probably they have a ready form to fill in. You will have to pay a small fee if it is not faulty.

ismet

timefore


Joined: 01/08/2008
Posts: 495

Message Posted:
12/12/2011 00:04

Thanks very much elko.



We have tried nos 1 and 2 so we will move onto nos 3 tom. then we will know if we have to move to nos.4



Tim

timefore


Joined: 01/08/2008
Posts: 495

Message Posted:
12/12/2011 00:12

Elko



You have definately earned your status as ' Most Helpful Member Forum Admin'

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
12/12/2011 00:52

Timefore,

I do have a reasonable knowledge of electricity, so it was my pleasure to try to help. Please let us know how you get on.

ismet

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
12/12/2011 02:20

Swimming pool pumps should only have to run for 3 hours per day when not in use, i.e. no bathers.

If possible, run the pump for 15 minutes every 2 hours, this will keep any dampness from forming in the motor.

If the chemical balance in your pool is correct, then you should have no problems.

If you are running the pool pump for any longer, your wasting electricity.

Also, if your pool has no leaks, run it on overflow, this will keep it fairly clean

If possible, drill 1 large hole, or more, in the balance tank, at the highest water level you need,

this will let any exess water escape, and stop your pump room from flooding.

Good luck.

Navek

timefore


Joined: 01/08/2008
Posts: 495

Message Posted:
14/12/2011 22:58

Hi Elko (ismet)



Thanks again for your help. We checked all the things you suggested but everything seemed ok.



I got the bill the next day and realised that we (Or should I say my wife) had been looking at the bill from 2 months ago so hence the large amounts of units used !!!

So panic is over.



Tim

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
15/12/2011 09:10

All is well that ends well. The lessons from this episode:

1. Don't jump to conclusions and check your facts first.

2. Never trust the ladies in technical matters, they are all the same brand.

3. Never believe the husbands who put all the blame on their wives, probably they have most of the blame

ismet