What is a Kilowatt-hour?
For every 10 hours a 100-watt bulb burns, one kilowatt-hour of electricity is used. Meters operate with clock-like accuracy because they are sealed to keep the interior free of dust and other contaminants. Also, the use of a magnetic-suspension system all but eliminates friction inside the meter.

What Makes the Disk Revolve?
The amount of electricity you use determines the speed at which the disk moves. The more electricity you use, the faster it turns. Each revolution measures a precise amount of electric energy called watt-hours, usually 7.2 watt-hours. This measurement is transferred from the disk through a series of gears to the pointers on the dial.

How the Meter Records Electrical Use
Most meters have five dials across the front. Meters work similar to the odometer on your car. When the hand on one dial makes a complete circle, the hand on the dial to its left moves up one number. Two sets of connections tell your meter what it needs to know:

• the amount of current flowing into your house, and
• the pressure - or voltage - at which the current is flowing.

Electric current is like water flowing through a pipe. The rate of flow of electrons through your line is measured in amperes. Pressure is the force electron through your line is measured in amperes. Pressure is the force that pushes electric current through your lines, measured in volts. To determine the watts of electricity you use, you meter multiplies amperes of current by volts of pressure. This total-- expressed in kilowatts-hours- is the basis of you monthly electric bill.

Follow the directions below your meter.

1. Read meter dials from left to right.
2. When the hand is between two numbers, always write down the smaller number.
3. If the dial hand is positioned exactly on a number, look at the dial to the right to determine correct reading.
4. Has the dial has past the zero:

   If no, use the smaller number on the dial you're reading.
   If yes, use the number the hand is pointing to on the dial you're reading.

Correct Readings:

4 Dial Meter: 9183
5 Dial Meter: 98940

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Information: Breit Idea, Pacific Power, 2002