How to unlock the electricity meter?
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Are you planning to unblock the electricity meter? As a qualified electrician, I can teach you how to do this.
In an emergency, you may need to replace or rearrange the electrical meter in your home. But as a homeowner, you cannot unlock the meter without the consent of your utility company.
Typically, a qualified electrician or authorized utility worker can unlock the meter. But you will need to get permission from the utility company. Otherwise, you will have to pay a fine, or your electricity may be cut off.
To unlock the electricity meter:
- Get permission from the utility company.
- Get an electrician.
- Examine the electricity meter.
- Turn off the power.
- Break the seal and remove the rings.
Continue reading the article below for more details.
Can I unblock the electric meter myself?
Before proceeding with the practical guide, you should know the legal consequences of unlocking the electricity meter.
The truth is, as a homeowner, you can't unlock the meter. This is against the rules of public utilities. If you remove the block without their permission, you will have to pay a fine, and in some cases they may also disconnect your connection. The penalty depends on the rules and regulations of the company. I will explain them to you later in the article.
I would advise not to risk it. Instead, follow the correct procedure.
How to unlock the electricity meter correctly?
If you are planning to unlock the electricity meter, there are two things you should follow.
- Removal must be done by a qualified electrician or authorized utility worker.
- Before unlocking, you must obtain permission from the electricity supplier (utility company).
5-step guide to unlock the electricity meter
Here is a simple guide to help you safely unlock your electricity meter.
important: As stated earlier, unlocking a meter without permission from the utility company can result in various fines and penalties. Therefore, this walkthrough should only be followed after permission has been obtained. Also, hire a qualified electrician if you are not comfortable doing it yourself.
Step 1 - Get permission
First, contact the utility company and ask permission to unlock the electricity meter. Always try to get a written document.
The list of contact numbers of the most popular utilities is here.
Step 2 - Hire an Electrician
Hire a qualified electrician if necessary. In most cases, this is the best and safest option.
Step 3 - Inspect the electricity meter
Locate and locate the electricity meter. Then check the electricity meter properly. You should be able to see the following things on the meter.
- A thin metal ring holds the meter to the outlet.
- You can also find a thick metal ring, cap and meter tamper tag.
Quick-Tip: Some electricity meters may have one electricity meter retaining ring, and some may have two.
Step 4 - Turn off the power
Then turn off the power. Go to the main panel, turn off all circuit breakers and don't forget to turn off the main circuit breaker as well.
Step 5 - Break the Seal
Then take wire cutters, cut and break the meter tamper tag.
You can now remove the meter retaining rings and the meter box cover (you may need to remove some screws). After that, you can replace or rearrange the electricity meter at your discretion.
Usually, when replacing a meter, it should snap into place exactly as it came loose from the original mount you installed. If you want to change the position of the meter, you need to remove the mount from the wall, which requires a bit more work and will require structural changes to your wall.
Quick-Tip: Take a non-conductive material such as plywood or a rubber mat. Place a rubber mat on the ground and stand on it during this step. This will prevent accidental electric shock.
What are the consequences of unauthorized removal of the blocking of the electricity meter?
It has now become commonplace in the US. Most people think they can get away with it after picking the meter lock. But in truth, unlocking the electricity meter without proper permission can get you into serious trouble. That's all punishment.
Fines
Most utility companies will fine you for this type of unauthorized activity. With any luck, the fine could amount to a $25 tag replacement. But in some cases, it can cost you around $2500.
Electricity theft allegations
Theft of electricity is considered a serious crime and you can faces several months or years in prison.
Shutdown of utilities
The utility will turn off your electricity. This can happen if you have tampered with the electricity meter several times.
Take a look at some of our articles below.
- How to hide the electrical panel in the yard
- What is smart power supply
- How to test a circuit breaker with a multimeter
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