This document is not intended to teach you how to install an Electronic energy prepayment meter, it will only help you to know what to do and expect during prepayment meter installation. It will empower you to monitor the installation of your Electronic electric energy prepayment meter and ensure that the power holding company of Nigeria, PHCN, technician does the right thing.
Note your last Meter Reading
In case you already have the old metering unit, you must ensure you copy down your last meter reading on the old unit before the new Electronic energy-metering unit is installed. This is important because if you do not have the last meter reading of your old unit you may be given an estimated bill for the last month, which you must pay before you can configure your Electronic meter smartcard. The prepayment meter smart card is used mostly for loading energy credit into your prepayment energy meter.
Metering Unit should be accessible to PHCN
The electric energy prepayment meter will most likely be mounted on a wall. A wooden mount will first be installed for the Electronic system. The wooden mount of the old unit can also be used. The Prepayment meter must be installed where it will be easily assessable to the user and the power holding company (PHCN).
The energy-metering unit should be easily accessible to the power company (PHCN) and hence must be installed in an outdoor environment. This will enable the power company to monitor your Electronic meter’s performance. It will also enable the power company to easily detect energy cheats or tampering. The energy-metering unit must be properly covered with the cover provided. This will protect it from the elements.
The Monitor Unit is yours
On the other hand, the monitor unit of the prepayment meter should be easily accessible to the energy consumer. It must be installed within the height range of the energy consumer. You would not like to use a ladder each time you want to recharge your prepayment meter.
The Electronic prepayment meter must be installed above the reach of children. This point is very important as these new Electronic units are not as ugly as the old ones and with their colorful light may look attractive to kids.
It is possible for the two units to be installed in the same place if it is convenient for both parties (Power Company and customer). However, if a convenient location cannot be found for the installation of both units of the Electronic meter then they must be installed separately. In such a situation the power company (PHCN) must decide where is most convenient for the energy-metering unit while you (the customer) decide the best place for the monitor unit.
In order to save the communication cable, the power company technicians may prefer installing both units of the Electronic energy prepayment meter in the same location. However, you must insist that the monitor unit be installed in a convenient place for you (the customer). This must be indoors. By the way, the communication cable connects the energy-metering unit to the monitor unit
Once you are through with these decisions, the power company technician should now install the new Electronic energy prepayment meter.
