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View Full Version : Does anyone know what this thing is?


TomWS
Jun 12, 2009, 02:31 PM
This 'meter looking' gadget is attached to the load center of this house I recently purchased. I thought the utility company 'owned' this but the utility company claims they have no idea what it is.

Unfortunately I don't have a photo of the front of the device and I'm hoping that someone might recognize it. I won't be back to the house until August so can't take any more photos...

Tom

tkrussell
Jun 12, 2009, 02:38 PM
Can you provide the model number?

I see it is Westinghouse.

Looks like a revenue meter.

TomWS
Jun 12, 2009, 03:03 PM
I won't be able to get a part number off it until I return in August or can talk one of my local buddies to brave the slimy crawlspace and see if they can find a number.

Where I come from, they shoot 'revenue-ers'...

Would a 'revenue meter' be used if the location (or portion thereof) was used for rental purposes? It may have been in the past.

Tom

Washington1
Jun 12, 2009, 03:27 PM
Definitely a meter. Looks like it was being used to record a renters (or etc) power use. Bascially was installed for revenue purposes--as TK said. Interesting! I would like to see the inside of the panel.

TomWS
Jun 12, 2009, 06:56 PM
I'll post photos when I open it up. Might even have to put this lovely piece of engineering on eBay. :D

Tom

ohb0b
Jun 13, 2009, 01:19 AM
My mother has a similar set up. She has a small building on her property which she rents out.

The building is served by a sub panel from her service. There is a separate revenue meter on the sub panel. This meter is not owned or read by the utility.

Every month, when she gets her electric bill, she reads the meter on the outbuilding, and bills her tenant.

TomWS
Jun 21, 2009, 08:15 AM
Here is a front view of the unit, photo taken by a friend of mine. It appears that this unit is in line with the Electric Hot Water heater circuit.

Would this be used for a remote HW heater On/Off controller? So the HW heater could be turned off without going into the crawl space? If so, does anyone know what kind of control would be used in the living space? I have not found any 'wired in' switch to control this.

Tom

tkrussell
Jun 21, 2009, 08:36 AM
It probably is related to this CMP program:

http://www.cmpco.com/MediaLibrary/3/6/Content%20Management/Suppliers%20And%20Partners/PDFs%20and%20Doc/sect23.pdf

TomWS
Jun 21, 2009, 08:49 AM
Wow, thanks for the fast response AND the link! Yes, this makes perfect sense. Now I have to figure out how to return this to CMP since they claimed no knowledge of it...

The link should help me explain it to them.

Thanks for all your help.
Tom
PS: My buddy also took a photo of the inside of the existing load center so I could see how easy it will be to separate the ground and neutral. I'll be posting that photo in my other posting, which you've also been a great help...

ballengerb1
Jun 21, 2009, 09:42 AM
I agree with the cycling idea. Looks totally different than the ones I have but it looks like the power company can send out a radio signal to interrupt power when then want. Check your electric bill very closely for any small reduction for allowing this service, usually about $6 per month.