Breaker Test with an AMI Meter

AMI Meter Display Breakdown

Note: The display is automatic and each segment will last about 3 seconds.

Meter Segment Test – All available display numbers and signals.

Sync Status and Signal Strength – This shows that the meter has synced to the network. The bar underneath the S indicates the strength of the signal. 

rH (Hops, ,and Radio Frequency Strength).

Registration Status – This indicates that the meter registered to the back office systems.

07 – kWh Total – This gives the overall usage in kilowatt hours since the meter was installed.

33 – kWh Received – The amount of kilowatt hours produced by a customer’s generation system, i.e. solar panel system.

08 – kW Max Demand – This represents the most power required at a single point in time.

V (Voltage) – This displays the total voltage or force the meter is receiving.

A (Amperage) – This displays the total amperes or current the meter is receiving.

W (Watt Demand) – This represents the most power currently required on the load side of the meter. Useful for performing a breaker test.

How to Do a Breaker Test with a AMI Meter

Breaker tests can help you learn which appliances have the most impact on your electricity usage, troubleshoot a power draw of which you might not be aware, or identify a problem such as a short circuit.

To perform a breaker test, you will need one person at the breaker or fuse box and one person at the meter. If possible, an electrician should help with this test.

When you perform a test, it’s important that appliances that heat, pump or cool – such as your electric water heater, heat pump, electric heaters, space heaters, hot tub, oven, or washer and dryer – are running so you can note how they affect your usage. For example, you should turn on your hot water faucet until the water heater comes on or turn on your electric space heater to allow the test to show how your meter display for W (Watt Demand) is affected.

1. Your meter will show a value that represents Watt demand. This represents the power needed to run everything that is on in the home or business. Should you turn an additional appliance on the number will increase. Should you turn an appliance off the number will decrease.
   
2. When starting a breaker test, shut off the main breaker. The value on this specific display should show 0 after the main breaker is in the off position.
   
3. Leaving each individual breaker off, turn the main breaker back on.
   
4. Turn an individual breaker on and let it run for 2 minutes. Record the number that appears on the display. Turn off that specific breaker and repeat with each individual breaker until all circuits are tested.
   
5. Use the information you gathered to confirm which appliances are connected to each circuit and perform any additional research into areas where you identify the highest usage.
   
6. When complete, reset clocks and other items that would normally need to be reset after a power interruption.
   

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Please contact our Customer Service Center at 973-2000 or 1-855-363-7211 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, if you have any questions.