Meter entity

The meter entity represents a device that is used to measure and record one or more quantities at a meter point. A meter may act as a measuring device, a recording device, or both.

When a meter records a measured quantity, it may store the result electromechanically in the form of physical dials and needles, in electronic memory, or both.

A meter may measure either a single quantity or multiple quantities at a meter point. The physical characteristics and programming (for electronic meters) determine how many and which quantities a meter can measure.

For example, a standard residential meter measures only delivered kWh and records the result in a single set of dials on its meter face. A high‑end commercial and industrial (C&I) meter can be programmed to measure tens to hundreds of quantities simultaneously and to record the results electronically in memory.