Your electricity meter

The approximate date is printed at the top right of the front page of your electricity bill.

Our meter reader can visit two business days before or one day after this date. There might be times these dates vary due to bad weather, injury or other unforeseen events.

We read meters on weekdays from 7.30am to sunset.

When signing up to our SMS and email updates, you can also choose to receive reminders about when we will read your meter.

If you would like to provide your own reading, this can only be done with your electricity retailer. Please contact your retailer to find out how to submit one for your account.

If we are unable to access the meter, we’ll leave an orange card in your letter box. The card will explain why we were unable to access the meter and take a reading.

You can help us by:

• keeping dogs restrained or away from your meter
• contacting us to advise the best way to access your meter
• using an approved utility lock to secure your meter box or gates
• using a combination lock and contacting us to advise of the combination
• keeping your meter clear of vegetation, insects, vehicles and other equipment
• moving your meter box if it becomes blocked by new fences or buildings.

For safety reasons, our people are not permitted to enter your property unless the dog is securely restrained or isolated.

We consider a dog is suitably restrained when it is:

• placed behind a closed door in the house or other suitable building (e.g. shed) and our people are convinced the dog cannot escape the building
• placed securely in a yard or area completely separated from where our work is needed (i.e. locked behind a fence), and our people are convinced the dog cannot escape the area
• isolated by either a substantial rope or chain secured to an appropriate anchor point on the ground or to a fixed fitting to ensure our safe access to the work area. If you chain your dog, please remember you are responsible for ensuring they have appropriate water, shade and food.

If you are holding your dog by hand, such as by a leash or collar, or you have the dog in your arms, this is not adequate. We may consider the premises unsafe to enter.

Our people will use their best endeavours to determine if a dog is in a yard we are attempting to enter using visual clues such as: water/food bowls, toys, bones, kennels, etc. Entry will not be attempted unless it can be determined it is safe.

You can install a utility lock on the meter box, or on any relevant access point such as a gate.

We hold a master key for a utility lock which will allow us access to the meter. Contact a locksmith who is part of the Master Locksmiths Association to purchase this lock.

It’s important to let your retailer know of any new locks you install.

If you use a private lock, it's best to use a combination lock, and provide us with the combination by contacting us.

You can also provide a copy of the key to a private lock or gate via post to:

SA Power Networks
 Attention:
 Meter Data Group
 GPO Box 77
 Adelaide SA 5001

Along with your key you must also provide the following information:

• your name
• your phone number
• your NMI number (found on your electricity bill)
• details about what the key is for (e.g. unlocking a side gate).

All private keys we receive are strictly monitored and in no way identify the property for which they provide access. Keys will be used for meter reading and special read access only and cannot be used for connection or disconnections of power supply.

The key will be returned to you, if possible, when you move out, or when a smart meter installed. If we are not able to return the key within 6 months, it will be destroyed.

A smart meter is a digital device that measures your energy use in real-time. It records your electricity consumption every five minutes, with the data collected remotely and sent to your energy retailer for billing. Once installed, there’s no need for anyone to visit your property to manually read the meter.  

Generally, you can tell if you have either a (newer) smart meter or a legacy (old) meter by looking at it. If you’re still unsure, you can contact your electricity retailer.

The images below show an example of an older or legacy accumulation meter and a newer smart meter.

Example of a legacy basic accumulation meter	Example of a newer digital Smart Meter

• Remote meter reading
  No more estimated bills or waiting for a meter reader to visit your property. Your usage data is sent automatically, which means more accurate and timely billing.
• Better insight into energy use
  Smart meters record your electricity usage in short intervals. This data can help you track when and how you use electricity, making it easier to spot ways to save.
• Access to new tariff options
  With a smart meter, you may be able to choose a Time of Use tariff. This means electricity can be cheaper at certain times of day, letting you save if you shift some of your usage to off-peak hours.
• Remote connection and disconnection
  Moving house or switching retailers becomes easier. With a smart meter, supply can often be turned on or off remotely, saving time and avoiding site visits.
• Supports renewable energy and smart technology
  Smart meters make it easier to connect and manage solar panels, battery storage systems, and electric vehicle chargers

You do not need to wait for your retailer to contact you to install a smart meter. You can request one be installed if, for example, you would like to remove the need to have regular readings at your property. You will need to install a smart meter if you connect a new property or if you want to install new energy technologies such as solar.

Sometimes the electrician installing the smart meter finds issues: asbestos panels, no space in the board, wiring that doesn’t meet standards, lack of a main switch, or no safe isolation point. These problems need to be fixed before they can install a smart meter.

Because the meter board is on your property, you would be responsible for paying to upgrade or repair it so that a new meter can be safely installed.

While the roll-out is mandatory, you retain the right to refuse to fix site defects, such as problems with your meter board.

You can learn more about your rights in the Energy Charter's Smart Meter Customer Code.