Fitting a electrical prepayment meter.

mikeforde8 · Oct 21, 2011

Hi all , forgive the (Newbee) I am in Domestic Electrical and I need to install a coin meter in my work shop is there any advice available please. I have purchased a meter but I have no idea how it fixes to the wall .
The information on the meter says if the seals are broken then the guarantee is void so I am afraid to meddle to much.
The meter is made by Smiths Meters London and is Type A.P.M single Ph Prepayment Meter 50 Cycles.So any info would be very gratefuly received.
Regards Mike.

If I am on the wrong forum please point me towards the correct one.

trev · Oct 21, 2011

Do not do this yourself mate! Contact your DNO/electricity supplier they will come and fit one for you. The one you have bought is more than likely dodgy/stolen

telectrix · Oct 21, 2011

Maybe this is going to be a sub-meter. if that's the case, then by undoing the cover over the terminals, access to the fixings is available. the top fixing being generally on a keyhole, so you fix the screw then hang it on like a picture. then it's a simple matter of isolating the supply and breaking the L and N with the meter.

trev · Oct 21, 2011

Never thought of that tel.

vernam616 · Oct 21, 2011

Yep

Would fit it inline between the meter and consumer unit, however unless you have a DPO (double pole isolator), you would have to cut the seals on the main fuse which is a no no ( i know theres plenty who do it )

If you are not confident, call a electrician out

telectrix · Oct 21, 2011

definitely need more info. can the supply be safely and legally isolated? is it a sub-meter for personal usage monitoring/payment?

mikeforde8 · Oct 21, 2011

Hi , thanks for the reply, the power to the workshop can be easily shut down, runs on a 30amp trip from a house i need to install a meter to be able to pay upfront for the electric used and not to be guesstimated by the house owner.
So I understand that the meter simply hangs as would a picture? connection would then be made is that correct.
IE- LIVE - NEG ) IN from power source ( LIVE - NEG ) To fuse box

regards mike

vernam616 · Oct 21, 2011

Does the prepayment meter have a price adjustable setting on it?

as i presume all the cash from the meter will go to the houseowner to pay the electricity bill

Better option would be to install a normal meter in-line, homeowner can record the reading each month and calculate from the bill of how much you will owe

telectrix · Oct 21, 2011

if its a standard meter, the top fixing is a hang it on a screw type and the bottom fixing holes are accessed when you remove the terminal cover. connections are (from left to right) Lin,Nin,Nout,Lout. the N's are generally linked internally and can be checked with a ohm meter before fitting.

vernam616 · Oct 21, 2011

Isolate the supply to the consumer unit

cut the cables wherever you want to mount the meter (try pull some slack for termination)

Live & Neutral from 30a trip into the feed side of the meter and live and Neutral going to the consumer unit into the LOAD side of the meter