What is the primary use of electric meters?

Electric meters are primarily used to measure the amount of electricity consumed by a residential or commercial facility over a specific period of time. This measurement is crucial for determining the energy costs borne by consumers, as utility companies base billing on the amount of electricity used. Electric meters track usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh), providing both the utility company and the consumer with vital data regarding consumption patterns.

Understanding energy consumption is essential for managing electrical costs and for efficiency improvements, which is why electric meters are a fundamental aspect of energy management in any electrical system. Other devices might monitor different types of utilities or serve different functions, but the primary role of electric meters is focused clearly on electricity measurement.