Ever wonder what that electric meter on the side of your home does or who’s in charge of fixing it if something goes wrong? You’re not alone. Here’s a quick breakdown of what AEP Ohio handles and what your responsibility is as the homeowner.
First, what’s the electric meter for?
Your meter measures in kilowatt-hours (kWh) how much electricity your home uses. In other words, if you run an appliance that uses 1 kilowatt (kW) for one hour, your meter will show 1 kWh.
The meter is usually a round device mounted to the outside of your home and plugged into a metal box called a meter socket. AEP Ohio then reads the meter, telling us how much power you’ve used each month.
What AEP Ohio takes care of
In most cases, there are two key pieces of equipment we maintain:
- The electric meter itself. That’s the device we read each month, either remotely or manually. If the meter malfunctions or is damaged, we’ll fix or replace it.
- The service line. Whether it’s overhead from a pole or buried underground, this is the line that connects your home to the grid. While AEP Ohio is usually responsible for this line, some customers own it.
What you’re responsible for
As the homeowner, you’re in charge of the parts that surround the meter and connect it to your home’s electrical system.
- Meter socket — this includes the metal box or base the meter plugs into.
- Conduit and service entrance cable — these are the wires and protective coverings that run from the meter to your breaker and into your home.
- Main disconnect, breaker panel or fuse box — anything past the meter, inside or outside your home, falls under your care.
- Telecom lines and anything else connected to your home.
Example: If a storm pulls the overhead line away from your house and damages the meter socket, you’ll need to call a licensed electrician to repair it before we can restore service.
Another example: If the meter stops working or appears damaged but the socket and wiring are intact, we’ll come out and fix or replace it at no cost to you.
What’s on a meter
Common residential electric meter equipment
Not sure whom to call?
If you’re ever unsure about what you’re responsible for, give us a call at 800-672-2231 or visit AEPOhio.com. It’s always better to ask than guess, especially when it’s a matter of safety.
Speaking of safety, if you’re thinking about planting a tree or bush on your property, doing so near electrical equipment can cause problems. Read these planting tips to avoid issues.
