Measurement for Billing

Billing is the process that allows energy suppliers or their representatives to invoice their customers according to a defined contract, for measured usages or services.

These applications are covered by international, regional or local standards in addition to utility specifications. Regulations such as MID in Europe or NMI M-6 in Australia, LBM-EG-07 in Canada, JJG 596 in China … can apply additionally.

These applications are intended to protect the energy consumers and energy providers against incorrect or fraudulent metering. In most cases the meter used by the energy provider is installed at the consumer location, this is why attention is focused on avoiding frauds. This intent is achieved through setting out requirements:

• on meter performance (accuracy of active electrical energy meters, construction of meters where a third party assessment may be requested)
• on securing meters against tampering (sealing of the meter housing, securing the metrologically relevant software, securing the meter configuration parameters and interfaces)
• on marking of meters, including marking of manufacturing year in order to allow accuracy verification with a time interval defined by national codes.

Devices for billing applications are devices with specific legal metrology requirements, and are then subject to specific requirements such as periodic verification (usually every 6 to 10 years) according to local regulations.