What is a "master meter"?

A "master meter" is specifically designed to measure the total energy consumption of a particular customer or group of customers, such as an apartment complex or a factory, as it is owned and operated by the utility company. This meter provides critical data on the total amount of energy consumed so that the utility provider can calculate and bill the total for that account.

Master meters are often used in scenarios where multiple sub-metered units exist. This means that while individual units may have their meters for specific billing purposes, the master meter gives the utility a broader view of the total energy used. This not only aids the utility in managing consumption but also ensures accurate billing for the whole service area or complex.

The other options refer to different types of meters or functions:

• A meter for measuring total energy consumption for a neighborhood indicates a broader application but lacks the ownership aspect inherent in a master meter.

• A meter used for private internal billing usually refers to sub-meters that tenants or individual units may have, which are not owned by the utility.

• A meter that regulates energy distribution does not align with the fundamental purpose of a master meter, which is focused more on measurement than on the regulation of distribution.

Thus, the identification of the master meter as a watt-hour