How to use Meter ID

Learn how to set up Meter ID entries to charge multiple tariffs from a single Meter, and how to enter and track readings for each tariff separately.

Table of Contents

Note: When to use this Step 1. Create Meter IDs for a Meter Note: Step 2. Enter readings manually in the Meter Journal or via Excel import/export Step 3. Review readings and prices per tariff

Use Meter ID when a single Meter needs to track more than one tariff for the same type of consumption, for example a day tariff and a night tariff for electricity, measured by the same physical device but billed under different Services and prices.

Note:

The Meter must already exist on the Meter Card, and a separate Service with its own Service Price must be created for each tariff before you set up Meter IDs. See How to create a new Meter and assign it to the Lease Units and How to create Service Sales Prices.

When to use this

Use Meter ID when:

  • One Meter needs to charge more than one tariff under different Services (for example, day/night electricity rates).
  • Each tariff needs its own reading history, even though all tariffs are read from the same physical Meter.

Step 1. Create Meter IDs for a Meter

  1. Open the Meter Card for the Meter.
  2. Choose the Meter ID List action.
  1. Choose +New and create one line for each tariff.
  2. Enter the ID, a short code for the tariff, for example DAY.
  3. Enter a Description, for example "Day tariff".
  4. Select the Service No. this tariff should be billed under.
  5. Enter a Coefficient if the reading difference needs to be multiplied before posting. The default value is 1.
  6. Repeat for the other tariff, for example ID = NIGHT.

Note:

The Meter Code field on the Meter ID List is not editable. It is set automatically to the Meter you opened Meter ID List from.

Step 2. Enter readings manually in the Meter Journal or via Excel import/export

  1. Open the Meter Journal.
  2. Enter Posting Date, Reading's Date and Meter No. as usual.
  3. Enter the Meter ID to specify which tariff this line's reading belongs to.

Service No. is filled in automatically from the selected Meter ID, and Read-out From is filled in from the last posted reading for that same Meter No. and Meter ID, so each tariff keeps its own reading history.

  1. Enter Read-out To for each line and post the journal as usual.

The Meter Journal's Export to Excel/Import from Excel actions also support Meter ID. If Meter ID is used, the exported file will already have separate rows per Meter ID for meters that have several tariffs. Fill in the readings against those rows, matching each one to its indicated Meter ID.

See How to enter Meter readings for the full import/export steps.

  1. Post meter readings.

Step 3. Review readings and prices per tariff

  1. Open the Meter ID List for the Meter, as in Step 1.
  2. Select the tariff line you want to review.
  3. Choose Meter ID Entries to open Meter Ledger Entries filtered to that Meter No. and Meter ID.
  1. Choose Service Prices to open the Service Prices for the Service linked to that tariff.