replacing manual meters for better service

From Press, Staff Reports

The Natchez Trace Electric Power Association is phasing out manual-read meters in the Eupora area for ones that will be read by computer directly into the office.

Last spring, the NTEPA board approved the installation of about 7,500 automatic meter-reading modules in the Houston district, according to General Manager Joe Boehms. Board members approved spending nearly $1 million to purchase AMRs from Hunt Technologies. They were among the first in the state to do so.

Boehms said about 3,500 meters in the Eupora district will be converted this year to AMR by contractor, Sooner Meter Services, and later in the Calhoun City district, probably in 2008.

The new meter can be identified by an amber light that blinks about every four seconds.

"This is something I've been saying a long time that we've needed," said Boehms. "The advanced technology identifies bad connections and should improve our line losses significantly."

In addition to providing more accurate readings than those conducted by humans, the meters will have the future capability to connect and disconnect service from the office. It also sends a constant signal from the customer to the substation, helping the association locate trouble quicker and easier.

"It's going to pay itself back in an estimated five to six years after full deployment," said James Pettit, superintendent of substations and metering.

The association's five contracted meter readers continue checking traditional units. They have generally supported the new system, Boehms said, adding that they understand the need to upgrade technology.

Boehms said the new meters will likely not affect customer billing.

This report was compiled from articles that originally appeared in The Chickasaw Journal & Times-Post and "Today in Mississippi," the official publication of the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi.