Meter is on but no electricity? Check your switchboard to ensure the main switch hasn’t been turned off. Next, identify that the power meter is the correct one. Otherwise contact your power company because you may have a blown pole fuse.
Are you scratching your head wondering why your meter is on but theres no electricity? This post is for you. In this post, I’ll go into 4 different reasons why the meter is still running despite having no power. I’ll discuss simple fixes like resetting breakers to bigger problems like half-blown pole fuses, which may require getting in contact with your local power company.
Either way, I hope this post can give you some useful information when talking to either an electrician or your local power company.
Meter Is On But No Electricity – Reason #1
Circuit Breaker Has Tripped
The first place you should check if your meter is on but you have no electricity is your main switchboard.
The cause of no power might simply be a tripped circuit breaker or RCD. You will be able to tell because you will see circuit breakers in the down position. Check the labelling on the circuit breakers. If you see a circuit breaker labelled ‘Power’ or something similar, and this breaker is in the down position, then you might have found the cause of the problem. To reset the breaker, simply press the breaker into the ‘up’ position. Tripped breakers can be caused by short circuits and ground faults. If this hasn’t changed anything and you still don’t have power then move on to the next possible reason why you the meter is on but you have no electricity.
Meter Is On But No Electricity – Reason #2
Main Switch Is Off
In your switchboard, the next thing you should check is whether or not the main switch has been turned off.
In most cases, the Main switch is the red-coloured circuit breaker. The main switch controls the power to your entire house, but it comes after the meter.
This means that the meter can still be running while having no power to the house. If this is the case and your main switch is in the down position then reset the main switch and see if that resolves your problem.
Meter Is On But No Electricity – Reason #3
The Meter Belongs To Another Property
This applies to people who have multiple meters, either in their meter box or switchboard. This can be common on properties that have been sub-divided.
If you have multiple meters inside your meter box then it is a good idea to confirm which one belongs to which house. Often when there are multiple meters, it can be difficult to work out which one is yours.
If you know which sub fuse or breaker belongs to your property then you might be able to trace the cable back to the meter to identify which one is yours.
It is possible that the meter which is ‘on’ actually belongs to another power user or house.
If this is the case then the likely problem originates from your pole fuse, or plinth fuse, as explained below.
Meter Is On But No Electricity – Reason #4
Half Blown Fuse Or Damaged Pole Fuse
A pole fuse is a fuse between the meter box and the transformer. I’ll use the term pole fuse in this article, even though this fuse might not necessarily be located on a power pole at your location.
For example, you might have this fuse located in a pillar or plinth outside your property.
Whichever way you have it at your property, the purpose of this fuse is to rapidly disconnect the electricity between the main switch at your meter box and the transformer going to overhead powerlines – in the case of a fault.
If this pole fuse has blown, or even partially blown, it will lead to a loss of electricity.
I’ve experienced times when the pole fuse has partially blown.
Because the fuse hasn’t completely blown, a very small connection can still allow some electricity to flow.
Just enough for a power meter to run, but not the normal 230 volts you’d need to run standard appliances. A digital power meter doesn’t need much to operate.
This is why you will notice that the meter is on but no electricity is available to run anything else.
A damaged pole fuse can cause the same problem. For example, a damaged pole fuse may allow a small voltage through into your system – enough to run a meter, but not enough to power any appliances.
This very small connection can also be caused by something like debris crossing terminals when the fuse has blown.
Conclusion
Meter is on but no electricity? Hopefully, this post has given you some useful information about how you can solve this problem.
It can be caused by something as simple as a tripped circuit breaker or main switch to something more serious such as a blown (or half-blown) pole fuse.
If you are still unsure then it is a good idea to get in contact with a registered electrician. Although electricians can be expensive, knowing why this problem might be happening will help save you money and time when dealing with them.
What You Can Do
- If you know someone with this problem and think it might help them please share this post.
- Download our free guide on how you can save money on electrician bills