3. Elements common to all electricity meters

An electricity meter, whether electromechanical or electronic, always comprises a number of components, each with a clearly defined functional role.

The volume of the housing can range from a fraction of a cubic decimeter for the simplest to a few cubic decimeters for the most complex. It comprises the following parts:

• a rigid base that can be mounted on a wall or inside an enclosure;

• a rigid cover made either entirely of transparent material, or of opaque material with one or more transparent windows to allow observation of rotor movement (for electromechanical meters) and reading of the indicating element; it fits onto the base by means of a fastening system capable of supporting seals preventing unauthorized persons from opening the meter.

The...