Gas Meter Reading
#1
01-02-03, 05:24 PM
Gas Meter Reading
Once again, I'd like to thank those who helped me the other day and ask for your assistance at least one more time; Though, I am also currently contemplating a whole other delimna concerning the "other" gas heater and it's thermocouple/pilot light, but that's another story; I just felt that it was only fair to warn you that this most likely won't be the last time I bother you kind folks.
With that said; Today, I received my second gas bill and though my current query is related to what could easily be my next question; It can stand alone, because I'm new to metered natural gas and I'd really like to understand the meter.
My house is served by an Equimeter R-275; It has an odometer-like reading which matches the billing and which I use for math; Underneath this "odometer" are two small dials; Both are divided into equal sections and one is labeled "1/2 Foot" and the other is labeled "2 Feet"; I understand the workings of an electric meter, but "1/2 foot" and "2 feet" makes no sense to me because I'm under the impression that each click of the "odometer" measures a single foot.
If someone would be as kind as to explain exactly what these dials are measuring and whether or not each little division equals a 1/2 foot or if that measurement applies to a complete revolution; I'd be forever grateful.
Thanks in Advance;
R
With that said; Today, I received my second gas bill and though my current query is related to what could easily be my next question; It can stand alone, because I'm new to metered natural gas and I'd really like to understand the meter.
My house is served by an Equimeter R-275; It has an odometer-like reading which matches the billing and which I use for math; Underneath this "odometer" are two small dials; Both are divided into equal sections and one is labeled "1/2 Foot" and the other is labeled "2 Feet"; I understand the workings of an electric meter, but "1/2 foot" and "2 feet" makes no sense to me because I'm under the impression that each click of the "odometer" measures a single foot.
If someone would be as kind as to explain exactly what these dials are measuring and whether or not each little division equals a 1/2 foot or if that measurement applies to a complete revolution; I'd be forever grateful.
Thanks in Advance;
R
#2
01-02-03, 07:57 PM
Super Moderator
magister:
I am not familiar with these meters so my answer is somewhat generalised.
What you refer to as the odometer is your billable cu ft reading with possibly a multiplier of some sort.
Most meters will have a dial or dials of some sort to indicate smaller quantities than the main reading.
These are what worry most people when gas is being consumed because quite often they spin quite rapidly.
The half foot dial should go around four times for each revolution of the two foot dial.
My home is all electric with a 20 KW furnace in a cold climate.
Our meter is right next to our dining room window and can be seen from near the supper table.
Want to see an appetite be lost when my rotating dial is spinning from the stove cooking supper, furnace kicking in, drier running, shower in progress, lights blazing, cars warming, shop heating, pumps running, fridge cooling, freezer freezing, computer running.........................
Hey, I was in a good mood!
I am not familiar with these meters so my answer is somewhat generalised.
What you refer to as the odometer is your billable cu ft reading with possibly a multiplier of some sort.
Most meters will have a dial or dials of some sort to indicate smaller quantities than the main reading.
These are what worry most people when gas is being consumed because quite often they spin quite rapidly.
The half foot dial should go around four times for each revolution of the two foot dial.
My home is all electric with a 20 KW furnace in a cold climate.
Our meter is right next to our dining room window and can be seen from near the supper table.
Want to see an appetite be lost when my rotating dial is spinning from the stove cooking supper, furnace kicking in, drier running, shower in progress, lights blazing, cars warming, shop heating, pumps running, fridge cooling, freezer freezing, computer running.........................
Hey, I was in a good mood!
#3
01-02-03, 09:07 PM
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Hello: magister
I could write a book here about gas meters. That is after I stop laughing at the hilarious comment Greg made....
...Good one Greg....LMAO!
Anyway, the half foot dial is commonly refered to as the test dial. If all the pilots where turned off and no appliances where on, that test dial can be used to determine if any gas leaks where present.
If the dial pointer cannot remain fixed in one spot on the dial for a minimum of two minutes, it can be determined that a leak exists. The point hand must be in the up stroke and it must remain it a fixed set position for that period of time.
The test dial is used for this pupose by trained gas company service persons to determine if leakage exists. The 2 foot dial is more commonly used to determine if an appliance is operating at it's set BTU rating.
The furnace and water heater are the two most commonly clocked appliances. Clocked is the industries term when an appliance needs to be tested to very it's operating at it's rated capacity of btus.
As Greg mentioned, when a furnace is running, the water heater and dryer, toss in a range, oven and fireplace....those dials spin. Not to be highly concerned....the spin dials indicates high gas flow demand and plenty of your $$$$$ going to the utility...
Regards. Web Site Host & Multiple Topic Moderator.
TCB4U2B2B Company Enterprises. Energy Conservation Consultant & Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
I could write a book here about gas meters. That is after I stop laughing at the hilarious comment Greg made....
...Good one Greg....LMAO!Anyway, the half foot dial is commonly refered to as the test dial. If all the pilots where turned off and no appliances where on, that test dial can be used to determine if any gas leaks where present.
If the dial pointer cannot remain fixed in one spot on the dial for a minimum of two minutes, it can be determined that a leak exists. The point hand must be in the up stroke and it must remain it a fixed set position for that period of time.
The test dial is used for this pupose by trained gas company service persons to determine if leakage exists. The 2 foot dial is more commonly used to determine if an appliance is operating at it's set BTU rating.
The furnace and water heater are the two most commonly clocked appliances. Clocked is the industries term when an appliance needs to be tested to very it's operating at it's rated capacity of btus.
As Greg mentioned, when a furnace is running, the water heater and dryer, toss in a range, oven and fireplace....those dials spin. Not to be highly concerned....the spin dials indicates high gas flow demand and plenty of your $$$$$ going to the utility...
Regards. Web Site Host & Multiple Topic Moderator.
TCB4U2B2B Company Enterprises. Energy Conservation Consultant & Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
#5
01-03-03, 04:13 AM
Thanks; I can now use these dials for my own "troubleshooting" efforts, now that I have a better understanding of their purpose.
Thanks, again and because I'm halfway surprised that Tom didn't link-out one of his FYI's that I found very informative, though it didn't address this specific issue; But as a service to others, I went back and did another search and am including a link, below.
http://forum.doityourself.com/showth...threadid=73179
Thanks, again and because I'm halfway surprised that Tom didn't link-out one of his FYI's that I found very informative, though it didn't address this specific issue; But as a service to others, I went back and did another search and am including a link, below.
http://forum.doityourself.com/showth...threadid=73179
