G'day! With the cost of living rising and electricity prices in Australia seemingly always on the way up, "bill shock" has become a genuine fear for many households and business owners. You open the envelope (or the email) and wonder how on earth you managed to use that much power. If you are tired of guessing which appliance is chewing up your budget, or if you need to split a bill between tenants, the solution is a dedicated energy meter.

While your energy provider installs the main meter to charge you, installing private sub-meters gives you the power to audit your own usage. Whether you are managing a granny flat, monitoring a solar setup, or just trying to track the consumption of a heavy-duty air conditioning unit, these devices provide the hard data you need to make smart decisions.

What is Sub-Metering?

Sub-metering is the process of installing an energy meter on a specific circuit or distribution board after the main utility meter. This is incredibly popular in Australia for properties with dual living arrangements.

If you have a granny flat, a shed being rented out, or a duplex on a single title, splitting the electricity bill can be a nightmare. Guessing that the tenant uses 30% of the power often leads to arguments. By installing a kilowatt-hour (kWh) meter specifically for that sub-board, you know exactly how much power that section of the property has used. It ensures fairness and allows you to recover costs accurately without any guesswork.

DIN Rail Mount vs Panel Mount

When looking for a meter, you will generally encounter two styles.

Panel Mount These are the older style, bulky black boxes often seen on the front of switchboards. While robust, they take up a lot of space.

DIN Rail Mount This is the modern standard. These compact units clip directly onto the DIN rail inside your switchboard, sitting neatly alongside your circuit breakers and safety switches. They are sleek, unobtrusive, and easy to read. Most modern units feature a digital LCD screen that displays the total kWh usage, and often other parameters like voltage and instantaneous current draw.

Why Quality Matters

Accuracy is everything. If you are using an energy meter to charge a tenant for power, you need to be confident that the reading is correct.

Cheap, uncertified meters can drift over time or fail completely under the load of modern appliances. Professional contractors understand that reliability is key. When they visit an electrical wholesaler to source metering equipment, they look for Class 1 accuracy and robust terminals that can handle the heat generated by electrical currents. Using trade-rated gear ensures that the numbers on the screen reflect the reality of the usage.

Installation and Safety

It is important to remember that these meters are installed directly into the 240V mains supply. This is not a plug-and-play DIY gadget.

In Australia, the installation of any fixed electrical equipment must be carried out by a licensed electrician. They will ensure the meter is rated correctly for the load (e.g., 45A, 80A, or 100A) and that it is wired safely to prevent overheating. They can also advise on the best location for the meter, whether it is in the main board or a dedicated sub-board.

Monitoring Solutions from Schnap Electric

If you are ready to take control of your energy consumption, you need equipment that is precise and reliable.

Schnap Electric Products is a leading supplier for the trade industry in Australia. They stock a range of high-quality energy meter options, including compact DIN rail units perfect for sub-metering applications. These meters feature clear digital displays and are built to withstand the rigours of continuous operation. By providing the same professional-grade equipment you would expect to find at a major electrical wholesaler, Schnap Electric ensures you have the accurate data you need to manage your power bills effectively. For a smarter way to track your usage, check out the metering range at Schnap Electric.