The Electricity Meter: Measurement System or Measuring Instrument? Vacatio Legis

Abstract

The electricity meter installed in all household utilities is the instrument used to measure the electricity consumed by
users. The energy consumed is displayed on the screen in each instrument. In addition to performing the measuring
function it is also used for sending the power consumption data remotely, for the subsequent issuance of the energy
bill. This latter function of the electricity meter (sending data remotely) creates many problems of both technical and
legal nature as the consumption shown in the display are not considered in the process of setting energy bills. These
problems affect public faith and the presence of estimated data in the bill is an indicator of unreliability of the billing
system. The subject is dealt with the support of the decision of the supreme judges of the European High Court in a
similar case and a solution to this legal vacuum is proposed.