Meter Readers Gather to Gauge High-Tech Advances

In San Diego and many other American cities, meter readers walk through neighborhoods with hand-held devices that have information on residents, their homes, their dogs and sometimes even their lawns.

But in the not-too-distant future, readings will be transmitted to a van equipped with computers that can record about 3,000 meter-readings daily.

Technological advances are ending the days of meter readers knocking on doors or fleeing from fierce dogs as the familiar task of registering gas, electricity and water readings advances into a new technological age.

The 10th annual meter-reading conference, held in San Diego this week with 343 delegates and more than 40 representatives from meter-reader manufacturers, showcased advances in the field of utility readings.

Less than 15 years ago, meter readers used ledgers and punch cards. Those methods were replaced with automatic, hand-held readers, which are now being replaced by microprocessors.

The conference brings experts together to discuss industry developments, compare notes about manufacturers and view new products, said Chuck Johnson, meter-reading general supervisor for San Diego Gas & Electric and chairman for this year’s conference.

Meter-reading companies from North America, Australia and Bermuda send representatives, Johnson said.

New equipment ranges from simple hand-held readers to sophisticated warning devices against dogs or hazardous situations, he said.

On approaching a dangerous neighborhood or unfriendly canine, many of the devices are programmed to beep warnings, Johnson said.

“A lot of people don’t realize the risk (meter readers) take when they go into each yard,” Johnson said. “They go into areas where police ride double. The utility company has the responsibility to go in because (the residents) are paying customers.”

But safety is not the only goal of new products. Every year manufacturers develop new ways of raising productivity and accuracy, Johnson said. They design more accurate devices, such as one that gives a certain range in which the reading should be; if the reading is off, it will beep and warn the reader about the mistake, he said.

John C. Mulliking, sales director for ESCAN, a Minneapolis-based meter-reading manufacturing company, said although the conference is not the company’s main marketing medium, it helps them assess the competition.