Reading your electricity meter
We take a reading from every electricity meter in Berlin at least once a year, if the connection user has not commissioned a reading by an alternative measurement service.
In most cases, we try to take meter readings in person and on site. If this is not possible or not provided for, e.g. a meter on an allotment, we will send the customer a request for them to read their own meter.
Meter reading on site
The personally meter readings inside flats will done by employees of our service provider.
With your consent, the reader can enter your apartment and read the meter. It goes without saying that the reader wears a face mask and maintains the specified distances.
If the personal reading is not possible, we will send you a self-reading letter.
If the meter reader can get access to the meter, i.e. if it is installed in a central space or a stairwell, he will take the reading without contacting you.
Independent meter reading
On the agreed meter reading date, you can notify us of your meter status yourself:
- Online, via our website Online meter reading
Please have your postcode of the meter location, the meter number, the meter reading and the date of the reading to hand. - Over the phone
Please have the information given in the letter ready. - With a self-reading letter
We will automatically send you a request for self-reading if we were unable to read your meter on site. Please notice your meter reading and the reading date on the return form and send back the document within one week.
Questions and answers
Where can I find my meter?
An electricity meter can be installed in a variety of places.
- Apartment/flat/business premises
In an apartment, house or business premises, the meter is always installed in a meter cupboard or on a meter board with the fuses. - In a stairwell
The meter is installed in a meter cupboard with a viewing panel in the stairwell next to your apartment. - Central (basement) space
The meter for your apartment and/or business premises is installed in a central location along with the other meters for the building. In general, the local information for your apartment ist noted on the location of the meter.
Where can I find my meter number?
In the case of electromechanical meters, the meter number can be found on the device window.
In the case of electronic meters, you can find the meter number on the casing at the shield. The meter number is also known as a property number on most of the models and may have been extended to include a barcode.
For your Information we compiled a picture gallery with meter numbers at the bottom of this page.
Where can I find the reading card number?
The reading card number can be found at the self-reading letter top left below the data of the withdrawal point.
Where can I find my meter reading?
You can read the meter status directly from your electricity meter.
In the case of an electromechanical (Ferraris) meter, there will be a roller counter behind the viewing panel. Only the figures before the comma are relevant when recording the meter status. You must read both counters when looking at meters with tariff switching.
When using an electronic meter , you can take a meter reading from the first line in the display. The meter reading is always displayed along with the associated OBIS number with kWh behind. If the meter includes tariff switching or is also measuring energy feed in (e.g. if a photovoltaic panel is installed), the relevant meter statuses will be displayed alternately.
What is the OBIS number?
OBIS is an abbreviation of Object Identification System. The OBIS number is used as a unique identifier for measurement values (e.g. amount of electricity, meter status) and also for other data, to facilitate the electronic exchange of data between grid operators and energy suppliers.
The following OBIS numbers are relevant in most cases:
1.8.0
Meter status and/or work measured in kWh without tariff switching for the energy consumed
1.8.1
Meter status and/or work measured in kWh with tariff switching (high tariff) for the energy consumed
1.8.2
Meter status and/or work measured in kWh with tariff switching (low tariff) for the energy consumed
2.8.0
Meter status and/or work measured in kWh without tariff switching for the energy supplied (feed in)
What happen, when I no report a meter reading?
If we not receive a meter reading, we have to calculate your consumption respectively meter-reading for the grid use (power supply) according to legal regulations on the base of your previous year consumption.
Why does Stromnetz Berlin want my meter reading?
Under the Energy Industry Act (Energiewirtschaftsgesetz - EnWG) and the Measurement Point Operations Act (Messstellenbetriebsgesetz - MsbG), we are responsible for providing meters and for reading them, regardless of which energy supplier you are with. The use of our grid and the meter forms part of your energy supplier contract.
There is also a contractual relationship between us and your energy supplier which regulates, among other things, the use of our distribution grid to supply their customers with electricity at clearly defined withdrawal points. A meter reading is necessary for the customers involved in order to calculate grid usage.
We are permitted to determine the time of the reading in order to guarantee that grid operation is as economically viable as possible.
On this basis, we are responsible for providing meter readings to the energy supplier for each withdrawal point.
How will be announced the meter reading?
We will inform you of the upcoming meter reading by putting a leaflet on your door or in your postbox.
This notification will take place at least one week before the meter reading appointment.
Who is reading my meter on site?
We may commission service providers to take readings on site.
What does Stromnetz Berlin do with my meter reading?
The meter reading taken by us or provided by you will be used to calculate the use of our energy distribution grid with your energy supplier. When calculating grid usage we notify your energy supplier of the meter reading that we have documented.
This makes the meter reading available to your energy supplier and they will usually use the reading when invoicing for energy supply, i.e. for settling your contract.
What happen, if I report the meter reading to my power supplier?
If you notified your energy supplier of your meter reading after we notified you of the reading appointment, we may send you our self-reading card anyway. This situation would occur if your energy supplier has not informed us of your meter reading or has only provided the information after the self-reading card has already been sent.
- Your energy supplier is not obliged to forward your meter reading to us. Some energy suppliers do send us the results of the reading, which we will then keep on our records.
- There is also no obligation for us to ask the energy supplier for the results of meter readings.
This can give the impression that the energy supplier and the grid operator are not coordinated.
Please note that the supplier is also able to read your meter under the energy supplier agreement.