50 N. H. Agricultural Experiment Station [Bulletin 266 



Metering. 



Various methods of metering farms have been found to have a cor- 

 responding variety of results. During the first year of the experi- 

 mental work, all the farms were served on a two or three meter basis 

 covering respectively, light, heat and power service. Early in the 

 second year one company changed to the single meter basis with com- 

 bination rate and other companies have since adopted the same plan. 



The multi-meter plan has been found to have several drawbacks 

 from the stand])oint of farmer and utility alike. To the farmer it 

 means tliat to secure the proper economic results heating appliances 

 and power appliances must be wired back to the proper circuit at the 

 meter board, regardless of whether the equipment requires special wir- 

 ing or not. This on farms where the operations may be spread over 

 quite an area, means added expense of installation and sometimes re- 

 fusal to use equipment for this reason only. Where the appliance 

 makes a heavy demand, special wiring is necessary under any condi- 

 tion, but for smaller units the multi-meter system tends to restrain the 

 free use of equipment rather than to induce it. The single-meter com- 

 bination rate eliminates this difficulty by reducing special wiring to a 

 minimum. It also tends toward simplicity — always an advantage. 



To the utility the multi-meter method, over the single meter has sev- 

 eral disadvantages. The investment in meters and their service re- 

 quirements are doubled or trebled. Costs of reading and accounting 

 are increased. Three rates instead of one must be worked out and 

 maintained. Greater possibilities of mistakes in accounts exist. It 

 also becomes necessary, under this method, to classify operations as to 

 whether they are of a light, heat or power nature. For example, an 

 electric incubator may use 1,500 to 3,000 watts in heating elements, 

 and also involve a 1/4 h. p. motor in continuous operation. While this 

 would be classed as a heating appliance and connected to the heat 

 meter, we are then confronted with the question of rate on that meter : 

 is it designed for household or combination use ? If it is not economical 

 for that particular use, shall it be made an exception and subject to 

 special conditions? 



From the experience of the past seven years it is very evident that 

 there is very much to commend the single-meter combination rate plan 

 and very little to commend the multi-meter system. 



Service Entrances. 



During the first few years of the experiment there were relatively 

 few occasions where 220-volt service was of any consequence; most 

 equipment of that time was found to be satisfactory on 110 volts. Dur- 

 ing the last two oi- three years, however, it has become more and more 

 apparent that tlie active farm will develop uses that require this type 

 of service. On the dairy farm hot water heaters (in which speed is a 

 factor) and sterilizers are best operated from 220 volts. Likewise, 

 some heating e(iuipment on the poultry farm may be best served in 

 this way. Long runs to pump houses are not uncommon and frequent- 

 ly may be best handled with 220 volts. 



