# Prepayment energy meter

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/prepayment-energy-meter
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-28
Lookup label: kWh
Drawing use: SLD, Schematic
Reference families: IEC, Manufacturer

Energy meter with credit control that disconnects supply through an integral switch when credit is used up.

## In plain English

### What does Prepayment energy meter mean?

A prepayment meter combines an energy register with a credit system and a supply switch. When credit is exhausted the switch opens the supply, so on the schematic the meter includes or controls a load switch in the main circuit as well as its measuring element.

### A simple example

The integral switch is a disconnection device rather than protection. The symbol does not show emergency credit arrangements or which circuits are supplied through the switch, and essential loads may need to be wired so they are not interrupted.

### What the drawings help you do

Identify which circuits pass through the meter's switch. Check that protection is provided separately. A prepayment meter can switch the supply off; an ordinary energy meter only measures.

### This particular reference

Energy meter with credit control that disconnects supply through an integral switch when credit is used up. A prepayment meter can switch the supply off; an ordinary energy meter only measures.

### Terms

- Terminal: An identified point where a conductor connects.
- Schematic: A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance.

Concept diagram: Identify the device and form → Read the connections and state → Check the equipment reference
A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.

- [IEC graphical symbols for diagrams](https://tc3.iec.ch/tc-activity/graphical-symbols-for-diagrams/)
- [Power and energy measurement quantities](https://www.se.com/ph/en/faqs/FA343278/)


## What it represents

A prepayment meter combines an energy register with a credit system and a supply switch. When credit is exhausted the switch opens the supply, so on the schematic the meter includes or controls a load switch in the main circuit as well as its measuring element.
The integral switch is a disconnection device rather than protection. The symbol does not show emergency credit arrangements or which circuits are supplied through the switch, and essential loads may need to be wired so they are not interrupted.

## How to read it

- Identify which circuits pass through the meter's switch.
- Check that protection is provided separately.

## Information to show or reference

- Show integral switch
- Identify switched circuits
- Reference protective device

## Important distinction

A prepayment meter can switch the supply off; an ordinary energy meter only measures.

## Facts

- Added function: Credit control with supply switch
- Typical use: Residential and tenancy supplies
- Preview: Independent educational concept; consult the applicable standard and project legend for the exact graphic

## Public references

- [IEC graphical symbols for diagrams](https://tc3.iec.ch/tc-activity/graphical-symbols-for-diagrams/) — IEC. IEC context for graphical symbols used in diagrams; no IEC graphic is reproduced.
- [Power and energy measurement quantities](https://www.se.com/ph/en/faqs/FA343278/) — Schneider Electric. Public explanation of energy and power measurement quantities used by meters.

## Graphic scope

Independent original educational concept illustration by Elora Grid. Not a certified standards graphic or manufacturer footprint. Unitless; not to scale. Original artwork licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Publisher material is linked only.