Consumers seeking new service connection can heave a sigh of relief as the Tamil Nadu generation and distribution corporation (Tangedco) has allowed them to buy meters from one of the six approved makers.
Tangedco’s move comes in the wake of an order issued by the Tamil Nadu electricity regulatory commission (Tnerc).
Consumers can purchase single-phase 5-20A static meters and three-phase 10-60A static meters from Larsen and Toubro Ltd and Landis+Gyr Ltd.
The corporation also authorised purchase of single-phase meters manufactured by Link well System and Capital Power System and three-phase meters from Genus Power Infrastructure Ltd and Secure Meters Ltd. A single-phase meter costs `785.79 and three-phase meter, `2,216.75.
In a letter to Tnerc secretary, Tangedco CMD Rajeev Ranjan said the firms have been authorised after the sample meter produced by them in the recent tender floated by Tangedco passed the type test conducted by CPRI/Bengaluru and also conforms to specification of software and hardware as per departmental committee’s report.
After testing, the firms have to make available the meters at their outlets or with any of their dealers at least in two circles per region. After consumer hands over the meter to the section officer, it would be tested and sealed. A senior Tangedco official said, “The meters would be available for purchase in 2-3 weeks.”