As Meter Seals play an increasingly important role in electricity meters, water meters, natural gas meters, etc., we have to have a clear understanding of them.
We all know about security seals, but how do you prevent tampering in a meter? How do you ensure that the meter measures accurately? Let’s take a look!
Unique Serial Numbers Provide Tracking & Verification
Each meter seal has a unique serial number. They are printed in the process from production to finished product by the manufacturer, and are specially numbered. Only the manufacturer and the customer know them, making them traceable and verifiable.
We can track and verify according to the following three points:
✔ Track individual seals for security audits
✔ Verify whether a seal has been replaced or counterfeited
✔ Detect unauthorized seal swaps or duplicates
Strong Materials Prevent Easy Removal
In general, meter seals are difficult to break. It depends on how you use it, temperature and mass tolerance are among the conditions that destroy it.
In extreme environments, it is best to use heat-resistant seals, which are designed for extreme environments and can withstand heat, corrosion, or cold to ensure that the seal maintains its integrity in harsh conditions. For example, heat-resistant plastic or ceramic seals for use in high-temperature industrial environments.
For high-security electricity meters, they are usually made of stainless steel or galvanized steel wire with plastic or metal heads. Once locked, it cannot be opened unless it is cut, effectively preventing tampering.
One of the most widely used is Twist Seals. By manually tightening the wire, it is fixed on the metering equipment, and once locked, it cannot be loosened and must be cut to be removed. It is made of a combination of high-strength plastic shell + steel wire, which is both lightweight and durable, and is deeply liked by the public.
One-Time Use Mechanism
Once locked, most meter seals cannot be reused or reattached after removal. This prevents individuals from opening the meter, altering its readings, and resealing it without detection.
For example, we can twist wires in Twist seals into permanent locks, and we can crimped lead seals, which must be destroyed before they can be removed.
Tamper-Evident Design
Meter seals are designed to show visible signs of tampering, making it easier to detect unauthorized access.
Common designs generally meet the following points:
✔ Unique numbering or barcodes that prevent replacement with counterfeit seals.
✔ Fragile plastic bodies that break upon attempted removal.
✔ Steel wire or cable locks that cannot be reattached once cut.
Regular Inspections & Seal Logs Detect Unauthorized Changes
Of course, you might be wondering, what happens if the seal is lost or replaced? This is where regular checks and seal logs are needed to detect unauthorized changes.
Generally, utilities will keep records. You can check the date and time of the seal and the authorized person who installed or inspected the seal and check for any irregularities or missing seals.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Many areas have strict anti-tampering laws, and tampering with meter seals is a criminal offense and can result in fines or legal sanctions. You can discourage them by creating regulations or posting notices that seal tampering is a criminal offense!
Professional consultation
If you have any questions, or need to know about our products, please come to us! We provide you with end-to-end support from design and customization to application guidance and troubleshooting and security needs.
