--- description: What is Bidirectional Meter? It is used in detecting the direction of the current flow and records total amount consumed based on net flow. title: What is Bidirectional Meter? - Energy Theory image: https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/What-is-Bidirectional-Meter.jpg --- [ Close Menu ](#) * [About](https://energytheory.com/about-us/) * [EV](https://energytheory.com/category/electric-vehicles/) * [FAQs](https://energytheory.com/category/faqs/) * [Glossary](https://energytheory.com/category/glossary/) * [Green](https://energytheory.com/category/green/) * [Renewable](https://energytheory.com/category/renewable/) * [Sustainable](https://energytheory.com/category/sustainable/) * [Energy Economy](https://energytheory.com/category/energy-economy/) * [Energy Services](https://energytheory.com/category/energy-services/) * [Solar](https://energytheory.com/category/solar/) * [Sustainable](https://energytheory.com/category/sustainable/) * [News](https://energytheory.com/category/latest-news/) * [Language](#) [ ![Energy Theory](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2e3rtgthghnm.png) ](https://energytheory.com/ "Energy Theory") ![en](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/en.svg)English [![es](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/es.svg) Spanish](#) [![fr](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/fr.svg) French](#) [![en](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/en.svg) English](#) [![it](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/it.svg) Italian](#) [![zh-CN](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/zh-CN.svg) Chinese (Simplified)](#) [![nl](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/nl.svg) Dutch](#) [![fi](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/fi.svg) Finnish](#) [![de](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/de.svg) German](#) [![hi](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/hi.svg) Hindi](#) [![ja](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/ja.svg) Japanese](#) [![pl](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/pl.svg) Polish](#) [![pt](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/pt.svg) Portuguese](#) [![ru](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/ru.svg) Russian](#) [ ![Energy Theory](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2e3rtgthghnm.png) ](https://energytheory.com/ "Energy Theory") ![en](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/en.svg)English [![es](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/es.svg) Spanish](#) [![fr](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/fr.svg) French](#) [![en](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/en.svg) English](#) [![it](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/it.svg) Italian](#) [![zh-CN](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/zh-CN.svg) Chinese (Simplified)](#) [![nl](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/nl.svg) Dutch](#) [![fi](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/fi.svg) Finnish](#) [![de](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/de.svg) German](#) [![hi](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/hi.svg) Hindi](#) [![ja](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/ja.svg) Japanese](#) [![pl](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/pl.svg) Polish](#) [![pt](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/pt.svg) Portuguese](#) [![ru](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/ru.svg) Russian](#) [Glossary](https://energytheory.com/category/glossary/) # What is Bidirectional Meter? By [Elliot Clark](https://energytheory.com/author/elliot%5Fclark/)November 17, 20233 Mins Read ![JAN23 What is Bidirectional Meter](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/What-is-Bidirectional-Meter-1024x683.jpg "What is Bidirectional Meter?") A bidirectional meter is a **meter that oscillates both up and down**. When you import power from the grid and export power into the grid, it goes forward and backward, respectively. Your home’s electric meter detects the current passing through it and records the **total amount consumed based on the net flow of current**. They lack directional sensitivity in their meters. Therefore, whether there is an import or export, it will continue to proceed. It progressively raises the export meter reading as well. Which entails charging more for your export and not generating any savings on your electricity bill. A bi-directional meter **detects the direction of the current flow** and records the information in a different register. Most loads are off-stage during the day, and any excess energy generated by solar panels is sent back to the grid (Export). The direction of the current flow is backward at this point, and the meter puts the data in the export register. Because there is no solar generation during the night, the **load is powered by imported grid electricity**. Now that the [current](https://energytheory.com/what-is-an-array-current/) is flowing forward, the meter saves the data in the import register. **How to understand Solar Bi-directional Meter?** [BESCOM](https://bescom.co.in/SCP/Myhome.aspx) gave Secure permission to distribute Bi-Directional Meters in order to prevent electric theft and to adhere to a special solar policy procedure. Basically, we use four different types of bi-directional meters based on how connected they are to the grid. * Bi-Directional Single Phase Two Wire Meter * Four wires in three phases. Bi-Directional Whole Current Meter. * Four wires in three phases. Bi-Directional Meter run by CT. * Bi-Directional Three Phase Four Wire Meter. **Ways to understand bidirectional meter:** Here are some indicators to understand bidirectional meter. * **Name Plate:** The Name Plate lists the electrical characteristics of the meter, including the kind of connection, voltage, current, frequency, etc. On the nameplate, in addition to electrical information, they list the firm name, warranty information, and serial number. * **LCD Display:** A sizable LCD display that displays the many electrical parameters that the meter has captured. For presenting certain information, the LCD display comprises a number of sections. * **Push Buttons:** The meter has two push buttons, the MD push button, and the Scroll push button. We can scroll the display by pushing the scroll push button. Each display presents a separate system parameter. * **Optical Cable:** An optical cable can be used to send and receive data to and from the meter through the 1107 Port, which is optically separated and sealable. * **Terminal Block:** The meter has input and output terminals. We may also see a communication connector on the left. * **Connection Diagram:** The top of the terminal cover block is labeled with a connection diagram. **Also Read:** [What is an Alternator?](https://energytheory.com/what-is-an-alternator/) **How to take the reading from Bi-directional Meter?** In a Single Phase Bi-Directional Meter, numbers are used to indicate the top portion, which essentially indicates the value of the electric parameter. The unit of the electric parameter is indicated in the right corner portion. Any electric grid parameter could be **stored in a smart electric meter**. However, meters now come with a pre-setting display for the convenience of both the meter reader and the consumer. 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With a background in environmental science, he has a deep understanding of the issues facing our planet and is committed to educating others on how they can make a difference. #### Related Posts [![Post-consumer recycled (PCR) content](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Post-consumer-recycled-PCR-content.png "What is Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Content?")](https://energytheory.com/what-is-post-consumer-recycled-pcr-content/ "What is Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Content?") #### [What is Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Content?](https://energytheory.com/what-is-post-consumer-recycled-pcr-content/) April 9, 2024 [![Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Heating-Seasonal-Performance-Factor-HSPF.jpg "What is Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)?")](https://energytheory.com/what-is-heating-seasonal-performance-factor-hspf/ "What is Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)?") #### [What is Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)?](https://energytheory.com/what-is-heating-seasonal-performance-factor-hspf/) February 3, 2024 [![What is Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/What-is-Annual-Fuel-Utilization-Efficiency-AFUE.jpg "What is Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)?")](https://energytheory.com/what-is-annual-fuel-utilization-efficiency-afue/ "What is Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)?") #### [What is Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)?](https://energytheory.com/what-is-annual-fuel-utilization-efficiency-afue/) February 2, 2024 [Add A Comment ](#) Leave A Reply [Cancel Reply](https://energytheory.com/what-is-bidirectional-meter/#respond) Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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