Multi-unit means any building that has two or more units.

For instance, some apartment buildings may have up to 100 or more units and some malls may have many business units.

Some small malls may have only three or four stores.

Finally, a single family home may have been turned into a three-family apartment building, which can sometimes cause mistakes to happen in the wiring so that the two conditions below may be more likely to occur- although they can occur in any multi-unit building.

In multi-unit buildings, there are a couple more things to look for. They are called mixed metering and non-exclusive use.

Mixed metering is a condition, where the meter that you are being billed for is not the meter that is supplying power to your unit.

This can happen in a number of ways.

For instance, your bill may reflect that you occupy unit two when you are in unit three.

When this happens, for whatever reason, you end up paying someone else's bill, while they end up paying yours.

Sometimes the difference in billing can be significant.

The billing switch is most often with a business or apartment that is adjacent to you.

The way to determine whether or not you have mixed metering is  first, to find your electric meter.

Look for labeling on the meter box or main breaker below it, that indicates what unit the meter serves.

If you occupy unit three and one of the meter boxes is labeled unit three and the meter number on the meter is the same as the one on your bill, then you have probably pinpointed your service. Remember to notify your neighbors before you do this test and utilize your helper so that the breaker is off only long enough to determine if your unit has lost power. Get the breaker back on as quick as possible.

Look below the meter for the main disconnect that goes to your unit. When you put this main breaker in the off position the power should go out in your unit.

If it does, you do not have mixed metering.

If the power does not go out in your unit ,then it went out in someone else's unit.

This is mixed metering and should be reported to the electric company.

But notify your neighbors before you shut off the main breaker or any  other breaker.

If the person down the hall has a child with asthma that has a breathing machine you may be putting that child in danger if you shut off the breaker. If you're a business that is next door to a dentist or a doctor, you could be putting the patients in danger.

Nonexclusive use is a condition that exists when one or more of the electrical circuits in someone else's business or apartment is wired by mistake into your breaker box or fuse box.

This happens sometimes, when larger buildings are subdivided into numerous smaller business units It also happens in apartment buildings that were originally one-family buildings and have been refurbished to make them three or four family buildings.

To determine if your problem is non-exclusive use, you will need to check out what each one of your breakers serve.

You will have already done this in the labeling section,

If you live in a multi-unit building, then the time to label your breakers is when your neighbors are at home or in their businesses so they can alert you if a portion of their power goes off. First of all, find your electrical meters breaker box. It should be next to your electric meter. Locate your meter by looking on the front of the meter for your meter number.

The meter number to look for should be noted on your bill.

Usually, in multi-unit buildings, the meters will all be in one location.

This location could be on the outside of the building, or it could be the meter room inside the building usually in the basement.

When you spoke to the service representative, they may have told you the location of your meter.

Usually the building maintenance man will know where the electrical meter room is. If you have come to this section first, and later do the breaker test, be aware of the possibility of non-exclusive use.

If your neighbor tells you any of his lights went off, this is non-exclusive use and your electric company should be notified.

If you have come here first before you label your breakers you can jump back & do it now.

Here's one more thing to look for.

All buildings with three or more units are required to have an “owner's meter” in my state.

Next step: In Conclusion

Disclaimer: Even small amounts of electricity can kill you. If you are unsure of what you are doing at any time as you read this web page, I urge you to stop and consult with a licensed, qualified electrician. The small cost of professional assistance may mean the difference between a job successfully completed and a tragic ending. Do not risk injury or death if you are not exactly sure of what you are doing. We take no responsibility for damage, injury or death.