PROS AND CONS OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY METERED CONNECTION

Primary Metered vs Secondary Metered

 UPOU will install and maintain the transformer
 Transformers may be installed anywhere in the
property of the customer
 UPOU will also install additional posts as a passage for
extension of primary lines. MSERVE may provide these
services depending on the arrangement between
MSERVE and UPOU, thus additional cost will be
incurred
 Lower project cost but UPOU will buy and install its own
transformer (existing transformer(20kV) may not be
possible to use since Meralco primary line is now
34.5kV)
 The cost of primary wires to be used for extension is
cheaper
 Primary wires also offers low voltage drop than
secondary wires which implies a more efficient and
reliable system
 System loss is lower than secondary metered but
savings in electrical bill is not that high since UPOU’s
operation is not 24/7
 Meralco will install and maintain the transformers (no
charges for maintenance works)
 Transformers are required to be installed outside the
property of the customer or
 Within the property (additional cost for extension of
facilities) provided that Meralco shall have open access
24/7 to the facilities. This means that gates are not to
be closed or no gates at all. It may follow that UPOU
will put-up a concrete fence (about 300m) beside the
said facilities
 Higher project cost since transformer cost is already
incorporated in it
 Much expensive cost for secondary wires
 Secondary wires voltage drop is significantly higher
than primary since it carry low voltage (230V)
 Much higher system loss thus higher electric bill

Note: For reference, IRRI is Primary Metered since it is gated

Also, Meralco will provide service (power) based on the submitted load schedule and electrical plan of UPOU. This means
that Meralco will only supply the amount of power needed by UPOU.
Future load expansions will be applied to Meralco at a later time.