What is the role of the electrical meter at a residence?

The electrical meter at a residence is primarily designed to measure the amount of electrical energy consumed by the household. This meter records the total kilowatt-hours (kWh) used over a specific period, allowing utility companies to bill homeowners accurately for their electricity usage.

By capturing the consumption data, the meter helps track energy efficiency and identify patterns in electrical usage, which can assist homeowners in managing their energy costs. Additionally, these devices are typically connected to the electrical supply line and relay usage data to the utility provider, ensuring that billing reflects actual consumption.

The other options describe functions that are not related to the primary purpose of an electrical meter. Converting AC to DC falls under power conversion processes not handled by the meter. Measuring voltage is a separate measurement typically done with voltage meters or testers, not the electric meter itself. Lastly, power surge protection is a function of surge protectors and not an integral feature of an electrical meter, which focuses solely on consumption measurement.