2. Types of metersStandard credit meterVariable rate credit meterEconomy 7/white meterPrepayment metersCollecting arrearsEmergency creditSelf-disconnectionAdvantages of prepayment metersDisadvantages of prepayment metersSmart metersAdvantages of smart metersDisadvantages of smart metersMeters are owned by meter operator companies contracted by suppliers to provide metering services to their customers. In many cases, meters are owned, checked, and read by National Grid and the privatised electricity suppliers even if the fuel is supplied by another company. Metering remains the responsibility of the supplier, which is liable for the acts and omissions of its sub-contracting meter operator company.The main types of gas and electricity meters supplied are standard credit, variable rate credit, prepayment and smart.