Electrical Service Limiters
If your account remains unpaid, your electrical service may be limited rather than fully disconnected during Alberta's winter disconnection protection period. A limiter reduces your electrical service to a partial supply while maintaining power for essential household needs.
This page explains what a limiter is, what to expect if one has been installed, how to reset a tripped limiter, and what steps can be taken to restore full electrical service.
What Is an Electrical Service Limiter?
An electrical service limiter is a device used to reduce the amount of electricity available to a property when an account is in arrears. During Alberta's winter disconnection protection period, residential customers cannot be fully disconnected for non-payment. Instead, a limiter may be installed to provide a reduced level of electrical service.
This reduced capacity will not be adequate to supply all of your electrical needs. It is recommended that you reserve the available capacity for essential services such as heating and refrigeration.
If electrical demand exceeds the available capacity, the limiter will trip and interrupt power to the property until it is reset. Instructions for AMR and AMI meters are provided below.
Why Was a Limiter Installed?
A limiter may be installed when an account remains unpaid and previous collection efforts have not resolved the outstanding balance. Before a limiter is installed, Battle River Power Coop makes multiple attempts to notify members about overdue accounts, including billing notices and other account communications.
Between October 15 and April 15, Alberta regulations prohibit the full disconnection of residential electrical service for non-payment. During this period, a limiter may be used to reduce electrical service instead of completely disconnecting power. This allows a limited supply of electricity to remain available while the account remains in arrears.
If you have received a limiter notice and believe your account balance has already been paid, please contact Battle River Power Coop as soon as possible.
What Can I Expect While on a Limiter?
A limiter reduces your electrical service to a partial supply. While some electricity remains available, the reduced capacity will not be adequate to supply all of your electrical needs. It is recommended that you reserve the available capacity for essential services such as heating and refrigeration.
If electrical demand exceeds the available capacity, the limiter will trip and power to the property will be interrupted. This can occur when too many electrical loads are operating at the same time.
Important: Electrical service is not always guaranteed, and unexpected outages can occur. Members who rely on electrically powered medical equipment or other critical devices should have an appropriate backup plan or backup power source available.
To help avoid interruptions:
- Reserve available power for essential household needs.
- Limit the use of non-essential electrical equipment.
- Reduce electrical demand if power has been interrupted by a tripped limiter.
Instructions for restoring service after a limiter has tripped are provided below.
What Happens If the Limiter Trips?
If electrical demand exceeds the available capacity, the limiter will trip and power to the property will be interrupted. If this occurs, reduce electrical usage by turning off non-essential electrical loads before attempting to restore service.
The process for restoring service depends on the type of meter installed at your property.
Resetting an AMR Limiter
Older AMR meters require a manual reset if the limiter trips. This type of limiter only provides 120-volt power and will not support all electrical equipment within the home. Equipment that requires 240-volt service, such as clothes dryers, electric ranges, electric water heaters, and other large electrical loads, will not operate while the limiter is in place.
To reset an AMR limiter:
- Turn off all electrical loads and appliances.
- Locate the reset button on the underside of the limiter unit.
- Press the reset button to restore service. Be sure you press the button fully inward before releasing it to complete the reset.
- Restore electrical loads gradually to avoid immediately tripping the limiter again.
If service is not restored after pressing the reset button, ensure all breakers and electrical loads have been turned off.
If the limiter still will not reset, turn off the main breaker located below the meter and attempt the reset again. Turning off the main breaker helps ensure the limiter can reset without immediately tripping due to electrical load.
If service is still not restored after attempting these steps, contact Battle River Power Coop for assistance.
AMI Meter Information
Newer AMI meters use a different restoration process and do not require a manual reset button.
There is no manual reset button for an AMI meter. After an overload occurs, the meter will wait approximately 15 minutes before attempting to restore service. This waiting period cannot be manually overridden.
If you have an AMI meter and your limiter trips:
- Turn off electrical equipment that was operating when the limiter tripped.
- Turn off all breakers in the property's electrical panel.
- Wait approximately 15 minutes for the meter to attempt restoration.
- Once power has been restored, turn breakers back on one at a time, starting with the most essential loads.
- Leave non-essential electrical loads off to help prevent the limiter from tripping again.
- If power is not restored, contact Battle River Power Coop for assistance.
Restoring Full Electrical Service
To restore full electrical service, the outstanding balance on the account and any applicable charges must be resolved.
If you have already made a payment or believe your account has been brought current, please contact Battle River Power Coop at 1-877-428-3972.
If you are experiencing difficulty paying your bill, contact us as soon as possible to discuss the options available for your account. Depending on the circumstances, payment arrangements may be available and are subject to approval.
Once payment or acceptable payment arrangements have been confirmed, full electrical service will be restored. Restoration timelines may vary depending on the meter type installed at the property and the work required to restore service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why wasn't my power completely disconnected?
Between October 15 and April 15, Alberta regulations prohibit the full disconnection of residential electrical service for non-payment in many circumstances. During this period, a limiter may be used to reduce electrical service while maintaining a limited supply of power.
The rules regarding winter disconnection protections may vary depending on factors such as weather conditions and account circumstances. For complete information, visit the Utilities Consumer Advocate's Load Limiters page.
Utilities Consumer Advocate: Load Limiters
Will all of my electrical equipment work while I am on a limiter?
No. A limiter provides only a reduced level of electrical service. It is recommended that you reserve the available capacity for essential services such as heating and refrigeration.
What should I do if my limiter trips?
If your limiter trips, turn off all non-essential electrical loads and appliances before attempting to restore service.
For older AMR meters, once electrical loads have been reduced, press the reset button to restore service.
For newer AMI meters, the meter will automatically attempt to restore service approximately 15 minutes after a trip occurs. Reducing electrical demand before restoration is strongly recommended, as the limiter may trip again if too much load remains connected when power is restored.
After service has been restored, reintroduce electrical loads gradually to help prevent the limiter from tripping again.
If service is not restored, please contact Battle River Power Coop for assistance.
Will I be charged if Battle River Power Coop responds to a limiter call?
Members should follow the limiter reset procedures outlined on this page before requesting assistance.
If an after-hours callout is requested and Battle River Power Coop personnel determine the limiter can be reset using the procedures provided above, applicable service charges may apply.
Contact Battle River Power Coop if you have questions about current fees or charges.
How do I know if I have an AMR or AMI meter?
The meter number is printed on the blue limiter notice provided by Battle River Power Coop.
Meter numbers beginning with BRREA or WWREA indicate an AMR meter. AMR meters are manufactured by Itron. Members with an AMR meter should follow the manual reset instructions provided above.
AMI meters are manufactured by Landis+Gyr and use the automatic restoration process described in the AMI Meter Information section.
If you are unsure what type of meter you have, please contact Battle River Power Coop for assistance.
Once my outstanding balance has been resolved, how long does it take to restore full service?
Restoration times vary depending on the meter type installed at the property and the work required to restore service. Contact Battle River Power Coop for information specific to your account.
Can I make payment arrangements?
If you are unable to pay the outstanding balance in full, contact Battle River Power Coop to discuss the options available for your account. Payment arrangements may be available and are subject to approval.
I have paid my account. Why is my service still limited?
If you have recently made a payment and your service has not yet been restored, please contact Battle River Power Coop at 1-877-428-3972.
Important Notice
Battle River Power Coop accepts no responsibility for loss or damage resulting from electrical service being disconnected or limited due to non-payment.
Members are responsible for taking appropriate precautions to protect property, equipment, livestock, inventory, and any other items that may be affected by an interruption or limitation of electrical service.