Hey everyone, Derek S. here from Houston. I've got a manufacturing client getting hammered by CenterPoint Energy for the past 18 months. They've been billing on a 200:1 CT multiplier but the actual CTs installed are 400:1. The meter nameplate clearly shows the 400:1 ratio and I've got photos. Monthly bills averaging $47,000 when they should be around $23,500. Anyone dealt with CenterPoint on multiplier errors before?
CT Ratio Nightmare - Duke Energy Claiming 200:1 When It's Actually 400:1
Nancy P. here - wow that's a massive overbilling! Did you check if it was a programming error when they upgraded to AMI or has it been wrong from the original install? I had a similar case with Austin Energy where they admitted the error but only wanted to adjust 6 months back.
Nancy - this appears to be wrong from day one installation in January 2023. The crazy part is we requested a meter test 8 months ago and CenterPoint said everything checked out fine. They only tested the meter accuracy, not the CT ratio programming!
Randy Dawson here. Derek, you need to file a formal complaint with the Texas PUC immediately to preserve your adjustment rights beyond their standard 6-month limitation. Document everything - photos of CT nameplates, meter faceplate, and all correspondence. CenterPoint has a pattern of resisting full historical adjustments on multiplier errors. The key is proving this was their installation error, not a customer modification. Get an independent electrical contractor to verify the CT installation date if possible.
Marcus T. in Dallas - I fought Oncor on almost identical issue last year. CT ratio was programmed at 100:1 instead of 200:1. They initially offered only 12 months adjustment until I showed them their own work orders proving they installed the wrong multiplier. Ended up getting 24 months back worth $89,000. Key was having the original interconnection drawings showing specified CT ratios.
Lisa F. from Arlington - Marcus, how did you get Oncor to admit fault? My client has same situation but they keep claiming the meter is reading correctly. The bills show demand charges that make no sense for a 50kW load but they're calculating off wrong multiplier.
Lisa - I hired a PE to do load analysis comparing their historical usage patterns to similar facilities. When a bakery suddenly shows 800kW demand instead of typical 400kW with no equipment changes, that's your smoking gun. Also pulled permits showing no electrical modifications during the timeframe.
Lou W. from El Paso here. Just want to add that El Paso Electric tried this same game with us. Multiplier was wrong for 3 years on Schedule GS-2 account. They said their policy was 12 month max adjustment. PUC ordered full 36-month refund plus interest. Don't accept their first offer!
Thanks everyone for the advice. Filed the PUC complaint yesterday. CenterPoint suddenly wants to meet next week after ignoring us for months. I'll keep you posted on how this turns out. The evidence seems pretty solid that this was their screwup from installation.
Aaron M. in Tulsa - following this thread closely. PSO just upgraded our client to AMI and I want to verify the CT programming before we get hit with wrong bills. Derek, can you share what specific documentation helped your case the most?
Aaron - the CT nameplate photos were crucial, but also get the original electrical drawings from the interconnection application. Most utilities keep these on file and it shows what CT ratios were supposed to be installed. Also saved every email where they claimed the meter was fine during our test request.