Abstract: An electric meter includes a housing, a switch positioned within an opening in the housing, a hinge pin having a first cross-sectional shape and being connected to the housing, and a switch cover having a passageway receiving the hinge pin therein and permitting pivotal movement of said switch cover between a closed position and an open position. The passageway has a second cross-sectional shape cooperating with the first cross-sectional shape of the hinge pin for locking the switch cover in the open position. The hinge pin preferably includes a generally cylindrical shaft and a ridge extending longitudinally thereon to define the first cross-sectional shape. Accordingly, the passageway of the switch cover is preferably defined by a generally cylindrical portion with a first longitudinally extending channel in communication therewith to define the second cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: An electronic meter for measuring electricity includes a magnetic shield positioned adjacent each outermost toroidal coil of electrical current sensors to thereby resist tampering by a magnetic field applied from outside the meter housing. The magnetic shield has an arcuate cross-sectional shape corresponding to the outermost coil portion and has a predetermined arc length covering only a predetermined portion of the outermost coil portion. The shield preferably has a semicylindrical cross-section shape thereby covering only half the toroidal coil.