A resetting meter is a meter whose counter periodically resets to 0, for example annually on January 1st. Without correct processing of these reset cycles, Zero Friction calculates incorrect consumption, leading to invoices showing zero, negative or incorrectly positive consumption.
Zero Friction now fully supports resetting meters: from channel configuration and measurement entry to processing multiple reset cycles within a single invoice period, with no manual corrections needed afterwards.
Overview
This article covers the full process in 4 steps:
Setting the reset date: configure the channel with the correct reset date
Provide measurements: what changes when submitting readings for resetting meters
Invoicing: how Zero Friction processes multiple reset cycles in a single billing period
Reconfiguration: converting an existing meter to a resetting meter
1. Setting the reset date on a meter channel
When creating or configuring a meter channel, you can specify a reset date:
For channels with a daily reading frequency: day + month (e.g. 01/01).
For channels with an hourly reading frequency: day + month + hour (e.g. 01/01 at 00:00).
Invalid date combinations are automatically blocked (e.g. 29/02, 30/02, 31/04, 31/06, 31/09, 31/11).
⚠️ Reset date set incorrectly? Correct the date on the meter model, reconfigure the meter with the correct date, and delete any draft invoices and recreate them.
2. Providing measurements for a resetting meter
For resetting meters, a few specific rules apply to measurement entry:
A measurement of 0 on the reset date is accepted and is no longer flagged as “negative consumption”.
The consumption between the day before the reset date and the reset date is set to 0 and this consumption is not invoiced.
For a correct invoice calculation, Zero Friction needs a measurement on the day (or hour) before the reset date.
⚠️ Required: always ensure a reading is available on the day (or hour) before the reset date. If that reading is missing, the billing period will have the status "input missing" and no invoice can be generated.
3. Invoicing with multiple reset cycles
Zero Friction supports invoicing periods that span multiple reset cycles. The invoicing engine automatically splits the consumption per reset cycle:
Example: reset date = 01/01, invoice period = 14/03/2025 – 14/03/2026.
Cycle 1: 14/03/2025 – 31/12/2025, measurement on 31/12/2025 required
Cycle 2: 01/01/2026 – 14/03/2026
Per cycle, consumption is calculated separately and summed on the invoice.
⚠️ No acceptance window for resetting meters: the usual acceptance window (configurable from 0 to 5 days) does not apply to resetting meters. Zero Friction always looks for a reading on the day (or hour) before the reset date. If that reading is missing, the billing period is "input missing".
4. Reconfiguration of an existing meter
Do you want to convert an existing, non-resetting meter to a resetting meter? That is possible, but the following rules apply:
The reconfiguration can only be applied on the creation date of the meter.
All existing measurements are preserved.
Zero Friction does not reopen closed invoice periods.
Steps:
Reconfigure the meter with date = creation date of the meter.
Enter the reset date (day, month, and optionally hour).
The next open invoice period automatically processes the remaining consumption of the previous cycle and the consumption of the new cycle.
Problem | Solution |
Invoice shows 0, negative, or incorrectly positive consumption. | Check whether the reset date is set correctly on the meter channel. If incorrect, correct it on the meter model, reconfigure the meter, and delete and recreate the draft invoice. |
Invoicing period has status "input missing" on a resetting meter. | Ensure a reading is available on the day (or hour) before the reset date. The acceptance window does not apply to resetting meters. |
A reading of 0 on the reset date is flagged as a problem reading. | After configuring the reset date, a zero reading on the reset date is accepted. Check whether the reset date is correctly set and the meter is correctly configured. |
Reconfiguration is not possible on a desired date. | Reconfiguration to a resetting meter is only possible on the creation date of the meter. Select that date in the reconfiguration screen. |
What if an invoice period covers multiple reset cycles?
Zero Friction automatically splits the consumption per reset cycle and sums them on the invoice. You don’t need to adjust the invoice period manually.
Does the acceptance window also apply to resetting meters?
No. For resetting meters, Zero Friction always looks for a measurement on the day before the reset date. If it isn’t there, the invoice period is “input missing”.
Can I convert an existing meter into a resetting meter?
Yes, but only by reconfiguring on the meter’s creation date. Existing measurements are preserved and closed invoice periods are not reopened.
What if the reset date is set incorrectly?
Correct the date on the meter model, reconfigure the meter with the right date, and delete and recreate any draft invoices that were already created with the incorrect setting.