As you can imagine, this process was inconvenient and occasionally resulted in billing errors caused by mishandling the plates. As such, these chemical meters were eventually phased out in favor of more practical mechanical designs.

The meters contained glass jar electrodes containing a chemical solution and zinc plates. As load current passed through the meter, it would electroplate zinc onto the electrodes. By periodically weighing the plates, power companies could calculate the current consumed.

Apologies for the asinine comment, but it's giving me JRPG vibes (like a world map from an early "Final Fantasy" game).

Funny how a shift in perspective can do that!