Meter Timeswitch Code

The Meter Timeswitch Code (MTC) is a three-digit field found in positions 3-5 of legacy 21-digit MPANs. It describes the metering equipment's ability to switch between different registers based on time of day, enabling multi-rate tariffs like Economy 7.

Key facts about MTC:

Position in MPAN:

• Legacy MPANs (21 digits): Positions 3-5 (after Profile Class)
• MHHS MPANs (22 digits): Replaced by SSC (Standard Settlement Configuration)

What MTC tells you:

• Whether the meter has time-switching capability
• Number of registers (single-rate vs multi-rate)
• Settlement timing information
• Compatibility with time-of-use tariffs

Common MTC values:

• 000 - No time-switching capability
• 100 - Standard unrestricted meter
• 845 - Common for Profile Class 03 (non-domestic unrestricted)
• 070 - Economy 7 variant for domestic customers

Important limitation: MTC codes are DNO-specific - the same MTC can mean different things in different regions. This is one reason why MHHS replaces MTC with the standardised SSC code.