The answer to 'electrical meter vs' is that electrical meters and electrical panels serve different functions in a home's electrical system. An electrical meter is installed by the utility company to measure and monitor the home's electricity usage, while an electrical panel is the main distribution point for the home's electrical circuits.
Electrical meters are typically mounted on the exterior of the home and are used by the utility company to track energy consumption and generate monthly bills. They provide no control over the home's electrical system. In contrast, the electrical panel, also known as a breaker box, is located inside the home and contains the circuit breakers that control and protect the individual electrical circuits throughout the house. The panel allows homeowners to turn on/off power, reset tripped breakers, and expand the home's electrical capacity as needed.