A method includes computing electrical phase of electrical metering devices including obtaining data indicating zero-crossing times at first and second metering devices. A time difference between the zero-crossing times may be determined. In a first example, the time difference may be based at least in part on calculations involving a first value of a first free-run timer on a first metering device, a second value of a second free-run timer on a second metering device, the time of reception of a packet, and a latency defined by a time taken for the packet to propagate through at least one layer of at least one of the first metering device and the second metering device. A phase difference between the first zero-crossing and the second zero-crossing may be determined, based at least in part on the determined time difference.