(1)
Inspection and testing program. Each utility shall adopt a
written program for the inspection and testing of its meters to determine the
necessity for adjustment, replacement or repair. The frequency of inspection
and methods of testing shall be based on the utility's experience,
manufacturer's recommendations, and accepted good practice. The publications
listed in 20.6(3) are representative of accepted good practice. Each utility
shall maintain inspecting and testing records for each meter and associated
device until three years after its retirement.
(2)
Program content. The
written program shall, at minimum, address the following subject areas:
a. Classification of meters by capacity,
type, and any other factor considered pertinent.
b. Checking of new meters for acceptable
accuracy before being placed in service.
c. Testing of in-service meters, including
any associated instruments or corrective devices, for accuracy, adjustments or
repairs. This may be accomplished by periodic tests at specified intervals or
on the basis of a statistical sampling plan, but shall include meters removed
from service for any reason.
d.
Periodic calibration or testing of devices or instruments used by the utility
to test meters.
e. The limits of
meter accuracy considered acceptable by the utility.
f. The nature of meter and meter test records
which will be maintained by the utility.
(3)
Accepted good practice.
The following publications are considered to be representative of accepted good
practice in matters of metering and meter testing:
a. American National Standard Code for
Electricity Metering, ANSI C12.1-2014.
b. and c. Rescinded IAB
5/23/07, effective 6/27/07.
(4)
Meter adjustment. All
meters and associated metering devices shall, when tested, be adjusted as
closely as practicable to the condition of zero error.
(5)
Request tests. Upon
request by a customer, a utility shall test the meter servicing that customer.
A test need not be made more frequently than once in 18 months.
A written report of the test results shall be mailed to the
customer within ten days of the completed test and a record of each test shall
be kept on file at the utility's office. The utility shall give the customer or
a representative of the customer the opportunity to be present while the test
is conducted.
If the test finds the meter is accurate within the limits
accepted by the utility in its meter inspection and testing program, the
utility may charge the customer $25 or the cost of conducting the test,
whichever is less. The customer shall be advised of any potential charge before
the meter is removed for testing.
(6)
Referee tests. Upon
written request by a customer or utility, the board will conduct a referee test
of a meter. A test need not be made more frequently than once in 18 months. The
customer request shall be accompanied by a $30 deposit in the form of a check
or money order made payable to the utility.
Within five days of receipt of the written request and
payment, the board shall forward the deposit to the utility and notify the
utility of the requirement for a test. The utility shall, within 30 days after
notification of the request, schedule the date, time and place of the test with
the board and customer. The meter shall not be removed or adjusted before the
test. The utility shall furnish all testing equipment and facilities for the
test. If the tested meter is found to be more than 2 percent fast or 2 percent
slow, the deposit will be returned to the party requesting the test and billing
adjustments shall be made as required in 20.4(14). The board shall issue its
report within 15 days after the test is conducted, with a copy to the customer
and the utility.
(7)
Condition of meter. No meter that is known to be mechanically
or electrically defective, or to have incorrect constants, or that has not been
tested and adjusted if necessary in accordance with these rules shall be
installed or continued in service. The capacity of the meter and the index
mechanism shall be consistent with the electricity requirements of the
customer.
(8)
Comprehensive
meter upgrade programs.
a. A utility
may forgo the meter testing procedures required under the utility's own
inspection and testing program and subrule 20.6(2) if:
(1) The meters are removed or scheduled to be
removed as part of a comprehensive meter upgrade program over a specified
period not to exceed three years;
(2) The meters being removed have not
previously been shown to be inaccurate or otherwise faulty;
(3) The utility either retains the removed
meters for a period of one year from the removal date to allow customers the
opportunity to challenge a meter's accuracy or tests a representative
statistical sample based upon an industry standard such as ANSI C12.1-2014 of
each type of meter being removed as part of the program and maintains the
removed meters for a period of at least six months; and
(4) The utility tests any meter upon request
of a customer based upon the customer's experience comparing the replaced and
replacement meters.
b.
Prior to forgoing its testing procedures under this subrule, a utility shall
notify the board that the utility is engaging in a comprehensive meter upgrade
program. The notice shall state the option the utility is electing to pursue
under subparagraph 20.6(8)"a "(3), the specified period of the
program, and the expected number of meters to be upgraded. A utility electing
to test a statistical sample of removed meters under subparagraph
20.6(8)"a "(3) shall also state the industry standard it will
use to determine the sample size and provide the full text of the standard to
the board upon request.
c. A
utility shall continue to follow the meter testing procedures for meters
removed for any reason unrelated to the comprehensive meter upgrade
program.
d. A utility shall resume
the meter testing procedures required under the utility's own inspection and
testing program and subrule 20.6(2) upon completion of the comprehensive meter
upgrade program or the end of the specified period, whichever occurs
first.