Ala. Admin. Code r. 770-X-3-.04

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 770-X-3-.04 - Accuracy Requirements For Service Watt-Hour Meters

(1)Meter Adjustments - Watt-Hour Meters must be adjusted to meet the following accuracy requirements before installation and after periodic or any other test.

(a) No watt-hour meter that has an incorrect register constant, test constant, gear ratio or dial train, or that registers upon no load ("Creeps") shall be placed in service or knowingly allowed to remain in service without adjustment and correction. A meter in service creeps when, with all load wires disconnected, the moving element makes one complete rotation in five minutes or less.

(b) No watt-hour meter that has an error in registration of more than plus 2 or minus 4 percent at light load, or plus or minus 2 percent at full load, shall be placed in service or knowingly be allowed to remain in service without adjustment. Whenever on installation, periodic, or any other test, a meter is found to exceed any one of these limits, it must be adjusted. Light load shall be approximately 5 to 10 percent of the test ampere rating of the meter. Full load shall be not less than 90 percent, nor more than 100 percent, of the test ampere rating of the meter.

(c) Meters must be adjusted as closely as practicable to the condition of zero error. The tolerances are specified to allow for necessary variations, and meters must not be adjusted to the tolerances allowable.

(2)Average Error

(a) In tests made by the Commission or utility, the average error of a meter shall be determined by the following method:

1. Calculate one-fifth of the algebraic sum of two times the error at light load plus three times the error at full load.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 770-X-3-.04

Effective January 1968. Amended October 1988. Amended November 2 003. Filed with LRS February 5, 2013. Filed for Codification in the Alabama Administrative Code by the Alabama Public Service Commission on February 5, 2013, pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, § 41-22-7.

Author: Alabama Public Service Commission

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 37-1-32, 37-1-38, 37-1-53.