Section 815-RICR-20-00-1.6 - Meters in General, Installations, Accuracy, and TestingA. Meters in General 1. All meters removed from service due to a high bill complaint must be held for 60 days after the test to allow the customer ample time to review a second witnessed meter test if so desired. In order to prevent contamination, all meters shall be capped until installation or retirement from service. 2. A meter with an index reading other than zero may be placed in service, provided that meter and billing records are kept in a manner permitting verification of the readings as of the time of removal from the prior premises and installation at the succeeding premises. 3. Tin case meters shall not be returned to service. Whenever a tin case meter is removed from service for any reason it must be tested for accuracy and held according to the requirements set forth in § 1.6(A)(1) of this Part, if applicable. 4. The capacity of the meter at installation shall be consistent with the reported projected gas requirements of the customer at the time of installation.B. Meter Installations 1. Unless otherwise authorized by the Division, each LDC shall provide and install at its own expense, and shall continue to own, maintain and operate, all equipment necessary for the regulation and measuring of gas to its customers. A charge may be made for additional meters and regulators furnished by the LDC for the convenience of the customer. 2. The customer shall provide and have installed at his/her own expense all customer piping and equipment necessary for relocating the meter when relocation is: a. requested by a customer; b. required because of customer-initiated alterations; or c. necessary to prevent a recurrence of discovered tampering or damage caused by the customer.C. Testing and Calibration of Meters 1. Gas Meter Accuracy a. Every gas meter, removed from service for any cause, or repaired, shall be tested for accuracy and adjusted, if necessary, to accuracy limits of 100 percent ±1.5 percent before being installed or reinstalled. In addition, the LDC shall replace any parts found to be worn or damaged in any meter that does not pass the accuracy test, and is subject to repair. b. Meters removed from service and/or repaired meters must be subjected to an internal pressure of at least 20 inches water column and checked for the presence of leaks. c. Tin case meters shall be subjected to an internal pressure of at least two (2) pounds per square inch when testing to determine the presence of any leaks. d. New, remanufactured or refurbished meters that are accompanied by a certified test certificate are not required to be tested before installation in the field if the test results on the certificate are within accepted accuracy limits of in § 1.6(C)(1)(a) of this Part. 2. Method of Testing: General Test Requirement For the purpose of determining compliance with § 1.6(C)(1)(a) of this Part, the proof of registration of a displacement meter shall be determined by two tests, one known as the "Check-Rate" test, at a rate of flow at approximately 20% - 40% of the rated capacity of the meter, and one known as the "High-Rate" test, at a rate of flow at approximately 80% - 100% of the rated capacity of the meter. The tests at the two rates of flow, the "Check-Rate" test and the "High-Rate" test shall be comparable to within one (1) percent. If the tests at the two rates of flow do not agree to within one (1) percent, the meter must be repaired to meet the criteria. Both tests must also pass the accuracy test limits of 100 percent ± 1.5 percent as described in § 1.6(C)(1)(a) of this Part. The Division will require additional tests based on extenuating circumstances. All tests to determine the accuracy of any gas service meter shall be made with the appropriate bell, sonic nozzle, or transfer prover or other approved standard meter proving method such as differential testing of rotary meters and field proving of turbine meters.
3. Rotary Meters Rotary meters shall be tested at not less than fifteen percent (15%) of full rated flow. A utility shall not install a rotary meter that is more than one half of one percent (0.5%) fast or more than one and one half percent (1.5%) slow at the points of test.
4. Orifice Meters Orifice meters shall be manufactured and installed in accordance with all guidelines specified in the current edition of ANSI/API 2530 (AGA Report No. 3), Orifice Metering of Natural Gas. Orifice meters shall be tested at not less fifteen percent (15%) of full rated flow. The meters shall not be more than one half percent (0.5%) fast or more than one and one half percent (1.5%) slow at the points of the test.
5. Turbine Meters Turbine meters for which the manufacturer has established minimum spin times, may be spin tested to determine their in-service condition. Turbine meters shall be given a spin test at least once every twelve (12) months unless covered under an approved in-service performance-testing program, or the operator receives a written waiver from the customer not to conduct the test per their decision. Any meter found to have a spin time less than the manufacturer's recommended minimum and which cannot be brought up to the minimum by cleaning and lubrication shall be changed and replaced with an accurate meter. Turbine type meters shall be tested at not less than fifteen percent (15%) of full rated flow. The meters shall not be more than one half percent (0.5%) fast or more than one and one half percent (1.5%) slow at the points of the test.
6. Gas Volume Corrections Gas volume corrections for temperature shall be made in accordance with Charles' law. Gas volume corrections for pressure shall be made in accordance with Boyle's law. Gas volume corrections for supercompressibility shall be made in accordance with either of the following publications of the American Gas Association (AGA):
a. Manual for the Determination of Supercompressibility Factors for Natural Gas, Project NX-19 (1962) (A.G.A. Catalog No. L00340), incorporated above in § 1.1(C) of this Part.b. Compressibility and Supercompressibility for Natural Gas and Other Hydrocarbon Gases, Transmission Measurement Committee Report No. 8 (1992 A.G.A. Catalog), incorporated above in § 1.1(C) of this Part.7. Testing Facilities and Equipment a. Each LDC shall maintain the equipment and facilities necessary for accurately testing meters used for the measuring of gas delivered to its customers, unless arrangements approved by the Division shall have been made to have the testing done elsewhere. The LDC shall maintain this equipment in good condition and correct adjustment so that it can determine the accuracy of any service meter to within one half of one percent (0.5%). The area within the meter shop used for the testing of meters shall be designed so that the meters and meter testing equipment are protected from draft and excessive changes in temperature. b. Accepted good practice. The following publications are considered to be representative of accepted good practice in matters of metering and meter testing: (1) American National Standard for Gas Displacement Meters (500 Cubic Feet per Hour Capacity and Under (Class A)), ANSI B 109.1-2000. (2) American National Standard for Diaphragm Type Gas Displacement Meters (Over 500 Cubic Feet per Hour Capacity (Class B)), ANSI B 109.2-2000. (3) American National Standard for Rotary Type Gas Displacement Meters, ANSI B 109.3-2000. 25 (4) Measurement of Gas Flow by Turbine Meters, ANSI/ASME MFC- 4M-1997 and American Gas Association (AGA) Report 7, Sections 8 and 9. (5) Orifice Metering of Natural Gas and Other Related Hydrocarbon Fluids, ANSI/API 2530-1991.8. Measurement of gas at higher than standard service pressure. a. Pressure-recording equipment. If gas is measured to customers through meters at a pressure greater than standard service pressure, the meters shall be equipped with reliable pressure-volume recording gauges or other devices for accurately determining the quantity of gas that has passed through the meter in accordance with contract or tariff provisions. b. Determination of multiplier. In computing the volume of gas at a given pressure base from a pressure-volume chart, the multiplier shall be obtained by the weighted average method, which consists of determining the average pressure for each indicated unit volume on the chart. c. Fixed pressure factor measurement. If the gas metering pressure can be maintained at a constant level so that it will not vary by more than plus or minus 1.0% of the absolute metering pressure, the quantity of gas corrected for pressure for billing purposes may be determined by multiplying the uncorrected volume by the factor of Metering Pressure Plus Atmospheric Pressure Divided by Base Pressure or by a special index with gearing to perform this calculation. The special index shall meet the specifications of ANSI Standard B109.1, §6.2(1986) or ANSI Standard B109.1, §6.9(1986), incorporated above in § 1.1(D) of this Part. The ability of the regulator to maintain the constant pressure shall be verified at or prior to installation. Verification will be established by the use of a verified pressure-indicating gauge (accuracy: ANSI B40.1 Grade 3A, incorporated above in § 1.1(D) of this Part), or a pressure-recording gauge, at both high and low flow conditions where practicable, but never less than one (1) verification under actual operating conditions. Annual reports of the results of periodic tests will be forwarded to the Division by March 31st for the prior year.9. AMR Device Verification All meters with an AMR device shall be tested to verify the AMR reading is in sync with the meter index. AMR devices will be verified at all meter testing and before installation at a customer's premises.
D. Test Schedules 1. Periodic Tests of Meters in Service All gas meters in service shall be tested in accordance with the following schedule and, if necessary, shall be adjusted to register within the tolerance prescribed in § 1.6(C)(1) of this Part.
a. All meters rated by the manufacturer up to and including five hundred (500) cubic feet per hour (Class A), based on one-half inch (1/2") water pressure differential shall be proof tested not less than once each fifteen (15) year service period. b. Meters normally rated by the manufacturer in excess of five hundred (500) cubic feet per hour (Class B), based on one-half inch (1/2") water 27 pressure differential, shall be proof tested not less than once in each ten (10) year service period. c. Each meter so tested shall have affixed the seal prescribed by the Division. (See § 1.13 of this Part)d. In addition, the Division retains the right to order the testing of meters on a random basis on behalf of the customer. E. Request Tests 1. Generally, when requested by a customer, or by the Division on behalf of the customer, LDC shall test the accuracy of the customer's meter within fifteen (15) days from the time the request is made or earlier if requested by the Division. If the meter has been tested during the preceding thirty-six (36) months, the LDC may require the deposit of a customer fee of seventy-five ($75.00) dollars for such a test. a. If, on testing, the meter is found to be fast by more than 1.5%, the deposit shall be promptly refunded. If the meter is not found to be fast by as much as 1.5%, the LDC shall retain the amount deposited for the test. b. A report giving the name of the customer requesting the test, the date of the request, the location the meter was in service, the location where the meter test was performed, the type, make, size, the serial number of the meter, the date tested, and the result of the test shall be supplied to each customer within a reasonable time after completion of the test. (1) The LDC shall retain copies of the above reports for at least two (2) years. c. A customer, the Division, or an agent thereof may be represented in person when the LDC conducts the test on the meter.2. Referee Tests: a. The LDC, when notified by a customer that a referee test of the meter is requested, shall notify the Division. The LDC, as herein provided, shall not knowingly remove, interfere with, adjust, or pretest the meter to be tested without the written consent of the customer or approval of the Division. b. The Division, when notified by a customer that a referee test of the meter is requested, shall notify the LDC to remove and seal the meter in the presence of the consumer or the Division if so requested. If directed to seal the meter, the LDC shall keep the meter in the same condition with the seal unbroken until the test can be made in the presence of the customer, their agent and/or the Division.c. All referee meter tests shall include an inspection of the meter index by removing the index from the meter body. The dials, gears and all other parts of the index shall be visually inspected for wear, misalignment or other mechanical defects that would affect the accuracy of the meter on a continuing or sporadic basis. d. Failure to abide by the above Referee Test procedures will result in the maximum penalty as set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-2-8.F. Customer's Billing Adjustments 1. Fast Meters a. Whenever, as the result of a test made by the LDC, a gas meter is found to be fast in excess of 1.5% of the correct amount, the LDC shall refund to the customer an amount equal to the charge for gas billed in excess of 100% for the two (2) highest months gas bill multiplied by 6 (six) for the year prior to the test, or the highest two (2) months gas bills 29 multiplied by 6 (six) from the last test date if the test was made within the last twelve (12) months. b. However, if the time when the error first developed or occurred can be definitely fixed, the amount to be refunded is to be based thereon; the time period for which the LDC is required to adjust, refund or credit the customer's bill shall not exceed five (5) years unless otherwise ordered by the Division.c. Under no circumstance will a refund be made to a customer if there is evidence of gas diversion or that the meter has been tampered with. If the meter test is conducted within less than 12 months of service with the present customer of record and the meter test fails resulting in a refund, the refund shall be appointed to customers who received service through the meter found to be registering inaccurately. In the case of a previous customer who is no longer a customer of the LDC, a notice of the refund shall be mailed to his or her last known address2. Slow Meters: Whenever, as the result of a test made by the LDC, a gas meter is found to be slow in excess of 2.0% of the correct amount, the LDC shall be required to issue a corrected bill to the customer for an amount equal to the charge for gas that was under billed. If the gas meter is found to be slow less than 2.0% the LDC shall not issue a corrected bill.3. Non-Registration, Does Not Register (DR Meter), or Unaccountable Gas: If a meter is found which does not register, the bill for the period of non-registration shall be based upon information recorded prior or subsequent to the period of non-registration and by any other pertinent information supplied by the customer or known to the LDC (such as an active "AMR" device). The company may use a prior year's usage for the same time period of non-registration as long as the "degree days" are taken into consideration in the calculation. The company shall act to correct the problem within two (2) months of receiving evidence of a non-registering meter. In no case will the LDC be allowed to recover billing for unaccounted for gas past (two) 2 months of non-registration of the meter, or, if the meter has an attached AMR device, the non-registration of the meter and the non-registration of the AMR device. However, the Division will permit the LDC to seek a waiver from the Division with respect to the foregoing billing prohibition. The waiver request shall include details of the LDC's efforts and experienced difficulties in accessing the customer's property in order to repair the non-registering meter. The waiver shall be filed with the Division prior to the expiration of the two-month billing deadline.4. Estimated Bills: Once the LDC has to use estimated bills for a six (6) month period, it will treat the account as if it were one with a non-registration meter and shall have no more than two (2) months to obtain an actual read.5. Adjustments to bills for other meter errors: If a customer has been overcharged or undercharged as a result of an incorrect reading of the meter, incorrect application of the rate schedule, incorrect connection of the meter, application of an incorrect multiplier or constant or other similar reason, the overcharge shall be refunded to the customer or the undercharge may be billed to the customer.G. Records of Meters and Tests 1. Each LDC shall keep, numerically arranged and properly classified, records giving, for each meter used and owned by the LDC for any purpose, the identification number, date of purchase, name of manufacturer, serial number, type, a history of the premises where the meter was located, a history of the meter testing sites, and the meter's rating. A complete record of the latest test made on a meter shall be retained in the LDC's files for a period of fifteen (15) years in such a manner that it will be readily available to the Division or the ratepayer for inspection, unless the meter is permanently retired in such case the records should be retained for three (3) years after condemnation. 2. Each LDC shall report annually to the Division a summary report of meter tests made during the year. The report will include the number of meters tested, the number of meters considered "DR" or non-registering, the number of meters found to be accurate within the allowable limits, the number of meters found to be fast, and the number of meters found to be slow. In addition to the number of meters found to be outside the allowable limits the LDC shall report how many meters were over 3% fast or slow.815 R.I. Code R. 815-RICR-20-00-1.6