25-6.052. Test Procedures and Accuracies of Consumption Metering Devices

(1) Definitions.

(a) “Electronic Meter.” Any meter that measures electric demand or energy and displays registration using electronic components only.

(b) “Mechanical Meter.” Any meter that measures electric demand or energy and displays registration using mechanical components rather than electronic or solid-state components.

(c) “Lagged Demand (or Thermal Demand) Meter.” Any meter that indicates demand by means of thermal or mechanical devices having an approximately exponential response.

(d) “Registration Error.” The variation in kilowatts or kilowatt-hours from the true value measured by a standard or reference device.

(e) “Meter Type.” A combination of design and construction that forms a unique method of measurement of the consumption of electricity. For example, electromechanical, thermal, solid state, hybrid, etc.

(2) Accuracy Requirements for Watthour Meters. The performance of an in-service watthour meter shall be acceptable when the meter does not creep and the average registration error does not exceed plus or minus two percent. Meter registration error shall be determined in accordance with subsection 25-6.058(1), F.A.C.

(3) Accuracy Requirements for Demand Meters and Registers.

(a) The performance of a mechanical or lagged demand meter or register shall be acceptable when the registration error does not exceed four percent in terms of full-scale value at any point between 25 percent and 100 percent of full-scale value. Meter registration error shall be determined in accordance with paragraph 25-6.058(2)(a), F.A.C.

(b) The performance of an electronic demand meter or register shall be acceptable when the registration error does not exceed two percent of reading at any point between 10 percent and 100 percent of test amperes. Meter registration error shall be determined in accordance with paragraph 25-6.058(2)(b), F.A.C.

(c) Demand meters shall indicate zero under no-load conditions.

(4) Meter Equipment Test Procedures.

(a) The test of any unit of metering equipment shall consist of a comparison of its accuracy with the accuracy of a standard.

(b) Watthour meters and associated devices shall be tested for accuracy and adjusted in accordance with American National Standard for Electric Meters, Code for Electricity Metering (ANSI C12.1 – 2001), which is incorporated herein by reference.

(c) Electronic meters that compute demand from watthour meter registration and programmed demand algorithms shall be tested and adjusted in accordance with ANSI C12.1 – 2001. Demand registration need not be tested, provided the meter has been inspected to contain the correct demand algorithm whenever watthour registration is tested.

(5) Test Plans.

(a) Each utility shall submit its test plan for review and approval for all types of metering equipment, including:

1. Single-phase watthour meters;

2. Polyphase watthour meters;

3. Demand meters;

4. Pulse initiating meters;

5. Pulse recorders;

6. Time-of-use meters; and

7. Instrument Transformers.

(b) Test plans shall contain the following for each type of metering device covered:

1. Adjustment limits;

2. Test points;

3. Test duration;

4. Type of test – single-phase test, polyphase test, etc.; and

5. Description of the general steps involved.

(c) Any changes to a previously approved test plan must be submitted to the Commission’s Division of Engineering for approval. Adding a meter type to a previously approved test plan is a change that requires approval.

(d) Review of Proposed Test Plans. Except where a utility has requested a formal ruling by the Commission, the Division of Engineering shall within 90 days after submission review each utility’s proposed test plan to determine whether it satisfies the criteria set forth in paragraphs (5)(a) and (b) above and shall notify the utility in writing of its decision accepting or rejecting the proposed plan. If a proposed plan is rejected, the written notice of rejection shall state clearly the reasons for rejecting the proposed plan. If a utility’s proposed plan is rejected, the utility shall submit a revised plan to the Commission within 60 days after receiving the notice of rejection. Where a utility has requested staff review of its plan and a plan has been rejected, the utility may petition the Commission for approval of the plan.

Rulemaking Authority 366.05(1) FS. Law Implemented 366.05(3) FS. History–New 7-29-69, Formerly 25-6.52, Amended 5-19-97, 7-3-06.