Deadline set for comments on new electric meter rules

CEBU, Philippines – The Energy Regulatory Commission has given concerned parties until May 4 to submit their comments on the proposed revised rules and procedures for the test and maintenance of electric meters of power distribution utilities.

The main objective of the proposed rules and procedure is to provide guidance to distribution utilities in the testing and maintenance of electric meters “to ensure the highest level of confidence of the consumers on the accuracy of their billing meters.”

It stated that distribution utilities should ensure that all electric meters it puts in service should have been tested and sealed by the ERC and should be tested at least once every two years.

The proposed rules also state that each distribution utility providing metered electric service shall maintain their individually owned or group of distribution utilities owned meter shop, which shall be responsible for the routine testing, repair and calibration of electric meters and other auxiliary devices and equipment essential to the metering of electric power and energy.

All individual or consortium of distribution utilities and third-party test facilities shall be required to apply for a certificate of authority to maintain a meter shop, the draft rules and procedure added.

ERC shall likewise conduct an on-site inspection to assess the meter shop’s facilities and to evaluate the proficiency of the technical staff prior to the approval of an application or renewal of the certificate of authority.

A meter shop is a place where meters are inspected, repaired, tested and adjusted.

Distribution utilities or a consortium of distribution utilities or third-party test facilities shall pay an application fee of P3,000 upon filing of its application or renewal and shall pay another P10,000 upon the issuance of the certificate of authority.

It added that the ERC shall establish and maintain reference standards with highest accuracy traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology or its equivalent.

NIST is an agency under the U.S. Department of Commerce, which has the assigned function of taking custody, maintenance and development of the national standards of measurements and the provision of means and methods for making measurements consistent with the American National Standards Institute. —Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO (THE FREEMAN)