PS-E-12—Provisional specification for the approval of type of electricity meters—approval requirements for electricity meters with multiregister metering functions

Date: 2005-01-24
Provisional Specifications: PS-E-12
Category: Electricity
Document(s): LMB-EG-07: Subsection 3.2.7.7; Bulletin Gen-31


Table of contents


1.0 Scope

This specification applies to electricity meters submitted for approval of type under the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, which incorporate multiregister metering functions.

2.0 Authority

This specification is issued pursuant to subsection 9(4) of the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and subsection 12(1) of the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations.

3.0 References

3.1 Electricity and Gas Inspection Act (R.S. 1985, c. E-4), ss. 9(4).

3.2 Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations (SOR/86-131), ss. 12(1).

3.3 Bulletin Gen-31: Policy on Multirate Register Metering.

4.0 Background

Following the completion of a public consultation by Measurement Canada (MC) in 2003 on New Directions in the Regulation of Electricity and Gas Meters, the Agency issued bulletin Gen-31 which contains new policies for the regulation of electricity and gas meters with multiregister functions. As a result of these policies, changes are required in the approval-of-type requirements contained in LMB-EG-07 which apply to multiregisters as set out in these specifications.

5.0 Terminology

Multiregister metering

Previously referred to as multirate register metering, it means a metering application which records the measured values of the same legal unit of measure of electricity or gas into different registers or “bins” (electronic or mechanical) based on various conditions such as time (i.e., time-of-use, real-time pricing), temperature, etc.

Real Time Pricing

Meaning the sale of electricity or gas based on rates which can be changed at any given time. The real time metering function is a type of “time-of-use” function where the consumption data is recorded over a very short time period. In real-time metering, every time period of every day is treated as a separate billing period.

Time-of-use

Meaning the sale of electricity or gas based on rates established for certain times and seasons. A TOU function records the usage of electricity at certain times of the day over the length of the billing or meter-reading period. The TOU function has a pre-selected number of rate bins or registers (e.g. 3-Peak, Shoulder, Off-peak). Each rate bin will record pulses accumulated when it is switched at a predetermined and pre-programmed time (e.g. Peak: 6:01 am to 7:00 pm; Shoulder: 7:01 pm to 9:00 pm and 3:01 am to 6:00 am; Off peak: 9:01 pm to 3:00 am). In this example, each of the three rate bins would have daily energy consumption accumulated with no specific time stamp, except that the date was recorded during a predetermined and pre-programmed time period.

6.0 Amendment to LMB-EG-07

Subsection 3.2.7.7 is hereby revoked.

7.0 Technical requirements

7.1 Multiregisters

Each individual multiregister intended for use in revenue metering shall comply with applicable sections of LMB-EG-07 and any other applicable MC specifications.

7.2 Effects of switching conditions on multiregister operation

Any means or conditions used to switch the recorded consumption of a legal unit of measurement from one multiregister to another shall not cause an error in the establishment of a legal unit of measurement in an individual multiregister.

7.3 Security of metrological functions and parameters

The security (sealing) of metrological functions and parameters of a multiregister meter shall not be compromised by switching conditions or programming modifications (i.e., changes made to time-of-use schedules).

8.0 Metrological requirement

Each individual multiregister intended for use in revenue metering shall comply with applicable sections of LMB-EG-07 and any other applicable MC specifications.

9.0 Administrative requirement—notice of approval

A notice of approval established for a meter with multiregisters shall state that the rate switching function on the meter has not been assessed as part of the type approval evaluation, and indicate any conditions or limitations applicable to the meter's multiregisters.