Publication of specifications related to physical sealing of electricity and gas meters

It has come to Measurement Canada's (MC) attention that there is a need to clarify MC's requirements pertaining to meter seal provisions established in type approval specifications. Similarly, in regard to the sealing of verified meters, MC would like to clarify existing policy on the use of physical sealing mechanisms and methods which are uniquely different than the conventional manner of sealing.

The current specifications prescribed by MC for the approval of electricity meters (LMB-EG-07) and gas meters (S-G-03) include clauses pertaining to sealing provisions. In support of those clauses and based on MC's sealing principles, MC has established detailed Type Approval Specifications for Physical Sealing Provisions for Electricity and Gas Meters (S-EG-02). The requirements contained in this specification were established on the basis of MC's sealing principles and identify the manner in which they are currently evaluated during type approval. These requirements align with international requirements for physical sealing provisions established by the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML).

Since this specification formally establishes requirements based on existing MC policy for physical sealing provisions, as well as on existing requirements established in LMB-EG-07 and S-G-03, no consultation is planned. This specification will become effective for all meter approval requests which are submitted to MC Approval Services Laboratory as of .

In conjunction with the above specification, MC has established Provisional Specifications for the Means and Methods of Sealing Verified Electricity and Gas Meters (PS-EG-02). Developed on the basis of MC's sealing principles, this specification establishes the general requirements for physical sealing of verified meters. In addition it identifies MC policy regarding the use of alternative physical sealing methods which differ from the conventional manner of sealing typically applied by MC inspectors (i.e. wire-based method that secures the cover of a meter to its base by using a metallic or nylon monofilament wire in conjunction with a galvanized metal prong-lock/roll-up type seal incorporating a fold-over mechanism with serrated teeth, or a crimp-type lead seal).

The requirements established for the means and methods of sealing verified electricity and gas meters are provisional at this time since it is anticipated that an MC and industry joint working group will be created in the future to develop comprehensive specifications pertaining to sealing of verified electricity and gas meters. The provisional specification will enable the immediate application of alternative physical sealing methods which differ from the conventional manner of sealing.