PS-E-17 – Provisional specifications for the approval of type, verification and sealing of electricity meters with remote display modules

Category: Electricity
Issue Date: 2022-04-06
Effective Date: 2022-04-06
Revision number: 1 Supersedes: PS-E-17

Table of contents

• 1.0 Scope
• 2.0 Authority
• 3.0 References
• 4.0 Definitions
• 5.0 Approval requirements
  • 5.1 General
  • 5.2 Documentation for approval of type
  • 5.3 Remote display module identification and markings
  • 5.4 Metering system identification and markings
  • 5.5 Remote display module – system display requirements
  • 5.6 General sealing requirements
• 6.0 Verification and sealing requirements
  • 6.1 Metering systems with active remote display modules
  • 6.2 Metering systems with passive remote display modules
  • 6.3 Inspection certificates
• 7.0 Installation and use requirements

1.0 Scope

These provisional specifications apply to electricity meters designed and approved with a remote display module comprising of a dedicated enclosure that is physically separated from a metering system.

2.0 Authority

These provisional specifications are issued under the authority of sections 12 and 18 of the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations.

3.0 References

• E-30 – Policy Decisions and Interpretations Related to Specification LMB-EG-07
• LMB-EG-07 – Specifications for Approval of Type of Electricity meters, Instrument Transformers and Auxiliary Devices
• PS-EG-02 – Provisional Specifications for the Means and Methods of Physically Sealing Verified Electricity and Gas Meters
• S-E-03 – Specifications for the Installation and Use of Electricity Meters — Input Connections and Ratings
• S-E-04 – Installation Requirements for Multiple Customer Metering Systems
• S-E-06 – Specifications for the Approval of Type of Electricity Meters and Auxiliary devices — Amendments to Measurement Canada Specification LMB-EG-07
• S-EG-02 – Specifications for Approval of Physical Sealing Provisions for Electricity and Gas Meters
• S-EG-05 – Specifications for the Approval of Software Controlled Electricity and Gas Metering Devices
• S-EG-06 – Specifications Relating to Event Loggers for Electricity and Gas Metering Devices

4.0 Terminology

Active display module
(module d'affichage actif)

An indicating device used to visually present the value of a measured quantity and other relevant information that has the capability to influence the measurement process and can perform legally relevant functions and secure and store legally relevant data and parameters.

Metering system
(système de mesurage)

A combination of one or more meters, which may include multiple customer metering systems, designed to be used with a remote display module.

Passive display module
(module d'affichage passif)

An indicating device used to visually present the value of a measured quantity and other relevant information that does not have the capability to influence the measurement process and cannot perform legally relevant functions and secure and store legally relevant data or parameters.

Remote display module
(module d'affichage à distance)

A physically separated component of a metering system that may be used as an active or passive indicating device to display measurement quantities and other relevant metering information via a defined remote user interface.

5.0 Approval requirements

In addition to all applicable approval of type requirements prescribed in specifications LMB-EG-07, S‑E‑06, S-EG-02, S-EG-05, S-EG-06 and bulletin E-30, electricity meters designed to indicate legally relevant measurement data and other relevant information, such as meter configuration, software version number and hash codes, by means of a remote display module are subject to the following requirements.

5.1 General

A remote display approved with a metering system as an active display module:

• can perform legally relevant functions such as processing and indicating a legal unit of measure;
• can contribute to functions such as modifying legally relevant parameters and securing and storing legally relevant data;
• must be protected by a metrological seal or secured by an event logger in accordance with the applicable requirements for sealing and software controlled devices and event loggers;
• is not interchangeable within a verified and sealed metering system.

A remote display approved with a metering system as a passive display module:

• must not have the capability to influence the calculation of a legal unit of measure, legally relevant data, software or features including fixed variables or parameters;
• cannot contribute to the functions of securing and storing legally relevant data;
• must be designed and constructed such that the software of the display module and meter(s) are distinctly separated;
• must have a unique identifier for separated software parts which may be updated per the conditions established in specifications for software controlled devices;
• is interchangeable within the installed metering system as permitted by this specification and the applicable notice of approval.

5.2 Documentation for approval of type

An approval of type application must include the following information:

• A list of meters that can be paired with the remote display module.
• Identification of whether the remote display module is active or passive along with a description of the display capabilities in accordance with the criteria established in subsection 5.1 of these specifications.
• A description of the communication interface linking the remote display module with the metering system, including, as a minimum, the following:
  • the means of connection (wire, wireless, fibre, etc.);
  • any software required to exercise the interface;
  • the maximum number of meters or multiple customer metering systems (MCMS) that can be connected to the display;
  • all information required pursuant to S-EG-05 for the remote display module and communication software.
• Identification of the capabilities and means of programming the metering system, including software version numbers and hash codes, where applicable.

5.3 Remote display module identification and markings

As a minimum, the following information must be clearly marked on the nameplate of the remote display module:

• Make and name and/or model number of the remote display module

Additionally, the following information must be clearly marked on a nameplate or be made available via the remote display module:

• Approved software version of the remote display module;
• Serial number of the remote display module.

5.4 Metering system identification and markings

In addition to the applicable meter nameplate and marking requirements, the following information must be clearly marked on the nameplate of the meter(s) or be made available through the metering software and identified via the remote display module:

• Approved software version;
• Hash codes for the metering combination, where applicable;
• Serial number of each associated meter identifying the metering system to which the remote display module is connected.

5.5 Remote display module – system display requirements

The remote display module must be capable of displaying and identifying the following information for each service or customer associated with the metering system:

• Every meter or MCMS connected to it;
• All individual metering points of the MCMS;
• Consumption data for all applicable legal units of measure;
• System identification and marking requirements, as applicable.

5.6 General sealing requirements

The metering system must be sealed and secured in accordance with specifications PS-EG-02, S-EG-02 and the meter's notice of approval.

A provision for applying contractor and/or utility seals to connection terminals is required.

6.0 Verification and sealing requirements

6.1 Metering systems with active remote display modules

In addition to the applicable meter verification requirements of S-E-02, an active display module designed and approved for use in a metering system must be:

• connected, inspected, verified and sealed with the meter(s) with which it will be placed into service;
• sealed and secured as a part of the metering system in accordance with specification PS‑EG‑02, and the meter's notice of approval, as applicable.

Note:The necessity to exchange any meter or active remote display module is a verification triggering event and requires the complete removal, reverification and resealing of the metering system as a whole.

6.2 Metering systems with passive remote display modules

In addition to the applicable meter verification requirements of S-E-02, a passive display module designed and approved for use in a metering system:

• must have a verification mark applied to it in accordance with PS-EG-02;
• can be inspected and verified independently of the meter(s) with which it will be placed into service in accordance with the conditions established in these specifications and the applicable notice of approval;
• must be discoverable and identifiable through the metering software.

6.3 Inspection certificates

In addition to the applicable requirements of S-E-02, inspection certificates must also identify the remote display module as either active or passive.

7.0 Installation and use requirements

The following requirements apply:

• Meters approved with a remote display module are subject to the input and connection rating requirements of specification S-E-03.
• In the case of MCMS, on-site verification and reverification inspections are subject to the applicable installation requirements of S-E-04.
• All meters are required to be installed with a remote display module pursuant to the applicable notice of approval.
• A remote display module must be installed at the installation site such that it is readily available and accessible.