A Resolution Adopting the Rules and Procedures for the Test Andmaintenance of Electric Meters of Distribution Utilities

June 1, 2009

ERC RESOLUTION NO. 12-09

A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE TEST ANDMAINTENANCE OF ELECTRIC METERS OF DISTRIBUTION UTILITIES

WHEREAS, Section 16 (d), (e), (f) and (g) of Commonwealth Act No. 146 (CA 146) gives the Commission the power, upon proper notice and hearing, to fix just and reasonable standards, classifications, regulations, practices, measurements, or service to be furnished, imposed, observed, and followed by any public service; to establish reasonable rules and regulations, instructions, specifications, and standards, to secure the accuracy of all meters and appliances for measurements; and to compel any public service to furnish safe, adequate, and proper service as regards the manner of furnishing the same as well as the maintenance of the necessary material and equipment; cAHDES

WHEREAS, Section 17 (d) of CA 146 empowers the Commission to provide, on motion by or at the request of any consumer or user of a public service, for the examination and test of any appliance used for the measuring of any product or service of a public service;

WHEREAS, Commonwealth Act No. 349 (CA 349) created a meter laboratory that has the duty of inspecting, examining and approving periodically all meters and appliances for measurements used by all public services under the jurisdiction of the Commission to ensure their accuracy;

WHEREAS, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) proposed a set of Rules and Procedures for the Test and Maintenance of Electric Meters of Distribution Utilities;

WHEREAS, the said Rules and Procedures shall provide guidance to Distribution Utilities (DUs) in the testing and maintenance of electric meters in order to ensure the highest level of confidence of the consumers on the accuracy of the DUs' billing meters;

WHEREAS, the said Rules and Procedures were posted on the ERC website and published in a newspaper of general circulation to solicit comments from interested stakeholders;

WHEREAS, expository hearings were conducted in Cebu City on January 21, 2009 and in Manila on January 23, 2009. A public consultation was also held in Manila on February 13, 2009;

WHEREAS, the revised Rules and Procedures incorporating the comments of the stakeholders were again posted on the ERC website on April 20, 2009;

WHEREAS, the Rules and Procedures were again revised to consider the comments submitted during its second posting;

NOW THEREFORE, after careful deliberation on the issues relative thereto, the ERC RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to APPROVE and ADOPT the "Rules and Procedures for the Test and Maintenance of Electric Meters of Distribution Utilities", herein attached as Annex "A" and made an integral part of this Resolution. CSAaDE

All previous Rules, Regulations and Issuances by the Commission contrary to the instant Resolution are deemed superseded.

This Resolution shall take effect on the fifteenth (15th) day following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the country.

Let copies of this Resolution be furnished the University of the Philippines Law Center-Office of the National Administrative Register (UPLC-ONAR) and all entities engaged in the electricity metering.

Pasig City, June 1, 2009.

(SGD.) ZENAIDA G. CRUZ-DUCUTChairperson

(SGD.) RAUF A. TANCommissioner

(SGD.) ALEJANDRO Z. BARINCommissioner

(SGD.) MARIA TERESA A.R. CASTAÑEDACommissioner

(SGD.) JOSE C. REYESCommissioner

ANNEX A

RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE TEST AND MAINTENANCE OF ELECTRIC METERS OF DISTRIBUTION UTILITIES

Pursuant to Section 16 (d), (e), (f) and (g), and Section 17 (d) of Commonwealth Act No. 146, as amended, and Commonwealth Act No. 349, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) hereby adopts and promulgates the following Rules and Procedures for the Test and Maintenance of Electric Meters of Distribution Utilities.

ARTICLE I

General Provisions

1.1   Objective

The objective of these Rules and Procedures for the test and maintenance of electric meters of Distribution Utilities is to provide guidance to Distribution Utilities in the testing and maintenance of electric meters in order to ensure the highest level of confidence of the consumers on the accuracy of their billing meters.

1.2   Guiding Principles

The DU should ensure that all electric meters it puts in service should have been tested and sealed by the ERC, and while these meters are already in service, the same should be tested at least once every two (2) years in accordance with a statistical sampling program approved by the ERC. IDETCA

1.3   Scope

A DU or a consortium of DUs and Third-Party Test Facility should comply with these Rules and Procedures.

1.4   Definition of Terms

Acceptable Quality	A small percentage of non-conformity in
Level (AQL)	a lot that the sampling plan will accept.
Act	Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the
	Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.
American National Standards	A private non-profit organization that
Institute (ANSI)	oversees the development of voluntary
	consensus standards for products, services,
	processes, systems, and personnel in the United
	States.
Certificate of Authority (CA)	The authority granted by the ERC to a person
	or entity to undertake testing, repair, and
	calibration of electric meters and other
	auxiliary devices and equipment essential to
	the metering of electric power and energy.
Distribution Utility (DU)	Any electric cooperative, private corporation,
	government-owned utility or existing local
	government unit which has an exclusive
	franchise to operate a distribution system in
	accordance with its franchise and the Act.
Energy Regulatory	The independent and quasi-judicial
Commission (ERC)	regulatory agency created under Section 38 of
	the Act.
International Electrotechnical	A worldwide organization for
Commission (IEC)	standardization comprising all national
	electrotechnical committees.
Meter Shop	A place where meters are inspected, repaired,
	tested, and adjusted.
National Institute of	An agency under the U.S. Department of
Standards and Technology	Commerce, which has the assigned
(NIST)	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 ANSI standards.
Third-Party Test	Any facility owned by a person or entity
Facility	other than a DU which has the required
	equipment that will qualify it as a Meter Shop
	and has the qualified personnel capable of
	testing and calibrating electric meters.

 

ARTICLE II

Meter Shop

2.1   Requirement to Maintain a Meter Shop

DUs providing metered electric service shall, unless specifically exempted by the ERC, maintain their individually owned or group of DU 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.

The Meter Shop should maintain equipment that shall be available for inspection during office hours by an authorized ERC representative.

2.2   Exemption from Maintaining a Meter Shop

DUs with proof to show that it is more feasible to engage the services of another Meter Shops than to maintain their own Meter Shops may file formal applications with the ERC for exemptions. The applications should include requests for the issuance by the ERC of an authorization that allows DUs to have their electric meters tested and calibrated for them by their specified ERC approved Meter Shops.

ARTICLE III

Meter Shop Accreditation Requirement and Procedures

3.1   Certificate of Authority

All individual or consortium of DUs and Third-Party Test Facilities shall be required to apply for a Certificate of Authority (CA) to maintain a Meter Shop. Upon showing that all the requirements have been complied with, the ERC shall issue a CA with a validity period of three (3) years, renewable upon the filing of the pertinent CA Renewal at least ninety (90) days prior to expiration of the CA, but subject to the ERC's assessment of the Meter Shop's performance for the preceding three (3) years. DAaHET

3.2    Required Data

A DU or a consortium of DUs or Third-Party Test Facilities that file an Application or Renewal of CA shall submit the following information/documents:

3.2.1   Its legal name, business address, and the address where the Meter Shop shall permanently be located during the entire validity period of the CA. However, should the DU or a consortium of DUs or Third-Party Test Facilities choose to transfer the Meter Shop, they shall give prior notice of such re-location to the ERC;

3.2.2   Name and address of all affiliated companies, if any;

3.2.3   Evidence of business registration with applicable agencies;

3.2.4   Proof of payment of application fee;

3.2.5   Its personnel and training;

3.2.5.1   The name of the Meter Shop head which should be a Licensed Electrical Engineer and has an adequate relevant experience in the area of metering analysis.

3.2.5.2   The names of meter shop technicians who have at least one (1) year relevant experience or training.

3.2.5.3   The system of imparting training to technical staff at various levels before assigning them to any testing work.

Any replacement of personnel during the term of the CA shall be reported to the ERC annually.

3.2.6   Its category and equipment;

3.2.6.1   Category A: Meter Shop with the following minimum testing equipment:

3.2.6.1.1   One (1) reference electronic watt-hour meter standard which is directly or indirectly traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or its equivalent. It may be used for no other purpose than for checking working watt-hour meter standards; HEaCcD

3.2.6.1.2   At least one (1) working electronic watt-hour meter standard which shall be compared with the reference standard at least once every twelve (12) months; and

3.2.6.1.3   Other testing instruments such as phantom loads, ohm meters, voltmeters and ammeters.

3.2.6.2   Category B: Meter Shop with the following minimum testing equipment: 

3.2.6.2.1   At least one (1) working electronic watt-hour meter standard which shall be compared with the reference standard at least once every twelve (12) months; or

3.2.6.2.2   At least one (1) working induction type watt-hour meter standard which shall be compared with the reference standard at least once every six (6) months; and

3.2.6.2.3   Other testing instruments such as phantom loads, ohm meters, voltmeters and ammeters.

3.2.7   Latest Certificate of Calibration of watt-hour meter standards and their traceability to the national standard either directly or indirectly; and

3.2.8   A sworn statement that the Meter Shop shall not engage in the business of selling electric watt-hour meters.

3.3   Pre-assessment

The ERC shall 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 CA.

3.3.1   The criteria are as follows:

3.3.1.   1Facilities ScTIAH

a)   The testing laboratory should be located in an area free from sources of vibration, dust and dirt;

b)   The testing laboratory should be located in a room separate from other Meter Shop operations;

c)   The testing laboratory should have a room temperature controlled to ±5ºC of 23ºC;

d)   The testing laboratory should have good, high intensity lighting, with a minimum amount of glare; and

e)   A voltage regulator shall be provided in order to have a stable test source.

3.3.1.2   Proficiency of the Technical Staff

a)   Personal interview and validation of relevant experiences.

3.4   Payment of Fees

A DU or a consortium of DUs or Third-Party Test Facilities shall pay an application fee of Three Thousand Pesos (PhP3,000.00) upon filing of its Application or Renewal of CA. An Applicant shall likewise pay a license fee equivalent to Ten Thousand Pesos (PhP10,000.00) upon the issuance of the CA.

3.5   Surveillance Assessment

The ERC shall conduct at least once a year scheduled on-site inspection or surveillance assessment of authorized Meter Shops for verification of their continued compliance with CA requirement and with these Rules.

3.6   Display of Valid CA

An original or photocopy of the valid CA issued by the ERC should be permanently displayed in a conspicuous place inside the Meter Shop. AECDHS

ARTICLE IV

Check of Watt-Hour Meter Standards

4.1   Traceability of Watt-hour Meter Standards to NIST

The ERC shall establish and maintain reference standard with highest accuracy traceable to the NIST or its equivalent. In order to link the ERC reference standard to all other meter standards used for calibration and testing, all Category-A Meter Shops shall be required to submit their reference watt-hour meter standards to the ERC for certification on an annual basis.

4.2   Check of Working Watt-hour Meter Standards

Working watt-hour meter standards shall be checked for accuracy on the following schedule:

4.2.1   Annual check for working electronic watt-hour meter standards; and

4.2.2   Semi-annual check for working induction type watt-hour meter standards.

Category-B Meter Shops may bring their working watt-hour meter standard to ERC or to any Category-A Meter Shop for certification according to the schedule specified in sub-sections 4.2.1 and 4.2.2.

4.3   Allowable Percent Error for Watt-hour Meter Standards

The allowable percent error for a reference watt-hour meter standard shall not be more than two-tenths percent (0.2%) at commonly used loads.

The allowable percent error for a working watt-hour meter standard shall not be more than three-tenths percent (0.3%) at commonly used loads.

4.4   Attachment of ERC Sticker

The ERC shall attach a sticker to the equipment after it has been certified. To be indicated on the sticker are the dates of the most recent test and the next scheduled test.

4.5   Certificate of Calibration

An original or photocopy of the valid certificate of calibration or test report issued by the ERC for inspected equipment should be permanently displayed in a conspicuous place inside the Meter Shop. ESHcTD

ARTICLE V

Pre-Installation Test

5.1   Accuracy Performance Criteria

All new and reconditioned or repaired meters shall be calibrated and adjusted by a DU, or a consortium of DUs, or a Third-Party Test Facility to as closely as possible to zero error. To allow for the necessary variations, meters shall be calibrated as follows:

a)   For new electro-mechanical meters, new and old solid state meters, and all poly-phase meters:

Not to exceed the error of plus or minus five-tenths percent (±0.5%) at specified test load points.

b)   For reconditioned or repaired electro-mechanical single phase meters:

a.   Not to exceed the error of plus or minus one percent (±1%) at light load test and seventy five-tenths percent (±0.75%) at full load test for the first three (3) years from the effectivity of these Rules; and

b.   Not to exceed the error of plus or minus five-tenths percent (±0.5%) at specified test load points at the end of the third year following the effectivity of these Rules.

5.1.1   Test load points for single phase meters

5.1.1.1   Light load at unity power factor

5.1.1.2   Full load at unity power factor

5.1.2   Test load points for poly-phase meters

5.1.2.1   Full load at unity power factor

5.1.2.2   Full load at 50% lagging power factor ESTCHa

5.1.2.3   Light load at unity power factor

5.1.2.4   The stators should be balanced within two percent (2%), at full load unity power factor and full load fifty percent (50%) lagging power factor.

5.1.3   Test load points for Electronic watt-hour meters

Electronic watt-hour meters may be tested using a single load point on the following conditions:

5.1.3.1   The meter uses a technology that does not provide separate adjustments for heavy and light load registration; and

5.1.3.2   The meter cannot be adjusted except at the manufacturer's facilities.

5.1.4   Light load

5.1.4.1   The light load for self-contained meters shall mean to be the test load point of between five percent (5%) and ten percent (10%) of its "ampere rating" or "test amperes".

 

5.1.4.2The light load for transformer rated meters shall mean to be the test load point of approximately ten percent (10%) of the secondary rating of the current transformers or its "test amperes".

5.1.5   Full load

5.1.5.1   The full load for self-contained meters shall mean to be the test load point of between sixty percent (60%) and one hundred percent (100%) of its "ampere rating" or "test amperes".

5.1.5.2   The full load for transformer rated meters shall mean to be the test load point of approximately one hundred percent (100%) of the secondary rating of the current transformers or its "test amperes".

5.2   Acceptance Testing by the ERC

Every new and reconditioned or repaired meter before they are put into service should first pass the acceptance test of the ERC based on the criteria specified in Section 5.1 of these Rules. prLL

Upon receipt of a written request by any DU or Meter Shop for acceptance testing, the ERC shall send an authorized representative to where the Meter Shop is located with an order to conduct acceptance testing using a specified type of inspection (normal, reduced, or tightened).

Every individual meter or lot of new meters to be referred to the ERC by the DU for acceptance testing shall be accompanied by a certification from the Meter Shop where the individual meter or lot of meters has been calibrated. To be certified by the head of the Meter Shop is the list of meters with corresponding test results of the errors at light load and full load and the average error of each individual meter.

Reconditioned or repaired electric meters referred by the DU to the ERC for acceptance testing should be labeled as reconditioned or repaired by the concerned Meter Shop where the meters have been reconditioned, repaired and calibrated, and should be dated accordingly. Any modifications made on a meter that may not conform to the original manufacturer's specifications should be indicated in the certification.

5.3   Criteria for Acceptance Testing

All new and reconditioned or repaired meters referred to the ERC for acceptance testing shall be sample tested by the ERC using ANSI Z1.4-1993, "Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes". An Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) of one percent (1%) must be achieved. Single sampling shall be performed in any of the three (3) inspections called normal, reduced, and tightened as shown in Tables 1, 2, and 3 below. Unless otherwise required by the ERC, normal inspection shall be used.

Table-1:Normal Inspection for Acceptance Test

Lot size	Sample size	Number of non-conforming meters
		Criteria for	Criteria for
		acceptance of lot	rejection of lot
up to 150	20	0	1
151 to 280	32	1	2
281 to 500	50	1	2
501 to 1,200	80	2	3
1,201 to 3,200	125	3	4
3,201 to 10,000	200	5	6

Table-2:Reduced Inspection for Acceptance Test

Lot size	Sample size	Number of non-conforming meters
		Criteria for	Criteria for
		acceptance of lot	rejection of lot
up to 150	8	0	1
151 to 280	13	0	1
281 to 500	20	1	1
501 to 1,200	32	1	2
1,201 to 3,200	50	1	2
3,201 to 10,000	80	2	3

Table-3:Tightened Inspection for Acceptance test

Lot size	Sample size	Number of non-conforming meters
		Criteria for	Criteria for
		acceptance of lot	rejection of lot
Up to 150	13	0	1
151 to 280	20	0	1
281 to 500	32	1	2
501 to 1,200	50	1	2
1,201 to 3,200	80	2	3
3,201 to 10,000	315	7	8

5.4   Switching Procedures

The procedures for switching among normal, tightened, and reduced inspection are as follows: TcDIEH

5.4.1   Normal to Reduced Inspection

The ERC may carry out a reduced inspection after ten (10) lots pass consecutively the ERC's acceptance test with no non-conforming meters found while normal inspection is in effect.

5.4.2   Reduced to Normal Inspection

The ERC may revert back to normal inspection when one of the following conditions occurs while reduced inspection is in effect:

5.4.2.1   A lot has been withheld from acceptance by the ERC;

5.4.2.2   Non-conforming meters have been found, and; 

5.4.2.3   Request for sample testing becomes irregular.

5.4.3   Normal to Tightened Inspection

The ERC may enforce a tightened inspection when one of the following conditions occurs while normal inspection is in effect:

5.4.3.1   Two (2) lots from the last five (5) lots inspected have been withheld from acceptance by the ERC; and

5.4.3.2   Two (2) non-conforming meters or more per lot were found five (5) times during a period of six (6) months.

5.4.4   Tightened to Normal Inspection

The ERC may revert back to normal inspection when one of the following conditions occurs while tightened inspection is in effect:

5.4.4.1   Five (5) lots sample tested consecutively were accepted; and

5.4.4.2   No non-conforming meters have been found within a period of six (6) months.

5.4.5   Suspension and Revocation of CA

The ERC reserves the right to suspend the CA issued to a Meter Shop if the sampling inspection of lots of said Meter Shop remains tightened for a period of one (1) year. The CA can only be claimed back by the Meter Shop after a period of three (3) months. However, the CA shall be revoked and the Meter Shop shall be permanently blacklisted from operating if similar shortcoming occurs for the second time within the three-year validity period of the CA. cAECST

5.5   Acceptance Sample Testing Procedures

The ERC shall conduct the sample testing using the following procedures:

5.5.1   Meters shall be grouped into lots so that each lot, as far as practicable, shall consist of units of similar brand, type, class, and ampere and voltage ratings.

5.5.2   Samples shall be taken from each lot at random. In order that every meter in the lot will have an equal chance to be drawn, a table of random numbers, or some equivalent mechanical or numerical procedure shall be used.

5.5.3   Meters originally chosen for sample testing shall not be switched with another one after the sampling process has been started.

5.5.4A   sample meter shall be considered as conforming if the result of the test meets the criteria of Section 5.1 of these Rules.

5.5.5A   sample meter shall be considered as non-conforming if the result of the test does not meet the criteria of Section 5.1 of these Rules.

5.5.6A   lot that fails the acceptance test shall be returned to the concerned Meter Shop or Third-Party Test Facility for corrective actions.

5.5.7   Non-conforming sample meters taken from a lot that passes the acceptance test shall be calibrated to the acceptable accuracy limit before they are returned to the lot.

5.5.8   Every meter in the lot that passes the acceptance test shall have an ERC seal and color-coded sticker attached to it.

ARTICLE VI

In-Service Testing

6.1   Statistical Sampling Program for In-service Meters

A statistical sampling program shall be used to comply with the regulatory requirement of conducting periodic testing of all individual meters in service. The sample testing shall start on every first month of a scheduled sample testing year, as shown in Table-4. ISHaCD

Table-4:Sample Testing Schedule

Year of meter's last	Sample testing year	Remarks
test
Year of effectivity of	3rd Calendar Year	To be retested every
these Rules, and	from effectivity of	two (2) years thereafter
below	these Rules

 

Meters installed after the year of the effectivity of these Rules shall be scheduled for retesting two (2) years after installation and every two (2) years thereafter.

The statistical sampling program shall conform to the following criteria:

a.   The plan shall use ANSI Z1.4-1993, "Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes" as the basis for random statistical quality control and random sample selection of meters as simplified in Table-5;

b.   Inspection level "General II — Normal"; and

c.   Acceptability Quality Level (AQL) of 2.5% must be achieved.

Table-5:Double Sampling for In-service Testing

(1)	(2)	(3)	Number of non-conforming	(7)
Lot size	Series	Sample		meters
	number	size	(4)	(5)	(6)	Spare
	of sample		Criteria for	Criteria for	Criteria for	Meters
	testing		acceptance	rejection of	required 2nd
			of lot	lot	sample
up	1st	32	1	4	2 to 3	3
to
500*	2nd	32	1	2		3
501	1st	50	2	5	3 to 4	4
to
1,200	2nd	50	2	3		4
1,201	1st	80	3	7	4 to 6	6
to
3,200	2nd	80	3	4		6
3,201	1st	125	5	9	6 to 8	8
to
10,000	2nd	125	5	6		8
10,001	1st	200	7	11	8 to 10	10
to
35,000	2nd	200	7	8		10
35,001	1st	315	11	16	12 to 15	15
to
150,000	2nd	315	11	12		15

 

Note:* Meters in lots with sizes of 32 meters and below shall be tested individually.

(1)   Indicates the number of meters in a lot

(2)   Indicates the series number of sample testing

(3)   Indicates the number of meters for sample testing

(4)   Indicates the maximum number of non-conforming meters in sample to allow acceptance of the lot

(5)   Indicates the number of non-conforming meters in sample to cause rejection of the lot

(6)   Indicates the number of non-conforming meters in the first sample testing to necessitate a second sample testing

(7)   Indicates the number of randomly selected meters as replacement to sample meters on the following conditions:

i.Sample meter is found damaged; and

ii.Sample meter is found tampered. HTCESI

6.2   Sampling Testing Plan Application

Every DU shall be required to submit a sampling plan application to the ERC for approval on or before the first quarter of the year preceding the sample testing year. The plan shall contain the following information:

6.2.1   Name and address of the DU;

6.2.2   Lot sizes and the corresponding 1st and 2nd samples and spare meters. To be indicated are the types and brands of meters, meter serial and/or company numbers, and locations of where the meters are installed;

6.2.3   The scheduled testing dates of the meters selected for sampling;

6.2.4   Statement from the DU as to whether or not the lot applied for sampling inspections was previously subjected to sampling inspections; and

6.2.5   The name of the meter shop, if the testing is to be performed by a Meter Shop not owned by the DU.

6.3   Sampling Inspection Procedures for In-service Meters

The DU shall conduct the sampling inspection using the following procedures:

6.3.1   Divide the meter population into two (2) segments. One segment comprises the poly-phase and transformer rated meters and the other segment comprises the self-contained single phase meters.

6.3.2   Divide each segment into two (2) sub-segments. One sub-segment comprises the electronic or solid state group and the other sub-segment comprises the electro-mechanical or Ferraris group.

6.3.3   The sub-segments shall further be divided into lot sizes containing a maximum of 150,000 meters categorized by types and brands and on the basis of location.

6.3.4   Take samples from each lot at random using a table of random numbers or some equivalent mechanical or numerical procedure in order that every meter in the lot will have an equal chance to be drawn. IcCDAS

6.3.5   A sample meter originally listed in the sampling testing plan application should not be switched with another meter once the sampling testing plan application has already been approved by the ERC.

6.3.6   Conduct tests on the sample meters at the customer's premises or at the Meter Shop.

6.3.7   Sample meters pulled-out for testing at the Meter Shop should be replaced.

6.3.8   A meter is considered non-conforming if its average accuracy is found to be outside the range of 98% to 102%, or if its error in registration at any test load point is more than plus or minus three percent (±3%).

6.3.9   All of the meters in the accepted lot should be retained in service, including sample meters tested at the customers' premises found conforming, without further accuracy adjustments.

6.3.10   Sample meters tested at the customers' premises which were found non-conforming should be replaced.

6.3.11   Sample meters pulled-out for testing at the Meter Shop should be reconditioned or repaired, calibrated and should undergo acceptance testing by the ERC before they are re-installed for new connections.

6.3.12   All meters comprising the rejected lot should be removed and be replaced with new or reconditioned meters within a period of time stated in the meter replacement program to be submitted by the DU: Provided, however, that such period shall, in no case, be more than one (1) year. All meters removed from service shall either be reconditioned or permanently be retired.

6.3.13A   progress report should be submitted to the ERC on a regular interval in electronic copy of the summary result of the sample testing program for a particular year until the program is completed. The report shall include the following: DSTCIa

6.3.13.1   Number of lots;

6.3.13.2   Description of meters in each lot;

6.3.13.3   List of meters in each lot;

6.3.13.4   Average error and error in registration at each load point of every sample meter tested;

6.3.13.5   Evaluation of the cause of rejection of all rejected lot; and

6.3.13.6   Program for the replacement of meters in rejected lots.

6.4   ERC Evaluation of Sample Testing Program

The summary result of the sample testing program submitted by the DU shall be evaluated by the ERC and the decision to increase or reduce the validity period for each type of meter shall be based on it.

6.5   Extension of the Validity Period of Meter Certification

The ERC shall issue color-coded stickers to the DU for attachment on the glass covers of all meters in lots found acceptable as proof of its approval to extend the validity of the meter certifications for another two (2) years.

ARTICLE VII

Customer Requested Test

7.1   Test Requested to the DU

The DU shall contact and inform the concerned parties of the date and time of the meter test within seven (7) working days after receipt of a customer's request for meter test. The meter test shall be completed within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the request.

The DU shall provide the concerned parties of the following information before the scheduled time and date of test:

7.1.1   Location/address where the meter is installed; TAECaD

7.1.2   Name and contact numbers of persons for test coordination; 

7.1.3   Meter serial and/or company number;

7.1.4   Date and time of test;

7.1.5   Date and result of last meter test; and

7.1.6   Last meter reading.

7.2   Investigation Procedures

The conduct of the investigation shall follow the following procedures:

7.2.1   Check the following specifications found on the nameplate of the watt-hour meter for agreement with the following recorded data:

7.2.1.1   Serial and/or company number; and

7.2.1.2   Nameplate data such as make, type, watt-hour constant (kh), register ratio (Rr), gear ratio (Gr), and Multiplier.

7.2.2   Record the actual reading of the meter. If the register of the meter is of the clock type, to be indicated are the exact positions of the dial pointers. If the meter has an electronic register or has a cyclometer type of register, the appropriate registration shall be recorded.

7.2.3   Inspect the conditions of the meter seal, the ERC sticker, and the correctness of the wiring connections.

7.2.4   Test the meter for creep with all of the meter's potential coils energized and all of the meter's current coils disconnected from the circuit.

7.2.5   Make at least two (2) tests at each load. If the two (2) tests fail to agree within five tenth percent (0.5%), four (4) more tests shall be made until agreement is obtained on two (2) consecutive tests. If such agreement is not obtained, the meter registration shall be reported as "Imprecise" and the meter shall be recommended for replacement. caAICE

7.2.6   Check all worm wheels and gears for proper and continuous mesh.

7.2.7   Report the results of the meter test within a reasonable time after the completion of the test. The report, copy furnished the customer, shall give the following information:

7.2.7.1   Name of the customer requesting the test;

7.2.7.2   Date request was received;

7.2.7.3   Location where the meter is installed;

7.2.7.4   Type, make, voltage and ampere ratings, serial and/or company number of the meter;

7.2.7.5   Date of the meter test; and

7.2.7.6   Test Result.

7.3   Referee Test

A referee test is a test of a meter conducted or witnessed by an ERC authorized representative.

If a customer or a DU makes a request for a referee test, the ERC shall coordinate the date, time and location of the referee test with all concerned parties within five (5) working days after receipt of the complaint or request.

The ERC shall request the DU to provide the concerned parties similar information specified in Section 7.1 of these Rules before the scheduled date and time of test.

The referee test shall follow the same procedure specified in Section 7.2 of these Rules.

ARTICLE VIII

Instrument Transformer Test

8.1   Pre-installation Stage

Instrument transformers shall be tested before being placed in service to determine their compliance with the International IEC Standards or their equivalent. HaIESC

8.1.1   Transformation Ratio Test

Instrument transformers shall be tested of their accuracy transformation ratio which should not exceed plus or minus three tenths percent (±0.3%). ERC stickers shall be attached to the instrument transformers by the ERC as warranty that they are acceptable to be used in service.

8.1.2   Secondary Burden

The burden in each phase of the instrument transformer shall not exceed its specified burden. Instrument transformers shall be connected only to a revenue meter with a burden that will not affect the accuracy of the measurement.

8.1.3The marking of the leads should be checked by a polarity test.

8.2   In-Service Stage

An instrument transformer shall not be allowed to remain in service without checking its accuracy, if its outward appearance shows evidence of physical damage, discolored terminals that may be due to overload, or change in texture or appearance of the insulation of the bushings.

8.2.1   Accuracy Errors

Instrument transformers found to have accuracy error of more than the allowable limit of plus or minus three tenths percent (±0.3%) shall be replaced within a period of six (6) months. Correction factors shall be used while they are still un-replaced.

8.2.2   Damaged Instrument Transformers

Damaged instrument transformers shall be replaced immediately.

ARTICLE IX

Fees and Charges

The existing meter testing fees approved under Resolution No. 21, series of 2007, is hereby amended. The new meter testing and calibration fees are shown in Table-6. SHAcID

Table-6.Fees and Charges

	Name of Fee	Fee
Certificate of Authority to Operate a Meter	PhP10,000.00
	Shop (for 3 years duration)
Acceptance Test:
	Pass		PhP30.00 per sample meter plus
			PhP15.00 per meter of the
			remaining meters in the lot
	Fail		PhP15.00 per sample meter
Validity Extension of Meter Certification	PhP5.00 per meter in a lot
Meter Type Certification	PhP1,500.00
ERC Laboratory Testing Fees:
Meter Calibration and Testing
	Single Phase (electronic, hybrid or
	Ferraris)		PhP70.00 per meter
		Without demand register	PhP100.00 per meter
		With demand register	PhP130.00 per meter
		With electronic demand register
	Poly-phase
	(Ferraris/Panel Board — 2 stators)
		Without demand register	Php180.00 per meter
		With demand register	PhP210.00 per meter
		With electronic demand register	PhP240.00 per meter
	Poly-phase
	(Ferraris/Panel Board — 3 stators)
		Without demand register	PhP230.00 per meter
		With demand register	PhP260.00 per meter
		With electronic demand register	PhP290.00 per meter
	Electronic Meter	PhP290.00 per meter
	Integrating Pulse Meter	PhP1,140.00 per meter
	Watt-hour Meter Standard	PhP290.00 per unit
Instrument Transformer	PhP290.00 per unit

 

ARTICLE X

Miscellaneous Provisions

10.1   Retention Period of Test Records

The DU shall retain the record of all watt-hour meter tests for a period of at least two (2) years.

10.2   Reportorial Requirements for a Meter Shop

Every Meter Shop shall submit a monthly report to the ERC containing the following:

10.2.1   Total number of calibrated new meters during the month classified according to ownership; and

10.2.2   Total number of repaired and calibrated meters during the month classified according to ownership.

10.3   Reportorial Requirements for a DU

Every DU shall include in its Annual Report to ERC a monthly data of the following:

10.3.1   Total number of new connections per month;

10.3.2   Total number of meter replacements per month;

10.3.3   Total number of new meters acquired per month; and ScHADI

10.3.4   Total number of meters repaired per month. To be indicated is the name of the Meter Shop where the meters were repaired.

ARTICLE XI

Transitory Provisions

11.1   Every DU or consortium of DUs shall file with the ERC an application for a Certificate of Authority (CA) or an application for exemption from maintaining a Meter Shop within six (6) months from the effectivity of these Rules.

11.2   The ERC shall start to implement the sampling method of acceptance testing of all meters twelve (12) months after the effectivity of these Rules.

11.3   The implementation of the statistical sampling program for in-service meters shall start on the first (1st) month of the third (3rd) calendar year from effectivity of these Rules. Every DU shall submit to the ERC for approval a statistical sampling program for in-service meters within the first (1st) quarter of the second (2nd) calendar year from the effectivity of these Rules.

ARTICLE XII

Repealing Clause

All existing rules, regulations, guidelines or practices which are inconsistent herewith are hereby deemed modified accordingly.

ARTICLE XIII

Sanctions

Violation of any section of the foregoing set of Rules and Procedures will be subject to the penalty which the ERC may impose pursuant to the "Guidelines to Govern the Imposition of Administrative Sanctions in the Form of Fines and Penalties Pursuant to Section 46 of R.A. No. 9136", as amended.

ARTICLE XIV

Effectivity

This set of Rules shall take effect on the fifteenth (15th) day following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the country. HTaIAC

Pasig City, June 1, 2009.

(SGD.) ZENAIDA G. CRUZ-DUCUTChairperson

(SGD.) RAUF A. TANCommissioner

(SGD.) ALEJANDRO Z. BARINCommissioner

(SGD.) MARIA TERESA A.R. CASTAÑEDACommissioner

(SGD.) JOSE C. REYESCommissioner