PS-EG-02—Provisional Specifications for the Means and Methods of Sealing Verified Electricity and Gas Meters

PS-EG-02—Provisional Specifications for the Means and Methods of Sealing Verified Electricity and Gas Meters (PDF, 58 KB, 5 pages)

Information Bulletin—Notification of Change in Measurement Canada Sealing Practice for Electricity and Gas Meters

Information Bulletin—Publication of Specifications Related to Physical Sealing of Electricity and Gas Meters

Table of Contents

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this provisional specification is to establish Measurement Canada's (MC) requirements for physical sealing of verified electricity and gas meters.

2.0 Scope

This provisional specification applies to electricity and gas meters and ancillary devices verified by an inspector or an accredited meter verifier pursuant to the requirements of the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act (EGIA) and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations.

3.0 Authority

This provisional specification is issued under the authority of section 18 of the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations (EGIR).

4.0 References

4.1 Electricity and Gas Inspection Act (R.S. 1985, c. E-4), s. 28.

4.2 Electricity and Gas Regulations (SOR/86-131), s. 18

4.3 Principles of Sealing Meters and Trade Devices, 1999-07-26

5.0 Terminology

Conventional seal

Either a galvanized metal prong-lock/roll-up type seal incorporating a fold-over mechanism with serrated teeth, or a crimp-type lead seal.

Conventional sealing method

The wire-based method used to secure the cover of a meter to its base by using a metallic wire, (having a diameter of at least 0.644 mm), or a nylon monofilament line, (of any diameter), in conjunction with a conventional seal.

Meter terminal

A wiring connection on an electricity or gas meter which allows for electrical input power and/or for measurement inputs and outputs.

Seal

A physical mechanism that is used to secure access to a meter's metrological adjustments and sealable parameters so that access or changes to metrological adjustments and sealable parameters will be detectable.

Sealable parameter means any parameter, component or programming, including calibration and configuration adjustment, which can affect the measurement accuracy of a meter or the measurement data presented by a meter.

Sealing

An action performed in order to secure a device.

Verification mark

A mark applied at the time of verification, to a device that has been found to be in compliance with the EGIA. A verification mark includes any seal, stamp, tag or label which identifies the verifier and the year in which the verification takes place.

6.0 General

The requirements contained in this provisional specification have been established in accordance with MC's Sealing Principles (refer to the Appendix).

7.0 Requirements for Sealing of Verified Meters

This section describes the specific requirements applicable to sealing meters which have been verified pursuant to the EGIA.

7.1 General

7.1.1 Unless otherwise permitted by the President of MC pursuant to the EGIR, each meter verified for use in trade shall be sealed in accordance with these Provisional Specifications.

7.1.2 The methods used for sealing an electricity or gas meter or ancillary device shall:

  1. secure a meter so that access or changes to all working parts, metrological adjustments, programming, and sealable parameters will be detectable (i.e. the seal will be broken); and
  2. provide an indication of the date and organization which verified the device.

7.1.3 A seal and or verification mark shall be applied:

  1. only by an inspector or an accredited meter verifier designated under the EGIA; and
  2. only after it has been verified that the meter is found to comply with the applicable MC requirements specified for verification or reverification.

7.1.4 Except as otherwise provided by or pursuant to the EGIA, no meter on which the seal has been broken shall be placed into service or continued in use until it has been reverified and sealed.

7.1.5 In the event that a seal is discovered to have failed (e.g. a seal falls off the meter after being put into service or is otherwise found to be ineffective in performing the functions of a seal - refer to clause 1 of the Appendix), the meter contractor and/or owner shall be responsible for any and all corrective actions required to bring the meters back into compliance through reverification and sealing.

7.1.6 The rendering ineffective of a seal shall be deemed to constitute breaking the seal.

7.2 Alternative Sealing Methods

Electricity and gas meters are evaluated by MC Approval Services Laboratory (ASL) to ascertain whether or not a meter is constructed with physical sealing provisions that allow for the conventional sealing method. Alternative seal types and sealing methods are not evaluated by ASL for purposes of meter approval.

7.2.1 An accredited meter verifier may use a physical seal type and sealing method other than the MC conventional type and method on condition that the sealing method:

  1. complies with MC's sealing principles (refer to the Appendix);
  2. is accepted for use by the contractor and/or meter owner; and
  3. is documented and recognized under the accredited meter verifier's quality program.

7.2.2 Alternative seals and sealing methods are subject to the same requirements as those established in section 7.1 above for conventional seals. Therefore, in the event that an alternative seal and/or sealing method is discovered to have failed, the requirement of 7.1.5 applies.

7.2.3 Any alternative sealing methods which are discovered to have failed shall be deemed to not comply with MC's sealing principles and shall no longer be permitted for use.

7.3 Meter Terminals

Where the requirement to seal meter terminals has not been prescribed, terminals may be sealed by meter owners/contractors at their discretion via the application of conventional or alternate sealing methodologies and seals, as applicable. The sealing of meter terminals is recommended as a means of increasing the security and integrity of the meter and ancillary device(s) used in a measuring system.

8.0 Additional Information

For additional information regarding this provisional specification, please contact the Senior Program Officer responsible for electricity or gas measurement. For more information regarding Measurement Canada and its programs, visit our Web site located at http://mc.ic.gc.ca.

Alan Johnston
President
Measurement Canada

Appendix - Principles for Sealing Meters and Trade Devices

Measurement Canada has established the following general principles of sealing meters and other trade measurement devices. These principles have been established to protect all parties to a trade measurement transaction equally and without bias.

1. The functions of a seal are:

  1. to secure a device so that access or changes to metrological adjustments, programming and sealable parameters will be detectable;
  2. to identify the date and organization which verified the device. This information is necessary for the administration and enforcement of legislation, for complaint or dispute investigation purposes, and also for seal period expiry date determination and compliance sampling (seal-date extension) purposes; and
  3. to act as a deterrent against unauthorized access or changing of metrologically sensitive adjustments and sealable parameters.

2. A seal is required whenever a meter (defined pursuant to the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act), is verified for trade use and it is possible to affect the metrological adjustments or sealable parameters of the device.

3. A seal or verification mark can only be applied by an accredited meter verifier or an inspector designated under the EGIA.

4. A seal is a vital component of a credible measurement system which provides confidence in the integrity and accuracy of measurement in the following manner:

  1. an intact seal provides evidence and confidence in the integrity of the meter and the measurement information it contains. This evidence is independent of either of the parties (purchaser or seller) which have a stake in the veracity of the measurement information, which is especially important in the case of a measurement dispute investigation;
  2. an intact seal provides a level of assurance that the device complies with metrological criteria established by an independent party (i.e. Measurement Canada) under the general direction of federal legislation;
  3. the markings on a seal are used to determine when and by whom the meter was verified, which is one of the key factors in ascertaining whether or not the sealed meter conforms with legislated requirements;
  4. seals are an important part of the process in determining the validity of sample meters inspected pursuant to seal-date extension programs.

5. A verification mark does not constitute a seal pursuant to the EGIA, but may be included on a tag used for sealing. A verification mark is a mark which is applied, at the time of verification, to a device that has been found to be in compliance with the applicable legislation (i.e. typically on a seal tag or an adhesive sticker). Its primary purpose is for the benefit of the public to show that the device has been officially examined and verified by a Measurement Canada inspector or an authorized service provider/accredited meter verifier. The use of a verification mark also indicates a Measurement Canada presence in the marketplace, providing confidence in a device's accuracy and integrity. Finally, a verification mark provides a link to the organization which verified the device. This information is valuable in tracing records relating to the verification of the device.