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Gen-27 Policy on the Issuance of Inspection Certificates and the Recording of Test Results under the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act
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Gen-27, in PDF format, 46 KB
Table of Contents
1.0 Purpose
2.0 Scope
3.0 Definitions
4.0 Background
5.0 Administrative Requirements for the Issuance of Certificate
6.0 Recording Test Results
7.0 Additional Information
Date: 2003-10-21
Bulletin: Gen 27
Category: General
Document(s): EGI Regs, Section 21
1.0 Purpose
The purpose of this bulletin is to specify Measurement Canada’s policy for the issuance of certificates and the recording of test results when performing initial verifications and reverifications of electricity and gas meters under the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act (Act).
2.0 Scope
The policy requirements specified in this bulletin apply to Measurement Canada inspectors and accredited organizations.
3.0 Definitions
The key terms used in this bulletin are defined as follows:
Certificate: An official document issued pursuant to section 14 of the Act which certifies that the meters have been inspected and indicates the verification results.
Verification: All the operations carried out by an inspector or accredited meter verifier having the object of ascertaining and confirming that a meter entirely satisfies specified requirements. Any reference to "verification" includes both the initial verification and reverification of meters, whether by 100% inspection or through the use of statistical sampling methods authorized by Measurement Canada. It also includes the application of a verification mark.
4.0 Background
In accordance with paragraph 21(h) of the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations (Regulations), the certificate issued following the verification of an electricity or gas meter must contain the results of the tests on that meter at all points tested. In 1986, new inspection certificates and related instructions for their completion were developed and issued for the use of Measurement Canada inspection personnel. Since then, owing to differing interpretations of the Regulations and instructions, various practices were adopted in the Regions. Consequently, inspection results are currently not being recorded in a consistent manner. Industry representatives and Measurement Canada staff have requested a review of the requirements for recording test results on certificates and clear instructions on how to comply with those requirements.
The inspection certificate instructions were issued to Measurement Canada personnel in 1986 were designed to capture the information required under section 21 of the Regulations as well as other information required by Measurement Canada for administration purposes. A review of the 1986 instructions and the inspection information recorded by Measurement Canada personnel has indicated that the instructions may not require enough information in some cases, and in other instances, the information required may be of questionable value. In addition, since the instructions were developed solely for the use of Measurement Canada, questions have been raised about the legal application of additional information requirements by accredited meter verifiers (in addition to those prescribed by section 21 of the Regulations). Measurement Canada has determined that a further review of the inspection information requirements is required and that an amendment to section 21 of the Regulations may be needed to include any additional information.
The policies contained in this bulletin respond to several questions received by Measurement Canada on certain fundamental areas in the preparation of inspection certificates. Following the review of inspection information requirements and the need for possible amendments to section 21 of the Regulations, this bulletin may be revised to include further directives on the preparation of inspection certificates.
5.0 Administrative Requirements for the Issuance of Certificate
5.1 Inspector
Pursuant to section 14 of the Act, the inspector shall issue a certificate upon the verification or reverification of a meter(s).
5.2 Accredited Organizations that own the Meter
Where an accredited organization verifies or reverifies a meter which they own, the accredited organization is not required to issue a certificate as prescribed by section 14 of the Act. In such cases, the accredited organization may instead choose to maintain all of the information prescribed by section 21 of the Regulations in records that are required to be kept pursuant to sections 11 and 28 of the Regulations.
5.3 Accredited Organizations that do not own the Meter (Meter Service Organization)
Pursuant to section 14 of the Act, an accredited organization shall issue a certificate upon the verification or reverification of a meter(s). In addition, the accredited organization shall maintain records pursuant to section 28 of the Regulations. In the case of meters that do not achieve a verified status, the accredited organization shall record the information prescribed by section 21 of the Regulations on either the certificate, or on records which are authorized and controlled under the organization’s quality assurance program.
5.4 Information Location
5.4.1 The information required on the certificate issued pursuant to section 14 of the Act, may be recorded on an accompanying work document(s) contiguous to the certificate, under the condition that the work document(s) contains the following:
a) identification number of the certificate;
b) signature of the inspector or the accredited meter verifier;
c) date of the verification or reverification; and,
d) page number.
5.4.2 The total number of work documents shall be recorded on the host certificate.1
6.0 Recording Test Results
6.1 Accuracy Tests
The results of each specified accuracy test which is subject to a maximum permissible error shall be recorded on the inspection certificate.
Note: In addition, in situations where test results incorporate a bias which has been authorized by Measurement Canada, the bias value applied to the test result shall be recorded.
6.2 Functionality Tests
The results of each specified functionality test not subject to a maximum permissible error (e.g. coil association test or no load test in an electricity meter) may be indicated with a mark or symbol to indicate pass or failure. Where all devices on a certificate have the same test result for a given functionality test, one record per certificate is acceptable for all meters named on the same certificate.
7.0 Additional Information
For additional information regarding this bulletin, please contact the Senior Program Officer responsible for electricity or gas measurement.
Bruce Lyng
Manager, Utility Metering Division
Program Development Directorate
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Measurement Canada
