| results of the test.
(5) Bill adjustment due to submeter error. If any submeter
is found not to be within the accuracy standards in subsection (f)(4)
of this section proper correction shall be made of previous readings.
An adjusted bill shall be rendered in accordance with subsection (d)(6)
of this section. If a submeter is found not to register for any period,
unless bypassed or tampered with, the owner may make a charge for
units used, but not metered, for a period not to exceed one month
based on amounts used under similar conditions during periods preceding
or subsequent thereto, or during the corresponding period in previous
years.
(6) Bill adjustment due to conversion. If, during the
90-day period preceding the installation of meters or submeters, an
owner increases rental rates, and such increase is attributable to
increased costs of electric service, then such owner shall immediately
reduce the rental rate by the amount of such increase and shall refund
all of the increase that has previously been collected within the
90-day period.
(7) Location of submeters. Submeters, service switches,
or cut-off valves in conjunction with the submeters shall be installed
in accordance with the latest edition of ANSI, Standard C12, and will
be readily accessible for reading, testing, and inspection, with minimum
interference and inconvenience to the tenant.
(8) Submeter testing facilities and equipment.
(A) Qualified expert. Each owner engaged in electric
submetering shall engage an independent qualified expert to provide
such instruments and other equipment and facilities as may be necessary
to make the submeter tests required by this section. Such equipment
and facilities shall generally conform to the ANSI, Standard C12,
unless otherwise prescribed by the commission, and shall be available
at all reasonable times for the inspection by its authorized representatives.
(B) Portable standards. Each owner engaged in electrical
submetering shall, unless specifically excused by the commission,
provide or utilize a testing firm which provides portable test instruments
as necessary for testing billing submeters.
(C) Reference standards. Each owner shall provide or
have access to suitable indicating instruments as reference standards
for insuring the accuracy of shop and portable instruments used for
testing billing submeters.
(D) Testing of reference standards. All reference standards
shall be submitted once each year or on a scheduled basis approved
by the commission to a standardizing laboratory of recognized standing,
for the purpose of testing and adjustment.
(E) Calibration of test equipment. All shop and portable
instruments used for testing billing submeters shall be calibrated
by comparing them with a reference standard at least every 120 days
during the time such test instruments are being regularly used. Test
equipment shall at all times be accompanied by a certified calibration
card signed by the proper authority, giving the date when it was last
certified and adjusted. Records of certifications and calibrations
shall be kept on file in the office of the owner.
(9) Accuracy requirements for submeters.
(A) Limits. No submeter that exceeds the test calibration
limits for self-contained watt-hour meters as set by the ANSI, Standard
C12, shall be placed in service or left in service. All electrical
current transformers, potential transformers, or other such devices
used in conjunction with an electric submeter shall be considered
part of the submeter and must also meet test calibration and phase
angle limits set by the ANSI Standard C12 and the ANSI Standard C57.13
for revenue billing. A nameplate shall be attached to each transformer
and shall include or refer to calibration and phase angle data and
other information required by the ANSI Standard C12 and the ANSI Standard
C57.13 for revenue billing. Whenever on installation, periodic, or
other tests, an electric submeter or transformer is found to exceed
these limits, it shall be adjusted, repaired, or replaced.
(B) Adjustments. Submeters shall be adjusted as closely
as possible to the condition of zero error. The tolerances are specified
only to allow for necessary variations.
(10) Submeter tests prior to installation. No submeter
shall be placed in service unless its accuracy has been established.
If any submeter is removed from actual service and replaced by another
submeter for any purpose whatsoever, it shall be properly tested and
adjusted before being placed in service again.
(11) Testing of electric submeters in service. Standard
electromechanical single stator watt-hour meters with permanent braking
magnets shall be tested in accordance with the ANSI Standard C12 for
periodic, variable interval, or statistical sampling testing programs.
All other types of submeters shall be tested at least annually unless
specified otherwise by the commission.
(12) Restriction. Unless otherwise provided by the
commission, no dwelling unit in an apartment house or mobile home
park may be submetered unless all dwelling units are submetered.
(13) Same type meters required. All submeters which
are served by the same master meter shall be of the same type, such
as induction or electronic.
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| Source Note: The provisions of this §25.142 adopted to be effective August 11, 1999, 24 TexReg 6031; amended to be effective January 6, 2011, 35 TexReg 11854; amended to be effective June 10, 2013, 38 TexReg 3568 |
