Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-20.6 - [Effective 7/16/2025] Metering

(1) Inspection and testing program. Each utility shall adopt a written program for the inspection and testing of its meters to determine the necessity for adjustment, replacement, or repair. The frequency of inspection and methods of testing shall be based on the utility's experience, manufacturer's recommendations, and accepted good practice. The publications listed in subrule 20.6(3) are representative of accepted good practice. Each utility shall maintain inspecting and testing records for each meter and associated device until three years after its retirement.

(2) Program content. The written program shall, at minimum, address the following subject areas:

a. Classification of meters by capacity, type, and any other factor considered pertinent.

b. Checking of new meters for acceptable accuracy before they are placed in service.

c. Testing of in-service meters, including any associated instruments or corrective devices, for accuracy, adjustments, or repairs. This may be accomplished by periodic tests at specified intervals or on the basis of a statistical sampling plan but shall include meters removed from service for any reason.

d. Periodic calibration or testing of devices or instruments used by the utility to test meters.

e. The limits of meter accuracy considered acceptable by the utility.

f. The nature of meter and meter test records that will be maintained by the utility.

(3) Accepted good practice. The American National Standard Code for Electricity Metering, ANSI C12.1-2022, as approved June 9, 2022, is considered to be representative of accepted good practice in matters of metering and meter testing.

(4) Meter adjustment. All meters and associated metering devices shall, when tested, be adjusted as closely as practicable to the condition of zero error.

(5) Request tests. Upon request by a customer, a utility shall test the meter servicing for that customer but need not test more frequently than once in 18 months.

A written report of the test results shall be mailed to the customer within ten days of the completed test, and a record of each test shall be kept and made available upon request. The utility shall give the customer or a representative of the customer the opportunity to be present while the test is conducted.

If the test finds the meter is accurate within the limits accepted by the utility in its meter inspection and testing program, the utility may charge the customer $25 or the cost of conducting the test, whichever is less. The customer shall be advised of any potential charge before the meter is removed for testing.

(6) Referee tests. Upon written request by a customer or utility, the commission will conduct a referee test of a meter but need not test more frequently than once in 18 months. The customer request shall be accompanied by a $30 deposit made payable to the utility.

Within five days of receipt of the written request and payment, the commission shall forward the deposit to the utility and notify the utility of the requirement for a test. The utility shall, within 30 days after notification of the request, schedule the date, time, and place of the test with the commission and customer. The meter shall not be removed or adjusted before the test. The utility shall furnish all testing equipment and facilities for the test. If the tested meter is found to be more than 2 percent fast or 2 percent slow, the deposit will be returned to the party requesting the test and billing adjustments shall be made as required in subrule 20.4(13). The commission shall issue its report within 15 days after the test is conducted, with a copy to the customer and the utility.

(7) Condition of meter. No meter that is known to be mechanically or electrically defective, or to have incorrect constants, or that has not been tested and adjusted if necessary in accordance with these rules shall be installed or continued in service. The capacity of the meter and the index mechanism shall be consistent with the electricity requirements of the customer.

(8) Comprehensive meter upgrade programs.

a. A utility may forgo the meter testing procedures required under the utility's own inspection and testing program and subrule 20.6(2) if:

(1) The meters are removed or scheduled to be removed as part of a comprehensive meter upgrade program over a specified period not to exceed three years;

(2) The meters being removed have not previously been shown to be inaccurate or otherwise faulty;

(3) The utility either retains the removed meters for a period of one year from the removal date to allow customers the opportunity to challenge a meter's accuracy or tests a representative statistical sample based upon an industry standard such as ANSI C12.1-2022 of each type of meter being removed as part of the program and maintains the removed meters for a period of at least six months; and

(4) The utility tests any meter upon request of a customer based upon the customer's experience comparing the replaced and replacement meters.

b. Prior to forgoing its testing procedures under this subrule, a utility shall notify the commission that the utility is engaging in a comprehensive meter upgrade program. The notice shall state the option the utility is electing to pursue under subparagraph 20.6(8)"a"(3), the specified period of the program, and the expected number of meters to be upgraded. A utility electing to test a statistical sample of removed meters under subparagraph 20.6(8)"a"(3) shall also state the industry standard it will use to determine the sample size and provide the full text of the standard to the commission upon request.

c. A utility shall continue to follow the meter testing procedures for meters removed for any reason unrelated to the comprehensive meter upgrade program.

d. A utility shall resume the meter testing procedures required under the utility's own inspection and testing program and subrule 20.6(2) upon completion of the comprehensive meter upgrade program or the end of the specified period, whichever occurs first.

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-20.6

ARC 7962B, lAB 7/15/09, effective 8/19/09 Amended by IAB December 5, 2018/Volume XLI, Number 12, effective 1/9/2019 Adopted by IAB June 11, 2025/Volume XLVII, Number 25, effective 7/16/2025