P-E-01—Procedures for calibrating and certifying electricity meter calibration consoles pursuant to EL-ENG-12-01 (lm04620)

5.0 Procedures for the assessment of administrative requirements
(EL-ENG-12-01, s. 5.0)

5.1 Roles and responsibilities (EL-ENG-12-01, s. 5.2)

5.1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this section is to clarify the intent of section 5.2 of EL-ENG-12-01, which outlines the roles and responsibilities related to the administration and application of EL-ENG-12-01.

Note: Any reference to "owner" includes the individuals or organizations authorized under the Act to use calibration consoles for the verification of meters.

5.1.2 Certification process

5.1.2.1 Owners of calibration consoles who are not authorized to certify calibration consoles pursuant to C-D-01 can request certification through any district or regional MC office.

5.1.2.2 All calibration console certification tests are carried out by local MC inspection staff or by an organization authorized to certify calibration consoles pursuant to C-D-01.

5.1.2.3 A copy of all completed documentation and test results is sent to the appropriate MC Regional Specialist. Another copy is retained by local organization that performed the console certification and a third copy is given to the owner of the console.

5.1.2.4 The Regional Specialist must review the documentation and any recommendations made by an inspector relating to the certification of the console. If Regional Specialists disagree with the recommendations, they may consult MC's Program Development and Engineering Directorates to determine appropriate action.

5.1.2.5 If all documentation and test results satisfy the conditions set out in EL-ENG-12-01, a certificate of calibration is generated and issued by the respective MC Regional Specialist or the organization authorized to certify calibration consoles pursuant to C-D-01. A copy of the certificate is sent to the owner of the calibration console, the MC regional office and to the local organization that performed the certification tests.

5.1.2.6 The information provided on or with the certificate must include: all calibration console errors and associated measurement uncertainty values as determined pursuant to sections 7.8 and 7.9 of EL-ENG-12-01, all console identification data, date of certification, bias transformer and regulator damping settings (if applicable), and any special provisions, exclusions, or limitations applicable to the certification of the console.

5.1.3 Test equipment (EL-ENG-12-01, s. 5.2.1)

5.1.3.1 All standards used pursuant to section 7.0 of EL-ENG-12-01 and this document to determine an error during the assessment of meter functions must have a valid certificate of calibration issued by MC, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) or an organization that is deemed by MC to provide recognizable traceability to the NRC. For devices which are not calibrated and certified by NRC or MC, the Agency will review any requests for recognizable traceability to NRC on the basis of documentation which clearly indicates that the certifying organization has been accredited by an organization recognized by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation. The person performing the certification tests is responsible for ensuring all reference standards have valid certification for all the functions required to be used for verification purposes, pursuant to MC's legal requirements. This includes Radian standards used to measure legal units of measure required to be verified on meters such as Wh, Varh, VAh, Watt, VA, Var, I²h and V²h meters.

5.1.3.2 For the purpose of checking indicating instruments, only the voltage, current standards, current transformers (if required) as well as the distortion analyzer and phase angle meters are required to be calibrated. Calibration can be provided by MC, the NRC or an organization that has ISO 17025 accreditation. For angle gauge blocks, the manufacturer's certificate is acceptable provided the conditions specified in section 5.2.1.2 of EL-ENG-12-01 are met.

5.1.4 Pre-testing (EL-ENG-12-01, s. 5.2.5)

5.1.4.1 Owners of a calibration console must comply with the pre-test requirements as stated in sections 5.2.3 and 5.2.4 or 5.2.5 of EL-ENG-12-01, as applicable. All required information must be provided to MC or the organization authorized to certify calibration consoles pursuant to C-D-01. Consoles that have never been certified or have not had a valid certificate for the last three years must be fully tested by the owner in accordance with EL-ENG-12-01 and this document. All other consoles shall demonstrate compliance with the performance requirements of section 7.0 of EL-ENG-12-01, as applicable, and the associated procedures in this document.

5.1.4.2 MC inspectors are responsible for ensuring that all required pre-testing has been performed by the owner of the console. This can be done by examining all worksheets and test results, including accuracy check results, if applicable.

5.1.4.3 Inspectors should be satisfied that the console meets the requirements of EL-ENG-12-01 before testing is started.

5.1.4.4 For certified calibration consoles that remain at the same location and have a valid certificate or a certificate that is less than three years past the expiry date, the following pre-testing requirements must be satisfied:

  1. Owners must confirm that the console is compliant with the applicable performance requirements of section 7 and consider any changes in expected use of the console prior to certification.
  2. Owners must validate that the console is compliant with all test points required during certification pursuant to section 7.8 by evaluating all applicable test points.

Note: Compliance with section 7.8 may also be demonstrated by providing the results of the weekly accuracy tests performed on the calibration console in the past 12 months that indicate that the accuracy has been verified at all test points consistent with those that would be evaluated pursuant to section 5.2.5.1 of EL-ENG-12-01 or 6.1.1.3 below.

5.1.5 Required information (EL-ENG-12-01, s. 5.2.6)

5.1.5.1 MC inspectors or a representative from an organization authorized to conduct certifications pursuant to C-D-01 must use the identified test points in conjunction with requirements set out in section 7.8 of EL-ENG-12-01 to determine the test points required for certification of the console. For the purpose of console certification, the owner shall identify all possible test points, including the respective tap and selector switch settings for each console configuration. The test points shall include 1:1 CTs with multiple potential transformers (PTs), multiple PTs only and/or parallel potential connections without the use of isolation transformers. For consoles that simulate series and parallel configuration by applying voltages and currents to the voltage and current circuits of a meter from independent sources, the test points' applicability to individual meter elements or combinations of elements must be provided (completed worksheets from pre-testing and the organization's scope of accreditation or quality records will serve to identify the test points). Perform all certifications of test points using the tap and selector switch settings specified for that particular test point. The selector switch setting determines the magnitude of voltage and/or current to be used for testing. Depending on the console, taps are either set manually or automatically to coincide with specific test loads. Consoles that use amplifier circuits to create test loads do not have tap settings.

5.1.5.2 All electrical quantities for which a console is to be certified are to be recorded on the Calibration Console Usage Summary table of the worksheets.

5.1.5.3 If the console is used to verify electromechanical demand meters (exponential or block interval), this is to be indicated on the Calibration Console Usage Summary.

5.1.5.4 If the console is used to verify single-phase and/or polyphase meters, this is to be indicated on the Calibration Console Usage Summary.

5.1.5.5 The applicable operational configurations below must be identified when certifying the console:

  1. Consoles using 1:1 current transformers to assess meters without potential test links or meters with test links closed (e.g. single-phase meters).
  2. Consoles equipped with multiple potential transformers used without 1:1 current transformers in circuit in order to assess meters (e.g. intended for testing meters with insufficient number of potential test links, such as a network meter with only one test link).
  3. Consoles used to test transformer type only or transformer type in addition to self-contained meters that may be tested without the use of isolation transformers.
  4. Consoles used to test only self-contained meters that may be tested without the use of isolation transformers.

5.1.5.6 For many of the tests in EL-ENG-12-01, it is necessary to place test burdens in all or some of the MUT positions of the console. The owner of the console is required to determine which meters have the highest and lowest inductive and capacitive voltage burdens for each of the configurations above. The lowest inductive or capacitive burden is required if zero burden is not applied as the lowest burden. The meter burden is expressed in VA and is the total additive burden from all voltage coils, associated sensors and circuits. This information is used to determine which meters and burdens must be used while performing certification and calibration tests. This information is to be recorded on the Meter Burden Data section of the worksheets.

5.1.5.7 In order to facilitate testing of console pulse counters, the maximum pulse rate that meters with pulse outputs deliver at a specified test load is to be provided by the owner of the console. The pulse rate is to be determined based on a meter test point at rated voltage and 25% of rated current, with all elements in series. This information is to be recorded on the Calibration Console Usage Summary table of the worksheets.

5.1.5.8 In order to facilitate applicable testing of console pulse generators, the maximum pulse rate that meters or recorders with pulse inputs will accept is to be provided by the owner of the console.

5.1.5.9 Console owners are to determine the number and type of reference meters that will be used in conjunction with the console at one time. This information is to be recorded on the Calibration Console Usage Summary table of the worksheets. The console certification tests are performed with the specified number and type of reference meters connected in the circuit as they would be under normal meter testing.

Example

If the console is normally used for meter testing with two Radian standards connected in series/parallel with the secondary voltage and current circuits, all certification tests shall be performed with two Radian standards connected in series/parallel with the secondary voltage and current circuits.

5.1.5.10 Console owners are to provide the maximum voltage of the highest voltage rated meter, and the minimum current shown on the nameplate of the lowest current rated meter. Record this information on the Calibration Console Usage Summary table of the worksheets.

Example

The minimum current shown on the nameplate refers to the lowest level of current in the approved current range of the meter. A transformer meter may have a current range of 0.1 amps to 10.0 amps. In this case, 0.1 amp rating is used.

5.1.5.11 Console owners are to provide the maximum test current for any meter that will be verified on the console.

5.1.5.12 Console owners are to provide the largest test load which is used to verify exponential demand meters, or block interval demand meters that require regulators and cannot be verified pursuant to section 6.4.9 of EL-ENG-12-01.

5.1.5.13 Console owners are required to identify all regulators, line conditioners, and other equipment used in conjunction with the console for testing meters. This includes equipment that is integral to the console such as built-in regulators, as well as external equipment that may influence calibration console accuracy such as line regulators, conditioners or uninterruptible power systems (UPSs) that may be adjacent to the console or in another area of the premises. This information is to be recorded on the Regulators, Line Conditioners and Other Equipment table of the worksheets.

5.1.6 Test burdens (EL-ENG-12-01, s. 5.2.7)

5.1.6.1 Console owners are responsible for ensuring that all meters and burdens required for certification tests are available.

5.1.6.2 Test burdens generally include meters for all MUT positions, including the MUT position for the test socket and standard.

5.1.6.3 Examples of possible burdens required for a typical ten-position console may include the following:

  1. Ten 120 volt, 10 amp, 3 element recti-thermal meters or three similar potential coils.
  2. Ten 360 volt, 200 amp, 3 element recti-thermal meters or three similar potential coils.
  3. Ten 240 volt, 200 amp, 1.5 element single-phase meters or one similar potential coil.
  4. Ten 120 volt, 200 amp, 3 element recti-thermal meters or three similar potential coils.
  5. Ten 600 volt, 200 amp, 2 element recti-thermal meters or two similar potential coils.

5.1.6.4 Test burdens for electronic meters require the use of actual meters that must be made available by the meter owner for calibration and certification of the console.

5.1.7 Requirements for maintaining certification (EL-ENG-12-01, ss. 5.2.8 to 5.2.11)

5.1.7.1 The scope of certification of any calibration console may be limited to specific meter types or test methods. It is the responsibility of console owners to inform the local MC office if the console is required to perform verification tests beyond the scope of its certification. MC shall determine what, if any, additional certification tests are required to be performed before the scope of console certification may be expanded. MC shall perform any required additional tests and amend the console certificate in accordance with the certification process set out in section 5.1.2 above.

5.1.7.2 Any limitations to the scope of use of a certified calibration console shall be clearly stated on the console's certificate. The console is to be used for testing meters in the same manner in which the certification tests were performed.

5.1.7.3 Owners of certified consoles are responsible for maintaining consoles in good repair and operating order, both electrically and mechanically.

5.1.7.4 Owners of certified consoles are required to inform the MC local Regional Specialist if any parts or equipment have been replaced, or if any repairs or adjustments have been made. Quality records are to be updated and maintained for all activities regarding the console.

5.1.7.5 Owners of certified consoles shall immediately inform the local MC office of any repairs or adjustments that are performed. The console is not to be used to verify meters until the repairs or adjustments have been evaluated by MC. This also applies to all minor repairs such as soldering wire or connections, replacement of connection pins or binding posts, as well as changing any of the settings that were established while performing the certification tests (e.g. bias transformers, regulator damping, etc.). The MC Regional Specialist determines if any additional certification tests are required as a result of the repairs or adjustments. Owners of certified consoles must also inform the local MC office if any changes are made to the console's identification markings or numbers.

5.1.7.6 Owners of certified consoles shall inform the local MC office before they modify or relocate a console. This includes relocation to a different area on the premises or to another location, as well as major repairs or replacement of parts (e.g. reference meters, transformers, control circuits, regulators, change of power supply, etc). MC shall determine the extent to which the modification will affect the certification of a console and the extent to which additional certification tests must be performed. The Regional Specialist is responsible for determining the impact of any modification or relocation and any actions that must be taken prior to authorizing the modification or relocation of a console. A limited scope of certification may be granted before the owner is allowed to proceed with the stated modification.

5.1.8 Procedures for the assessment of markings and documentation
(EL-ENG-12-01, s. 5.3)

5.1.8.1 Nameplate (EL-ENG-12-01, s. 5.3.1)
5.1.8.1.1 Procedure
  1. Determine if the console is clearly identified with a nameplate that is readily accessible and legible.
  2. Record on the worksheet the name of the calibration console manufacturer, model number, serial number as well as the supply voltage and configuration.
  3. Contact the owner of the calibration console if it is not marked accordingly to inform him or her that it must be done before a certificate may be issued.

5.1.9 Records (EL-ENG-12-01, s. 5.3.2)

5.1.9.1 Purpose

The purpose of section 5.3.2 of EL-ENG-12-01 is to ensure that all calibration console owners maintain quality records for the calibration console. Calibration console owners are required to keep records of all details regarding the operation and history of the console. EL-ENG-12-01 requires that records be kept for a minimum of 15 years. The details that are recorded and kept on file shall be accurate and readily available for use by MC in evaluating the calibration console.

5.1.9.2 Procedure
  1. Verify that records are correctly maintained by the owner of the calibration console and kept readily available.
  2. Verify that dates and details are recorded in regards to:
    1. accuracy checks pursuant to section 6.1.2 of EL-ENG-12-01,
    2. identification of the person or persons performing accuracy checks,
    3. adjustments,
    4. maintenance and repairs,
    5. modifications made to the calibration console,
    6. information provided in support of the certification (including the information identified in section 5.2.6 of EL-ENG-12-01),
    7. records of all correspondence with MC required as per sections 5.2.8 to 5.2.11 of EL-ENG-12-01.
  3. Identify on the worksheet the status of the records maintained by the owner.

5.1.10 Operating manuals and schematics (EL-ENG-12-01, s. 5.3.3)

5.1.10.1 Purpose

The purpose of section 5.3.3 of EL-ENG-12-01 is to ensure calibration consoles have operating manuals and schematic drawings. Calibration consoles are required to have an operating manual to establish the correct operation of the console and the schematic drawings are to be available to assist in the calibration of the console. Operating manuals and schematic drawings are to be maintained for the life of the console.

5.1.11 Calibration console markings (EL-ENG-12-01, s. 5.3.4)

5.1.11.1 Purpose

The purpose of section 5.3.4 of EL-ENG-12-01 is to ensure calibration consoles have correct markings. Calibration consoles are required to have all controls, displays and switches clearly identified. The markings are required to ensure correct and safe operation of the console.

5.1.11.2 Procedure
  1. Visually inspect all controls, switches and displays and verify they are accurately marked and identified.
  2. If the controls are not correctly marked, the owner is required to take corrective action to do so.
  3. Record on the worksheet the status of all markings.