Subchapter B. SERVICE AND FACILITIES
Sec.
57.11. Accidents.
57.12. Complaints.
57.13. [Reserved].
57.14. Service voltage.
57.15. System frequency.
57.16. Records of system load and operation.
57.17. [Reserved].
57.18. [Reserved].
57.19. Line extensions.
57.20. Watthour meter testing.
57.21. Demand meter testing.
57.22. Request tests and fees.
57.23. General testing conditions.
57.24. Adjustment of bills for average meter error.
57.25. Facilities for testing meters and instruments.
57.26. [Reserved].
57.27. Pole removal or relocation charges.
57.28. Electric safety standards.§ 57.11. Accidents.
(a) General. A public utility shall submit a report of each reportable accident involving the facilities or operations of the public utility in this Commonwealth to the Secretary of the Commission.
(b) Reportable accidents. Reportable accidents are those involving utility facilities or operations which result in one or more of the following circumstances:
(1) The death of a person.
(2) Injury to a person sufficient that the injured person requires immediate treatment at a hospital emergency room or in-patient admittance to a hospital, or both.
(3) An occurrence of an unusual nature, whether or not death or injury of a person results, which apparently will result in a prolonged and serious interruption of normal service.
(4) An occurrence of an unusual nature that is a physical or cyber attack, including attempts against cyber security measures as defined in Chapter 101 (relating to public utility preparedness through self certification) that causes an interruption of service or over $50,000 in damages, or both.
(c) Exceptions. Injuries, as defined in subsection (b)(1) and (2), may not include those suffered as a result of a motor vehicle accident with utility facilities unless one or both of the following circumstances apply:
(1) A vehicle involved in the accident is owned by the utility or driven by a utility employee while on duty.
(2) Some or all of the injuries were as a result of contact with electrified facilities.
(d) Telephone reports. A report by telephone shall be made immediately after the utility becomes aware of the occurrence of a reportable accident under subsection (b)(1), (3) or (4). A report by telephone shall be made within 24 hours after a utility becomes aware of a reportable accident under subsection (b)(2).
(e) Written reports. A written report shall be made on Form UCTA-8 within 30 days of the occurrence of a reportable accident. For reportable accidents under subsection (b)(4), a utility may remove from Form UCTA-8 information that would compromise the security of the utility or hinder an active criminal investigation. Accidents reportable on forms required by the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Department of Labor and Industry, or the United States Department of Energy, may be reported to the Commission by filing a copy of the forms in lieu of a report on Form UCTA-8, as long as the alternative forms, at a minimum, provide the following information:
(1) The utility name.
(2) The date of reportable accident.
(3) The date of report.
(4) The location where the reportable accident occurred.
(5) The name, age, residence and occupation of the injured or deceased parties.
(6) The general description of the reportable accident.
(7) The name and telephone number of the reporting officer.
(f) Form availability. Blank UCTA-8 forms are available for download on the Commission’s web site.
(g) Reports not exclusive. The reporting under this chapter is not limited to the requirements in this section and does not limit requests for additional information.
Source The provisions of this § 57.11 adopted February 25, 1946; amended through May 29, 1973; amended January 6, 2012, effective January 7, 2012, 42 Pa.B. 9. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (256192).
§ 57.12. Complaints.
(a) Investigations. A public utility shall make a full and prompt investigation of complaints made by its customers, either directly to it or through the Commission.
(b) Record of complaints. A public utility shall preserve written electric service complaints showing the name and address of the complainant, the date and nature of the complaint, the action taken and the date of final disposition.
Source The provisions of this § 57.12 adopted February 25, 1946; amended through May 29, 1973.
§ 57.13. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 57.13 adopted February 25, 1946; amended through May 29, 1973; reserved May 21, 1999, effective May 22, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2667.
§ 57.14. Service voltage.
(a) Standard voltage. A public utility shall adopt a standard nominal service voltage for the entire territory served by the public utility, and shall file with the Commission data on such standard service voltage or voltages as part of its officially filed tariff. The suitability and adequacy of the standard nominal service voltage or voltages adopted may be determined at any time by the Commission.
(b) Allowable voltage variation (primarily lighting). For service rendered primarily for lighting purposes, the allowable variation in voltage measured at the service terminals of the customer may not exceed, for a longer period than 1 minute in each instance, 5% above or below the standard nominal service voltage and a total variation from minimum to maximum of 8% during normal system operation.
(c) Allowable voltage variation (primarily power). For service rendered primarily for power purposes, the allowable variation in voltage measured at the service terminals of the customer may not exceed, for a longer period than 1 minute in each instance, 10% above or below the standard nominal service voltage during normal system operation.
(d) Variation in excess of allowable limits.
(1) A public utility may, if approved by the Commission, furnish service under conditions of greater voltage variations if there is a filing of the following with the Commission:
(i) A copy of existing contracts containing a provision for the supply of service with such greater variations of voltage.
(ii) A copy of contracts made which contemplate the supply of service under conditions of greater voltage variations and which in each case contain a clause stating the probable variations in voltage which will occur in the service rendered under such contract, and further that such greater variations in voltage will not result in unreasonable discrimination in favor of or against any customer.
(2) Variations of voltage in excess of those specified, caused by the operations of the facilities of the customer in violation of his contract or the filed tariff rules of the public utility, or from causes beyond the control of the public utility, will not be considered as violations of this section.
(e) Records. A public utility shall keep in continuous operation at least one graphic recording voltmeter on each primary network system or on at least one circuit from each substation supplying more than 1,000 customers. These meters shall be installed either at the substation or near the load center of such area or circuits. The hourly readings of indicating voltmeters recorded at points of supply, such as generating stations and main transmission or distribution substations where attendants are regularly on duty, shall constitute a satisfactory voltage record. A public utility shall also install additional graphic recording voltmeters at such places and for such periods of time as the Commission may require.
Authority The provisions of this § 57.14 issued under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 331, 501, 504 and 1501.
Source The provisions of this § 57.14 adopted February 25, 1946; amended through May 29, 1973; amended January 7, 1983, effective January 8, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 131. January 7, 1983, effective January 8, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 131. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (78438), (78439) and (20939).
§ 57.15. System frequency.
(a) Standard frequency. An electric distribution company supplying alternating current service shall adopt and file with the Commission a standard frequency or frequencies for its system, the suitability of which may at any time be determined by the Commission.
(b) Allowable variation. An electric distribution company shall maintain the system frequency within 3% of the standard frequency adopted. Momentary variations of frequency of more than 3%, which are clearly not due to lack of proper equipment or reasonable care on the part of the electric distribution company will not be considered as violations of this section.
(c) Records. An electric distribution company shall continuously monitor and record system frequency variations. The records shall be provided to the Commission on request.
Source The provisions of this § 57.15 adopted February 25, 1946; amended through May 29, 1973; amended May 21, 1999, effective May 22, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2667. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (246378).
§ 57.16. Records of system load and operation.
(a) Records required. A public utility shall keep in continuous operation meters and instruments and maintain records necessary to determine the characteristics of the system load and the mode of operation.
(b) Content of records. Records of load and operation shall include all of the following:
(1) Operation of a turboelectric and hydroelectric generating station.
(2) Readings of switchboard recording instruments at attended generating stations and substations. The hourly readings of indicating instruments recorded at regularly attended generating stations and substations shall constitute a satisfactory continuous record.
(c) Records of electric energy transactions. A public utility purchas-ing, selling or interchanging electric energy or power from, to, or with another public utility under the jurisdiction of the Commission shall install such instruments and meters as may be necessary to furnish continuous records of the energy and demand involved, unless such other public utility has itself installed such instruments and meters from which these records may be obtained. A public utility purchasing, selling, or interchanging electric energy or power from, to, or with a utility not under the jurisdiction of the Commission shall install or cause to be installed such instruments and meters as may be necessary to furnish continuous records of the energy and demand involved.
Authority The provisions of this § 57.16 issued under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 331, 501, 504 and 1501.
Source The provisions of this § 57.16 adopted February 25, 1946; amended through May 29, 1973; amended January 7, 1983, effective January 8, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 131. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (20940).
§ 57.17. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 57.17 adopted February 25, 1946; amended through May 29, 1973; reserved July 17, 1998, effective July 18, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 3385. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (205797).
§ 57.18. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 57.18 adopted February 25, 1946; amended through May 29, 1973; reserved July 17, 1998, effective July 18, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 3385. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (205797) to (205798).
§ 57.19. Line extensions.
(a) Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this section, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Contractor cost—The amount paid by a public utility to a contractor for work performed on a line extension.
Direct labor cost—The pay and expenses of public utility employes directly attributable to work performed on line extensions, but does not include construction overheads or payroll taxes, workmen’s compensation expenses or similar expenses.
Direct material cost—The purchase price of materials used for a line extension, but does not include related stores expenses. In computing direct material costs proper allowance should be made for unused materials, materials recovered from temporary structures, and discounts allowed and realized in the purchase of materials.
Maximum extension distance—The distance in feet below which a public utility will provide a line extension without imposing a charge on or requiring a revenue guarantee from the customer requesting the extension.(b) Duty to make line extensions. The public utility shall make line extensions within the territory in which it is authorized to operate.
(c) Tariffs to include line extension rule. The public utility shall file with the Commission as part of its tariffs a rule setting forth its maximum extension distance for single-phase line extensions and the conditions under which it will make the line extensions beyond this distance. The rule shall also include a plan whereby the public utility will construct, operate, and maintain single-phase and polyphase line extensions required to serve customers who will guarantee revenues in an amount sufficient to comply with the requirements set forth in the rule, and a statement of the terms upon which the guarantee shall be reduced to the minimum charges as provided in the rate schedules applicable to each class of service supplied.
(d) Determination of guarantees for single-phase line extensions. The amount of revenue to be guaranteed and subsequent changes thereto shall be determined solely on the basis of contractor costs, direct labor costs and direct material costs attributable to the construction of the line extension beyond the maximum extension distance. Appropriate adjustments shall be made at least annually in the amount of revenue guaranteed by a customer by reason of change in the number or classification of customers supplied from the line extension. The amount of costs attributable to the construction of a line extension below the maximum extension distance may be determined by multiplying the cost of the line extension by the percentage of distance of the line extension below the maximum extension distance.
(e) Determination of guarantees for polyphase line extensions. In determining the revenues originally to be guaranteed and subsequent changes, the following conditions shall be applicable, as appropriate:
(1) Guarantees of revenue shall be based upon the total construction cost to the public utility of the line extension.
(2) Guarantees of revenue shall be based upon the length of pole line required to furnish service.
(3) Guarantees shall be based upon a reasonable plan by which the construction cost, length of line extension, or number of customers served or to be served from the line extension are given consideration.
(4) Appropriate adjustments shall be made at least annually in the amount of revenue guaranteed by the customer by reason of change in the number or classification of customers supplied from the line extension.
(f) Service to additional customers. Additional customers shall be connected to a line extension of a line already built or to a further extension of a line only upon the same terms and conditions as would apply if the extension were being made for customers including the new customers, if the inclusion of new customers would not increase the guarantees of the existing customers. If the guarantees of existing customers would be increased, the line extension constructed to serve additional customers shall be considered and treated as a new and separate line extension for these additional customers.
(g) Wiring and equipment of customers. Wiring and equipment on the premises of the customer shall be installed to conform with the rules and standards established by the public utility. The customer shall provide poles, wires and other construction necessary to bring the terminus of the customer’s installation to a location where it may be connected to a line extension by means of a service line.
(h) Underground electrical service in new residential developments. Extensions of underground electrical service in new residential developments, as defined in § 57.81 (relating to definitions), shall conform to § § 57.81—57.87.
Authority The provisions of this § 57.19 issued under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 331, 501, 504 and 1501.
Source The provisions of this § 57.19 adopted February 25, 1946; amended through May 29, 1973; amended January 7, 1983, effective January 8, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 131; amended October 11, 1985, effective October 12, 1985, 15 Pa.B. 3646. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (80591) to (80592).
§ 57.20. Watthour meter testing.
(a) No watthour meter which has an incorrect register constant, test constant, gear ratio or dial train, or which ‘‘creeps,’’ that is, registers upon no load, may be placed in service or allowed to remain in service without adjustment and correction. A meter in service creeps if, with the load wires disconnected, the moving element makes one complete rotation in 5 minutes or less.
(b) For the purpose of this section, the term ‘‘light load’’ means not less than 10%, nor more than 15%, of the rated test current of the meter. The term ‘‘heavy load’’ means not less than 75%, nor more than 100%, of the rated test current of the meter.
(c) No watthour meter which has an error in registration of more than 2.0% at light load or heavy load may be placed in service or allowed to remain in service without adjustment. If, upon installation, periodic or other tests, a watthour meter is found to exceed these limits, it shall be adjusted or removed from service.
(d) A public utility shall maintain records of service watthour meters. The record for a meter shall identify the manufacturer, type, rating, year of purchase, year and location of the present installation in service, the year of the last test and the reason for the test, the registration accuracy recorded as found before adjustment and the registration accuracy recorded as left upon the completion of the test.
(e) A public utility shall make periodic tests of its watthour meters in service as follows:
(1) Two and three-wire single-phase and network-induction-type meters, up to and including 50 amperes rated test current, shall be tested at least once in each of the following periods:
(i) If manufactured prior to January 1, 1940, and the meters are not Class I and II temperature compensated and are not equipped with surge-proofed magnets or surge shields—3 years.
(ii) If the meters are Class I and II temperature compensated and are equipped with surge-proofed magnets or surge shields—15 years.
(iii) If manufactured since January 1, 1959, and the meters are Class I and II temperature compensated and are equipped with surge-proofed magnets, surge discharge gaps and a shielded magnetic bearing system—20 years.
(2) An an alternative, meters described in paragraph (1)(ii) and (iii) shall be tested according to statistical procedure in Section 8.1.8.6 of the current edition of the ANSI C-12 Code for Electric Meters, Fifth Edition.
(i) Groups which meet the accuracy requirements of the applied statistical procedure shall continue in service without test or adjustment until a subsequent annual statistical analysis indicates the need for corrective action or the Commission on its own motion requests retest of either entire groups or individual meters. Test results affecting billing shall be furnished to customers without charge.
(ii) Groups which fail to meet the accuracy requirements of the applied statistical procedure are subject to one of the following immediate corrective measures:
(A) Meters within the group affected shall be removed from service upon notification to the Commission and in compliance with a program acceptable to the Commission. A customer’s accounts billed according to registration by these meters shall be retained by the public utility from 2 years prior to discovery of registration error until date of meter removal or adjustment. Test results affecting billing shall be furnished to customers without charge and shall be retained by the public utility for at least 2 years after the meter is retired.
(B) Meters within groups affected shall be placed on an accelerated program of testing and maintenance until subsequent annual statistical analysis indicates that the affected groups again meet the accuracy requirements of the statistical testing program. Records of customer accounts and of test results affecting billing shall be retained by the public utility and furnished to customers under clause (A).
(3) Two and three-wire single-phase and network-induction-type meters, of over 50 amperes rated test current, shall be tested at least once every 8 years.
(4) Single-phase meters connected through current transformers or current and voltage transformers shall be tested as follows:
(i) Meters without surge-proof magnets, at least once every 8 years.
(ii) Meters with surge-proof magnets, at least once every 16 years.
(5) Self-contained polyphase meters shall be tested as follows:
(i) Meters without surge-proof magnets, at least once every 8 years.
(ii) Meters with surge-proof magnets, at least once every 16 years or according to statistical procedures as described in paragraph (2).
(6) Polyphase meters connected through current transformers or current and voltage transformers shall be tested as follows:
(i) Meter without surge-proof magnets, at least once every 8 years.
(ii) Meters with surge-proof magnets, at least once every 16 years.
(f) An alternating current watthour meter shall be tested and adjusted before installation for correct registration within ±2%, at a power factor of approximately 50% and 100% at rated test current. When in service, meters not tested and adjusted before installation shall be tested and adjusted to the percent accuracy specified as soon as the circumstances permit, or shall be removed from service.
(g) A service watthour meter installed shall be tested for accuracy by the public utility prior to its installation, or shall be so tested within 90 days after its installation. It shall also be inspected by the public utility for proper connection, mechanical condition and suitability of location within 90 days after installation.
(h) A service watthour meter which is removed from service shall be tested for ‘‘as found’’ registration accuracy.
Authority The provisions of this § 57.20 amended under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 501, 1501 and 1504.
Source The provisions of this § 57.20 adopted February 25, 1946; amended through May 29, 1973; amended January 2, 1981, effective January 3, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 19; amended August 7, 1987, effective August 8, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 3324. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (103566) to (103567) and (80594) to (80595).
Cross References This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 57.22 (relating to request tests and fees); 52 Pa. Code § 57.23 (relating to general testing conditions); 52 Pa. Code § 57.24 (relating to adjustment of bills for average meter error); and 52 Pa. Code § 57.254 (relating to advanced meter standards).
§ 57.21. Demand meter testing.
(a) A demand meter of the block interval type, which fails to properly reset completely to zero at the end of each time interval, or a demand meter which has an incorrect register constant, test constant gear ratio or dial train may not be placed in service or allowed to remain in service without adjustment and correction.
(b) Tests of graphic and indicating types of demand meters shall be made at points about 1/3 to 2/3 scale in terms of full scale indication. The deviation shall be recorded in terms of full scale deflection.
(c) A demand meter of the block interval type which has an error in demand indication of more than ±2% in terms of full scale indication on graphic and indicating meters may not be placed in service or allowed to remain in service without adjustment. If a timing element also serves to keep a record of the time of day at which the demand occurs, it shall be adjusted if its rate is more than ±.25% in error.
(d) A thermal type demand meter which has an error in demand indication or registration of more than ±3% in terms of full scale indication on graphic and indicating meters may not be placed in service or allowed to remain in service without adjustment. If a timing element also serves to keep a record of the time of day at which the demand occurs, it shall be adjusted if its rate is more than -.25% in error.
(e) A demand meter with solid state digital display for measured quantities shall be tested for accuracy of the register using its internal input pulse initiator and a watthour meter or using an auxiliary pulse device as the input source. The applied test current or pulse rate may not exceed the class of the meter. The accuracy of the displayed demand shall be within ±2.0% of the input.
(f) A utility shall make periodic test of its demand meters in service, as follows:
(1) Self-contained thermal demand meters, up to and including 50 amperes rated test current, shall be tested on the same schedule as the watthour meters with which they are associated.
(2) Self-contained thermal demand meters, of over 50 amperes rated test current, shall be tested at least once every 96 months.
(3) Thermal demand meters connected through current transformers or current and potential transformers shall be tested at least once every 48 months.
(4) Curve drawing watt meters used for determining demands shall be tested at least once every 24 months.
(5) Demand meters of the block interval type shall be tested on the same schedule as the watthour meters with which they are associated.
(g) A demand meter shall be tested for accuracy by the public utility prior to its installation, or be so tested within 90 days after its installation. It shall also be inspected by the public utility for proper connection, mechanical condition and suitability of location within 90 days after installation.
Authority The provisions of this § 57.21 issued under: the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 331, 501, 504 and 1501; amended under: Public Utility Code,66 Pa.C.S. § § 501, 1501 and 1504.
Source The provisions of this § 57.21 adopted February 25, 1946; amended through May 29, 1973; amended January 7, 1983, effective January 8, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 131; amended August 7, 1987, effective August 8, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 3324; amended March 8, 1991, effective March 9, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 947. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (125377) to (125378).
Cross References This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 57.22 (relating to request tests and fees); 52 Pa. Code § 57.23 (relating to general testing conditions); and 52 Pa. Code § 57.254 (relating to advanced meter standards).
§ 57.22. Request tests and fees.
(a) Tests by the public utility. A public utility shall make a test of the accuracy of registration of a service meter upon the written request of the customer for whom the meter is installed upon payment of the fee specified in this section. If a customer desires either personally or by a representative to witness the testing of a meter, the customer may require the seal of the meter to be broken only in the customer’s presence or that of a representative. If the meter tested upon request is found to be accurate within the limits specified in § § 57.20 and 57.21 (relating to watthour meter testing; and demand meter testing), the fee shall be retained by the public utility. If not so found, the cost shall be borne by the public utility furnishing the service and the fee paid by the customer shall be refunded. A report of the test shall be made to the customer.
(b) Tests by the Commission. If service meter test is to be made by the Commission upon written request and payment of the fee by the customer, as specified in this section, the public utility owning the meter shall be notified that a test is to be made and shall have a representative present to open the meter, assist in the test and adjust and seal the meter after the test. If a tested meter is found to be accurate within the limits specified in § § 57.20 and 57.21, the fee paid for the test shall be retained by the Commission. If not so found, the fee shall be refunded to the customer and the cost of the test shall be borne by the public utility furnishing the service. A public utility may apply in writing for a test of a meter and, upon payment of the fee specified for that class of meter, the Commission will make the test and furnish the public utility with a record of the results.
(c) Meter testing fees. Meter testing fees for watthour and demand meters shall be as follows:
(1) Direct current and single-phase self-contained watthour meters operating on 600 volts or less shall be $20.
(2) Single-phase transformer-rated and polyphase watthour meters with or without instrument transformers shall be $38.
(3) In addition to charges associated with paragraphs (1) and (2) there shall be an additional charge of $11 for block interval or thermal demand registers and separate demand recorders.
Authority The provisions of this § 57.22 amended under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 501, 1501 and 1504.
Source The provisions of this § 57.22 adopted February 25, 1946; amended through May 29, 1973; amended January 2, 1981, effective January 3, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 19; amended August 7, 1987, effective August 8, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 3324. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (80597) to (80598).
Cross References This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 57.254 (relating to advanced meter standards).
§ 57.23. General testing conditions.
(a) Location. Tests provided for in § § 57.20 and 57.21 (relating to watthour meter testing; and demand meter testing), except those made previous to installation, shall be made in the place of permanent location on the premises of the customer or at a laboratory equipped with adequate facilities for making tests.
(b) Tests of meters with accessories. Service meters connected to the line through instrument transformers, shunts or multipliers shall be tested jointly with accessories, unless the tests for ratio and phase angle of the instrument transformers and the resistance of the shunts have been determined in a laboratory before installation, or unless their operating characteristics affecting metering accuracy have been determined in service within the previous 10 years and are on the records of the public utility. Laboratory tests shall be deemed acceptable only when made by the National Bureau of Standards, a standardizing laboratory approved by the Commission, or by the laboratory of the public utility, whose standards have been checked, and are subject to further checks or tests by the Commission.
(c) Adjustment after test. Meters shall be adjusted as closely as practicable to the condition of zero error; the tolerances specified shall be interpreted as maximum variations from adjustments to the condition of zero error. In the adjustment of meters no improper advantages of prescribed tolerance limits shall be taken.
(d) Change of frequency. If a public utility changes its standard of frequency, it shall give reasonable notice to the customers it is serving and make necessary tests and readjust service meters as soon as practicable.
Authority The provisions of this § 57.23 amended under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 501, 1501 and 1504.
Source The provisions of this § 57.23 adopted February 25, 1946; amended through May 29, 1973; amended August 7, 1987, effective August 8, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 3324. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (80598) to (80599).
Cross References This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 57.254 (relating to advanced meter standards).
§ 57.24. Adjustment of bills for average meter error.
(a) Average meter error. In meter tests made by the public utility or by the Commission at the request of a customer, the correctness of adjustment of the meter and its performance in service shall be judged by its average error, determined as follows:
(1) If the meter is used to measure a load which is substantially constant, the meter shall be tested at that load. The error of the meter at the constant load shall be accepted as the average meter error.
(2) If the meter is used to measure a variable load, the average error shall be obtained by taking 1/5 of the algebraic sum of both of the following:
(i) One part of the error at light load.
(ii) Four parts of the error at heavy load.
(3) If, in the opinion of the Commission, another load is more representative of the average operating load, the error of the meter at the average operating load will be accepted as the average meter error.
(b) Fast meters. If, upon testing, a meter is found to have an average meter error of more than 2% fast, the public utility shall refund to the customer the overcharge, based upon the corrected meter reading for a period equal to 1/2 the time elapsed since the last previous test, but not to exceed 12 months. If the period of registration error is definitely fixed, the overcharge shall be computed for the period. If the meter has not been tested in accordance with § 57.20 (relating to watthour meter testing), the period for which it has been in service beyond the regular test period shall be added to the 12 months in computing the refund.
(c) Slow meters. If, upon testing, a meter is found to have an average meter error of more than 2% slow, the public utility may render a bill for the service furnished, but not covered by bills previously rendered, for a period equal to 1/2 the time elapsed since the last previous test, but not to exceed 3 months. If the period of registration error is definitely fixed, the charge may be computed for the period.
(d) Access to meters. The public utility shall, at reasonable times, have access to meters, service lines and other property owned by it on premises of customers, for purposes of maintenance and operation. Neglect or refusal on the part of customers to provide reasonable access to their premises for these purposes is deemed to be sufficient cause for the discontinuance of service.
Authority The provisions of this § 57.24 amended under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 501, 1501 and 1504.
Source The provisions of this § 57.24 adopted February 25, 1946; amended through May 29, 1973; amended August 7, 1987, effective August 8, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 3324. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (80599).
Cross References This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 57.254 (relating to approval of advanced meters).
§ 57.25. Facilities for testing meters and instruments.
(a) Adequate testing facilities. A public utility shall provide for, and have available, suitable and adequate facilities for testing its meters. Public utilities not maintaining standardizing laboratories may, upon permission from the Commission, have their meters and instruments certified by a standardizing laboratory approved by the Commission.
(b) Periodic tests of reference standards. The watthour meter reference standard for the public utility and shall be periodically tested for accuracy and adjusted if necessary by a representative of the Commission at a place the Commission may direct. Immediately after making final adjustment, the tester shall seal and date tag the reference standard and shall furnish the public utility with a correction curve properly dated and signed.
(c) Periodic tests of watthour standards. The portable watthour standards, together with other measuring equipment the Commission may require, shall also be tested and adjusted periodically by a representative of the Commission if necessary as the Commission may direct. The tester shall furnish the public utility with a correction curve properly dated and signed.
(d) Frequency of portable watthour standard check tests. During the interval between tests by the Commission, the portable watthour standards shall be compared with the reference standard at least every month for induction type meters, and every 3 months for the solid state meter standards. The calibration obtained shall be used in determining the accuracy of the service meters. If a portable standard is subject to either a mechanical or electrical shock, it shall be tested before being used.
(e) Records of check tests and correction curves. A record of check tests shall be kept showing the condition and accuracy of the watthour standard before and after testing, indicated by the words ‘‘as found’’ and ‘‘as left,’’ in form and detail to permit convenient checking of the methods and results. A complete record of the check tests and correction curves furnished by the Commission shall be preserved for 5 years.
(f) Fees for testing appliances of public utilities. The Commission will charge and collect from public utilities, for the testing of their instruments of precision and measuring apparatus, fees according to the following schedule:
Service (per each item) Amount
(in dollars)Watt-hour standard: 1. Initial 10 determinations of percentage registration of one standard at 60 Hz 75 2. Each additional determination of the same standard 10 Indicating instruments: AC/DC wattmeters, AC resistors, calibrators, ammeters and voltmeters 50 Instrument transformers: 1. Voltage transformers— a. Ratio and phase angle, at 60 Hz on 1 range, 1 secondary voltage, 1 burden primary VL50KV 50 b. Each additional burden, range or secondary voltage 10 2. Current transformers, ration and phase angle— a. 1 range, 1 frequency, 1 burden, secondary currents 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 A at primary current not over 5000 A 50 b. Each additional secondary current or combination of range, frequency and burden 10 Standard Cell Calibrations (each) 25 Potentiometers (each) 250
Authority The provisions of this § 57.25 issued under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 331, 501, 504 and 1501; amended under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 501, 1501 and 1504.
Source The provisions of this § 57.25 adopted February 25, 1946; amended through May 29, 1973; amended January 7, 1983, effective January 8, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 131; amended August 7, 1987, effective August 8, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 3324. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (80600) to (80601).
Cross References This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 57.254 (relating to advanced meter standards).
§ 57.26. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 57.26 adopted February 25, 1946; amended through May 29, 1973; amended January 7, 1983, effective January 8, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 131; amended January 24, 1997, effective January 25, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 414; amended July 17, 1998, effective July 18, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 3385. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (225733) to (225734).
Cross References This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 57.82 (relating to installation of distribution and service lines).
§ 57.27. Pole removal or relocation charges.
(a) Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this section, have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Contractor costs—The amount paid by a public utility to a contractor for work performed on a pole removal or relocation.
Direct labor costs—The pay and expenses of public utility employes directly attributable to work performed on pole removals or relocations, but does not include construction overheads or payroll taxes, workmen’s compensation expenses or similar expenses.
Direct material costs—The purchase price of materials used in performing a pole removal or relocation, but does not include related stores expenses. In computing direct material costs, proper allowance should be made for unused materials, materials recovered from temporary structures, and for discounts allowed and realized in the purchase of materials.
Pole removal or relocation—The removal or relocation of distribution line poles and their associated attachments made under the request of a residential property owner who is not entitled to receive condemnation damages to cover the cost of the pole removal or relocation. The term does not include pole repairs or replacements necessitated by the intentional or negligent conduct of a party.(b) Tariff provisions. A public utility shall file as part of its tariff provisions setting forth its method of determining pole removal or relocation charges.
(c) Charges. Pole removal or relocation charges shall be limited to the contractor, direct labor and direct material costs associated with the pole removal or relocation less an amount equal to maintenance expenses avoided as a result of the pole removal or relocation.
Source The provisions of this § 57.27 adopted July 12, 1985, effective July 13, 1985, 15 Pa.B. 2568.
§ 57.28. Electric safety standards.
(a) Responsibilities. The separation of responsibilities between an electric utility and a customer with respect to the facilities utilized for electric service shall be described in the electric utility’s tariff that is filed with and approved by the Commission.
(1) An electric utility shall use reasonable effort to properly warn and protect the public from danger, and shall exercise reasonable care to reduce the hazards to which employees, customers, the public and others may be subjected to by reason of its provision of electric utility service and its associated equipment and facilities.
(2) An electric utility is not responsible for the ownership and maintenance of the customer’s facilities beyond the service point.
(b) Safety code. An electric utility shall comply with the minimum safety standards established by the National Electric Safety Code pursuant to its terms of applicability.
(c) Enforcement. An electric utility is subject to inspections and other types of noncriminal investigations as may be necessary to assure compliance with this section. The facilities, books and records of an electric utility shall be accessible to the Commission and its staff for inspections and other types of noncriminal investigations. An electric utility shall provide to the Commission or its staff the reports, supplemental data and information necessary for the administration and enforcement of this section.
(d) Records. An electric utility shall keep adequate records as required for compliance with the safety code in subsection (b). The records shall be accessible to the Commission and its staff.
Authority The provisions of this § 57.28 issued under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 501 and 1501.
Source The provisions of this § 57.28 adopted July 28, 2017, effective July 29, 2017, 47 Pa.B. 4118.
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