SECTION 165:45-5-12. Meter accuracy requirements

(a)   Installation test.

(1)   Every domestic meter, whether new, repaired, or removed from service for any cause, shall be in good order when installed and shall not be more than plus or minus one (1) percent in error on check proof, and the open proof shall be within plus or minus one (1) percent of the check proof. Each repaired meter shall be marked to indicate the month and year of the last test made on that meter.

(2)   Every orifice meter, linear, or positive meter with more than 500 c.f./hr. capacity, whether new, repaired, or removed from service for any cause, shall be in good order when installed and shall not be more than plus or minus one (1) percent in error when operating at any rate of flow within the limits of its capacity as specified in OAC 165:45-5-11.

(b)   Allowable error in adjustment of charges. Whenever any gas meter is tested, at the request of the Commission or by the utility at the request of the consumer to determine its accuracy, it shall be considered correct if it is found to have an average error of no more than plus or minus two (2) percent. The utility shall not be required to make an adjustment in past charges for gas service, unless the error revealed by such a test exceeds plus or minus two (2) percent.

(c)   Average error. The average error of a meter shall be determined as follows:

(1)   Domestic meters. For domestic meters, one-half of the algebraic sum of the error at check proof and the error at open proof.

(2)   Special meters. For orifice, linear, and positive meters with more than 500 c.f./hr. capacity, the algebraic average of the errors determined at the various rates of flow at which the meter was tested as specified in OAC 165:45-5-11; however, if the rates of flow at which the meter has been registering in service can be definitely established, the weighted average error shall be determined.

(d)   Prepayment meters. No utility shall use prepayment meters geared or set to produce a rate or amount higher than would be paid if a standard type meter were used, except pursuant to a special rate schedule approved by the Commission for the particular class of service.

(e)   General.

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

(2)   All tolerances set forth in this Subchapter are to be interpreted as maximum permissible variations from the condition of zero error. No meter shall be adjusted to be in error, even within the tolerance authorized by this Subchapter.

[Source: Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3259, eff 7-25-96; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 668, eff 7-25-19]