INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPORTING METER TESTS ON REVISED FORM NO. 2

The data required under this heading is self-explanatory and is the same as that previously reported under the same heading on Revised Form No. I.

Revised Quarterly Report, Form 2, is designed to reveal the results of meter testing and to furnish certain data relating to meters prepared for service. The primary purpose is to determine the results of the testing of so-called Time and Registration Limit meters and to ascertain the manner in which such meters are being prepared for return to service. For the purpose of this report Time and Registration Limit meters are those meters which have reached or exceeded the limits shown in subdivision (b) of section 500.1 of the rules and regulations governing the testing of water meters, as ordered by the Public Service Commission. For example, a 5/8-inch meter in service 5 years or a 2-inch meter in service 4 years without having been tested is a Time Limit meter and likewise any 5/8-inch meter in service through which 750,000 gallons of water have passed without testing of the meter is designated as a Registration Limit meter. Of coure, many meters are removed from service for reasons other than because they are Time or Registration Limit meters, as for example, a 5/8-inch meter removed from a vacant house after two years of service. Such meters are accordingly classed as "Other Meters" and, whereas Form 2 [following] indicates that information is required as to the test results of such meters upon removal (Table A), data is not requested regarding the preparation of such meters for service (Table B). A 6-inch current meter tested once each year would be classed as a Time Limit meter, but if a particular 6-inch meter is tested for a second time in any one year, the second test would be included under "Other Meters" since the second test was not required in accordance with P.S.C. regulations and is therefore not strictly a Time Limit test. In other words, meters removed from service for testing or meters tested in the field for the purpose of complying with the P.S.C. regulations regarding time and registration intervals are classed Time or Registration Limit Meters; all other meters removed for test or tested in the field after having been in service are classed as "Other Meters". It is important to note that if a meter should stop registering and should also be a Time Limit meter, it should be so identified in both respects as the Form requires a recording of such information, and the cause of removal for such a meter should be "Stopped--Time Limit" and not merely "Stopped". Obviously, this will provide information as to whether stopped or non-registering meters have exceeded the time or registration limits or not, as the case may be. Similarly for frozen meters, the proper sub-designation should be given, although the added sub-designation "Time or Registration Limit" in such cases is not quite so important.

The form provides space to indicate whether the meter upon testing passed the P.S.C. test. Thus, if the test result meets the requirements indicated in the paragraphs relating to "Tests of Meters" of the P.S.C. Regulations, it is recorded as "Passed P.S.C. Test". For example, a 5/8-inch meter is removed from service and classified as "Time Limit". It is tested at the shop with the following results:

This meter would be recorded as "Passed P.S.C. Test", since it did not fall below 98.0 per cent and did not exceed 101.0 per cent at the selected rates within "Normal Test Flow Limits" and it also showed proper sensitivity at the "Minimum Test Flow" of 0.25 g.p.m. If this meter had recorded 97.0 per cent at 20.0 g.p.m. or if it had exceeded 101.0 per cent at 2.0 g.p.m. or if it had failed to move at all at 0.25 g.p.m., it would then have failed in one of the three instances to meet the P.S.C. test requirements. All requirements of the Regulations have to be met in order to classify the meter as "Passed P.S.C. Test".

This part of the form shows the results of the routine testing of meters and also indicates the number of "non-registering" meters brought into the shop or found stopped in the field. The data required appears to be self-explanatory.

The number of new meters tested for the given period is shown in Column (b) and all such meters either passed the P.S.C. test or were re-geared or calibrated to meet the test requirements. Column (c) shows the number of Time Limit meters tested and Column (d) indicates how many "Passed the P.S.C. Test" requirements with the obvious conclusion that the difference failed to pass. Columns (i), (j) and (k) show the number of Time and Registration Limit Meters which were brought in because stopped, those in Column (k) having been frozen and the others having stopped from other causes. Columns (l) and (m) Other Meters are to show those which were neither Time nor Registration Limit Meters and were found stopped or frozen.

Table B explains how Time and Registration Limit meters were prepared for reinstallation in service and how many meters were retired. Column (o) shows the number of Time Limit meters made ready for service, that is, they were tested and perhaps re-geared or repaired to meet the P.S.C. test requirements pertaining to all meters ready for service. There may or may not be any direct relation between the meters shown in Table A and those shown in Table B. It is recognized that a number of meters during any one quarterly period may be tested and the results reported for that quarter, but that the repair work or preparation of such meters for service may not be done until the next quarter and should thus be reported in the proper quarterly report; hence, meters, made ready for service shown in Table B, may or may not be the same meters for which test results are shown in Table A. In general where field tests are concerned, there will be a relation between Tables A and B as field work on any particular meter is generally completed in one day.

The report shows the number of Time Limit Meters [Column (o)] made ready for service, and the manner in which they were made ready is indicated in Columns (p) (q) and (r). Those shown in Column (p) are meters which upon removal from service passed the P.S.C. test requirements and were considered as again ready for service without any extensive repairs beyond perhaps wiping off or painting the main casing or perhaps the replacement of a broken register box glass or a defective register box screw or perhaps even a new or repaired register; however, the meters were not disassembled so that the internal working parts could be examined, such as gear trains, chambers, discs, pistons, and so forth. Also, the only test performed was the one which indicated that the meters upon removal tested within the requirements.

Column (q) shows the number of meters that failed to pass the P.S.C. test requirement but it was possible to re-gear the meters to bring them within the requirements; also, that no extensive repairs were made. The only difference between the meters shown in Column (q) as compared with those shown in Column (p) is that it was necessary to re-gear and hence re-test those in Column (q).

Column (r) shows the number of meters, whether or not they passed or failed the P.S.C. test requirements, which were disassembled and completely examined or overhauled with the performance of any necessary repairs or replacement of major or minor parts. Such meters, of course, would be re-tested after being reassmbled and would be calibrated to meet all P.S.C. requirements. Practice in certain companies dictate that all meters be disassembled and all parts examined, regardless of whether the meters passed or failed to pass the test when removed from service or when tested in service. The purpose of the report is to reflect the practice and results of the particular company making the report. The fact that columns are provided for reporting the manner of preparing meters for return to service according to the company's practice in no way indicates approval of such practice. The figures shown in Column (s) are not related to those shown in Column (o). Column (s) merely gives information as to the number of meters retired. These are in addition to the number returned to service. Columns (t) to (x) require similar data for Registration Limit meters.

Meters retired which have reached neither the Time Limit nor the Registration Limit should be entered in Column (x) and be denoted by a double asterisk (**) The total of the meters entered in Columns (s) and (x) should equal the total number of meters which, during the period, were retired on the company's books.