Calibration of Gas and Electricity Meters

adamdav

I saw a previous thread on this a couple of years ago but no real conclusion. Based on the huge cost of energy at the moment, is there a requirement for the suppliers to periodically calibrate the meters? I am from an engineering background and I know we were periodically required to check the readings on our measurement devices.  My understanding is that gas and electric meters are calibrated during manufacture and never again. My gas meter is outdoors so is subject to large changes in temperature so does this affect the readings? I queried this with supplier and essentially I can request a calibration but if the meter is deemed to be accurate, I have to pay for this service. I know that other retailers are bound by weights and measures regulations e.g. a butcher will have scales checked to confirm (say)  a reading of 1kg is accurate to specified standards. Does anyone know what the obligations are for the energy suppliers to do the same? 

FreeBear

adamdav said: Based on the huge cost of energy at the moment, is there a requirement for the suppliers to periodically calibrate the meters?

Suppliers are required to use meters that have a certified level of accuracy. And as you point out, this certification is done the time of manufacture. The certification period is fixed, just as it is for the equipment you use. But the tolerance for gas/electricity meter accuracy is comparatively low (something in the order of +/- 2%).

To recalibrate & recertify a meter would require taking it to a lab, so much easier and cheaper to bung a new meter in when the calibration certificate expires.

Ectophile

They are factory calibrated.  And for all electronic meters, end of calibration = end of life.

Regular re-calibrating in someone's home would be awkward and expensive.  So they don't.

If you insist on a meter check, then they test the meter.  For electricity, they can fit a second meter in series with the first.  For gas, the only option is to take the meter away and test it.  If the meter turns out to be in tolerance, you pay the cost of the test.  Utility companies can be very reluctant to organise such tests.

mmmmikey

Hi, the current process, as I understand it is not to certify meters for a fixed period. A sample of meters of each installed type is tested each year and a decision is made on the basis of those tests as to when to replace meters of each type / age. So although individual meters are not recalibrated each year a sample of meters is tested for accuracy.

Edit: Google "Measuring Instruments Directive" for more information.

Chrysalis

@mmmmikey How is this sampling done?  I have never heard of it until this post, I am curious, are they taking random samples from hones, or done some other way? thank you.