# COMAR Title 20 — Public Service Commission

## Subtitle 50 — Service Supplied by Electric Companies

### Chapter 05 — Meter Requirements

**Authority:** Public Utility Companies Article, §§2-121, 5-101, 7-301, and 7-302,  Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date: May 22, 1942 (Order No. 38330)

**Administrative History:** Chapter revised effective May 18, 1960 (Order No. 54348)

**Administrative History:** Chapter revised effective June 1, 1965 (Order No. 55819)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02A amended effective June 2, 1997 (24:11 Md. R. 795)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .06 amended effective June 2, 1997 (24:11 Md. R. 795)

#### Regulation .01 Metering of Electricity.

*COMAR 20.50.05.01*

A. Customer Use. All electricity sold by a utility shall be on the basis of meter measurement, except for installations where the usage is constant and the consumption may readily be computed, or as provided for in its filed rates.

B. Utility Use. Wherever practicable, consumption of electricity within the utility itself, or by administrative units associated with it, shall be metered, except for installations where the usage is constant and the consumption may readily be computed.

#### Regulation .02 Metering Installation.

*COMAR 20.50.05.02*

A. Condition. A meter may not be installed if it is mechanically or electrically defective, has incorrect constants, or has not been tested in accordance with the requirements of COMAR 20.50.02.02.

B. Capacity. The capacity of the metering installation and the index mechanism should be consistent with the electrical requirements of the customer.

#### Regulation .03 Meter Multiplier.

*COMAR 20.50.05.03*

If it is necessary to apply a multiplier to a meter reading, the multiplier shall be marked on the face of the meter register.

#### Regulation .04 Demand Meter Registration.

*COMAR 20.50.05.04*

Demand meter installations for billing purposes should be designed, where practicable, so that the highest annual demand reading used for billing should appear in the upper half of the meter's range.

#### Regulation .05 Meter Reading Interval.

*COMAR 20.50.05.05*

Meters shall be read at approximate monthly intervals, unless otherwise authorized by the Commission.

#### Regulation .06 Meter Reading Records.

*COMAR 20.50.05.06*

The meter reading records from which bills are prepared shall show:

A. Customer's name, address, and rate schedule;

B. Identifying number or description of the meter;

C. Meter readings;

D. Date of meter reading;

E. If the reading has been estimated;

F. Any applicable multiplier or constant.

#### Regulation .07 Inventory Records.

*COMAR 20.50.05.07*

Each utility shall maintain records of each meter and associated metering device which will identify each item as to its design, capacity, and application. The identifying information may include, as applicable: manufacturer, number, type, voltage, amperes, phase, number of wires, number of stators, disk constant (Kh), demand interval, and ratio.

#### Regulation .08 History Records.

*COMAR 20.50.05.08*

Each utility shall maintain records for each meter and associated metering device which shall show the dates of installation and removal from service, together with the location.

#### Regulation .09 Test Records.

*COMAR 20.50.05.09*

Each utility shall maintain test records for each meter which shall include the following:

A. The date and reason for the test;

B. The reading of the meter before making the test;

C. The accuracy “as found” at light and heavy loads; and

D. The accuracy “as left” at light and heavy loads.