II.	METER INSTALLATION 

	This section proposes the minimum requirements for installation, maintenance and testing for meters and metering equipment that are used in direct access. Decision No.97-10-087, Appendix A: Direct Access Tariff, Section H(1)(b) states “Potential and current transformers shall be considered part of the distribution system and shall remain the responsibility of the UDC.” Accordingly, and pursuant to this decision, all instrument transformers, test switches and associated wiring up to the meter socket shall remain the responsibility of the UDCs.

 II.A.	Safety (customer life support, public, etc.)
	For safety reasons, the following requirements must be completed prior to performing any meter work on site and visual observations must continually apply as the meter work progresses.  Meter work includes, but not limited to, meter installation, meter replacement, maintenance, programming and testing.  Visually inspect all meter sites for the following conditions:

	II.A.1.	Customer Life Support

II.A.1.1. If a customer premise has a life support device or equipment and UDCs require a life-support sealing hardware or sticker, such sealing hardware or sticker shall be installed on meter covers, meter panels, test switches and/or metering transformer panel sections where deemed necessary to prevent service interruption during process of metering work.  Specifically, the life-support sealing hardware or sticker is required to be used in PG&E and SDG&E service areas, but not SCE service area. 

II.A.1.2. If such life-support sticker (in PG&E & SDG&E service territory) or sealing hardware (in SDG&E) is found on customer meter covers, meter panels, test switches and/or metering transformer panel sections, meter workers shall be cautious in performing meter work and not interrupting electric service to the customer premise.  If service will be unavoidably interrupted for any meter work, the meter worker shall notify the customer and obtain customer’s consent prior to performing work. 

	II.A.2.	Electrical Hazards:

		II.A.2.1. Exposed wiring, damaged sockets (loose or burnt wiring or jaws), auto-bypass devices (load jaws still hot when meter removed), loose or missing screws (i.e., in bypass area), missing panels, loose or broken service insulators, service wires in bad condition/order, missing meter, improper grounding conditions, fused neutral conductor of a 2 wire or 3 wire single phase service, defective service switch/disconnect, new installations which fail to conform with the UDC’s electric service requirements, etc.

		II.A.2.2.  Removal of 600 Volt Auto Valve  
			II.A.2.2.1 Auto valves may be found on 480 volt overhead meter installations, both self contained and instrument rated.  Functional in the field the auto valve can safely be removed from the meter installation.  The auto valve can be identified as a round or square metal can the size of a large human fist.  The auto valve is mounted through a knock out and secured with a net on the inside of the can.  There will be 3 black wires and 1 white wire.  The 3 black wires are electrically connected to each of the 3 phase wires on the service.  The white wire is connected to an earth ground.
			II.A2.2.2 The auto valve is attached to the socket side of the test block or test switches.  By de-energizing the socket, the wires from the auto valve can be removed and disposed of. Ensure that the hole left in the service equipment is properly closed and sealed for weather.

II.A.2.3.  A 480 V sticker shall be placed on the meter panel near the meter when meter worker is at the meter site.

		II.A.3.	Physical Hazards:

			II.A.3.1. Tripping hazards (slippery or uneven surfaces), debris or materials stored in the working space, overhead hazards (stored materials or workers above meters).

			II.A.3.2. Environmental hazards: Chemical, caustic, hearing, biological, etc. 
			II.A.3.3 Inadequate or unsafe access
			II.A.3.4. Meter Mounting: loose meter mounting, undue vibration, inability to securely seal metering, unleveled meter.

		II.A.4.	Customer premises:  
			II.A.4.1 Unsafe conditions of customer-owned stairs, railings, platforms, etc.

		II.A.5.	Vermin:  
			II.A.5.1. Watch out for insects, snakes, and rodents when opening doors or removing panels.

II.B.	Meter security and accessibility  
	The following requirements must be completed when performing any meter work on site and visual observations must continually apply as the meter work progresses.  Visually inspect all meter sites for the following conditions:

	II.B.1.	Infraction and evidence of tampering/energy diversion:  
			
		II.B.1.1. Meter Installation  
			II.B.1.1.1 Awareness of significant connected loads compared to a customer's monthly energy consumption.
			II.B.1.1.2 Irregularities in the service conductor's insulation ("skinned" insulation, newly-taped sections of conductors, burned or pitted service conductors, etc.)
			II.B.1.1.3 Unauthorized connection in overhead service entrance, on line side of meter, or metering transformers, or in unsealed underground pull sections or pull cans.
			II.B.1.1.4 Unauthorized seals, and unsealed or improperly sealed conditions on line side raceways,  test block compartments, test switch covers, and meter sealing rings.
			II.B.1.1.5 Suspicious wiring.
			II.B.1.1.6 Jumpers across current leads at bottom of test switch unsealed.
			II.B.1.1.7 Meter Coil Jumpered - Check and correct if the neutral service wire is found connected through the series coil of the meter and there are grounds on the load circuits that act as a jumper.
			II.B.1.1.8 Lock Fuse Jumpered - Check for lock fuse jumper and perform a regular meter test.  Jumper will be left as found, and this condition will be reported on the test report.
			II.B.1.1.9 Blown (or loosened) fuse in one leg of a 3-wire old sequence service.  (See II.B.1.a.4).
			II.B.1.1.10 Rate infractions in meter program/register.

		II.B.1.2.  Meter Cover 
			An unusually clean cover, small holes in the cover, burn marks on or near the cover, visible fingerprints inside the cover, etc.

		II.B.1.3.  KWH Register
			KWH dial pointer alignment, register mesh and register gears
		II.B.1.4.  Meter Disk
			Disk alignment to magnets, irregularity of disk rotation, foreign objects or materials on disk/bearing, scratches or wear marks on the disk
		II.B.1.5.  Test Blocks
			Damaged wiring between test block and meter, unusual marks, scratches or burns on test blocks, defective test blocks, etc.
		II.B.1.6.  Meter Base
			Unusual marks and mushroomed screw slots on potential links; broken meter seals; unusual wear or scratches, burn or pit marks on meter stabs/blades/terminals; etc.
		II.B.1.7.   Meter Socket
			Unusual wear or scratches, burnt or pit marks, irregular meter socket voltages, circuit bypass jumper, etc.
		II.B.1.8.  Hidden "Service Riser" Taps and Unmetered Circuits Utilizing Relay Devices:
			Unusual noises that could indicate a relay opening when the meter is removed from the socket.

	II.B.2.	Meter Security  
		II.B.2.1 Meters and meter panels installations shall be secured with appropriate locking devices such as seals, locking rings.  Also, if a meter is programmable, a security password shall be applied to prevent unauthorized access to the meter and unauthorized modifications of meter data and program.  

	II.B.3	Meter Security – Data
		II.B.3.1 Electrical meters or metering devices should have the capacity of supporting password or other protection means to restrict access to information contained therein. Passwords should be controlled by following generally accepted practices, similar to the protection afforded MDMA. Meter manufacturer should be consulted on extending the degree of protection offered by a particular metering device.

II.C.	Site verification 
	Visually inspect all meter sites for the following conditions:

	II.C.1.	DA Metering Verification

		II.C.1.1 Check for proof of DA meter certification or meter types that were  installed prior to 1/1/98 and grandfathered.

		II.C.1.2 Verify for correct customer and customer account (records versus meters) including billing constant, meter number, accuracy test results, customer information, address, etc.

		II.C.1.3 Verify for correct meter for  service characteristics (voltage, form, etc.).

	II.C.2.	DA Communication Verification:

		II.C.2.1.Verify for correct phone or other communication devices and connections if remote read

		II.C.2.2.Verify for successful communication handshakes and data retrieval if remote read (This can be done by another person at a remote location, and data accuracy is not verified at this time).

		II.C.2.3.Verify for successful meter reading if manual read.

	II.C.3.	Transformer rated meter sites:

		II.C.3.1.Billing Constant: Compare between records versus sites (CT’s/PT’s ratios)

		II.C.3.2.Improper Wiring: Shorted current by-pass links, reverse current secondary wired, unmatched voltage and current circuits, pinched or rubbed secondary wires near panel hinges.

	II.C.4.	Pole mounted meter sites

		II.C.4.1.Cutouts: Open cutouts, blown triple link fuses.

		II.C.4.2.Grounding: Grounding electrode conductors and connections shall not be broken at any point between the service equipment  enclosure and the ground rods, or other approved grounding electrode.	

	II.C.5.	Pad-mounted meter sites:
					
		II.C.5.1.Primary Metering: Unusual metering locations, such as current transformer metering installed on or within a UDC’s pad-mounted transformer or primary metering cabinet will require ESPs to consult with the UDC for their policy regarding who can perform metering work at these locations.  
			II.C.5.1.1 Meter enclosure attached to primary metering cabinet secured and lockable
				II.C.5.1.2 Meter pedestal installation mounted securely and cabinet lockable

		II.C.5.2. Cabinets. Check the cabinet is free of obvious shipping damage, paint damage or corrosion.

		II.C.5.3. Cabinet Safety
			II.C.5.3.1 Insure that there is at least one pentahead security bolt permanently attached to high voltage compartment door(s) and door locking handle.
			II.C.5.3.2 Insure that insulate barriers are provide insidel the metal door to any live compartments
			II.C.5.3.3 Insure ground bus bar located in the cable termination compartment near of the bottom of the door opening is accessible for line personnel.
			II.C.5.3.4 Insure secondary non-polarity neutral points and meter enclosure/pedestal electrically connected to ground bus.
			II.C.5.3.5 Electrical connections secure and properly made.

			II.C.5.4 Cabinet Markings 
			II.C.5.4.1  Exterior warring labels properly attached
			II.C.5.4.2  "Danger High-Voltage" label inside high voltage compartment and insulated barriers
			II.C.5.4.3  Electrical schematic and metal mfg nameplate mounted to the enclosure

		II.C.5.5. Instrument Transformers within Cabinets
			II.C.5.5.1  Transformers proper style (indoor/outdoor), voltage and current ratings
			II.C.5.5.2  Insure Certified test reports of transformers included with cabinet
			II.C.5.5.3  Insure porpoer mounting of transformers hung from overhead--captive bolts or studs.
			II.C.5.5.4  Proper secondary wiring and color code
			II.C.5.5.5  Proper secondary wiring routing away from high voltage leads
			II.C.5.5.6  Proper terminations for stranded or solid conductors secondary wiring (crimped, secured)
			II.C.5.5.7  Proper termination of non-polarity side of transformers

	II.C.6.	Grounding:

		II.C.6.1 PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E have three phase services with ground connection on one of the phases.  In situations where A, B, or C, phase is not grounded and there is a voltage reading at or near zero volts on any phase and reading above zero volts on any other phases, report the hazard to the UDC immediately for emergency corrections and contact the customer or customer’s representative to inform them of the hazardous conditions.  If it is unclear whether a phase is intentionally grounded, contact the local UDC to clarify the configuration of the service.  Additionally, take an extreme caution on primary (above 600 V), 480 V phase to phase or 277 V phase to ground service.

	II.C.7.	Clock Load:  
		Calculate and record customer's load at time of arrival. Changes below submitted by SDG&E

II.C.8. Ground Fault Protection 
	Check for the existence of a ground fault protection device or equipment in customer’s electrical panel or switchboard.  The purpose of this verification is to ensure that meter workers, while performing meter work on a customer’s three phase, 4-wire wye metering installation, do not inadvertently cause an unscheduled interruption on this service.

	II.C.8.1. Background
According to the National Electrical Code, Article 230-95, ground-fault protection shall be provided for solidly ground wye electrical services of more than 150 volts to ground, but not exceeding 600 volts phase-to-phase for each service disconnecting means rated 1000 amperes or more.  The proper operation of some ground-fault detection systems requires a single neutral-ground point which can be established by connecting the neutral, the equipment grounding conductors and the service equipment enclosures.  Even though this protection is mandatory on all new 1000 ampere 277/480 volt services, some customers may have installed it on lower voltage and amperage of a 4-wire wye service.  Therefore, meter workers must follow the procedures in Section II.E.9.2, Procedures, to avoid unscheduled service interruption while performing meter work on 4-wire wye metering installations. 

II.C.8.2. Procedures

II.C.8.2.1.  Visual check: Prior to performing meter work, visually inspect for the existence of a ground fault protection device in customer’s panel, switchboard or electrical facilities.  Note: One of the most sensitive ground fault protection devices is the GTE-Sylvania Zinsco Model GTS-3 relay.  A silicon control rectifier (SCR) in this relay could be triggered by transients generated simply by opening or closing the by-pass potential switch.

II.C.8.2.2.  Actions: If a ground fault protection device is found, the meter worker must contact the customer and request that the customer’s representative render the ground-fault relay inoperative or be present to witness the meter work performed.

		II.C.9	PT/CT secondary wiring and maintenance requirements 
			Secondary wiring shall be verified for correct wiring and no sign of tampering, and PT’s and CT’s shall be checked for normal operating conditions.  If abnormal conditions exist, ESPs and UDCs serving the customers shall be notified within 24 hours.

II.D.	Meter Install

	II.D.1. 	Pre-Installation
		II.D.1.1 Verify that the location corresponds to the address provided on the work order. Notify customer of meter installation.
		II.D.1.2 Verify type and size of metering is appropriate for site.

		II.D.1.3 Site Safety
			II.D.1.3.1 Look or and identify electrical and physical hazards that may be present at the site. Hazards shall be corrected immediately.
			II.D.1.3.2 Inspect for unsafe conditions at the customer’s premises. If unsafe conditions exit, take necessary action to correct.
		II.D.1.4 Personal Safety
			II.D.1.4.1. Comply with applicable OSHA and CalOSHA requirements.

	II.D.2	Self Contained Meters	

		II.D.2.1 Take closing read on existing meter 
		II.D.2.2 Verify meter information: form, voltage, meter number
			II.D.2.3  For meters with no bypass, the load shall be disconnected before replacing the meter
		II.D.2.4 For meters with a bypass, the meter shall be bypassed and de-energized, if possible, before replacing the meter.
		II.D.2.5 Open test block cover
		II.D.2.6 Verify voltage
		II.D.2.7 Verify 0 Volts between line and load side of test blocks
		II.D.2.8 Install test-by-pass jumper
		II.D.2.9 Open center bolts on test block
		II.D.2.10 Remove meter
		II.D.2.11 Install new meter
		II.D.2.12 Use approved locking device
		II.D.2.13 Close center bolts on test blocks
		II.D.2.14 Remove jumpers
		II.D.2.15 Reseal test block cover
		II.D.2.16 Take initial meter read

	II.D.3	Transformer Rated Meters (CT Meter)	

		II.D.3.1 Take closing read on existing meter 
		II.D.3.2 Verify meter information: form, voltage, constant, meter number
		II.D.3.3 Verify if meter is supplying customer with pulses (ie isolation relay)
		II.D.3.4 Open test switch cover and verify voltage at the test switch.
		II.D.3.5 Open CT compartment and verify ratio of CT’s against meter constant
		II.D.3.6 Verify wiring from CT compartment to test switch
		II.D.3.7 Verify wiring from test switch to meter socket
		II.D.3.8 Install test-by-pass jumper
		II.D.3.9 Remove meter
		II.D.3.10 Install new meter
		II.D.3.11 Use approved locking device
		II.D.3.12 Close voltage switches on test switch
		II.D.3.13 Verify meter is programmed
		II.D.3.14 Closed current switches and verify rotation
		II.D.3.15 Re-seal CT compartment and test switch
		II.D.3.16 Take initial meter read

	II.D.4 	Meter Installation at New Sites
		(Inputs are requested from PSWG participants on if this is part of the jurisdiction of the MSP and, if so, the recommended process. 

	II.D.5 Locking Device
		Insure appropriate locking device is in place.