FortisBC Inc. (FortisBC) Application for a Certificate of Public ...

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Response:
FortisBC Inc. (FortisBC or the Company)
Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project
Response to British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC or the Commission)
Information Request (IR) No. 1
Submission Date:
October 5, 2012
Page 88
47.3 Explain if there is a risk of damaging the meter base while exchanging the
residential meter and what mitigation measures FortisBC proposes to employ
while performing the exchange.
There is a risk of damaging the meter base while exchanging the residential meter; however
through the meter exchange process it is possible that FortisBC will also identify already
damaged meter bases.
FortisBC will mitigate the risks related to damaged meter bases by making use of its meter
exchange best practices outlined in the response to BCUC IR1 Q47.1. Specifically, this will
include a visual inspection and meter testing of the socket base and:
o Jumpers/unusual Wiring;
o Broken or missing Government seal;
o Unusual lug wear combined with broken or missing seal;
Broken or cracked meter base lugs;
o Neutral wire is properly connected in meter base (note: this applies to network
and poly phase metering only);
o Verify meter compatibility with socket (voltage/current/number of elements);
o Voltage check on all meter bases looking for;
Continuity (or load side resistance);and
Standard FBC residential voltage.
If any deficiencies are found, the deployment procedures will specify what measures must be
taken to correct these deficiencies prior to installation completion. These measures may include
the replacement of a faulty meter base by a qualified electrician at no cost to the customer.
FortisBC performed 54,640 meter installations, removals or replacements in the period from
2006 through 2011. During this period there were 13 reported meter incidents where some form
of meter base damage occurred or was identified. Further, FortisBC has checked its records
and has found no evidence of any damage to customer property (other than the meter base)
that has occurred as a result of a meter installation, removal or replacement.
FortisBC has conservatively budgeted for over 1,000 meter base replacements as part of the
AMI project budget to help ensure that any identified issues with customers’ meter bases can be
repaired with minimal customer inconvenience.
Response:
47.4 What is the impact on the meters when exposed to temporary over-voltages and
extreme temporary over-voltages?