CHAPTER 7
ELECTRIC UTILITY CUSTOMER SERVICE POLICIES
ARTICLE 4. METERS
SECTION:
§4047 Separate Meters; Readings Not Combined
§4048 Separate Meter For Each Class Of Service
§4050 Adjustment Of Bills Based On Faulty Meters
§4045 METERS
Meters will be installed by the City as provided in this Chapter. All meters will be scaled by the City at the time of installation, and no seal shall be altered or broken except by one of its authorized employees or agents. (Ord. 957, §1, adopted 1995)
§4046 METER LOCATIONS
A. Meters shall be installed on the outside of buildings, or service structures, unless otherwise specifically authorized and approved by the City. Meters shall not be installed in places difficult to access: over open pits, moving machinery, hatchways, in the path of water from eaves or rain spouts, or areas subject to live steam or corrosive vapors. It shall be the responsibility of the customer to maintain clear working space of not less than thirty six inches wide by thirty six inches deep (36" x 36") at the face of the meter, along with a suitable permanent, substantial platform directly below the meter equal to the clear working space. The space required by this Section shall not be used for storage or any other purpose. At least one entrance of twenty four inches wide by six and one-half feet tall (24" x 6 1/2’) shall be provided to give access to the electrical equipment.
B. Meters shall be located not more than seventy five inches (75") and not less than forty eight inches (48") above the ground or standing surface when installed outdoors. When meters are enclosed in a cabinet or indoors in a meter room, the minimum height may be reduced to thirty six inches (36"). The meter height shall be measured to the horizontal center line of the meter.
C. Where meters are recessed in a wall or building, a space of not less than an eight inch (8") radius circle from the center point of the meter base shall be provided to permit access of City test equipment. (Ord. 957, §1, adopted 1995)
§4047 SEPARATE METERS; READINGS NOT COMBINED
Each meter on a customer’s premises will be read and billed separately. (Ord. 957, §1, adopted 1995)
§4048 SEPARATE METER FOR EACH CLASS OF SERVICE
When the customer desires to use electricity for purposes classified under different rates, separate meters must be installed to measure the energy supplied at each rate, and the use of electricity registered by each meter will be charged at prices specified in the applicable rate schedule. (Ord. 957, §1, adopted 1995)
§4049 METER TESTS
A. The City will, at its own expense, make tests and inspections as required on its meters to insure accuracy. The City shall have the right to test any meter at any time. Any meter found to exceed two percent (2%) plus or minus tolerance will be replaced without charge.
B. Upon a customer’s request, the City will, at no charge, perform one meter test per meter in a five (5) year period. Additional tests at the customer’s request will be made, and if the meter is found to register within the two percent (2%) plus or minus tolerance, the customer shall pay a test fee as set by resolution of the City Council. If the meter is found to exceed the two percent (2%) limit plus or minus tolerance, no charge will be made for the testing. A report giving the result of the test will be supplied to the customer after completion of the test. (Ord. 957, §1, adopted 1995)
§4050 ADJUSTMENT OF BILLS BASED ON FAULTY METERS
When, as the result of any test, a meter is found to be more than two percent (2%) fast, the City shall refund to the customer the overcharge, based on the corrected meter readings for the period in which the meter was in use, not exceeding six (6) months, unless it can be shown that the error was due to some cause, the date of which can be fixed. In this case, the overcharge shall be computed back to, but not beyond, such date. If the meter is found to be slow, the City will not bill the customer for the resulting under charge, but will correct the meter immediately. (Ord. 957, §1, adopted 1995)