The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Tuesday advised industry players and consumers to be cautious about the sale and use of electric watthour meters that lack ERC type-approval or bear fake ERC seals, stickers, and spurious meter test reports.
The ERC said in a statement it observed that some electric meters being sold in physical and online stores are not type-approved or may bear fake ERC seals, stickers and spurious meter test reports.
“We urge all industry players and consumers to verify with the ERC whether meters purchased from these sources have been type-approved, tested, and sealed. Test reports for non-ERC-approved meters indicate that such meters are not authorized for revenue metering. In other words, a non-ERC-approved meter cannot serve as the basis for a customer’s monthly electric bill,” the ERC said.
Under existing laws, rules and regulations, only electric watthour meters that have been type-approved by the regulator may be used for revenue metering by distribution utilities and redistributors, the regulator said.
“The ERC strongly urges everyone to remain vigilant and cautious about the meters installed at their premises, and those purchased from physical or online stores. Only meters that have been type-approved, tested, and sealed by the ERC may be used for revenue metering and are assured of accuracy,” it said.
It said all meters should be tested and sealed by the ERC before installation at consumers’ premises.
ERC-approved meter types meet international standards and the required quality for customer use. Meters tested by the ERC are sealed by the agency’s Meter Division to guarantee accuracy, provided the seals remain untampered.
The ERC said a tested and sealed meter comes with a corresponding meter test report, which includes details such as the date of testing, the name of the ERC personnel who conducted the test, and the meter’s accuracy level.
It said accurate meters ensure the correct registration of electricity consumption.