30 Day load study - Meter Calibration requirement

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akumar91

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Hi all,

I am currently trying to get a permit for a project in LA.

One part of my design required me to conduct a 30 day load study on an existing panel. The building had an existing meter which we used. Meter was installed in 2015.

Permit officer is rejecting the report stating that the meter should be calibrated within the last 6 months from the date the study was done. Still trying to look for the NEC requirements on that.

However, the meter manufacturer says that the meter is electronic and once calibrated, is good for 5 years.

Three questions:

1. Is the request by the permit officer valid?
2. Is there a way to bypass the request?
3. What's the typical industry standard?

Any help will be much appreciated!!
 
The NEC does not specify how to make a power measurement for sizing purposes. It does allow a utility meter record if it contains demand information.
The permit requirement does not seem to be based on the NEC, so there is nothing that NEC knowledge can do to help you.
Los Angeles (LADWP) is widely known for its irrational interpretations and requirements and there is, AFAIK, no higher authority to appeal to.
Possibly if you can find someone with considerable political clout to intervene on your behalf?
The manufacturer's statement has a small chance of changing their mind.
 
Contract with a firm that has their own equipment to do the study. Alternately, if you are competent to do it, rent the equipment and do the study yourself.

Either way you will get a printed report to show to the permit officer.

-Hal
 
I already have the report.

The officer wants a calibration date for the meter, which, according to him, should be within 6 months.

I am trying to find an alternative to that request because the meter at the site doesn't need calibration.
 
akumar91 said:
I already have the report.

The officer wants a calibration date for the meter, which, according to him, should be within 6 months.

I am trying to find an alternative to that request because the meter at the site doesn't need calibration.
Click to expand...

Ask the officer for the exact legal reference/adopted ordinance number and wording of the alleged requirement. Many jurisdictions have a rule that it must be given if requested.

The officer cannot just say that is what he wants or prefers.
 
jumper said:
Bad news. Not a request by officer. It is on the permit form.

Condition for Approval #6, meter has to be calibrated as you were told.

https://www.ladbs.org/docs/default-...2017/pc-elec-mod-7-(rev-5-23-17).pdf?sfvrsn=8
Click to expand...

I have a bigger problem with the requirement to state whether the power measurement is "average or RMS", which does not make any sense to me.

I suppose you could calculate the RMS power as the square root of the square of the power measured integrated over the one month period and then divided by one month, but it does not really correspond to anything useful. :happysad:
I would be more concerned about whether the measurement was average power or 15 minute peak demand. :)

I suppose that they could be asking whether the ammeter used measures average or RMS amps. :angel:
 
GoldDigger said:
I have a bigger problem with the requirement to state whether the power measurement is "average or RMS", which does not make any sense to me.

I suppose you could calculate the RMS power as the square root of the square of the power measured integrated over the one month period and then divided by one month, but it does not really correspond to anything useful. :happysad:
I would be more concerned about whether the measurement was average power or 15 minute peak demand. :)

I suppose that they could be asking whether the ammeter used measures average or RMS amps. :angel:
Click to expand...

I dunno.

Smart people like you can work out the details.:)

I just know that it was not a shirt pocket rule told by the permitting officer.

Not much fudging around when it says “shall”.:D
 
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