N.J. Admin. Code § 14:3-4.5

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 14:3-4.5 - Meter tests at a customer's request

(a) Each utility shall, without charge, make a test of the accuracy of a meter upon request of a customer, provided such customer does not make a request for test more frequently than once in 12 months.

(b) A report giving results of such tests shall be made to the customer, and a complete record of such tests shall be kept on file at the office of the utility in accordance with N.J.A.C. 14:3-4.9 Meter records.

(c) When a billing dispute is known to exist, the electric, gas or water utility shall, prior to removing the meter, advise the customer that the customer may have the meter tested by the utility or may have the Board witness a testing of the meter by the utility, and that in any event the customer may have the test witnessed by a third party.

(d) A meter test arising from a billing dispute may be appropriate in instances which include, but are not limited to, unexplained increased consumption, crossed meters, consumption while account is vacant or any other instance where the meter's accuracy might be an issue in a bill dispute.

(e) Upon application by any customer to the Board, a Board inspector shall test the customer's meter. Such test shall be made as soon as practicable after receipt of the application for the test, and Board staff shall notify the customer and the utility as to the time and place of such test.

(f) The Board shall charge a fee of $ 5.00 for a meter test, payable at the time application is made for the test. This fee is to be retained by the Board if the meter is found to be slow or correct within the allowable limits. If the meter is found to be fast beyond the allowable limits, that is, more than two percent, or in the case of water meters, more than one and one half percent, the utility shall reimburse the customer for the test fee paid.

N.J. Admin. Code § 14:3-4.5

Amended by R.1991 d.146, effective 5/6/1991.
See: 22 N.J.R. 617(a), 23 N.J.R. 1448(a).
New provisions at (c) and (d) require utility to inform customer of the option of a Board witnessed or conducted test of the customer's meter.
Recodified in part from N.J.A.C. 14:3-4.6 and amended by R.2008 d.119, effective 5/19/2008.
See: 39 N.J.R. 4077(b), 40 N.J.R. 2481(a).
Section was "Tests by utility on request". In (c), deleted "either conduct a test of the meter or" following "Board"; recodified former N.J.A.C. 14:3-4.6 as (e) and (f); in (e), substituted "Board inspector shall test" for "test shall be made of", deleted "by the inspector of the Board" following "meter" and substituted "for the test, and Board staff shall notify" for "and upon notice to"; and in (f), substituted "The Board shall charge a fee of $ 5.00 for a meter test, payable" for "For such test a fee, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:2-56, shall be paid by the customer" and inserted "by the Board".