HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - December 15, 1999 E-14y
�� ;_�► . CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: Specifications and Advertisement for Bids for Automatic Watthour Meter Test System
MEETING DATE: December 15, 1999
PREPARED BY: Electric Utility Director
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council approve the specifications and authorize advertisement
for bids for one Automatic Watthour Meter Test System.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The City's meter test set, purchased in 1981, is designed to test meters of the
electromechanical type and requires the presence of a rotating disc to
perform the test accurately. Electromechanical meters, for meter classes
other than residential and small commercial customers, are no longer manufactured and has been replaced with solid
state technology.
It is anticipated that within the next three to five years solid state meters will be the only economical alternative in all
meter classes. The City at present must test solid state meters by relying on the meter tester's eye -hand coordination
to manually enter the number of simulated disc revolutions into the test equipment. This process introduces a
significant error into the test especially when many of these meters are installed on large commercial and industrial
customers having a large meter multiplier which in turn will magnify (multiply) any error introduced in the testing of the
meter. The present meter test set also requires manually wiring for the type of meter to be tested. In addition the
operator must log all test data on test reports.
The meter test system specified here is computer driven, it automatically configures the test set to the type of meter to
be tested, can test any meter manufactured today well within prescribed accuracy limits and generates (prints) a
complete report of the test. These features eliminate the chance of operator error and reduce labor costs associated
with the test. It is estimated that the test time per meter can be reduced by up to 50% with a computer driven test set.
This reduction in time spend on each meter test will permit the Meter Section to maintain the testing schedule of the
continually increasing population of meters and concurrently address other assignments placed on the Section without
increasing staff. The Department has approximately 25,000 meters in service.
Bid Opening: Wednesday, January 19, 2000.
FUNDING: Included in the 1999-2000 Fiscal Year Financial Plan and Budget (Page E 22)
Estimated Cost: $40,000
Funding Approval:
Vicky McAt ie, Finance Director
Alan N. Vallow
Electric Utility Director
PREPARED BY: Hans Hansen, Manager, Engineering and Operations
ANWHH/Ist
C: city Attorney Purchasing Officer Note: Plans and specifications are on file in the
Electric Utility Department.
APPROVED: V
H. Dixon Flynn - City Manager