The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has commissioned its first Energy Laboratory; a milestone in the Commission’s effort to enhance its monitoring capacity.
On Friday October 9, 2020 the PURC funded and contracted Alpha TND Limited to setup an energy laboratory. The laboratory is equipped with a state-of-the art stationary reference meter test bench with five (5) meter test positions designed for testing up to five (5) electricity meters simultaneously. The test bench is also equipped with the capacity to test both single phase and 3-phase meters. The laboratory will enable the Commission to improve its monitoring of quality of service and also assess the overall integrity of meters used by the regulated electric utilities. The tests that can be conducted include the following:
- Insulation Resistance test
- High Voltage test
- Creep/No Load test
- Meter Constant test
- Voltage Variation test
- Frequency Variation test
- Repeatability test
The Commission is confident that the commissioned laboratory will enhance its efficiency of resolving consumer and utility complaints promptly and positively impact the performance of the utilities. It will also ensure that energy meters being used by regulated utilities are efficient and fall within appropriate accuracy limits. Furthermore, it will enable the Commission to carry out random meter sampling tests and assert its independence and impartiality in carrying out its regulatory functions.
| Mrs. Mami Dufie Ofori, Exective Secretary of PURC addressing participants | Official opening of the PURC Energy Laboratory | |
| Mr. Bachchoo Singh of Alpha TND Ltd. briefing participants on the meter test bench | Management of PURC with representatives from Alpha TND Limited | |