Meter Reader Cards, VP
  1. Scope. This specification covers cards with four or five dials that allow a residential customer to read his own meter. The cards are made of a pressed polished vinyl with clear polycarbonate spinners.
  2. Base Material. The base film shall be a 0.025" thick, rigid, pressed- polished vinyl. The base film shall be an opaque [ white, yellow, blue, _____].
  3. Coating for Address. The base vinyl film shall have a writable pad that allows the customer to write his name, account number and address. The coating shall be receptive to marks from a pencil, ball-point pen or permanent marker. Pencil marks may be erased without damage to the coating. The coating shall have the following characteristics:
     
    4. Coating Weight 0.5 pounds/1,000 sq ft (+/- 6%)
    Coating Thickness 0.0003" (+/- 0.0001")
    Densitometer reading using GAM #126P and a 0.50" sq GAM #126P and a 0.50" sq pencil mark on a square section of coating 1.14, HB Pencil 1.05, H Pencil 1.00, 2H Pencil
    Defacement of Writing Pencil marks of a 2H pencil cannot be rubbed off using hand pressure.

 

  1. Physical Characteristics. The material shall have the following characteristics:
     
    2. Property Results
    Dyne Level 41
    Elongation (ASTM D882) 100%
    Flammability (ASTM D568) ATB 5 seconds
    Specific Gravity (ASTM D792) 1.37-1.42
    Tensile Strength (ASTM D882) 6,000 psi
    Operating Temperature -20ºF to 150ºF

 

  1. Spinner. The spinner shall be made from a gloss, 0.010" thick, clear polycarbonate. The spinner shall have an outside diameter of 1.00" and be attached at its centerpoint to the base vinyl film with a brass eyelet having an inside diameter of 0.094". The spinner shall be surface printed with a black arrow and be capable of being rotate freely. [Four or five] spinners shall be used. The polycarbonate material used for the spinners shall have the following characteristics:
     
    2. Property Results
    Flammability (UL94) V-2
    Specific Gravity (ASTM D792) 1.20
    Tear Strength Initiation (ASTM D1004) 1,150 lb/in
    Tensile Strength (ASTM D882) 9,000 psi

 

  1. Weathering. A meter reader card sample shall be weathered using ASTM D4329 and UVA 340 lamps. After 5,000 hours of exposure in a QUV weathering deck the card shall remain adhered and readable. Sample of weathered and printed card shall remain on file at the manufacturer and is available for review by the customer.
  2. Chemical Resistance. The meter reader shall have the following resistance to exposure:
     
    3. Chemical Rating Test Method
    Mild Acids ASTM D534 good
    Mild Alkalines & Salt ASTM D534 good
    Water good
    Solvents ASTM D722-45 good

 

  1. Printing & Processing. Conventional solvent-based or UV vinyl inks shall be used.
  2. Size. The meter readers shall have the following dimensions: (choose one)

5-3/4" high x 8-3/4" wide
______ x ______[custom]

  1. Holes [optional]. The meter reader shall have two holes, one in each of the top two corners. The centerline of the holes shall be 0.50" from each edge and the hole shall have an outside diameter of 0.313".
  2. Suction Cups [optional]. A suction cup shall be provided for each hole, allowing the meter reader to be attached to a glass surface.
  3. Packaging. 25 meter readers shall be packaged in a polyethylene bag or vacuum formed package. Each bag or package shall be identified with the item description, inspector, date, quantity and part number. Bags or packages shall then be packaged in a corrugated carton. Each carton shall contain only one meter reader design. The outside of each box shall be labeled with the part number and/or utility code number, description and quantity.
  4. Warranty. Workmanship and quality shall be such that all lettering is sharp, legible, straight, and aligned properly. Smudges, misalignment, mis-wording, misspelling, crooked letters, incorrect color, incorrect materials, and any other problems that show poor quality and workmanship will give sufficient cause to reject any meter reader. The products are to be guaranteed by the vendor to be free of workmanship or material defect.

 

ELECTROMARK'S OBLIGATION UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS LIMITED TO REPLACEMENT OF THE PRODUCT. OUR PRODUCT IS SOLD WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY THAT OUR PRODUCT IS GOOD FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. OUR PRODUCTS ARE SOLD WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE USER WILL DETERMINE THEIR ADAPTABILITY FOR HIS INTENDED USES. WE ARE NOT BOUND BY ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE WE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE, EXPENSE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE OUR PRODUCTS.