Fuel Dispensers

​In 2015 APLMF agreed to summarise the test procedures used in each APLMF training course and then to survey its members to validate the test procedures and to provide some quality control. The validated test procedures will be later used to develop eLearning modules. 

The summary test procedures are provided to guide economies wishing to follow OIML recommendations. They contain abbreviated terms and formulae which are defined in the relevant OIML recommendation.

Information relating to fuel dispensers:
SUMMARY OF TEST PROCEDURES USED TO VERIFY FUEL DISPENSERS
​Test Name
​Procedures Description
​VISUAL INSPECTION
  • Visually inspect the fuel dispenser for compliance with its certificate(s) of approval. (one economy suggested this is only performed at initial verification)
  • Inspect the fuel dispenser for compliance with any relevant regulations/environmental factors/mode of use.
  • Ensure all relevant safety requirement are in place
​​CHECKING FACILITY FOR ELECTRONIC INDICATORS
​Visually check the entire electronic display by: 
  • displaying all the elements;
  • blanking all the elements; and 
  • displaying zeros.  
This test can be carried out in conjunction with the test for zero setting using an electronic reset mechanism.
​ZERO SETTING FOR MECHANICAL RESET MECHANISM 




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ZERO SETTING FOR ELECTRONIC RESET MECHANISM
​
  • Determine whether zero setting is mechanical or electronic and conduct the appropriate test
  • Remove the delivery nozzle from its hang-up position
  • If a previous sale remains on the indicator move the starting lever to the ON position without operating the mechanical reset mechanism and ensure that the pump motor does not start or the dispenser is not activated. If the pump motor does start or the dispenser is activated then the interlock mechanism is faulty
  • Reset the indicator/s to zero and check that the volume indicator/s is/are zero within 0.5 Emin and the price indicator/s is/are zero within Emin unit price 0.5
  • Move the starting lever slowly and gently towards the ON position until the motor starts (or the dispenser is activated) and then slowly and gently towards the OFF position until the motor stops (or the dispenser is deactivated)
  • Move the starting lever slowly and gently towards the ON position and check that the interlock has engaged and prevents the motor from starting or being activated
  • Return the starting lever to the OFF position
  • Remove the nozzle from its hang-up position and ensure that the display test is performed and the price and volume displays are on zero before any delivery of product is possible
  • Carefully return the nozzle to its hang up position and ensure that when the nozzle is then removed no further deliveries are possible without the segment test being initiated and the indications returning to zero.
PRICE COMPUTING
  • Reset the dispenser to zero
  • Make a delivery of a convenient volume. Calculate the total price (*rounded to two decimal places) from the unit price and volume indicated * depends on the currency being used in the calculations
  • Compare this calculated price with all price displays.
NOZZLE CUT-OFF
  • Where the hose is fitted with an automatic cut-off nozzle, make a delivery at normal flow rate
  • Allow the sensing port of the nozzle to come in contact with liquid or froth
  • Ensure the nozzle cuts off
  • Repeat above steps twice more.
​INTERLOCK HOSES SHARING A COMMON INDICATOR
  • Determine whether the hoses have a common indicator or whether they share a pumping unit, and conduct the appropriate test
  • Select and authorise any hose that shares a common indicator with the hose(s) being tested
  • Check that the price and volume indications for the hose selected reset to zero, and for dispensers:
  • (a) with separate unit price display: the unit price display for the type of fuel selected is transferred to the main indication;
  • b) without separate unit price display: the unit price display for the hose selected is displayed and all other unit price displays disappear until the delivery has been completed.
  • Check that all other hoses sharing the same indicator are disabled by removing the other nozzles from their hang up position and confirming that they do not authorise.
​INTERLOCK HOSES SHARING A COMMON PUMPING UNIT
  • Select and authorise any hose that shares the common pumping unit with the hose being tested.
  • While the pumping unit is operating, attempt to make a delivery from the hose being tested without allowing the dispenser to be actuated where it will initiate the zero setting sequence.
  • Check that it is not possible to make a delivery from the hose being tested.
PRE-SET INDICATIONS
  • Reset the dispenser to zero
  • Enter a suitable pre-set value using the pre-set facility. Make sure the pre-set amount appears on the display
  • Commence a delivery into the container with the nozzle fully open allowing the pre-set facility to slow down and complete the delivery automatically
  • Check that the price/volume indication on the display corresponds to the pre-set amount and for self-serve remains on the display or is stored in memory until the transaction is finalised.
MAXIMUM FLOW RATE
HOSES SHARING A COMMON PUMPING UNIT*

*Only performed at initial verification, or when any site changes occur.
  • For all hoses, commence and time a delivery at the maximum achievable flow rate
  • Stop the delivery after at least 10 seconds
  • Note the indication on the dispenser and calculate the flow rate
  • Select and authorise a number of hoses connected to the same pumping unit
  • With all hoses operating at the maximum achievable flow rate, time the delivery for one of the hoses.
  • Stop the delivery after at least 10 seconds and calculate the flow rate.
ACCURACY
  • Condition the standard volume measure
  • Make a delivery at maximum achievable flow rate. Record the volume indicated by the fuel dispenser (VFD) and the volume indicated by the reference standard measure (VREF)
  • Calculate and record the relative error (of indication) (EFD = (VFD-VREF)/ VREF x 100).
  • Repeat the steps above twice more
  • Make one more delivery at minimum approved flow rate. Record the volume indicated by the fuel dispenser (VFD) and the volume indicated by the reference standard measure (VREF)
  • Calculate and record the relative error (of indication) (EFD).
ACCURACY OF PRE-SET
  • Condition the standard volume measure
  • Enter and record a suitable (must be higher than Vmin) pre-set value using the pre-set facility. This pre-set value should deliver close to the value of the reference standard measure being used
  • Make a delivery at maximum achievable flow rate until the delivery stops. Record the volume indicated by the fuel dispenser (VFD) and the volume indicted by the reference standard measure (VREF)
  • Calculate and record the relative error (of indication) (EFD).
GAS ELIMINATION
  • For systems fitted with a gas elimination device, calculate and record the average error (EAV) of the three runs at maximum achievable flow rate recorded during the accuracy test
  • Condition the standard volume measure
  • If sealed, remove seal from the test valve
  • Commence a delivery at the maximum achievable flow rate. During the delivery slowly open the air/gas test valve, causing the flow to decrease noticeably or to stop
  • Close the test valve, and complete the delivery
  • Record the volume indicated by the fuel dispenser (VFD) and the volume indicated by the reference standard measure (VREF)
  • Calculate and record the relative error (of indication) (EFD = (VFD-VREF)/ VREF x 100).
  • Determine the error difference (ED) for the gas elimination device.
ANTI-DRAIN / HOSE DILATION
WITHOUT A HOSE REEL
  • Conduct the appropriate test (hose either provided without a hose reel or with a hose reel)
  • Condition a suitable standard volume measure, e.g. graduated measuring cylinder
  • Start the delivery to allow the hose to pressurise
  • Stop the delivery suddenly by immersing the hose nozzle into the delivered liquid or by suddenly releasing the trigger of the nozzle.
  • Deactivate the dispenser by manually operating the nozzle hang-up flap or by inserting a dummy nozzle into the holster. Do not hang up the nozzle
  • Whilst holding the nozzle down, drain for 5 s
  • Open the nozzle and allow the pressure in the hose to reduce whilst draining the nozzle into the small standard volume measure
  • Close the nozzle when the flow stops, or after 30 s. If the nozzle still drips after 30 s the nozzle should be repaired.
ANTI-DRAIN / HOSE DILATION
WITH A HOSE REEL
  • Fully uncoil hose from its reel.
  • Condition a suitable standard volume measure, e.g. graduated measuring cylinder
  • Start the delivery to allow the hose to pressurise
  • Stop the delivery suddenly by immersing the hose nozzle into the delivered liquid or by suddenly releasing the trigger of the nozzle
  • Deactivate the dispenser by manually operating the nozzle hang-up flap and do not hang up the nozzle
  • Fully coil the hose back on its reel
  • Whilst holding the nozzle down, drain for 5 s
  • Open the nozzle and allow the pressure in the hose to reduce whilst draining the nozzle into the small standard volume measure
  • Close the nozzle when the flow stops, or after 30 s. If the nozzle still drips after 30 s the nozzle should be repaired. 
SUMMARY OF ECONOMY REPORTS
​Presented at the training course in Pattaya City, Thailand 15-19 June 2015 and 11-13 July 2016 
Economy
Legislation
SI
MPE used
Inspector or 3rd party
Verification periods
Australia
Yes
Yes
±0.3%
​3rd party
None
Cambodia
Yes
Yes
±0.5% initial, ±1% subsequent
municipal and provincial staff, Inspector
1 Year
China
Yes
Yes
±0.3% (0.15% repeatability)
Inspectors
6 month
Indonesia
Yes
 Yes
±0.5%
Inspectors, Regional responsibility
1 Year
Malaysia
Yes
Yes
±0.5%
Private company Metrology Corporation of Malaysia Verification officers
1 Year
Mongolia
Yes
Yes
±0.25%
Inspectors
6 months
Paupa-New Guinea
Yes
(ICCC is regulator)​
Yes
±0.5% but we only check Price only
Inspectors
1 Year
Philippines
Yes
Yes
±0.5%
3rd PARTY with inspectors observing and marking. Local government
NML
2 Months
Thailand
Yes
Yes
±0.5%
Inspectors/manufacturers with license
2 Y (inspector) 60 days (repairer)
Viet Nam
Yes
Yes
±0.3%
Verifiers who are certified and licensed
1 Year
Economy
OIML compliant
Type approval
Issues
Other
Australia
​Yes
Yes
-
 - 
Cambodia
Yes
Manufacturer
HR, equipment, primary, secondary for WB or working standards, WB unit, Public awareness, Law enforcement, software, budget
More training and equipment
China
Yes
Yes
Software for cheating, compulsory
-
Indonesia
Yes, not fully adopted
Yes, not all tests
Electronic disturbance, influence factors, need facilities
-
Malaysia
Yes
Yes
Capacity building for new inspectors-
-
Mongolia
Yes
No
-
-
Paupa-New Guinea
Yes
No
HR, Budget, Basic equipment, conflict between regulators
Do not calibrate
Philippines
Not yet working towards - only accuracy test
No
LGU lack knowledge to verify, equipment not compliant
-
Thailand
Yes
No
Low # weights and measures officers
-
Viet Nam
Yes
Yes
absence of regulation for repairers, No regulation regarding maintenance
-
SURVEY RESULTS ON ADOPTING THE FUEL DISPENSER TEST PROCEDURES
The following results are from a survey completed in 2016. 
Test name
Total economies surveyed
Adopted
Not implemented
Economies not responded
​1. Visual inspection
19
14
1
4
​2. Checking facility for electronic indicators
19
15
4
​3. Zero setting
19
14
1
4
​4. Price computing 
19
14
1
4
5. Nozzle cut-off
19
13
2
4
6. Interlock
19
15
Value
4
7. Pre-set indications
19
13
2
4
8. Maximum flow rate 
19
13
2
4
​9. Accuracy 
19
13
2
4
10. Accuracy of pre-set
19
12
3
4
​11. Gas elimination
19
12
3
4
12. Anti-drain / Hose dilation​
19
12
3
4
​Economies who responded:
Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Japan, DPR of Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Vietnam