M-20—Replacement indicators (loaner and spare indicators)

Category: Mass
Issue Date: 2024-10-09
Effective Date: 2024-10-09
revision number: 3
Supersedes: M-20 (rev. 2)

Table of contents

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this bulletin is to establish Measurement Canada's policy regarding replacement electronic indicators, typically referred to as "loaner indicators" and "spare indicators". These are generally placed into service when the scale's original indicator has malfunctioned and is removed temporarily for repairs.

 2.0 Scope

This bulletin applies to temporary loaner indicators and spare indicators. It does not apply to indicators intended to be used as permanent replacements for malfunctioning indicators.

3.0 Background

This policy was developed to allow scale services companies some latitude to place devices back into service quickly after a component failure. Prior to this, if an indicator malfunctioned, the trader would be forced to wait until a Measurement Canada inspector, or an authorized service provider (ASP), was available to conduct an initial inspection on the new indicator, even though the service company may have been able to complete repairs much sooner.

4.0 Definitions

Loaner indicator
(indicateur de remplacement)
A previously inspected indicator owned by a scale service company and loaned to a device owner as a temporary replacement for a malfunctioning indicator.
Spare indicator
(indicateur en réserve)
An indicator that has been inspected as a backup device for critical weighing operations and that is intended only for use the device for which it was originally inspected.

5.0 Loaner indicators

The loaner indicator and existing load receiving element are subject to all of the requirements of the Weights and Measures Act, Regulations and related specifications, including any enforcement action after its inspection.

5.1 Inspection and markings

The following conditions must be met to use an electronic indicator as a loaner indicator:

  • The indicator must be initially inspected by Measurement Canada or an ASP;
  • The indicator must be inspected and sealed as required by the Weights and Measures Act;
  • The indicator must be marked with its capacity in terms of the number of scale intervals (n) to which it has been inspected, where n = Max / e;
  • The indicator must be marked with the name and address of the service company to whom it belongs;
  • The indicator must be clearly marked as a "loaner" device.

5.2 Installation and use

The following conditions must be met for a loaner indicator to be temporarily placed into service as a replacement for a malfunctioning indicator:

  • The loaner indicator must only replace a previously inspected indicator;
  • The loaner indicator must be compatible with the scale on which it will be installed;
  • The loaner indicator must be configured with the same verification scale interval (e) as the indicator which it replaces;
  • The loaner indicator must be configured with the same weighing capacity (Max) as the indicator which it replaces;
  • The resulting number of scale intervals (n) must be equal to or less than that for which the loaner indicator was certified;
  • The resulting number of scale intervals (n) must fall within the accuracy class for which the loaner indicator was approved, if applicable;
  • The installation of the loaner indicator must be reported to Measurement Canada in writing within 5 days, as required by section 41 of the Regulations;
  • If the loaner indicator must be installed on a permanent basis (i.e. it will no longer be temporarily, a new and complete inspection of the device will be required.

Service companies failing to comply with the stated conditions will be required to make arrangements for the initial inspection of all indicators.

6.0 Spare indicators

The use of a spare indicator is allowed if the following conditions are met:

  • The indicator must be initially inspected by Measurement Canada or an ASP;
  • The indicator must be configured for and used only with the originally intended load receiving element;
  • The indicator must be properly marked as per the appropriate regulations or specifications;
  • The indicator must be available and tested each time the load receiving element or primary indicator is tested, calibrated or inspected.

7.0 Revisions

The purpose of revision 3 was to:

  • make minor editorial changes; and
  • update the format of the bulletin to comply with current publishing requirements.

The purpose of revision 2 was to simplify the requirements for replacement indicators (loaner and spare indicators).

The purpose of revision 1 was to:

  • clarify the requirements for loaner indicators;
  • add requirements for spare indicators; and
  • reformat the bulletin.
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