Red Seal Gasfitter — Class B Practice Exam

What is the purpose of the gas meter in a gas supply system?

1. To convert gas into electricity

2. To ignite the gas for burning

3. To measure the volume of gas consumed by the customer

4. To regulate the pressure of the gas

The correct answer is: To measure the volume of gas consumed by the customer

The purpose of the gas meter in a gas supply system is to measure the volume of gas consumed by the customer. This measurement is crucial for billing purposes, as it allows utility companies to accurately charge customers based on their actual usage. Gas meters are typically calibrated in units such as cubic feet or cubic meters, ensuring that customers are billed precisely for the gas they have utilized. Understanding this function is key to grasping how gas supply systems operate within residential and commercial settings. The other choices do not align with the meter's role: converting gas to electricity is a function of a generator; igniting gas for burning pertains to appliances like burners or heaters; and regulating gas pressure is the job of pressure regulators installed downstream of the meter. Understanding the specific functions of these components helps in comprehensively grasping overall gas supply systems.