Red Seal Gasfitter — Class A Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of a gas meter?

1. To measure the volume of gas consumed for billing purposes

2. To convert gas into electricity

3. To regulate the pressure of gas in pipelines

4. To store gas for future use

The correct answer is: To measure the volume of gas consumed for billing purposes

The primary purpose of a gas meter is to measure the volume of gas consumed for billing purposes. Gas meters are essential devices installed in residential and commercial settings to accurately track the amount of gas that is used by the customer over a specific period. These measurements are then communicated to the utility company, allowing for accurate billing based on actual gas consumption instead of estimated usage. Gas meters work by measuring the volume of gas passing through them, which is usually done either through mechanical means, such as rotary or diaphragm mechanisms, or through advanced electronic technologies. This data is crucial not only for billing but also for monitoring usage patterns and ensuring that customers are billed correctly based on their consumption. In contrast to this, devices that convert gas into electricity, regulate pressure in pipelines, or store gas for future use serve different functions unrelated to the primary objective of a gas meter. Each of those tasks is critical to managing gas supply and distribution but does not directly relate to measuring consumption for billing.