FERC Account 395: Laboratory Equipment

FERC Account 395 records the cost of laboratory and testing equipment used in utility operations and engineering functions.

Definition

Record in this account the cost of laboratory and testing equipment used in utility operations.

Account 395 captures the cost of equipment used in utility laboratories for testing materials, meters, relays, oil, and other components. This includes meter testing equipment, oil testing apparatus, relay testing equipment, and general analytical instruments. Utilities use laboratory equipment to verify equipment performance, test materials before acceptance, and conduct engineering studies.

What is typically included

• Meter testing equipment and meter test benches
• Transformer oil and insulating fluid testing equipment
• Relay and protective device testing equipment
• Electrical testing instruments (oscilloscopes, power analyzers)
• Chemical analysis equipment for water and oil testing

What is generally not included

• Field testing equipment carried in service vehicles (Account 394)
• Office computers used to analyze laboratory results (Account 391)
• Communication equipment for transmitting test data (Account 397)
• General shop and maintenance equipment (Account 394)
• Power operated construction equipment (Account 396)

Why this account matters

• Tracks investment in quality control and testing infrastructure
• Supports depreciation of specialized laboratory equipment
• Required for FERC Form 1 general plant-in-service reporting
• Enables cost allocation of laboratory services to operating departments
• Provides asset tracking for high-value testing and measurement equipment