Every month, each family receives a receipt for the need to pay for electricity consumed. For one, it is calculated based on the indicators of an individual meter, for others - according to a common house electricity meter. When people buy housing for themselves, especially when it comes to the secondary real estate market, as a rule, they do not think about what kind of meter is installed in their apartment or house, how long it can be used. And sooner or later, an order from the power supply company comes that the time for the calibration interval of the electric meter has come up, or that it needs to be replaced.
That's when a lot of questions appear. Where to begin? Where to apply? Who to call? If you buy a new device, which one is better from the variety of goods and services offered on the market? Let's try to understand this issue in more detail.
What is an electricity meter
This is a device designed to measure the AC or DC electricity consumed by the owners of residential, industrial, factory, office premises. Afterconducting many experiments by scientists from different parts of the world, the first electric meter for alternating current was put into mass operation in 1888.
Classification by construction type
It is customary to distinguish between induction, electronic, electrodynamic meters.
Induction, aka electromechanical, the device takes into account the active energy of alternating current. The electric meter device is a current coil and a voltage coil, the magnetic field between which drives the disk element. The higher the current and voltage in the network, the faster the plate rotates, counting the electricity in revolutions. The device is single-phase and three-phase. Produced as single. More suitable for residential areas with low energy consumption. Many homes still have old electricity meters of this type. And I must say that they are very reliable - their service life exceeds fifteen years! Due to the fact that they had no alternative, there are about 50 million induction devices installed in the country. Among the negative aspects of the device is that it can give readings with an error, and is also poorly protected from unauthorized use of electricity.
Instead of the induction began to produce a more compact electronic electricity meter, it is also static. Such a device directly measures current and voltage, transmitting data to a digital indicator and to the device's memory. More suitable for apartments, businesses, offices with high electricity consumption. Maybebe installed in cold rooms, on the street, as it tolerates low temperature conditions well. Allows you to produce electricity consumption for different zones of the day: it is produced as single-tariff and two-tariff. That is, a person can program the device for different periods of time. Compared to the induction version, the static device has reliable protection against electricity theft, and is also characterized by a higher cost. But at the same time, the electronic electricity meter is less reliable.
Electrodynamic, aka hybrid, the device is rarely used. Relevant for electric trains, electrified railways.
Each device has a calibration interval. It ranges from 6-16 years. After the expiration of the term, verification of electricity meters is required.
Classification by type of measured value
Distinguish between single-phase and three-phase meters. The first ones are 220 V, 50 Hz, the second ones are 380 V, 50 Hz. In high-voltage circuits, three-phase devices with a transformer can be installed. Modern three-phase devices are available with support for single-phase mode.
Classification by connection type
It is possible to connect the meter to the power circuit directly (this is a direct connection) or by means of instrument transformers specially designed for this purpose (this is a transformer connection). For single-phase devices, the first option is characteristic, for three-phase - both methods. In apartments, as a rule, direct connection is used.
Classification by accuracy class
There are different classes of electricity meters with an accuracy of 2, 5; 20; ten; 0.5; 0, 2. This indicator informs about the possible percentage error in measurements. As a rule, it is written on the dial by the manufacturer.
Old single-phase induction devices have a parameter of 2, 5 with a current of less than 30 A. Such devices are designed to account for electricity in small areas. Since October 2000, they have not been sent for examination due to non-compliance with standards. After the first verification period, they are not designed for significant loads, they are subject to mandatory replacement.
Since in the modern world a lot of "smart" energy-intensive equipment has appeared to help a person, whether it be thermopots, dishwashers, washing machines, multicookers, microwave ovens, toasters, computer equipment, there is a need for devices with a different accuracy. So, new electric meters are characterized by an increased accuracy class from 2, 0 and allow you to switch to a different parameter: 1, 0; 0.5; 0, 2. They are characterized by increased current rates up to 60 A.
Tariffs for individual electricity meters
This is an important indicator from a practical point of view. There are single-tariff and multi-tariff devices. The former calculate electricity regardless of the time of day, while the latter assume the operation of the device according to the zones. So, there are night and day zones. The first is set in the time interval from 23:00 to 07:00 hours, the second includes the peak time (from 9:00 to 11:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00) andhalf peak time (everything else). Undoubtedly, two-tariff electricity meters are more beneficial for the consumer, as they allow saving on energy consumption.
Reprogramming devices
Separately, it should be said about such a parameter as the reprogramming of electricity meters. It is typical for multi-tariff devices. There are maximum allowable data adjustment rates, which are governed by applicable standards. According to them, the range of variations in the time interval should not exceed 7.5 minutes. Changing the clock to winter and summer time (an hour ahead or an hour ago) exceeds the allowable value, but is still used.
In October 2014, the country switched to winter time for the last time, which became permanent and cannot be adjusted further. Until the end of 2014, the owners of residential and non-residential premises had to carry out the procedure for reprogramming electricity meters, since since the beginning of 2015 the formula could have failed, and the energy retail company would have the right to calculate according to a single, undifferentiated tariff for all daily zones. However, the state extended the deadlines for these events for another year. The procedure itself involves a phased work. First you need to return to the program the function of allowing the transition to summer and winter time, which was removed after the changes in 2011. Then, the program must be made to prohibit the transfer of clocks to daylight saving time. Well, in the end, the results of the work must be confirmed by documentation. Also followsemphasize that earlier reprogramming of electricity meters was paid. On average, the cost of the service ranged from 400-1000 rubles. The amount depended on the phase, the model of an individual electricity meter. Now this issue is settled at the federal level. From now on, the owners of residential premises will not be charged for the procedure.
Why is meter verification required?
Each individual electricity meter has a service life. There comes a time when the device must be checked out or even replaced with a new one. The legislation of the Russian Federation (namely the Housing Code, various decrees of the Government of the Russian Federation) states that all responsibility for the maintenance of electricity meters lies entirely with the owners of residential and non-residential premises. It is they who are inherent in controlling the timing of verification.
The metrological or calibration interval of electric meters is the time interval, measured in years, during which the device must work properly. This is a kind of guarantee of the quality of the goods from the supplier-manufacturer. The verification period is written directly in the technical passport of the product. The fork of the periodicity of the examination for different models can vary within 6-16 years. The owner of the premises independently controls the term, and can also receive a reminder notification of verification from the energy sales company. It itself includes a number of procedures, namely: dismantling the electric meter, deliveryit to a specialized, accredited service that has a laboratory designed for these purposes. By the way, this service is paid. Based on the results of its implementation, the owner of the premises will be issued an act or certificate, which indicates whether the device is working or not. In case of a positive answer, a special holographic mark can be made on the seal, or the verification result data is recorded in the technical passport. The act must be delivered to the energy sales office so that it provides permission for the further operation of the device.
It may happen that the result of the verification will be negative, and the electric meter device will be faulty. What to do in this case? Undoubtedly, go to the store and purchase a new appliance. This will be followed by spending on the purchase and installation. Moreover, it is better to entrust the installation to electricians, and not to get down to business on your own. But sealing the device can be free of charge if you are not too lazy and write a statement about the need to put it into operation directly at the power supply company, and do not resort to the services of third-party organizations. True, here you can run into a problem - sometimes the waiting time for the arrival of the master can be delayed for as much as two or three months.
Having received a notification about the need for verification, it makes sense to weigh the pros and cons. And in some cases it may be more expedient to immediately replace the old device with a new one. In any case, financial costs cannot be avoided, they will follow in both cases.
It is also important to emphasize that the replacement of the electricity meter must beproduced within a month. In the first three months, payment for electricity consumed is made based on average monthly volumes or according to the indicators of a common house meter, if one is installed in the house, and then - according to a single standard.
How to determine if the electric meter is working or not, if the verification period has not yet come?
It may turn out that the verification period has not yet come, and the electricity meter is not working. What could indicate a problem? Here are some obvious causes of device failure:
- disc element has stopped rotating or jerks;
- display does not show indicator values;
- The seal of the device is broken.
It is also extremely important for an energy sales company that there are no chips or cracks on an individual electricity meter. A broken window for viewing readings is also unacceptable.
Is it possible to replace a working meter with a new, more modern one?
If desired and at the discretion of the owner, the electricity meter can be changed to a newer one, for example, in the case of changing a single-tariff meter to a multi-tariff one, if your home has the possibility of such electricity metering. Although the power supply company cannot oblige tenants to do so. But I must remind you of the need for verification.
To change one meter for another, you will also have to dismantle the old device and seal the new one. But there is one more nuance - this is the unsealing of the previously locatedin using the device. Self-unsealing is prohibited, it is necessary to call electricians who will take readings and perform these works. One thing pleases: since 2012, this procedure has been carried out without charging a fee.
Which individual electricity meter should I choose to install?
If you need or want to replace an electric meter, you need to know what to pay attention to when choosing it.
- First, you should immediately look at the date of the initial verification, which is carried out by the manufacturer. If it exceeds 24 months for single-phase and 12 months for three-phase devices, refuse to purchase such a device, as another examination must be carried out for it.
- Secondly, the calibration interval of electric meters is important, which will definitely have to be controlled. After this period of time, the device will be considered off-design.
- Thirdly, the accuracy class of the device must be indicated on the dial.
- Fourthly, you need to understand what tariff is required. All the necessary information is contained in the instruction of the electric meter.
There are various models of modern technological devices for metering consumed electricity. Among the popular, well-proven ones, one can distinguish such as Granite, Puma, Mercury, Neva and others. The model range of each brand is diverse. There are both single-tariff devices andtwo-tariff electric meters. You can also find electronic and electromechanical devices in different colors (white, gray, black, hybrid) and with different service life. All of them can differ in terms of verification. So, for example, the calibration interval for Mercury 230 electric meters is 10 years, for Granite-1, Puma 103 it is already 16 years. On average, the cost of the above models varies between 1000-2500 rubles, but you can also find more expensive items.
In conclusion, I would like to once again draw attention to such an important parameter as the calibration interval of electric meters. Each owner of residential and non-residential premises must carefully control it. This should not be neglected in order to avoid the requirements of the energy sales company to pay for electricity according to the tariff plan, even if there is a fully functional individual meter. The impossibility of using unverified measuring devices, which are considered off-design, is reflected in the norms of the current legislation.
