Who today can imagine existence in the modern world without electricity? Few, in fact. The electricity consumed by each needs to be measured. Therefore, you need to install a device that will help with this.
Which counter to install
Meters are electronic and induction, this division is based on the functional principle. Induction meters are not as durable and accurate, so more and more consumers are replacing them with electronic ones.
There are also classifications that are based on the accuracy of the devices and the rated current. When the error is smaller, the measurement is more accurate. Meters with a rated voltage of 0.4 kV are usually selected for country houses where there is no powerful equipment.
Electricity meter in a private house: what to consider when installing
An electrician with an average qualification can install the device. But there are rules for installing an electricity meter and a number of documents,which must be acquired before. A standard contract, for example, must be requested from the network provider, you also need a task for the performance of work, in which there will be an act of division of balance sheet ownership. This package of papers contains the requirements that must be met by the consumer in order for his house to become connected to the mains. In addition, the documents delineate the responsibility of the owner of the house and the electricity supplier. Just in connection with this, it is recommended to install an electricity device inside the house in a heated distribution panel.
Installing an electricity meter: a list of requirements
It is best to install the device in the dressing room, hallway, so that in case of checking or working with it there is access.
The input line must be de-energized beforehand. This is done in agreement with the electricians of the company or with the network provider.
An interval of 0.8 - 1.7 m is the optimal height if the electric meter is installed on a wall. The instrument is mounted horizontally on the surface.
First, the incoming electricity circuit must be connected to the automatic safety switch, and then to the meter itself.
All electronics in the building need to be secured. For this, there must be a protective earth. If there is a phase imbalance or a short circuit, it will be a protection.
Connecting a common wiring for the whole house (usually a shield with machines) is made to the output of the meter.
Ifthe consumer saw that the integrity of the seal was broken, an urgent need to call a representative of the network provider to re-seal the meter.
The requirements of the EIC during installation must be followed.
It is important to do a trial run.
Electricity meter in the apartment: what to consider during installation
The rules for installing an electricity meter (PUE) contain all the important aspects, guided by them, representatives of the network company install devices in apartments.
Finding out the date is the first thing to do before you start editing. She should be on the seal. For 3-phase meters, the limitation period should not exceed one year, for single-phase meters - two.
Distribution boards located on the platforms of apartments are a traditional place for installing mechanisms. If they are nevertheless installed directly in the living room, where the input is located, then this should be a special closed shield in the hallway or in the corridor. A group of machines for the entire apartment is also installed here.
Basic installation requirements
It is necessary to prepare a place where the installation of the electrical panel and the installation of an electricity meter with automatic machines will be carried out.
After agreeing with the electricians of the company or network provider, it is necessary to de-energize the input line.
Preparing a place for installing an electrical panel withcounter and machines.
The input line needs to be disconnected from the voltage. This can be agreed with representatives of the electrical installation company.
Do not forget about grounding, which in case of phase imbalance allows you to secure all electrical equipment in the room.
First, the input current circuit must be connected to the circuit breaker, then to the meter.
You need to connect the output of the device to the input machine or their group.
Test running.
Installing an electricity meter on the street
Often, these devices are installed in the open air, and not in the room itself, but this must also be done in accordance with a number of technical and operational requirements.
The best option is to install an electricity meter on the facade at a height of 0.8 - 1.7 meters, which will enable representatives of the network company or service maintenance to get free access to the device. It is also better to install a circuit breaker on this electrical panel.
Installing a counter on a pole
There are a number of inconvenient moments for servicing devices mounted at a height. Although, on the other hand, installing an electricity meter on a pole eliminates the possibility of current theft, which is a big plus.
The inconvenience that occurs in the first place is the inaccessibility of the device when you need to read its readings. To see its display, you need to climb some kind of support, etc. Basically, you canuse an electricity metering system that works in automatic mode, like, for example, SUP 04. It makes it possible to read the meter readings remotely from the unit on any poles. Installing a pole-mounted electricity meter is the cheapest and least costly in terms of materials.
Basic requirements for outdoor meter installation
Given the rules of the PUE, it is necessary to disconnect the network line before proceeding with the installation.
An interval of 0.8 - 1.7 meters is the ideal height for surface mounting.
The electrical panel must be heated. Since at temperatures from -5 ° C, the electric meter may begin to give incorrect readings.
First, the input current circuit must be connected to the automatic protective switch, then to the meter.
Protective grounding will protect electronics in case of phase imbalance or short circuit.
You need to connect the output of the counter to the introductory automaton or their group.
Test running.
Features of the two-tariff system
Installation of a two-tariff electricity meter is due to the fact that different accounting of electricity consumed is maintained. Alas, few even know about it. Such a system is differentiated by the time of day, thanks to which we pay for energy consumption at night - from 23:00 to 07:00 - at a price four times lower than during the day.
This is due to the fact that there are two main operating modes of power plants - peak and reduced. In the morning hours from 7 to 10, the maximum energy consumption is observed. Exactly atThis period begins the work of many enterprises. Also, the maximum falls on the evening hours - from 19 to 23, when people come home. A sharp decrease in the level of electricity consumption is observed at night. The unstable rhythm of work has a bad effect on the service life of equipment in power plants. With a uniform load, the consumption of resources - coal, gas, oil - also decreases. If you equalize the operation of the stations, you can save them.
The cost of installing an electricity meter with multi-tariff metering will pay off over time, since it will be possible to pay only 40% of the price for each kWh for consumption at night, that is, savings of up to 60%. It is also convenient that many models make it possible to track the statistics of the load, current, and see graphs. Since such meters are equipped with a "current loop" interface, have a pulse output, and also have an event log.
To switch the user to a multi-tariff tariff, you must first contact the energy supplier - the city or district power grids, apply for the installation of this device. After receiving a response to an application with permission to switch to a new tariff, you can install a new device, and then renew the contract with the organization for the supply of electricity according to the new tariffs.
Who should install electricity meters
Since the settlement devices are the property of the energy sales organization (usually), they must be installed by its specialists. They also seal the counter. On the consumer onlyresponsible for its storage and use.
Meter self-installation
A consumer who decides to install this device himself should know that he takes full responsibility. Installing a do-it-yourself electricity meter is not too difficult. The main thing to consider and be sure to adhere to is electrical safety rules.
When wiring under the meter is being installed, the ends of the wires near them must be at least 12 centimeters long.
The neutral wire at a distance of 10 centimeters in front of the device must have insulation or a sheath of a different color. If aluminum wires are connected to the meter, it is important that the surface of the conductor is cleaned with a steel brush (you can use a file) and covered with a layer of special neutral technical vaseline.
Before connecting, contaminated Vaseline must be removed from the conductor and immediately reapplied with a thin layer of Vaseline. The screws are tightened in two steps. The first one is tightened without jerks with the greatest allowable force, then the tightening is not completely, but is greatly weakened, followed by the secondary one - with a normal force. This is how the electricity meter is installed. The price that you will be asked by the representatives of the service organization in case of self-installation will consist only of the service of sealing the device.
Electrical meter terminal box, junction box or test block must be subject to processsealings. The voltage transformer chamber, as well as the disconnector drive handle, again, the clamp assembly is sealed if the settlement meter was installed at the consumer's substation.
