How do you know it's time to change the electricity meter, and select a new

If you are trying by all means to save electricity, but the amount of receipts still afraid, perhaps the problem is not you. Your meter may well live their own, secret life.

Electricity meter - is something with which everyone has to face. It does not matter, you are a techie, or the humanities - to understand the device is necessary. This will determine how much will have to to pay for the light at the end of the month. If the electric meters, you just know that it hangs somewhere in the hallway, and sometimes people come in overalls, to "take readings", think. Maybe he has been working properly and it is time to change?

When the time to replace the electricity meter

Under current lawRF Government Decree of 06.05.2011 N 354 (ed. from 29.06.2016) "On the provision of public services to owners and users of premises in apartment buildings and houses", Electricity meter is considered out of service if:

1. Not displaying measurement results.
2. There are violations of the control seals and (or) digits verification.
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3. The instrument has a mechanical damage.
4. Exceeded the permissible reading error.
5. Calibration device interval has expired.

Not displaying measurement results / no seal / is mechanical damage

Please rate the look of your counter. It is time to change, if:

1. Electric induction disk does not rotate or rotates jerky.
2. In electronic electricity meters do not display or work light.
3. Torn or damaged protective seal special sticker.
4. Leakproof meter case, there is a through-hole or crack.
5. Damaged or broken sight glass.

Counter correctly indicates the number of electricity consumed

The counter runs when switched off appliances

This is called self-feed. To exclude it, to conduct a simple experiment enough: turn off all circuit breakers on the panel, except for the input (appropriate to the counter). So you powered-down apartment, but leave the running of electricity metering devices. And now it is necessary to closely monitor the disk or the indicator light on the meter.

Do not meddle in the shield without minimal knowledge of security rules: Electricity is not a toy! And do not forget before you disconnect an apartment, to keep all the documents on your computer and turn off the sophisticated technique.

If the self-propelled on the device is not available, then a 15-minute drive will make no more than one full turn, and flashes the indicator more than once. Everything happens more often? So Electric wind the testimony itself, and you will overpay.

Accuracy class of the device does not meet regulatory requirements

Each electricity meter the class accuracy. He reports on the permissible measurement error. Accuracy class of meter is indicated on the dial in a circle:

Under current lawRF Government Decree of 04.05.2012 N 442 (ed. from 10.20.2016) "On the functioning of retail electricity markets, the full and (or) partial restriction mode electric power consumption"Can be used with the class of accuracy of 2.0 and above only metering devices (i.e., 1.5 or 1). This means that such a device would display expended 100 watts with a maximum error of 2%: from 98 to 102 watts.

If your counter is specified accuracy class of 2.5, the device must be replaced. Since in this case the electric power supply company can perfectly legal not to accept his testimony for the calculation and demandRF Government Decree of 06.05.2011 N 354 (ed. from 29.06.2016) "On the provision of public services to owners and users of premises in apartment buildings and houses" to pay for the light from the corresponding standards. And they may be beyond your level of consumption.

measurement error more than its

Even if the accuracy class is normal, the device may not be able to take into account the consumption of electricity. Or inflate (which forces us to pay), or understate the evidence (and for this you can make a claim power supply company). Check the accuracy of the meter is easy.

1. Turn off all electrical appliances in the house.
2. Readout should not be changed after this: Write down or memorize them.
3. Turn on the device with one known to you the power consumption. For example, a light bulb 100 watts.
4. After an hour, check the meter readings. They must increase by exactly the level of consumption of electricity appliance is switched on. In the case of light bulbs display will be changed to 0.1 kW.
5. If the meter reading others, they must be different from the needs required for the error class provided for its accuracy, ie a maximum of 2%.
6. If the margin of error is exceeded, the counter's time to change.

Calibration interval has expired device

Calibration interval - a period during which guarantees precise work of a particular device. It is set by the manufacturer, indicated in the accompanying documentation to the counter and is usually 6-16 years. When this period ends, you must check the electricity meter. This can be done by submitting an application to the subscriber department of energy supplying organization.

Look in the datasheet of your device accounting. If the calibration interval has expired long ago, the meter must be replaced.

By the way, if you are still using Electric 50-80 years of release, and the house is full of modern equipment, it's time to sound the alarm. Counters of the last century are not designed to operate energy-intensive appliances. Due to the over-current can be a fire threat.

How to choose a new electricity meter

The device power account should be chosen not only in appearance and price but also on the technical requirements.

Type of mains

Counters are single- and three-phase. To choose the right, determine how many phases in your network. This can be done in several ways:

1. See which cable is suitable to the input automaton and the counter. If there are two conductors (phase and neutral), you need a single-phase meter. If four wires (three phases and zero), you need a multi-phase.
2. Look at the boards of the old counter. If there is only one specified number (220 or 230 V), a single phase network. If multiple (220/380 or 230/400 V) - three.

Number of appliances

An important criterion for the selection of the counter - the maximum current that can pass through it. For an ordinary consumer of electricity have enough values ​​of 40-60 A. However, if your apartment is stuffed to the eyeballs with modern technology, it is better to choose a meter to spare. If the operating current is greater than the maximum, taking into account the unit can burn.

Tariff plan

Check on what rate you pay for electricity: the total (one price per kWh) or "day-night" (the cost of kWh lower at night). Depending on this, select the counter. On multi-tariff will be provided for the review of individual readings by time of day.

mounting method

Other counters are established or with screws, or on a special rail. Look at the mount of the old device and select the appropriate model. In order to avoid problems with the mounting, make a photo of a switch and show it to the consultant shop.

Device Release Date

Pay attention to the age of the counter. Single-phase is to be issued not more than two years ago, and three-phase - less than one year. Otherwise, before you install will have to carry out calibration of metering device procedure. release date is indicated on the panel or device Electric passport.

Additional functions

Here you can roam. Now let counters with backlight, time and date display, internal memory and built-in GSM-modem. All this is not necessary for the accurate measurement of consumed electricity, but can be useful for you.

How to replace the electricity meter

Buy a new counter and apply for a replacement to the subscriber department of energy supplying companies. Expert having access to such operation and having the appropriate authority, remove the old and install a new device and be sealed with a counter lock all necessary indications.

Do not attempt to replace the electricity meter yourself. it dangerous life and illegally.