Metering devices have firmly entered everyday life, clearly demonstrating consumption and allowing you to optimize costs. Residents of apartment buildings rarely have to buy electricity meters, and it can be difficult to understand a completely unfamiliar industry right off the bat. Let's talk about which electricity meter is better to put in an apartment, sorting out their varieties, functional parameters and additional options.
How to choose an electric meter in an apartment
Without being at a loss to delve into the characteristics and features of the meter, many prefer to trust the recommendations of the seller. Indeed, for most people, there is only one requirement for such devices - they think, yes, okay. Such a frivolous approach can lead to additional expenses, since the interests of the buyer are not in the first place in the list of priorities of the seller. His advice may be dictated by a large percentage of the sale of a certain brand, a significant batch in stock, or a suitable verification period for the goods.
It is worth trusting only your own knowledge and independently obtained information, however, as in many other issues. To begin with, it should be understood that for installation in apartment buildings, the choice between single-phase and three-phase devices is irrelevant, since single-phase modifications are intended for a voltage of 220 V, and this article is devoted to their parameters.
Installation of a three-phase modification in a 220 V network is technologically possible, and the recorded readings will be correct. But the company providing power supply services has the right to refuse to seal the device, despite the fact that it believes it is correct.
Choosing the best metering device allows you to evaluate the following key points:
- One-multi-tariff;
- Operating principle;
- Mounting method;
- Date of issue;
- Official standardization;
- The maximum allowable current;
- Rated current;
- Accuracy class.
At first glance, the list seems impressive, but in order to protect yourself from surprises when communicating with representatives of a network company, you still should not let individual points out of your attention.
Which electricity meters are best for an apartment - single or multi-tariff
In an effort to get lower electricity bills, many are thinking about installing a multi-tariff electricity meter. Whether the replacement is really expedient, and in what cases the transition to a differentiated billing system will bring economic benefits, let's try to figure it out in this section.
Charges for energy consumption in Russia can be carried out at the following rates:
- Single-tariff metering, in which all consumed kWh have the same cost;
- Two-tariff accounting implies the division of cost into night and day zones;
- Multi-tariff metering separately evaluates night, peak and semi-peak kWh.
The night zone for two- and multi-tariff accounting has equal boundaries, but the daily consumption in the second case is divided into peak (in the morning and evening) and semi-peak (in the daytime and late in the evening).
The price of kilowatt-hours in the night zone will always be lower, and in the day and peak zones - more than with equal round-the-clock billing. Semi-peak rates can be either lower or on the same level as single-tariff rates, depending on the region.
Obviously, to optimize costs, you need to use the maximum number of devices at night. If the apartment has the ability to transfer a significant part of the loads for the time from 23.00 to 7.00, then the cost differentiation makes sense. During the off-peak period, heating appliances and household appliances with a start delay may operate, for example, a washing machine, dishwasher, bread machine.
Which electric meter is better to put in an apartment based on the metering mechanism
The principle of operation of devices can be induction or electronic. The induction mechanism is based on the use of a magnetic field, which is created by current and voltage coils and sets in motion a disk that transmits rotation to the counting mechanism. In this case, the rotation speed is directly proportional to the current strength and the current voltage in the network.
This type of device is highly reliable and has a long service life, on average exceeding 15 years. The main problem in the production of induction mechanisms is the complexity and high cost of providing an accuracy class that meets state standards.
Electronic metering devices directly record the current and voltage, digitize the data and transfer them to the indicator and to the device's memory, giving consumers the following advantages:
- Compact dimensions;
- Ease of reading;
- Possibility of multi-tariff accounting;
- Ability to account for unauthorized access;
- Embeddability in automated reading systems;
- High class of accuracy in conditions of variable loads.
The list of advantages is somewhat concealed by the high cost and relatively low service life. When you have to pay for the purchase yourself, you should consider whether you will use the capabilities of an electronic device and whether you are ready to overpay for them. If there is no differentiated billing system in the region, or its structure is unfavorable for your consumption mode, induction devices will perform all the necessary functions and last longer with more democratic pricing.
It was the unreliability of electronic devices that became the determining factor in the return to the European market of induction devices. Since the advent of electronic electricity metering technology in the 1970s, more than 90% of meters in Europe have been replaced. However, when supplier companies faced the need for frequent service of this type of device, the trends changed, and today the ratio of induction and electronic mechanisms is 2:3.
What else to look for when buying
After you have decided on the principles of accounting and the mechanism of operation of the electric meter, it is not yet time to go to the store. Regardless of the type of device chosen, a number of indicators are of no small importance, which should not be neglected.
It is necessary to establish the method of mounting the meter, based on the design of the electrical panel. If the design parameters of the electrical panel allow, then it makes sense to purchase a device mounted on a DIN rail. In the second type of electrical panels, a mounting panel is provided for installation.
A significant point is the date of manufacture or verification of the electric meter. According to the established electricity metering rules, the grid company does not have the right to install a meter that was released more than 2 years ago. Such a device will have to be immediately sent for verification, and patiently wait until the electricity supplier company conducts it. If the timing does not allow you to wait until this procedure is carried out, you will have to buy another device.
Therefore, in the store, be sure to personally look at the date of issue or verification, because the seller can make such a mistake both knowingly, selling stale goods, and involuntarily. You can clarify this information in the attached passport (form) or on the case. This standard is also valid for used meters, and when transferring a meter from other facilities, the terms of state verification must be observed.
Legislative norms of the Russian Federation prohibit connection to the power supply without installing metering devices. Therefore, it is worth taking care of its acquisition in advance so as not to violate connection plans.
The value of the maximum current strength is calculated based on the existing power supply project, in which this parameter is registered. The maximum current determines how much total power of electrical appliances you can afford. If the apartment is being replaced, then this indicator can be found on the front panel (unit A), and you can buy a device of similar characteristics. It is important that the current of the introductory machine be lower than that of the counter - for example, if the machine is designed for 32A, then this indicator of the electric meter should not be lower than 40A.
The rated current is indicated on the case as a range of values, for example, 5-60A, the second of which corresponds to the maximum current. This means that within the specified limits, electricity metering will be carried out in accordance with the declared accuracy class. If this range is exceeded, if the introductory machine does not work, the device will most likely burn out. In the case of a downward deviation, the error in fixing the readings increases, while the fluctuations can be either in the direction of underestimating the real consumption, and vice versa.
The common misconception that electronic meters are more accurate than induction meters is unfounded. In fact, the percentage of error in the received data depends on the accuracy class reflected in the passport. Accordingly, the lower the accuracy class, the more reliable the recorded readings will be.
State accounting requirements define an acceptable accuracy class of 2 or less for the public. Manufacturers offer devices with an accuracy class of 0.2, 0.5, 1 and 2, but according to this indicator, the cost also increases. Each consumer himself determines, when choosing electricity meters, which one is better for an apartment, the price is not a significant factor for everyone. But still, it is worth weighing whether the costs will justify the possible savings on reading errors. GOST standards dictate to manufacturers the need to indicate the accuracy class in a circle on the front surface of the case.
State standardization and additional options
In Russia, there is the State Register of Measuring Instruments, where electricity meters are entered without fail, which confirms their compliance with the metrology standards of the Russian Federation. When entering the State Register, each device is assigned a unique number, the availability of which must be clarified with the seller.
Companies that hold leadership positions in their respective market segment equip their products with many additional options. The LCD display can display information about the current date and time, dynamically reflect the parameters of the power grid and the power value. It is possible to store recorded data for several months, set a password, remotely connect and read, and much more.
It is logical that every feature is included in the pricing structure, negatively affecting the cost to the end consumer. Before choosing an electricity meter for an apartment, consider whether you are ready to pay for them. After all, ease of reading matters to electric companies, and its financing will fall on your shoulders.
Despite the volume of the information presented, it was worth studying it, because the choice of an electric meter is a rather rare event, and uninterrupted and high-quality recording of energy consumption is a daily necessity. Having understood all the characteristics and parameters, and having made a decision, you can safely go to the store and not be afraid of hasty, unbalanced decisions.
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