How to understand that it is time to change the electricity meter, and how to choose a new one

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

If you're struggling to save electricity, but the amounts on the receipts are still daunting, you may not be the problem. Your meter may well live a secret life of its own.

An electricity meter is something everyone has to deal with. And it doesn't matter if you are a techie or a humanist, you need to understand the device. It depends on how much you have to pay for the light at the end of the month. If you only know about an electric meter that it hangs somewhere in the hallway, and sometimes people in overalls come to “take readings”, think about it. Maybe it has been working incorrectly for a long time and it's time to change it?

When is it time to change the electricity meter

According to the current legislation, an electricity meter is considered out of order if:

1. Measurement results are not displayed.
2. There are violations of control seals and (or) verification marks.
3. There is mechanical damage on the device.
4. The permissible error of indications has been exceeded.
5. The calibration interval of the device has expired.

The measurement results are not displayed / there is no seal / there is mechanical damage

Assess the appearance of your meter. It's time to change it if:

1. The disc of the induction meter does not rotate or rotates jerkily.
2. The display or indicator does not work for an electronic electricity meter.
3. The security seal is torn off or the special sticker is damaged.
4. The tightness of the meter body is broken, there are through holes or cracks.
5. Sight glass damaged or broken.

The meter incorrectly displays the amount of electricity consumed

The counter works when the electrical appliances are turned off

This phenomenon is called self-propelled. To exclude it, it is enough to conduct a simple experiment: turn off all switches on the panel, except for the input switch (suitable for the meter). Thus, you will de-energize the apartment, but leave the electricity meter working. And now you need to carefully monitor the disk or indicator light on the counter.

Do not go into the flap without a minimum knowledge of safety rules: electricity is not a toy! And do not forget, before turning off the power to the apartment, save all the documents on the computer and turn off the complex equipment.

If there is no self-propelled device on the device, then in 15 minutes the disk will make no more than one complete revolution, and the indicator will blink no more than once. Does it happen more often? This means that the electric meter winds up the readings itself, and you overpay.

The accuracy class of the device does not meet the regulatory requirements

Each electricity meter has its own accuracy class. It informs about the permissible measurement error. The accuracy class of the counter is indicated on the dial in a circle:

According to the current legislation, only metering devices with an accuracy class of 2, 0 and higher (that is, 1, 5 or 1) can be used. This means that such a device will display the consumed 100 watts with an error of a maximum of 2%: from 98 to 102 watts.

If your meter has an accuracy class of 2, 5, the device must be replaced. Since in this case, the power supply company can absolutely legally not accept its readings for calculation and demand to pay for the light based on the relevant standards. And they may be higher than your consumption level.

The measurement error is greater than the prescribed

Even if the accuracy class is correct, the device may not correctly account for the electricity consumption. Or overestimate (which makes us overpay), or underestimate the readings (and for this, the power supply organization may bring claims against you). It is easy to check the health of the meter.

1. Turn off all electrical appliances in the house.
2. The meter readings should not change after that: write down or remember them.
3. Switch on one appliance with a known power consumption. For example, a 100 watt light bulb.
4. Check the meter reading after an hour. They should increase exactly by the level of electricity consumption of the switched on device. In the case of a light bulb, the reading should change by 0.1 kW.
5. If the meter readings are different, they must differ from those required by the error provided for by its accuracy class, that is, by a maximum of 2%.
6. If the permissible error is exceeded, it is time to change the meter.

The calibration interval of the device has expired

The calibration interval is the period during which the precise operation of a particular device is guaranteed. It is installed by the manufacturer, indicated in the accompanying documentation for the meter and is usually 6–16 years old. When this period ends, the electricity meter must be checked. This can be done by submitting an application to the subscriber department of the power supply organization.

Look in the technical data sheet of your metering device. If the calibration interval has expired long ago, the meter must be replaced.

By the way, if you still use an electric meter from the 1950s-1980s, and your house is full of modern appliances, it's time to sound the alarm. The meters of the last century are not designed to work with energy-intensive household appliances. A fire hazard can occur due to overcurrent loading.

How to choose a new electricity meter

Electricity metering device must be chosen not only in appearance and price, but also according to technical needs.

Power supply type

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

1. See which cable is suitable for the input machine and meter. If it has two conductors (phase and zero), you need a single-phase meter. If there are four cores (three phases and zero), a multiphase one is needed.
2. Look at the scoreboard of the old counter. If only one number is indicated on it (220 or 230 V), there is one phase in the network. If there are several (220/380 or 230/400 V) - three.

Number of electrical appliances

An important criterion for choosing a meter is the maximum current that can be passed through it. For an ordinary consumer of electricity, a value of 40-60 A will suffice. However, if your apartment is packed to capacity with modern appliances, it is better to choose a meter with a margin. If the operating current is greater than the maximum, the meter may burn out.

Tariff plan

Check what tariff you pay for light: general (one price per kW) or "day-night" (at night the cost of kW is lower). Choose a counter depending on this. On a multi-tariff system, it will be possible to view individual readings by time of day.

Mounting method

Different meters are installed either with bolts or on a special rail. Look at the mount of the old device and select the appropriate model. To avoid any problems with the mount, take a photo of the electrical panel and show it to the store consultant.

Device release date

Pay attention to the age of the meter. Single-phase should be released no more than two years ago, and three-phase - no more than a year. Otherwise, before installation, you will have to carry out the verification procedure of the meter. The date of issue is indicated on the panel of the electric meter or in the passport of the device.

Additional functions

Here you can roam. Now they produce counters with backlight, time and date display, internal memory and built-in GSM modems. All this is not necessary to accurately measure the consumed electricity, but it can be useful to you.

How to replace the electricity meter

Buy a new meter and apply for a replacement to the power supply company's subscriber department. A specialist who has permission to do such work and has the appropriate authority will remove the old and install a new device, seal the meter and record all the necessary readings.

Do not try to replace the electricity meter yourself. It is life-threatening and illegal.