Which electricity meter is better to put in an apartment and a private house

The metering device and electricity consumption is one of the main devices on the path of electricity from the supplier to the consumer. A variety of models, which are classified by design, principle of operation and tariffication, allow you to choose an electricity meter for an apartment and a private house.

Which electric meter is better to put in an apartment

All household appliances consume electricity. In addition, its number is steadily growing, modern devices have great power. Household Savings Ratio - Reduced bill payment costs. The smart choice is a functional and reliable electricity meter.

New devices are often supplied by the energy supply. All issues are regulated by local legislation, stipulated in contracts and other documents. By purchasing a light meter yourself, you need to clarify all the nuances at your place of residence. The device cannot be returned or exchanged. During registration, the corresponding marks are made in the passport - the serial number and the seal of the state verification office. The reason that prevents the installation of the meter can only be a factory defect.

By type of construction, counters are induction or mechanical and electronic. Classic induction is still used in buildings of the old type. Their advantage is reliability and durability at a low price. This is a disk counter that operates on the principles of a magnetic field. Rotating, the disc starts the counting mechanism.

Among the disadvantages is the low accuracy class. This means that the consumer underpays for electricity or pays extra money. To improve accuracy, old induction meters are replaced with electronic ones.

The electronic meter is multifunctional and can be designed for several tariffs. Consumption data are displayed on the board. The registrar can store information and transmit it. The compact device takes up little space on the lead-in box. The disadvantage is the high price and short service life.

The choice according to the type of the measured value - a single-phase electric meter or a three-phase one, depends on the type of power supply. Single-phase devices are often installed in a house or apartment. A three-phase power grid is required to operate large equipment. Three-phase meters are used for industrial facilities.

Counters with a remote control began to appear. This is illegal handicraft equipment. Such savings are regarded as theft. If found, the owner is fined.

Tariffication of electricity meters

Multi-tariff meters take into account the consumption of electricity depending on the congestion of the networks and the time of day. The two-rate one is distinguished by indicators of day and night. In a three-tariff meter, the price is below the norm during low network congestion, the minimum at night. During the peak period of consumption, the tariff increases.

The rationale for choosing a single or multi-tariff meter depends on the region of residence and the household appliances that the consumer uses. For a small household with a consumption of 200-300 kW per month, it is better to install a single-phase meter. For those who are nocturnal, multi-tariff is more suitable, both in an apartment and in a private house.

The owners should analyze the existing way of life.Think over which technique requires the most electricity. How convenient it will be to change the operating mode and what is the amount of savings due to low tariffs. Everything should be calculated so that the purchase of an expensive device with a dubious return on investment is not in vain.

Regional electricity rates may vary. It is cheaper in the countryside than in the city. Often, tariff plans are designed in such a way that a daytime price increase negates the economy of the nighttime tariff. In this case, there will be no benefit from switching from single-tariff to multi-tariff, and it is possible that the bills to be paid will also increase.

If you do not use powerful consumers of electricity at night, there is no need for a multi-tariff meter. Refrigerators have a relatively low consumption class. It makes no sense to turn on electric heaters at night. The difference in payment is possible if you postpone washing, heating the boiler or operating the dishwasher overnight. But this is not always convenient.

Having a multi-tariff meter, you need to remember about the need to switch from summer time to winter time. Transition date and tariff are programmed during installation. Otherwise, the distribution company carries out reprogramming at an additional cost.

Electricity meters by accuracy class

One of the characteristics that can affect billing is the meter's accuracy class. The more accurate the device, the less likely it is to overpay for electricity. The marking shows the percentage error. So a class 2 meter can be mistaken by 5 kW, with a consumption of 250 kW per month.

If the consumption of electricity is up to 1000 kW, the error not in favor of the owner can reach large numbers. Counters of class 0.2; 0.5; 1.0 are expensive three-phase devices. They are designed for powerful consumers. High accuracy only saves on long-term operation. The accuracy class is indicated on the device and in the instructions for it.

According to the rules for organizing electricity metering and legislative acts, devices with a designation of at least 2.0 can be used for household purposes. Since with a large error, weak currents are not recorded at all. If a low-class meter was installed before the law was passed, it is allowed to use it until the interval between verifications expires, the service life expires or the meter breaks down. Then it must be replaced according to the accuracy class.

The meter connection diagram is simple, but due to the risk of electric shock, the possibility of fire or damage to property, all installation or replacement work must be carried out by a specialist.

Electricity meter by current load

The more household appliances and other appliances are turned on, the higher the current flowing through the meter. So that it does not fail, you need to determine the required value of the current load, taking into account the increase and select the appropriate model.

A device with a load of up to 10 Amperes is suitable for a small apartment, cottage or garage. In a house or apartment with a standard set of household appliances, a load of 60 A is sufficient. This is due to the fact that the probability of its simultaneous connection to the network is small.

To determine the current load, you need to find out the total power of the equipment used, which is connected to the sockets. All parameters can be taken from the device passport. A few kilowatts should be added to the resulting figure for lighting consumers. If the counting results in a figure of up to 10 kW, you can use a 60 A meter.When the result is higher, you need an 80 or 100 A device.

If the total current load in the circuit reaches 100 A, a three-phase device is required. Such meters are installed in cottages, homes with a backyard or small business. To install and use devices with such parameters, a power supply permit will be required.

Counters differ in the way they are attached.They produce devices with fastening for bolts or on a din-rail. The latter option is used in electrical panels and indoor boxes. For joint installation - RCD, meter, automatic devices, it is better to purchase a modular device on a din-rail. Bolt-on equipment is installed in outdoor panels, switchgears for private households.

Mounting the equipment with bolts fixes it securely, protects it from shifting and loss of contact.

Top Models

The counter is designed to serve for decades, so you should choose a quality device. The device must be purchased from reliable manufacturers of measuring electrical equipment. The largest Russian companies Incotex, Typeit, Energomera supply reliable metering devices.

Most often, owners use single-phase single-rate devices as an apartment meter. Models of this series have approximately the same technical characteristics, differ in some operational capabilities and mounting method.

• Neva 103 1SO is a certified device equipped with a 7-digit mechanical device. Accuracy class 1.0. Designed for amperage from rated 5 to maximum 60 A, voltage 220-230 V. It can operate at temperatures from -40 to +60. The time interval between verifications is 16 years.

  

• Energomera CE 101 is an advantageous device in terms of price and quality ratio. Suitable for an apartment, a private house, a summer residence, a garage. No loss of readings even with interruptions in light. Not afraid of low temperatures. Reliable design, small dimensions, large numbers are clearly visible. Among the disadvantages is the inconvenient fastening with three screws. The device can last up to 30 years.
• Incotex mercury 201.5 occupies a leading position due to the low price - 550-600 rubles. Incotex Mercury 201.8 has a LED-backlit LCD screen. Works in conditions of humidity up to 90%. The special feature is the current transducer, modular housing and screw terminals. Installation is carried out using a DIN rail.

If the load is carried out around the clock, you need to choose a single-phase two-tariff electricity meter. From this category, the following devices deserve special attention.

• Incotex Mercury 200.02 pays off quickly. At a low cost, the device allows you to correctly distribute electricity throughout the day, without reducing the comfort of living. The device memory stores the readings of the past months. The built-in modem allows you to synchronize readings with an automated metering system. There is a digital scoreboard, protection against energy theft, the ability to customize an individual schedule.

  

• ABB FBB 11205-108 operates with a current range from 10 to 80 A. Accounting is carried out at two rates. There is a built-in clock, a tariff switch in accordance with a given schedule. Protection against moisture and dust penetration. DIN rail mountable.
• The energy meter CE 102 S7 is considered the most affordable among multi-tariff single-phase devices. All necessary information is shown on the display. The information for the past year remains in the memory. The average price fluctuates around 1390 rubles. Depending on the modification, there may be a different interface. The device has a 5-year warranty. Nevertheless, homeowners note some unreliability of the device.

At enterprises, firms, in some private houses, a three-phase network is installed. You will need a high-tech and secure metering device. In accordance with the work schedule, you can choose both a single-rate and a multi-rate meter.

• Incotex Mercury 230 ART-01 CN is a universal device for a three-phase network. It can work independently and as part of an automated system. All information is shown on the LCD. There is an automatic self-diagnosis and anti-intrusion protection. Only active energy is measured.
• Counter ЦЭ2727 - high-frequency metering device has several degrees of protection.There is a limitation of the load current of 10 A, the possibility of remote reading. It is one of the most efficient energy controllers. The average price of the device is about 4255 rubles.
• Energometer CE300 R31145-J - a device for a three-phase network. The single-tariff model has an LCD display, a light indicator. It can be connected to the network via a transformer. DIN rail mountable. The meter is resistant to low temperatures, therefore it can be installed in an unheated room. There is protection against theft of electricity.

Regardless of which meter is chosen, it must meet all the requirements of current regulations. Only in this case it is possible to obtain permission to install, register and connect the device.