Since electricity meters are devices whose installation requires professional skills, their installation should still be entrusted to professional craftsmen. To ensure control of electricity consumption, the electricity meter must be installed correctly.

Which counter to choose

Electricity meters offered by modern manufacturers are usually distinguished by:

• connection type;
• measured quantities;
• designs.

A single-phase electric meter is perfect for providing all consumer properties. This type of device allows you to measure current. Today, manufacturers produce two types of counters:

• single-phase;
• electronic and mechanical (induction).

But it is quite clear that today the most popular type of meter, due to the rapid development of progress, are induction meters.

Single-phase meter main characteristics

The main purpose of household electricity meters, of course, is to account for the amount of electricity consumed. One of the positive qualities of a single-phase electric meter is its purpose - to keep a differentiated type of accounting for consumed electricity. What's this? This is an accounting of consumed energy, taking into account various coefficients operating in a certain period of time. So, the commercial time is the period of the day from 7-00 to 23-00, at this time the tariff is applied in full. At night, from 23:00 to 07:00, there is a coefficient of 0.7 of the main tariff rate. In order to apply a differentiated tariff, which is valid during business hours, the meter must be registered with the energy consumption control authorities. Therefore, if your plans include savings, it all depends on you and your desire.

How to choose a single-phase meter

Going to the store to buy a counter, you should clearly understand what device you need. To do this, before buying a device, you must carefully study the technical conditions of power supply in a house or apartment. AT specifications, which must be in every home, all parameters of electricity consumption and its supply are indicated. Only based on the data, the description of which is reflected in the technical specifications, you can go to the store and buy a meter. What characteristics and features of the device should always be paid special attention to when you make your choice:

• the marking, which can be found on the outside of the device, the marking will tell you about the current parameters, the possible load, the permissible operating voltage;
• seal, the device must be sealed and have the date of state verification.

How to connect an electric meter correctly

For all single-phase meters, which, as a rule, are installed by consumers in apartments, there is a single installation scheme.

Scheme of direct connection of the meter, this type of connection is suitable for any selected type of device. Single-phase meters have four terminals, which is distinctive feature this type of device. The terminals are designed for connecting electrical cables.

1. The first terminal is an input, used to connect a phase wire.
2. The second terminal, you need to connect to it electrical wire, which goes into the room and is the exit.
3. The third terminal is the input, a neutral wire is connected to it.
4. The fourth terminal is the output, a zero wire is connected to it.

Having studied the connection diagram of the meter, it becomes clear that this process is not so complicated, and, having it in hand, any owner of the house can handle the connection on their own. So that the circuits that allow you to independently connect an electric meter are always at hand, device manufacturers place it on the inside of the box.

Installing the counter

For fastening electrical wires to the terminals of the meter, the "screw" method of fastening is traditionally used.

From the output terminals, to protective devices and distributors arrive electricity. The common terminal for "zero", the "phase" is supplied to the fuses and protective devices (RCD). It makes more sense to install all used devices in one protective shield.

The use of special electrical panels in the system ensures reliable fastening of both the meter itself and all devices. As a rule, the optimal height at which shields must be installed is up to 1.7 meters. Its installation will be more functional if the shield is installed at a height comfortable for the user.

Why is it necessary to seal the electric meter

After the installation of the meter is completed, it is imperative to seal it, for which representatives of the controlling organization are invited. A sealed meter completely excludes the possibility of altering the device and interventions in its design from the outside.

How to connect a three-phase meter

Today, you can choose the most suitable way to connect the device from the several options that allow you to connect a three-phase electrical device to account for the consumed energy:

• method - directly, to the local network;
• with the use of measuring current transformers;
• from three wires through a transformer to the network;
• using two current and voltage transformers into a three-wire network;
• through transformers in a four-wire network.

Tools and consumables for installing the meter

To complete the installation of the meter without delay and delay, you will need the following tools and expendable materials:

• pliers;
• forceps;
• pliers that remove the insulating material from the wire.

It is necessary to take care that, when performing work, access to the lead-in wire is organized, to be able to safely disconnect it when performing work.

A three-phase meter has eight terminals, which in their purpose are absolutely identical to the terminals of a single-phase meter, the difference is that in this type of device the number of phases is taken into account. Three-phase meters are most widely used today for installation in apartments.

Before proceeding with the direct connection method, it is necessary to install an input automatic switch, which will be responsible for voltage drops and surges in the network. Next, install single-phase devices. Be sure to ensure that the cables are marked.

Now, we separate the "zero" conductors and the "phase" conductors. We use the tongs that we prepared in advance to cut the wires and strip the prepared wire, freeing it from insulation.

After the wires are stripped, the contacts must be connected to the neutral bus, and the phase conductors are attached to the apartment channels if the meter is installed in the public corridor.

The wires are connected, now it is very important to insulate them to ensure safety, for which we use special lugs made of plastic.

The next step is to do:

• grounding of all contacts;
• connect input machines;
• connect RCD.

It is very important to carry out with special care not only the installation of the electrical panel itself, but also to insulate the section of all wires that are located in the test box.

It is important to remember that before proceeding with the installation of the meter or its replacement, it is necessary to coordinate the process with representatives of the regulatory authorities and obtain all permits for the work.

Video - how to connect an electric meter correctly

Single-phase multi-tariff electricity meter: a penny saves a ruble

Let's talk more about electricity tariffs and meters that can save our money.
The peak of electricity consumption falls on the maximum hours: from about 7 to 11 am and pm. Therefore, prices for daily consumption were divided into two tariffs: day (7.00-23.00) and night (23.00-7.00). The night rate is much cheaper than the day rate.
The simplest and cheapest single-phase electricity meter single tariff. This is a simple mechanism that allows you to estimate the consumption of electricity in general. Those. he does not see the difference at what time the counter disk was spinning: during the day, when factories, offices, transport, and in general everything is working, or at night, when most people are sleeping. But it costs 1 kWh at different times of the day in different ways.
Now let's take single-phase two-tariff electricity meter. This device is already more thoughtful about our expenses: during the day it counts at the daily rate, from 23 to 7 at night.
The tariff switching device (tarifikator) makes it possible to differentiate accounting at different times of the day. True, such counters are more expensive, but they allow you to save.
Outwardly, they look like single-rate ones, they are connected and mounted in the same way - they just start counting differently at certain hours. And late at night, washing machines sometimes work, and dishwashers, and refrigerators, and air conditioners, and electric stoves with boilers and heaters. Is it a little...
well and single-phase multi-tariff electricity meter is able to keep records on several tariff plans at once - in some meters there are more than 100 of them. Such meters can be programmed for different seasons, days of the week, months and times of day. If, for example, power engineers decide to make a discount on electricity on weekends or holidays- such a counter will take into account everything.

Electrical energy meters are a variety of electrical meters that allow you to determine the consumption of energy consumed, both in production and in everyday life.

The first devices for measuring electrical energy appeared at the end of the 19th century, when it was possible to turn electricity into a product of consumer demand. Standardization of meters has evolved in parallel with the improvement of lighting systems.

Currently, there are many devices for calculating the consumption of electricity, which are classified by the type of measured parameters, by the type of connection to the power grid, by the type of design.

According to the type of measured parameters, electric meters are single-phase and three-phase.

According to the type of connection to the power grid, the devices are divided into meters for direct connection to the network and connection through a transformer.

By design, meters are induction - electromechanical, electronic and hybrid.

Next: the magnetic field of the coils acts on a light aluminum disk with eddy currents induced magnetic field coils. The number of revolutions of the disc is directly proportional to the amount of energy consumed.

Analog devices have many disadvantages and therefore they are being replaced by modern digital devices. The disadvantages of induction devices include: significant errors in accounting, the impossibility of remote reading, work at one rate, inconvenience in operation and installation.

A device in which current and voltage act on electronic elements and create pulses at the output, the number of which depends on the consumed electricity, are called electronic meters. With the help of such devices it is more convenient, more reliable, it creates the impossibility of theft of electricity and the conditions for differentiated tariff accounting.

Hybrid devices are rarely used, which are mixed-type devices with an induction or electronic measuring part, with a mechanical computing device.

The rules for accounting for electrical energy are determined by the contractual relationship between the supply company and the consumer and take into account the interests of both parties.

The requirements for devices that calculate the consumed electricity are multilateral and must ensure the accuracy and reliability of electricity consumption, the availability and openness of measurements not only during its consumption, but also during production, distribution and transmission. All these provisions are reflected in government legislation.

For example, the law of the Russian Federation “On Ensuring the Uniformity of Measurements” traces the legal norms of the uniformity of measurements, regulates the relationship of legal and individuals with government authorities.

For our country present stage it is important to rationally use energy resources. Therefore, rules were written for the organization and arrangement of energy metering units.

An electric energy metering unit is a device that stores the collected data on the energy consumed in a given section of the network. Works, such a counter, on remote control. Information is taken from it at the desired time. Current information about the amount of electricity consumed for any time period is always available.

The electrical energy metering unit is mounted and installed in accordance with the developed rules. The purpose of installing a meter of this type is accurate information about the consumed electricity, eliminating cases of its theft.

The metering unit consists of an electronic meter with pulse output, which is placed in a special cabinet. If the device is switched on via a transformer, a test panel is located in the cabinet. A device for transmitting data to a special control room, as well as an automatic loader, is attached to the cabinet. The energy metering unit is located in a cabinet with a special lock with a reliable relay that will transmit information about the opening of the cabinet to the service point.

The service organization determines the features of the rules for carrying out various impacts on the electric energy metering unit.

In production, there are systems for accounting for consumed electricity. They need to be created when you need to know not only the amount of energy consumed, but also the dynamics of its consumption during the day. At the same time, a device is installed that has the ability to reflect the load profile by time of day.

Devices of this type can take into account electricity by tariff zones, both reactive and active loads. The cost of such devices is much higher than the price of conventional meters, so their use must be economically and technically justified.

To read the readings from the meter board, they used a flashlight so that the numbers were clearly visible. The new devices have special sensors on LEDs, which, after being touched, display all the measured characteristics. When creating an automated accounting system, all counters are combined into one system and connected to a computer.

The built-in modem allows you not to lay kilometers of signal wires for transmitting information via lines of force. The information will be transferred in another, cheaper way. But it must be borne in mind that if, for example, welding lines, steelmaking plants are located on the territory of production, then data may be lost from impulse noise in networks. The technical metering system for consumed electricity should be equipped with meters of the same type, since metering devices from different manufacturers are simply incompatible so far.

In connection with the advent of energy-intensive household equipment (air conditioners, electric stoves, microwave ovens), it was decided to change the old electricity meters for new devices that can withstand high current loads. Modern electric meters are designed for current loads up to 45 - 65 amperes. The accuracy class of the previous electric energy meters was 2.5, allowing an error in measurements of 2.5% in both directions. The new meters have increased the measurement accuracy class to 2 and even to 0.5.

Old meters are not subject to verification and repair, they are disposed of as soon as the period of the previous verification ends (the interval between verifications is 16 years).

Replacement of the electricity metering device in private houses and apartments is carried out at the expense of the consumer. There is a government decree on the replacement of meters with such devices that have a measurement accuracy class of 2 and higher.

To account for the consumption of electrical energy, there are special devices that are well known to us as electricity meters. These devices were invented in the 19th century and have been accompanying humanity ever since.

It is quite obvious that the production of electricity is a process accompanied by considerable costs, which must be reimbursed by those who consume this energy. Unauthorized extraction of electrical energy is strictly suppressed by the regulatory authorities, and all violators are punished with significant fines. That is why the installation of meters, their verification and control are carried out only by energy supply organizations.

It is customary to classify electric meters according to the type of connection, the type of quantities measured by them, and also according to the type of construction. By type of connection, electric meters are:

• direct connection in the power circuit, in which the meter is connected directly to the mains.
• Transformer connection through special measuring transformers.

Most of the electricity meters that are well known to us are direct switching devices.

According to the type of measured values, the meters are divided into:

• Single-phase electricity meters, which take into account energy consumption in single-phase networks voltage 220 V and frequency 50 Hz.

• Three-phase electricity meters take into account the energy consumed in networks of 380 V, frequency 50 Hz. Moreover, all modern three-phase meters are able to take into account electricity and one, separately taken phase.

According to the type of construction, the counters are divided into:

• Electromechanical or induction counters in which counting is carried out by rotating an aluminum disk in a magnetic field. The disk rotation speed is proportional to the power consumed, and the quantity is accounted for by counting the number of disk revolutions using a special mechanism. For example, in a common single-phase meter SO-I446 - 1 kilowatt-hour of energy consumed corresponds to 1200 revolutions of the disk.

• Electronic counters- are devices that convert an analog electrical signal taken from a measuring current transformer into electronic pulses, the repetition rate of which is proportional to the power consumed at the moment. Counting the number of pulses allows you to judge the amount of consumed electrical energy. Electronic meters are gradually replacing induction meters due to their advantages.

What are the advantages of electronic devices over induction?

Regardless of the fact that electronic meters are more expensive than induction meters, they still have a lot of advantages that make their widespread use justified.

• Electronic meters have a high accuracy class, usually from 0.5 to 2.0, and it is stored in difficult conditions or low or fast-changing loads.

• Electronic meters are capable of multi-tariff accounting electrical energy, which allows consumers to save a lot of money.

• In addition to the amount of energy consumed, electronic meters can also control its quality, which allows you to have control over the fulfillment of contractual obligations by the energy supply company.

• In addition to active power consumption, electronic meters can also measure reactive power, and can also record electricity consumption in two directions.

• The data collected by the electronic meter is stored in the internal non-volatile memory of the device. This data can be accessed through a convenient digital interface.

• The use of electronic meters makes it much more effective to deal with cases of theft of electricity. Any unauthorized access attempt is recorded by such a counter.

• Electronic meters have a digital interface that allows you to remotely read various data from them, as well as program them for multi-tariff accounting at two or more tariffs, which apply to certain time intervals.

• Electronic meters usually have smaller dimensions than induction meters, which allows them to be mounted in standard electrical panels along with other modular electrical equipment.

• Manufacturers declare the service life of electronic meters for at least 30 years, and the time intervals between their verifications range from 10 to 16 years.

One of the main disadvantages of electronic meters is their low resistance to lightning impulse discharges, from which they often fail. The share of induction meters is still quite high and they are not going to give up their positions, as their reliability has been proven by more than a hundred years of experience in their operation. Truth

Why do we need a multi-tariff meter and an appropriate electricity metering system?

It is known that the peak of electrical loads falls on the morning and evening hours. It is at this time that there is an increased load on everything electrical distribution equipment, which affects the high probability of its failures during these hours. Power plants are forced to burn much more fuel, and this affects the increase in greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

In order to encourage the inclusion of powerful energy consumers at night, when the load is the lowest, a multi-tariff policy has been developed.

In Russia, the two-tariff policy is most applicable, when the tariff for paying for electricity at night (from 23.00 to 07.00) is significantly lower, sometimes even 2 times lower. In some regions and other industrialized countries, it happens that up to 12 different tariffs are used. In order to take into account energy consumption in such a calculation system, single-phase two-tariff meters were developed.

Manufacturers household appliances they specifically develop and produce such powerful consumers of electrical energy as washing machines and dishwashers, electric boilers with a timer start function or with a delayed start, precisely so that their work is scheduled for night hours when the tariff is minimal.

Obviously, only an electronic meter can maintain multi-tariff accounting, so everyone who wants to switch to a multi-tariff system will have to purchase just such a device.

If it is impossible to use multi-tariff accounting, it is quite possible to get by with a conventional induction meter, with an accuracy class of at least 2.0. Such a device will be economically justified due to its lower price and lower sensitivity, which does not allow recording the consumption of electricity by devices that are in standby mode (TV, music center, computer, etc.).

The main characteristics that you need to pay attention to before choosing equipment

The correct choice of an electric meter should begin with a study of its characteristics, which must correspond to its operating conditions.

• Meters are single and three-phase, and this should correspond to the type of power supply. Single-phase meters cannot take into account electricity in three-phase networks, and three-phase ones can be in single-phase ones, but their use in such networks is economically unprofitable.

• Rated electrical voltage and frequency. Usually this is for single-phase networks 220 V, and for three-phase networks 380 V. Frequency alternating current in our electrical networks adopted 50 Hz. There are meters designed to measure electricity with other parameters, but they have a special purpose.

• Rated and maximum load current at which the electric meter can operate. Previously, it was normal that an electric meter could be rated for a rated current of 5 amps, but with the widespread use of powerful household appliances, this is clearly not enough, so wide application found counters with higher rated current loads. In addition, meters can work for a long time with currents that exceed the rated current by 200%.

• The accuracy class characterizes its largest permissible error, expressed as a percentage. For household meters, it is quite acceptable to have an accuracy class of 2.0.

• The number of tariffs indicates how many tariffs the meter can operate at.

• The ability of the counter to work in automated system commercial metering of electricity (ASKUE) allows you to take readings remotely, as well as correctly bill the consumed energy. All modern apartment buildings are equipped with such systems. If there is no ASKUE in the house, then there are meters with an automatic internal rater.

• Operating temperature range. It is now customary in private households to install meters on the street to prevent the theft of electrical energy. Therefore, the wider the temperature range, the better.

• Overall dimensions may matter when the meter is installed in a special box.

• Calibration interval and service life. For single-phase electronic meters, verification is sufficient once every 16 years, and their service life is at least 30 years.

Consider directly the connection diagram

Any single-phase electric meter is connected to the network with at least 4 wires. Of these, two wires are the input and output of the phase, and the other two are the input and output of the working neutral conductor. The connection is made using special screw terminals located on the terminal block, closed by a lid, which is sealed by the Energy Supervision Services.

The terminals are numbered from 1 to 4.

1. Terminal No. 1 is designed to connect the phase conductor of the network.
2. Terminal No. 2 is designed to connect a phase conductor leading to consumers of electricity, that is, to an apartment or house.
3. Terminal No. 3 is designed to connect the neutral wire of the network.
4. Terminal No. 4 is intended for a neutral wire leading to energy consumers.

Phase conductors are usually denoted by the letter L and the colors are red or brown, and the zero worker is denoted by the letter N and blue. In addition to them, in modern electrical wiring there is still a conductor, designated PE and yellow in green. This is a protective neutral wire that is not connected to the meter or to any other device. It must inextricably reach each outlet to its grounding contact.

Let's get into the details of the installation.

All work on the installation of meters must be carried out, firstly, by those organizations that have the authority to do so, and secondly, by qualified personnel with the necessary permission.

Preparatory work before installation

First, the place where the electric meter will be mounted is determined. AT apartment buildings there are special power cabinets in the entrances, where there are regular places for meters, and the owners of country houses or summer cottages should take care of purchasing a special box specially designed for installing electric meters. Such boxes have transparent doors or windows that allow you to easily take readings, as well as places for installation modular electrical equipment.

Modular electrical equipment is a wide class of devices that perform a protective function, the function of switching, distribution of electrical energy, as well as control and accounting devices. Modular devices are installed on a special standard DIN rail 35 mm wide. The width of one module is 17.5 mm, the vertical distance between the rails is at least 125 mm. Manufacturers of modern electrical panels indicate their capacity in the number of modules.

Modern single-phase electricity meters are also modular equipment having a width of 4 or more standard DIN modules. If the selected electrical panel does not have a DIN rail, then it can be mounted or the meter can be fixed to other mounting holes. In boxes with transparent windows, the counter is mounted so that it is convenient to read readings from it.

Installation of modular equipment

An introductory machine is usually placed in front of the electric meter, which, firstly, allows you to perform any work with the meter when the energy is turned off, and secondly, it protects against currents short circuit and prolonged overload. The nominal value of the machine is selected in accordance with the planned load. In single-phase networks, two-pole automata are used, opening both the phase and the neutral conductor.

In addition to the introductory machine, other devices are also installed for distributing electricity, protecting people and equipment. These are devices protective shutdown, circuit breakers and, if necessary, terminal blocks that will distribute the phase, zero and protective zero among consumer groups.

After mounting on a DIN rail, all equipment is switched using a wire of the diameter corresponding to the load. It is best to do this with a special single-core copper wire of the PV-1 brand.

When tightening the terminals of the electric meter and other equipment, normal contact should be ensured. This is achieved by using a single-core installation wire, and in the case of a multi-core one, its ends are either tinned or put on, and then a special tip is crimped.

Aluminum wires tend to “swim” in the terminal contacts, therefore, after installing the meter, approximately six months later, the terminal screws should be tightened. The tightening force should not be so strong as to strip the threads, but also tight enough.

Mains connection

After switching all the connections in the electrical panel, the correct installation and tightening of the terminal screws are once again checked. Further, when the introductory machine is turned off, all circuit breakers and RCDs are connected to the mains. To do this, with solid pieces of wire of the diameter corresponding to the load from the special terminal blocks that are in the access panels, the introductory machine is connected to the mains. The phase must be fed to terminal No. 1 of the electric meter, and zero to terminal No. 3.

When connected from overhead line special self-supporting wire SIP, in which the phase is transmitted through the central aluminum core, zero is transmitted through the steel braid in the form of a screen. The connection is made only with solid pieces of wire without any connections.

After checking all connections, you can supply electricity to consumers and check the correct operation of the meter.

Final stage of work: sealing

Sealing is a mandatory procedure that is performed by a representative of the power supply organization. Only after this, the contractual relationship for the supply of electricity can enter into force.

If the meter is mounted in an access shield, then only the terminal cover is sealed, and if in a special box on the street, then the entire box can be sealed. At the same time, it is possible for the consumer to read the meter readings and through a special door there is access to modular switching and protective equipment.

Any attempt of unauthorized access to the terminals of the electric meter is automatically considered a violation and can result in considerable fines. Modern electronic meters even have an electronic seal function, when all cases of opening the terminal cover are recorded and entered into the device's memory.

Results

• Modern electricity meters are complex devices, the installation and maintenance of which should only be carried out by qualified and authorized specialists.
• If multi-tariff accounting is possible, it is better to use this service, which saves a lot of money, but then you will have to purchase meters with the possibility of such accounting.
• Unauthorized access to the meter terminals is prohibited, all operations should be carried out only by employees of power supply organizations.

We watch a video about the installation and wiring diagram of a single-phase meter