Energy companies force their customers to replace their old electric meter in various ways. The question of how to choose an electric meter arises when completely replacing the energy supply system of a house or apartment, when carrying out major repairs, and in many other cases. New equipment for measuring the amount of energy consumed has a number of features that need to be taken into account when choosing. A distinctive feature can be called the accuracy class: old models did not take into account the energy consumption of small powers, the new ones have a more sensitive design and monitor the electricity consumption of equipment that is in standby mode.
The first selection criterion is the number of phases. Many are considering the question of how to choose a single-phase electric meter due to the fact that in most cases the household network has only one phase. However, there is a possibility that you need to connect a three-phase version.
If you are replacing old equipment, you can determine the number of phases as follows:
If a meter has not been installed previously, you can determine the number of phases by the markings on the distribution panel or you need to contact the energy supply service for information.
An important parameter is the value of the maximum current (Ampere). When considering the question of how to choose an electricity meter, you should definitely consider this parameter.
Operating current is an indicator that determines the load value at which energy consumption will be measured. When choosing according to this indicator, it is worth considering the following nuances:
In a similar way, you can answer the question of how to choose an electric meter for an apartment based on the maximum current value.
Another important feature of the design is how it can be fastened. Often the case has a three-screw mounting model, but in some cases there is also a DIN rail. Before choosing, you should pay attention to which mounting method is best. When looking for an answer to the question of which electric meters are best for an apartment, you should pay attention to where it will be installed.
Three phase meter If we consider which electric meter is best to install, you should note that such equipment is divided into two main categories: induction and electric.
The features of the induction version include:
The problem with this design option is that it is very difficult to achieve an accuracy class higher than 2 during their manufacture. However, the service life of the structure in question is more than 15 years. That is why, when looking for an answer to the question of which single-phase electric meters are better, you can come across advice on buying an induction one. According to statistics, more than 50 million such options are used in the Russian Federation.
Electronic can be called a modern approach to the issue of measuring energy consumption. Their work is based on direct measurement of the amount of energy consumed and output of this information in electronic form. What kind of electricity meters are best to install in an apartment? Electronic ones have the following advantages:
Many people also think , Which two-tariff electricity meter should I choose for my home? The electronic type is more suitable for solving the problem of calculating consumed electricity, taking into account the time-based division of tariffs. The only drawback of this design is its high sensitivity to overloads.
Each design option has a number of advantages and disadvantages. With the question of , Which electricity meter to choose for a private home abroad was faced earlier than in the Russian Federation. That is why you can pay attention to the choice made abroad.
Initially, when replacing, many began to purchase electronic versions. Just a few years ago, about 95% of installed energy meters were electronic. However, the low reliability of the design led to the fact that in England after some time the percentage of installed induction and electronic meters became 40 to 60.
In conclusion, when considering the issue , Which electric meter is better to install, electronic or induction? We note that many electronic manufacturers set a service life of up to 15 years. None of them have yet worked for the stated time due to the fact that they were not released so many years ago. Many induction versions have worked for about 50 years and after such a long period of time fit within the specified accuracy parameters.
Which electricity meter should you choose? The choice must also be made taking into account the following nuances:
In conclusion, when considering the issue of choosing an electric meter for your home, we will conclude: for domestic use it is enough to purchase a design approved with accuracy class 2 or better than 1, electronic type with an operating current of 50 A. -60 Amperes from a well-known manufacturer.
A household electricity meter records the electricity consumed during the reporting period. Electricity metering devices are installed at all electrified facilities. Why buy a new household electronic electricity meter if the previously installed one regularly calculates the amount of consumed electrical energy?
Purchasing a new electric meter allows you to:
The price of household electric meters depends on the technical characteristics of the model and its additional functionality. The online store of JSC Mosenergosbyt offers to buy an electric meter inexpensively. You can find out how much electricity meters cost in the price list in the “catalogue” section.
Wholesale buyers can inexpensively purchase a batch of metering devices, saving on delivery within Moscow. If the total order amount exceeds RUB 100,000. - delivery within the city is free. We also provide installation and debugging services. We take care of the preparation of the relevant documentation. So - only a written order from the customer. You can contact us using the free call back service or other methods indicated on the website.
The main purpose of this device is to constantly measure the power consumption of the controlled section of the electrical circuit and display its value in a form convenient for humans. The element base uses solid-state electronic components operating on semiconductors or microprocessor structures.
Such devices are produced for working with current circuits:
1. constant value;
2. sinusoidal harmonic shape.
DC electricity meters only work in industrial enterprises that operate powerful equipment with high constant power consumption (electrified railway transport, electric vehicles...). They are not used for domestic purposes and are produced in limited quantities. Therefore, we will not consider them in the further material of this article, although the principle of their operation differs from models operating on alternating current, mainly in the design of current and voltage sensors.
Electronic AC power meters are manufactured to measure the energy of electrical devices:
1. with single-phase voltage system;
2. in three-phase circuits.
Electronic meter design
The entire element base is located inside the housing, equipped with:
terminal block for connecting electrical wires;
LCD display panel;
controls for operation and transmission of information from the device;
measuring transformers;
printed circuit board with solid-state elements;
protective casing.
Appearance and the basic user settings of one of the many models of similar devices produced at enterprises of the Republic of Belarus is presented in the picture.
The functionality of this is confirmed:
an applied verifier's mark confirming that the device has undergone metrological verification on a test bench and the assessment of its characteristics within the accuracy class declared by the manufacturer;
an unbroken seal of the energy supervision company responsible for the correct connection of the meter to the electrical circuit.
Internal view The board of such a device is shown in the picture.
There are no moving or inductive mechanisms here. And the presence of three built-in current transformers used as sensors with the same number of clearly visible channels on the circuit board indicate the three-phase operation of this device.
Electrical processes taken into account by an electronic meter
The operation of the internal algorithms of three-phase or single-phase designs occurs according to the same laws, with the exception that in a 3-phase, more complex device, there is a geometric summation of the values of each of the three component channels.
Therefore, we will primarily consider the operating principles of an electronic meter using the example of a single-phase model. To do this, let us recall the basic laws of electrical engineering related to power.
Its full value is determined by the components:
active;
reactive (sum of inductive and capacitive loads).
The current flowing through the common circuit of a single-phase network is the same in all sections, and the voltage drop across each element depends on the type of resistance and its value. On active resistance it coincides with the vector of the passing current in direction, and on reactive resistance it deviates to the side. Moreover, in inductance it leads the current in angle, and in capacitance it lags behind.
Electronic meters are capable of taking into account and displaying total power and its active and reactive values. To do this, measurements are made of current vectors with voltage supplied to its input. Based on the value of the angle deviation between these input quantities, the nature of the load is determined and calculated, and information about all its components is provided.
In various designs of electronic meters, the set of functions is not the same and may differ significantly in their purpose. This makes them fundamentally different from their induction counterparts, which operate based on the interaction of electromagnetic fields and inductive forces that cause rotation of a thin aluminum disk. Structurally, they are capable of measuring only the active one or in a single-phase or three-phase circuit, and the full value must be calculated separately manually.
The principle of measuring power with an electronic meter
Scheme of operation of a simple meter with output converters shown in the figure.
It uses simple sensors to measure power:
current based on a conventional shunt through which a phase of the circuit is passed;
voltage operating according to the well-known divider circuit.
The signal captured by such sensors is small and is increased using electronic current and voltage amplifiers, after which analog-to-digital processing occurs to further convert the signals and multiply them in order to obtain a value proportional to the value of power consumption.
indications;
integration;
transmission of measurements;
further transformation.
The input sensors of electrical quantities used in this circuit do not provide measurements of current and voltage vectors with a high accuracy class, and, accordingly, power calculations. This function is better implemented by instrument transformers.
Scheme of operation of a single-phase electronic meter
In it, the measuring CT is connected to the consumer’s phase wire break, and the VT is connected to the phase and zero.
The signals from both transformers do not need amplification and are sent through their own channels to the ADC unit, which converts them into a digital code for power and frequency. Further transformations are performed by the microcontroller that controls:
display;
electronic relay;
RAM is a random access memory device.
Through RAM, the output signal can be transmitted further into the information channel, for example, using an optical port.
Functionality of electronic meters
The low power measurement error, estimated at an accuracy class of 0.5 S or 02 S, allows these devices to be used for commercial metering of used electricity.
Designs designed for measurements in three-phase circuits can operate in three or four-wire electrical circuits.
The electronic meter can be directly connected to the operating equipment or have a design that allows the use of intermediate, for example, high-voltage instrument transformers. In the latter case, as a rule, automatic recalculation of the measured secondary quantities into primary values of current, voltage and power, including active and reactive components, is carried out.
The meter records the direction of total power with all its components in the forward and reverse directions, and stores this information with a time reference. In this case, the user can increment it over a certain period of time, for example, the current day, month or year selected from the calendar, or accumulate it for a certain designated time.
Fixing the values of active and reactive power for a certain period, for example, 3 or 30 minutes, as well as quickly calling up its maximum values during the month greatly facilitates the analysis of the operation of power equipment.
At any time you can view instantaneous indicators of active and reactive consumption, frequencies in each phase.
The presence of a multi-tariff energy metering function using several information transmission channels expands the conditions for commercial use. In this case, tariffs are created for a specific time, for example, every half-hour of a weekend or weekday by season or month of the year.
For the convenience of the user, a working menu is displayed on the display, between the items of which you can navigate using nearby controls.
An electronic electricity meter allows you not only to read information directly from the display, but also to view it through a remote computer, as well as enter additional data or program it through an optical port.
Data protection
Installation of seals to the counter is carried out in two stages:
1. at the first level, access to the inside of the device body is prohibited by the technical control service of the plant after the meter has been manufactured and has passed state verification;
2. at the second level of sealing, access to the terminals and connected wires is blocked by a representative of the energy supply organization or energy supervision.
All events of removing and installing the cover are equipped with an alarm, the triggering of which is recorded in the event log memory with reference to time and date.
Password system provides for restricting user access to information and can contain up to five restrictions.
Zero level completely removes restrictions and allows you to view all data locally or remotely, synchronize time, and adjust readings.
First level An additional access password is provided to employees of the installation or operating organization to set up equipment and record parameters that do not affect commercial characteristics.
Second level The main access password is assigned by the responsible energy supervision employee on a meter that has undergone adjustment and is fully prepared for operation.
Third level basic access is given to energy supervision workers who remove and install the cover from the meter to access its terminal clamps or carry out remote operations through the optical port.
Fourth level provides the ability to install hardware keys on the board, remove all installed seals and the ability to work through an optical port to improve the configuration and replace calibration coefficients.
The given list of capabilities that an electronic electricity meter has is general and overview. It can be displayed individually and differ even on each model of the same manufacturer.
On the Marka.guru portal, using the rating, you can choose the most suitable metering device in order to install the best electricity meter in your apartment. In modern times, you can find good gas and electric meters with the most accurate indicators so as not to overpay for utilities.
The article selects several high-quality electricity meters, among which you can choose the most optimal model.
If additional parameters are not required, simple electronic meters can be installed. Their price is much lower, and the quality is no different from expensive models.
Single-tariff, single-phase electricity meters are used without tariff differentiation and are connected to two wires. Designed for voltage 220 W.
The model is manufactured by the Taipit company, which also produces gas measuring instruments and water meters. It is recommended to install an electric meter in apartments, but it can be installed outdoors under a canopy. The case cannot be disassembled. The device is protected against the influence of magnetic fields. When taking readings, you need to write off the first 6 digits. The measurement accuracy is first class.
Every 16 years the meter needs to be checked by specialists. Otherwise, you may be issued a fine containing a double tariff.
Characteristics:
Advantages:
Disadvantages: none found.
Average price: 650 rub.
Prices for Neva 103 1SO:
These electricity meters are attached to the wall using a DIN rail. Used mainly for apartments. Corresponds to the first accuracy class. The LCD display on the device reliably protects against the influence of magnetic fields. In the meter, the current meter is a shunt; the operation is highlighted by an indicator.
The meter can be installed in a garage or on the street, but without allowing moisture to penetrate into the device. The device can withstand temperature changes from 40 to 70 degrees.
Characteristics:
Advantages:
Disadvantages: the electromechanical device in this model often breaks down.
Average price: 800 rub.
Prices for Energomera CE101 R5:
This single-phase, single-tariff meter is mounted on the wall using a panel. The current is measured by a shunt. The measurement accuracy corresponds to class A. The device is equipped with an LCD display and a light indicator. Despite the high popularity of the device, many buyers are dissatisfied with these meters, judging by the reviews.
Consumers indicate that the device breaks down after just a year, although the manufacturer sets the shelf life of the product to 5 years.
Characteristics:
Advantages:
Disadvantages: short operating time.
Average price: 800 rub.
Prices for Energomera CE101 S6:
In modern times, this model is most common in Russia. Buyers value the electric meter for its operational reliability and reliable readings. The device is used for apartments and private houses, mounted on the wall using a DIN rail. Belongs to the first class of accuracy.
Characteristics:
Advantages:
Disadvantages: none found.
The average cost is 750 rubles.
Prices :
Multi-tariff single-phase meters have a great advantage - at different periods of time, payments for supplied electricity are calculated separately.
This device is a real find for those who want to save money and install the best electricity meter in their apartment. The main savings come from the night tariff - it is much cheaper than during the day. You can use up to 4 tariffs. Belongs to the first class of accuracy. The type of measuring device is electronic. Mounted using a DIN rail or panel in private houses or apartments.
To find out which tariff is the most profitable, you can, for example, need to analyze data from the device over a certain period of time.
Characteristics:
Advantages:
Disadvantages: none found.
Cost - from 1600 rubles.
Prices for Mercury 200.02:
To pay for electricity at 4 tariffs, you can install this meter model. The electric meter is mounted in residential or industrial premises using a DIN rail. Has first class accuracy. When you press a special button, the parameters are displayed on the electronic display.
Characteristics:
Advantages:
Disadvantages: none found.
Cost: 1600 – 1800 rub.
Prices for Energomera CE102M:
Three-phase electricity meters can be used to connect devices designed to operate under heavy loads to the network. Maximum voltage – 380 W.
The display of the electric meter shows active power values for 1 or 3 phases, the amount of electricity supplied, and time parameters. You can use up to 4 tariffs. Belongs to the first class of accuracy.
Characteristics:
Advantages:
Disadvantages: none found.
Cost: from 2800 rub.
Prices :
A popular device from the Neva company, which develops and supplies gas meters and electricity meters. NEVA 303 1SO is used at one tariff and belongs to the first accuracy class. It has earned the trust of customers due to the quality and reliability of its readings.
Characteristics:
Advantages:
Disadvantages: readings are taken at one tariff.
Cost: 2200 – 2400 rub.
Prices for NEVA 303 1SO:
Unreliable devices quickly break down, you have to pay for installation again, or buy a new device.
In addition, the amount of money spent on electricity depends on the accuracy of the readings. Even small errors cost a pretty penny over the course of a year.
To save your budget, you need not to skimp and install the best meter in your apartment, and the rating on the Marka.guru portal will help you choose.
We understand the types and capabilities of electric meters and choose which one you can and should buy.
Increasingly, energy companies are forcing their customers to change their old electric meters by hook or by crook. Formally, this is due to the fact that the old electricity meters had an accuracy class of 2.5 and could not take into account the energy consumption of small powers. For example, this is the power consumption of electronic equipment in standby mode. New electricity meters have an accuracy class of at least 2 (2;1;0.5).
Induction meters
According to the principle of operation, electricity meters are divided into induction and electronic. Induction meters have two coils: a current coil and a voltage coil. The magnetic field of these coils causes the disk to rotate, driving the mechanism for calculating the energy consumed. The higher the current and voltage in the electrical network, the faster the disk rotates and the meter readings increase.
The problem with this type of meters is that it is very difficult and expensive to ensure with their help an accuracy class higher than 2. Their main advantage is the highest reliability and service life of more than 15 years. Today, there are about 50 million such meters operating in the Russian Federation alone.
Electronic meters
They work by directly measuring current and voltage and transmitting data in digital form to the indicator and to the meter’s memory. Electronic meters have many advantages. These are compact dimensions, the possibility of multi-tariff metering, the ability to be integrated into automated commercial metering systems due to the presence of standard interfaces, easy transition to a higher accuracy class due to the use of specialized microcircuits, ease of reading due to the use of a digital indicator, increased resistance to attempts to steal electricity for meter reading correction account, etc. The main disadvantages of electronic meters are higher price and lower reliability.
GOSTs and established traditions
The first electronic meter was made here back in 1996 (in the West earlier, our lag is at least 15 years). On January 1, 1996, GOST 6570-96 came into force, making meters with accuracy class 2.5 and current less than 30A illegal. These changes are long overdue, because... Our apartments are full of equipment with a current consumption of 1-2 kW (electric kettles, microwave ovens, washing machines and dishwashers, air heaters, water heaters, etc.). In 2000 An order is issued from RAO UES of Russia, requiring that housing and communal services be equipped with modern meters with an accuracy class of no worse than 2.0 and with an operating current of more than 30A.
Modern tendencies
Foreign manufacturers and operators faced the problem of replacing the old fleet of meters before us. At first, they also enthusiastically rushed to replace induction meters with electronic ones, of which there were 95%, but when faced with the problem of lower reliability and the need for quick service, they somewhat changed their views. Now the ratio of induction and electronic meters, for example, in England is approximately 40/60.
We also have both types of counters in our stores. Both organizations and individuals buy both. Regarding reliability, we can say the following: the passport for an electronic meter often gives a resource of 15 years of continuous operation, but not one has actually worked that long. Fifteen years ago they were not yet released. The service life of the induction meter is such that even after 50 years, many samples fit into the specified accuracy class! This has been verified empirically.
Which electric meter to choose
The alternative to induction and electronic meters should be decided by the buyer based on the required consumer properties of the meter. Before choosing an electric meter, you need to determine whether it is possible and necessary to take advantage of all the advantages of electronic meters and not pay attention to their disadvantages. It is absolutely clear that the advantages of electronic meters are not so important everywhere and often the disadvantages of induction meters are absolutely uncritical.
Problems of choosing electricity meters. Let's figure it out together
1. The cost of meters with accuracy class 1-0.5 is significantly higher than meters with class 2.0. For a residential meter, class 2.0 is quite enough. I immediately remember the advertising slogan: “If there is no difference, why pay more?”
2. Maintaining a high class of accuracy under conditions of rapidly changing loads is an important property of an electronic meter, but it can only be realized in an industrial enterprise.
3. is a good addition to the functions of a regular counter. But not all cities and even regions have implemented such a service. Planned replacement of the meter in 90% of cases is carried out with single-tariff ones.
4. Possibility, this is a very good feature, but it helps energy companies, and you will be the one who overpays for the meter.
5. To reduce costs and provide a competitive advantage, some manufacturers install the cheapest components in electronic meters. Their expiration date is not determined. How can such a meter work for 15 years? Imagine now that you will have to remove such a meter and look for a service center for it. At this time, will your loved ones sit in the dark, without a TV or refrigerator?! What will they tell you about this...
6. Is it good to have a meter with as many functions as a modern cell phone, instead of just one that functions reliably like a Swiss watch? How many of your friends have fully mastered all the functions of even their own phone and use them 100%?
7. In our country it is not beneficial for the state and energy companies, because a decrease in consumption means a decrease in their profits. With the constant increase in electricity tariffs, no one wants to introduce modern equipment, because... These are unplanned risks and opportunities for loss of profit.
conclusions
Based on all of the above, we can conclude that at present it is better for an apartment to buy an induction electric meter with an accuracy class of 2.0 and an operating current of at least 50A from a well-known manufacturer.
There is a large selection of such counters in stores. Choose among them with a long warranty period and a service center in your city. When purchasing, make sure that the seals are present and intact. Ask the seller to indicate in the passport and certify with a stamp the initial meter readings. Make sure there are factory stamps in the passport confirming the verification of the electric meter.
Read the passport for the electric meter completely. Ask the seller to compare several types of meters based on their consumer properties. The choice is yours.
