For accurate and high-quality calculation of the electricity consumed by the consumer, an electric meter is used. However, there are situations when this device needs to be replaced. Thus, questions arise: under what circumstances should the meter be replaced, who pays for this process, how to document the replacement and how to do it yourself.
Content
In what cases is a replacement made?
There are several options for events that require meter replacement:
- First of all, in 2006 the government decided that all electricity meters should be replaced if they have an accuracy class of more than 2.0. (As a rule, obsolete devices include mechanical counters with all known spinning disk);
- if the counter has traces of mechanical damage - for example, the glass is broken or the mechanism itself does not work;
- if the device functions erroneously - the amount of electricity consumed is incorrectly calculated, the indicators differ from the real ones;
- if the consumer switched to a payment method at several tariffs, accordingly, it is required to replace the existing meter with a multi-tariff one.
Who legally has to pay for the replacement of the old meter?
The metering device is considered the property of the consumer, which means that the owner of the premises in which the device is installed must pay for the replacement. However, in some situations, the meter may belong to the supplier or be transferred to the maintenance of the housing and communal services. In such cases, the replacement is made free of charge.
Important! If the housing is in municipal ownership, then by law it is the municipality that is obliged to pay for the replacement of metering devices.
When do electricity meters change at your own expense?
As already mentioned, if housing (an apartment or a private house) is privatized and owned, then the consumer must pay for the replacement.
Where to go if you need a replacement
- The consumer should contact the local branch of Energosbyt and write an application to replace the meter, indicating the reason;
- This application must be accepted and authorized to replace the device;
- After agreement, you can call a specialist for replacement or carry it out yourself;
- After installing a new device, be sure to call a specialist from Energosbyt to draw up a commissioning certificate and seal the electric meter.
What is included in the electricity meter replacement service
There are organizations that fully undertake the implementation of this procedure. The cost of their services includes:
- the electricity meter itself;
- dismantling of the old counter;
- installation of a new electric meter;
- counter sealing;
- preparation of necessary documents.
How long does it take to replace
Coordination with Energosbyt may take a couple of working days, and the meter replacement itself lasts 30-60 minutes.
Self-replacement of the meter - procedure and requirements
Which electric meter to choose
Devices should be selected based on the following classifications:
- consumption current - variable or direct;
- number of phases - one (50 V) or three (380 V);
- number of tariffs - one or more;
- type of device - mechanical or electronic.
- connection type - direct or through a transformer.
Most often, mechanical meters are changed to more modern ones - electronic ones. The fact is that mechanical devices have the following disadvantages:
- it is impossible to take readings automatically;
- when accounting for electricity, very significant errors occur;
- can take into account only one tariff;
- they are easy to set up so that underestimated indicators are reflected;
- difficult to install and operate.
Thus, most often they install electronic devices that are devoid of all of the above disadvantages.Reference! This device is based on a special device that electronically calculates the consumed electricity and records the readings. Such meters allow you to take into account any amount of electricity, they can be installed both in an apartment and in a private house.
It is also quite common to install multi-tariff meters. The essence of their work is to calculate energy depending on the time of day, which leads to lower costs compared to charging at one tariff.
Attention! The possibility of calculating electricity indicators at several tariffs does not exist in all regions of Russia.
There are the most modern meters with a liquid crystal display and a digital interface. Their disadvantage is their high cost, so consumers often choose simpler devices.
Preparation of necessary documents
By law, it is unacceptable to replace an electric meter without permission from the power supply company. It is necessary to carry out the following actions:
- Prepare a passport (identity card) and documents confirming the ownership of the premises in which the replacement should be made. In the absence of the owner, a power of attorney must be issued.
- With the prepared documents, contact the supplier (Energosbyt) and write a statement indicating the reason for replacing the device.
The utility company must accept the application and send a specialist who must determine whether a replacement is really required. Then he removes the seals and records the last accrued readings.
Important! After the seals are removed, the cost of consumed energy will be determined at a special inflated tariff, which does not take into account real consumption.
Removal and installation of the counter
The dismantling of the old meter and the installation of a new one, as a rule, is carried out by an Energosbyt specialist, but you can replace it yourself if you are confident in your qualifications. You need to do the following:
- Turn off the electric current by means of an introductory machine. Please note that there are two switches - before the counter and after it. Of course, to replace the meter, you should turn off the machine that is located in front of the device.
- Open the cover of the device and make sure that there is no voltage on all contacts.
- Disconnect all wires inside the device. If the power supply is single-phase, then there will be four wires in total: 2 for input and 2 for output.
- Remove the meter housing itself. As a rule, a DIN rail is used for the subsequent mounting of a new device.
Attention! A new device is installed by carrying out the above steps in reverse order. After completing the installation, it is necessary to check whether the meter is connected correctly.
Where and at what height to put the counter?
- Since the meter is also installed in a private house, it is better to install it in a heated, dry room;
- The location itself can be anything, for example: a wall, a shield, a closet. However, there must be a rigid and strictly vertical base.
- It is allowed to place the device in height within 40-170 cm, but installation at the level of human eyes is considered to be a more correct location (on average, about 170 cm in height).
- It is important to consider that access to the meter must be provided at any time under any conditions.
Procedure for approval and commissioning
The act of replacing the electricity meter
As already mentioned, the specialist must draw up an act of replacing the electric meter, which indicates the following information:
- name of the feeder where the replacement was made;
- type, year of manufacture, serial number and accuracy class of the new device;
- date of the last check of the old and new meters;
- electricity meter readings;
- unaccounted for electricity for the period of equipment replacement;
- reasons for replacement.
After checking the correct connection, the new device must be put into operation. For this it is necessary to carry out the following activities:
- Contact the power supply company with an application containing a request to seal the meter and put it into operation.
- After accepting the application, a specialist will come to you, check the connection, put a seal and draw up an act of replacing the device.
Checking and sealing the electric meter
- If you made the replacement yourself, the specialist will check the installation for violations;
- If no installation errors are found, the specialist will record the readings of the device and put a seal on the meter cover.
Reference! In this regard, it is recommended that the supplier replace the meter, since in this case they can supply their own meter, and then immediately issue a replacement certificate and put a seal.
Features of replacing the meter in a private house and apartment
When replacing a meter in a private house, there is some ambiguity that can lead to conflict.
Firstly, according to the law, it is necessary to install a meter in such a way that it is possible to take readings from it even in the absence of the owners.Accordingly, in this case, the meter is installed outdoors, for example, on the wall of the house or on a support that brings the wires of the electrical network to the building.
However, the same law obliges to place the device only in dry, heated rooms, which is logical from the point of view of fire safety, but completely contradicts the requirement for free access to the meter.
Of course, most owners do not want to install meters outside the premises.
Attention! If the owners guarantee the permanent stay of residents in the house, then in this case it is allowed to mount the meter inside the dwelling. Otherwise, the dismantling of old appliances and the installation of new ones takes place in the same way as in an ordinary apartment building. The owner also decides on his own whether he should involve specialists in the installation or do it on his own. When replacing a meter in an apartment, some important features should be considered:
- The device must necessarily comply with the accuracy class - no more than 2.0 accounting units;
- If there is an irresolvable dispute about who should pay for the replacement of the device, the current legislation should be consulted;
- The possibility of current consumption by the device is set from the maximum value of the apartment electrical network (as a rule, no more than 50 Amperes);
- If the old counter was placed on the landing or in the dressing room, then the installation site of the new device is recommended to be placed closer to the entrance to the apartment (if possible).
Thus, there is nothing complicated in the procedure for replacing the meter, if you approach it carefully and with all responsibility.Although the dismantling itself can be carried out on its own, the participation of the supplier, the energy sales company, is mandatory for the legal registration of a new metering device.
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