The article describes such a side of the operation of metering devices as the readings of the electricity meter: how to remove data without violating the procedure from single-tariff and multi-tariff devices, how the payment is calculated and where the readings are submitted. The likelihood of receiving a fine for violating the operating rules or breaking the seal is also considered, and the specifics of using anti-magnetic seals for electric meters.
Content
Electricity meter readings: how to read data from the device
Electricity consumers are obliged to pay in full for the consumed electricity. To do this, they must transmit meter readings to the appropriate authority or to perform an independent calculation of energy consumption.
How to take readings from induction-type electric meters
Induction-type appliances are equipped with a rotating wheel located under the frame with numbers. This data is necessary for performing calculations and transmitting readings. The model of the device and the number of digital values determine which readings of the electricity meters need to be transmitted.
Most often, the display of induction-type meters displays from 5 to 7 digits. The last digit is distinguished from the total by differences in size, color, or comma. In rare cases, the last two numbers may be highlighted.
When taking readings from the electricity meter, the numerical values after the decimal point are not taken into account. These data display hundredths and tenths of a kilowatt, therefore, they are not taken into account.
Note! There are device modifications where the comma or other type of selection is absent.In such a situation, all the numerical values displayed on the scoreboard are taken for calculations, otherwise there will be discrepancies in payment, which will still have to be covered.
How to read the electricity meter correctly
After installing or replacing an electric meter in a private house or apartment, the owner is issued an act confirming the correct implementation of this procedure. Initial numerical values are fixed in the document. To take data from the unit, you need to transfer to paper all the numbers displayed by the device at the moment, excluding the numbers after the decimal point. Also, zeros before the first significant number are not taken into account, i.e. 1 or more.
For calculations, you need data for the previous month. In the first month after the installation of the equipment, these figures are taken from the act. Next, you will have to keep a log book or save all receipts in order to record the indicators.
Some subscriber services relieve electricity consumers from the need to make their own calculations. It is only required to transmit data in a timely manner for a certain period of time. This became possible thanks to an automated system that, either by itself or through an operator, enters data into a personal account, calculates charges and generates a receipt. In this case, the consumer will only have to pay on the basis of the invoice.
How to calculate the payment according to the readings of electricity meters
The amount for paying electricity bills can be calculated independently. To do this, you need to subtract the latest data from the previous readings. The result will be the amount of electrical energy consumed over the last period of time. All that remains is to multiply it by the current tariff.
For example, if the meter displays a numerical value of 5204 kW, and the previous reading was 4954 kW, the calculations will be as follows: 5204 - 4954 = 250 kW (power consumption).
Note! Sometimes the counters are automatically reset to zero. Especially for such cases, a special counting system is provided.
When the counters are reset, the readings are overwritten taking into account all zeros, and "1" is put at the beginning of the number. However, you don't need to take into account the decimal places. For example, if the meter displays 00001.7 kW, you need to rewrite this value as 100001. Previous readings are subtracted from this indicator, and the result is multiplied by the tariff. This method of counting is used once, after which the reading is carried out according to the usual system - without leading zeros and an additional "1".
How are readings of electricity meters from electronic devices
Electronic models of meters are completed not with mechanical disks with numbers, but with an electronic display. In addition to the consumed kilowatts, it can display other data, for example, the operating time of the device, date, etc. Most often, the change of indicators is carried out several times a minute. If the instrument keeps track of the zones, it displays data for each of them in turn.
How to take readings from day-night electricity meters (two options):
- Wait until the board displays the required information.
- Get data by pressing the "Enter" button. Sometimes you need to do this several times to get the information you need. Numerical values on the display are marked with certain marks to make them easier to distinguish: T1, T3, T2, T4, TOTAL.
When the data is received, they are entered into a receipt and calculations are performed according to the scheme described earlier, or transferred to the appropriate authority. In electronic devices, digits after the decimal point are also not taken into account.
How to take readings of the electricity meter Mercury 200
Mercury meters are presented on the market with single-tariff and multi-tariff models. Devices with one tariff are labeled like this - 200.00, for multi-tariff models there are digital values after the dot, for example, 200.01, 200.03 or 200.02. Among them there are electricity meters with a control panel and a different number of zones.
Note! Regardless of the modification, readings from the devices are taken according to a single scheme. The only difference is the number of times the Enter button is pressed.
The following data are displayed in turn in the Mercury 200 electric meters:
- time;
- date;
- tariffication by zones.
The first indicator is the time in the normal tariff zone. The seconds, minutes and hours are displayed above. After a few seconds, the data is replaced by the date in the standard form: day, month and year.
After that, additional tariffs are displayed on the board. The markings are shown in the upper left corner. Each of the available tariffs is displayed in turn. At this time, you can rewrite numerical data in kilowatts without numbers after the decimal point.
Depending on what the device settings are, the numerical readings on the display counter change every 5-10 seconds. This time is enough to rewrite the data. If this did not work out, tariff switching can be done manually using the "Enter" button. For calculations, you will need to calculate the amount of consumed electricity (kW) for each zone, multiply by the corresponding tariff, and summarize the results among themselves.
How to take readings of the electricity meter Mercury 230
The meter Mercury 230 belongs to the category of three-phase meters. Electricity is counted within several tariffs. The device displays credentials corresponding to a certain tariff.
Note! A three-phase electricity meter is designed in such a way that 4 digits are displayed on its display. If 2 of these digits are marked T2 or T1, then the device operates according to a multi-tariff payment system.
Tariff zoning:
- the T2 marking indicates the night zone;
- T1 value indicates that there is a peak zone on the screen;
- T3 marking is used to indicate the semi-peak zone.
Therefore, before taking readings of three-phase electricity meters and proceeding with calculations, it is necessary to take into account all the indicators:
- tariff pictograms with markings by zones;
- a digital value representing the amount of electricity consumed;
- phase pictograms.
The three-tariff electricity meter has one feature. To achieve correct calculations, you need readings for all tariffs for the previous month and data at the time of calculation. Finding out the difference between these values, you can get the amount of energy consumed for each tariff for the last month. It remains only to find out the payment for each zone, taking into account the corresponding tariffication for it, and to summarize the obtained values.
How to take readings from electronic electricity meters Energomera
Energomer's electricity meters are of various modifications. There are multi-tariff devices. Calculations for them are performed in a similar way, which was described earlier.
The price of day-night meters is relatively low. Therefore, many apartment owners install just such metering devices in their home. The difference between such devices lies in the design features. The number of buttons changes depending on which version of the counter is installed. And the button for viewing digital data has a different name - "PRSM".
There can be several buttons themselves, usually 2 or 3.When you click on the scoreboard, data for each tariff zone is displayed. Otherwise, there are no serious differences, so it no longer matters whether the owner of the apartment prefers to buy a three-phase electricity meter or wants to install the device day and night.
Note! Electricity meters Neva, Energomera and Mercury 230, 234, 201, 200 belong to the devices of the modern generation. Models of the new sample have a similar device, so they have the same reading scheme.
In many ways, the devices of the new sample are superior to the old models. However, their main disadvantage is cost. The price of day-night electricity meters and three-phase appliances is much higher. The same goes for multi-tariff devices with multiple zones.
Of course, you can buy a single-phase electricity meter, which is cheaper. The high cost of multi-tariff metering devices is due to their broader functionality, which allows you to save on electricity bills by differentiating tariffication by zone.
How electricity meter readings are transmitted
Many apartment owners are wondering until what date to submit readings from electricity meters and how exactly this procedure should be carried out. In connection with the innovation, which came into force 4 years ago, the rules for the transfer of evidence have changed. According to it, individuals must independently transfer actual data to local power sales authorities.
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Previously, this responsibility was placed on the shoulders of the employees of the organization itself. They made monthly rounds of apartments in order to take readings and check the electricity meters at home. After that, each apartment owner received payment notifications in the first days of the month.
In 2012, a new decision came into force. According to him, electrical sales employees are required to check the meter readings not once a month, but quarterly. In the remaining period, apartment owners must independently track the readings of their devices and transmit data.
Note! The verification of the electricity meters without removing for the reliability of the data that is transmitted by the owner of the apartment is carried out by the energy sales staff twice a year.
Up to what date to transmit the readings of electricity meters and how to do it
The latest innovations regarding metering devices are as follows:
- Since 2013, every citizen has the right to independently remove data from the accounting device and transfer it to the appropriate organization. A sample of the act of taking readings of the electricity meter can be found on the network.
- Transmission scheme - if the consumer of electrical energy did not manage to transfer readings due to absence in the city or personal problems, the amounts for paying utility bills are charged in accordance with the latest readings. If the housing company does not receive data for half a year, normative indicators are used as the basis for accruals.
- When to submit the readings of the electricity meter - the previous system assumed a certain time frame. At the moment, the consumer of electrical energy can perform this procedure on any convenient day. There are no time limits.
In order to optimize this process, the power supply organizations have come up with an entire system for the transmission of electricity meters in order to eliminate the inconvenience of changes and get rid of queues. Thanks to this, data can be transferred even via the Internet or one phone call.
Where to transfer the readings of the electricity meter
There are several ways to solve the problem of removing electricity credentials.
Options for how and where to submit the electricity meter readings:
- Use the box for receiving readings - for this you need to visit one of the centers of the power supply company and fill in the column with the current readings of the meter.
- Enter the readings of the electricity meter via the Internet - electricity consumers can register on the official website of the energy sales company and transfer data through their personal account. To do this, you need to log in to the system, enter the current digital values from the accounting device into the appropriate fields.
- Call the contact center of the energy sales company - call-center operators from 8.30 to 20.00 take readings by telephone. Contact numbers: 8-800-55-000-55 or 8-495-981-981-9.
Note! Using phones to transmission of electricity meter readings, you can carry out this procedure in automatic mode. To do this, you need to follow the instructions that the answering machine will dictate. This requires a phone that has a tone dialing mode, since the keypad of the device will be used to enter numeric values.
Anti-magnetic seals on electricity meters and their features
Some consumers are trying to save money on utility bills by "cheating" the magnetic seal on the electricity meter. Most often, neodymium magnets are used for this. With their help, the electromechanical counter is stopped.
For this reason, the regulatory authorities install anti-magnetic seals on consumers' electricity meters. Outwardly, they resemble a sticker, but its structure is much more complicated than it might seem at first glance. Inside the seal there is a sensor that detects magnetic changes. When a certain threshold is crossed, the device is triggered. As a result, when the time for checking the electricity meter comes up, an employee of the regulatory authorities will be able to determine the presence of outside interference by the appearance of the device.
The sensor itself is a small capsule filled with a substance that sensitively reacts to the presence of a magnetic field. If such an intervention has taken place, the contents are distributed throughout the capsule. After that, no means will be able to return it to its original appearance. A fully colored capsule will indicate that an attempt was made to stop the meter.
Note! The same will happen when trying to tear off the sticker. Under the film, there are hidden inscriptions that cannot be removed when peeling off the seal.
How much does it cost to seal an electricity meter
Sealing is carried out when the deadline for replacing the electricity meter comes or there is a need to repair it. All expenses for servicing the device are paid by the owner, but the installation of the seal is free of charge. If it is planned to repair or replace the electricity meter, the price is already included in the cost of these procedures. If they resort to sealing again, in this case, the service will need to be paid for (from 100 to 500 rubles, depending on the region of residence).
Forcing the owner to pay for the initial installation of the seal after the above service is considered illegal.In such cases, there are several ways to solve the problem:
- Enter the required amount, immediately receive a receipt confirming the fact of payment with the obligatory indication that the appointed amount was taken precisely for the installation of the seal. This document may become the basis for writing a claim to the higher regulatory authorities that the payment for the performance of a free service is being illegally charged.
- Submit a statement of claim to the court.
- Submit an application to the Antimonopoly Service (FAS).
It is worth noting that for household electric meters the price for installing a seal is low, so the owner of the apartment independently decides whether to pay for this service or not.
Can a fine be charged for breaking the electric meter seal
If the seal installed on the electricity meter is torn off, do not wait until they come with a check. You must immediately notify the power supply company of the incident. In this case, it is necessary to provide a reliable explanation of what happened.
If an intentional damage to the seal is found, the price of checking the electric meter without removing it will also include a huge fine. To calculate its amount, certain calculations are carried out. The amount of the fine is charged on the maximum amount of electricity that was available to the owner of the apartment for the period until the inspector appeared.
The available amount of electricity is determined based on the nominal current readings on the circuit breaker installed at the electricity input to the dwelling.
In addition, the energy supply company records all meter readings on a monthly basis and compares the meter readings at the substation. If a difference is found, an investigation is carried out to identify the thief. Therefore, do not joke with the counters, otherwise the amount of the fine will significantly exceed the money saved at stopping the device.