Induction models
An induction device differs from an electronic device in that it has a rotating wheel; it is located under the frame and numbers. Their number depends on the specific model. These numbers represent electricity meter readings.
How to get information about energy consumption
After the electricians have installed the electricity meter, they issue a certificate. It shows the original numbers. Before paying the monthly fee, record the number indicated to the decimal point that the device has counted for the past month. Zeros at the very beginning do not need to be carried over.
For further calculations, you will need receipts for the previous month. For this purpose, you can create a special journal and record all changes in it.
Calculations
To calculate the indicators and pay for the light, the previous value is subtracted from the last value. The result is the number of kilowatts that were consumed over the past month. You can find out the amount of payment as follows: to do this, multiply the received kilowatts by the tariff. Over time, the counters are “reset” and zeros appear instead of the first digits. How to calculate readings from the electric meter in such cases? The number of kilowatts is rewritten along with zeros, but a “1” is indicated before them.
Number of digits
As a rule, the display of induction electricity meters indicates from 5 to 7 digits. Most often, the last one or two are separated by a comma. They can be of a different size or color and show the 10th and 100th fraction of a kilowatt. They are not recorded when readings from electricity meters are transmitted.
What is a three-phase electric meter?
What does a 3 phase electric meter look like?
A three-phase electric meter is a standard metering device installed in individual residential premises or in their complexes.
The main function of this device is to count the electricity consumed in a particular home and reflect the generated readings in a form convenient for humans.
The difference between a 3-phase meter and a single-phase one is that the first one is able to work in more congested networks, is less demanding in use and more accurate in readings.
However, for small residential premises there is no particular point in installing three-phase metering devices, since a single-phase device can fully display all the necessary readings. In any case, both types of electricity meters are used with equal frequency in our country.
It is very simple to distinguish between a three-phase and a single-phase meter - just pay attention to how many wires fit to the device:
- if 3 or less, the device operates on one phase;
- if more than 3, the device is three-phase.
Today, two types of three-phase electric meters are produced: induction and electric.
The first ones work on the principle of displaying power consumption readings on special scrolling elements. And the latter display data on an electronic display.
Electronic devices
How to correctly obtain information about electricity consumption from devices that have a built-in display? Sometimes it additionally displays the date and other information. You can learn how to read it using the examples of different devices given below.
"Mercury 200" and "Mercury 230"
Such electrical appliances can calculate energy consumption over a period of time, which is determined depending on the tariff zone. How to take readings from Mercury 200 and Mercury 230? Since the principle of their operation is identical, in both cases the approach will be the same. From such electrical devices, each zone is recorded separately. In auto mode, each of them is displayed alternately on the display. In this case, T1 is a tariff.
Both models have the same interface. There are two buttons for control. Thus, using the “Enter” button you can select indicators of different tariff zones manually (for example, T1, T2 or T3). The second one has an image of a ring and an index arrow; it is used to select a mode. The sequence of actions will allow you to correctly take readings from the electricity meter:
- First, set the mode, for example, “A”. To switch modes, press the arrow button.
- When the mode is installed, the values for the T1 tariff will be displayed on the screen. You can view T1 and T2 in the counter by briefly pressing the “Enter” button.
The manufacturer has developed software for both models. Thus, you can get a more complete picture if you connect the meter to a computer.
"Energomera"
Obtaining the values indicated on the Energomera brand electricity meter is similar to the principle that is used when working with the Mercury 200 device. produces various electrical devices. Among them there are multi-tariff and two-tariff equipment (day/night meter). The panel has two or three control buttons. There is a separate PRSM key for switching. To find out how much electricity has been “burnt”, you need to repeat the algorithm of actions, as in the case of Mercury electricity metering devices. The numbers that appear after the period are not taken into account.
"Micron"
To make it more convenient to take readings from the electric meter, the developers have provided one button for the device. It switches zones, which are indicated at the bottom of the board. On the left side is the symbol “R+”. Everything you need to know about electricity consumption will be displayed one by one on the display. A checkmark appears above the tariff number. It also appears above the "R+" icon (meaning the values can be overwritten). You can view another value by clicking on the button and waiting until both checkboxes are highlighted. Next, transfer the numbers that are indicated before the point.
Saiman
To turn the pages and transmit electricity meter readings from Saiman devices, you do not need to press the keys, since there are simply no keys. In these electrical appliances, everything is automatically displayed on the screen. The display shows data in the following order:
- date of;
- time;
- number;
- transfer value;
- information about electricity consumption;
- tariffs and total amount.
Thus, on the display you can immediately see where everything about the tariff plans is indicated, and find out what time and date it is.
Taking readings from a multi-tariff meter
Unlike a two-phase measuring device, a multi-tariff one has three indicators: T1, T2, T3 - peak, half-peak and night. The rest of the calculation and readings are carried out in the same way.
How to transmit electricity meter readings?
The principle of transmitting meter readings is approximately the same for all regions; there may be slight variations. So, on the main page of the company serving you, there will be a section for transmitting meter readings. If your meter does not transmit readings independently via a specially dedicated channel, then the information is relevant to you.
There are variations: you can either create a personal account on the energy sales website or directly transfer meters each time by entering the personal account of your property without logging into your personal account.
The days set for transmitting the readings of your measuring device may differ depending on the region of residence; most often, data reception is equated to the 20th of the month. There are different methods of transmission:
- website or personal account on the energy sales website, where at any time convenient for you you can display the data of an electrical measuring device,
- by calling the operator who is taking readings, the telephone numbers are indicated on the receipt,
- personal visit to the office,
- using the tear-off counterfoils on the payment receipt, they are dropped into collection boxes located around the city,
- by sending SMS messages with a set template to the numbers specified in the receipt,
- when paying receipts, indicating the readings in the established columns, if applicable for your service company.
How to pay your electricity bill?
The amounts billed for payment are transferred in a way convenient for you, this can be payment using the energy sales website or the online account of your bank, or a personal visit to the service company and payment at their cash desk or through commercial organizations that accept utility payments.
Currently, a number of banks and companies offer a connection, with the help of which money will automatically be withdrawn from your account to pay the invoice; all you have to do is transmit the meter data on time if it is not configured for automatic transmission.
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Two-tariff models
How to take readings from a two-tariff device? At first, it may seem that it is more difficult to receive them than from regular single-tariff ones. But to take readings from the day/night electricity meter, it is enough to know one principle. We are talking about which readings are daytime and which are nighttime. They have different markings. As a rule, T11 symbols indicate daytime, and T12 symbols indicate nighttime. More information about this can be found in the instructions for the model. Before submitting a request to the subscription service, first write down information on the daily tariff plan (to the decimal point). Other indicators are written out in a similar way. Most often, information about modes changes automatically after some time. On some electrical appliances you can manually switch the values.
Smart meters for light: types of controllers and data transmission mechanism
The controller transmits data using wired and wireless technologies, as well as a combined method. The most modern, simple and inexpensive way to transfer data is a wireless controller. The process is carried out using one of the following technologies:
GPRS – connection is made through a regular SIM card, which must be constantly replenished, just like a mobile one. In this case, information is transmitted to the server via a public cellular network
Having chosen this technology, it is very important to take into account the quality of communication of a particular network operator, because even now there are places where no mobile network is available. LPWAN is a technology very similar to GPRS, but less energy-consuming. To transmit data using this technology, suppliers in the area install their own special tower, which is designed to connect controllers with the server, which is not very convenient and quite expensive
In addition, this technology is usually used for an entire house, which means the consumer will have no choice. Wi-Fi – this technology combines the advantages of the previous two. Due to low power consumption, the controllers can easily operate on batteries. The technology is cheap, convenient and reliable.
The principle of remote collection of readings from an electricity meter
Choosing a smart meter is first and foremost a choice of how the controller will operate. If you plan to build a block with high-rise buildings, or automate an agricultural or industrial enterprise, then LPWAN technology is better suited. GPRS controllers are recommended for homes located far from modern technologies. People who spend most of their lives online are better off choosing Wi-Fi controllers.
Equipment with automatic data transmission
Manufacturers began to create developments that provide for the automatic transmission of information through a special channel. Installing and configuring such equipment will require more time and effort. But after completing all the stages, you won’t have to worry about tracking how much electricity has been “burned” every month and informing the customer service about this. Everything is done automatically.
Types of meters and how they work
Today, manufacturers of electrical equipment produce two types of electricity meters:
- induction - these are devices of outdated models, which are based on the principle of operation based on electromechanical induction;
- electronic or static , which are based on microprocessor elements and electronic components.
Induction electricity metering and control devices
And although the filling of the devices varies greatly, they perform the same function - they take into account the current passing through them and display its quantity. At the same time, the readings change over time, or rather increase. This allows you to more accurately record data over a certain period of time, which is the basis for electricity metering.
Electronic modifications of electricity meters
Three-phase devices
To understand how to use such devices, you should first learn about the principle of their operation. For example, they can be old-style (equipped with transformers) or electronic (direct connection). The latter are easy to use: all information is visible on the display and can be read in the same way as with standard single-phase ones. In outdated equipment, the phases are connected through transformers. For correct calculations, transformation coefficients will be needed.
Consumption is calculated using the formula: kWh x k (where k is the transformation ratio). Calculations are made in the order specified in the contract with the supplier. Sometimes the company indicates the coefficients in the document. In some cases, suppliers make the calculations themselves, and subscribers can only be informed about the actual costs.
Thus, if a 3-phase device is installed, it is worth clarifying in advance in what order and form to calculate the final number. This can be discussed with your electrician during installation.
The accuracy of the accruals depends on how correctly the information is transcribed and transmitted. At the same time, subscribers will be able to avoid overpaying for the resources they receive from the supplier. It is worth reporting energy expenditure in a timely manner.
The main purpose of electricity meters with remote readings
Remote data transfer is carried out via the Internet, so the device is based on software. It is this that allows you to automatically read information from the device after a certain period of time and send it to the general server of the energy sales organization.
It turns out that the program collects information on electricity consumption, processes it and sends it. But besides this, energy supply organizations have a number of convenient functions that they use. Namely:
- control of electricity consumption accounting according to a multi-tariff schedule;
- the ability to connect or disconnect a consumer remotely;
- work with each electricity consumer individually, taking into account the requirements and rules of the signed agreement;
- forward information regarding changes or notifications;
- analyze the information received and, based on it, draw up plans for electricity consumption by region and district.
You can monitor the operation of the electric meter remotely from anywhere
Why is an electricity meter installed?
Any room, private house or apartment is equipped with electricity meters. This is done so that the energy sales company knows which of the owners spends how much electricity. Generating electricity requires money, which means you have to pay for its consumption. Let's imagine a situation where there are no electric meters. Then how to understand the expense of each owner? Pay equally? Vasya’s light is on around the clock, but Ivan Ivanovich only turns on the light bulb in the toilet, and then rarely... It’s unfair.
Conclusion! Electricity metering is important for the proper construction of energy sales.
The appearance of the counter does not matter. It’s easy to take data from any of them
Where is the electricity meter located?
There is one very strict rule that determines the availability of the meter for taking electricity readings. That is, the controller from the energy supplying organization must freely approach the meter at any time and read the electric current consumption data from it. Therefore, in apartment buildings, devices are installed in electrical distribution panels, which are located on staircases.
In some old houses, such a distribution board is not provided at the entrance. Therefore, electricity meters were installed in apartments. This is a big problem today, because not all owners of such apartments open their doors to inspectors.
Counter in a cabinet on a pole
As for private houses, there are two places that can be used to install the metering device: on the facade of the house or on a pole, from the latter wires are stretched to the house. Other installation options are prohibited.
How to transmit readings
Previously, this was done by inspectors who went around houses and apartments, taking readings. Since 2012, a new decree was issued, where property owners were obliged to take data from electricity meters themselves and transfer it to energy sales organizations. But this does not mean that there will be no control on the part of the supplier. Its representatives can collect data once a quarter, but at least once every six months. So outside control is still carried out.
Many people are interested in the question of what electricity meter readings need to be transmitted. There is only one indicator - the consumption of electric current, plus the period during which this consumption was produced.
Data transfer deadlines
The new rules do not contain any specific norms. That is, a person can submit testimony at any time. Although in the old rules this was clearly established. The only point that you need to know is that if the indicators have not been transmitted within 6 months, the energy supply organization will carry out its own calculations taking into account the average electricity consumption for previous periods.
That's why electricity providers have developed a network of options to make it convenient for consumers to transfer data no matter where they are.
One way to transfer data
Where to transfer data
There are three options:
- Bring the readings taken from the meter to any of the energy sales centers.
- Call the call center and leave your data to the operator. By the way, they are open from 8.00 to 20.00.
- Using the Internet. To do this, you will have to register on the company’s website, open your account, where you can enter the electricity meter readings.
Related article:
How to easily and simply transmit electricity meter readings ? What data transfer methods can be used? How to choose an individual option that does not require much effort and time? Read in our publication!
