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The verification period for mechanical induction meters with disks is at least once every 8 years, and for electronic meters - once every 16 years, depending on the model.
Each owner of electrical energy metering devices is required to carry out their verification. The frequency of verification is set by the meter manufacturer, and you can find out about its timing in the technical passport that is attached to this device.
Do I need to check new electric meters?
An electrical energy meter purchased from a retail chain does not require additional verification before you install it and put it into operation.
This is explained by the fact that after production, it went through all the necessary procedures at the manufacturer, which is indicated in its technical passport. But there is one exception to this rule.
If the device has been in the warehouse of a retail chain for too long, then it must be checked before installation and commissioning. For three-phase electrical energy metering devices, the period of presence in the retail network should not exceed 1 year from the date of its release, and for single-phase ones - 2 years.
If more time has passed since the release date of the electrical energy meter you purchased than stated above, then before installing it and putting it into operation, subject this device to a verification procedure.
This requirement is explained by the fact that the quality of operation of the mechanisms of this device can be significantly affected by the conditions in which it was stored. During long-term storage, these conditions are most often violated, and the manufacturer can no longer be responsible for the accuracy of the device he produced.
That is why, before using an electrical energy meter after long-term storage, carry out its verification procedure.
Trade enterprises involved in the sale of electrical energy metering devices are well aware of this feature. That is why they try to purchase these devices in small quantities, which can be quickly sold without exceeding their shelf life.
Thus, if you decide to purchase this device in a specialized store, the chances of stumbling upon an expired copy are very small. But despite this, remember this feature of these devices well and before installing them, check how much time has passed since their release.
How to correctly install and replace an electrical energy meter and remove it for verification?
Before you go to the store to buy a new electrical energy meter, contact the organization that supplies your premises with electricity.
The specialists of this organization will explain to you what specific technical conditions your new electrical energy meter must meet and will give recommendations on choosing a specific model of this device that is best suited for installation at your facility.
If you have a need to replace an electrical energy meter or simply remove it for verification, in no case should you do this without agreement with the electricity supply company.
If you carry out such actions yourself without obtaining the proper approvals, you may be subject to a fairly serious fine, since you will be considered to have consumed electricity without proper metering.
Types of verification of electricity meters
Verification is a procedure in which the error of a particular measuring instrument is determined. During the operation of the electrical energy meter, it must be carried out several times. The frequency of verification is established in the technical data sheet of the devices.
It is customary to distinguish the following types of verifications:
- primary. This verification of the device is carried out at the manufacturer or, if it was produced outside our homeland, when it is imported into its territory. During this verification, the performance of the device is assessed, as well as how well its parameters correspond to those stated in its technical data sheet. This verification is carried out once, and information about the date when it was performed is entered in the technical passport of the product;
- periodic. Verifications related to this type are carried out at certain time intervals, during which the electrical energy meter was used for its intended purpose or was in long-term storage. This type of verification is carried out by territorial bodies of the metrological service. During its implementation, it is determined how worn the device is, how accurate its readings are, and whether its further operation is possible;
- extraordinary. As the name itself suggests, verification related to this type is carried out before the time when periodic verification should be carried out. You have the right to carry it out at any time if you have reason to doubt the reliability of the readings provided by the electrical energy meter, and also if this device has been repaired, or you have lost its technical passport, which indicated the date of the next verification.
The verification process consists of comparing the readings given by the device being verified with the readings of the standard. During the verification process, the instrument error is determined.
If it does not go beyond the permissible limits, then the electrical energy metering device is considered suitable for further use. If the error goes beyond the established limits, it must be replaced with a new one.
Only territorial bodies of the metrological service or companies that have received appropriate accreditation can carry out the verification procedure for electrical energy metering devices. The operation of electrical energy metering devices that have not been verified within the established time limits is prohibited.
Standard features of Mercury 230 (two-tariff)
- Measuring and storing data on consumed electricity, as well as its visualization on the display for the following time periods:
- From last reset;
- Within 24 hours;
- Within 30 days;
- For the current year;
- For the last year.
- The ability to meter electricity according to two tariff plans, for four types of days and 16 time zones.
- Ability to program monthly according to a new tariff schedule;
- Recording the following parameters:
- Instant calculations of any capacity;
- Actual parameters of potential difference, phase current, angles between phases;
- Electrical network frequency;
- Power factors separately by phase and in total.
- Protection control is carried out (maximum). There is a way to set the maximum allowable load power limit. If this limit is exceeded, the counter makes a note indicating the exact time value when the excess occurred.
- The load can be controlled via a digital output.
- The presence of event logs, the following values are recorded in it:
- The time when the meter was connected to/disconnected from the network;
- Disappearance and appearance of phases;
- Closing and opening the device;
- Correction of tariff schedule;
- Exceeding limits.
Calibration interval for electricity meters according to law
The period during which an electrical energy meter can be operated between verifications is usually called the inter-verification interval.
Each type of electrical energy metering device has its own calibration interval, which is determined by its manufacturer. The corresponding data is entered into the technical passport of the device.
Generally speaking, verification intervals range from 4 to 16 years and depend on the type of electrical energy meter.
After the verification process is completed, the device body is sealed. The seal will contain information about the year and quarter in which this verification was carried out.
With this information, you can easily determine when the next verification will be necessary. Also, a mark of verification will be included in the technical passport of the device.
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Where to go to check your electricity meter?
The right to verify electrical energy metering devices is vested in specialized organizations that have passed the appropriate accreditation. Usually such an organization is called the Center for Standardization and Metrology.
Each owner of an electrical energy metering device is obliged to carry out its verification in a timely manner. To do this, contact the nearest standardization and metrology center.
Before going to this organization with your electrical energy meter, agree on a time at which you are guaranteed to be able to be received by a specialist from this organization.
The electricity supply organization must notify its owners that the time for the next verification of the electrical energy meter is approaching. For this purpose, a corresponding notification is sent to the owner of the device.
Verification is carried out on a reimbursable basis at the expense of the personal funds of the owner of the electrical energy meter.
ATTENTION! Look at the completed sample application for checking meters at home:
The verification algorithm is as follows:
- Having received a notification from the electricity supply company about the need for verification, contact them with a request to dismantle your electrical energy meter for verification. After an employee of the power supply organization draws up the corresponding act, deliver your device to the center for standardization and metrology;
- If, as a result of the verification, it was established that the electrical energy metering device belonging to you is suitable for further use, you will be issued a corresponding certificate. Take this document to your electricity supply company;
- the electricity sales company will send a specialist to you who will draw up an act on the commissioning of a verified electric energy meter, after which information about it will be included in the calculation scheme;
- If your device does not pass verification, it will need to be replaced with a new one.
You may be denied verification if your electrical energy meter has an accuracy class of 2.5. In accordance with the current legislation of the Russian Federation, devices of accuracy class 2.5 can undergo only one verification. When its validity period expires, such a device must be replaced with a new one.
You have the right to independently choose an organization that will verify your electrical energy meter. The main thing is that the organization you choose has the appropriate accreditation.
It often happens that an electricity supply organization tries to impose on the owners of electrical energy metering devices to undergo verification an organization that is, to one degree or another, associated with it. However, the right to choose remains yours.
How is an electrical energy meter checked and dismantled at home, and how is this process documented?
After the verification procedure for the electrical energy meter is completed, the organization that carried it out will issue you a corresponding certificate. However, remember that the dismantling of the device being tested must also be properly documented.
When installing an electrical energy meter, the electricity supply organization seals it. Breaking this seal without proper registration may be regarded as an administrative offense.
To ensure that the process of dismantling the electrical energy meter complies with all norms and regulations, invite an employee of the energy supply company who:
- will record the current readings of your electrical energy meter;
- draw up an act on its dismantling;
- During the verification procedure, you will be transferred to paying for electricity according to the average rate.
To install and commission an electrical energy meter, engage an employee of the electricity supply company. It is this employee who will properly seal your device and then draw up a corresponding report.
It is possible to verify the electrical energy meter without dismantling it. To do this, call an employee of the Center for Standardization and Metrology to your home. Having arrived at your place, an employee of the Center for Standardization and Metrology will carry out the verification procedure.
To do this, they will measure the voltage in the network. After that, it will connect a pre-known load to the network for a certain period of time. As a result of these manipulations, the error of your device will be determined and the corresponding report will be drawn up.
Watch the video. Is it worth replacing old electricity meters in third-party companies:
Frequency of verification of electricity meters in Russia
As mentioned above, the frequency of verification is indicated in the technical passport of each specific electrical energy meter.
These terms depend on the model of a particular device and its design features:
- for mechanical electrical energy metering devices with disks, the calibration interval cannot exceed 8 years;
- for more modern electronic devices, the calibration interval can reach 16 years.
It is worth separately emphasizing that due to the fact that in 1996 accuracy class 2 was introduced for electrical energy metering devices, devices of accuracy class 2.5 do not undergo re-verification and must be replaced.
Based on this, if your electrical energy meter of accuracy class 2.5 has expired, it must be taken out of service and replaced with a more modern one.
Before installing a new electrical energy meter, check that no more than 2 years have passed since its initial verification for single-phase ones and 1 year for two-phase ones.
The date from which the verification interval is calculated is the date when the electrical energy meter was installed and put into operation, and not the date of its initial verification.
Since the electrical energy meter is your property, you must carry out all work related to maintaining its proper functioning at your own expense.
Additional counter features
Based on the modification, the device has additional functions:
- Forward and reverse metering of electricity;
- Energy metering for each phase;
- Saving an archive of received capacities at step-by-step intervals from 1 to 45 minutes. The archive storage time reaches 85 days;
- The maximum value of morning and evening power is recorded;
- Current quality is monitored;
- Losses and magnetic influence are taken into account - an entry is made in the log.
What marks are made on documents after verification?
After the verification procedure is completed, a note about its completion must be made in the technical passport of the electrical energy metering device, or a separate verification certificate must be issued.
This document should display information about when the verification was carried out, about the error of the device being verified, as well as about what violations in its operation were identified during the verification procedure.
If the electrical energy meter does not pass verification, then you will receive a document stating that this device does not comply with established standards and is not subject to further use.
What to do if the verification period has expired
If the verification period for your electrical energy meter has expired, this does not mean that it needs to be replaced with a new one. First, find out what accuracy class it has. Based on this, determine whether it is possible to verify it.
If your device has an accuracy class of 2.5, then it will have to be replaced. But send devices of accuracy classes 2 or 1 for verification. When the verification procedure is completed and you are given the corresponding certificate, provide it to the electricity supply company.
After the fact of your verification is recorded, the electricity supply company will make charges based on the readings of your electrical energy meter, and not according to the established standard.
It is necessary to independently monitor the verification period for the electrical energy meter you own, since electricity supply companies do not always send relevant notifications in a timely manner.
It is unacceptable to carry out the procedure for dismantling and installing electrical energy metering devices without the participation of representatives of the electricity supply company.
A timely implementation of the procedure for checking the electrical energy meter will allow you to avoid many problems in your relationship with the electricity supply company.
Technical data of the electricity meter Mercury 230
| Metering device accuracy class | 0,5 – 1 |
| Interface | RS-485, CAN, IrDA, PLC-I |
| Power supply from UPS | Eat |
| Number of pulse outputs | 2 |
| Self-diagnosis | Eat |
| Presence of a seal (electronic) | Yes |
| Parameter transfer protocol | Open |
| Dimensions | 260x170x75 |
| Weight, kg | 1,5 |
| Working temperature | — 40 + 55 C |
| Testimony protection | 2 access levels |
| Storage time of readings, years | 40 |
| Operating frequency | 50 Hz |
| Bit depth | 000000,0 |
Who pays for verification of energy meters
All costs associated with the operation of the electrical energy meter are borne by its owner. It is the owner of the device who must carry out its timely verification at his own expense.
To do this, contact a specialized organization and agree on a date for verification. In this case, the electricity supply company must remind you of the need for verification by sending a corresponding notification.
Responsibility for illegal disconnection of electricity to individuals.
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How to recalculate electricity, read the link:
Algorithm for conducting scheduled verification:
- Having received a notification from the electricity supply company, carry out the procedure for dismantling the electrical energy metering device properly and transfer this device to the center for standardization and metrology for verification;
- when the verification is completed and you are given a certificate of its completion, contact the electricity supply company and report the completion of the verification;
- the electricity supply company will send its employee to you to carry out the installation and commissioning of an electrical energy meter;
- If, as a result of the verification, it is determined that your electrical energy meter is unsuitable for further use, install a new one.
It is necessary to emphasize once again that you have the right to independently choose the organization in which the verification will be carried out.
Criteria for selecting a verification organization
The owner of an apartment or residential building needs to find out where to check the electricity meter and make sure that he has the appropriate accreditation to carry out this activity. To check the license, the portal of the Federal Service “RosAccreditation” is used.
The website has a register with a line in which the number of the accreditation certificate is entered (requested before execution of the contract). Based on the search results, a report is generated that indicates the name of the company and contains additional information (for example, contact numbers and registration address). The data obtained makes it possible to identify duplicate companies that use someone else's name, but at the same time have different registration parameters.
