Electricity meters can be used only if it is sealed. Electricity meters are sealed by employees of the power grid. This process is mandatory, it is illegal to use a meter without a seal, regardless of where it is installed: in a private home or in an apartment.
Contents
Why and when you need to seal the electric meter
A meter must be sealed in the following cases:
- The meter is moved from one place to another;
- The meter is being installed for the first time;
- The meter is being repaired or replaced;
- The seal has been damaged.
Information! The meter must be sealed within three days of installation or replacement. During this time, electricity will be billed on a daily average basis.
Regulatory documents on sealing
The process of sealing the meter is regulated by The process of sealing the meter is regulated by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation #354 p. 81, as well as The Regulation of the Government of the Russian Federation №442 item 8.. According to these documents, the sealing must be performed before signing the commissioning of the device. Commissioning electric meter .and, accordingly, the initial sealing is paid for by the service provider. The customer pays for the re-sealing and repair of the meter. The meter is checked free of charge.
Who can have a meter sealed?
Only employees of the service provider can seal the meter. You must apply to your utility company to have the meter sealed. An employee of the electricity supply company will check the factory seal on the meter, verification interval and the correct installation of the meter. If everything is in order, he will put a seal and draw up an acceptance report.
Important! Only a representative of the electricity supply company can perform the sealing. Do not use an advertised electrician, the utility company's staff, or other services. In this case, the sealing will be illegal, and the consumer will be fined.
Types of seals
Every meter must have two seals: the factory seal and the seal installed by the power supply company. Their presence on the device is mandatory, it is a kind of sign that the device works in accordance with the standards.
Seal of the factory - the manufacturer
The presence of this seal indicates that the device meets the characteristics, passed all the tests and was not damaged. If the meter has a factory seal, it means that there was no tampering with the mechanism of the device.
Factory seals can be:
- Internal
- external.
It is obligatory that the date of sealing be indicated on the seal. At the same time, it is stamped in the passport of the device.
Service provider seal
This seal is installed when the device is put into operation. It is usually attached to the terminal box. Only a representative of the power supply company installs this seal.
Types of seals
Power companies can use different types of seals in their work.
Lead seals
This type is the most often used. A special wire is threaded into the assembly to be sealed, and a lead seal is attached to it by holding it down with a numbered seal.
Plastic numbered seals
These seals are individually numbered, so that the electricity supplier keeps a strict record. The seal is closed with a rotary seal system; it is impossible to open such seal inconspicuously; in case of an attempt to do so, the seal's special latch will be broken.
Clamp seals
These seals are rarely used. This seal looks like a plastic clamp. The tip of the clamp is threaded into a bracket where it can only move in one direction. It will only be possible to open the seal by breaking the clamp.
Seal Stickers
These are brightly colored stickers that say "sealed, do not tamper with". If you remove this sticker, the seal will show "tampered with".
Antimagnetic seal
Unscrupulous citizens sometimes use a magnet to change the readings of an electricity meter. To protect the device from the magnet, an antimagnetic seal is installed. This is a sticker with a capsule of magnetic suspension in the middle. If the consumer tries to influence the electric meter with a magnet, the particles of the suspension will fill the special capsule, and you can not fix it.
Stickers always have a number on them, a magnetic indicator and slots that make them more sensitive to attempts to peel them off. If you remove the sticker, an indelible inscription will remain on the meter.
How to seal the electricity meter
A seal is put on the electricity meter at the place where it is attached to the on the switchboardIt is not possible to connect to the meter without damaging the seal. The meter must have a technical certificate, on the glass cover - a special holographic sticker, and on the control panel - the sign of the manufacturer.
It is necessary to agree with the power grid on the place of installation of the device. It is desirable that the meter has free access to the controllers. After installation, you should write an application to the power supply company for the service - sealing the meter. Usually, along with this, the consumer enters into a contract with the company for the supply of electricity to that apartment or house. The meter is transferred to the balance of the power grid. Within a month your meter should be put into operation.
Please note! The main circuit breaker installed upstream of the meter must also be sealed.
Before sealing the meter, the representative of the power supply company must draw a drawing. It should specify all phases of cables, power, the number of RCDs and circuit breakers. After that, the employee installs the seal and draws up a deed. In the act is mandatory to record the serial number of the meter, and if the The serial number of the meter must be written in the act, and if the meter is replaced, it is necessary to specify the current readings. After that, both parties sign the act.
What documents confirm the fact of the sealing?
The sealing act confirms that the meter has been sealed. Therefore, before signing the document, make sure that all the seals are present and intact. They can also be photographed, and the photos can be attached to the act.
Cost of sealing
The cost of sealing a meter will depend on your region, so it's best to ask the service provider for the exact amount. Usually the price ranges from 390 to 2,000 rubles.
Important! If you are installing a meter for the first time, the electricity supplier must do the work for free.
Initial sealing refers to work when a meter is installed, replaced with a new one, or relocated at the request of the management company or electricity supplier.
If the employee asks you to pay for the work, although this service in your case should be free, do not give cash under any circumstances. Ask for a receipt with the details and purpose of payment, as well as the price list. After that, you can leave a complaint in the office of the company or file a lawsuit.
What to do if the seal is broken
If you find that the seal on the meter is damaged, you should:
- Document the damage on camera and note the date the problem was discovered.
- Call a representative of your property management company.
- Write a statement to the power supply company about tearing off the seal, in which you must Include meter readings At the time of detection of the problem.
Your application will be checked by a special commission, which includes representatives of the supplying company and the management company. In your presence, the commission must inspect the meter for damage and verify the facts described in the application. The commission will then decide on the specific situation: whether electricity has been stolen. The decision may be influenced by where the meter is installed (e.g. in the stairwell or in the apartment).
After determining the cause of the damaged seal, the commission can impose a fine on the consumer in the amount of 300 to 500 rubles. If the commission concludes that there has been theft of electricity, the consumer will be required to compensate for the loss.
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