To correctly charge the resource provider for the electricity consumed during the reporting period, you need to correctly read off the meter. Since there are several types of meters and manufacturers offer different models, it is not easy to understand how to determine the amount of energy consumed. So how do you read different electricity meters correctly?
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Reading an induction meter
An induction-type meter, an electromechanical meter, is a traditional unit with a rotating disc. The counting mechanism records the number of revolutions of the disc and displays the data in the scoreboard. The scoreboard is a box above the disk, which shows the values of the consumed energy in kWh. Here it is important not to enter an extra value, which can increase the consumption of energy resources by an order of magnitude. This directly affects the payment on the receipt.
What figures should be written in the receipt
Depending on the model of the meter installed in the apartment, the consumer can see from 4 to 7 digits. One, sometimes the two rightmost digits are either in a separate box or marked with a colored frame. These are fractions of a kilowatt. Since the electricity consumption is calculated in whole kilowatts, these numbers are not needed when taking readings. They are not overwritten. Neither do the zeros on the left side count.
There are meters that do not show fractions of a kilowatt - the numerical value from such a device is written down in full. If at least one last digit is not taken into account, the readings will be understated by a factor of 10, which will certainly be revealed during the next inspection. You will have to pay not only the missing amount, but also a penalty for late payment.
Attention! If there are doubts about the correctness of your manipulations, contact the support service of the supplying organization, informing the model of your meter. The operator will describe the algorithm of actions.
How to read from electronic meters
Electronic meters became widespread in recent years. Meters, the calibration interval of which has expired, are universally replaced by them. The scoreboard of such devices is electronic, like on a calculator. For the convenience of consumers, manufacturers often make fractions of kWh in smaller print and necessarily separated by a dot or comma.
The rules for taking readings are the same as with induction models - the last two digits after the decimal point and the zeros on the left are not counted. But there are cardinal differences in electronic meters, because they are able to count the amount of electricity consumed by time of day - zones. These are multi-tariff meters, and taking readings from them has its own peculiarities.
Multi-tariff meter "Mercury 200"
At different times of the day the supplying company sets differential tariffs. Multi-tariff devices calculate the energy consumption at each time period defined by the tariff zone. From such meters readings are deducted for each zone, using the functions of the device:
- in automatic mode, the value of the energy consumed in kilowatts per hour for each zone lights up on the screen for a few seconds;
- In manual mode - by pressing the "Enter" button the consumer goes through the readings by zones by himself. Switching from tariff to tariff takes place each time the button is pressed.
First the time is displayed, then the date, then the readings for each tariff. The name of the tariff zone is displayed on the upper left side of the screen. Depending on the model two to four zones appear: T1, T2, T3 or T4. After going through all the values, the display shows the total electricity consumption.
Attention! Do not forget that the two right figures show fractions of kilowatt-hours. They do not need to be overwritten, as in single tariff meters.
Meters supplied by Energomera Electrotechnical Plants, JSC
The principle of obtaining data from devices produced by Energomera is the same as in the case of Mercury. The manufacturer offers two-tariff devices "day - night" or multi-tariff devices. Depending on the model, there are two or three buttons on the front panel. Flipping through the values is done by the PRSM button, which means "view". Otherwise, the algorithm of reading is the same. Payment is counted by full kWh, so the numbers after the point are not counted and, accordingly, are not overwritten.
Electricity meter "Micron"
The Frunze NPO of Nizhny Novgorod supplies the market with Mikron multi-tariff meters. For the convenience of consumers, the developers have equipped the device with just one button to switch the readings and marked in advance on the bottom border of the screen the tariff zones from T1 to T4, and on their left side there is another symbol - R+.
The readings will light up on the display for each of the zones in turn. The zone number will be indicated by a checkmark. The same check mark will appear above the R+ symbol, which means that the numbers can already be overwritten. To see the next tariff value, press the button and wait until the two ticks appear again. "Mercury" displays values in whole kWh and fractions with two digits after the dot. Only the numbers before the point need to be recorded.
Saiman meters.
Another popular PU was developed by Saiman Corporation LLP. Consumers are encouraged to install simple Saiman-brand devices in their apartments. All readings in these meters are displayed automatically and there are no buttons to flip through the screens. The display shows the information in the following sequence:
- current date yyyyy.mm.dd;
- time of day hh.mm.ss;
- meter number;
- gear ratio (imp/kW-h), for single-phase 1 600;
- readings of energy consumption:
- TOTAL only, if single tariff meter;
- Alternately T1, T2, TOTAL (total amount), if day/night type metering devices, or two-tariff metering devices.
Only the integer part of the number is recorded, the digits after the comma are given informatively.
For information: the transmission number of an electronic meter is the sum of pulses (flashes) of the diode of the light indicator for 1 hour, if the load power of the network is equal to 1 kW.
Metering devices with transfer of readings in automatic mode
Meters that automatically transmit values through a dedicated channel to the electricity supplier's server help not to miss the next readings sent to the supply company. Such meters are produced by many manufacturers and are called remotely controlled devices.
Just like users of standard devices, owners of equipment with automatic transmission of information can visually track energy consumption. All readings are shown on the display, including day/night rates.
How to take readings from three-phase meters
To understand how to take readings from three-phase electric meters, you need to know what kind of meter is used:
- The old type with transformers;
- electronic without transformers, the so-called direct-inclusion meter.
Electronic meters are easy to use: the information is displayed on the display, just like in conventional single-phase devices. Readings are taken in the same way.
In older PUs, the phases are connected through transformers. In order to correctly transmit data on electricity consumption, transformation coefficients are required. The actual consumption is calculated according to the formula:
kWh (according to meter readings) * k (transformer coefficients)
The procedure for calculating consumption is stipulated in the contract with the energy supply company. It is possible that the documents specify the correct values of the coefficients. In some cases, the supplier takes care of the calculation, and the consumer transmits only the actual readings.
Important: When installing a 3-phase AC, stipulate in the agreement with the supplying organization the procedure for transmitting readings and calculating electricity costs.
Correctness of transmitted meter readings ensures correct charges and no risk of significant overpayment for the supplied resource.
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