A water meter is an important device that monitors water consumption in a home. This determines compliance with the rules of installation, as well as operation of the structure. It is to monitor compliance with these rules that seals are installed.
Sealing water meters is an important procedure that is subject to control by utility services. So, what is a seal, its purpose, the principle of installation, how many seals should there be and other issues will be discussed in detail below.
Purpose of anti-magnetic stickers
Enterprising consumers of utility services tend to try to find any loopholes to reduce the financial burden of utility costs. This becomes especially relevant when prices for services increase.
Anti-magnetic seals on meters were invented to combat potential violators.
These devices solve a number of problems at once:
- water meters work more efficiently;
- it is possible for controllers to identify cases of interference in the functioning of reading devices using magnetic media;
- the likelihood of unaccounted for water use is virtually eliminated.
With the widespread use of such indicators, the process of tracking offenders has become significantly easier.
How does a filling work and work?
The antimagnet seal is designed quite simply. In fact, it is a small sticker, with strong sealing tape at the base and a sealed small capsule located on the outside. In the middle there is an indicator of high sensitivity to magnetic vibrations.
Installing an anti-magnetic seal on the meter Source vipstickers.ru
All magnetic seals intended for water meters are produced in batches by number, where each sticker is assigned its own unique value. These numbers are recorded using a special database where the manufacturer and recipient are recorded.
The standard set of seals includes a document containing data on:
- unique number and production date;
- manufacturer's name and contacts;
- rules of use.
Usually the indicator is designed in the form of a flask with a point indicator. A short-term influence of a magnetic field on it leads to a distortion of the integrity of the image - blurring of dots and displacement of stripes and inscriptions. Sometimes the operation of the device is indicated by a change in the color of the sticker or the appearance of an inscription signaling the impact on it.
According to manufacturers, antimagnetic modules are triggered under the influence of a magnetic field exceeding 100 mT and a distance from the source of less than 3-5 cm.
An example of a whole filling and a filling after exposure to a magnetic field Source imfast.com
The process of checking the device includes an inspector examining the sticker and entering the appropriate data into the documentation about the current condition and possible defects of the seal on the water meters. If a malfunction is detected, a number of sanctions and fines are applied to the violator, and all kinds of excuses are not taken into account.
Separation of magnetic stickers by type
The classification of the entire variety of antimagnetic devices is due to the following conditions:
- scope of application;
- indicator color;
- design differences.
Depending on the area of application, antimagnetic seals are classified into electricity, water or gas meters. The differences between these indicators in appearance and in their operating pattern are not significant.
Structurally, the devices differ in the type of indicator and its reaction to interaction with a magnetic field.
Another option for the seal: the first one is intact, the second one is after an attempt to open it, the third one is after a magnet Source aceplomb82.ru
The most popular types of antimagnetic seals for water meters are:
- A capsule filling that looks like a small plastic box containing a black substance (powder). It is placed on a kind of tape (the powder is limited by a shell made of a material sensitive to magnetic fields, and when triggered, the areolas darken from mixing with the powder).
- A metallized plate, where the indicator is a pattern made with metal powder (exposure to magnetic waves leads to the movement of particles and irreversible distortion or complete destruction of the original pattern).
Restoring the image or integrity of the flask is practically impossible, because consumer intervention is limited by the presence of multi-stage protection, including the presence of:
- an indicator element that reacts when the magnetic environment changes;
- external barrier - a coating designed to prevent mechanical, water or thermal contact with the indicator;
- an adhesive, which is a composition that can change the color of a sticker after it is forcibly peeled off.
One of the possible consequences of attempting to remove the seal Source ub.ua
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in the design and installation of sewerage and water supply
There are also fillings equipped with thermal indicators that form color spots on the plate as a result of contact with extremely low or high temperatures. They were invented because sometimes inventive consumers freeze or heat them in an attempt to bypass magnetic tape security.
Where to go and what you need to seal water meters
Water meters are sealed by service companies that legally inspect and install them. When applying for water meter registration, the homeowner submits a copy of the registration certificate.
Before contacting an authorized company that will seal the water metering device, you should check:
- Availability of permitting documentation for carrying out these works. The license confirms the legality of the service company’s actions.
- Possibility of maintenance and repair in case of meter malfunction. In addition, the company must replace water meters and re-seal them when they fail.
- Preparation of related documentation when performing work (agreement with the homeowner, commissioning certificate).
The service company is responsible for the correct installation of the equipment. This ensures that the requirements of the water supply law are met.
Installing a seal on the meter
There is nothing visually complicated about attaching the antimagnetic sticker. Water consumers pay more attention to issues related to the necessity and legality of its installation.
Legality of installing stickers
Since 2011, utilities began to use antimagnets en masse. This immediately caused a lot of discussion among consumers about the legality and legality of such actions. However, according to lawyers and legislative authorities, representatives of housing and communal services act lawfully, in strict accordance with the following regulatory framework:
- Resolution No. 354/05/06/2011, giving the right to public utilities to install anti-magnetic seals independently and at their own discretion.
- Law No. 416-FZ/07.12.2011, allowing utility companies to seal reading devices on water supply circuits with any devices that prevent the possibility of illegal consumption.
Such actions are impossible in the presence of an antimagnetic seal. Source mycarhistory.ru
The listed documents actually legitimize the antimagnetic water meter and the possibility of its installation. However, the homeowner retains the right not to allow service representatives to enter their home. But you need to understand that denial of access to the reading device may lead to legal proceedings initiated by utility companies. And the court, referring to the requirements of the above documents, will oblige the homeowner to allow the service provider’s regulatory authorities access to the meter.
In addition, after repeated refusals to check the meter, utility services have the right to transfer housing to payment on a general basis. Such charges are based on the number of residents and their monthly water allowances.
Specifics of gluing the filling
The sticker is applied exclusively by an employee of the utility service that provides the service (water utility). The following steps must be completed during the process:
- The employee draws up a report describing the type and current condition of the seal, and also lists the responsibilities of the service consumer. The owner of the property is obliged to read the contents and sign it, confirming the fact of familiarization.
Example of a reminder about installing a magnetic field indicator seal on a device. This is important to know Source uk-parkovaya.ru
Features of the filling procedure
Sealing after the initial installation of the device is carried out in the following order:
- The owner submits an application to the management company or resource supplier about the need to connect a meter.
- The owner prepares the necessary documentation.
- On the appointed day, a representative of the resource supplier or management company connects the device and installs protective devices.
- The results of the work are confirmed by the corresponding act, drawn up in duplicate.
Protective devices are installed in a similar manner during verification or after repair of the device. The consumer removes the old seal independently, after notifying the resource supplier of the need to dismantle the meter.
The owner is required to prepare the following set of documents before the arrival of a representative of the above organization:
- agreements for the supply of resources,
- civil passport,
- meter passport, what to do if you have lost the meter passport.
- documents confirming the verification of the device or its repair (for re-installation),
- documentary confirmation of the installation of the device (if it is installed, and we are talking only about sealing).
We recommend: How to calculate fees for hot and cold water
The specified protective equipment must be installed within 15 days from the date of submission of the relevant application, and the date of completion of the work must be agreed upon no later than 3 days.
Video description
You can find out general information about anti-magnetic fillings from this short story:
Installation sequence:
- A visual inspection of the sticker is carried out to ensure that there are no defects in the control pattern or the flask containing the indicator element.
- The surface on which the installation will be made is degreased. It is recommended to use a solution of isopropyl alcohol, which has a neutral effect on most types of plastic. Before using other types of solvents, it is better to first check their reaction with the meter body.
- Wait some time for the surface of the case to dry after processing.
- The protective backing of the sticker is separated by simply pulling off the notch.
- The seal is attached to the treated area, eliminating possible contact with the adhesive layer.
- The surface of the sticker is smoothed with your finger, pressing moderately on it. The adhesive ability of the adhesive layer increases.
The installation is completed by drawing up a Sealing Certificate, with the appropriate marks and records, as well as the signatures of the contractor and the owner of the property.
An example of a Certificate of Installation of Magnetic Seals drawn up by a representative of a water utility. Source krd.ru
Specifics of use and acceptable parameters
In order to prevent violations during use, it will be useful for the average person to find out which operating conditions are considered normal, and under which anti-magnetic tape on the water meter is guaranteed to work. There is no need to specifically adhere to any special rules. There are simply conditions that allow you to save the indicator and seal, such as:
- use of the device is allowed in indoor and outdoor areas;
- indicators are not afraid of temperature fluctuations, humidity changes and contact with household chemicals;
- in close proximity to the seals, it is allowed to place household appliances, sources and receivers of radio signals, and various gadgets;
- indicators are able to remain operational at temperatures ranging from -40 °C to +60 °C;
- depending on the type of sticker, the standard response threshold from the influence of a magnet is considered to be 50 or 100 mT (the most sensitive from 20 mT), and in terms of time, sometimes 1 second is enough (sometimes it takes several minutes).
What to choose: checking the meter or replacing it?
The standard shelf life of this device is about 12 years. Modern inexpensive models can be used for only 4 years. But in fact, the exact period during which this technique can be used depends on the model, operating conditions, as well as the accuracy of the data provided. Hot water appliances have a shorter service life due to the fact that they are exposed to aggressive influences.
Experienced users argue that it is important to replace devices after 5 years, so it is more profitable to refuse periodic paid checks and replacement of seals. It is best to immediately purchase a new meter, which will be immediately sealed for free.
Video description
The process of the anti-magnetic seal on the water meter triggering when a magnet is applied can be seen in this video:
Anti-magnetic seals are not afraid of falls from heights and impacts on hard surfaces. This will not cause the patterns to shift or the point to deform.
The specialist must discuss all of the above during installation and drawing up the report. Once the indicator is triggered, it is almost impossible to prove your innocence. Any excuses (a leak in a pipe, a drop in temperature, physical contact with another object) by the service staff will not work.
The only exception may be welding work carried out close to the seal. They can trigger the indicator. But this will not relieve the owner of the property from liability if the fact has already happened, because The control department of the service provider must be notified in advance by submitting an appropriate written application.
Consumer liability for failure or other violation
Attention. The legislation of the Russian Federation provides for liability for breaking or breaking a seal.
So, if the violation of the seal was intentional, then responsibility for this can be expressed by a warning or a fine.
The amount of the fine depends on the person who committed the offense. For individuals, its amount will be from one hundred to three hundred rubles, and for legal entities - from three hundred to five hundred rubles in accordance with Article 19.2 of the Code of Administrative Violations of the Russian Federation of December 30, 2001 N 195-FZ (hereinafter referred to as the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation).
Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation Article 19.2. Intentional damage or disruption of the seal (seal)
Intentional damage or disruption of a seal affixed by an authorized official, with the exception of cases provided for in Part 2 of Article 11.15 and Article 16.11 of this Code -
- entails a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine on citizens in the amount of one hundred to three hundred rubles;
- for officials - from three hundred to five hundred rubles.
In cases where the fact of illegal withdrawal of water is discovered and recorded, the owner of the property is subject to liability in accordance with Article 7.27 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. In this case, the amount of penalties depends on how much resources were stolen. According to the law, the fine is calculated at five times the amount seized. In addition, administrative arrest for up to fifteen days or correctional labor for up to ten to fifty hours is possible.
In case of large volumes of theft, exceeding two and a half thousand rubles, criminal liability arises under the one hundred and fifty-eighth article of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of June 13, 1996 N 63-FZ (hereinafter referred to as the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
Unscrupulous residents who illegally connected to the water supply or use magnets may receive a fine of up to three hundred thousand rubles or imprisonment for a period of two years in accordance with Article One Hundred and Sixty-Fifth of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
Along with a fine in situations where the seal is broken, the water supply organization may require payment of the amount without taking into account the meter. The day from which the period of operation of a meter without a seal will be counted can be determined either by the date of the last check of the meter, or by the date of filing an application for the installation of a new seal.
Important! The payment amount is calculated as the product of the meter's capacity, the service life of the meter without a seal (number of calendar days) and the water tariff.
In the event that a seal was accidentally broken, it is necessary to write a statement about the fact that the seal was broken and submit an application for a new seal. In the application, it is important to indicate the reason why the seal failed. An inspector from a water supply organization who comes upon request will check the device and determine whether an attempt was made to illegally change the meter readings. After this, he will install a new filling.
If the inspector has not established the fact of an attempt to illegally change the testimony, then the owner will not have to pay a fine. You will only need to pay a fee for the new sealing.
Possibility of seal fraud
The appearance and introduction of indicator stickers caused an explosion of ingenuity among folk craftsmen, who began to come up with ways to bypass the magnetic seal on the water meter. It should be stated right away that the boasts of most of these “inventors” are dubious and unreliable, because the chances of violating the integrity of the indicator are quite high.
One of the most famous options for stopping a water meter is a magnet Source stavgorod.ru
The result can be fines amounting to ten times the consumption norms. The estimated savings are usually less than the amount of penalties imposed for attempting to circumvent the tariff.
But such methods exist:
- Installation of dummy fakes, available in a wide range, which create the appearance of the presence of a broken real seal. But it is worth remembering that during the first scheduled inspection, the props will be discovered and the fact of the offense will be revealed.
- Warming up the adhesive composition of the seal using household appliances (including a hair dryer) in order to remove the seal. Theoretically, such a fact is possible, but it cannot be implemented perfectly without leaving residual marks on the body. In addition, there are devices with built-in protection in the form of thermal control that change color when you try to influence them.
- Cooling the insides of the flask with the powder with dry ice or liquid nitrogen, which can lead to a positive result, but not often. As a rule, the indicator still reacts to the magnet.
Rewind the water meter with a vacuum cleaner
In order to twist the water meter with air using a vacuum cleaner or compressor, you must first understand its operation. Without understanding the design of the device, there will be no effective intervention and an attempt to deceive will result in a fatal failure.
The main structural element is the impeller. It is she who rotates under the pressure of water (or air). Consists of several blades. Its rotations are recorded by another part of the mechanism and transmitted to a digital display where, as a rule, the amount of water spent is displayed in cubic meters.
Rotations along the flow of water increase the numbers. This means that, as a result of exposure to air flowing into the vacuum cleaner, the impeller should rotate so that the number decreases - that is, rewind in the opposite direction.
A vacuum cleaner is quite suitable for this. How to rewind a water meter using a vacuum cleaner?
There is a branch for the filter near the entrance to the water meter. The manufacturer provides that it can be opened and cleaned without harming the seal and on absolutely legal grounds. By turning off the water and connecting a vacuum cleaner to this branch, you can force the impeller blades to rotate in the opposite direction. When trying to wind the flow meter in this way, you must not overdo it. Using a vacuum cleaner for too long and too powerfully can cause damage to the device. The attempt will not necessarily be exposed, but you will have to pay for a new water meter.
You can get caught by getting carried away and resetting the scoreboard with a vacuum cleaner. The deception will be revealed the first time the readings are transmitted, since the management company supervises each device and is able to track changes.
For the same purposes, some consumers on forums advise using a compressor. It produces air under pressure. The danger is that the compressor can spin the impeller in the same direction as the water.
Video description
The principle of operation of the water meter and a possible way to bypass it, without using a magnet, is described in this video:
- An advance method that involves treating the surface of the reading device body with car polish or silicone. But, to prevent such attempts, utility workers degrease the surface before gluing the sticker.
Sometimes, when asked how to bypass an antimagnetic seal on a water meter, it is recommended to simultaneously install two magnets with identical parameters on both sides of the device. This sounds reasonable, but this action is difficult to implement, because... The slightest deviation in balancing results in an intervention attempt being displayed on the indicator.
An example of the opposition of the fields of two magnets Source bigkyiv.com.ua
Summary
The legislation of the Russian Federation obliges owners of residential premises to install water consumption meters. If this is not done, then the payment for the service provided will be calculated based on the standards, which is not always profitable.
Meters must be sealed by an authorized organization. If the procedure is carried out by a company with which you have a contract for the supply of water, and the sealing is happening for the first time, then it will not cost you anything.
When the procedure is repeated due to damage to the filling, it must be paid for. The cost of the service is set by each company independently.
If you are denied free sealing, you should go to court. It is difficult to do this on your own; it is better to contact our professional lawyers. They will carry out the necessary claim work, if they do not achieve the desired result, then they will draw up a statement of claim, select the necessary papers for it, submit them to the government authority and represent your interests during the trial. Their participation in the process guarantees its successful completion in the shortest possible time.
Briefly about the main thing
A simple consumer of utilities often wonders about the possibility of saving on monthly payments. One of the options for such savings is to bypass the anti-magnetic seal on the water meter, which was designed to prevent various frauds with consumption and payment for the service.
The antimagnetic seal on the water meter looks like a regular sticker, but is equipped with a special indicator that reacts to the influence of a magnetic field, which can affect the performance of the meter itself.
There are several types of similar stickers, and they are not fundamentally different from each other. It is important to know the list of conditions that can affect the seal and trigger its indicator.
There are several known methods for bypassing the sticker to influence the counter, but all of them are unreliable and can do more harm than good.
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