From July 1, 2021, network organizations and guaranteeing suppliers began to install smart metering devices, so-called “smart” meters, which can themselves transmit indicators. According to the law, from July 1, 2021, it is still possible to install conventional meters, and from the beginning of 2022, it is necessary to use exclusively telemetric devices connected to smart metering systems.
As stated in Government Decree No. 554 of April 18, 2020, meters with expired verification for citizens are not out of order until January 1, 2021. Accordingly, verification and replacement of serviceable devices with new ones may not be carried out until this date.
Do I have to pay to install new electricity meters?
The installation will be carried out free of charge for citizens by the company that services energy facilities. Since electric meters are most often located outside residential premises, their installation and dismantling is expected without special notice to residents.
According to amendments to the law of March 26, 2003 No. 35-FZ “On Electric Power Industry”, electricity suppliers are required to purchase, install, change, put into operation and operate electricity meters, other equipment, as well as software necessary to ensure electricity metering .
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What seals are installed when sealing the meter?
Let's talk in more detail about sealing the meter as an important stage in the procedure for accepting a new PU for calculations. According to paragraphs. “g(1)” clause 32 of the RF PP No. 354, the executor of the control system has the right to install control and anti-magnetic seals on the meters, as well as other devices that record illegal interference in the operation of the control panel.
The sealing is carried out before signing the act of putting the meter into operation - in order to enter into the act the numbers of the seals and the places where they are installed (clause 81 (8) of the RF PP No. 354). There is no charge for the installation of seals and devices (clause 81 (11) of the Russian Federation Regulations No. 354). The owner pays only for re-sealing, when the seals or verification marks have been broken (clause 81 (14) of the RF PP No. 354).
At the time the launcher is put into operation, its body should already have the original lead seal from the manufacturer. The secondary control seal is installed by the control panel performer in order to exclude the possibility of access to parts and changes in the control panel readings. The seal can be lead or plastic.
Also, the CP contractor, when accepting the meter for commercial accounting, installs anti-magnetic seals: they record the effect of a magnetic field on the device, which can affect the meter readings.
The consumer will not be able to remove the installed seals from the IPU without damaging them: traces will remain in the form of letters or watermarks. Therefore, if the control panel was exposed to a magnetic field for at least 1 second, the control panel performer will establish this fact during a control check of the control panel using antimagnetic seals.
Antimagnetic fillings come with one or two antimagnetic elements:
- When a magnet is exposed to the first type of seal, the antimagnetic element disintegrates, which is recorded visually when checking the seal. Such a seal consists of two parts: the main one is glued to the upper part of the control unit body, and the tear-off spine, duplicating the number of the main part of the seal, is glued to the act of putting the control device into operation.
- If a magnetic field affects a filling with two antimagnetic elements, then the entire element turns black. The main part of the seal, like a single-element seal, is glued on top of the meter body, and the smaller part is glued to the front wall of the device below. The contractor writes down the number of such a seal in the act manually.
When installing seals, the contractor must explain to the consumer the consequences that will arise if the seals are broken (clause 81(11) of the RF PP No. 354).
RF PP 1498: how to check metering devices
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Who will pay for verification of electricity meters?
From July 1, 2021, consumers will no longer bear the costs of both the purchase and installation of electricity meters and their verification. The consumer remains responsible for monitoring the safety of the meter if it is installed in his area of responsibility (for example, in an apartment or on a plot of land where a private house is located).
As follows from the law, all financial obligations for replacing and checking metering devices in houses and apartments will be assumed by energy workers. In the future, companies can compensate for the costs incurred through sales allowances. According to clause 6.3 of Art. 23.1 of the Law “On Electric Power Industry”, the costs of the supplier of last resort incurred by him to fulfill his obligations are included in the sales premium.
Turnaround time
New meters are installed after the service life of the previous equipment has expired, and in case of damage to the device.
- Replacement is necessary when mechanical damage is visible on the device or the display does not clearly show the data.
- A new device is installed after the verification interval has expired.
- The meter can also be changed if the seals are broken or damaged.
If the device fails, installation of a new one is carried out upon the call of the homeowner. Even if the device is located on the landing, it must give reliable indicators of energy consumption, work accurately and reliably.
IMPORTANT! You should monitor when the service life of the meter ends and promptly report it to the management company or the supplier’s organization.
If the electric meter does not work, you should look at the contract for the supply of electricity - it indicates the person responsible for maintenance, repair, and inspection.
What are the advantages of smart meters?
The main advantage of smart meters is the complete automation of the data collection process. The devices will independently transmit information about energy consumption to the electricity supply organization. Devices will be able to transmit indicators directly via a home Wi-Fi network, a mobile phone or a SIM card installed in the meter.
One of the main goals of installing smart metering devices is to transfer responsibility for non-payment of bills to the direct violator, and not to divide the amount of the debt of the defaulter among all consumers through the tariff.
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Maintenance and prevention rules
The meter is checked by a PetroElectroSbyt electrician once every quarter or six months. If any violations are detected, immediate replacement is carried out. Prevention means:
- Perform a visual inspection.
- Replacement of equipment when a malfunction is detected. If the breakdown was not due to the fault of the owner of the living space, replacement is carried out free of charge.
- Perform a contact check.
- Taking readings.
You can contact PetroElectroSbyt at 8 812 679 22 22.
Reasons for replacing the meter
- An outdated device with an accuracy class of 2.0.
- The electric meter began to record inaccurate results. Does not show actual energy consumption.
- Switching to another type of meter due to the choice of multi-tariff mode.
- The replacement can be initiated not only by the owner himself, but also by the energy supply organization. This occurs due to the expiration of the installed device’s service life (service life has exceeded 16 years). Then the energy sales company notifies the homeowner in writing that a replacement is required. The owner is obliged to purchase and install the meter at his own expense within 30 days.
If the owner of the residential premises ignores the notification, then after the month has passed, a consumption tariff will be applied to him, based on the average monthly readings for the previous 3 months. This is the maximum time allowed to replace the meter. After this period, energy sales will begin to apply tariffs according to the standards approved by law.
Beware, scammers!
Not everyone understands the meaning and order of innovations. And scammers take advantage of this. They try to impose paid services on apartment owners.
Now the service organization notifies the owners in writing about the need to replace the old electric meter, which has reached the end of its service life, with a new one.
It’s easy to buy a database of owners with electric meter data on the Internet. Fraudsters call clients by manipulating laws. The main goal of scammers is to force the owner to change the device at his own expense.
They often go around apartments and, using intimidation with large fines, force them to change a working electric meter. Draw up a contract for the sale of an electric meter and services for its replacement. They take money. To install the seal, it is recommended to contact the energy sales service.
Remember: changing electricity meters is now required free of charge. If you are offered to buy a device and demand money, it means they are scammers.
It is impossible to sue for unauthorized actions of a third party. The owner signs contracts and pays for purchased equipment and services voluntarily.
If the owner is forced to provide a service to replace the electric meter, you need to call the organization and find out whether specialists have been sent to your address.
Self-replacement of the electricity meter
The question often arises whether it is possible to replace the electric meter on your own. If the owner is a specialist in this field, then in principle this is not prohibited.
Important here will be:
- strict adherence to safety rules;
- in the absence of professional skills, installing the meter yourself is prohibited;
- written approval of the resource supplying organization;
- inviting a specialist to remove the seal from the old device, and after installing the new one to seal it.
Let's talk about replacing the electricity meter yourself step by step:
In this case, you should take into account some points and follow a certain procedure.
- Write an application to Energosbyt explaining the reasons for replacing the meter and obtain permission for it. Bring with you a passport and documents confirming ownership (extract from the Unified State Register of Real Estate).
- Immediately ask all the necessary questions about the meter models. Select the type of meter, depending on the tariff plan. The model must be certified and contained in the Register.
- It is better to purchase an electric meter from the company that supplies electricity. Buy a metering device. For example, many people are now buying multi-tariff ones, which allow significant savings, since the tariff is much lower at night. It must comply with the technical specifications required by the energy sales organization. To buy a meter, you will need to present a certificate; without it you cannot make a purchase.
- At the appointed time, they will send a specialist who will record the removal of the seal from the old device.
- The old meter is dismantled in compliance with safety rules. It will need to be saved for final readings. While the meter is absent, for this period the average tariff for the last 3 months will be charged.
- Install a new meter and check its operation.
- Write an application to invite an inspector who will check the installation and seal it.
After replacing the electric meter, the owner of the apartment is issued a sealing certificate.
What is the price? The cost of electricity meters starts from 800 rubles and depends on the technical characteristics. Work to replace the meter is determined by the region from 1 - 2.5 thousand rubles.
