When installing each electricity meter, it is necessary to make a seal. This is done to protect the device from unlawful interference with its readings. The seal does not allow producing technical setting the electric meter, and if it is violated, then a serious fine will follow. It is important for consumers to know about the types of seals on the electricity meter, how to install them and how much it costs.
Content
- Types of seals for electricity meters
- The process of sealing the electricity meter
- Possible installation problems
- How much does it cost to seal the meter
Types of seals for electricity meters
When an electricity meter is produced, they are immediately attached to it special seal. It confirms that since its development, the meter has not been subjected to any external intervention, is in working order, and also meets its technical characteristics. Sealing the electricity meter is a confirmation that no amateur manipulations were carried out with it.
The initial filling is one of the following:
- wire fastened from different sides;
- holographic adhesive tape.
If for some reason you have an electric meter in your hands without one of these seals, you will not be able to install it. The specialist will simply refuse to perform this procedure, since this violates the rules, so you will have to purchase a new device.
When a specialist from the energy management company has taken the necessary actions, he will seal the electricity meter, thereby confirming the correct installation of the device. The seal looks like a wire on which a lead or plastic fastening element is installed. With its help, the lid of the glue box is fastened.
An adhesive tape is attached to the top, on which the date of sealing and the code of the management company, whose specialist was engaged in the installation, are written.
The process of sealing the electricity meter
It is important to remember that only a representative of the company providing power supply services can put a seal on the electricity meter. The owner or an electrician for hire can independently install a shield, an automatic machine, carry out all the wiring in the house, but the installation process itself must be carried out by authorized persons.
So, to complete the required task, follow the following algorithm:
- Contact your utility company. RES, MES and so on. You can find out their address from payment receipts for electricity or look on the Internet in your area.
- Visit the representative office in person and write an application for the allocation of a specialist.
- Agree on the arrival time of an electrician who will seal your device.
- On the arrival of specialists, observe their actions. Make sure they connect everything correctly and put a seal. In general, the process takes no more than 10-20 minutes. If the device is electronic, installation will take a little longer, since additional configuration needs to be done via a computer.
- Draw up an act of installing the seal. You will be provided with all the necessary documents for signature. They confirm that everything that happened is legal and you will not be fined.
- You may have to go to the power supply again and draw up the necessary papers.
Depending on the workload of the power grid company the process will take from 3 days to a whole month.
Possible installation problems
Unfortunately, there are cases when the seal was accidentally torn off. In such a situation, the main thing is to do everything right so that it does not result in large monetary losses. First of all, do the following:
- Take high-quality pictures of the device with a broken seal from different angles.
- Take a picture and record the data of the device.
- Immediately contact energy sales and write a statement in two copies. You will receive the required sample on site.
The main thing is not to look under the seal and not make any adjustments to the electricity meter system. If you do this, on the examination everything will be revealed, and then you will definitely have to pay a serious fine.
After a while, all the necessary checks will be carried out by a special commission. They will study your evidence, raise the statistics of recent payments. Based on these data, a verdict will be issued: did you deliberately break the seal, and also whether adjustments were made to the operation of the device.
In any case, the penalty cannot be avoided. However, if the fact of the absence of selfish goals is proven, it will cost a symbolic amount. If the commission can prove that you manipulated an electrical device, then you will have to pay a lot of money.
How much does it cost to seal the meter
On the basis of 442 and 354 decrees of the government of the Russian Federation, sealing the meter is a mandatory measure in order to avoid violations. Therefore, it is produced exclusively free of charge by the electricity company.
If you suddenly began to demand money for the installation of the device, you can write a complaint to the Federal Antimonopoly Service, the prosecutor's office or to the court.
However, in some cases, it is necessary to pay for the sealing. This applies to re-installation if the failure was due to the fault of the homeowner. But as a rule, these amounts are insignificant and are set by each company individually.
The process of connecting, installing a seal and setting up the device is the direct responsibility of the company providing the services, so everything should be done free of charge. If you have become a victim of vandalism or broke the seal yourself, be prepared to pay not only a fine, but also the installation of a new protection.
