It is impossible to imagine the modern world without electricity. Due to it, household and industrial appliances, electronics, communications, and even cars function. On the one hand, this greatly simplifies life, makes it comfortable and mobile. On the other hand, this kind of comfort comes at a cost. To reduce costs, a two-tariff electricity meter was created. The time of tariffs for 2017-2018 is calculated according to a certain scheme.
Content
- Varieties of counters
- Differentiation principle
- Peak and half-peak zone
- Benefits of multi-tariffs
- Installation rules
Varieties of counters
Until recently, a standard induction meter was used to account for the electricity consumed in everyday life. Its design includes:
- current winding;
- voltage winding;
- worm gear;
- counting mechanism;
- aluminum disc;
- magnet for disc braking.
The operation of the induction device is carried out due to the action of the magnetic field. The current winding is connected to two electrical receivers in series, the voltage winding is connected in parallel. The flow of alternating current through the windings leads to the appearance of alternating magnetic fluxes in the cores. Penetrating the aluminum disc, they induce eddy currents. These currents interact with the magnetic field and rotate the disc. The counting mechanism takes into account the frequency with which it moves. Thus, the consumption of electricity is controlled.
In two-tariff devices, the principle of differentiation is used. This principle is realized by combining two standard meters in one device. They function alternately within a strictly defined time interval.
The coordinated work of two devices cannot be organized mechanically. Therefore, the two-tariff meter has electronic control. Thanks to this, users are able to:
- pay for electricity at different rates;
- measure the daily maximum load;
- take into account the active and reactive power of the device;
- more accurately determine the power consumption;
- carry out calculations remotely.
Electronically controlled devices are characterized by light weight and size, and have a more aesthetic appearance. Their calibration interval is longer than that of induction ones.
The standard induction mechanism counts the energy expended, excluding day and night time. For a two-tariff meter, the time of day plays an important role. Depending on it, the cost of electricity will be different. This payment scheme is called the "Day-Night" tariff.
Even more profitable is the use of meters with three tariffs. They, in addition to the day and night periods, also take into account the peak load times.
Differentiation principle
The idea of dividing electricity tariffs on a day-night basis appeared due to the fact that the load on electrical networks is unevenly distributed throughout the day. In the morning, afternoon and evening, when people use a lot of electrical engineering, it rises sharply, and at night, when only stationary devices (refrigerator, Wi-Fi router) remain working, it decreases to minimum. The principle of differentiation helps to distribute energy consumption more evenly.
Those who want to switch to differentiated billing and save money want to know what the night electricity tariff is, from what hour it starts to operate. In different regions and districts, it may be limited by different time frames, but in most territories of our country there are two zones:
- Daytime. From 7 am to 11 pm.
- Night. From 23 to 7 o'clock.
In some areas, the daytime zone is usually counted from 6 o'clock in the morning.
The cost of electricity in the night and day zone is not the same. In addition to the time interval, the price is influenced by the presence or absence of an electric stove. If there is such a stove in the house, then the cost of 1 kW * h in 2018 will be as follows:
- in the afternoon - 4.06 rubles;
- at night - 1.46 rubles.
According to a single-rate meter, the same amount of electricity will cost 3.53 rubles (regardless of the time of day).
A different tariff is applied to the owners of gas stoves:
- from 7 am to 11 pm - 5.80 rubles;
- from 23 to 7 o'clock - 2.09 rubles;
- at a one-time rate - 5.04 rubles.
By law, different tariffs apply in urban and rural areas. Rural and rural residents (as well as members of horticultural, vegetable garden and dacha non-profit associations equated to them) cost less electricity than townspeople.
For example, in the second half of 2017 for this category of citizens at the day-night tariff, electricity cost 5.61 and 1.79 rubles, respectively. Owners of single-rate meters paid 3.77 rubles per 1 kW per hour.
Peak and half-peak zone
Certain types of electric meters take into account not only the day and night period of electricity use. The peak and half-peak zones are additionally programmed in them.
Peak is the time when the power supply networks and generating plants are under maximum load. In the day, daytime and evening peak times are distinguished, and the intervals between them are called half-peak. In accordance with the order "On approval of the intervals of tariff zones of the day for the population and equivalent categories of consumers" the day is divided into five time zones:
- night (from 23 to 7 hours);
- morning peak (from 7 to 10 hours);
- the first half-peak (from 10 am to 5 pm);
- evening peak (from 17 to 21 hours);
- the second half-peak (from 21 to 23 hours).
This division came into force in 2012 and since then, on its basis, electricity metering has been carried out in all three-tariff meters. It is not so important for the owners of such devices, from what time the night rate begins to operate. It is more important to consider peak gaps and try to minimize the use of powerful equipment at this time, since it is this that is the most expensive.
In 2018, for consumers with electric stoves, 1 kWh costs 4.59 rubles during the peak, and 3.59 rubles during the half-peak. For those who do not have electric cooking devices, the same amount of energy costs 6.55 and 5.04 rubles, respectively. The night period from 23 to 7 o'clock in both cases is the cheapest and costs only 2.09 and 1.46 rubles for houses with gas and electric stoves.
After installing a two-rate or three-rate metering device, financial costs can be reduced by one third compared to the amount of money that would have to be paid on a one-way tariff.
Benefits of multi-tariffs
Significant savings can be achieved when using multi-tariffs for electricity only if provided that at night at least 39% of the total consumed electricity. To do this, most electrical devices with high power will have to be used at night. Unfortunately, this is not convenient for everyone.
The maximum benefit from two and three-tariff meters can be obtained by owners of large houses, the lighting and maintenance of which requires huge amounts of electricity. Those who, by virtue of their profession or body characteristics, prefer a nocturnal lifestyle to a day one, will also be able to save money.
Despite the advantages of such meters, their use is not always beneficial. A differentiated payment system is suitable only for those areas and areas where the difference in the cost of night, peak and half-peak periods is significant. Otherwise, the benefit will be negligible.
Electricity consumers have always tried to reduce the cost of using it. At a time when only one-rate meters were used to record costs, savings were most often achieved by illegal methods, by damaging devices.
The introduction of devices operating on the principle of separation has changed the situation. Now, to save money, you do not need to commit illegal actions. It is enough to organize the correct power consumption mode.
Modern metering devices are protected against burglary and unauthorized use. The meters are protected from the use of magnets that stop the operation of the disks with a special anti-magnetic sticker. It is a capsule with a suspension that is sensitive to the action of a magnetic field.
A feature of the new generation devices is their ability to store and transmit to a remote server all information about the real energy consumption. Any attempts to break into or interfere with the operation of devices are instantly caught by the security system and are punished with large monetary fines. Therefore, it is more expensive to disable two-phase and three-phase meters, as they say.
Installation rules
The transition to differentiated payment can be carried out subject to the observance of clear conditions. Multi-tariffs do not apply to consumers with outstanding electricity bills. Therefore, everyone who wants to save money should first pay off debts.
After that, you can purchase a new metering device and apply for its installation to a specialized service. Replacing the device yourself is prohibited and punishable by a fine. Before installation, the consumer of electricity must pay for tariff identification services for the supply of electricity and conclude an agreement with the electricity supplier on the rules for its supply and payment.
In addition to the meter in the house, mechanical or electronic sockets with the function programming the turn-on time during the day, and also replace all conventional incandescent lamps with energy saving.
Differentiated tariffs, like standard tariffs, retain the right to preferential electricity bills. The privileged category of consumers using two or three tariff metering devices includes residents of villages and villages, citizens, living in zones at military facilities and prisons, owners of summer cottages and garages, as well as people with federal benefits for payment of energy.
