Replacing an old electricity meter with a new one: general information, procedure, installation in an apartment

During repair work in an apartment or house, you can not only change the wallpaper, floors, but also reconstruct the electrical system. In this case, the most difficult measure is the replacement of the old electricity meter with a new one. In this process, there are many nuances, observing which you can complete the work in the shortest possible time and correctly draw up all the documents.

General information

Before you change the electricity meter in an apartment, you must perform a number of mandatory and important steps. Thanks to careful preparation, you can make a replacement as quickly as possible with minimal financial costs.

Legal grounds for changing the electricity meter

The electricity meter can only be replaced if certain rules are followed. They are clearly spelled out and binding. The reasons for installing new equipment are as follows:

1. In the event of a planned replacement of the electricity meter in the apartment. It can be carried out due to a network upgrade or some other work.
2. If the device malfunctions or malfunctions. In this case, installing a new meter is the only possible option.
3. After the end of the service life of the electricity meter. It is indicated in the technical passport, which is attached to the installed meter.

All other cases are not considered mandatory, and the owner of the apartment or house makes the decision to replace outdated equipment.

Payment of costs

Only the owner of the apartment can express a desire to change the electricity meter and write a corresponding statement. An exception to this rule is planned work carried out at the state level.

Before starting the repair, you need to find out from the official organization how much it costs to replace the electric meter in the apartment and who will pay all the costs. There are several nuances in this question:

1. If the device is located inside a house or apartment, then all the costs of replacing it will fall on the owner of the living space. In addition, he is obliged to carry out regular inspections, all necessary maintenance work and ensure its continuous operation.
2. If the electric meter is on the common property of the residents (at the entrance), then it is considered joint. With this option, you need to carefully study the concluded contract, which will clearly indicate who should pay for the work.
3. Sometimes there are situations when an electricity meter belongs to an energy company, municipality or a certain organization. In this case, the replacement of the meter will be carried out at their expense.

Procedure

To correctly replace the old electricity meter with a new one, you need to follow a certain procedure. It provides for a rather lengthy procedure, which can take several days.

The correct procedure for replacing the device:

1. The owner of the living space draws up an application to the energy supply company. The document is drawn up in writing.
2. After its consideration, an official permission is issued to remove the old meter. This work can be done independently or with the help of a qualified company specialist. The latter option is the most preferable as it will help to avoid any problems and reduce the risk of electric shock.
3. Then a device is bought to meter the consumed electricity. This is best done in a company that issues permits for the use of a particular device. In this case, additional checks to ensure that the device meets technical requirements can be avoided.
4. At the next stage of replacing the meter, permission is obtained to remove the seal. As a rule, this procedure is performed by a representative of the management company, who arrives at the specified time.
5. The dismantled meter is not thrown away, but handed over to the power supply organization. There he undergoes a series of checks for the compliance of the specified data with reality.
6. The old equipment is replaced by new ones. It is best to entrust the work of replacing the meter to an experienced electrician. He will perform the installation as efficiently as possible, which will secure the device and allow it to work correctly for a long period.
7. The installed electricity meter is tested under various loads. It must work properly and give real readings.
8. You can notify the energy company about the replacement by phone or at the office.
9. At the final stage, the new device is sealed. This work can only be done by an electrician sent by the power supply company.

Installation process

The whole procedure for replacing an electricity meter is quite simple, but requires certain knowledge in the field of electricity and experience in such work. The main aspect of the success of a business started is the purchase of a quality device.

Instrument selection

Today, two types of meters are produced: electronic and induction. The latter provides for the presence of two coils. Their magnetic field rotates a special disk, which sets in motion a mechanism for calculating the electricity used. The main advantages of an induction device are the following:

• durability (the meter can work for 15 or more years);
• high reliability;
• simplicity of design.

Electronic devices calculate the electricity used using microcircuits or semiconductors. The meters also have built-in voltage sensors that transmit data on the amount of electricity consumed. These devices are much more expensive and work less than induction ones, but they have a number of important advantages:

• give more accurate readings;
• have the possibility of multi-tariff metering;
• convenient for taking readings;
• virtually eliminates the possibility of electricity theft.

In addition, the meters are divided into single-phase and three-phase. The former are used in private houses and apartments, and the latter are used in industrial enterprises, as well as in various municipal institutions.

Three-phase metering devices are much more informative and have a number of positive characteristics:

1. The presence of an internal tariffication. The device independently keeps track of time and manages tariff transitions.
2. The ability to determine the maximum and minimum power indicator for the required period.
3. Built-in communication interface. The meter at the right time transmits the readings to the communication center and does it without human assistance.
4. Saving data on voltage indicators, drops, power outages.

Having chosen the most suitable option, you need to check it according to several more criteria. The selected device can be installed only in case of full compliance with them.

Important parameters:

1. Accuracy class that allows you to determine the degree of error in the measurements.
2. Connection method. If the device is used at light loads, it is best to connect it directly. At high rates, the meter is connected via a transformer.
3. Number of tariffs. In some countries, electricity costs much less at night than during the day. Therefore, you can choose two-rate meters and reduce financial costs.
4. Voltage class.

Installation requirements

To replace the electric meter in an apartment, you must comply with the installation requirements. They consist in the correct preparation of the room and the installation site. Among the most important are the following:

1. The living space must be dry.
2. Installation at room temperature from + 20 ° to + 40 ° C is allowed.
3. The surface of the attachment point must be rigid and not vibrate under the influence of external factors.
4. You can mount the meter on wooden, metal or plastic shields.
5. The device can only be installed vertically.
6. The height of the attachment depends on the height of the owner of the apartment (it is best to place the meter at eye level).
7. The tilt angle of the device should not exceed 1 degree.
8. Circuit breakers must be provided.

Replacing a single-phase device

To install such a meter, you must purchase all the components in a specialized store. If you do not want to buy them separately, then you can look for a ready-made electrical panel.

To carry out the work you will need:

• counter;
• din rail;
• a panel for placing devices (made of wood, metal or plastic);
• automatic switches;
• wiring with a diameter of at least 3 mm;
• stainless self-tapping screws.

It is very important to prepare all the necessary materials in advance. This will allow you not to be distracted during work and not to look for this or that item. Sequence of operations:

1. All devices are located in the dashboard. This procedure will allow you to choose the most efficient location option.
2. Marking is applied for a din-rail and an electricity meter.
3. Component parts are securely fixed to the wall.
4. Automatic switches are installed on the rail.
5. After that, a phase is displayed on them.
6. The wire is cut and stripped of the insulating material.
7. Then the terminal is inserted and the structure is fixed with fixing materials.
8. The circuit breakers are connected to the system.
9. To output zero, a wire of any contrasting color is taken and the required length is measured from the copper plate to the meter.
10. The wires are carefully stripped and fastened on both sides.
11. At the next stage, the shield is mounted. For this, the necessary markup is carried out.
12. Holes are drilled in the wall and the structure is screwed in with self-tapping screws.
13. Grounding is installed.

Three-phase apparatus

Such meters are installed only in cases where there are large volumes of electricity consumption. At the output, they give out 380 V or 220 V, which is the optimal indicator for most industrial equipment. In addition, the three-phase devices prevent any voltage surges.

The process of installing a new device looks like this:

1. The power wire has three phases, ground and zero, which is connected to the electrical panel.
2. The phase is connected to the first, third and fifth contact.
3. The device is tested and errors are identified.
4. They are eliminated until all wires are connected correctly.
5. Electricity is removed from the remaining free contacts, and zero falls on the seventh and eighth.
6. The ground is fixed to a special bus and the zero is connected to the ground.

Replacing an old meter with a new one is a long process, which is accompanied by the collection of the necessary documents and permits. With the right choice of equipment and following the recommendations of professionals, you can significantly simplify the work and perform it in the shortest possible time, and the new device will effectively record the consumption of electricity for a long time.