How to choose a gas meter: Device selection guidelines for private homes and apartments

The price of energy is increasing steadily, and the decline in the foreseeable future is not going to. Zealous owner tries to use them as efficiently as possible. This will help him metering devices. In addition, by law, they must be equipped with all the houses and apartments.

Therefore, the question of how to choose a gas meter, is worth reading for most homeowners. We answer it as fully as possible.

Why do I need a gas meter?

Some gas consumers in the old calculated for it according to the standards, citing the fact that the cost of the device registration with the installation prohibitive.

Indeed, such a right they have, but economically it is very profitable. Why is this happening?

First, the board according to the standards initially overpriced. It is calculated based on the maximum gas consumption, which in real life is very rare, and sometimes does not happen at all.

Payment according to the standards take into account the maximum of all the possible gas consumption version of each resident in an apartment or house. If the occupants of two or three, or even more, the amount produced is not small.

In addition, the state is interested in the fact that consumption of resources fixed metering devices, so The current legislation provides multipliers that increase the fee for gas regulations.

For several years, this ratio gradually increases until it reaches a maximum.

Install gas meter allows you to pay for actually consumed energy and makes you think about their savings

Whereas the setting of the counter assumes pay only for actual amount consumed gas. Practice shows that it is significantly different from the value calculated according to the standards. Accordingly, the board is significantly reduced.

The real difference in payment allows fast enough to recoup the cost of purchase and installation of meters, and subsequently benefit from this significant benefit.

For those who have a gas heating system, the installation of the meter gives another advantage. They can use their heating equipment, regardless of the beginning or end of the heating season.

Consumers who are not metering devices are automatically disconnected from the gas supply after the end of the heating season until it starts. Setting the counter solves this problem.

Variety of metering devices

Equipment for the calculation of the consumption of gas is varied. There are several types of such devices with different operating principle. Let us examine each in more detail.

Embodiment # 1 - rotary or rotary

It is a metering device with a chamber vosmiobraznymi rotors which are used as conversion elements.

Constructional unit consisting of housing, counting and transmission mechanisms. Inside the body, two equally sized rotating rotor in the form of eight installed. One of them is connected with the transfer and counting arrangements.

Inside the housing a rotary gas meter move two rotors. Counting the number of revolutions possible to measure the volume of gas passing through the measuring device

The housing is equipped with an input or an output or the upper and lower nozzle gas. When the latter begins to flow into the housing, there is a pressure difference that causes the rotor to rotate.

They do so in sync, it's what the boxes set out in the end gears. During rotation of the rotors touching the side surfaces that is necessary for the counting process.

The volume of gas which is forced out of one rotor half its turnover equal volume, a corresponding number of gas bounded by the inner housing part and the rotor surface in upright.

For each full turnover of the two rotors of the body is forced four such volumes. Accordingly, flow passing through the gas meter is easily disregarded.

The advantages of such devices include a significant range of measurements and high throughput. At the same time they are quite compact.

Additionally, durable devices, non-volatile, are not sensitive to transient overloads. The level of noise produced by them is considered to be an average, it is almost imperceptible. The disadvantage is a short calibration period. He is only 5 years old.

Option # 2 - diaphragm or membrane

It is a cell-type counter, used to account for small gas flows. The housing is divided into two parts. At the top there are input pipes and the gas outlet.

Both fragment housing securely fastened together. Between them there are special pads and put the paste sealant. Also within the housing is a diaphragm type measuring mechanism.

The membrane or diaphragm gas meter is considered the most popular by consumers. He accurately measures flow rate and does not require special maintenance

It consists of two chambers resembling bellows. Each of these chambers by means of cranks and levers connected to a common spool valve mechanism. Pass through the gas lead-in channels.

The number of chambers can be different, their number depends on the accuracy of the measuring device and the class. The slide mechanism connected by a shaft fixed to the housing with a counting device.

When the instrument enters gas is its alternating displacement of the bellows-chambers. This leads to the movement of the alternately-diaphragm walls. As only one chamber is filled, the slide switch mechanism, and it begins to produce gas.

This cycle is repeated. It is accompanied by movement of the diaphragm. This movement starts counting mechanism which takes into account the amount of gas who has left the chamber for a certain time unit.

The membrane of the counter housing is a diaphragm, which is expanded at the time of gas filling. There may be several, all depends on the required accuracy of the measuring device

Diaphragm meters are characterized by high measurement accuracy. Simplicity of design gives them a considerable service life, which is at least 20 years. Such devices are extremely simple to operate and economical.

However, a membrane mask is very difficult to counter, if necessary. Another negative - quite a high cost of the equipment. The term of verification diaphragm type devices is 10 years.

Option # 3 - turbine meter

The name of the device has received because of the presence therein small turbine wheel which rotates a pressurized gas stream entering the device.

Structurally, the equipment is a tube fragment equipped flanges. In the instrument housing sequentially, starting from the inlet, has the following mechanisms: inkjet rectifier and the actual turbine rotational bearings and shaft.

For smooth operation of the bearing requires grease, however, the pump unit is mounted on the meter housing. With the help of rotating elements at special tubes supplied oil.

The operating principle of the measuring device is quite simple. The number of rotations by the rotating turbine speed reducer is transmitted to a special counting mechanism is the gas tightness of the cavity.

Turbine meter can be equipped with additional detectors for measuring pulse, temperature, or pressure. In addition, the measurement process may have three degrees of automation.

The lack of automation requires that the user reads their own readings.

The measuring device of new generation. It can be equipped with equipment for the fully automated transmission readings. The cost of these meters is still quite large

Semi-automatic measurements suggest that the control provides a computing device, but can override parameters, settings, etc.

Full automation of measurements requires that the readings of the measuring instrument come to the computing device, which processes them and transmits them to the accounting center.

The advantages of turbine meters are considered to be non-volatile, robust construction and ease of maintenance.

The device can be operated with gas not very high degree of purification. The noise level emitted by the device can be characterized as low. Manufacturers produce turbine meters in a large number of sizes.

The disadvantages of the equipment necessary to carry errors in measurement. If the device operates continuously, an error is minimal if the pulsed mode, the distortion measurements is increased significantly. Verification period - 8 years.

Criteria for selecting the optimal counter

Become acquainted with various types of gas meters, you can decide which one to choose for your home. However, in addition to the type of device, there are several important parameters to consider when choosing. Alternately, look at each of them.

The capacity of the machine

Under the bandwidth necessary to understand the maximum amount of the gas mixture, which equipment can be measured per unit time. Typically one hour. This value should be compared with the maximum consumption of gas in the house or apartment.

To do this, you need to calculate the total gas consumption. To do this, add up the average consumption of all devices using it.

The capacity of the gas meter must be indicated on the housing in a special marking. It must be more than the planned maximum flow rate

Will make it much easier to find if the technical documentation for each device and take out the required amount. The manufacturer is required to indicate in the passport of the equipment maximum supply gas volume.

Total consumption is calculated for all gas appliances in the apartment, even if some of them, according to the owner, is rarely used.

Moreover, if you plan to purchase additional gas equipment, its consumption also need to add on to the general. Then you do not have to buy or install later also a new counter.

Determine the value of the maximum gas flow, select the flow meter with a bandwidth greater than the value obtained. This would be very simple, if correctly read the marking device.

It is a drive letter G, near which there are figures.

Thus, the counter is labeled with G1,6 bandwidth 1.6-2.5 cubic meter per hour, G2,5, respectively, per hour can skip 2.5-4 cube, G4 - 4 to 6 cubes, G6 - from 6 to 10 and G10 - 10 up to 16 cubic meters. meters per hour.

On the basis of this marking is chosen the appropriate measuring device.

Design features of the device

A variety of places of installation of gas meters causes their structural features. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the direction of gas promotion. It can be supplied to the left or right.

Depending on the devices that are divided into left and right-handed. It is necessary to represent accurately meter wiring diagram, since the left-hand equipment set on the right side and vice versa is physically impossible.

gas flow direction is indicated by arrow necessarily on the fixture. It must be rigorously followed when connecting the counter

gas flow direction must be indicated by an arrow on the meter body. It must be strictly adhered to.

Another important point - the thread diameter of the connecting pipe device. It must exactly match the dimensions of the tube at which the gas is supplied, and to which the counter is installed.

standard and is ½ inch for apartment houses pipe diameter.

The buildings erected on an individual project, the measurements may vary. The most common feed pipes diameter ½, ¾ or 1 inch.

Depending on the diameter of the thread matched coupling nuts for mounting the device. They must match exactly the size of the installation.

It is also important to have coincided center distance of threaded connections, they, too, are different. For devices with an upper joining type, mounted on a horizontal pipe, this distance ranges from 110 to 250 mm.

Devices with large bandwidth, which are mounted where the number of users more than two may have spacing greater than 250 mm.

The presence or absence termokorrektora

Standard gas meter may operate in a -40 to +40 ° C temperature range. However, the validity of the measurements made in such circumstances, they may be in doubt.

This is due to the fact that the gas mixture at low and high temperatures tends to expand or contract. It plays a role and the system pressure.

Therefore, to say the correct operation of the measuring device is possible only in the normal conditions of pressure and temperature of 20 ° C.

Externally instrumentation with little termokorrektorom may differ from the standard to specify features counter desirable to explore its datasheet

It is clear that such conditions exist is not always. Especially if the gas meter is installed on the street, that is not forbidden by law.

In cold weather, gas service may incur serious losses since the actual amount of gas consumed increases, the meter and its consumption remains almost unchanged.

In hot weather the economic losses are already customers who have to pay for the increased consumption of gas, although the actual amount of gas supplied has not changed.

To avoid this use a special device called termkorrektor. It does not allow changes in temperature and pressure affect the consumption of gas.

Thus, in any conditions of measurement made counter maximum valid.

You should know that gas meters are equipped with termokorrektorom, cost much more than standard. Therefore, they should only be installed where there involves a complex operating conditions.

For example, in an urban apartment kitchen where comfortable temperature is maintained stable, this device will be clearly superfluous. While the installation of such equipment in the street is justified and necessary.

The importance of the date of manufacture

The current federal law regulates regularly calibrated meters. And the first of them is carried out at the factory immediately after the release of the product. Information about it entered into a technical device passport.

Thus, it appears that the date of the next periodic calibration is counted from the date specified in the documents. Therefore, when buying a new device you need to carefully examine the technical documentation and to clarify the date of the first verification.

Routine calibration of the gas meter is performed on a specially designed stand by certified personnel. According to the results of verification in the device certificate is recorded corresponding note

It happens that the unit "lies too long" are in stock and available for sale in two or three or even five years from the date of manufacture.

Consequently, its calibration interval is automatically reduced at this time. And it turns out that the newly established counter already subject to verification or replacement. This can be a very unpleasant surprise for the careless owner.

The contract, which is a gas service, be sure to indicate the date of the first verification of the meter. Gas companies are closely monitoring the calibration periods, but to report them to the users, they are not required.

Therefore, if the consumer due to carelessness, ignorance or for any other reason, missed the deadline checking your meter, it will be billed, calculated according to the standards.

Calibration interval have different types of gas meters is significantly different. But in any case it is less than the lifetime of the device.

To conduct verification of the equipment is dismantled and sent to a specialized workshop, where experts will check it and will issue an opinion on the possibility of further use.

If the device is recognized as fit for use in its data sheet is required to make a special mark.

Place of installation of the measuring instrument

Select a gas meter in an apartment or house can be independently, but it is better to entrust this important matter experts from the gas service. They competently analyze the conditions of use and will offer models of devices that are suitable for the particular apartment.

Gas meter for an apartment, you can choose yourself, but it is best to consult with specialists from the gas service

However, if you want to do everything yourself, the following important points to consider when choosing a device:

1. The maximum number of gas consumed by tenants. He depends on his required capacity model. Calculated taking into account all operated gas appliances.
2. Location metering device. It is necessary to choose the right to determine the structural features of the meter.
3. Machine Noise. It is advisable to purchase the least noisy model.
4. Calibration interval. The longer it is, the better.
5. The service life and reliability of the model.

important Notice. For an apartment you should not acquire counter termokorrektorom, no matter how hard sellers to advertise. This is a waste of money.

Actually, the choice of gas meter for a detached house practically does not differ from device selection for the apartment. But there is a small nuance. The legislation authorizes the installation of gas meters is not in the room and on the street.

Gas meter, which is installed outdoors, must be protected from the adverse effects of the environment. It is best to mount it in a special cabinet

Many owners of private houses to do so. They set the meter on the street. In this case, you should only select equipment with termokorrektorom, otherwise there can be problems with payment for gas.

Also, Make sure to take care of the protection of the equipment housing, or adverse weather conditions quickly withdraw the counter down. The easiest way to buy a special installation cabinet in which the device is located.

Useful videos on the topic

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A gas meter is required in every home. It helps to maximize the use of energy resources and, ultimately, to save means of the family budget. To the device to work properly and for a long time, it is important to choose the most competent.

It is not necessary to totally trust sellers-consultants who are interested in selling their goods. It is better to carefully examine the technical documentation and make their own informed choices.