How to check the electricity meter at home

Electricity bills are increasing every year and are gradually becoming a separate item of expenditure in the family budget. At the same time, there is a high probability that the bills can be much overestimated due to a malfunction of the energy meter installed in the apartment. To document this, you must submit an application to the management company, wait a long time, and then pay for the services of specialists. At the same time, there is no guarantee that the master will announce the real result of the survey, since he represents an organization that is not interested in reducing the amount of payments. You can check a three-phase electricity meter yourself using one of the available methods.

Reconciliation frequency

All metering devices for consumed resources are subject to periodic checks, both for serviceability and for the correctness of the readings. The need to inspect meters is due to factors such as natural wear and tear of mechanical parts or a possible malfunction of the software.

In most cases, RECs themselves initiate this procedure by sending written notifications to citizens. The papers indicate the time and place of submission of the device, as well as the procedure and method for its dismantling. If the notification has not been received for several years, property owners should find out about it themselves.

For diskless electronic meters such as "Mercury" and "Neva", the control period is no more than 10 years. Older devices are checked more often - every 5-8 years. Based on the results of the survey, an act is drawn up.

Unscheduled check

An unscheduled check of the correct connection of electricity meters, the correctness and correctness of their work can be carried out at the initiative of the management company or residents.

The reasons for finding out the degree of operability of the device may be the following:

• excessively large bills with a minimum number of consumers;
• suspicion of theft of electricity when its consumption is suspiciously low;
• reconciliation of the readings that citizens transmit with the real ones on the device;
• in case of loss of a previously issued certificate of inspection of the device;
• when installing and registering new equipment.

Only controllers who have the appropriate certificates and instructions can check the correctness of the connection and take readings.

Why do electricity meters lie?

All metering devices, regardless of their device, have a limited resource and this should be taken into account. Over time, the accuracy of the products begins to deteriorate, as a result of which they give incorrect readings.

This happens for the following reasons:

• manufacturing defects;
• oxidation of contacts;
• burning of the wire;
• abrasion of the hinges;
• incorrect connection;
• end of life of parts;
• failure due to voltage drop.

Before checking the electricity meter for correct operation, it is necessary to calculate the number of consumers and the total power they consume per day. This will serve as the initial data in subsequent measurements.

Checking if the connection is correct

It is better to check the connection diagram of the electric meter with the power off, so as not to get an electric shock when disassembling and inspecting the device. Home meters are connected to the network using four terminals located on their body. The connection must be carried out in a strictly defined order.

Correct wiring diagram for terminals:

• phase - extreme left;
• phase entrance to the apartment - second from the left;
• zero - third from the left;
• zero to the apartment - the far right.

A working device with such a connection gives a correct signal, regardless of the influence of external factors.

Devices and tools for testing

The survey is carried out under voltage, therefore it belongs to the category of hazardous work. They should be performed in an adequate condition, without being under the influence of alcohol, psychotropic drugs or fatigue.

For work you will need:

• clamp meter;
• indicator;
• tester;
• incandescent lamp 100 W;
• pieces of wires;
• rubber mat.

Since a power outage may be required, you should stock up on a powerful rechargeable flashlight.

Self-propelled check

Self-propelled gun is a manufacturing defect or a defect acquired during the operation of the product. It represents an increase in readings in the absence of connected consumers.

To check for this phenomenon, you need to disconnect all electricity consumers in the house from the network. An accurate result can only be obtained with the plugs removed from the sockets. Then you need to count how many revolutions of the disk or pulses will be on the indicator of the electronic device in 5 minutes. If this number is 2 or more, there is a self-propelled act and a reason to call the controller.

Using a Clamp Meter

This product is an expensive professional equipment that cannot be purchased for a single use. It is easier to rent or invite an electrician according to an ad.

Rules for calculating the error of an electric meter:

1. The readings of the current and voltage are measured at the second terminal, from which the wire goes to the apartment. By multiplying them, the power consumption is obtained.
2. The time for which 10 revolutions of the disk or indicator flashes occur is determined. The resulting number is multiplied by the power, the result is divided by 3600. This is the real work in kW.
3. Both indicators are compared, on the basis of which a conclusion is made about the correct operation of the device.

How to calculate deviations in measurements at home

In order not to resort to the services of specialists, you can use several simple and affordable ways to check the electricity meter using inexpensive tools and devices.

Checking with a tester

The method of examining the meter with a tester is completely similar to working with a clamp meter. The difference lies in the accuracy of the results obtained. To reduce the measurement error to a minimum, you should spend 10 times more time on measurements, including this factor in all preliminary and final calculations.

Incandescent lamps

You can find out the accuracy of the meter readings using a 100 W incandescent lamp. a prerequisite for testing is the disconnection of all consumers. The readings are recorded, after which the lamp is connected to the network for 1 hour. At the end, new readings are taken. They should increase by 100 watts with a 10% margin of error.

Features of checking a three-phase meter

On three-phase meters, measurements are taken alternately on all phases. After that, the power for each is calculated, the sum of the indicators gives the final result of the real and demonstrated power.

Electricity theft is not uncommon. A person who understands electricity and has access to the dashboard can connect to someone else's line. One should start by observing the device with consumers disconnected throughout the apartment. If, in the absence of a self-propelled device, the device shows a load, energy theft takes place. You can inspect the shield yourself, but it is better to do this in the presence of representatives of the resource supplying organization.