To control the consumption of electricity, special metering devices are used, which are called meters. Mercury devices are gaining particular popularity due to their positive qualities. It is presented in several models, each of which has its own characteristics, pros and cons.
Counter description
The electricity meter Mercury was invented by Incotex. It produces various electronic equipment, but it is the meters that are widely used.
Mercury comes in a miniature case that fits into any room interior. The manufacturers have thought out all the little things for fixing the device, so fixing will not cause difficulties. It is impossible to open the case, as there are no bolts in it, which has a positive effect on the safety of the device. Mercury is moisture resistant, so it can be installed even in basements.
There are models (eg 201.22) that have a built-in PLC module. It additionally protects the meter and excludes the possibility of electricity theft. There is also an electric meter Mercury with a remote control.
The service life is 30 years. These are some of the most durable meters used in homes. The manufacturer gives a 3-year warranty, which is enough to solve most of the problems that arise. Every 15 years, a check of the metering device should be carried out, in some modifications the period is different.
The device has instructions for use, as well as a passport, which indicates all the properties. In addition, a device connection diagram is attached, as well as a description of taking readings.
You should buy the product in a specialized store so as not to buy a fake. Each meter has its own identification code, which is then registered in the register.
Varieties of metering devices
On sale you can find various modifications of the Mercury electricity meter. All of them can be used to meter electricity in the house. There are one-rate, two-rate, three-rate products.
Mercury 200
The meter Mercury two-rate single-phase 200 series is rarely used. Operates at 50 Hz.
Mercury 201
This is one of the most popular types of metering devices for use in homes and businesses. There are single-phase, two-phase, single-tariff, multi-tariff. Due to its design, it is completely protected from burglary and attempts of unauthorized interference into the operation of the device. They are also divided into several types and have their own distinctive features. Such devices include models 201.2; 201.5; 201.22. Designed for a rated current of 5 A and operating up to 60 A. Models 201.4 and 201.6 have an increased maximum current of 80 A. They are used in places with a large amount of electricity. The 201 series meters display energy in different ways. In 201.4 and 201.22 a digital indicator was supplied, in 201.5 and 201.6 - a mechanical one.
Mercury 230
The meter is suitable for use in everyday life and in industrial environments. Often placed in cottages and private houses with a lot of electronics and household appliances.
A special modification designed for transformers is available on the market. It can perform its duties autonomously and in conjunction with an automated energy metering system.
The electric meter Mercury 230 works similarly to other metering devices.Receives signals from sensors and translates information into an understandable form for the consumer - energy and power. It is possible to read data directly from the device or remotely.
Main structural elements:
- body;
- grounding device;
- contact block;
- cap.
The information in the counter is received and converted by the microprocessor.
Mercury 231
Three-phase single-rate meter Mercury 231 is used to meter energy in networks with three phases. It can be connected directly or through a transformer.
The most famous modification is 231 AM-01. The device measures the load digitally. The set includes mounts for din rails, an anti-reverse reading device with a magnetic screen. The device has a simple fastening and does not cause any difficulties in operation. It is compact and lightweight.
Characteristics of Mercury 231:
- First class of accuracy.
- Rated voltage 3 * 220/380 V.
- Rated current 5P.
- Limiting current 60 A.
- High sensitivity rates.
- The power consumed by the parallel circuit is not more than 0.1 W, the total power is not higher than 7.5 W, the active power is not higher than 1.5 W.
- Working temperatures from -40 ° С to + 55 ° С.
You can set a single tariff.
Mercury 234 ART
The Mercury 234 model is designed for one- and two-way metering of electricity in three-phase networks. Connection can be made through a measuring transformer and directly with the possibility of tariff metering by zones of the day. Information can accumulate for a long time, it can be transmitted through digital interfaces via wired or wireless channels.
Specifications:
- PLC-I interface.
- It is possible to connect an additional 230 V power supply.
- Galvanically isolated pulse output.
- Automatic self-diagnostics of the device with error detection. The device can stop working on its own in case of malfunction.
- Built-in 60A relay.
- LCD backlight.
Main functions:
- Measurement, accounting, display, storage, transmission of information. Able to perform all these actions with active and reactive energy, readings per day, week, month.
- Tariff accounting by zones.
- Accounting for losses in power lines.
- Measurement of auxiliary components - instantaneous power values, effective values of phase currents, network frequency.
- The event log.
The main application is in everyday life, in production.
Connection diagrams
The single-phase Mercury meter has 4 connections:
- Output to an external 220 V.
- Phase output from the meter to the apartment.
- Terminal for connecting zero from an external power supply to the device.
- Terminal from zero from meter to room.
The wires are connected in the same way.
Three-phase products have a more complex connection scheme, which depends on the type of meter. The most popular is direct connection without the use of transformers. It can be used at home, but in manufacturing plants, an AC-to-voltage converter must be installed.
Pros and cons
During the production of a product, the developers are presented with the highest requirements for accuracy and reliability, as well as wide functionality and advanced functions.
Main pluses:
- Wide range of models.
- Quality and reliability.
- Low cost of the product.
- Protection against hacking and unauthorized access.
- Simplicity and ease of use.
- Application of modern components.
- Multifunctionality.
- Miniature size.
- The ability to divide energy consumption into zones, which allows you to save significant financial resources.
- Extended temperature range.
- High accuracy of determination of results and low energy consumption.
- Possibility of creating an automated control system.
- Possibility of manual and automatic reading.
Not all people are ready to switch to Mercury energy meters. This is due to the following factors:
- The low cost of electricity prevents people from switching to new metering devices, since they will take a long time to pay off.
- The division of the tariff into daytime and nighttime may require citizens to change their daily routine. For example, it is more profitable to use powerful installations at night. Likewise with manufactures.
- Some groups of the population may have problems when taking data from the meter.
Despite the shortcomings, the Mercury electricity meter is one of the most convenient and profitable devices.
Taking readings from the electricity meter
There are two types of devices - with mechanical wheels and with an electronic display. The second is an easier way to take readings. Mechanical products have numbers on wheels that are responsible for the date, clock, amount of electricity and other indicators.
Regardless of the model, the data is read in the same way. The only difference is in pressing the enter button. On multi-zone products, readings are displayed in the order of T1, T2, etc. To receive information on the electronic meter, you need to wait for the numbers to appear and record the data.
There is a second way to get the data: press the enter button several times until the desired values appear. Then the numbers without symbols after the point are written.
