Sealing an electric meter is a set of measures associated with installing a protective seal on the meter, which confirms the integrity, correct display of data and proper performance. Sealing the electricity meter is required, otherwise penalties from the management company will follow.
When and why you need to seal the electricity meter
Sealing metering devices is mandatory for those who intend to use the resources. The seal testifies to a number of facts:
- The data displayed on the panel of the device is correct, not wound or unwound.
- Only masters have access to metering devices. Third parties did not interfere with the operation of the device.
The operability and availability of seals on the meter are regularly checked by employees of organizations supplying electricity. As a rule, we are talking about routine checks, so residents have time to independently verify the serviceability and integrity of the device and the protective "mechanism".
The issue of the need for filling deserves special attention. The procedure is carried out in one of the following situations:
- New meter that was recently installed.
- A metering device that had already been replaced. Installation of a new metering device entails the installation of a new seal.
- The seal was out of order as a result of an accident at the substation.
- The seal fell into disrepair in a natural way, for example, from a long service life.
In other cases, there is no need to change or reinstall the protective mechanism. Its service life can reach decades.
The main task of the tenant is to monitor the integrity of the meter and seals, handle with care when taking readings.
Types of seals and installation methods
Seals for electricity meters are divided into two types:
- Installed by electricity suppliers during installation in a driveway or apartment.
- Installed by the manufacturer at the manufacturing stage.
In the first case, a seal secures a reliable connection for access to the mains. The meter is sealed solely in the interests of the resource providers. If there is no security "mechanism", the device data will not be accepted by the supplier. If we talk about the obligation to ensure sealing, according to the legislative regulations, all responsibility lies with the consumer.
In the second case, the main task of such a seal is to restrict third-party access to the device, as well as prevent mechanical damage.
Who should seal the electricity meters
The law forces people to apply for the provision of services only to trusted and certified companies to seal metering devices. The last adopted bill clearly indicated the organizations that are entitled to provide such services:
- electrical network;
- service providers;
- Energosbyt;
- a company that supplies electricity to specific homes.
There are a large number of private organizations that "specialize" in filling.Such activity will be illegal, the tenant will be forced to continue paying the tariff, all responsibility will be assigned only to him.
How much does the procedure cost
There are situations when the sealing process is free of charge, as well as when the tenant has to pay for the service.
- You do not have to pay anything if the initiative for the filling comes from the service provider. In a specific case, it is an energy supply company. For example, if a meter is installed or there is a need to replace the old one with a new one, but not through the fault of the consumer.
- The tenant pays for the seal if, through his fault, the integrity of the seal was damaged, or the meter is out of order for the same reason. The service is paid in full if the initiative to replace the PU came from him.
To find out the exact price of secondary sealing, you need to contact the management company in your region. The cost in different regions is different, so it is impossible to give even approximate figures.
Algorithm of actions
Sealing of metering devices always takes place using a single technology.
- The primary or secondary protective mechanism must be installed on the metering device by the electricity supply company. To apply, fill out the application and the application for the installation of the seal correctly.
- The resource supplying organization will tell you what documents are required. The package of documents is important in that it confirms the need to seal the electric meter.
- Employees with the consumer set clear deadlines for re-sealing. The law states that the protective mechanism must be installed no later than 1 month from the date of installation of the new device.
- If the procedure is paid by the consumer, the company additionally issues a check with the details, using which you need to make the payment.
Upon completion of all work, the specialist who carried out the installation draws up an act in which all information about the metering device, sealing and installation features is recorded.
Common problems and recommendations for their elimination
So that in the future there are no unpleasant situations associated with a breakdown of a metering device or damage to a seal, you need to follow these recommendations:
- Check the integrity of the seals at least once a month.
- Do not try to make or remove the "protection system" yourself. This is a potential risk to health and life from electricity. Also, due to an illegal type of activity, a lawsuit can be brought, which will entail problems.
- If the apartment is not privatized, metering devices must be installed by the public municipality where the given living space is listed.
- If during the inspection mechanical damage was revealed, or the seal is completely absent, you should immediately contact the company that provides the service.
All documents and passports for metering devices are recommended to be stored in one place. It is required to store documentation even for those metering devices that have already been replaced. As practice shows, such documents will inevitably be required in the future.
What to do if the integrity of the seal is violated
There is always a chance of damage to the seal, so you need to know what to do in such situations.
- A high-quality snapshot of the meter is taken and the date when the damage was detected is recorded on it. The flap is carefully examined.
- The identified damage must be immediately notified to the body of the management company, for example, the housing office or homeowners association.
- An application is submitted to the energy company in two copies. The statement records the fact of violation of the integrity of the seal, and also indicates the meter readings at the time of detection of damage.The first copy is given to the employees, and the second one must be picked up marked "accepted for execution" with the incoming number and date.
The fact of damage to the integrity of the seal does not carry serious consequences, especially if the shield is installed on the staircase, but you should be aware that power engineers will always assume that it was the tenant who wanted to "steal" some electricity. For this reason, it is better for him to identify a violation, and not for company employees during a routine inspection.
Further, the work remains only with the management company. A commission will be created to check the presence or absence of interference, damage to the circuit, the installation of bugs, and so on. After a routine inspection, they will put a new seal with a note on the secondary seal of the meter.
To keep the seal safe and minimize the likelihood of damaging it, you need to accustom yourself to regularly check its condition, even if the meter is in the dashboard. If possible, the seals are covered so as not to damage. If the electric meter is installed at home, it is recommended to place it in a rectangular structure with a door and lock it with a key so that children cannot get there.
Even if a counter with a protection system is installed on the staircase, this is not the consumer's area of responsibility, but the problems, first of all, will affect him.
