How to demagnetize a water meter after a magnet

Almost every tenth citizen of Russia uses illegal methods to reduce the consumption of electricity and water. It would be more accurate to say that the flow rate remains at the same level, but the meter readings provide completely different figures. To reduce the payment for electricity on old meters, the readings are “unwound”, and special magnets are placed on the new ones. The same situation is with water meters.

What water meters are there and why is a magnet used

Each apartment owner, according to the law, must install metering devices in the living space. Moreover, the owners themselves are not against this, because the payment according to the meters, and not according to the specified rates, turns out to be much more profitable.

It is very important to choose the right meter that can save your own money. Before traveling to the store, it is necessary to correctly classify the accounting devices. They come in different types. First of all, they can be divided into those designed for cold and hot water.

In essence, they are no different and do the same job, but there is a difference in the materials used to create them. For cold water meters, materials are used that can withstand ambient temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius. As for the metering equipment for hot water, the temperature indicator rises to 150 degrees Celsius.

Modern metering tools can be universal and can be used for both cold and hot water.

Also, meters are divided by type with respect to energy supply. It is volatile meters that are cheaper and more popular, but it is worth understanding that if the power is cut off, they will stop working. Other meters that do not depend on electricity are also popular.

All counters are divided into the following groups:

1. Ultrasonic. Controls the acoustic effect that occurs during ultrasonic vibration.
2. Vortex. It takes into account the frequency of the vortices of the water flow, together with the special shape, due to which the speed is described.
3. Tachometric. Works in tandem with a turbine located in the flow.
4. Electromagnetic. A magnetic field is induced by the speed of water passing through the meter.

Among other things, all accounting tools can be additionally divided into household and industrial. The most popular types remain electrometric or tachometric, due to its accuracy, reliability, ease of installation, ease of use and relatively low cost.

A neodymium magnet, when correctly positioned, acts in a special way on the magnetic field, due to which it is possible to slow down its operating speed by up to 70%, without losing the water flow rate.

What are the consequences of disrupting the operation of water meters by magnets under the law and fines

If, during the verification of the meter, a magnet (or any other magnetic device) was discovered that could affect the meter readings, then the inspector will fix an administrative offense and draw up a protocol for causing property damage. In this case, you will have to pay the amount that should have been credited to the account for the entire time that the owner used this device.

To find out the exact amount of the fine, the following happens:

1. The inspection body sets the exact or approximate date when the magnet was installed.This is done by installing the latest verification body reconciliation.
2. If it is not possible to establish the date of use of the magnet, then the average rate of water consumption is taken as a basis, multiplied by 10 and by 3 years, if the inspector did not come earlier. Thus, the total amount of the fine is obtained.

If you refuse to pay the fine, then a tougher article may be applied, and the fine itself will still be collected in the end, but already in court with even more serious consequences.

How to check the need to demagnetize the meter

Even if the auditor, during the verification of the meter, did not establish the fact of using a magnet, the metering device accumulates residual magnetization, which can be caught by special devices. This is also true for tenants, who can get into an unpleasant situation if, after renting a home, the inspector discovers that a magnet has been used.

Magnetization can be checked with a teslameter. If there is residual magnetization, the device will indicate this. But there is a small problem, because there are still no officially established norms of residual magnetization, but in any case, it will not arise if the owner does not use illegal methods.

Also, at the legislative level, there are no requirements and rules that would describe the measurement procedure.

How to demagnetize the meter and remove residual magnetization

In order not to face problems from the inspection authorities, when renting an apartment, in case of detection of residual magnetization, it is best to get rid of it as soon as possible. There are special demagnetizers for this. They work on the principle of decreasing the magnetic field to the level of demagnetization. Such a device was previously used to demagnetize the head of a cassette tape recorder.

The demagnetizer is a coil that is powered by an electrical network. To turn on the device, you just need to hold the device near the metering device for several minutes. This will be enough to remove traces of magnetization from the counter.

If you have minimal knowledge of physics and electrical engineering, then the device can be made independently at home. Solenoid winding - about 1000 turns of PEL or PEV wire with a diameter of 0.7-0.9 mm. The resistance of such a winding will be about 8 ohms. Such a coil is intended for a voltage of 10-15 volts.

We supply the coil with alternating voltage. When demagnetizing, first remove the tool from the coil, and only then turn off the power. Otherwise, the metal may not demagnetize.

Those demagnetizers that are on sale can be from 40 to 120 watts. Modern devices can generate a magnetic field strength of 150 W and continuous operation for more than 3 minutes.

In any case, it is better not to use magnets, because there is no guarantee of their effectiveness, taking into account the use of modern water meters, but problems can be made. It is always possible to reduce energy consumption simply by installing energy-saving light bulbs and personally monitor the energy consumption.