The number of electrical appliances used in the home is growing every year. And with it, energy consumption is growing. And if in theory, choosing and installing a meter is the task of the company that sells you electricity, then in practice you make the choice directly. And in order not to overpay, you should decide which meter is better. Nowadays, in houses and apartments in Moscow and the Moscow region, three-phase cable entries are most often used. Such a network makes it possible to turn on more electrical appliances at the same time. Therefore, it is more advisable to buy a three-phase meter. But which one should you choose? This page presents current three-phase electricity meters.
Before buying a meter, decide on the following parameters:
- Network – where you will install the metering device. There are three-phase devices for 380 V power networks and single-phase meters for 220 V.
- Tariffs - the price of a kilowatt of electrical energy is largely determined taking into account the time of day. During peak loads, the cost of the carrier is maximum, and at night it is minimum. If you are satisfied with the appropriate equipment mode, you can save taking this factor into account.
- Accuracy is also an important parameter. If the new meter shows twice as much as the old one, the owners will not like it, and if less, it will raise questions from regulatory authorities.
- Manufacturer – domestic meters are in high demand, the main reason being affordable prices. If you wish, you can choose a high-quality imported device, but the price for it will be higher than for a similar Russian brand.
When purchasing, we also recommend looking at affordability, user reviews and expert opinions.
INCOTEX Mercury 231 AM-01 5(60)
The three-phase meter Mercury 231 from INCOTEX is used to measure and account for electrical energy in three-phase three- or four-wire AC networks for a single-tariff calculation of consumed electricity depending on the time of day. The meter is designed for operation inside confined spaces and in places protected from environmental influences, such as cabinets and panels.
Advantages:
- DIN rail mounting;
- the presence of an IrDA interface that reads meter readings;
- simplicity and versatility of operation even if the circuit connection diagram is broken;
- low price.
Flaws:
- the plastic case is susceptible to direct ultraviolet radiation;
- fragility of the load indication mechanism.
Energy meter CE 301 R33 146-JAZ 5(100) A
If you want to buy a meter that is immune to mechanical and weather influences, as well as the influence of the electromagnetic field, you should focus your attention on a 3-phase multi-tariff device from Energomer. It takes into account and displays at 4 tariffs both the total volume of energy consumed and its separate amount for the last 13 months and at the end of each month. In addition, the meter calculates, saves and displays data such as a graph of active powers, the last 20 time adjustments, and network frequency.
The interval between verifications of the Energomer CE 301 meter is more than 10 years. The manufacturer claims 220,000 hours of trouble-free operation. The warranty period for servicing the device after purchase is 4 years. The meter can be operated at temperatures from -40 to +60 °C. If the power limit is exceeded, the device sounds an audible signal.
Advantages:
- IR port IrDA 1.0 or optical interface;
- Protection degree IP50;
- economical energy consumption.
Flaws:
- Loss of time data when power is turned off.
Electricity meter test data
Today, absolutely all electricity meters included in the state register comply with current standards in terms of their metrological characteristics. However, sometimes, to select products, a certain country conducts an independent examination of individual samples in its laboratories.
Thus, according to the magazine “News of Electrical Engineering” No. 1(31) and 2(32) for 2005, at the end of 2004 several types of electricity meters from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Lithuania were tested in Belarus. Russian metering devices were presented by three companies. The first ones are already familiar to us:
- Energomera (Stavropol)
- JSC MZEP-1 (Moscow)
and
- Nizhny Novgorod plant named after M.V. Frunze (Nizhny Novgorod)
Without going into the intricacies of the examination, we immediately note that the metrological characteristics of all presented electricity meters were found to comply with GOST.
The fact that Belarusians chose two of the three companies we were considering - manufacturers of electricity meters - for examination speaks volumes. To be fair, we note that Incotex began producing electric meters only in 2001. Before this, its main products were cash registers.
Of course, this is not 2004, and yet...
INCOTEX Mercury 230 AM-02 10(100) A
The three-phase single-tariff electricity meter Mercury 230 AM accounts for unidirectional electricity in 3-phase alternating current circuits directly or through measuring transformers in a digital way. It is equipped with a mechanical display and is designed for operation in dry indoor areas (protection level IP20).
Operating temperature range from -40 to +55. The device is mounted on the surface using screws. In this meter model, the numbers on the display indicate kilowatt hours. The calibration interval, like many meters, is 10 years. The warranty period is 3 years. The average operating time is 140,000 hours.
Advantages:
- simplicity of design and installation;
- equipped with a reverse operation stopper;
- protection against magnetic fields;
- housing made of durable plastic.
Flaws:
- at low voltage in the network, failures in electricity calculations are possible;
- lack of data transfer interface.
Induction
The induction electricity metering device is the first invented for this purpose; it is a traditional disk-based (fully electromechanical) device. Inside there are two magnetized coils (for current and voltage), the disk rotates due to the influence of the magnetic fields of these elements. The design is connected to a counting unit with movable digital segments, which show the consumed kW.
Meters with the induction principle are the most reliable and durable: the performance declared by the manufacturer reaches 32 years; in fact, such devices operate for 50 years or more. Disadvantage: measurement accuracy is slightly lower than that of electronic ones. However, this minus is insignificant - induction devices are installed in MCDs, they successfully provide accuracy of “2” and better.
Energy meter TsE6803V 1 230V 3ph.4p. M7 P32 10(100) A
A reliable, simple and easy-to-use three-phase single-tariff electricity meter, Energomera TsE6803V, is used both in residential and commercial premises to take readings of consumed electricity. The device has a mechanical reading device. It connects to AC power directly.
On the surface, the counter occupies a space equivalent in size to 5 working modules. According to the manufacturer, the device will last at least 220,000 hours. Like most devices, the calibration interval is 16 years. High degree of protection.
Advantages:
- the presence of a reverse stopper;
- presence of a light indicator of operation;
- high-precision measurements;
- the ability to replace the old meter without having to redo the panel.
- magnetic field protection;
- improved starting current values;
- presence of an anti-reverse mechanism;
- pulse output as an interface.
Flaws
- lack of liquid crystal display;
- big size;
- high price.
Electronic meter - a modern metering device
Despite the high price (unlike mechanical electricity meters), these meters have excellent technical characteristics and good service options.
Features:
- Durable, no rotating parts.
- Increased accuracy class of electricity meters.
- Possibility of installing a multi-tariff accounting system.
- Increased interval between checks.
- There is an internal memory for storing information on energy consumption.
- Possibility of an automated accounting system for consumed electricity (ASCAE).
The electric meter operates by converting active power into a sequence of pulses, counted by an installed microcontroller. Moreover, the number of pulses is proportional to the expended (measured) energy.
INCOTEX Mercury 230 AM-03 5(7.5) A
The three-phase single-tariff electricity meter INCOTEX Mercury 230 is most often used at commercial facilities. The meter is equipped with a standard telemetric output. In case of any violation in the phasing of the connections of the equipment's current circuits, its operation is carried out in the direction of increasing the electricity consumption readings. The three-phase meter is connected via a transformer. Also equipped with LED indicators of electrical energy consumption and an electromechanical reading device.
The inter-verification interval is slightly less than average and is 10 years. 3 years, this is the warranty period provided by the manufacturer. The specification states that the average time the device will work before it breaks is 140,000 hours.
Advantages:
- magnetic field protection;
- operation in a single tariff mode for metering electrical unidirectional electricity;
- electromechanical op-amp;
- presence of an anti-reverse mechanism;
- pulse output as an interface.
Flaws:
- lack of liquid crystal display.
What is a three-phase meter and how does it differ from a single-phase one?
The mechanism for reading indicators for counters of all models is built in the same way and there is one scheme for performing calculations.
If we characterize a single-phase electric meter, it is worth saying the following about it:
- the system operates at an average power voltage of 220 volts;
- the counter is small in size and square in shape;
- connects to only one wire of the electrical network;
- sealed by employees of the electrical service to prevent attempts at various frauds.
For use in a private home, a single-phase meter is quite sufficient, because it can withstand the operating voltage of most household appliances, but in production or for people who use very powerful equipment, a three-phase electric meter would be the best choice. It should be characterized this way:
- the dimensions are slightly larger than those of a single-phase meter;
- the shape of the structure is rectangular;
- connects simultaneously to three network wires;
- operates at a network voltage of 380 volts.
So that the user, when choosing, can understand which is single-phase and which works with 3 phases at once, he needs to pay special attention to the marking of the system. For single-phase meters, marking is done using the CO mark, and for three-phase ST meters, this is a standard marking scheme
These systems are connected according to the same principle, and the installation diagram is standard. Just remember that in the first case the meter is connected to one wire, and in the second to three. A qualified electrician must install a meter to determine the amount of electricity consumed.
Energy meter TsE6803V 1 230V 3ph.4p. M7 P32 5(60) A
The three-phase single-tariff electricity meter Energomera TsE6803V is used both in the public sector (mobile structures, public and residential buildings, garages, cottages) and in industrial and commercial enterprises. It can be connected to AC power directly or through transformers.
The device is designed to operate at a rated current of 5 A, with a maximum current of 60 A. The manufacturer claims an increased service life of an impressive 30 years, but the warranty is only for 7 years from the date of creation of the meter.
Advantages:
- economical energy consumption;
- low price;
- ease of repair and replacement of meters;
- resistance to weather influences and mechanical damage;
- light indication during operation;
- presence of telemetric pulse output.
Flaws:
- mechanical scoreboard.
Current strength
When determining what type of electric meter to choose based on current, the cross-section of the wiring conductors suitable for it is taken into account. Older models are usually focused on relatively low values. Sometimes this circumstance is the reason for replacement.
The range of permissible current for single-phase options is standard 5–80 A; for products for 3 phases, the upper limit can reach 100 A. For average apartments, a recorder for 5–50 A is sufficient, which corresponds to 6 mm copper conductors and a consumption load of 10 kW .
Housing can be served by water heaters and similar devices with a power of not only 3.5 kW, but also 13–25 and more. Sometimes two boilers are installed, for example, a flow tank for washing and a storage tank for showers and baths. If the total power of household appliances exceeds 10 kW and there are significant periods of their simultaneous operation, then it is necessary to install the device for a higher current value than 50 A.
The described requirements apply to both single-phase (220 V) and three-phase (380 V) wiring, which is more often installed if there are voracious consumers. Calculation of the total current of simultaneously operating consumers and tables of the ratio of this value to kW will help you figure out which device to choose.
INCOTEX Mercury 231 AT-01 I (2 tariffs) 5(60) A
Multi-tariff three-phase multi-tariff energy meter INCOTEX Mercury 231 AT-01 is used mainly in residential premises to keep track of electricity consumption in 4-wire 3-phase electric current networks under voltage up to 380 V.
Connects directly to electrical networks and has a verification period of 10 years. The device displays information on a liquid crystal screen. Transmits data on electricity consumption per day, month, in total and for each of the previous 11 months, as well as for the current and previous year, via the IrDA interface.
Advantages:
- high accuracy class;
- ease;
- versatility: works both in the AIMS system and autonomously;
- availability of an event log with the exact date of opening of the device;
- automatic self-diagnosis;
- DIN rail mounting.
Flaws:
- high price;
- fragility of the screw terminals of the terminal block when re-tightening.
Accuracy class
Accuracy class refers to the error in readings, which is expressed as a percentage. On the device panel you can see a symbol in a circle. This is precisely the accuracy class. Until recently, this figure was 2.5% in almost all cases. Nowadays, meters cannot be installed in apartments/houses with such an error. Instead, a device with an error of 2% is used. This value is the maximum allowable. On sale you can find devices with accuracy values of 0.2, 0.5 and 1.
Typeit NEVA 303 1S0 230V 5(60) A 5(60) A
The single-tariff, three-phase electricity meter Typeit NEVA 303 1S0 230V is used to account and measure the consumption of electrical energy at one tariff in a 3- and 4-wire AC network. The meter base has a spring-loaded clamp and a steel spring in it allows the latch to operate continuously even in adverse weather conditions (such as low temperature).
The meter specification indicates 280,000 hours of operation before failure. The warranty is provided for a full 7 years.
Advantages:
- 1 accuracy class;
- indicator of operation of the measuring device in each phase;
- reliable standard mounting on TN35 rail;
- ease;
- the presence of an electromechanical counting mechanism (EMOU);
- electrical test output of active electricity.
Flaws:
- high cost;
- fragile body.
Which electricity meters are the best, most reliable and inexpensive?
The best single-tariff inexpensive meter for an apartment Energomera CE-101-R5.1 145M6 5(60) A
In terms of cost and functionality, the rating of the best electric meters is headed by Energomera SE-101 . It is considered the best in its class for an apartment, small private house or cottage, with installation on the street. In addition, for a cost of 755 rubles , a service life of 30 years means a lot for a simple meter.
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Mercury 230ART-02-CN
This is the most popular model of a three-phase, three-tariff electric meter for an apartment in terms of advanced functionality and at the same time a relatively low cost of 4,500 rubles. A durable housing, a backlit LCD display, protection from electromagnetic fields, an archive of accounting data, self-diagnosis - all these advantages are combined in one device.
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An excellent inexpensive meter for a private home Incotex Mercury 231ART 01-Ш
If you need a meter with full functionality for a garage or a large cottage with high electricity consumption, which operates in a wide temperature range, is protected from adverse external influences, but within the price range of 2450 - 2800 rubles , then Mercury 231ART 01 is the most rational option.
Inexpensive meter with remote control (DPU) Inotex Mercury 200 02
Agree that you can only buy a multi-tariff electricity meter for 2000 rubles that is used. And where is the guarantee that in the near future you will not have to incur new expenses for another meter to replace a failed cheap purchase. But, if you have a limited family budget , but you need multi-tariff metering , then prepare from 1,500 rubles and buy a new Inotex Mercury 200 02 electric meter.
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Excellent garage meter Mercury 231-AM-01sh
Single-tariff three-phase meter Mercury 231-AM-01 for 1900 rubles, this is the best choice for garage conditions. The electronics of the device are reliably shielded from external electromagnetic fields and are capable of operating in the temperature range from –30 to +40°C . For the street, this is also a good solution.
The best inexpensive induction meter CO 505
Do you want to buy a high-quality electric meter under 1000 rubles ? There is one - CO 505. Just don’t be scared by its “communist” appearance, after all, this is a modern device made using innovative technologies. Reliable, durable and inexpensive.
INCOTEX Mercury 230 ART-02 CN 10(100) A
The three-phase multi-tariff electricity meter INCOTEX Mercury 230 ART is equipped with a tarifficator that calculates the consumption of active electricity in 16 time zones at 4 different tariffs for each of the 4 types of days. The meter is capable of recording morning and evening limits of reactive and active power.
Advantages:
- presence of a liquid crystal indicator;
- protection against electricity theft due to electronic seal;
- the ability to connect a backup power source;
- self-diagnosis with errors displayed on the display;
- the use of external switching circuits to control the load.
- reliable fastening to the TN-35 rail;
- versatility (used both in residential premises and in enterprises).
Flaws:
- small screen;
- fragile body.
Interesting Facts
Old style counter
The very first electronic meter in the Russian Federation was manufactured in 1996. Following this, a new GOST came into force this year, which made the use of a meter with an accuracy class of 2.5 and a current less than 30A illegal. However, such a change is quite adequate. Today, every home has electrical equipment that consumes 1-2 kW of electricity. For example, air heaters, dishwashers, microwave ovens, water heaters, and so on. It is for this reason that such changes were quite acceptable. And in 2000, an order was issued that ordered housing and communal services to equip them with a meter of accuracy class 2.0 with a current of 30A.
As for modern trends in the world, there were times when all induction meters were actively replaced with electronic ones. As a result, they were put into use by 95% of the population. But the picture has changed dramatically due to their unreliability. Now, for example, in England the ratio of electronic meters to induction meters is 60 to 40. If we talk about our country regarding the choice of an electric meter for an apartment, you need to be realistic. Often the passport specifies a service life of up to fifteen years, however, few of these devices have worked that long. But this applies to electronic meters. A completely different picture emerges with their induction analogues. Their resource is such that even after fifty years they will fit into the given accuracy class. This indicator has strong evidence, as it has been tested empirically.
