Everything about the Mercury 200 electricity meter: instructions, installation, readings

Home » Electrical installation » Electric meters » Mercury meters: types, characteristics, features

Mercury counters have become especially popular lately; many people are already paying attention to them. Therefore, we decided to pay special attention to them, consider the most popular models and try to figure out which ones are best to use for the home. We will also look at reviews from owners and several videos on the topic.

Overview and technical specifications

The metering device has a 30-year service life. After three years of operation, repairs may be required. The reason is a manufacturing defect or non-compliance with the conditions for using electrical equipment. Please see the table below for technical specifications.

Before putting the device into operation, it undergoes verification. This procedure is carried out once every 16 years, if the device has worked that long. Information based on the results of the analysis of the electric meter is recorded in the passport by authorized employees of the Distribution Zone.

The electric meter has several worthy qualities:

• has antimagnetic property. This will prevent the readings from rewinding in the opposite direction. It will not be possible to stop such an electric meter with a magnet;
• connection and operability in an automatic power supply system;
• presence of indication of errors that have appeared and malfunction of the metering device;
• a wide range of possible settings, flexible parameters and the ability to change modes at any time;
• has convenient standard sizes, suitable for standard DIN rail mounting, easily fits into the panel housing;
• It is characterized by reliable operation and is not afraid of voltage surges in single-phase networks.

Each modification of the Mercury meter is designed for 150 thousand hours of operation without failures. Errors may occur in the future. They are eliminated by an electrician's intervention in the software. The device has non-volatile memory. It is capable of transmitting data to reading devices without hindrance.

The electrical device is equipped with protection against unauthorized entry into the housing.

The following information is displayed on the meter screen:

• voltage value and power indicators;
• information for the previous year;
• time period when switching tariff zones;
• indication of signal strength;
• tariff price index;
• indication for each tariff (six-digit designation).

The estimated price of a single-phase Mercury meter will be 1600-2700 thousand rubles.

Another popular model is the Mercury-202 electricity meter.

How to choose a multi-tariff meter

Before choosing and purchasing a metering device, you need to find out exactly whether the separate tariff system works in a given locality. Otherwise, purchasing an expensive meter may not be economically viable.

You can directly select a device based on several basic parameters.

According to the operating principle

The two-tariff system is supported exclusively by electronic meters. In these devices, electric current is converted with the help of semiconductor elements into pulse signals entering the counting device. For display, an electromechanical method with digital wheels or a more modern liquid crystal display can be used, which displays the final readings.

In multi-tariff devices, only the second option with digital display is used. In this regard, there are requirements for the installation site, where a certain temperature regime must be observed to ensure correct operation of the device. Otherwise, the information will no longer be displayed, although the meter itself will continue to record consumed electricity.

By accuracy class

This parameter determines the permissible error of the device, expressed as a percentage. If induction meters for the most part had an accuracy class of “2.5”, then electronic equipment is much more accurate and has a class of 2, 1, 0.5 and higher. This indicator necessarily contains instructions and technical documentation, and a marking is applied to the body of Mercury, which is a number placed in a circle. As the accuracy class increases, the cost of the device itself increases.

According to the maximum current value

The maximum current can be single-phase or three-phase. Most connections in apartments and private houses are made to standard single-phase networks, voltage 220 volts, frequency 50 Hz. Sometimes, for technical reasons, only three-phase current at 380 V is used when it is planned to use powerful electrical equipment. Therefore, each network will require an appropriate meter that meets these indicators.

Most devices are designed for an electric current of 60 A, with a total load of up to 10 kW, which is quite enough for most apartments and houses. If the load exceeds 10 kW, then the maximum current value for the meter should already be 100 A.

Based on the availability of automated accounting of energy consumption and tariffs

These systems are just beginning to be implemented, so in the future you can choose a metering device with the ability to connect an appropriate communication interface. You should also inquire about other additional options that make it easier to take readings.

Varieties

The manufacturer offers two types of household metering devices. The Mercury 200 electricity meter has a modification and some features. The functioning of the devices is similar for both models.

Mercury 200.02

Single-phase metering device "Mercury" 200 02. During installation, it is fixed to a DIN rail. The interface provides the ability to set several tariffs for servicing networks. The device operates autonomously and as part of the ASKUE.

Mercury 200.04

Electric meter "Mercury" 200 04 multi-tariff. It is installed to analyze energy consumption. The device has a certificate of conformity. Mounts on a DIN rail and comes with a mounting plate. It will be useful when installing equipment in place of an induction device. The interface involves entering four tariffs for commercial calculation.

The meter operating manual can be downloaded here

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the electric meter include its small size.
During the production of the product, developers are subject to the highest requirements for accuracy and reliability, as well as wide functionality and developed functions.

Main advantages:

• Wide selection of models.
• Quality and reliability.
• Low cost of the product.
• Protection against hacking and unauthorized access.
• Simplicity and ease of use.
• Use 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 readings.

Some people are stopped from purchasing an electric meter by its long payback period.
Not the entire population is ready to switch to Mercury energy meters. This is due to the following factors:

• The low cost of electricity deters people from switching to new metering devices, since they will take a long time to pay for themselves.
• Dividing 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. Same with production.
• Some groups of the population may have problems collecting data from the meter.

Despite the shortcomings, the Mercury electricity meter is one of the most convenient and profitable devices.

Completeness and installation features

When purchasing a Mercury meter, the kit includes a mounting plate, a packaging box and the meter itself. Also inside there are instructions with a diagram according to which you can connect the device. It is used to connect the metering device.

Installation of Mercury 200 to a home network is performed by a qualified technician. You can do the work yourself if you have electrical skills. To do this, you need to resolve a number of issues with the service provider.

1. Submitting an application to the energy sales authority and setting deadlines for the work.
2. The controller takes readings from the meter and removes the old seal.
3. Preparing a site for the installation of new equipment.
4. Installation of a box or panel for the Mercury 200 electric meter.
5. Installation of a metering device and connecting it to the electrical network.
6. Test run.
7. Checking the functionality of the device and network.
8. Installation of a locking device if the meter operates outdoors.
9. Inspection by a representative of Energonadzor and sealing of equipment.

For installation, the Mercury 200 meter connection diagram is used. It is suitable for a 220 and 230 V network. After installation, electricity is supplied to the meter. The required tariffs are immediately programmed and changed at a set time.

Mercury design

These devices have a very small body that looks great in any interior. If we talk about the fastening features, then the manufacturers have thought through absolutely every possible detail. It is quite simple to attach and use it in the future.

The case cannot be opened due to the absence of all the bolts, so no one will be able to penetrate it. Plus, it is not at all afraid of moisture, so it can be installed even in basements (where it is humid, but there is little water).

I would like to note that model 201.22 meters have a modern built-in PLC modem, which eliminates any possibility of theft and simply shows the actual consumption of electrical energy.

Indication modes

The electricity meter has two indication modes:

• display mode for displaying accumulated energy at the current tariff. The monitor displays the number in kW that was spent during the entire operation of the meter. The current tariff number is displayed on the left - T1, T2, T3, T4. Using the cursors on the screen, you can determine the current state of the counter;
• Cyclic display mode. Switching to this mode is done using a convenient menu. The monitor shows: accounted energy for each tariff; date and time; network load power; the amount for all tariffs combined. The listed parameters can all be included in the cycle at the same time or one at a time. Pressing the oval button allows you to return to the previous display mode.

The display mode includes displaying the current date, time, and energy consumption at the beginning of the month.

Taking readings

It is better to take readings from the meter manually using a recording. To do this, press a button that changes the information for each individual tariff. Then all the data is summed up and the debt on the utility bill is calculated.

All data is recorded at the beginning and end of the month, after which it is compared. Payment is made based on the calculations. To take readings from the electricity meter, follow the instructions.

1. By default, the sum of readings is set to day and night. Click on the "Enter" button to view the readings for each tariff.
2. If the meter operates as a two-tariff or three-tariff, then it will be necessary to determine the readings T1, T2, T3.
3. Then all the readings are summed up and payment in monetary terms is calculated.

You can view the readings without pressing a button. On the monitor, every 10-15 seconds the counted kilowatts change for each tariff.

Basic and additional characteristics

There are differences in the technical characteristics of the device depending on the model, but the common feature for meters of the 201 series is accuracy class 1. This meets the requirements of regulatory documents (no more than 2) and indicates a small measurement error. The device is protected by a polarity reversal system from the possibility of external influence on its operation. You cannot stop the device or affect the accuracy of the data.

Main characteristics:

• rated network voltage - 230 V;
• rated current - 5(60) - 10(80) A;
• sensitivity threshold - 10/20/40 mA;
• temperature range within -40…+75⁰С;
• weight - 0.25 (0.35) kg.

How the tariff schedule is set

In the software of the Mercury 200 meter, it is possible to register up to eight tariff change points. The mode is characterized by designation (T1, T2, T3, T4) and start time. Working days, holidays and weekends are set for each month. The maximum allowed number of holidays per year is 16 for any meter model. Follow the instructions during setup.

1. Select the month for which tariffs are set. Go to "Working days".
2. Press the button twice, call up the menu to set the start time zone. Enter the letter and number of the tariff and click “Install”.
3. To turn off an existing work zone, you can click the “Delete” button.

All control is carried out from a computer using a special installer.

Features in design

Structurally, all electricity meters of the 201 series are made in the same type of rectangular plastic housing. Based on the model range, they can be electromechanical or electronic. In the first case, the reading system is a drum, in the second - a liquid crystal display. Both the drum and the display are located on the front panel on the left, and on the right is a table with technical characteristics. The screwless device of the Mercury 201 electric meter protects it as much as possible from break-ins and ensures sufficient tightness.

The device is compact and is fixed on a wall or other surface using a DIN rail. This mounting option is the most reliable.

The design of the lower part of the housing is removable and is designed to protect the contacts, which can be accessed after removing the cover. The wires are connected with a screw connection.

To determine how much space the Mercury 201 series meter takes up in the electrical panel, you need to know the number of modules of the device. It may not be the same for different models. There are cases when electrical panels do not fit the dimensions of the metering device, and special holes have to be cut for them. Only in this case is it possible to firmly mount the electric meter inside the panel on a DIN rail. You can find out how many modules the Mercury 201 counter occupies by reading the parameters of its modifications.