Electrometer selection and connection

The electric meter is an electrical instrument designed to take into account the power consumption of both AC and DC. Electricity in this case is measured in kilowatts / hour (kW / h). Where it is necessary to monitor and monitor the consumption of electrical energy for certain periods of time, it is also necessary to connect an electricity meter.

Electricity meters are single-phase and three-phase. The electricity meter is connected via the current measuring transformer (in case of indirect connection), however you can do without them (direct connection). The installation of an electric meter in a network with a voltage of up to 380 volts requires the use of the device on an electric current from 5 to 25 A. This is a mandatory rule. The choice of the electric meter is carried out in view of their types. At present there are two main ones: electronic and inductive counters. Answer the question of which is better - electronic or induction - rather difficult. Everything depends on the functions assigned to them.

The induction electric meter is based on the principles of operation of the magnetic forces of the inductor and voltage with the magnetic force of the aluminum disk. As a result of this interaction, the number of revolutions of the disk will reflect the energy consumption. To count the revolutions, a counting mechanism is used. Such counters are extremely simple, but they are already obsolete. They can not support multi-rate accounting and do not have the ability to transmit readings remotely. Connecting an electricity meter that works on an induction circuit is a simple matter, and in most cases does not require even special knowledge.

Electronic counters are based on microcircuits. In such devices there are no rotating parts, they simply convert the signals from the measuring elements into directly proportional quantities. Such electronic counters are highly reliable and accurate.

During such a process as the connection of an electricity meter, it is necessary to pay attention to certain parameters of the instruments. On the front side, it is necessary to indicate either the number of revolutions of the disk for induction counters, or the number of pulses for electronic meters that correspond to 1 kWh.

An important parameter is the accuracy class of the electric meter. This parameter indicates the degree of measurement error. Also, the device's tariff should be called the most important parameter and pay attention to it in such a procedure as the connection of an electricity meter. Until recently, almost all the meters that were used in everyday life were strictly one-tariff. Modern digital meters can keep track of both the zones of the day, and even the time of the year.

Multi-tariff options are also beneficial for the consumer: a system designed for such electric energy meters allows automatic switching of the tariff from day to night (night tariff is much lower, which motivates users to equalize the daily load schedule).