Which counter is better for water? How to choose a water meter?

Water is an invaluable resource that is vital for every living organism. But it is a product for which it is necessary to pay the owner - the state. In Russia, counters are installed to account for water consumption. And the right to choose the device remains for the owner of the home. This gave rise to a huge range of products, in connection with which each of us at least once in my life had a question: which counter is better for water? Our article will help us understand this.

Togo requires the law

Previously, the tenants themselves chose how to pay for consumed water - according to the norms established by the legislation or by focusing on the water consumption meter readings. But with the entry into force of the Federal Law of November 23, 2009, under the number 261-FZ "On Energy Saving and on Improving Energy Efficiency and on Amending Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation," the installation of water meters has become an obligatory procedure for all citizens of the country. However, the law does not regulate which recording device should be installed.

To evade this responsibility can only owners of housing, which is officially recognized as dilapidated, or one where communications are badly worn and need to be replaced. In addition, all apartment owners are exempted from it, where the installation of a cold water meter (or hot) is impossible due to the design features of the water pipe. In this case, this fact must be proved and documented in the housing and communal services.

Types and types of water meters

Counters of water consumption are classified according to several characteristics. According to the designation, they are divided into industrial and domestic subspecies. We will not dwell on the first version, but the second type of devices requires more detailed consideration.

Household appliances are divided into two groups:

1. "Wet" accountants, in which the recording device is directly connected to the impeller or turbine, rotated by the flow of water.
2. "Dry" water meters, the design of which has two separate sections for indicators of water consumption and recording devices.

Solving the question "which counter is better for water," one can not ignore the device of the recording device. It, in turn, depends on the group of the device and has its own distinctive properties.

Mechanical or tachometric devices

Mechanical counters can be installed to register both cold and hot water. The principal differences between devices adapted to work in a certain temperature range will be considered later. Now we will study their construction and the principle of operation.

Tachometric water meters can belong to a "dry" and "wet" group. The representative of the first is Valtec. A water meter of this type registers the readings by rotating the turbine located in the nozzle. The top of the impeller has a magnet that attracts the metal plate of the recorder and causes it to rotate. Such water meters are reliably protected from leaks and have high durability.

In "wet" devices, the turbine is rigidly connected to the tachometer. It, rotated by a stream of water, transfers force to system of asterisks which define speed of rotation of a dial. The advantages of such water meters include a simple design, and to the disadvantages - a high risk of clogging the water pipe.

Electromagnetic hydrometers

To say exactly which counter is better for water - electromagnetic or mechanical - is impossible. Everything depends on the characteristics of the watercourse and the design of the water supply system. So, electromagnetic devices, among other things, require constant connection to the power network, but they, in contrast to tachometric devices, transmit more accurate readings.

The principle of operation of such water meters is based on the law of electromagnetic induction. The impeller, rotating, creates an electromagnetic field, and the higher the flow rate (the greater the flow of water), the faster the induction field rotates. The device displays the readings on the LCD display, which makes it easier to read them.

Differences between hot and cold water meters

The principle of operation of hot and cold water meters is the same. Both types of devices can be both mechanical and electromagnetic. But the water meter SGV (for hot piping) has some design features:

1. It is made of heat-resistant materials that have a low coefficient of linear expansion. This prevents leakage when the appliance is heated.
2. In its design, it has special reinforced gaskets, which also do not allow the appearance of leaks.

Cold water meters are marked with the letter "X", hot - "G". Change them in places, that is, install SC on the hot water pipeline and vice versa is not recommended.

What else to consider when choosing a counter?

Choosing which counter for water is best, you should not forget about the correspondence of the device inlet to the diameter of the pipeline. Ignoring this fact, you will either have to use the adapter pipes, or at all refuse to install the purchased device.

The second important factor is the material of manufacture. The main ones are copper and brass. The use of other metals, as well as alloys is not recommended, because they release harmful substances into the water. And it is better, if the counter has a natural color, and not covered with paint.

Do not pay attention to how much the meter costs for water, it is impossible. Mechanical devices have a lower price, compared to electromagnetic, but their accuracy is much lower. In turn, tachometric water meters are more durable and easy to operate. The specific cost of the device depends on the brand of the manufacturer.

Manufacturers of water meters

Quality instruments for the domestic market are supplied by Valtec. The counter of water of the Italian manufacture differs reliability and durability, happens mechanical and electromagnetic. Most models are equipped with a pulse device for remote reading of readings.

Zenner water meters, whose representative office is located in more than forty countries of the world, have also proven themselves. Among other popular foreign manufacturers it is worth noting the company Viterra, Siemens, Wehrle.

Among the devices of domestic production, it is possible to allocate counters "Betar". Mainly, thanks to their price. The average cost of devices is in the range of 500-1100 rubles, which in combination with acceptable durability makes them profitable.

Among other domestic manufacturers it is possible to note the company "Meter" and the enterprises of "Mytishchi heating system". Their instruments are qualitative, reliable and accurate. They are adapted for different pipe diameters. In addition, their products do not pay attention to how much the meter costs for water. The average price for devices is in the range of 500-900 rubles.