When connecting single-phase electricity meter

As soon as electricity became widely used by mankind, once invented a special device for its accounting - electricity meters .These useful tools began to be used more in the XIX century, and now any connection to electricity is unthinkable without counter, and siphoning off electricity is serious offense.Naturally , there are installation and operating instructions counters , regulated by the Rules for Electrical Installation (PUE), and the instruments themselves are subject to strict accounting and control of unauthorized access to them.Information about how to connect a single-phase electricity meter is likely to be useful to anyone who makes repairs in the apartment or house is building.

In most cases, installation and connection of electricity produces electricity supply company, but in some cases it can be done yourself, only entrusting the regulatory authorities to check the correctness of connection and sealing.This article describes how to properly connect

counter , which tools, accessories and supplies will be needed for this, and what should be paid special attention.

Types of single-phase meters

When selecting counter for self installation and connection must first of all, make sure that the selected model is allowed to operate u and s an necessary documents.It is best to acquire counter precisely in the electricity supply company, which will continue to monitor, verify and maintain it.But for the correct choice, you should know what electricity meters exist.

How can connect electric meters

Electricity single phase may have a different type of connection:

• Direct connection when meter plugs directly into the power circuit.Nearly all single-phase meters included so.
• Transformer connection when counter connected through special transformers.Such counters are mainly used in industry for accounting in electricity with a very high load.

Types constructions electricity

Counters may have a different design:

• Inductive or electromechanical counters , well known to us on the disk, which rotates faster, the greater the current flow, and means , andpower consumption.Di ck etc. ivoditsya moving magnetic field voltage and current coils are connected in series and in parallel respectively measured load.Special mechanism counts the number of revolutions by which one can judge the consumed power.Such counters have low accuracy class (1.5 and above), so gradually give way to more modern models.

• Electronic counters , coming to replace the induction.They have a high accuracy class (0.5-2.0), more reliable and compact in size.The measurement takes place in them a special electronic circuit which generates pulses in proportion to the load: the larger it is, the higher the pulse repetition rate.According to the number of pulses can be judged consumed power.

very important advantage of electronic counters is the ability multitariff accounting , that allows you to include powerful consumers energy (washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters) during the actionreduced rate and thus save funds.In addition, some models have the ability to remote reading and programming through a variety of interfaces: an infrared port, RS-485, GSM, CAN and others.

If you plan to install the meter on the street, it is better to choose an electronic counter , equipped with an electromechanical reading device.At low temperatures, liquid crystal displays are no longer display information, although counter counts regularly consumed kilowatt-hours.

necessary components and tools to install the meter

To install a single-phase electricity meter need the following components:

• Actually the electric meter .By purchasing the device, be sure to make sure there is a stamp OTC , as well as the seals on the body of the counter.The terminal cover is sealed after the connection.Model meter shall correspond to the load, which is described in the technical specifications - TU , they can be easily found in the electricity supply company.
• If counter will be installed in an existing electrical box or boxing, you should make sure that the attachment suitable for the installation.Usually counters mounted on three screws.If counter is mounting on DIN-rail, panel and its not, it can easily be purchased in the store and install.
• If counter will be installed in the new box, you should buy it as well.When installed on the street side need to purchase with a degree of protection of at least IP54 , having the seal cover and special seals for the input and output cables.

Video: Street shield for the electricity

• However electricity meter is usually installed modular equipment for protection of people and wiring: circuit breakers, and in some cases, and protective devices - RCD .They required amount of denominations and are calculated in the design of power supply system, which is carried out by experts.Buying such equipment is best-known brands and only in specialized stores.According to the SAE electricity meter must be installed bipolar circuit breaker which allows service counter, as well as protection against short circuits and overloads.Denomination switch must match the allocated power and must be specified in the technical specifications for connection.
• for distribution and switching of zero (N) and protective ground (PE) in the electrical panels use special tires mounted on a DIN-rail, and the special attachment points.When buying them it is worth considering that the zero bus is common to use a plastic holder blue and the earthing - yellow or green colors.Some default switchboard have already included these tires.

• to connect all the electrical components, required equipment wire.For this purpose, monozhilny copper wire brand PV -1.The use of stranded wires is not recommended, but if they are used as input and output cables to the ends have to wear special caps and crimp the appropriate diameter or obluzhivat soldering iron.
• for fixing the electrical box or on the building construction as well as for mounting counter DIN-rails and tire set inside the electrical need fastening elements, screws, dowels, plastic ties.
• If incoming and departing cables often are color color isolation, the mounting wire PV-1 it has not.Therefore, marking the phase and neutral conductors must have electrical tape or heat shrink tubing blue and red colors.

To install a single-phase electricity meter need the following tools:

• Hammer drill with the appropriate diameter dowels - for hanging or the electrical box on the building construction.
  pliers.Well, if there will be several different sizes of sponges.
• Cutters.
• Knife construction.
• Remover isolation.

• Roulette.
• line.
• Building level.
• Set screwdrivers.
• indicator screwdriver - to check the presence of voltage.

• soldering.He may need to tinning stranded wire.

When connecting single-phase electricity meter

Before starting work on the installation of a new counter, make sure that the feed line is de-energized.Check the presence or absence of voltage can be either using a screwdriver indicator , or multimeter.Installing counter includes a series of simple technological operations.

• After checking voltage is marking the place of the future installation panel or box for counter.Optimum mounting height counter 1,6-1,7 meters from the surface.This is the most convenient height for readings counter and carrying out any work.
• With the punch in target areas drilled holes in the building structure, dowels are inserted and mounted bo ks to I counter.The level necessary to control the horizontal installation.
• If counter is mounted in place of the old, after disconnecting all wires dismantled old counter .
• Under the scheme, which may have a variety of options, mounted counter and modular equipment (circuit-breakers, RCD, tires).If necessary, set the DIN-rail, which can be pre-cut with a hacksaw to the desired size.Modular equipment is mounted with special clamps or spring latches .Introductory bipolar circuit breaker is better to mount a special mini-box, which is then sealed with the electricity supply company.This will eliminate the possibility of connecting a load to counter.

• done input cables: power supply and the load (apartment or house).When a box is installed on the street, special seals are used: threaded or rubber - to seal cable entry into the enclosure without letting penetrate atmospheric moisture.For this purpose, the rubber seals are cut with a knife, a screw tightened after they passed through the cable.

• Burke cable ends with a knife or a special tool.At the same time it is necessary to ensure that when the cable sheath incision does not damage the wire insulation.Cable entry through the gland is to be coated, left still 2-3 cm, and the rest of the length is cut.

• In the left panel supply cables: introductory and loads in order to be able to re-installation.Typically, the length of cable made twice larger than necessary.This should avoid sharp corners that can lead to further fracture the cable.
• Before connecting the cable to the introductory bipolar machine checked conductors belonging to a phase, working zero and zero protective (ground).Typically, the phase wire has a brown or red color isolation, the neutral - the blue and the ground - combined yellow-green .But there are cases where the color of the insulation may vary (see. Figure).For complete warranty cleaned puller wire insulation at 10 mm, breed them at a safe distance, briefly include voltage and check screwdriver indicator of the phase wire.Then multimeter check the voltage between the phase conductor, working and protective zero .It should be in the 220-230 . After this voltage is turned off.

• Introductory cable is connected to the input automaton.In the upper left contact start up phase wire, and right - zero work.The ground wire is put immediately to the appropriate terminal, which was mounted in the panel in advance.After that, the contacts are tightened with a screwdriver .After a few minutes should be done retightening as pressure wire terminals will shrink slightly .Aluminum wires are unpleasant property shrink over time in terminals.Electricians say about it: "The wires are flowing."That is why it is always better to use copper wire and cable, aluminum and periodically tightened.
• With output bipolar circuit breaker phase and zero work is connected with the counter electricity.All single-phase meters connect the four terminals, and their purpose is the same for a Counter in in seh models:
  • o Terminal №1 - to enter the phase conductor.
  • o Terminal №2 - phase output.
  • o Terminal №3 - the entrance of the working zero.
  • o Terminal №4 - worker output zero.

• for switching the entire unit of equipment necessary to make the jumper wire from the PV-1.For this purpose the distance is measured from one terminal to another wire pliers bent at right angles a number of times so that the wire is free and stress-free fit to the terminal.Insulation trimmed only at a distance that allows securely fasten the wire in the terminal equipment unit.For circuit breakers, RCD and terminals insulation trimmed by 10 mm, and for the electricity - 27 mm.If the panel established a series of circuit breakers, which are necessary to give the phase, then make a jumper wire from the PV-1 with no gaps or use a special comb , cutting off the desired size with a hacksaw.

• Jumpers necessarily mark colored tape or heat-shrinkable tubing.Phase wire red and zero - blue.The wire is put into the terminal only bare part, getting the insulation is not allowed.In this case of the modular equipment and counter should not peek bare piece of wire.Tightening Clem m m The modular equipment is carried out in two reception with a break of a few minutes.