An electric meter is an electrical measuring device designed to take into account the consumption of electricity, both AC and DC. Electricity in this case is measured in kilowatts / hour (kW / h). Where it is necessary to control and monitor the consumption of electrical energy for certain periods of time, it is also necessary to connect an electric meter.
Electric meters are single-phase and three-phase. The electricity meter is connected via a measuring current transformer (in case of indirect connection), but you can do without them (direct connection). Installing an electric meter in a network with a voltage of up to 380 Volts requires the use of a device for 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. Currently, there are two main ones - these are electronic and induction meters. Answering the question of which is better - electronic or induction - is quite difficult. Everything depends on the functions assigned to them.
Induction electricity meter basedon the principles of operation of the magnetic forces of an inductor and voltage with the magnetic force of an aluminum disk. As a result of this interaction, the number of revolutions of the disk will also reflect the consumption of electricity. To sum the revolutions, a counting mechanism is used. Such counters are extremely simple, but already outdated. They cannot support multi-tariff accounting and do not have the ability to transmit readings remotely. Connecting an electric meter operating on an induction circuit is a simple matter, and in most cases does not even require 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 values. Such electronic meters are highly reliable and accurate.
During a process such as connecting an electric meter, you need to pay attention to some parameters of the devices. The front side must necessarily indicate either the number of revolutions of the disk for induction meters, or the number of pulses for electronic meters, which 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 tariff rate of the device should be called the most important parameter and pay attention to it in such a procedure as connecting an electric meter. Until recently, almost all counters that were used in everyday life,were strictly unilateral. Modern digital meters can keep records by zones of the day, and even by season.
Multi-tariff options are also beneficial for the consumer: a system designed for such electric electricity meters allows you to automatically switch the tariff from day to night (at night, the tariff is significantly lower, which motivates users to equalize the daily load schedule).
