Smart electricity meters: a useful and convenient device

Smart electricity meters: a useful and convenient device

To take readings from the device, you need to approach it, but if you install modern smart electricity meters, you can do it remotely. This is very convenient, because in this case you can take readings and pay for electricity using the Internet. The legal framework regarding smart meters is constantly changing and improving. Therefore, in this publication we will get acquainted with the basic information concerning these intelligent devices.

Thanks to new technologies, the data of the “smart” meter becomes available in electronic form

Smart electricity meters: what is it

Smart electricity meters automatically take readings and transmit the received information to special payment systems. This is very convenient, because it allows you to save the most valuable thing – time. And that’s not all. These devices make it possible to make the process of charging for received utilities more transparent.

Unlike the old type, the remote reading counter must be permanently connected to the network

In addition, automatic meter reading prevents errors or intentional submission of false information about the resources used. Thanks to this, savings occur. With smart meters, users will pay only for the amount of electricity that was actually consumed, even if the readings were not submitted on time. Devices are often placed behind tiles, under the sink or below eye level, so the ability to view data from the device using a computer or mobile phone is especially pleasant.

Modern smart light meters determine data more accurately and in detail. The removal of indicators takes place remotely using a special device, which is responsible for sending information to service companies. In addition, the great advantage of such devices is that they are able to detect when their work has been interfered with, as well as report a breakdown or error.

How much a smart meter costs depends on a certain set of functions and on average varies from 3 to 12 thousand rubles. According to the law on the installation of smart electricity meters, the ordinary population does not need to change the devices themselves without fail. Replacement will be carried out by service companies after the device is out of order or after the date of inspection.

Once a day, the meter transmits data on the amount of electricity consumed to the grid company

Useful advice! The network company must install a new device instead of a broken meter within 3-6 months. If this is not done on time, then payments for the electricity used will be charged according to the average consumption.

Smart electricity meters: how the devices work

Currently, a smart meter is considered to be a special automated device that is designed to collect data on the amount of gas, electricity and water used. Smart meters transmit all data to special companies approximately once an hour.

Since the payment for light, gas and water is constantly growing, such automated devices are very popular among the population. The devices have become an integral part of new homes and reconstructed buildings.

Switching to smart electricity meters provides many advantages, including practicality, benefits, and also allows you to monitor consumers and calculate unscrupulous people.

In addition to transmitting data on the amount of energy consumed, such a metering device gives a signal to electricity suppliers about hacking or malfunction

The smart device consists of two parts: the meter itself and the controller, which is responsible for transmitting information to the world Wide Web. There are several options for installing the controller. One of them is the installation of the transmitting unit in the meter housing. This option is quite expensive and not particularly convenient, so it is used extremely rarely.

It is much more profitable when the controller and the counter are two different devices. The thing is that there may be several devices in the house, for example, controlling the flow of water, electricity and gas. Then all the counters in the apartment can be connected to an external multi-input controller. The main requirement for the devices is as follows: they must be equipped with a pulse output through which connection to the controller is performed.

Servers for collecting and storing user readings are located in special data centers. This makes it possible to view the readings using a computer, tablet and even a phone.

Useful advice! To see information about the meter readings, you need to log in to your personal account. Almost every manufacturer has a mobile application that allows you to analyze data, and also reports emergency situations.

The “smart” meter also provides differentiated accounting of electricity consumed depending on the time of day

Smart meters for light: types of controllers and data transmission mechanism

Data is transmitted by the controller using wired and wireless technologies, as well as a combined method. The most modern, simple and inexpensive way to transfer data is a wireless controller. The process is carried out using one of the following technologies:

The principle of remote collection of readings from the electricity meter

Choosing a smart meter is primarily a choice of how the controller works. In the event that it is planned to build a block of high-rise buildings, automation of an agricultural or industrial enterprise, LPWAN technology is better suited. GPRS controllers are recommended for homes away from modern technology. For people who spend most of their lives online, it’s better to choose Wi-Fi controllers.

It’s interesting! At this time in Europe, many activists advocate the abolition of the installation of smart meters. The main danger for the consumer’s wallet is that such devices can be hacked by hackers. There are also a lot of complaints in European countries about a significant increase in bills after the supplier companies have reconfigured the systems.

Advantages and disadvantages of electricity meters with remote reading

It is assumed that the installation of smart meters will save 30% of the amount of payments. During operation, a large number of nuances emerge. First, let’s look at the obvious advantages of smart devices:

• comfortable use. Installing smart electricity meters makes life easier, as readings will be automatically sent to the appropriate companies. The user is only required to pay on time;

Thanks to smart meters, it is possible to limit the flow of electricity or completely stop its supply to malicious defaulters

• savings are possible by preventing possible theft. You won’t be able to cheat with the new device. The consumer will pay strictly for the resources used, any option of stealing electricity is excluded;
• there is an opportunity to switch to using a more profitable multi-tariff payment system;
• supplying organizations will be able to quickly control the consumption of resources separately in each apartment and in the whole house. This will allow you to restore order with the help of an automated system;
• smart electricity meters help to save on the number of staff in management companies, as there is no need to go to the apartments and houses of residents and collect information.

The installation of modern electricity meters has its drawbacks:

• these devices have a high price, but at the moment it is not necessary to change the meters yourself;
• like any electronic device, the device requires stable and high-quality power supply without power surges, otherwise it will break;
• it is necessary to provide access to the device for controlling persons – many have doubts: will outsiders try to interfere with the operation of the device and change the readings;
• it is required to provide stable Internet coverage of large areas for the smooth operation of controllers;

The main advantage of smart meters is that they reduce the time of data collection

• we need workers who control the operation of modems, which can periodically hang up and require a reboot;
• since the number of IP addresses will increase significantly, it is necessary to provide several powerful servers for storing information;
• all information is now online, which means it needs to be protected from hacker attacks;
• despite all the advantages, it should take quite a long time until the installation of innovative meters pays off.

Legislation on smart electricity meters

On December 19, 2018, the State Duma adopted the law on “smart meters” in the third reading, which provides for the rapid development of intelligent electricity metering systems in Russia. The bill is constantly being improved in the form of amendments.

The text of the law on smart electricity meters states that, starting from July 1, 2020, as the old electricity meters fail, they will be replaced by intelligent metering devices. According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, ordinary electricity meters must be installed by consumers themselves.

The consumer is not responsible for the purchase, installation and maintenance of a smart meter

It is mandatory that intelligent devices will be put into operation from 2021. Their installation, replacement, configuration, verification – the work of suppliers and network companies. Independent replacement of conventional meters with intelligent devices will have to be done only by large companies and enterprises.

The consumer is not responsible for the purchase, installation and further maintenance of the meter. Only in that case the consumer is obliged to monitor the integrity of the device if the accounting device is placed indoors or within his own land plot.

It’s interesting! Smart meters will divide the day into parts, each of which will have its own tariff. In this case, Russians will be able to distribute the use of household electrical appliances in such a way that their work falls at a time when electricity is cheaper.

The implementation of all the provisions of the law will improve the quality of energy supplied, increase the reliability of supplies and increase energy savings.

The law on smart electricity meters: a few interesting points

The cost of smart devices is very high. Where did the finances for their mass purchase come from? The law states that sales organizations will include these costs in the tariff. Entrepreneurs and enterprises will be equipped with devices due to future savings, which is expected after the launch of the system. There is no final decision as to which energy meters will be used. Most likely, these will be devices of domestic production.

Related article:

Electric meter transmitting readings: characteristics of accounting equipment

Characteristics of accounting devices that independently transmit readings, their features and advantages. Data transmission scheme.

The price of a smart meter is about 12 thousand rubles. The exact cost is still unknown, as the Ministry has not yet decided on a set of requirements for the device. In addition, some models of already installed simple counters can be improved with the help of special controllers.

The law on Smart Electricity Meters provides for penalties applied to malicious debtors – remote disconnection from the network. The law has the following rule: if the device has not been replaced with a new intelligent device since the first day of 2023, a fine is levied from the guaranteeing supplier. In the event that the sales organization has not eliminated the comments, the subscriber is completely exempt from paying for the consumed electricity. This norm is provided for the purpose of stimulating the installation of intelligent electric energy meters.

A smart meter costs about 12-15 thousand rubles

There is an opinion that this law is the beginning of high-quality accounting, which will increase the discipline of payment in large enterprises, and for ordinary citizens will reduce costs.

An interesting moment! Currently, there are at least 300 types of counters of different release periods. Despite the diversity, they do not meet the minimum needs of an intelligent electricity metering system.

How and when will smart electricity meters be installed

Already from 2019, smart meters will appear in the lives of ordinary people. The main task of smart devices is to establish the most reliable and accurate accounting of resource consumption, simplify the payment process for users, and also calculate unscrupulous consumers.

The installation of intelligent systems will not hit the consumer’s pocket, since the replacement of electricity meters is free. Statistics state that about half a million such devices have already been installed on the territory of the Russian Federation. It is also planned that by 2024 95% of citizens will use new smart meters. At this time, anyone can voluntarily install a modern accounting device.

New meters will become mandatory in Russia in two years

It’s interesting! It is assumed that initially 1.5 – 2 thousand rubles will be included in the payment for energy services for the installation of modern smart meters. In the future, every month it will be necessary to pay only for the maintenance of the device. At this time, everything happens in this way: an employee of the company performs an inspection of the device and, if problems are detected, issues an invoice for the replacement of parts. After installing the smart meter, everything will be different. If the device fails for an unknown reason, then the service company will perform an absolutely free replacement.

Electricity meters with remote control: what is it?

Many electricity consumers, choosing a meter, focus on the financial side of this issue. One of the options is to purchase a meter for used electricity with a remote control.

This device does not differ in its tasks from other counters, only a remote control is attached to it. If desired, by pressing the button on the remote control, you can turn off the device so that it stops keeping records of the electricity consumed, and then turn it on. Manufacturers describe everything very colorfully. However, not everything is so cloudless. In fact, a smart electricity meter with a remote control is a high–quality fake of an ordinary device.

If desired, one click on the button can turn off the device so that it stops counting readings.

Although manufacturers promise that the device is equipped with all state seals, protective holograms and does not differ in appearance from standard models, but in case of detection of the device, the owner will be fined. Experienced electricians will easily recognize a fake and punish the consumer for illegal actions and deception of the state. In addition, the service life of the remote control is short – only a few months.

Another significant disadvantage of the device is that the price of a smart electricity meter with a remote control is rather big. Although the manufacturers of the devices claim that all the details of the device are factory-made and of high quality, but the cost does not pay for all its disadvantages. It is much more profitable to save by legal methods, for example, you can purchase a multi-tariff device.

Useful advice! You should not buy such counters on the Internet at a very low price. Most likely, the device is equipped with a poor-quality radio relay and may not pass the test successfully. And this promises a huge fine.

The devices with the remote control are sealed, they have tags on them

Smart electricity meters: prices and features

The devices are not always installed in such a way that it is convenient to approach them. Special counters will come to the rescue, which allow you to remotely view information about the resources used and pay for them without leaving your home or office.

The following factors affect how much a smart electricity meter costs:

• the price of the electric meter itself;
• the cost of the controller that is responsible for collecting and transmitting data from the device.

Also, the brand, the accuracy class of the device and the type of network voltage affect the formation of the electricity meter price. You can save money by installing one controller for several apartments. If the metering devices are assembled on a common dashboard, then it is advantageous for residents to use one controller, thereby reducing the financial burden of paying for those living in each individual apartment.

The cost of smart electricity meters in 2019 is approximately at least 3,300 rubles

You can buy a smart electricity meter both in a regular and in an online store. You can order the installation and configuration of a remote reading device or replace the electricity meter yourself. The price for a turnkey installation is 4-7 thousand rubles. It all depends on the type of counter and controller. Installation without settings will be cheaper – 2-3 thousand rubles.

Conventional meters cost from 600 to 1000 rubles. The price of 600-800 rubles is typical for devices that cannot become “smart”, that is, you can only take readings from the device from the scoreboard. Starting from 800 rubles, you can purchase automated devices with a pulse output that can “get smarter” with the help of a controller.

The cost of controllers ranges from 3 thousand to 10 thousand rubles.

Useful advice! If desired, you can find a counter and a controller at a price above or below the specified figures, the main thing is to have a desire. Too low a cost should raise doubts about the quality of the device. If the price is high, then it should be justified.

It will be a little more expensive to buy a smart meter in a regular store than when ordering directly on the manufacturer’s website

Very soon, artificial intelligence will monitor the consumption of electricity, water, gas and other resources by the population of the Russian Federation. Already, the process of implementing the “smart meter” technology is in full swing. In addition, power engineers install a smart electricity meter on a pole for unhindered access to employees.

This system makes it possible to reduce electricity losses due to the ability to remotely disconnect the debtor from the general network. To do this, you do not even need to seal the electricity meters, just press a special button on the server. The bill signed last year stipulates that consumers will not spend a single ruble to install a modern device.