What is the verification period for electric meters in Russia?

Until recently, such a phenomenon as the verification of an electric meter, was known only to a small circle of persons. Recently, everything has changed, now with this procedure, almost everything matters: heads of large and small organizations, owners of car services, beauty studios, shops and even private individuals.

The constantly rising cost of energy resources has necessitated the introduction of a regime of careful monitoring of the account of consumed electricity. To address this problem, in June 2008, the Federal Law No. 102 "On ensuring the uniformity of measurements" was signed, according to which all measuring systems are subject to verification. In addition, the law prescribes an indispensable replacement of old metering devices for new ones that need to be monitored (the timeframes for checking electric meters in Russia are prescribed individually in the technical passport of the device).

Equipment for electricity accounting is the property of the owner of the premises, as well as other individual meters of consumption of communal resources. In this connection, the replacement, repair and other works on maintenance of the apartment recording device, including when it is installed outside its borders, is carried out at the expense of the owner. All operations are performed in the regional standardization department, having agreed in advance the date of delivery of the device for reading and verification.

If the housing is municipal, then the responsibility for replacement, maintenance and other are borne by the municipality.

What the law says

Verification is a series of processes that are performed in order to verify the operability of the device and its compliance with metrological requirements. In the governmental resolution No. 250 dated April 20, 2010 there is a register of measuring instruments controlled by the state departments of metrology accredited in accordance with all the rules in the sphere of providing the uniformity of measurements. The verification period for electronic power meters is strictly prescribed in the equipment passport.

The equipment installed in the apartments to account for the amount of electricity consumed, used in the calculation of utility fees, is included in this list.

In other words, verification is an official certificate of an accredited company about the suitability of the device for further use as a metering device.

Meter checking period

There are two types of verification:

• Primary, which is carried out by the manufacturer before the equipment is put into operation (or after repair).
• Periodic, it is carried out during the application of the device in accordance with the calibration interval.

Are you interested in how to find out the time of verification of the electric meter? For each version of the device, its own period for checking is determined, during which time its readings are recognized as valid and valid. So, what are the terms of verification of electricity meters in Russia?

• For induction mechanical equipment with discs, this period can not exceed 8 years.
• For an electronic measuring device, this period is up to 16 years, depending on the model. For example, the verification period of the electric meter "Mercury" varies from 6 to 10 years.

After checking the metrological service in the passport of the electric meter, a mark is placed or a certificate of verification is issued.

Indications for extraordinary verification

If the owner has suspicions about the overestimated readings of the metering device, then regardless of how long the verification of the electric meters is registered in the equipment certificate, the procedure can still be performed. But before turning to the employees of the standardization service, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the procedure of actions:

• Verify the quality of the wiring installation.
• Invite a representative of the sales department to the house to legalize the transfer of the meter's data for verification.
• Prepare checks for payment of electricity.

Extraordinary verification of the electricity meter can be carried out for other reasons:

• If you lose the certificate of verification.
• When carrying out the meter settings and alignment.
• When replacing old equipment with a new one.

For many apartment owners checking electricity meters has become a problem without fail. Most of the old metering devices, according to the conclusion of metrological services, are not suitable for further operation. According to the law, in this case there is only one way out - the replacement of the old meter with a new one. Subsequently it is important not to forget about the verification period of electric meters.

Reasons to replace the meter

There are a number of reasons why it is necessary to replace the old device with a new one:

• Device with an idle or unevenly functioning disk.
• Equipment with a faulty display or indicator.
• The device with the damaged case.
• Device without sealed state verifier.

So, if, on the verifying result, the device is found unfit for further operation, it is necessary to perform a replacement.

Stages and cost of verification

Having formalized all the formalities with the employee of the power supply company, you can proceed to the process itself, which can be performed in many ways.

In the department of metrological service or any other accredited laboratory, which the owner of the device will choose. On site it is necessary:

1. Coordinate the delivery time of the meter.
2. The test period for electric meters is from 14 to 28 days.
3. Specify the cost of the procedure:

• Single-phase, induction sample - 204 rubles.
• Three-phase device of the old model with a disk - 338 rubles.
• Modern electronic (single-phase) - 700 rubles.
• Electronic three-phase - 859 rubles.

Urgent services

• Verification for 5 days - the basic tariff rate + 25%.
• For 3 days - the basic tariff + 50%.
• 1 day - the basic tariff + 100%.

Catering service

To carry out verification at the location of the device without removing it is necessary to issue an application in an authorized organization. After that, a certified metrological service officer will be sent to the owner to the house, which performs all the work on the spot using a portable standard. The cost is negotiated individually.

The second option is the most common, because less troublesome, but at the same time operational. With safely carried out verification, the CCM gives the owner a document with a note of compliance and an indication of a new time for checking the electricity meters. If the result is negative, a document is issued indicating that the meter is unsuitable. To install a new meter you will need to re-invite a specialist of an energy-saving organization who will perform the work and execute the act in two copies. One remains in the company, the second copy is from the owner of the equipment.

Is there any responsibility for non-verification

In relation to the owner, no penalties are imposed for the violation of the meter verification or replacement timing. Meanwhile, after expiration of the verification period, the meter is considered unfit for calculation, and the electricity fee will be charged in accordance with the introduced norms that significantly exceed the actual consumption.

In addition, if the energy saving organization establishes the fact that the meter has expired, the user will be charged with the unspecified consumption of electricity and the account will be recalculated from the date of the previous verification.

It is very important to know and remember that the meter must be replaced no later than a month later. In the first quarter, the amount for electricity is calculated on the basis of the average monthly volume of energy consumed, or according to the parameters of a house-count meter, and then according to the standard.