Best Electricity Meters in 2020

Every owner of an apartment or his own house is concerned about saving energy. For this purpose, a meter should be installed in every living space. But getting into the store, the eyes of the buyer run up from the variety provided on the store shelves. And questions arise: which one is better to buy, how not to buy an outdated model?

How to choose?

An electric meter is a device that records the electricity consumed. When choosing it, you should pay attention to the following points:

• The principle of economy;
• Power consumption;
• Mechanical or electronic;
• Complexity of mounting and use;
• Working time between checks;
• The amount of electricity used for the functioning of the meter itself;
• Price.

Guided by the desire to save money, it is worth purchasing two-tariff meters. Unlike the most common single-rate meters, their working hours are divided into 2 parts: night and day. This makes it possible in large cities to reduce the load on electrical networks by reducing the cost of a kilowatt at night. It is recommended to use two-rate meters if the living space has:

• Warm floor;
• Washer;
• Electric heaters.

In the absence of the above factors, you can use a single tariff meter. It will cost less in terms of cost, and experts consider it more reliable.

Of no small importance when choosing a meter is the amount of power consumed per day in a given house. The average statistical indicator of the power consumed per day is considered to be 10 kW at a current load of up to 60 amperes. All meters are designed for a working frequency of 50 Hertz. Provided that the load will be more than 10 kW, it is necessary to purchase a meter with a current strength of 100 A.

In order to determine the power used in a residential building, you need to look at the passports of electrical appliances located throughout the house. They indicate the power of each electric assistant. When calculating, you should take into account their average operating time within 24 hours. Adding all the data, you get the average daily power, which is taken into account when buying a meter.

Types of counters

Metering devices for the electricity used of our time are presented in two types: mechanical and electronic. Experts say that the first type of electricity meters is the most reliable and durable. The advantages of the latter are the ability to save various information about the electrical network: peak power consumption, voltage drops and other indicators depending on the model of the device.

The choice of an electric meter will also be influenced by:

• Electricity company conditions.They may stipulate the possibility of installing a specific type of meter.
• The temperature regime at which the device will be used. Most meters are designed for installation in rooms with temperatures above 0 degrees, but there are a number of models that can work at 45 degrees. This allows them to be installed outdoors and in unheated rooms.
• The passport for the meter must contain a certificate of conformity to GOST, as well as a permit allowing it to be installed on the territory of Russia.
• The seller should check with the seller about the presence of seals on the device, which confirm the passage of the state inspection. For single-phase meters, it is stipulated that the seal should not be more than 2 years old, and for three-phase meters, no more than 1 year. Otherwise, a repeated state verification of the accuracy is provided and only after it is the sale of the goods allowed. According to GOST, the accuracy class is 2.
• The meter's passport must contain the seal of the state inspection seal. And she herself should be with clear contours, made of red mastic or black, less often it can be covered with silver.

Top manufacturers

When buying an electric meter, when choosing, it is advisable to pay attention to devices manufactured by companies that have proven themselves on the positive side. These include:

• Incotex. A company operating in Russia. Her experience in the market is 15 years. It is part of the strongest diversified holding. Produces meters for electricity under the Mercury brand. In terms of sales, they are in the leading place in the Russian market.
• Energomer. The largest meter manufacturer on the Russian market.
• Typeit. This company appeared in 1999 in the northern capital of Russia. They produce meters and other products for measurements under the Neva brand.

Buyers are also interested in the price of the device. The provided functionality depends on how much it will cost: the number of tariffs, accuracy and its class, design model and technical characteristics.

Single-phase electricity meters

Neva 103 1SO

Single-rate op-amp

Neva 103 1SO is a mechanical type certified device with a 7-digit counter.

The kit includes a backstop, shunt, LED indicator, screw terminals. The body of the device is made of gray plastic. Mounted using a DIN rail. High-quality latches help to install it quickly and easily. The meter meets the requirements of professionals and consumers. And also the ratio of price, quality and efficiency is excellent.

• The case cannot be disassembled, the mounting latch is very strong;
• Small size and weight;
• The numbers are of a good size, which makes them easy to read;
• Accurate readings;
• High-quality fastening of wires;
• Budget cost;
• Valid service life is 30 years.

• Mismatching the blinking with the clicks of the indicator leads to confusion.

The average price is 425 rubles.

Mercury 201.8

Single tariff LCD

Mercury 201.8 is a device of modern modification with a 7-bit liquid crystal display. Differs in increased operational data.

It stands out among other models by its modular housing, screw terminals and current measuring transducer. Mounted with a DIN rail. Installed LED backlight, which allows you to take readings in low light. The model is relatively new and it is just starting to earn leading positions.

• Includes shunt and latch;
• Low weight;
• Compact dimensions;
• Easy to assemble;
• Robust body;
• Accuracy class - high;
• Budget cost;
• The service life is 30 years.

• Poor telemetry.

The average price is 680 rubles.

Energomera CE102M S7 145-JV

Economical multi-tariff LCD

Energometer CE102M S7 145-JV is a multifunctional model, resistant to mechanical, climatic and electromagnetic influences.

Distinctive features of the device are the presence of a communication interface, non-volatile memory. Displays readings even when de-energized.A shunt is included in the package. On the counter, you can identify the data accumulated over 24 hours or a month. The model has buttons with which you can control. The 7-bit LCD is backlit.

• The memory is protected from the possibility of making changes;
• Compact;
• Convenient to use;
• Simply reprogram if necessary;
• Service life - 16 years.

• It is not always easy to install.

Average price - 1800 rubles

Mercury 200.02

Multi-tariff LCD self-supporting

Mercury 200.02 is a device that allows you to flexibly record the consumed electricity. The RCD can be used to control the load. Mounted on DIN panel. The model allows you to take readings at a maximum of 4 tariffs. The data is displayed. The information is stored for up to 11 months. With the correct distribution of the daily load on the power grid, the device allows profitable savings.

• Information about switching prices is displayed;
• Individual operating modes "summer-winter";
• The load is regulated;
• The used electrical energy is monitored;
• Pays off quickly;
• Allows you to save;
• Easy to use
• Volatile memory;
• Nice design;
• The period of active service is 30 years.

• Meter power supply at the expense of the consumer;
• There is no screen backlight;
• Costly installation.

Average price - 1950 rubles

The best three-phase electricity meters

Mercury 231 AM-01

Single-rate op-amp

Mercury 231 AM-01 is a commercial modification that allows you to keep track of dynamic electricity in one direction. The process is carried out by a mechanical type of device in a three- or four-link AC network. It works both independently and in the ASKUE system. The counter drum only rotates in the increasing direction. LED backlight helps to read energy information. Control over the amount of consumed energy is carried out in a single tariff mode. DIN rail mountable.

• Manufactured in accordance with GOST;
• Easy to mount;
• Convenient to use;
• Large sizes;
• Relatively light weight;
• Guaranteed accuracy and reliability;

• Relatively small interval between verifications.

Average price - 2300 rubles

Energomera CE300 R31 043-J

Single tariff LCD

Energometer CE300 R31 043-J - a device with a liquid crystal display. You can connect it through a transformer and directly. The meter is equipped with a LED, is very sensitive to voltage drops, and is economical to maintain. Mounted on a DIN rail.

• It is worth protecting against illegal actions;
• Accounting is possible in one or two directions;
• Operated in the optical interface;
• Convenient and easy to use;
• Service life - 30 years.

• High price.

The average price is 3000 rubles.

Mercury 231 AT-01

Multi-tariff LCD

Mercury 231 AT-01 is a versatile instrument used for commercial purposes. It is used to control the consumed electricity in one direction only. Allows to remove data from the network in 3 or 4 wires. The model is equipped with 2 protection methods: two-stage from access to the received information and memory from the directional supply of the metrology coefficient. Allows you to work in the system of 2 or 4 tariffs and up to 12 seasons. Fits on a DIN rail.

• Operates autonomously and in a system with AIIS;
• Information is accumulated for 11 months, displayed and transmitted via IrDA;
• Protection against manipulation of electricity data;
• RCD regulated;
• Equipped with automatic self-diagnosis;
• Reliable to use;
• Multiphase apparatus;
• Nice design;
• Reasonable price.

• It is possible to measure only active energy.

The average price is 2800 rubles.

Which electricity meter to choose?

There are several criteria by which the devices can be divided among themselves. Due to the design feature, they are divided into induction and electronic. For a long time, apartments and houses were equipped only with induction meters.A distinctive feature of such devices is a rotating disc. Such devices do not have a high accuracy class.

In the 21st century, electronic meters appeared. They are equipped with an LCD screen. But the main advantage is their accuracy in readings. This helps them to lead the market.

Also, counters are produced single-phase and three-phase. The former are most often installed in apartments. And in houses with boilers, boilers and electric motors, it is recommended to use three-phase ones. Recently, they began to produce multiphase devices. They help to correctly distribute energy, which does not create congestion in the network. Users, however, note significant savings when metering energy with such meters.

Helpful hints:

• For such buildings as a garage, in which welding machines, compressors and other energy-intensive equipment are used, it is necessary to purchase more powerful meters.
• Before buying, it is advisable to read thematic forums and reviews.
• It is worth finding out how much the repair will cost if necessary.
• You should ask the seller how noisy the device is, otherwise its buzzing will greatly upset.
• When buying a mechanical type of apparatus, you need to check it. You should spin the disc with your hand. If it is serviceable, then it will rotate by inertia.

Metering devices for consumed electricity are designed to work for decades, and also require sealing and issuing documents. These factors influence the need to purchase a quality electricity meter in order to avoid problems.