Obviously, a two-tariff or multi-tariff meter is more expensive than a regular one, so many people seriously think about the feasibility of switching from a regular tariff to a multi-zone one.
Although such a meter costs more, in the future its acquisition will pay off quite quickly due to future savings when paying bills for electricity consumed.
Usually, people turn on the electrical appliances they need without thinking about what economic consequences this will bring in the future. Meanwhile, in the days there are time intervals during which the cost of electricity consumed is significantly lower, and it makes sense to try to save on this. It's about night and early morning. If possible, it is more profitable to use energy-intensive devices at this time. This is where the dual-zone counter comes in handy.
What can you save on
At the same time, there is the option of using a multi-tariff meter, which will take into account electricity in just a couple of tariff zones - two-tariff, or two-zone. This is especially suitable for those who are not sure that they will maximize the use of electrical appliances precisely during the lower threshold of energy prices. A dual- zone electricity meter will save money unambiguously, since in this tariff grid there is no payment higher than the usual price of electricity.
Differences in existing counters
Different manufacturers have a wide range of multitariff meters, so foreign products, such as Aktaris meters, are abundant in the market, and there are Ukrainian ones - NIK. Since meters have different technical characteristics and capabilities, they cost more than ordinary meters, which are usually installed in apartments. However, although such meters are more expensive, they are much more accurate and do not consider extra kilowatts. Therefore, everyone for himself must decide what is most important for him - cost or savings.
Since multi-tariff meters can significantly save energy, they are currently the most demanded in comparison with conventional ones.
Principle of operation
Savings with multi-tariff meters are achieved thanks to the device installed in them, which programs the work in accordance with the relevant conditions of different tariffs.
A special timer switches the counter between tariffs, and in addition, such counters are equipped with memory blocks in which all information about malfunctions, tariff changes and much more is stored, and all information can be extracted and stored on external storage media if necessary. For example, a flash card. For this, there is an optical port on the meters.
Dual-zone counter device
The meter is a fairly ordinary device using electronic parts, which implements the ability to read electricity at a specific time of the day at specific rates. In other words, the cost in the morning and in the afternoon is one, and at night and in the evening the other is much less.
Some models of modern electricity meters can even be connected to computers and other devices on a digital basis. Most of these devices have a memory built into them, with the help of which the amount of energy expended is recorded for each period of time of the day.
It is thanks to these capabilities that the more and more fashionable Smart Home systems are functioning.
The rationale for using dual-zone meters
Definitely and there is no doubt that the dual-zone counter is justified in absolutely any room, and especially in a private house.
This is due to the following factors:
- there is an opportunity to significantly save on water heating (in this case, it is necessary to install a water heater);
- savings appear on space heating (you can install an electric heating system);
- on household processes, you can also save - washing and other daily housework.
As for private residential buildings, it is clear. Consider the situation when using multi-tariff meters in apartments. Basically, the advantages are the same as in a private house, especially the effectiveness is manifested when using underfloor heating systems. Of course, they should be included only at a time when the reduced tariff is in effect. Although an apartment in an apartment building is unlikely to save on nightly washing, because most likely the neighbors will not like it. True, if the house is built according to modern standards of sound insulation, then it will be possible.
For industrial enterprises, especially for round-the-clock power supply, it is certainly more profitable to pay electricity costs separately, during the day at the usual price, and at night at a reduced price.
Unit Replacement Procedure
A dual-zone counter is installed in the same way as a regular counter; there are no special requirements for its installation. Connection can be made with any wire that has the appropriate cross-section, the machines can also be used absolutely any, including protective devices and all the necessary electrical devices.
Installation of a dual-zone counter
Such a meter must be executed during installation by concluding a contract. It happens as follows:
- First, you need to contact the appropriate organization, which "supplies" electricity to a specific locality. There, in the department for drawing up supply contracts, the contract for changing the existing form of payment for electricity is reissued. The completed application form remains with them, and in a few days the previous contract will be automatically renewed. There you can also clarify the question of exactly which meters are recommended by specialists for installation in the specific conditions of this locality.
- Then you need to buy a new dual-zone counter in the store. At the request of the buyer, the store employee must program a device that is suitable for the buyer, and issue a special document that matches the parameters. It is this document that must be presented to the electricity supplier organization, in response, the purchased meter will be checked.
- It remains to write a statement on replacing the existing meter with a newly acquired one, pick up the device, which has already been tested and reissued a new contract.
- Wait for the wizard, who will be able to install a dual-zone energy meter, and then enjoy the benefits of the new device and calculate the savings.
In our country, in accordance with legislative acts regulating legal relations in the field of energy consumption, such accounting is divided into only two types. Using a dual-zone electricity meter, tariffs are defined as day and night. Daytime is valid from 07 a.m. to 11 p.m., and night - from 23 p.m. to 07 a.m., respectively.
As a result, the consumer can only periodically calculate the dual-zone meter, simply taking its readings for each of the tariffs, and then paying for the consumed electricity.
In other countries, including Ukraine, tariffs are divided into three time zones.
Mercury 200
The Mercury 200 counter has replaced the previous generation, now in a beautiful and strong rectangular case made of plastic. Monochrome LCD display shows data indication. Using it, the meter readings are reflected . Namely, the current voltage and power currently being consumed. And also, moments of tariff switching.
The liquid crystal display makes it easy to calculate the energy of a dual-zone meter. The scoreboard separately shows in real time how much energy was spent in the daytime and how much in the nightly rates. It remains only to multiply the spent kilowatts by the cost of electricity.
This meter has a special RS-485 (CAN) interface, which makes it possible to use it in automated control systems for various types of energy consumption. But this counter is a slave. That is, he himself will not be able to transmit information about how much energy the subscriber consumed. This requires a corresponding request from a computer, which is installed on the side that controls the energy consumption among the population.
Counter "Neva" MT 123
It is also a digital device that can record electricity simultaneously at four rates. It looks like Mercury, but it looks more presentable.
NICK 2102
Also a device from the considered group of energy metering devices. It is produced by a Ukrainian company, which is widely popular in its country and its production meters are everywhere - both in apartments and in private houses.
He is also clad in a plastic case. The front side is covered with transparent plastic, under which there is a display with an LED indicating the presence of voltage in the electrical network.
The NIK 2102 counter has a different interface, RS-485. He himself can transmit over distance data corresponding to the energy consumed by the subscriber. The developers used the radio channel. That is, such a device can be used in any system without using wires.
Two-tariff meter - reviews and application experience
Judging by the feedback of subscribers of electric networks who decided to install a dual-zone meter, the effectiveness of its application is already felt in the very near future. The only condition is that you need to carefully monitor that energy-consuming electrical devices are used exclusively at the appropriate time intervals. If you use energy thoughtlessly, then multi-tariff meters will not help.
Owners of apartments or private houses in which the heating system is organized using electric heat-insulated floors are especially pleased with the use of multi-tariff meters. Of course, just having an electrically heated film under the floor will not save anything. The heating system must be properly designed using all the necessary structural elements. Such as temperature sensors, relays for automatically switching on and off heating circuits, etc.
For those electrical networks that use a three-phase electrical connection, a two-zone three-phase meter is produced that monitors the electricity consumption for each of the voltage phases connected to the consumer.
Although there are some small unpleasant moments that some owners of multi-tariff meters refer to. This is the process of replacing the device and its re-registration. Often there is frank red tape and reluctance of employees of the relevant organizations to fulfill their duties on time. An ordinary complaint to the authorities helps in such cases.
Another unpleasant moment is connected with the periodic check of counters for their serviceability. The procedure is extremely simple. The master must come to the room where the meter to be checked is located, and using a laptop computer to check its suitability for further work.
But often, the arrived master begins to explain to the owners about the need to dismantle the device for its subsequent repair in the organization. Only in this case will it happen that for some time the consumer will be left without a counter at all, which is strictly prohibited by law. Therefore, if it is necessary to carry out repairs, it is mandatory for the master to temporarily replace it with a suitable device. In this case, everything will be in order.