To select any electricity metering device, it is necessary to know the maximum power consumption, on the basis of which, not only the meter is selected, but also the cross-section of the supply wires, circuit breakers. As we said earlier, for most consumers, this value is 3 kW for normal use, 7 kW in the case of electric furnaces. Making a simple calculation, we get the maximum current: 3000 W / 220 V = 13.6 A or 7000 W / 220 V = 31.8 A

This means that the maximum current for which the meter is designed must be no less than in the first case - 13.6 A, in the second - 31.8 A.

Since the meter is planned to be installed in an apartment, no special climatic conditions are foreseen. You only need to decide on the size and method of mounting the device (for 3 bolts, in a shield or on a DIN-rail). In this case, the accuracy class is also practically irrelevant, since for a private person it should be not lower than 2.0, and today metering devices are not produced. By the way, the higher the class of the device, the higher its price, respectively.

Electric meters single tariff and multitariff - what to choose

Below is a list of the most popular counters:

• Energomer single-rate electric meters are represented by CE 101, CE 200 series devices, and also CE 6807. Multi-tariff devices are represented by CE 102 and CE 201 meters.

• Incotex offers Mercury devices for installation in apartments and residential buildings. Electric meters of brands 201, 202, 203 support one-rate mode. Marks 200, 203.2t, 206 are designed to work in a multi-tariff mode.

• MZEP for these purposes produces counters SOE-52 (single tariff mode) and ESR-55 (multi tariff mode).

• The Leningrad Electromechanical Plant supplies Solo brand single-tariff meters and multitarget TsE2726 and EC2726, 2726-12.

• Products of Nizhny Novgorod Plant named after MV Frunze is represented on the market with SEA-1.15 meters for measuring electricity in one tariff mode and with Mayak 101AT, 102AT meters, as well as SEB-2A.07 and 08 devices.

All these devices definitely deserve your attention and it’s only the choice of additional parameters that best suit your needs.

Although there are two more nuances:

1. There is a developing company in your region that produces electricity metering devices. Prices for its products, as a rule, are significantly lower than those of recognized leaders. Therefore, here it is already necessary to look at specific reviews about it and make a decision.

2. In any case, before you buy an electric meter when you first go to the REC, ask about what products and at what prices employees of the electricity supplier offer you. It is quite possible that this will be the best option, since for any supplier of RECs it is a wholesale buyer with all the ensuing consequences.