The owner of an apartment or house independently decides whether to install water meters with his own hands, or whether to use the services of professionals. There is no legal prohibition on installing appliances yourself. Only preliminary verification of the device and its sealing after installation are mandatory. Otherwise, the device indicators will not be taken into account.

You can often find a list of situations in which installing water meters is beneficial or, on the contrary, economically infeasible. In particular, the following data is provided: when the same number of people live in an apartment as are registered, the savings in paying for water supply after installing meters will be about 20-30%.

Unfavorable situations include housing more people than registered, as well as an unsuccessful water supply scheme. When introducing separate flows into the kitchen and bathroom into the apartment, you will need to install four meters (two for hot water supply pipelines and two for cold pipes). If there is a separate supply of fluid to the toilet (this is also common in old-plan houses), five meters will be needed.

By and large, all these arguments are not so significant, since their installation is mandatory, which means it will have to be done in any case.

Counter selection

There are several options for water flow metering devices on the market. The rules for installing water meters in an apartment with your own hands do not include an exact indication of the type of devices, so the choice remains with the homeowner.

Regardless of the design and operating principle, be sure to take into account the following features of the devices:

• recommended location of the meter (there are models for vertical and horizontal pipelines, as well as universal products that can be installed in any position),
• the diameter of the connecting pipes, which must correspond to the diameter of the pipeline (the most common models are DN15),
• permissible ambient temperature (theoretically meters for hot water can be installed on cold pipelines, the main thing is that the water temperature does not exceed the permissible value, that is, models for hot water supply pipes must be selected with special care.

All water consumption meters can be divided into two categories: non-volatile and connected networks. The first include the simplest and most reliable mechanical products that have an impeller. As the flow passes, the blades rotate and the number of revolutions is counted.

Volatile meters can be of the following types depending on the operating principle:

• vortex (the device counts vortices formed when the flow passes through a special element installed inside),
• electromagnetic ones to determine flow rate affect the flow with electromagnetic waves (models are highly sensitive to the composition of water),
• ultrasonic ones use vibrations to determine flow.

If counting mechanism isolated from the flow of water by a special partition; such models are called “dry”.

Dry type water meter

Products with non-insulated counting mechanisms are “wet”.

The procedure for installing water meters in an apartment is the same for all models.

The meter must be purchased in a store, not on the market, and when purchasing, not only pay attention to the presence of a passport, but also carefully check the number indicated in the document with the number on the meter itself. This check will allow you to ensure that you are purchasing a certified device that is fit for use.

Choosing an installation location

Before installing water meters in an apartment, you need to know that the following requirements are imposed on the installation site of the meters, which are common for both private houses and apartments:

• temperature above 5° C,
• availability of lighting (natural or using lighting fixtures),
• accessibility for inspection, maintenance and repair.

In any case, the meter should be installed as close as possible to the entry point, but for apartments the rules are somewhat more flexible. Usually the metering device is installed in the toilet, and if the communications are inconveniently located (under the floor), installation in the bathroom is allowed.

Installation of a water meter in a private house is required no further than 20 cm from the input. If a well is installed, its lid is equipped with locks and sealed after the meter is sealed. Opening is permitted only in exceptional cases - in case of fire or accident.

Preparing for installation

Experts who know how to install water meters in an apartment recommend, first of all, check the package contents of the purchased device and prepare necessary materials and tools. First of all, experts advise purchasing gaskets (rubber for cold pipelines, paronite for hot ones). You may also need plumbing tow and special sealing pastes. As an alternative, synthetic threads that already have silicone lubricant can be used.

Kit necessary tools depends largely on the type of pipes available. Please note that you will have to cut out a certain area, so you will need a hacksaw or an appropriate tool for plastic.

• If the pipes are metal, to install the assembled unit (meter with additional accessories), you need to cut a thread (stock up with the necessary tools).
• If the communications are made of plastic (polypropylene), purchase connecting fittings, scissors for cutting plastic pipes and a special soldering iron.

To tighten the connections, you can use adjustable or spanner wrenches of the appropriate diameter; it is just important not to be overzealous and not to “tighten” the threaded connections.

When checking the completeness of the meter, you can lay out all the elements on a flat surface in the direction of the water flow:

Important: When laying out the elements of the future meter block, pay attention to the arrows indicating the direction of the water. They should all point in the same direction.

Before installation begins, you will need to shut off the water supply. IN multi-storey building you will have to turn off the entire riser, which can only be done by workers utility service.

Sequence of work

1. Installing a water meter yourself begins with the so-called dry assembly. When assembling the circuit “roughly”, count the turns and note on which of the turns the circuit element takes the required position. After this, all connections are disassembled and reassembled using winding, plumbing grease and gaskets. At this time, it is important to ensure the required position for each element.

When this “chain” is placed horizontally, they “look” up:

• faucet or valve handle,
• dial (numerical panel) of the counter.

Down turn:

• impeller,
• filter sump (in this position it is easy to clean).

2. The second stage is cutting out a section of the pipeline for installation of the system. The installation diagram of a water meter in an apartment requires exact matching of the parameters, so it is important to measure the length of the assembled sequence with a minimum error and mark the corresponding distance on the existing communications. Before cutting out a section of pipeline, place a basin or tray to drain the remaining liquid in the system.

3. Installing the assembled unit on a metal pipeline will require cutting threads at the cut points. Easier to work with plastic pipes– in this case it is enough to use special fittings.

You will find a review of water filters at this address. And reviews from owners can help when choosing.

Checking the quality of installation

To check the quality of the meter installation, it is necessary to connect the general water supply, then smoothly turn the tap handle or valve and carefully inspect the assembled unit for leaks.

If everything works flawlessly, you can call a representative of the utility service or water utility to inspect, check and seal the meter. Only after he makes the appropriate marks in the device’s passport and issues a document confirming the fact that the meter was put into operation will you be able to pay for water supply in accordance with the readings received.

In the whole process, the difficulty, in fact, is not how exactly to install water meters in the apartment, but the process of obtaining permits and registration documents, agreeing to turn off the water supply and other organizational hassles. However, by independently installing water meters in an apartment, the cost of savings can be approximately 1500-2500 rubles for the installation of each measuring device.

The main purpose of the electric meter is to measure the level of electricity consumption. Typically, the installation of such equipment is carried out by specialized employees, but if you wish, you can handle the installation of the electric meter yourself. The main thing is to carefully prepare for the upcoming event and do everything in accordance with the instructions, because self-installation all responsibility for the actions performed and possible consequences will lie solely with you.

Depending on the mechanism of action, electricity meters are divided into electronic and induction. Induction equipment is gradually being forced out of the market, mainly on the initiative of the government - such meters are very easy to “deceive”.

Electronic electricity meters are characterized by higher accuracy, smaller dimensions and excellent versatility. For example, modern electricity meters support operation in multi-tariff mode. This advantage is relevant for regions where electricity tariffs vary depending on the time of day. Therefore, when choosing between induction and electronic equipment, preference should definitely be given to the latter.

Electricity meters are classified according to the rated current value and accuracy indicators (class). The lower the class number of your meter, the less deviation it will work with.

To determine the approximate required rated current, divide the permissible value of active power provided by the network organization per consumer by the voltage of your network, i.e. 220V or 380V.

Typically, higher power is allocated to a three-phase connection, however, the application single-phase networks V living conditions is more appropriate and preferable.

Difficulties with connecting the meter arise in situations in which the owner needs to power a building with a design current above 100 A. In such conditions, direct “insertion” of the meter is not feasible. To install metering equipment, you will need to additionally connect current transformers.

The use of any intermediate components leads to an increase in the error in metering electricity consumption, so the transformer circuit must be properly planned. This task must be solved by a qualified specialist.

When choosing a meter, pay attention to the age of installation of the seal and the integrity of this element.

The state verifier's seal is attached to the screws of the casing of the metering device. The meter seal for a single-phase electrical network must be no older than 1 year. In the case of meters for three-phase networks, the maximum permissible period increases to 2 years.

You can handle the installation of an electric meter yourself without any problems. However, before you decide to “uncover” the pliers, obtain the necessary permits and other documents. To do this, contact your local network provider office with a request to issue technical specifications for the work. There you can conclude the necessary agreement.

The mentioned documents list a number of requirements that the user must fulfill before connecting the building to the power grid. The documentation also clearly delineates the responsibility between the electricity supplier and its consumer.

In accordance with current legislation, the homeowner must install a meter within his consumption networks. The best place To install the meter, use a heated distribution panel in the house. However, recently, regulatory organizations have required that accounting equipment be installed strictly outside the residential premises and be freely accessible to inspection organizations.

For example, a representative of the network company may require that you install an electric meter on the facade of your house or even on a nearby power pole. All these points are discussed individually. Apartment owners are usually required to place the equipment in question in a common panel on the site.

According to official statements, electricity suppliers are forcing owners to install meters on the street to ensure accessibility to the device for the purpose of taking readings and performing Maintenance. According to unofficial data, suppliers are trying to prevent the possibility of unauthorized access to metering equipment in order to steal electricity.

Electric meter connection diagrams

It is not necessary for a home master to understand any complex wiring diagrams for accounting devices. Therefore, we bring to your attention the most popular and basic options for connecting an electric meter.

The simplest option is a single-phase connection. To install such a network, you will need no more than 6 electrical wires without taking into account the load. The working “zero”, phase and ground cables are connected to the device input. Similar cables are placed at the output of the metering device.

For greater convenience and safety, it is recommended to install a circuit breaker in front of the meter. This device will automatically turn off the power supply in the event of an emergency.

Energy sales services do not have a very favorable attitude towards the mentioned switches. To avoid unnecessary problems and disputes, the switch should be sealed using a special plastic box, a DIN rail and the seal itself. All these additional devices cost little, take up virtually no space, and are very easy to install, so take a little time and save yourself from unnecessary headaches.

The design of the accounting installation contains special terminal blocks, also known as buses. This device is a copper strip fixed using special dielectric clamps. There are several holes in the bar through which wires are connected using screw terminals. This connection option is suitable for situations where there is a need to connect several separate wires into a single whole.

Video - How to install a single-phase electric meter

There are a number of important requirements that you will have to strictly comply with when installing an electric meter. First, review the safety regulations that apply to any electrical equipment.

Install an electric meter when sub-zero temperature Not recommended. Electronics do not tolerate cold very well - under its influence, the accuracy of measurements decreases.

For most household models minimum electricity meters permissible temperature installation is +5 degrees. Therefore, if the metering device is installed outdoors, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of installing it in a special heated and hermetically sealed cabinet.

The mounting height of the unit is 80-170 cm above the ground. If you install the counter lower or higher, it will simply be inconvenient for you to take numerical readings from the screen.

Electric meter connection procedure

Self-installation of an electric meter is carried out in a few simple steps.

First step. Prepare the necessary equipment for installation, namely:

Second step. Find out how many phases (1 or 3) your electrical network has. Calculate the required number of circuit breakers.

Third step. Install the meter into the panel housing. To fix the product, use the fasteners included in the kit.

Fourth step. Install circuit breakers. These devices are fixed to the DIN rail. The rail is pre-attached to the support insulators using screws. The machine itself is fixed on the DIN rail using a spring-loaded latch.

Fifth step. Install the protective and ground bus on insulators inside the panel body or on a special DIN rail. Use nuts and mounting screws to secure the elements. Place the busbars at a distance to prevent cable short-circuits.

Start installation by connecting the load to the machines, then connect the machines to the electric meter and only then connect the meter directly.

Sixth step. Connect all loads. The phase will go to the lower terminals of the machines, connect the “zero” to the “zero” bus, run the grounding cable to the corresponding ground bus.

Seventh step. Connect the upper terminals of the circuit breakers with jumpers. You can buy ready-made jumpers at a specialized store.

Eighth step. Connect meter to the load. To do this, connect the “phase” output (represented by the third terminal of the electric meter) to the upper terminals of the circuit breakers, and connect the “zero” output (the fourth terminal of the electric meter) to the corresponding zero bus.

Ninth step. Attach the electrical panel housing to a wall or other flat surface at the optimal height for you.

Tenth step. Find the neutral, phase and ground wires. In the absence of grounding, the work will be extremely simple: you check each core using the indicator pointer, and it itself indicates the phase. If there is grounding, its core is usually placed in green.

Eleventh step. Turn off the power at home.

Twelfth step. Connect the “phase” wire to the first terminal of the electric meter, and the “zero” wire to the third terminal.

At this point, the independent connection of the electric meter is considered complete. Check the device at idle and begin to gradually apply the load. After the preliminary check, contact the energy sales office with a request for additional checking and sealing of the meter.

Good luck!

Video - Installing an electric meter yourself

The meter should be installed in compliance with all safety rules, including fire safety.

Installation of metering devices is the responsibility of the homeowner and is carried out at his expense.

To avoid fines and problems, you need to know the basic installation requirements and do everything correctly.

Technical requirements

You should follow the basic rules for installing electricity meters:

• the device must be installed in a place that is convenient for inspection or maintenance;
• During installation, the line must be de-energized; this should be ensured in advance by agreement with company representatives;
• the counter should be at a height of 80 to 170 cm from the floor;
• it is necessary to install a safety switch before connecting to the meter, before it;
• grounding is required;
• wiring (machines) are connected to the meter;
• if the integrity of the seals on the meter is broken, you must immediately call a specialist to seal it;
• After installation is complete, a test run is performed.

Where to install

When installing the meter outside, the following technical requirements must be observed:

• usually, if there are requirements from the provider company, the device is installed on the facade of the house at a height of 70 cm to 170 cm for ease of maintenance;
• It is also practiced to install the meter at the appropriate height on a concrete pillar, and it should be on territory of the house, and The wiring is installed in the house itself.

The question of whether the requirement to move meters outside is legal is controversial. In fact, there are no regulations regulating the location of the meter.

The energy sales company motivates this by the fact that there should be easy access to the device for control purposes. However, in this case, no one is stopping them from installing a modern electronic device with a remote monitoring function in their home at their own expense and monitoring it at their own pleasure.

At the very least, these requirements are to the detriment of home owners and create inconvenience for them:

1. If placed outside, the service life of the meter will be significantly reduced, since this device is not intended to operate indoors. extreme conditions, in the rain, in the cold, in the heat. At low temperatures, readings may be incorrect.
2. When installed on the street, the homeowner will have to put up with the fact that his meter has access not only to company employees, but also to everyone.
3. Sometimes, to protect the instruments, they are installed at a height of 3 meters, which, to some extent, protects them from thieves, but the homeowner himself, without a ladder, will not be able to see his readings.

In fact, by forcing citizens to install meters on the street, they are deprived of the right to take care of the safety of their property, as provided for in the Civil Code of the Russian Federation.

This is beneficial for energy companies, as having the instruments outside makes it much easier for them to inspect and test the instruments, as well as take readings of energy consumption.

But this outer side problems, but the reverse is that it will be possible to control not only the readings of the device, but also the connection to the network up to the meter. That is, ultimately, to solve their pressing problems at the expense of homeowners, and on a massive scale.

Documentation

You can try to negotiate the location of the meter in advance, and if you guarantee employee access to the house to inspect and check the device, the problem will be solved. If not, then it still won’t work without a counter.

To perform the installation work, an average electrical qualification is sufficient; you can invite an electrical engineer yourself if the services of the company’s specialists are too expensive.

Specialist's note: Before starting work on installing an electric meter, you should obtain a standard agreement complete with a Certificate of Balance Sheet Separation.

This is a necessary piece of paper that clearly states who is responsible for what, what the homeowner is responsible for and costs, and what will be the responsibility of the company. This document is necessary, especially if the meter will be located on the street.

If the installation will still be on the street, it is necessary to require a clear division of responsibility, which will be reflected in the contract.

Despite the growing popularity of electronic devices, they are also selling quite well.

Compared to modern ones, they do not require expensive maintenance and are definitely more reliable.

So far they have not been surpassed in reliability and ability to work and function without breakdowns. In Europe, where most of the meters are electronic, over time, they again began to show interest in unpretentious and reliable electromechanical devices.

In any case, no matter what device is chosen, you should make sure that the seal is intact and undamaged. There is also an expiration date for fillings:

• for single-phase – 2 years
• for three-phase – 1 year.

It is recommended to install the meter as close to the entry point as possible. The meter must be located in a warm room, this can be a heated or insulated hallway, where the company employees will have easy access to the device.

If the company requires that household meters be installed on the facade of the house, if it was not possible to get the requirement lifted, you can cheat a little and place the meter where the warm terrace will subsequently be built.

You might also be interested in an article about.

Read the article on how to properly seal an electric meter.

Watch the video in which a specialist explains the requirements for installing an electricity meter in a private home, as well as general rules operation of electricity metering devices:

Tariffs for housing and communal services and water supply differ depending on different regions, but are growing at incredible rates everywhere. If previously everyone, without hesitation, paid “according to the average” and were happy, today they are increasingly deciding to save money and pay strictly for the water they use. This will require the installation of water meters on the cold and hot water supply lines, which must be sealed by a representative of the management company, otherwise you will simply not accept payment based on their readings. The installation of water meters is also supported by the fact that the government plans to oblige all users of the central water supply to install water and heating meters, naturally, at their own expense. So, sooner or later, you still have to do it.

The feasibility of installing water meters

If you are still tormented by doubts whether installing meters will result in savings for you or, on the contrary, unnecessary waste, calculate all the costs, weigh the pros and cons.

For an apartment in which 2 people live, and 4 - 5 are registered (registered), water charges are calculated based on the “average” consumption per number of registered people. So it turns out that approximately 6 cubic meters are consumed per month, but there are 20 - 25 m3. In this case, installing meters will reduce costs several times.

If the same number of people live in the apartment as prescribed, then the savings are usually 20 - 30%, of course, in the case of reasonable water consumption. When water flows from the tap or toilet all night, there is no talk of any savings.

But in a situation where more people actually live in an apartment than are registered, which also happens, you will have to pay much more according to the meter than the “average” one, for obvious reasons. After all real consumption will differ from that calculated for registered participants.

It is also of great importance apartment layout. For example, if several pipes are connected to an apartment: two pipes (hot and cold water) to the bathroom and two pipes to the kitchen, then the owner will have to install a meter for each pipe. And if a separate line also connects to the toilet, then in total there will be 5 meters. Such a Soviet layout is far from uncommon, because when such houses were erected, it was planned that everyone would pay “ridiculous” money at “ average norm" Naturally, for one resident in an apartment with such a layout, installing 4 - 5 meters, considering how much it costs to install a water meter, is simply unprofitable and will not pay off even after 15 years.

It’s also worth finding out exactly how things happen in your home. charging for water consumption. For example, there are such situations: after the main line is entered into the house, a meter is installed on it, the so-called general house water meter, according to the readings of which the calculation is made. Everyone who has meters installed pays only for the quantity consumed at the rate per 1 m3 in a specific locality. This amount is subtracted from what the communal water meter calculates, and the remainder is divided equally among all other residents. If the house has a lot of leaks and old pipes, then this arrangement is extremely unprofitable for those who do not have meters. Since they pay for all leaks. At the same time, if the pipelines are in good condition, this can be beneficial, since you can safely flush water from a hot tap (it flows cold in the morning), without fear that you will have to flush the entire house and pay for the entire house too .

There are also situations that are directly opposite, when the order of the local governing body sets the maximum limit on payment “according to the average”, i.e. Residents without meters cannot be charged more than a certain amount, then the water resource company distributes leaks among those who have meters. This is such chaos.

Conclusion like this: before installing water meters, be sure to calculate everything and find out everything, so that later it will not be a surprise for you. Well, don’t forget that they will still have to be installed in the near future. You can save money for now.

Rules for installing water meters

The first thing you need to do if you decide to install water meters is to contact your local management company. Find out whether it is possible to carry out the installation yourself; in some regions this is prohibited, and only housing and communal services workers and licensed contractors are allowed to do this. If self-installation is allowed, you must write an application for permission to install, in response Management Company must provide in writing technical specifications on this. The technical specifications must indicate the order of assembly of elements, which elements should be included, and metric characteristics. Find out which meters can be installed. Some companies only accept meters from a certain list of certified ones for sealing. If you install another one, you will either have to quarrel with company representatives or submit your meter for certification, which will take time and cost money.

General requirements for installing water meters are as follows:

• Water meters must be installed as close as possible to the entrance of the inlet main pipeline, preferably on a horizontal section, so that it is not possible to arrange an unauthorized water intake before it. In other words, it must be located so that the management company does not suspect that you can drain water past the meter.
• A coarse (mechanical) filter must be installed in front of the water meter. Despite the fact that the same filter, only a larger one, is installed on a common house meter, scale or rust flakes still remain in the pipes, which can damage or jam the meter if they get into the impeller. Even if the debris miraculously passed through the meter without causing damage, it will get stuck in the faucet filter. So you shouldn’t skimp on a mechanical filter; it retains debris particles on its mesh.
• In some regions, it is required to install a check valve after the meter to prevent the possibility of using a vacuum cleaner to rewind the meter in the opposite direction.
• The temperature in the room where the metering device is installed must be more than +5 °C.

• In a private house, the water meter must be installed at outer wall at home, no further than 20 cm from the point where the pipe exits the wall or floor. The room must be illuminated using a source artificial lighting or in a natural way.
• If a well is installed on the territory of a private estate with a pipe diverting from the central main, then the structure must be permanent, the well is covered with a metal lid, with locks. The well cover is also sealed. It is allowed to unseal it only to extinguish a fire or in the event of an accident. In other cases, you need to call a water utility inspector to remove the seal.
• After installation, the meters must be sealed. This is performed by a representative of the management company, and in no case by a contractor. Without the seal, your meter readings will not be accepted.

More detailed nuances should be clarified with the management company. Don't forget to also ask what the price is for installing water meters. It may not make sense to do it yourself, but to leave this opportunity to a professional. Moreover, in this case it will be much less problems with bureaucratic red tape and fewer complaints. On average, installing one water meter with all components costs 90 - 100 USD, but it can also cost more than 150 USD.

Water meter installation diagram

The sequence of installation of elements associated with the water meter may differ from the starting conditions: horizontal or vertical section of the pipeline, if vertical, then the water supply goes down or up, how much free space remains after installing the meter and other nuances.

The universal scheme for installing water meters is as follows:

1. Shut-off valves. A tap that shuts off the water supply to the apartment.
2. Filter rough cleaning.
3. Water metering device (meter).
4. Check valve.

This sequence is suitable for horizontal sections and vertical sections with water supply from top to bottom. If the meter is mounted on a vertical section with water supply from bottom to top, then the check valve must be installed before the meter. This is due to the fact that, according to the meter’s passport requirements, its impeller must always be in the water. If the check valve is located after it, then during the period of water shutdown in the riser, the remaining water from the pipeline section up to check valve(faucet, filter, meter) will drain back into the main line, and the meter will remain dry.

Important! Do not forget that it is necessary to install the elements so that the arrow indicating the direction of water flow coincides with the actual flow of water. If the meter is installed incorrectly, it will “wind” in the opposite direction.

What is required to install water meters

When ordering the installation of water meters from a management company, you can rely on the honesty and conscientiousness of the representative who will come to you, and not buy components yourself. The amount announced in such cases already includes the cost of everything necessary. The plumber will come to you with a full “ammunition kit”. But there is very important nuance: To save on materials and put more in his pocket, he can purchase cheap, low-quality components.

You can protect yourself by choosing and purchasing everything you need yourself, and inviting a plumber only to install and seal the meters. It will cost less.

Installation of water meters can only be free if you install it yourself. Although there are exceptions for the poor category of the population: disabled people, pensioners, etc. There may be benefits for them, or even installation is carried out at the expense of the locality’s budget.

So, let's take a closer look at what we need from the components.

Stopcock

The shut-off valve on the incoming main is the first outpost. If it malfunctions, there will be a real flood. So you need to choose reliable and proven fittings. If you have replaced the faucet before, it is enough to simply check its serviceability and inspect it for microcracks. If the tap is still Soviet period, it’s better not to risk it and replace it with a new one.

Most often as shut-off valves ball valves made of brass or other durable metal are used. For polypropylene pipes, the use of plastic taps is allowed. You should not purchase a faucet that seems too light; most likely, it is of poor quality. It’s good if it breaks immediately during installation, but what if during operation?

The handle of ball valves can be a “butterfly” or a lever. You can install either one, just considering the ease of use of both.

Important! The ball valve must not be used in the half-open position. So it will fail very quickly. It is designed to operate in only two positions: open and closed. If there is a need to partially limit the water supply, it is necessary to install a valve-type tap.

Coarse filter

Filters mechanical cleaning There are straight and oblique filters, the latter is also called an “oblique” filter. Straight or perpendicular filters are intended only for use in horizontal lines, and oblique filters are intended for use in both horizontal and vertical lines.

The mechanical cleaning filter contains a mesh that traps large suspended particles. It needs to be cleaned from time to time. To prevent trapped dirt from entering the pipeline again, the oblique filter is always installed with the sump (lid) facing down. It is also more convenient to disassemble and clean.

Important! Some models of stopcocks are already equipped with a coarse filter. You can use this one.

Water meter (meter)

Based on the principle of operation, the following water meters can be distinguished: mechanical, electromagnetic, vortex and ultrasonic. To measure water in an apartment, it is enough to use a mechanical meter; it is more reliable and durable.

Mechanical meters differ for cold (blue markings) and hot (red markings) water. Some say up to +40 °C, while others say up to +130 °C.

Although there are modern universal models that differ gray covers.

You must purchase a certified meter with a passport. To avoid getting into trouble, do not buy at flea markets, where they may give you a photocopy instead of a passport. Check the meter number with the number indicated in your passport, it must match.

In addition to all of the above, to install water meters yourself, you need to buy a check valve for each pipe, materials for sealing connections (flax, tow, Unipack and Multipack sealing paste or Tangit Unilock polyamide threads with silicone lubricant), fittings for transition from metal pipe to metal-plastic.

Installing water meters yourself

After you have purchased everything you need to install meters, you must first read the instructions for the purchased devices and components. The passport for the meter always indicates the length of the straight section, which should be before the meter and after the meter. Compliance with these conditions will ensure more correct work device.

Connecting elements

Before installation, so as not to confuse anything in a hurry, we lay out all the components in a line: shut-off valve, mechanical cleaning filter, meter and check valve. Pay attention to the arrows (they are on every device) indicating the direction of water movement. They should be in one line.

Then we begin to connect the elements “dry” to calculate the number of turns. Screw the filter onto the stopcock. Usually the number of turns is no more than 5. We note on which last turn the filter is located downwards. For example, at 4. Then unscrew the connection and wind the seal onto the filter thread. For this you can use flax tow. We pull out a strand of it from a skein, straighten it, removing small fibers, and wind it into a cord with a diameter of up to 1 mm. We wind it tightly along the thread so that the groove is completely closed. Take plumbing paste and spread it onto the flax with rotational movements. We screw the filter into the tap tightly, but not too tightly, so that the connection does not burst.

Important! You should not use silicone sealant instead of paste, as it dries out and may burst inside. Plumbing pastes are not able to dry out and change their properties. This is also convenient because the connection can be unscrewed with little effort.

The meter is most often already sold complete with so-called American pipes (nozzles with a union nut) and o-rings. It's better to throw out the last ones and buy new ones. Meter installation cold water is done using rubber gaskets, and the installation of a hot water meter using paronite gaskets (they are more durable, but less flexible) or high-quality rubber ones. First, we screw the pipe onto the filter using flax and paste with a union nut, and then we screw the counter using only the gasket.

And then we attach the resulting structure to the meter (only for the gasket).

We should have the stopcock handle on top, the coarse filter sump on top, the counter with the dial up, and the impeller down.

Inserting a meter into a highway

When planning to replace the shut-off valve, you need to make sure to first turn off the water supply to the riser. Do it yourself in apartment building You have no right. It is necessary to call a representative of the management company. Most often, if the faucet is in good working order and there is no accident, the riser is turned off strictly on certain days of the week to carry out internal repairs.

We measure the length of the resulting structure from a tap, filter, meter and check valve. We set aside this distance from the connection point of the supply pipe (where the old shut-off valve is located) towards the internal water supply. We mark and cut the pipe. We substitute the basin, most likely, water will flow from the pipe, although not under pressure.

We unscrew a piece of pipe from the thread on the old tap. We unscrew the old tap.

Important! If the old faucet is screwed on tightly and does not budge due to age, you will have to cut it off and then cut a thread on the remaining pipe.

We twist our structure with the supply pipe. But the connection to the continuation of the pipeline can be associated with a number of problems. If the pipe is metal, you need to cut a thread on it using a tool. But this is not the most difficult thing, the most difficult thing is to accurately calculate the required area, because a metal pipe does not bend, unlike plastic ones. It would be smarter and faster to replace the entire internal plumbing with modern metal-plastic or polypropylene pipes, or at least only the area up to the nearest thread. Then you will need fittings to switch from a metal pipe to a plastic one.

After installation is completed, it is necessary to check the functionality of the system. Turn on the water supply. First time ball valve open slowly so as not to damage the meter with pressure. Let's see if there is a leak. If everything is fine, the meter counts correctly, then you can call a representative of the management company. He must come, inspect what you have done and seal the meter, making a corresponding note in your passport. Sometimes not only the meter is sealed, but also the coarse filter, so to speak, just in case. You should receive a document stating that the meter is sealed and accepted for operation, as well as a passport with notes. From now on, you can perform calculations according to the meter readings.

The installation of meters in the apartment itself is not difficult and does not take much time. Much more is spent on bureaucratic approvals, writing applications, obtaining permits, etc. Do not forget that the meter must be regularly checked by a special organization, in case it no longer counts correctly. The cold water meter must be checked every 4 years, and the hot water meter every 6 years.

The cost of goods and services is constantly increasing. Installing water meters will allow you to evaluate the correctness of billing and reduce financial costs arising from water consumption.

When it is not possible to meet a repairman, it makes sense to install water meters yourself. There's nothing complicated about it. It will be more difficult to obtain Required documents for operating devices.

Selecting a water meter

Water meters are available in a wide range. The problem arises in determining the best value for money. There are two groups of flow meters:

• industrial;
• household.

The former are used where there is high water consumption and with large pipe diameters.

From design features Water flow control devices depend on their cost. There are the following types of devices:

1. Vortex. Counts the flow turbulence that occurs around a specially shaped object as water passes through.
2. Electromagnetic. Registers the magnitude of the magnetic field.
3. Ultrasonic. Records the passage of ultrasound vibrations.
4. Tachometric. It is also called mechanical; it counts the number of revolutions of a special turbine.

Mechanical water meters will be the most suitable for an apartment or private house. They have proven themselves well thanks to high reliability, accuracy and low cost. You can install them yourself.

It is worth considering the differences in devices according to temperature conditions. To measure cold water consumption, devices with a maximum operating temperature of 40°C are suitable, hot water - 150°C. The latter can be installed in a cold water supply system, but devices designed to measure cold water consumption cannot be used to measure hot water.

It is advisable to purchase devices at specialized retail outlets, paying attention to the passport, which should be produced only by printing. The passport must bear the seal of the manufacturer; the device number must correspond to the one indicated in the passport.

Possibility of self-installation

At independent work Following the installation rules will help you avoid many pitfalls. In some regions, independent installation of water meters is not allowed. Before installing the meter, you must submit an application, in response to which technical specifications are provided, which indicate the installation procedure and characteristics of the elements. The management company deals with these issues. Sometimes the company’s requirements include a list of meter models that can be installed in an apartment with your own hands.

How to install water meters? First of all, you need to master the rules for installing water meters:

1. The temperature at the location where the flow meter is installed should not fall below 5°C.
2. The meter must be installed at a minimum distance from the common pipeline on a horizontal section, while vertical installation is also allowed.
3. In cottages, installation is carried out near the outer wall, at a distance of 200 mm from the place where the pipeline exits. The room should have artificial and natural light.
4. In some cases, installing a water meter yourself requires a check valve.
5. After installing water meters in an apartment or private house, they must be sealed by employees of the management company.

Figure 1. Typical water meter installation diagram.

Design elements

Before installing such a meter, it is necessary to mount a single block that will fit into the water supply system. Rules for installing water meters require the use standard scheme installations. It will help avoid problems with the water supply system and allow the product to work long time, accurately take into account the wasted water in the apartment (Fig. 1).

The ball valve ensures that the water in the system is shut off. There should be no outlets before it from which water could be taken, otherwise the structure will not be allowed to operate. If partial blocking of the water flow is required, a valve-type tap is needed, since the ball valve quickly fails when operating in intermediate positions.

If available poor quality water It is necessary to install a filter in the pipeline that will protect the meter from contamination, and it will be required for both cold and hot water meters.

Most often, an oblique filter is installed. With it, the structure can be positioned in horizontal and vertical positions. In the first case, the sump should be directed downwards, in the second - to the side, so that when cleaning the system, water does not get onto the meter.

Figure 2. Assembling the meter according to the diagram.

The presence of a check valve is one of the requirements of the water utility. Such a valve does not allow the meter to rewind cubic meters of water when the water supply is turned off, as well as when the meter readings are intentionally retracted.

Connecting parts

Before installing the meters, it is necessary to prepare the installation site, a section of the pipeline in accordance with the device passport, which indicates the distance before and after the flow meter in a straight line. This is necessary for the correct functioning of the meter.

The installation diagram shows the arrangement of the elements. It is necessary to place them on the surface in the same order (Fig. 2).

It is important to observe the direction of each element based on the direction of water flow. Arrows are marked on those parts where this factor is important. Most often this is the meter itself and the check valve.

If the structure is assembled incorrectly, it will not work.

Installation of the meter is carried out in 2 stages. At the first stage, preliminary assembly is done for each of the elements, during which the number of revolutions is calculated. This is done so as not to overtighten the threads when using leakage seals. Tow is used as a sealant. It is twisted into a thin thread and wound onto a threaded connection, sometimes a special composition of sealant or plumbing paste is applied on top.

Figure 3. Union nut.

The meter is always supplied with union nuts; they are also called American nuts. If necessary, you can use them to disconnect the meter from the pipe (Fig. 3).

On the nut side, sealing is done using O-rings. The material for cold water supply is not particularly important; for hot water it is better to use paronite. To avoid mistakes, you can use paronite gaskets on all systems.

Pipeline connection

After preliminary assembly, it is necessary to install a water meter, taking into account the material of the communication system. The most difficult thing is to install a water meter with your own hands in communications that are made of metal. In such cases, in addition to a hacksaw, you will need a blade. This tool is used to cut threads. The best place to install meters is in existing valves. If they are old, then it is advisable to replace them with ball valves.

If the apartment has a water supply system made of polypropylene, then the main problem is connecting the pipes with special adapters. For this purpose, you will need a device for soldering polypropylene, since this type of connection provides the highest reliability.

Figure 4. The process of connecting the meter to other elements of the system.

How to install the counter:

1. The assembled meter block is measured.
2. The required length of pipe is cut out.
3. We install adapters (in the case of polypropylene), or cut a thread.
4. The block is disassembled.
5. The tap is fixed on one side, the filter on the other. Linen tow is used as a sealant.
6. American connectors connect the meter with elements screwed to the pipe (Fig. 4).

To check the quality of installation, you need to supply water to the system. When starting up for the first time, it is better to increase the pressure gradually so that the sharply increased pressure does not damage the measuring device. If there is no visible leakage, you can wrap a paper napkin around the joints. If the napkin remains dry, then the water meter has been installed correctly.

To enter measuring instruments For operation, it is necessary to invite a water utility employee to seal the flow meter and put a sign in the device passport. He must also draw up an act on the commissioning of each meter in two copies, one of which he takes for himself. From the moment you receive the relevant documents, you can take into account water consumption according to meter readings. The hot water meter must be checked at least once every 4 years, and the cold water meter must be checked every 6 years. A technician is invited to check both hot and cold water meters.

Solving the problem of installing a water meter yourself does not pose any particular difficulties if the approach to the issue is competent and the installation diagram is followed.