A gas meter measures the volume or mass of gas flowing through a pipe. High-quality devices work more reliably, have a longer operating time than the life of a low-cost gas meter. Gas consumption is often measured in cubic meters, less commonly used units of mass, for example, tons or kilograms.
Varieties and features of gas meters
The device withstands pressure inside the line up to 50 kPa, closes with a housing that protects against contamination. When choosing, take into account the number of meters in the building, study the technical passport.
Types of counters are used:
- flowmeters record the amount of substance passing through the pipe for a certain time, and show cubic meters per hour (m³ / h);
- quantometers have lower measurement accuracy and are installed in domestic economic or technological highways, but are not suitable for use in commercial pipelines.
The device is mounted inside the building or outside, while taking into account the temperature mode of operation. The outdoor meter must have a tolerance when operating from -40 to + 40 ° C. External models are combined with a thermal corrector, without which external operation is not permitted.
According to bandwidth
The conductivity index characterizes the consumption range at which the measurement error specified by the manufacturer is not exceeded. The device is characterized by a certain value and is selected from the standard range: 1; 1.6; 2.5; 4; 6. The minimum consumption is taken across the width of the counter range, which is most often determined by the ratio Q min / Q max. The sensitivity of the device indicates the least amount of gas at which the device operates, the readings are measured, and the measurement error differs from the normative limit.
Accounting nodes are divided by the highest bandwidth:
- household appliances pass 1 - 6 m³ / h, are used for apartments, offices, private housing construction;
- Municipal - 10 - 40 m³ / h, installed in boiler rooms and small technological structures;
- industrial - more than 40 m³ / h, mounted in industrial complexes.
The choice of bandwidth depends on the number of connected points in the gas network. A device with an indicator of up to 6 m³ / h is used if there are three gas plants, and if there are four points, a meter with a conductivity of up to 10 m³ / h is installed.
According to the principle of action
The electronic device is easy to configure, differs in small dimensions, and operates silently. The counter is highly accurate; it is checked once every 10 years. The line includes models for everyday life and production. The disadvantage is the high cost of the metering station.
The rotary metering unit is much cheaper than the electronic analogue and has compact dimensions, but the disadvantages of such a device are much greater:
- if the case is damaged, there is a leak;
- inspection is done every 2 years;
- short service time;
- inaccurate readings;
- noise at work.
The membrane analog is characterized by a long service life of the gas meter in the apartment (up to 30 years) and successfully works with poor quality gas. Verification is recommended once every 15 years. The box of the accounting unit is durable and withstands high temperature effects. The cost is acceptable to a wide range of users. The lack of significant dimensions and noise during operation.
Terms of use
Before opening the valve, make sure that there is no characteristic odor. Leakage is detected at the joints of the pipeline and taps of gas points using a special device or soap solution.
Fundamental rules:
- when turned on, the inlet valve is first turned off, then the match lights up and then the burner valve opens;
- during operation transoms are opened, the removal of combustion products is ensured;
- if the exhaust gases are discharged into the chimney, holes are made in the lower part of the door leaf of the room for the fresh air supply.
If there is a smell, they immediately call the emergency service and take people out of the building, do not use electric switches, prevent sparking and open fire, and organize ventilation. It is not allowed to use gas installations for preschoolers and those who do not know how to do this.
Check interval
The term is the period of time at which the manufacturer gives a guarantee of error-free operation. Typically, the interval is indicated in the range of 8 - 12 years and is recorded in the technical passport. If the check is not carried out on time or there is no new seal, the indicators of the node are considered implausible and do not apply when charging.
If the unsuitability of the meter for subsequent operation is established, an act on the impossibility of further use is drawn up on the unit and this is reported to the owner. The frequency of verification depends on the specific model. After the company notifies the audit due date, a specialist comes. After testing, a conclusion is issued.
Life time
The verification interval and the expiration date of the gas meter are different concepts. Intertesting interval is prescribed in the technical documentation, and the service life is counted from the time of manufacture. Guidelines for determining the service life are given in document PR 50.2.006 - 1994 “GSI. Rules for verification of measuring instruments. " Measuring instruments checked by state metrological control are tested by the relevant authorities during release or repair.
In the apartment
The meter is mounted in its original position after a positive audit opinion. Otherwise, the owner receives a defective act and acquires a new device, and also pays for its installation for further registration of gas consumption.
Representatives of the municipality can change the common metering unit in the multi-apartment sector if it is installed in the basement of the house. The appropriate services are responsible for the process, for residents the procedure is free.
Replacing the meter in the apartment begins with the owner contacting the gas service to call the installer and adjust the timing of the replacement of the device. If the corresponding model is not on sale, Gorgaz employees will select a new unit taking into account the required characteristics.
In a private house
Sometimes homeowners refuse to voluntarily set up a gas meter. The gas distribution company can perform forced installation, without the consent of the owner. The owner of the house is obliged to let the gasman pass to install the device, and if he opposes it, they will be fined. Further evasion will be considered in court, which will oblige to provide access to the place of work.
The installation site is selected by the owner on the advice of specialists. The meter is mounted inside the house or on the outer wall so that it does not fall rain and the sun.
The owner of a private building provides access to specialists for regular inspection and maintenance. A refusal of such a visit is followed by a fine of an administrative order in the amount of 10–20 thousand rubles.
Gas meter replacement procedure
The homeowner is responsible for the accuracy of the gas metering readings and the device’s performance. The subscriber pays for the inspection and delivery of the node to the test site. The cheaper procedure is provided if the verification is carried out at home by a company specialist without removing the device. In this case, you do not need to pay for the removal, installation and sealing of the meter.
Counter replacement in 2020 is carried out in the following sequence:
- In the territorial service organization, the owner draws up the text of the application and submits the required documents.
- At the gas supply company, the subscriber orders the installation project.
- Specialists travel to the site to assess the situation, inspect the eyeliner.
- The owner acquires a gas metering station of a certain brand, pays for the project and the removal of the old device.
- After installing a new device, the subscriber signs an act of work.
- The accounting device is sealed.
Replacement should not last more than a month, in accordance with Government Decree No. 354 of 2011 and the Rules for the provision of public services. When applying to the gas department, the subscriber must submit a passport for drawing up contract documents for the provision of services for changing the flow meter. The owner has a technical data sheet of the old device with a fixed installation date and a description of the results of previous inspections.
The landlord submits legal documents for housing or a rental agreement if the tenant is involved in the replacement. The application is written in free form or the company gives a printed form.
Counter is broken
Damage to electronic devices is expressed in the absence of a digital image on the monitor or separate fragments appear. For all varieties, failure is characterized by a shutdown of the unit and the appearance of a slight leak in the connection area. A specialist is called to fix the breakdown.
If the master detects a violation of the seal, an act of violation is written. The subscriber pays for the previous six months at rates that often exceed actual consumption. At such rates, expenses are also paid in apartments where there are no meters.
If a flowmeter malfunction is identified during the scheduled inspection, and the seal remains intact, the subscriber also pays according to the standard for the past 6 months due to concealment of the faulty device. Suppliers send recalculation within a month after detection.
Counter expired
The user is responsible for violation of the inspection deadlines, and gas specialists periodically check the condition of the in-house pipeline. The delay in the verification time leads to the subsequent recalculation for the previous six months according to the applicable standards. Moreover, additional penalties for non-compliance with the interval are not provided.
Who is replacing
Devices for recording gas fuel consumption are installed exclusively by specialists. Installation on their own and by workers without appropriate training is strictly prohibited. Replacement is carried out at the end of the expiration date or as a result of negative results of the inspection of the device.
Sometimes the subscriber does not conduct a scheduled check, because Considers that it is better to replace the meter with a new one. The replacement schedule is maintained and the participation of a specialized gas service is required. The owner is paid according to the norm only for the period of replacing the flow meter with timely contact to the utility in the event of a malfunction. The replacement time is the period from the day of notification until the next day after sealing a new device.
At whose expense is established
The replacement cost is determined depending on the installation features and is calculated individually. The price is affected by the complexity of the work, its type and model of the flow meter. The cost of replacement in a private building and an apartment differs.
Some categories of people may not pay for the replacement of gas meters:
- veterans of World War II;
- Families classified as large;
- needy and low-income citizens who can document their status.
In other options, the dismantling and installation of expired and inoperative devices is paid by the subscriber, the price of a new gas meter is added to the amount.
