Not many users are pleased with the monthly "tradition" of checking the readings of the electric meter, since the standard consequence of this procedure is parting with their hard earned means. But here's what to do if the situation is the opposite and the counter began to "wind" much less ...
The first thing to do
Warn the relevant structures, namely the company with which the contract was signed. All necessary phone numbers and other data can be found on the Internet, be sure to indicate your exact address in the search bar. If you can't get through, you can always leave a message, but almost all energy sales companies have a hotline.
Important! Concealment of data on control accounting failure does not relieve the user of the consequences. Sooner or later, the deception will be revealed, and the amount of the fine may turn out to be quite large.
Theoretical assumption: counter on the street
Yes, in theory, the meter can malfunction due to too low ambient temperature. For example, on the street - 35 С0, and the metering device of the old model - disk, installed on the street. Constant freezing of the contacts leads to incorrect operation of the device and, as a consequence, to its complete failure.
These arguments are theoretical, and with constant freezing of the contacts, the meter will burn out rather than “wind” less.
The metering and control device is simply faulty
Modern electronic meters have several significant disadvantages:
- They require periodic verification, and at the initial stage of work - settings.
- They are very capricious to sudden temperature changes in the environment.
- Virtually unrepairable.
Therefore, if the electronic meter began to "wind" less, and the consumption of users did not change by a single kilowatt, then most likely the device simply failed. In this case, you just need to replace it with a new one.
Manufacturing defects
It is also a malfunction that takes place and sometimes similar occurs on entire releases of a certain model. Defect can only be determined during the operation of the device, since the meters are hardly tested in production.
Low mains voltage
The reason for the small reading of the electric meter can be a banal voltage drop in the network. For example, a wire with several old twists is laid from the post to the house, at the connection point too bad contact, etc. Result: instead of the required 220 V, there may be 200, 190 and even less volt!
It should be clarified right away that the quality of work of household electrical appliances will not change too much. At least, it won't be noticeable to the naked eye of the average user. But the power consumption will be reduced several times, and the same electric kettle, instead of the prescribed 1 kW, will "pull" no more than 700-800 watts.
You can check it very simply. It is enough to measure the voltage at the output of the electric meter with a multimeter. If it is less than intended, then the control device should not be changed, but the problem with the potential difference should be solved.