ASD automatic data collection system (“stationary” system). Truth and myths about dispatching metering devices System for collecting data from metering devices advantages

Morozov Vladimir - [email protected]

Over the past few years, the active introduction of energy metering devices has created a demand for dispatching. It allows you to get away from time-consuming "manual" data collection methods. But is scheduling always effective? Our article will help you figure out which of the common beliefs about remote reading systems are true and which are myths.

Is dispatching necessary for heat supply companies?
Both truth and myth

Three main players operate on the heat supply market: the energy supplier, its consumer and the intermediary represented by the management company (MC). It is logical that control over instrument readings is important, first of all, for a heat supply organization. If there are a large number of heat meters, she, as a seller of energy resources, needs to ensure reliable data collection, timely billing, and in addition, monitor the correct operation of metering devices, preferably online. This would make it possible to issue reliable and timely invoices to subscribers, and, accordingly, avoid scandals and unpleasant litigation. This is the case in most European countries.

Roskill and Hillerod (Denmark)

A task. Implement a centralized remote data transmission system.

Solution. Supply of 59,000 energy metering devices, including automated transmission of consumption indicators.

Implementation. The cities of Roskill and Hillerod have approved a concept proposed by Kamstrup, a supplier of energy meters. The Automated Data Reading System (AMR) includes a network of heat, water and electricity meters, communication modules and software. The time spent on reading data from the device is approximately 1 min.

Readings from metering devices are transmitted via radio, GSM and PLC. In this regard, there is no need for consumers to write off readings and enter them into energy metering cards. Utilities are also able to communicate more effectively with their customers by charging according to invoices.

In Russia, however, heating network enterprises do not install metering devices. They take them into operation, but the meters are not on the balance sheet of the resource supplying organization. However, the experience of Europe shows that sooner or later our companies - suppliers of energy resources will realize the need for organizing and the advantages of dispatching systems.

Dispatching the city takes? Myth

Today, in our country, mainly management companies are interested in remote collection of energy consumption data. Being an intermediate link between subscribers and the resource supplying organization, they aim to create transparent and respectable relations with both parties. For this, the management company needs reliable commercial accounting in all residential buildings under maintenance.

Myakinino (Russia, Moscow region)

A task. The specialists of NATEK Invest-Energo operating the Myakinino energy center were faced with the task of ensuring the efficiency of the operation of the mini-CHP. The station supplies electricity and heat to the complex of buildings of the government of the Moscow region and its own administrative and office block.

Solution. Installation of metering devices at key stages of production and their integration into a dispatching network.

Implementation. An automatic process control system (APCS) was introduced. It provides access to data from metering devices in real time and allows you to receive all the necessary information on request from the dispatcher console. This approach completely eliminates the possibility of human errors. “At any time, you can take live readings from metering devices and check the balance. Constant monitoring of the operation of the power center equipment allows our specialists to respond in a timely manner to any changes in key indicators, which prevents emergency situations, - said Vladimir Pak, Lead Engineer at NATEK Invest-Energo. - Of course, it would be difficult to do all this manually, without automation and network solutions. Therefore, the possibility of integrating the MULTICAL heat meters used in the enterprise into the LonWorks data acquisition system we chose was very important.”

Therefore, small dispatching systems made by one “owner” for a specific task turn out to be effective. This is either a management company or an industrial enterprise.

Dispatching - a fashionable trend? Truth

In Russia, a situation is common when dispatching is started without having high-quality accounting as such. The innovation does not bring practical benefit, and, in the end, specialists are disappointed in this tool, without understanding its advantages.

If the goal is clear and there is a reliable base in the form of uniform and accurate metering devices, dispatching becomes a convenient and economical solution.

Kogalym (Russia)

A task. In 2009, the management of the Teploservis company, which is engaged in the installation of metering devices, the manufacture and subsequent maintenance of the Automatic block heating point (ABTP), decided to introduce a dispatching system for heating points in the city of Kogalym.

The reasons:

• the desire to improve the quality of service facilities;
• the need to reduce the number of emergencies;
• reduction of staff time for detours.

Implementation. Today, 160 houses are united in the dispatching network in the city. Data collection is carried out via a GSM channel. Initially, domestic heat meters were used. But over time, it was decided to install devices manufactured by Kamstrup, and now 60% of the used metering devices are from this company. The transition from Russian equipment to foreign is not a whim. The fact is that specifications MULTICAL ultrasonic heat meters most closely match the requirements of both management companies and resource providers. “The versatility of the meters makes it possible to widely use various modules, record malfunctions and errors, leaks, etc.,” says Sergey Vecherko, chief engineer at Teploservice. - In addition, the installed equipment provides ample opportunities for communication. Suppose, if we suddenly decide to switch from GSM communication to a radio channel or any other method of data transmission, even reprogramming of metering devices will not be required. It is enough to complete the equipment with other data transmission modules.

Dispatching system - is it expensive? Both truth and myth

Purchase of equipment for dispatching and its installation requires investments. Their payback depends on many factors and can take from several months to several years. However, in the future, the system of remote data collection of metering devices makes a profit. In addition to a direct reduction in labor costs for bypassing heat points, the following advantages can be distinguished:

• No errors. Still, the accuracy of the manual method of retrieving energy consumption data leaves much to be desired. While remote systems for collecting meter readings do not fail.
• Ability to remotely control the operation of appliances and heating systems. As a result - prompt elimination of emergency situations.
• Possibility to serve a larger number of objects without expanding the staff.

Dolgoprudny (Russia, Moscow region)

A task. The Teploservis company, which installs and operates metering devices in new buildings in the city, was faced with the task of reducing the labor costs of its employees. This would increase the number of serviced objects.

Solution. Combining the equipment of heat points into a dispatching network with the ability to control the parameters of heat supply for new buildings in the city from a single dispatching point.

Implementation. Management and monitoring of the state of all equipment of heat points, including metering devices, thermal automation, heating and hot water pumps, is carried out from the dispatch center. The received information is displayed in real time on the computer screen. The data is updated every 10 s. In the event of an emergency situation, a notification is sent to mobile phone engineer.

Dispatching made it possible to significantly reduce the operating time of the maintenance personnel due to the fact that there was no need for periodic rounds of heating points. Now specialists go to the place only in case of receiving a signal about problems.

In fact, the labor savings are enormous. After all, as a rule, on the balance sheet of large management companies or housing departments there are several hundred heat points. And the staff of locksmiths is very limited. Of course, daily or even weekly rounds are not possible under these conditions. This means that an emergency situation without remote control will not be detected immediately.

Are dispatch systems multifunctional? Truth

The main goal of the system of remote collection of meter readings is to reduce labor costs and provide objective bills to consumers. However, the data obtained can be widely used to solve a number of technical issues.

Kishinev, Moldova)

A task. The company "Termocom", the main supplier of heat in Chisinau, faced the need to identify leaks in the heat supply networks.

Solution. Comparison of costs recorded by metering devices on the supply and return pipelines online.

Implementation. MULTICAL heat meters with two ultrasonic flow meters are installed at the city's central heating substation and ITP - on the supply and return pipelines. Readings from these devices are transmitted via radio to the central control room and processed by a program that allows monitoring of all heat points. If the flow readings on the supply and return lines differ, then it is clear that there is a leak somewhere in the area. From large nodes, you can go down to smaller ones and find out exactly where the problem arose. If earlier leaks could exist for months, now they are localized and eliminated in an hour.

According to the specialists of the company "Termocom", the results exceeded all the wildest expectations. When the system first started operating, the make-up water flow rate was over 400 t/h. And after commissioning - in summer 50 t/h, in winter - about 100 t/h.

Today, there are still few large-scale accounting and data collection networks in our country. Therefore, while relatively small projects initiated by management companies have real prospects. The components of success are: a clear definition of the dispatching task and a qualified approach to the choice of equipment, primarily metering devices. Then the system will be efficient, functional and, ultimately, economically viable.

The widespread installation of metering devices is today one of the priority areas for reforming housing and communal services. However, after the installation of the heat meter, it is necessary to ensure the possibility of prompt and regular taking of readings from it. In cases where it is necessary to collect data from 10-15 metering devices, there are usually no difficulties. But already now, most specialists are faced with an increase in the number of serviced devices, which requires the organization of automatic collection of readings. In addition, the dispatching system becomes a great help in monitoring heat supply networks. The choice of the optimal technology for collecting and transmitting data will be discussed below.

Today in Russia the practice of manual data collection from metering devices prevails. Thermal companies maintain a staff of controllers and inspectors (and sometimes dozens of people) who go around the facilities and record meter readings. Then the obtained data must be entered into the database. This is done again manually by the operators of the settlement centers. This approach has a number of obvious disadvantages.

Firstly, regular rounds of all objects equipped with metering devices require a lot of time.

Second, the manual collection and entry of data implies the possibility of errors.

Thirdly, for various reasons, access to metering devices for visual control may be limited. Finally, and many experts rightly consider this to be the main disadvantage of manual collection, it does not allow real-time monitoring of the state of heating systems.

The introduction of automatic reading systems creates conditions for optimizing the cost of maintaining heat networks. In addition, being combined into a single network, metering devices make it possible to obtain data on heat consumption and coolant parameters in different sections of the network simultaneously.

This helps the thermal company eliminate imbalances in its operation and optimize hydraulics. Tracking "anomalous" changes in instrument readings, it is possible to quickly identify emergency sections of the network in which deviations occur. Instead of verbal and occasional reports by crawlers, the dispatcher gets the opportunity to monitor the status of his network section on the monitor screen. But for this it is necessary that the counters "get in touch" at least every day, even better if they are constantly online.

Automatic data collection from metering devices facilitates the work of not only heating network specialists, but also organizations serving heat points, as well as management companies of residential and commercial real estate. Such solutions are widely used in Europe, they are also used in our country. For example, in the city of Dolgoprudny near Moscow, Kamstrup metering devices, thermal automatics and pumping equipment of several ITPs and TsTPs are connected to a remote monitoring and reading system. “Maintenance of heat points that are not equipped with dispatching systems requires regular rounds.

It turned out to be more profitable for our company to organize remote data collection than to keep a whole staff of crawlers. Now one specialist sees all the necessary parameters on the computer monitor and, if necessary, can quickly make changes to the operation of the heating network, for example, adjust the temperature of the coolant. For tenants, it is important that their requests are processed quickly. In addition, the absence of leaks and overheating saves heat, which means it reduces heating costs,” explains Vladimir Litvishkov, director of Teploperspektiva, a company servicing heating points.

The main condition necessary for the implementation of network solutions is the ability to include metering devices in the dispatching system, as well as a guarantee of their reliability and uninterrupted operation. Without this, any data collection scheme will be non-functional. It is best if the meter allows, if necessary (for example, when expanding or upgrading the network), the transition to any of the methods used today for transmitting information.

Modern calculators with a modular architecture, such as MULTICAL® 601, allow this to be done. As Kirill Klyushin, a technical specialist at Kamstrup, the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of system solutions in energy accounting, notes, “computers allow upgrading the dispatching system without additional reprogramming. The meters are simply equipped with another data transmission module, for example, for communication using the most modern LON protocol or radio channel.”

The choice is appropriate

The choice of technology for collecting and transmitting data depends on the tasks that it has to solve. Let's try to understand the variety of methods used today in Russia to combine metering devices into a network.

For residential buildings with individual heat metering, the ideal solution today is the communication technology using the M-Bus protocol. In this case, a two-wire cable is used to switch devices, similar to a telephone cable, the connection is made in parallel. The advantages of the solution are the low cost of its implementation and the independent power supply of the network controller. Up to 250 metering devices can be connected to one hub (M-Bus Master). The disadvantages include the limitation on the total length of the bus, the low speed caused by the fact that the counters are interrogated sequentially, as well as limitations on the data standard.

A similar scheme was implemented when organizing a heat supply system for a new residential building on the street. Tchaikovsky in Yaroslavl. According to Igor Rachkov, a specialist of the Krois company, which carried out the adjustment of the metering system in the building, “today there is no technology that would be more convenient and cheaper for apartment metering than M-Bus.” Data from 61 metering devices installed in apartments and shops located on the ground floor of the building are sent to the dispatcher's computer at a specified interval. In accordance with the indications, the payment for heating is easily distributed among the owners of the premises.

In facilities with complex technical infrastructure, the flexible LonWorks network platform, created in 1988 by Echelon, is increasingly being used. This solution is based on a universal high-speed bus that allows you to control a variety of engineering systems.

Its undoubted advantages are the speed of data transfer, the absence of serious (for local use) restrictions on the length of the network, as well as the ability to use it for various purposes - from remote control of electric motors to automation of security systems. In essence, the platform has been designed for use in so-called smart buildings. It allows the dispatcher to constantly keep abreast of the heat supply system.

Of course, setting up a LonWorks network will cost significantly more, and it requires specially trained personnel to maintain it. However, since several services can operate the network at once, this option seems to be optimal for large shopping or office complexes, as well as large enterprises. A similar solution was used in the resource accounting system of the Federation Tower in the Moscow City business center. 82 heat meters and 41 electricity meters in the apartments of the building, with a total area of ​​more than 9 thousand m2, transmit data to the dispatcher console every minute.

The use of high-frequency radio communication for remote reading of readings from metering devices is becoming increasingly popular in Europe. Thus, the heat meter MULTICAL® 601 involves the use of a built-in wireless router, which ensures its operation as part of single network. In Russia, this technology has not yet received distribution. Among the main reasons, one can single out the nature of the development. If Europe is dominated by a dense private low-rise construction, then in our cities mainly multi-apartment residential buildings are being built, which explains the lower density of metering stations.

In addition, the abundance of high-rise reinforced concrete buildings reduces the range of transmitters by about 2-2.5 times. However, the development of the suburbs of large cities with cottage settlements, the transfer of small low-rise residential settlements to district heating from local combined sources, for example, mini-CHPs can make radio data collection relevant for our country as well.

Also, for remote reading of instrument readings, modem communication channels or local cable networks. The limitations associated with these two methods are obvious: in the first case, you need to connect to a telephone line, in the second, you are dependent on possible failures and accidents in the local provider's network, which, unfortunately, is not uncommon in our country today.

In addition, in some cases (for example, for a detached household), it is advisable to use data transmission using a GSM channel. But this is rather an exception, because. network solutions imply a high density of subscriber concentration.

Solutions for thermal companies

Of course, the creation of a branched automatic system dispatching is not an easy task, requiring certain costs and time. It should be noted that today there are original and cost-effective solutions to optimize the process of manual data collection and significantly reduce the impact of the human factor.

Thus, data collection over a radio channel can be organized at a lower cost, without building a network. For example, with the MULTITERM® WorkAbout handheld terminal, which is part of the radio system developed by Kamstrup. The terminal allows you to automatically interrogate up to several thousand metering devices. One inspector replacing dozens of controllers can simply go around the desired area by car - a great solution for a thermal company. Heat meters in this case are equipped with a radio module that provides the possibility of remote interrogation. Communication takes place on an unlicensed frequency of about 4.3 MHz, the same frequency used in car alarm systems. Low power signals, which the terminal exchanges with the heat meter, do not pose a danger to humans and the environment. Moreover, the contact can be carried out at a distance of up to 500 meters.

An interesting option for collecting readings was found by one of the thermal companies in Denmark. In the country's third largest city, Odense, world-famous thanks to G.Kh. Andersen, meter readings are being taken by... scavengers. Radio terminals are installed on garbage trucks. Going round their area every day, scavengers at the same time collect data on the consumption of thermal energy, which they transmit at the end of the shift to the control room.

Thus, data is obtained from more than 20 thousand objects. Simple and elegant - just like in the works of the great storyteller.

Another inexpensive way to optimize the reading process is also provided by the design of the heat meter MULTICAL® 601 already mentioned above. This is the possibility of quickly reading archives using an optical head, for example, connected to a laptop. By the way, there are universal solutions. For example, the MULTITERM® Pro handheld terminal, with which you can take data not only by radio, but also through the optical connector, as well as enter them manually. Such a multifunctional device, which combines various data collection tools, allows you to upgrade your accounting system for a long time without experiencing any inconvenience.

Summing up, it can be noted that network solutions and remote data collection technologies solve several problems at once.

Firstly, their use allows you to optimize the cost of maintaining heating systems.

Secondly, it makes it possible to monitor their work in all areas.

Finally, when choosing the optimal method of data transmission, the dispatching system is convenient and reduces the costs of the service organization. And the modern equipment produced today will help to overcome any technical barriers to progress in public utilities.

Press service Kamstrup

Accounting for utility resources is the first step towards energy and resource saving. You can't save what isn't counted. It is necessary to take into account all resources - heat, water, gas, electricity. Currently, the topic of installing apartment resource meters is relevant, especially in connection with the entry into force of the new Federal Law “On Energy Saving”. In Russia, apartment heat metering is a matter of the near future, the installation of gas meters, apparently, will begin en masse from the moment the domestic gas sales market becomes a sales outlet for the gas monopoly, and not a social project. More and more residents are equipping their apartments with water meters. But for the management company, HOA or housing cooperative, this brings a number of atypical concerns. Let's try to figure them out.

Putting counters is good. The installation of electricity meters, as a rule, is carried out by the energy supply organization, it also takes control readings from electricity meters, monitors the verification period for metering devices and corrects malfunctions. The situation with other resource counters is a bit more complicated. The situation with water meters will be described below; without limitation, it can be scaled to gas meters.

Massively, water meters began to be installed in apartments in our country, by world standards, recently. A typical meter settlement scheme is as follows: the tenant calls a specialized organization that installs appliances. They mount the water meter unit, perform the necessary plumbing work in the apartment and install meters at the entrance to the apartment. The installer's task is to comply with the manufacturer's specifications for the installation of meters (vertical/horizontal position, observe the necessary straight sections before/after the meter). As a rule, a filter is installed in front of the meter, less often a check valve (which prevents the flow of water in the opposite direction), and ball valves to shut off the water. The installation organization is responsible for the quality of installation of the water meter assembly. After installation, installers take initial readings from the water meter, collect and supply all Required documents in the DEZ or UK to start the calculation of the counters. This chart may vary slightly. different areas and different management companies.

After the tenant began to pay for water according to the meter, he starts less - due to the fact that the standard is usually too high. Or, for example, he does not pay for water in the summer, while he lives in the country. It is important to understand here - the meter is not a means of saving and not a way to pay less for water - it is a meter that shows your actual water consumption. And you can save water when you know how much you are spending.

If your house is under the control of a large management company, then its managerial inertia may “not notice” your installed counter- in the sense that the tenant will simply be counted on the meter, and leaks and general house expenses at the end of the year will be “scattered” among all tenants. If the house is managed by an HOA, housing cooperative or a small management company, then the situation is somewhat more complicated.

What are the main "problems" in the fact that the tenant has installed a meter, from the point of view of the management company?

The first is that the tenant does not always testify on time. And all tenants who have meters installed cannot take readings and submit them to the management company at the same time. The problem of balancing balances arises - it is impossible to reduce the readings of the general house meter, apartment meters and consumers "according to the standard" - more or less the balance is reduced at the end of the year, and this causes additional "charges" that are usually so disliked by residents.

The second problem is the "reliability" of evidence. For control, it is necessary to periodically conduct control readings - identifying non-working meters, residents who bring incorrect readings and those who manipulate meter readings using vices, magnets, etc.

Together, these problems give the fact that if the number of "applied" apartments in the house reaches 30-40%, problems begin - the amount of money accrued according to the readings of apartment water meters and "normative" consumers and the amount paid according to the general house meter begins to diverge more and more the benefit of the management company. This is due to the fact that those who pay according to the standard may consume more water than the amount they pay for, they may have faulty plumbing (the current toilet bowl is up to 180 liters cold water in hour). It is completely incomprehensible how much is spent on general house needs (watering lawns, washing common areas, etc.) Plus the two problems listed earlier and the management company receives a complete turnkey kit to create a headache.

What to do in this case?

You can go two ways - refer to the experience of power supply companies, or look for common path development of instrumental accounting. The experience of power supply suggests that electricity meters should be taken out to the landing, for the convenience of inspectors who take control readings, and electricity for general needs should be put in a separate branch and put on it a separate meter. This solves a number of problems, but - this is not applicable to water, gas (meters, as a rule, are in the apartment), and does not reduce dependence on the person who makes the control reading.

An alternative way is to use a system for collecting readings from resource counters. These systems are quite simply integrated into residential buildings at the construction stage (the increase in cost relative to resource meters without automation is no more than 20-30%). For water metering, meters with a pulse output are required. This counter, when water passes through it, gives an impulse to the wire - every liter, or ten liters. By counting the number of pulses from the cold and hot water meters, you can calculate the water consumption of the apartment.

Traditionally, wired collection systems were used - from apartments, from water meters, the wires went to the landing to the "floor hub", then the signal went through the wires to the "collection device" or to the "common house hub". These systems are simply mounted in new construction, when it is possible to lay wires everywhere, but they are difficult to use in the existing housing stock - in a renovated apartment, it is problematic to stretch the wires from the bathroom to the landing. In addition, these systems are not very vandal-resistant, and in the event of a failure of the floor network as a result of vandalism or a break in the wire coming from the apartment, automated readings are not possible. Due to improper installation, wires from different apartments can be mixed up, and the tenant of one apartment will pay for his neighbor. This may not come to light immediately, and the recalculation of readings will have to be done for a very long period.

This is faced by both developers and the operation of such systems. To solve these problems, manufacturers add a radio channel to the system for transmitting readings from an apartment device to a floor hub. A small radio transmitter is installed on the water meter in the apartment - a radio module that remembers the accumulated value of the amount of water and transmits it to the floor concentrator at fixed intervals. Here, questions arise about the diagnostics of the radio signal transmission - in these systems, the apartment radio module, as a rule, is as cheap as possible, and in order to test the signal transmission, it is necessary to start the readings collection system in real mode and monitor the delivery of data. Since the radio module transmits a signal a maximum of four times per hour, testing in one apartment can take a whole day. The rest of the system is usually not upgraded. This scheme works in typical housing with a small distance from the bathrooms to the floor concentrator; but the problem of the impossibility of taking readings in the event of a failure of the storey network and the problem of mixed up terminals from different apartments remains. A problem of another kind also arises: in such systems, consumption data (readings) are taken every hour - for accuracy in establishing balances and for the prospect of switching to multi-part tariffs for water depending on the time of day. If there is interference during data transmission from the apartment unit to the floor hub (it can be caused by household appliances), then data for a certain period (the duration of the interference) cannot be received. As a result, when the interference is removed and the next signal reaches the storey hub, the accumulated value will correspond to the flow rate - but the hourly flow rate will “go”.

Another class of systems is radio systems developed from scratch. These systems are characterized by the following set of features: a device installed in an apartment has an information storage device, archives data on water consumption every hour and provides data on water consumption via a radio channel. The floor module is a means of data transmission, and not a means of measurement, and performs the functions of transmitting from the apartment module to the common building hub. The signal is not constantly transmitted over the air - data is read only at the time the system is polled. Interrogation is usually carried out at night (at night there is less interference from household appliances), and each apartment device is on the air for 5-10 seconds, transmitting its archive, after which it “falls asleep” and performs only the functions of registering water consumption. Since in this case the apartment device is equipped with intelligence, it can also serve as a tester for the radio network - through the storey hub (in this case it is more correct to call it a repeater), you can request the level of the radio signal to the device (communication level), and evaluate the reliability of such a network construction option. The assessment takes from 15 minutes to 1 hour. Such systems are more reliable - since data on water consumption is stored in the tenant's apartment, in the event of a failure of the repeater network, data from apartment appliances (meter readings) can be taken to a specialized data transfer device or to a computer. At the same time, you don’t need to enter the apartment - it’s enough to be on landing. Also, since there is no periodic transmission of data over the air, the information on hourly consumption is always reliable and radio interference does not affect the reliability of the archive. Any number of water supply risers can be installed in the apartment - one device is placed on each riser, and data collection will be made from all of them. Using such a system for collecting information, a management company or an HOA has data on water consumption up to an hour and has the opportunity to reduce the water balance to exactly zero hours on the 1st of the reporting period. One of the new generation systems is Domovoy-RDS by Sayany, built on the SAYANY HD platform. To the above advantages, it should be added that the device installed in the apartment to the tenant (pulse counter "Domovoy-2RMD") is a certified measuring instrument. This will reduce the number of conflict situations in the calculations according to indications. The device has a built-in radio network tester and a 5-year battery. On the screen of the device, the tenant can look at his consumption and make sure that the water consumption for which he is billed in the “fat” by the management company really corresponds to his consumption. In addition, it is possible to record the apartment number in each device, so that the tenant is convinced that he pays for himself. General house meters are integrated into the system, uploading to programs for the EIRC and programs for managing apartment buildings on the 1C platform is supported. The system can be used to collect data from any resource meters, be used to limit the supply of resources, and can be integrated with water and gas leak detection systems.

By the way, the operation of electric meters follows the same path - they are gradually being equipped with data transmission devices. But for electric utilities, the situation is somewhat simpler - they can use data transmission systems over electrical wiring (which in most cases they try to do), and electricity supply has historically been a resource where the tenant pays directly to the energy supply company. It is difficult to integrate these systems at the administrative level, but there are no fundamental obstacles. And at the level of management companies of small towns, the emergence of such systems is not far off.

If, in principle, everything is clear with such resources as water, electricity and gas, then with payment for heat supply by meters, the situation requires a separate explanation - and this is the topic of the next article.

Firm ISTA-Rus is a subsidiary of the German concern ISTA, representing on the international market German manufacturers equipment for heat and water metering. The concern was founded in 1906 and today has numerous branches in all European countries, as well as in the leading countries of Asia and America. Ista-Rus has been operating in Russia since 1996.

ISTA is not a modern name. Initially, the company was called differently. In 1994 it was Raab Karcher, then other companies joined the company and others followed, for example, since 1999 - Viterra. In 2004, the name ISTA appeared. ISTA is represented in 26 countries and covers the whole world. It is interesting that the company successfully, unlike its competitors, even works in the Chinese market, which is famous for producing a huge number of cheap devices, and IST devices are all German-made, so the price initially cannot compete with Chinese, Russian equipment, but is highly reliable. ISTA operates in the US and France, and plans to develop an office in India in the near future. Therefore, ISTA got the opportunity to work all over the world and since 2009 has taken a leading position in its market segment - this is the supply of equipment for apartment accounting, billing for end users. In Russia, the company is called Ista Rus. In 1995, a branch office of Raab Karcher was opened. In 2004 the name ISTA-RUS was received.

The company offers in Russian Federation high quality German-made heat and water metering devices. All offered equipment is certified by Gosstandart of the Russian Federation. The offer also includes systems for automatic wired and radio readings from metering devices, as well as billing services for calculating energy costs and equipment maintenance. The main advantages of ISTA-Rus are qualified employees with extensive experience. The average work experience is 14 years.

Information on certificates.

The product certificate is a system for automatic data collection via the Symfonic Sensor net radio channel. Certificate for the Doprima heat distribution device, another name is simpler - heat distributor, used for vertical heating systems. The product is a mobile control device. This device is used when setting up and putting the symphonic system into operation. The portable switch is the second part of the kit for the mobile setup of the system start. Heat meters. Compact combined heat meter Sensonik 2. Compact, respectively, for apartment metering, the combined one is already used in a general house, in an office, they already have a higher flow rate. Sanitary and epidemic conclusion for flow meters and water meters. On the cold water meter Istameter, cold water meter Domakva, which is abbreviated as ET. Turbine water meters.

Equipment.

Areas of activity in Russia:

1. Supply of heat meters, water meters, heat distributors and other energy-saving equipment (shut-off, control, balancing valves, temperature controllers)

2. Calculation of energy consumption in the residential sector, office and shopping centers.

3. Installation of devices, service and warranty service.

Products:

• Water meters ET-Domakva-M- apartment single-jet meters, they differ just in the minimum cost with high quality, assembly made in Germany. Warranty for water meters 4 years. Verification is determined by law. It is common to all metering devices that are sold in Russia. 4 for hot, 6 years for cold water.
• Istameter- these are already multi-jet meters of cold and hot water with installation in a single-pipe EAS connection. These meters are twice the price of single jet meters, but due to their design, they have two advantages. Firstly: they are more accurate with minimal water flows, and at the moment when a single-jet counter could stop and no longer count, then a multi-jet counter will continue to count. And the second point that affects the value is EAS, that is, a one-pipe connection. These counters are mostly common in Europe. Convenient for installation and testing devices.
• Plug-in modules for dispatching. There are M-Bus options, there is a radio, there is a pulse.
• High flow water meters. These are vane counters. Options up to 10 cubes per hour. There are flange and threaded connections. All devices are initially with a pulse output.
• Turbine meters, which allow already up to 150 cubic meters per hour. Flange connection, pulse output initially. But the peculiarity is for the Russian market - these meters are two to three times more expensive than those offered in Russia by other manufacturers, including local ones.
• Heating cost allocators. There is a modification of visual reading, these are cheap options. There are modifications with a built-in radio module for further use in radio systems. Installation is simple, there are fasteners for any type of radiators.
• Optional equipment. Thermostatic valves, shut-off valves. This is what you need when you buy everything in the kit at once. And data acquisition system, wired M-Bus system. Capabilities of the system to combine up to 2000 devices. Any equipment, these are water meters, heat meters, apartment, general house, you can connect equipment from other manufacturers, the most important thing is that it has a pulse output. The hub connects up to 250 devices. And an eight-channel switch, connected after the hub, allows you to expand the system's capabilities to serve 2000 devices. The length of the communication line is 4 km. Ordinary telephone wires, RZh-11 connector cables are used. But the bus itself works according to the M-Bus protocol.
• Symphonic radio system - 3. When the technology grew to the ability to integrate radio modules, it was of course obvious that it was possible to equip devices with these small radio modules and use a radio connection instead of wires. ISTA has come up with a corresponding solution. In this case, it is reading data using a set of mobile radio devices. It works like this. An employee of the company comes to the house, bypasses the entrance and, using mobile kits, reads devices from a distance. The products of heat meters have a common name - Sensonik. The combination sensor is used for general house consumption. Vane and turbine flowmeters, both of ITS production, and of any other companies, the main thing is that there is a brick (primary) exit to them. Vertical and horizontal mounting provided. Ability to connect to M-Bus dispatch and radio too.
• Sensonic 2 compact, it is intended primarily for use in apartment accounting. Indeed, this is a very compact device, easy to use due to its size. At the same time, the display is removed and a 30 cm long wire allows you to take it to a more open place, accessible for reading. Vertical, horizontal mounting, no straight runs required. It can be used in supply and return pipelines, it also works in dispatching systems.

Equipment advantages.

Advantages of using water meters:

• Application of high quality materials
• The presence of modifications not only single-jet, but also multi-jet.
• Possibility to upgrade the system by simply replacing the plug with a module suitable for automatic remote collection
• When installing a dispatching system, you can remotely control the reverse and manipulations.
• Advantages of M-Bus:
• Reading meter readings regardless of the presence of residents.
• Advantages of radio collection:
• This is the same remote collection, but without wires.

Symphonic system.

In fact, the system can also be used to account for water, electricity, gas and heat. Heat is the most expensive part of the cost. Therefore, the government makes an appropriate decision, issues laws that regulate energy saving relations. A methodology for calculating heat consumption has been developed, which has been approved and is already being used. General principles charging is regulated by government decree 354. The use of heat meters allows you to reduce costs. On the Russian market present a large number of proposals, both domestic manufacturers and world leaders. But the question remains open: how to collect readings from these devices efficiently, in a timely manner, without errors, without significant financial and labor costs. The Symphonic system has existed in the world since 2006, it appeared in Russia in 2009. The tallest building in the world is the Burj Dubai. In America, this is the Empire Street Building. In these buildings, ISTA devices and symphonic systems are just installed. In Russia, the system is only developing.

The composition of the system: heat distributors, apartment water meters, heat meters, Pulsonic 3 radio unit in order to connect devices from other manufacturers with a pulse output to the system, and in the center of this system there is a radio mnemonic concentrator 3. How is such a possibility organized that with one hub it is possible to collect data from all devices? The fact is that each IST set is bidirectional, it works as a repeater for neighboring devices. And thus, even the most remote device from the hub, located at a distance of 100-150 meters, it will still transmit its data. But not as in other systems, there should be a device for collecting data in direct line of sight, for example, a floor concentrator, but simply through other devices, the same as it is, accounting. Moreover, the system is built automatically, if a device drops out of the network due to the fact that it was broken, then the network will be rebuilt automatically and communication with distant devices will be restored through neighboring devices. What happens next after data collection? Metering devices with a radio module transmitted data to the concentrator. Next, a radio network is used, frequency 868, which does not require either licensing or permission. Then cellular communication is used, any channel is available, it can be a megaphone, mts or any other cellular operator, since ISTA devices have multi-roaming, there is absolutely no need to think about paying for communication services, ISTA takes care of all this. That is, through cellular communication channels, data is transmitted to a server located in Germany, this is done in order, first of all, to implement the concept of complete autonomy and automatic collection, when the client-customer, after pressing the start button for 10 years, forgot about everything, about any issues related with maintenance, network setup, payment for any communication services. And the server located in Germany is incomparable in its reliability with the solutions that are provided in Russia, not to mention the computer that is just at home or as a central data collection server. Here, first of all, the question of reliability, data can be lost. The ISTA data storage server ensures that this does not happen. And then through the Internet you can collect evidence.

System advantages:

• Increased noise immunity and stability of data transmission.
• Fully automatic reading of data from all devices without the participation and presence of people.
• Control of errors in the operation of devices, intervention in the system.
• Extreme ease of installation and programming.
• The minimum cost of the system among analogues.
• The absence of any wires.
• Batteries are designed for 10 years.
• Lack of interfloor concentrators. One hub can serve up to 1000 devices.
• Frequency 868 MHz, free to use the frequency without restriction.

Loading meter readings into the program "1C: Accounting in the management companies of housing and communal services, HOA and ZhSK"

How are meters accounted for?

All counters are stored in the "Counters" directory. Here it is possible to specify the main parameters: service, meter tariff. The counter can be installed both on the building and on the entrance and on the premises.

Method of recording readings: cumulative total, consumption for the calculation period. The bit depth is not more than 15 and the transformation ratio, that is, if there is a consumption of 10, and the coefficient is 2, then in the end it will be 20, not 10. This coefficient is convenient for converting from one unit of measurement to another. For example, from cubic meters to gigacalories. After the counters are created, these counters must be assigned to a specific accounting object. Fixing counters is established using the document "meter installation". Here, a building, a personal account, an entrance or a room can act as an object. Next, the meter itself, the date of inclusion and the date of verification are indicated. Then, if the meter is already fixed, then you can indicate the readings of the corresponding metering devices. An object is indicated, which can be a building, an entrance, a specific personal account, a service. And then in the tabular part, metering devices, objects, dates of readings are indicated. If the device takes into account the previous readings, then they can be seen in the column “previous daily reading”, it all depends on which method is chosen: cumulative total or consumption for the calculation period.

In order to make accruals, the document “accrual of services on metering devices” is used. Here you can see several columns, depending on which metering devices are fixed. In situations where meter readings are not provided or the meter itself is missing, and charges must be made according to the consumption rate, an additional column appears, because there are no corresponding situations here.

How distribution is made.

Firstly, there are appropriate settings: IPU setting, this applies to those cases when readings are not entered or the meter itself is missing so that you do not need to create several services, all this can be tracked in one service. Here it is indicated that accruals are made according to the consumption rate, or according to the average value, or accruals are not made. If several metering devices are included in the service, then it is also possible to specify the corresponding parameter. That is, one of the metering devices is disabled, or all metering devices are disabled. The calculation of accruals in the absence of indications can be made according to the average value, according to the consumption rate, or not at all. When choosing the method "Average", a certain period is indicated. As for collective metering devices (general house meters), there are also certain settings here. Whether accruals according to the standard are included in the total individual expense, or only the expense for metering devices, or for metering devices, charges according to the standard and according to the average value.

Variant of distribution of expenses by tariffs. By types of tariff: according to the general tariff or according to tariffs corresponding to the tariff of the collective metering device. In addition, distribution can be made to personal accounts without meters, or with meters, or to all personal accounts. It can be distributed in proportion to the area, the number of premises, the amount of consumption for the service, the number of residents, or equally. In addition, it is possible to use formula number 9. So, according to the amount of total area, formula No. 3 and No. 14, and No. 15 become available. If there is no flow on a common house meter, that is, there is no meter itself, then in such cases, according to Decree 354, distribution is made according to formula No. 15. The corresponding formula supports the building code. In addition, you can check the box in the service itself to use formula No. 15. In the absence of a collective meter, it is also necessary to indicate in the building itself common areas premises, that is, the total area of ​​all buildings, the total area of ​​all residential and non-residential premises and the area of ​​the premises included in the common property. These areas are entered automatically using the "calculate" button. Further, the total area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe premises and the consumption standard for the building are indicated. The standard is indicated on the "Service Consumption Rates" tab. The corresponding standard is indicated in the directory of the building, after which accruals can be made. Thus, it is possible to make accruals according to the standard both in the absence of a valid meter, in the absence of indications, and also if there is no common house meter, then accruals can be made according to formula No. 15 of Decree 354. In addition, you can make calculations using other formulas.

With any scheme of relations between the owners of the premises and the management company (commission agreement, agency or simply management agreement), the management company performs the removal and provision of readings of common house meters to the utility supplier on the basis of a utility supply agreement. Even if there is an agency agreement between the management company and the owners of the premises, it is possible to perform this action (on behalf and on behalf of the owners of the premises).

The removal and provision of readings of apartment metering devices, as a general rule, is carried out by the owner of the premises to the organization with which the contract for the provision of public services is actually in force: that is, either to the management company under a management / commission / agency agreement, or to public utility(if the contract is directly without the participation of the Criminal Code). At the same time, conditions may be included in the management / commission / agency agreement that the management company takes and / or provides readings of apartment metering devices on its own.

The main criterion for the readiness of the management company is the organizational readiness of the management company to receive readings from metering devices from the population.

To carry out activities for the collection and calculation of utility bills according to the readings of metering devices by the Management Company must be provided:

proximity to the place of residence of consumers of points for receiving indications of apartment metering devices;

the presence of several ways to receive readings from apartment meters (for example, by phone, the Internet or directly to the organization);

a convenient form of receiving readings from metering devices (for example, when the owner of the premises directly transfers readings to the organization, a form with minimum requirements for filling out should be installed - only the address and the last readings of the device, etc.);

safety of the received data according to the readings of metering devices;

the opportunity to provide clarifications on the provision of evidence.

The recommended option is to use settlement and information centers (if they are ready to receive this information). This will speed up the process of generating invoices for the services provided for the premises owners (since the information chain “premises owners - management company - RIC - premises owners” is longer than “premises owners - RIC - premises owners”). At the same time, the management company will be required to provide readings from a common house meter, i.e. all the same, it participates in the chain of information transfer.

On the other hand, the accumulation in the management company of the readings of all metering devices has the following advantages:

The ability to compare the readings of a common house meter (or contractual volumes) with the volume consumed by the owners of the premises, and identify the resulting difference without additional information request to the RIC;

Possibility of independent (without additional request) and timely tracking of owners of premises who do not provide meter readings, for the organization of control checks.

) the Criminal Code is entrusted with the obligation to verify the installed metering devices (common house and individual). The specified Decree spells out the procedure for notifying the owner of the premises about the period of verification, the procedure for agreeing on its implementation, frequency (at least once a year and not more than once every 3 months) and terms.

Deadlines for submitting meter readings

According to Art. 155 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, the payment terms for utilities are set no later than the 10th day of the month following the expired one, unless otherwise provided by the apartment building management agreement. Payment documents must be provided to the owners of the premises no later than the first day of the month following the expiration unless otherwise provided by the management agreement. Therefore, the timing of the provision of meter readings should ensure the possibility of processing the received data and including it in the account by the management company or organization to which these powers have been delegated. Moreover, a strictly defined period must be established in which testimony will be taken. Readings submitted outside this period should only be taken into account in the next billing period.

In accordance with the Rules for the provision of public services (approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 354 dated 05/06/2011), the Criminal Code is obliged to monthly take readings of a common house meter from the 23rd to the 25th day of the current month and enter the readings into the register of readings of collective (general house) metering devices, to provide the consumer, at his request, within 1 working day from the date of the request, with the opportunity to familiarize himself with information about the readings of collective (common house) metering devices, to ensure the safety of information about the readings of collective (general house), individual, common (apartment) metering devices for at least 3 years.

The procedure for calculating utility bills for metering devices

Depending on the chosen option for organizing metering devices, utility bills are calculated as follows:

According to common house and apartment metering devices in proportion to the heated area (heating) / the number of registered people (water supply) from the readings of the common house metering device, reduced by the sum of the readings of all apartment meters (for owners of premises who do not have apartment meters, but with a common house meter and part of the apartment meters in the building) ;

According to the common house metering device in proportion to the heated area (heating) / the number of registered people (water supply) from the readings of a common house meter (owners of premises who do not have apartment meters in the entire building, but live in a house with a common house meter);

According to the apartment metering device according to the readings of the apartment metering device (for owners of premises with apartment metering devices).

Formulas for determining the amount of payment for each type of utility services, depending on the availability of metering devices, are given in Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated 06.05.2011 No. 354 “On the procedure for providing utility services to owners and users of premises in apartment buildings and residential buildings."

Payment for utilities goes to managers and other organizations that have contractual obligations to citizens to provide public services (in the case of an agency agreement, it can go to resource supply organizations in accordance with an agency agreement).