Who seals electricity meters

The seal on the electric meter confirms the accuracy of energy metering, as well as the serviceability of the device. It provides protection against electricity theft. Sealing the metering device is a mandatory procedure that allows the operation of the mechanism. An electricity meter that does not have a seal is prohibited for use. In this case, the device must have two seals: the first is applied by the manufacturer, and the second is applied by an energy-saving company. When installing a new device or replacing an old one, the question rightfully arises: who should seal the electricity meter?

Electric meter seal

Sealing is a very serious procedure that involves many details. Therefore, you need to know how to seal an electricity meter, what regulatory documents are drawn up and what to do if the seal is broken. In case of violation of the correctness of these measures, penalties may be imposed on both the consumer and the energy supply company.

How to seal an electricity meter?

In accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, a seal must be placed on all metering devices.
If it is missing, then readings from such meters are not taken, since such control units are regarded as available for theft of energy resources. At the same time, modern fillings can also fix the installation of magnets, changing their color. PKU 10 is a commercial electricity metering station designed to account for reactive and active energy in both directions (from supplier to consumer and back). You can buy it on the website ktp1.ru

In the review you will learn how to seal an electricity meter, and also get acquainted with all types of seals.

Types of fillings

The installed device has two seals:

From the manufacturer. It confirms the integrity of the device, its operability, and compliance with the requirements of the relevant Rules for the Technical Operation of Electrical Installations, clause 2.11.18.
The second seal is installed by the energy supplier when the meter is put into operation or resealed.

Sealing is carried out in strict accordance with current legislative norms and rules.

Types and methods of installing fillings

All meters installed in the premises must be sealed. In this way, the energy sales company can record the fact that the meter has been removed or an attempt to open it. Some modern seals, in addition to the above function, show the installation of magnets for the purpose of stealing resources.

The electric meter must have several seals:

from the manufacturer;
quality control specialists;
when installing the control panel (installed by the master).

When installing an electric meter, the technician seals it, fixing the terminal box so that the consumer cannot open it and transfer wires to twist the readings.

In the form of a wire fastened at both ends

Lead seals are considered the most popular. They look like a circle flattened on both sides, in which two holes are made on the sides. A wire is inserted into them and then clamped with a sealer. The organization's mark appears at the place of pressure.

This method does not fix the installation of the magnet, and some craftsmen are good at faking the mark. Therefore, electricity suppliers are gradually moving away from the practice of using lead seals.

There are also plastic number clamps. Each of them has a unique code that is not repeated anywhere else. It is indicated in the commissioning act, so it will not be possible to replace the clamp with another one. Otherwise, the controller will consider that the meter has been tampered with.

In appearance, such fillings look simple. The thin part of the clamp is pushed through the hole until it clicks. The lock operates and the seal is securely fixed. It is not possible to pull the clamp through in the opposite direction.

Plastic number seals are a little more complex in design. The fishing line is threaded through them, then the structure is turned until it clicks. This way the lock is locked and there is no way back.

If you try to remove such a seal by turning it in the opposite direction, the locking system will break, which can be seen upon inspection, since the body is transparent.

Holographic adhesive tape

Sticker-shaped fillings are becoming increasingly popular. It looks like a small piece of paper with a unique code, glued to the body of the electric meter. Fixation occurs due to high-quality glue. Therefore, when you try to remove such a seal, there will be a clear mark from the sticker on the body that cannot be removed. And on the piece of paper itself the inscription “Opened” will appear. You won’t be able to replace it with a new one yourself, since each such seal has a unique digital code recorded in the electric meter passport.

One of the types of seal-stickers is “Antimagnetic”. It is similar to the previous one, but with one difference - it has an indicator installed on it. If you install a magnet next to an antimagnetic filling, its contour pattern is destroyed and its color changes. In this case, no mechanical or temperature influences will affect it to cause reverse changes. An attempt to remove it will lead to its destruction.

Reference! If the seal is opened or damaged, the service provider charges a fine and makes additional charges from the moment of the last reading, taking into account the total power of all household appliances and lights as if they were working around the clock.

Recommendations for the safety of seals

Tips to increase the service life of the marking:

In order not to damage the markings, it is recommended to move the metering device into the apartment. If this is not possible, then the device must be protected in the distribution panel. To do this, a lock is installed on it, which can be locked with a key.
If the electric meter is installed in an apartment, it is recommended to diagnose the integrity of the markings monthly. Especially if there are children in the apartment.
The shield must not be opened unless necessary. This will damage the devices installed inside.
Independent dismantling or making of markings is not allowed. This action is illegal and may result in legal proceedings and serious fines.

Who legally has the right to seal an electricity meter?

After installing an electricity meter, the question arises: who should seal the electricity meter? In the previous section, you learned what types of fillings there are and where they are installed. The first two are installed at the factory during its production and initial verification, but the second is installed after installation of the control panel. Therefore, the energy sales company must seal the electric meter and, therefore, accept it for accounting.

Important! Do not apply for sealing through advertisements, as this is illegal and may result in fines.

Fine for breaking or missing seal on the electric meter

For the absence of a seal on the electric meter or its breaking, a fine is imposed on the consumer in the amount of:

from 300 to 1000 rubles per individual, provided that the meter data has not been adjusted;
from the organization – 5,000 – 20,000 rubles.

In conclusion, it is worth saying that the need to control and account for electricity consumption is the responsibility of both the consumer and the supplier. Therefore, the installation, as well as the sealing of the meter, is not disputed. At the same time, it is important to take care of the device, maintain its integrity and the safety of the seals, since this is a guarantee against the collection of excessive money, as well as undesirable consequences.

Instructions for sealing an electric meter

Common people rarely face the issue of sealing an electricity meter, so questions often arise: how to do it correctly? Let's look at each stage in more detail to have a complete understanding of all the nuances.

Contact the energy network and submit an application

We have already found out that only a specialist from an energy sales company can put a seal. Accordingly, you need to contact the nearest branch. This must be done after installing the device, but no later than 30 days after installation.

When visiting an energy supplier, you must submit an application for sealing of the electric meter, which should indicate:

Personal information about the owner of the property.
Address of the location of the object.
Contact information.
Subscriber's personal account number.
Name of the metering device.
Reason for installation: primary, replacement, transfer or due to faulty wiring.

The application form can be obtained from the energy supply company or you can create it yourself.

Personally visit Energosbyt

After completing the application for sealing, the specialist will issue a receipt for payment for services, if the procedure is a paid one. After making the payment, you must return to the energy sales company and provide a copy of the payment document. Only after this the application will be accepted for processing.

If possible, the time of arrival of specialists is agreed upon

As soon as you have submitted an application and paid for sealing services, you can agree with your electricity supplier on the day and time of the technician’s arrival. If at the moment the specialist cannot give an exact date, then ask to call the contacts specified in the application.

Sealing procedure

During the initial installation of the device, its installation and sealing is carried out by the resource supplier. There is no charge for the work performed. The seal number is entered into the State Register. After this, the meter is placed on the balance sheet of the electricity supplier.

However, the owner of the premises in which it is installed is responsible for its safety.

A second filling can be installed in the following cases:

the integrity of the seal is compromised;
the faulty device was repaired;
There were disagreements in the testimony.

The procedure is the same, but the documentation is different. The consumer writes a statement outlining the reasons for the secondary filling. Then it is carried out and a work completion certificate is drawn up, which is endorsed by both parties: the applicant and the contractor.

It is necessary to note one important point regarding certified electricity meters. Who should put seals on them? In this case, sealing is carried out if:

an extraordinary verification or replacement of the meter was carried out;
inspection;
examination of the device.

These measures are carried out when either malfunctions of the device, or inaccuracies or discrepancies in its readings are identified. In the first case, the seal can be installed by the supplier; in the remaining cases, the sealing is entrusted to the metrology and standardization service. Based on the results, a so-called verification seal is placed on the meter or a verification certificate is issued.

The cost of sealing the electric meter and the procedure for payment

Before you find out how much it costs to seal an electricity meter, you need to understand the nuances. There are two types of filling:

at the request of the service provider;
re-sealing.

Here you need to understand that if the energy supply company itself insists on installing a meter or the procedure is a primary one, then the homeowner will not be charged a fee. In this case, require a specification of work for the service agreement. And if it contains the line “Sealing,” then feel free to appeal it to the energy sales company. You can refer to Government Decree No. 442 of 05/04/2012, where paragraph 8 states that no fee is charged unless otherwise provided by law. “Other” includes the re-installation of electric meters. You can find out the tariffs for sealing in your locality on the website of the energy sales company or by contacting any of its branches in person. On average in Russia, the service costs from 1,000 to 2,000 rubles.

If you already have experience in contacting an energy supplier and have your meter sealed, then we ask you to share your experience. Your review may help other consumers in resolving the issue of sealing the electric meter.

Why and in what cases is sealing the electric meter needed?

Operation of an energy meter in an apartment building or private property is only possible if there is a seal on it. This rule also applies to replacing or connecting a three-phase device, which only needs to be additionally programmed.

The electric meter can be sealed:

when moving the device to another place;
during its initial installation;
in case of planned replacement or repair of equipment;
if the seal is damaged - at the request of the owner of the premises or the management company.

When submitting an application for sealing in your own home, you must prepare a plan for organizing the electrical supply of a private building for the master.

Regardless of the type of property, three days are allotted for sealing, during which accrual is carried out based on data on average daily consumption.

Regulatory documents on filling

The verification of equipment being installed and put into operation, the process of sealing the meter and the procedure for collecting fees for this are regulated by law. Sample documents must be provided by service providers upon request. Thus, paragraphs 8, 9 and 14 of clause 8 of Resolution No. 354 indicate that it is necessary to seal electric energy meters immediately before they are put into operation. In this case, the customer is not charged for the work. This is also confirmed by paragraph 8 of Resolution No. 442. According to it, no fee is charged for sealing equipment put into operation. The owner of the premises must pay for sealing only if it is repeated due to damage to the device.

Who seals electricity meters and how?

To account for electricity, electricity meters are installed in residential buildings and businesses, using which subscribers and sales companies monitor readings and energy consumption.

Each metering device and its components (wiring, current transformers) have a service life and, even during normal operation, must be verified. The interval between verifications ranges from 4 to 16 years with a service life of 30–32 years.

Verification should not be confused with verification. Verification is a mandatory procedure confirming error-free operation; its execution is regulated by Federal Law No. 102-FZ dated June 26, 2008 “On ensuring the uniformity of measurements.”

The time between verifications is called the inter-verification interval.

If correct readings are transmitted and work without errors, after verification the electric meter is sealed.

Types of verification of metering devices:

Primary, upon installation.
Periodic, produced within a period specified by the manufacturer. In addition to the electricity meter, current transformers are also verified, the calibration interval of which varies from 4 to 16 years. The start date of the interval is considered to be the moment of installation, not the previous verification.
Unplanned, associated with repair work or loss of documents.
Inspection, if there is suspicion of illegal actions on the part of the user.

Sealing electricity meters: who does it and how?

The sealing of the electric meter is carried out depending on the balance accessory. When living in an apartment building serviced by a management company, readings and sealing of electricity meters are carried out by representatives of the management company. Costs are already included in housing and communal services payments or are done free of charge.

In a house or apartment that is not maintained by a management company, the responsibility lies with you. Likewise for legal entities. If the premises belong to you, you need to cover expenses and monitor the operation of the meter. If the premises are rented, then everything depends on the agreement with the owner of the property.

Why do you need a filling? To eliminate fraud and combat power losses. The seal is an anti-magnetic device that prevents “twisting”, that is, reducing the readings of the electric meter.

There are always electricity losses; they occur during the transmission of electricity from the source to the consumer. Excess costs depend on the following factors:

operation of power lines;
distances;
condition of power transformers;
poor conductor insulation.

It is impossible to influence some of the processes, and network organizations and law enforcement agencies must stop theft by meter hackers.

Who should pay, when and how much?

If the meter is on the subscriber’s balance, he pays. It is important to know: a legal entity that has a meter located in the supplier’s transformer substation under a lease agreement is responsible for it.

According to paragraph 8, 442 of the resolution, the initial sealing of the electricity meter is always free. Recovery - no.
Equipment sealing depends on the region and the price set by the sales company. The price from sales at the place of registration is usually less than from network retailers.
If the meter is replaced due to the fault or desire of the client, sealing is carried out for a fee.

On average, the price for sealing ranges from 500 to 2500 rubles.

This is interesting: to better control energy consumption, the service provider installs ASKUE meters (automated system for commercial electricity metering). If the meter is on the organization’s balance sheet, then they carry out all the work.

Let's look at an example. The family lives in a private house; electricity is supplied through an overhead power line. To put it simply - through a pole with wires near the house.

An ASKUE is installed on the support, which transmits readings to the server remotely.

The consumer does not bear any responsibility for this support, and the meter installed in his home remains as a control meter. The homeowner is responsible for his old electric meter, checks the readings, but does not transmit information about expenses to sales. Why? – It is read remotely. ASKUE readings have higher priority than control information. Remember, electricity costs must be the same.

Who is responsible for sealing the electricity meter? : 23 comments

When sealing an electric meter, is the electrician required to inspect it (the electric meter) or just put the seals on and that’s it? How should an electrician act when sealing an electric meter?

Good afternoon, Vladimir! The sealing of the electric meter is carried out by a representative of the energy supplying organization based on the consumer’s request for sealing after replacing the device or carrying out state verification. An electrician sent for sealing must carry out a visual inspection of the meter for the presence of a state verification seal, correct installation of the device, compliance of the meter number and state seal with the documents. When installing a seal on the meter, it is important that the sealing wire or fishing line passes through special holes in the terminal cover and other housing elements , which can be disassembled. That is, the seal must be installed in such a way that the possibility of unauthorized connection and access to the internal elements of the metering device is excluded. After installing the seal, the electrician draws up a sealing report.

Read more: What subjects does a primary school teacher teach?

In our case, after a complete overhaul, they change the electrical wiring in an apartment building, the meters need to be coordinated with the energy networks and who reseals the meters.

Hello! The implementation of major repairs is coordinated with the residents of the Moscow Railway. The minutes of the general meeting must reflect the procedure for the contractors and their area of responsibility. In any case, according to the Rules for the provision of public services, clause 81(14). “The commissioning of a metering device after its repair, replacement and verification is carried out in the manner prescribed by paragraphs 81 - 81(9) of these Rules. The installed metering device, including after verification, is sealed by the contractor without charging a fee to the consumer, except for cases when the sealing of the relevant metering devices is carried out by the contractor again due to violation of the seal or verification marks by the consumer or a third party.”

Yes. I need help. Today specialists came and introduced themselves, supposedly they came to take meter readings. They said that the service life had expired and that it needed to be replaced, although my meter was installed in 2009. They said that I could be fined under the new laws. They replaced my meter and put a seal, but as I have now found out, only Zhilkomservice has the right to seal it.

Good afternoon, Hansultan! Installation of a metering device with subsequent sealing is accompanied by drawing up a report. If you were given a numbered report that describes the reason for replacing the meter and the date of sealing, certified by the signatures of the installers and sealed, then the replacement should not cause you concern.

Where to call to seal the meter

Good afternoon, Raisa! To seal the meter, you need to contact the organization with which you have a contract for the supply of electricity with a corresponding application.

Good afternoon. I have a question about the procedure for installing and sealing an electric meter. I am forced to pay for the sealing (450 rubles)

Hello! It is not clear from your question why the sealing is performed. But for information, the initial sealing of the IPU is carried out at the expense of the service provider, the second one is paid for by the owner of the premises.

Which organization has the right to seal the new meter? What documents must be presented by a specialist who comes to check the meter, or replace the meter, or seal the electricity meter, so that we do not doubt the legality of the service?

In what period of time? The meter must be sealed

Good afternoon, Boris! To re-seal the electricity meter, if the owner himself wishes to replace the meter with a new, modern electricity meter, adhere to the following procedure:

1.Contact your local electricity service provider. Submit a written application (you can find out what documents are needed from the supplier). 2. Agree on the time and timing of the work. By the way, the timing of sealing the electric meter is not regulated, but it should not exceed one month. This time is calculated from the date of installation of the meter and your writing of an application for sealing the electric meter (clause 81 of the “Rules for the Provision of Utilities”).

Good afternoon My meter was installed in 2015. At the moment it does not show readings, having contacted Mosenergosbyt they offered to install a new one for 6,000 rubles. I called the organization where my meter was purchased and they quoted 400 rubles for repairs. Accordingly, already an attorney. Is it legal for Mosenergosbyt to charge me 1,500 rubles for sealing the meter?

Good afternoon, Oleg! You can replace the meter either independently or with the help of employees of Mosenergosbyt OJSC. However, after installing the meter, an employee of the energy supply company with which you have a power supply contract, in this case Mosenergosbyt OJSC, is obliged to check the connection diagram, and then, if the connection is made correctly, seal the meter.

The cost of the service “Checking circuit diagrams and sealing the electric meter”, service code No. 318, 319, according to the current price list, can be viewed in the “Services” section and compared with the amount declared to you.

there is a person with 5 degrees in electrical safety assigned by order to be responsible for electrical. maintenance in the store (input 380 to 15 kW) and Energosbet does not seal the meter, they say it is not suitable, referring to the rules of PTEEP

Good afternoon, Lyudmila! In order to be able to understand the issue specifically, please write the verbatim reason for the refusal.

My electricity meter turned out to be unsealed (I didn’t know that from January 1, 2019 this was mandatory, since before I paid to the HOA, and now to the local Energosbyt). Is it possible to recalculate for the past months when I paid at the average.... Or is it impossible to get the money back?

Good afternoon, Irina! Calculation based on meter readings begins from the moment it is sealed. Therefore, payments made up to this point cannot be refunded.

In 2022, a major renovation was carried out in the apartment building. Until now, the broken seals in the apartments have not been restored. Who and how should I contact with this question? Thank you!

Hello, Anton! You need to contact the management company, since they accept major repair work. In the application, along with a description of the situation that has arisen, you can request the installation of seals. If the sealing was provided for by the contractors who performed the overhaul, the answer will indicate so. Further actions depend on the response of the management company.

The house is new construction, the management company has been chosen, an agreement has been concluded with it. The management company has agreements with resource suppliers. Calculation of the management company - suppliers according to the administrative budget. We pay for all resources in the management company. Who should carry out the initial sealing of individual (apartment) electricity meters? Based on what documents?

Hello, Alexander! All new buildings at the time of their commissioning must be equipped with metering devices (general and individual). This is required from the developer by Federal Law No. 261 “On Energy Saving..” (Article 11, paragraph 7). But simply installing water or electricity meters does not mean putting them into operation. In order for the owner of a new apartment to be able to read readings from a light or water meter, the installed meter must be put into operation. The meter is put into operation only with a written application from the owner of the residential premises. It must be drawn up and submitted to the contractor for consideration. In your case, the management company acts as the executor. Attach a copy of the owner’s passport, documents for the apartment, and a passport for the electric meter to the application.

Read more: What is the name of the contract for lease to foreign companies?

One of the mandatory aspects of recording electricity consumption by apartment residents is the installation of an electricity meter. The device must be sealed to eliminate the possibility of illegal interference with its operation. Also, the presence of a seal confirms the serviceability of the device and its compliance with technical requirements. The owner of the premises is responsible for sealing the electricity meter. All processes related to this are regulated and must be strictly followed.

Procedure

To seal the electric meter correctly, you need to contact the sales company or network organization. Call the site manager of your RES (electrical network district) and agree on the time and cost of services. Write an application for sealing to the responsible person.

Problems that may arise

If the seal becomes unsealed due to an accident, transfer or other impact on the seal, the consumer has 2 months to correct the problem. During this time, electricity is paid according to standard values. If the meter has been unsealed for more than 2 months, the calculation for the 3rd month will be based on power. The power allocated to the power facility will be multiplied by the number of days without sealing, as well as by 24 hours.

If the inspection authorities reveal violations of the seal, and the last inspection was carried out more than 3 months ago, this threatens serious financial losses. Referring to Russian Government Decree No. 442, the company will present you with unaccounted consumption of electrical energy, which will be calculated based on maximum power.

For example. Your power is 15 kW, the calculation period depends on the number of days from the last inspection report until the integrity of the seal is broken. The bill for unaccounted energy consumption will be calculated using the formula: 15 kW*number of days*24 hours. The maximum number of days that you can be presented with as unaccounted for energy consumption is 365 days!

In a controversial situation, when the seal is not broken, but the meter shows incorrect data, do not sign acts of unaccounted consumption. No matter how much they put pressure on you or persuade you! If the meter has been sealed and accepted into operation by the service provider, you are not obligated to pay money for a faulty device . Now it's the electricity supplier's problem. If they have suspicions about you, they are required to provide the results of a factory examination, which will prove that the subscriber influenced the operation of the electric meter. Without direct evidence, without your signature, the case will not go to court.

Classifications of fillings

There are several types of seals on meters:

Primary - set by the manufacturer, has a certain validity period, which is indicated in the instructions and passport (4, 6, 8, 16 years).
Repeated – security seal of the service provider who recognized the electric meter as accepted for operation.

Factory ones.
Service provider seals.

The work is carried out as planned (verification period has expired) or unscheduled: breakdown, suspicion of unaccounted energy consumption, meter relocation.

There are seals on the protection device, but do not confuse them - they do not affect the authenticity of the electricity readings.

What to do if the seal on the electric meter is broken?

You need to contact the service provider and write a sealing application. You should not waste time - this threatens with serious financial losses: calculation of a fine according to the power standard, charges of unaccounted energy consumption.

Recommendations for the safety of seals

Do not allow strangers to the counter! Only representatives of service organizations can change or carry out work, having previously agreed with you.
Do not try, even if you have work experience, to install an electrical input, seal it, repair it - your actions have no legal force, they will be used against you. Do not connect or disconnect the device yourself!
Keep the electricity meter safe from moisture, wind, technical damage, and keep it away from children and pets.
Save the old unit. Do not remove it yourself, do not change the markings, do not throw it away until representatives of the service provider arrive.
If it is more convenient for you to keep the meter at home, you should be aware of the requirements of clause 1.527, according to which the consumer is responsible for the safety of the device. The subscriber is required to install one metering point in an accessible place at a height of 0.7–1.8 meters.

You should know this. According to government decree No. 307 of May 23, 2006, a representative of a sales company or network organization has the right to check the integrity of seals and take readings from the electric meter no more than once every six months.

The inspection must be agreed upon in advance. After it, an act is drawn up, a copy of which the consumer receives in hand. If a violation is detected, for example, damage to the integrity of the seal, marking, verification is overdue, or an underestimation of electricity readings is detected, the law will be on the side of the service organizations, and a fine will be imposed on the consumer.

How to seal an electricity meter - procedure

Every consumer must seal the electricity meter.

The seal confirms that there has been no unauthorized intervention into the meter, no illegal connection or theft of electricity.

The seal also confirms the serviceability of the device and its compliance with the requirements. What types of seals are there, how are they applied, can the apartment owner himself perform the sealing, and how much does the service cost?

Who should seal electricity meters?

Only representatives of the energy supply company can connect and seal the electricity meter.
Neither the owner himself nor the hired electricians have the right to do this.

The owner can purchase a meter, machines, and a suitable size shield.

He can install the panel and meter himself, even do all the wiring in the house, change sockets, do grounding, connect machines to the meter. But energy sales employees are called to connect the input.

Procedure

Let's look at how to seal an electricity meter:

Contact the power grid. This could be RES, MES and others. You can find out the contact details of the organization from the payment receipt for electricity. In city apartments, the reception management company can tell you where to go.
Having personally visited the energy sales office, you will need to write an application for the provision of the appropriate service.
If possible, the time of arrival of specialists is agreed upon. “If possible,” because these terms are not specified by law, everything will depend on workload and local conditions. But within a month the meter must be sealed.
After the electricians arrive, you will only need to observe their actions: they will make the connection themselves, put a seal, everything is done very quickly - a few minutes. If it is an electronic multi-tariff device, they will configure it via a computer (this will take some time).
Then an act will be drawn up. The readings of the new and old electricity meters are recorded on paper (it cannot be thrown away, even if for some reason it has already been dismantled). The owner is given the papers to sign. The owner, of course, slowly reads the papers and checks the correctness of the entered data.
Next steps may vary depending on your region. Somewhere you will need to go to the energy sales office again and put certifying stamps and signatures. Or they can send you to a settlement center. In any case, you will be informed what to do next. In rural areas, nothing more may be needed.

Problems that may arise

What to do if the seal is broken. By default, it is assumed that the owner of the device is to blame for this. To avoid a fine and prove your innocence:

Several good quality photographs are taken, recording the fact that the seal is missing and the date of discovery.
The meter data is photographed and recorded.
An application is written to energy sales in two copies. Both statements must be signed, one copy is kept by the consumer, the other is provided to the electric company. The application also indicates the date of discovery of the fact that the seal was broken and the meter data.

Resist the urge to look under the broken seal and actually do something with the testimony - this fact will be revealed during the examination!

Perhaps everything will be resolved quickly and without material losses. Often a commission is created. She is provided with the photographs you took earlier. The Commission may examine electricity costs over the past six months to determine whether there has been a downward trend in electricity costs over the past 6 months. Then the meter is examined (whether there was interference in its operation). Based on the results of the inspection, a decision is made.

By the way, a fine for breaking a seal is unlikely to be avoided. But its size can be miniscule, or it can be 10 times larger if interference with the device is proven.

But what if they force you to pay for connecting the meter and sealing it?

Try to calmly come to an agreement. Remind company employees about Russian government regulations.

If you insist on payment, agree, but carefully read the receipt, which should indicate what you are paying the money for (for connecting and sealing a new meter).

Based on this receipt, you can file a claim with one of the authorities:

Federal Antimonopoly Service;
Rospotrebnadzor;
Prosecutor's Office;
Oblenergo;
Court.

Who should pay, when and how much?

Important points regarding payment:

When installing the seal for the first time, the cost of performing the service is paid by the electricity supplier. If the meter is changed through no fault of the tenant or the equipment is new, the consumer does not have to pay for it.
The sealing procedure will be paid if the consumer himself damaged the marking or the metering device is out of order and needs to be replaced. The service is also paid by the consumer in case of breakdown of the electrical equipment protection device. If the tenant independently decides to change the meter, he also pays for its secondary sealing.

You can find out exactly the cost of performing a service only from the management organization. Prices vary throughout the country depending on the region, so giving an approximate amount is problematic. But in practice it usually amounts to no more than five hundred rubles.

If during the initial sealing the housing office representative insists on payment, the following actions are taken:

The consumer asks for a receipt or check for payment. It indicates the services that were actually performed, as well as their cost.
The price list is studied and compared with those indicated on the receipt. The document must have the seal of the housing office or energy sales office, as well as payment details. The price list must include the address of the organization's location.
If there are inconsistencies in the documents, a complaint is filed using the sample for demanding illegal payment.
Then you need to file a claim in court. All listed documents are attached to the application.

User Bad_santa75 showed a television story about punishment for illegally paying for the service of sealing a meter.

How much does it cost to seal an electricity meter?

Primary sealing of the electricity meter is a mandatory event in which all parties are interested. And it should be done absolutely free.

In 2012, the government decided that putting meters into operation, installing seals and taking readings from meters are all free (No. 442 P.8).

The same was stated earlier in 2011 in Resolution No. 354. It was also stipulated that the fee will not be charged for re-registration if the meter was under repair, or when it was replaced, not through the fault of the owner (see paragraph 81 § 8, 9 and 14).

There have been cases when the contacts of a faulty meter began to spark, and the owner had to open the cover of the device to prevent a fire.

Or the owner decided to change the power cable from the general network to the meter, move the meter to another place during repairs, etc.

In all cases of planned seal failure, the owner must notify the electricity supplier and management company in advance.

Legislation on fillings

Government Decree No. 354 (March 27, 2022) in part 7, clause 81 states that the installation of an electric meter is the responsibility of the owner of the premises, no matter whether residential or non-residential. And putting it into operation is the responsibility of the electricity supplier in the same paragraph of the resolution.

From the above we can conclude that the consumer must install and seal the electric meter independently.

Yes, such installation is permitted by law. But is it necessary to install it yourself, much less seal at least one device, at least several electricity meters, if the installation requires the presence of a qualified specialist, and the sealing is carried out only by the supplier - this is his responsibility.