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Elektrolehre

Understanding and building the Zählerplatz

🌐 Machine-translated page. The German version is authoritative.

What is the Zählerplatz?

Section titled “What is the Zählerplatz?”

The Zählerplatz is the place where energy passes from the grid into the Kundenanlage (customer installation) and is measured. It sits in the Zählerschrank (Hausanschlussraum (service connection room), basement, hallway) and consists of several fields and spaces that the VDE-AR-N 4100 (Technische Anschlussregel Niederspannung (technical connection rule for low voltage), TAR for short) defines precisely. The grid operators supplement it with their Technischen Anschlussbedingungen (TAB) (technical connection conditions), which § 14 NAV refers to.

Everything stated here applies to new Zählerplätze. Existing installations may stay as they are until they are substantially modified.

The path of the electricity

Section titled “The path of the electricity”
Blockschema Zählerplatz: Hausanschlusskasten, Hauptleitung, Sammelschiene, SLS-Schalter, Zähler, VerteilerfeldHausanschlusskasten (HAK)NH-Sicherungen · Eigentum/Plombe NetzbetreiberHauptleitungz. B. NYY-J 5×16 mm² · ungezähltHauptleitungsabzweigklemme / Sammelschieneim Zählerschrank, unterer AnschlussraumSLS-Schalter (selektiver Hauptleitungsschutzschalter)z. B. 3×35 A, E-Charakteristik · vor dem ZählerZähler (eHZ oder 3-Punkt) · Zählerfeldgesetzt und verplombt vom NetzbetreiberHauptschalter · RCD · LS im Verteilerfeld (oberer Anschlussraum)Beginn der Kundenanlage · StromkreiseNetzbetreiber-Plombierung bis hierKundenanlage (§ 13 NAV: Arbeit nur durch eingetragenen Betrieb)Zuleitung zur Unterverteilung der Wohnung
Blockschema stark vereinfacht. Aufbau, Räume (APZ, RfZ, Datenraum) und Bemessung immer nach VDE-AR-N 4100 und den TAB des Netzbetreibers.

  1. Hausanschlusskasten (HAK). This is where the Netzbetreiber’s Netzkabel (grid cable) ends. Inside the HAK are the NH-Sicherungen (Hausanschlusssicherungen (service connection fuses), for example 3×63 A). The HAK is verplombt (sealed); pulling the NH fuses is the Netzbetreiber’s job or only allowed by arrangement.

  2. Hauptleitung. From the HAK to the Zählerschrank, ungezählt (upstream of the meter). Cross-section based on the load, usually NYY-J or NYM-J 5×16 mm² or more. It must be kurzschlussfest (short-circuit proof) and installed without branches; the Hauptleitung (main feeder line) must not run through other people’s apartments.

  3. Unterer Anschlussraum. In the Zählerschrank, the Hauptleitung lands on the Hauptleitungsabzweigklemme (main line branching terminal) or a Sammelschiene (busbar). From there, each Zählerfeld (meter field) is supplied. This is also where the connection to the Haupterdungsschiene (HES) (main earthing busbar) is made and the PEN is split into PE and N (TN-C-S).

  4. SLS-Schalter. In front of every meter sits a selektiver Hauptleitungsschutzschalter (selective main line circuit breaker, for example 3×35 A, E-characteristic). It is the backup protection for the apartment and the Freischaltpunkt (isolation point) for the electrical company. Unlike the HAK, it may be operated without the Netzbetreiber.

  5. Zählerfeld. The meter is mounted on the Zählerplatz: today usually as an eHZ (elektronischer Haushaltszähler (electronic household meter), plug-in type) or on a Drei-Punkt-Befestigung (three-point mounting, BKE-I adapter). The meter belongs to the Messstellenbetreiber (metering point operator), who installs and seals it. The electrical company provides the finished, tested wiring up to the meter terminals.

  6. Oberer Anschlussraum / Verteilerfeld. Behind the meter, the Kundenanlage begins: Hauptschalter (main switch), if needed SPD Type 1/2, RCDs and LS-Schalter (miniature circuit breakers) – or just the outgoing feeder to the Unterverteilung (sub-distribution board) of the apartment (see Building the Unterverteilung).

  7. Raum für Zusatzanwendungen (RfZ) and APZ. The VDE-AR-N 4100 requires space for the Smart-Meter-Gateway, control box and communication technology (APZ – lockable space for additional applications, at least 300 mm high, with its own 230-V circuit). Without these spaces, the Netzbetreiber will not accept the Zählerplatz.

Requirements for the Zählerschrank

Section titled “Requirements for the Zählerschrank”
Point Requirement (VDE-AR-N 4100, TAB)
Cabinet tested Zählerschrank per DIN VDE 0603 / DIN 43870, protection rating at least IP31 (basements often IP44), protection class II
Height meter centre between 0.8 m and 1.8 m above floor
Access freely accessible, 1.2 m of clear space in front of the cabinet, not in bathrooms, toilets or damp rooms
Lighting the Zählerplatz must be readable – Steckdose (socket outlet) and lighting in the Hausanschlussraum
Labelling each Zählerfeld labelled with the apartment / the connection user, permanently
Isolation SLS in front of every meter, all-pole disconnection
Surge protection SPD Type 1 or Type 1/2 in the Zählerschrank for new buildings (DIN VDE 0100-443/-534), space must be provided
Backup power / PV additional fields for generation systems and storage with their own metering per VDE-AR-N 4105

Workflow in the company

Section titled “Workflow in the company”

  1. Registration with the Netzbetreiber. Before starting, the company registers the connection or modification (Netzanschlussportal (grid connection portal)). The Netzbetreiber approves the connection power, meter type and date.

  2. Planning. Number of Zählerfelder (one per apartment, plus general supply, heat pump, wallbox), cross-section of the Hauptleitung, position of the cabinet, APZ and RfZ.

  3. Fünf Sicherheitsregeln (five safety rules). For a conversion: isolation at the HAK only together with the Netzbetreiber. For a new build: the Hauptleitung is not yet connected.

  4. Mount the cabinet and connect the Hauptleitung. Conductors with Aderendhülsen (ferrules) or per the manufacturer’s instructions, observe the torque, PEN onto the PEN rail, split into PE and N.

  5. Populate the fields. SLS, Zählerplatz with terminals, outgoing feeder to the Unterverteilung, APZ circuit, labelling.

  6. Test. Erstprüfung (initial test) per DIN VDE 0100-600: PE continuity, insulation resistance, phase rotation (Rechtsdrehfeld (clockwise field) at the meter!), protocol.

  7. Completion notification. The company reports the installation with the Inbetriebsetzungsprotokoll (commissioning protocol) and the signature of the responsible Elektrofachkraft (qualified electrician). The Netzbetreiber or Messstellenbetreiber installs the meter, seals it and switches it on.

Common mistakes

Section titled “Common mistakes”
  • Wrong phase rotation. A Rechtsdrehfeld must be present at the meter (L1–L2–L3). The Netzbetreiber checks this during commissioning; wrong phase rotation means: no connection.
  • No APZ / RfZ. The most common reason for a rejected acceptance test in new buildings.
  • Hauptleitung too small or with branches. Must withstand the rated current of the NH fuse.
  • PEN not split cleanly – PE and N connected together again after the split.
  • Meter not readable (too high, obstructed, behind doors).
  • Seal broken. Even “just for a moment” counts as tampering – it is prosecuted as electricity theft.

Test yourself

Section titled “Test yourself”

🧠 Test yourself

1. Which rule defines the construction of the Zählerplatz?
2. Who is allowed to build a Zählerschrank?
3. What is the SLS-Schalter?
4. Who installs and seals the meter?
5. Which phase rotation must be present at the meter?

Sources