Can i use the SE Electricity Monitor with a Key Meter?

natstally

Hi everybody, First post on these boards and i've tried searching but can't find specifics.

We (myself and my mum) are with Southern Electric and a while ago got the letter about the choice of 3 freebies, i suggested the electricity monitor looked best so we chose that.
Time passed and we never received it so mum rang them about it. Now i don't know exactly what was said but apparently SE said we couldn't have the monitor because we have a key meter.
I presumed it was a technical issue rather than that they don't give them to people with key meters as opposed to regular bills, my mum didn't ask.

Anyway, the postie came today and dropped of a monitor! Confused, but kinda pleased! So off i went to the computer to investigate whether you can use them with a key meter or not and didn't seem to get any decent info.
I read someone's post on here saying that SE don't give them to people with PrePay meters but i got the impression it was more of a tariff choice restriction than technical restrictions.

So basically, is it possible to use these monitors if you have a token/key meter?

Do they not usually give them to prepay customers but have made an exception because they sent the letter by mistake?

I haven't got down into the cupboard with all the meters in yet but any advice on where to connect the clip thing in this case?

Thanks for reading, sorry for rambling, just want to give all the info!

JennyR68

I don't know what a key meter looks like, if you look at the fitting instructions for the monitor can you identify the cables you are to attach to on your meter?

natstally

Hmm, just had a look, I'm not sure at all where it'd go! There's the key meter (used to be a token meter) and then a really old style box that's just metal on the outside, i guess it opens to reveal the meter?! Can't exactly see which go to the fuse box either as there's the worktop in the way. (fuse box above worktop, all the rest in cupboard under worktop)

Can i post a link to a picture on here? Oh, no i can't cos i'm new :-(

it's on twitpic with /12sel6 at the end of the address - Hope i'm allowed to say that much!

GaryS

Cannot see any reason why you cannot use it with a key meter.
I have a SE monitor and it is easy to install.
Just clip the small clamp around the cable by the meter as per the instructions provided.
The receiver can then be placed in a convenient location to suit you, as long as it is near a power socket and within range to get a signal.

If you wish to "tune" it further by entering unit prices, then that is also not too difficult and in in the instructions.

It will surprise you how much usage fluctuates when different appliances are switched on or off.

espresso

natstally wrote: »

Hmm, just had a look, I'm not sure at all where it'd go! There's the key meter (used to be a token meter) and then a really old style box that's just metal on the outside, i guess it opens to reveal the meter?! Can't exactly see which go to the fuse box either as there's the worktop in the way. (fuse box above worktop, all the rest in cupboard under worktop)

Can i post a link to a picture on here? Oh, no i can't cos i'm new :-(

it's on twitpic with /12sel6 at the end of the address - Hope i'm allowed to say that much!

Clip the sensor here, the cable that is the far right on the meter:

natstally

Espresso, thanks for that!

Was just having a bit of a better look before i came back and saw your reply. I'd kinda figured there are 2 wires (live and neutral?) that come from the mains and run through all the boxes and end up and the fuse box (main meter>token meter>black box?>fuse box)

So as i see it you're saying to attach it after the token meter in the sequence? On the Live wire? Just wanna understand the logic in it.

Apologies for being so stupid about this, i'm generally OK with techy stuff!
The instructions are pretty much useless, they don't even mention about L/N wires, maybe it's just obvious but still... and they certainly don't mention where to put it when dealing with a token/key meter!

Thanks again Espersso, and everyone else.

So i guess after all what SE meant was that they don't offer them to people with token/key meters, not that they aren't compatible with them.