Electricity meter is running after I've turned the electricity off at the mains

Consumerist

JC_Derby wrote: »

Do any of the photos show the meter tails going into the consumer unit?

No but that's where one would expect the grey tails to go. Isn't it?

The "black tails" should have been "red & black cables".

It was not my intention to be sarcastic.

JC_Derby

It is where they should go, but apart from a faulty meter, there may be other causes why the meter was running....hence why I asked.

jp456

Just had electrician round - he was certain that there was nothing using electricity when the mains were turned off and he's sure its a dodgy meter. Back to BG and will update this thread when the matter is concluded.

stator

jp456 wrote: »

Just had electrician round - he was certain that there was nothing using electricity when the mains were turned off and he's sure its a dodgy meter. Back to BG and will update this thread when the matter is concluded.

Thanks, keep us posted

Abingdon_Chris

Not a direct reponse to the original post but the same issue.

I checked my estimated bill from British Gas earlier this week and found my actual consumption was showing 1,884 kWh rather than the estimated bill of 912 kWh. The actual consumption in the same period last year was 976kWh. The appliances being used and use patterns havn't changed. I've checked my white household meter and it is pulsing around every 14 seconds with the mains switch off.

I've also got an British Gas ('Humm') energy monitor and it's confirming that the house meter is in error, by the amount equivalent to the 14 second pulse.

How many of these faulty meters are out there? I guess a lot of people will just pay up, especially if the error is small.

British Gas immediately assume it is additional consumption and are not particularly helpful - definitely a case of guilty until proven innocent!

Consumerist

Abingdon_Chris wrote: »

. . . How many of these faulty meters are out there? I guess a lot of people will just pay up, especially if the error is small. . .

A good question.

If there is a common problem with a particular make of meter, it may be helpful to others if both you and the OP could post your meter manufacturer's name and approximate date of manufacture.

Abingdon_Chris

It's a Ampy Metering 5235A dated 2007. Looks like the OPs is the same? I wouldn't be so sure though that all these digital meters have similar components inside, so it may not be limited to one type?

[Deleted User]

Abingdon_Chris wrote: »

It's a Ampy Metering 5235A dated 2007. Looks like the OPs is the same? I wouldn't be so sure though that all these digital meters have similar components inside, so it may not be limited to one type?

Thanks for that info, that particular meter, a small white digital job is absolute rubbish causing no end of problems and costs. It costs new about £20. I find at least one a week which has packed in and gone blank losing the reading for good. Its virtually the only digital one what does that apart from the Landys Gyr which appears to be the exact same meter as the Ampy.

pete-20-11

probably a good idea to make a note of your readings every month, just in case, especially for those with low usage.

Therefore if the reading is lost, or the meter suddenly starts misreading, it may be easier to spot / correct.

Abingdon_Chris

The meter readers identify the failed ones but the ones that are mis-reading are not detected unless someone queries the reading. The suppliers first reaction is, unsurprisingly, that it's extra consumption.
The onus is on the consumer to detect the mis-reading meter. It seems as though switching off the supply at the main board and then looking to see if the meter is still flashing is a reasonable and simple test? Is that true, you meter experts? Watching for a couple of minutes should suffice?