Smart Meters - Ask me anything!

matelodave

Rs584 wrote: »

Meter Accuracy and tolerance question

Hi, we have recently (July 2018) had a Smart Meter installed. We still have our own energy meter as well. We have witnessed, both instantaneously and over a number of weeks, a 10% difference (in favour of the supplier) in the readings. We are about to conduct some experiments to gather evidence to determine this. The meter is a Secure Liberty 100. The supplier does not want to discuss the operating tolerance of the meter. Has anyone else found inaccuracies like this please? Thanks

What sort of energy meter is your own one - is it a clip on the power cable type or a bit more sophisticated. The clip-on ones arent as accurate as the suppliers meter which has to be within certain tolerances. The only way you could accurately test the supply meter is with a calibrated energy meter connected in series with the suppliers meter.

We've also got a smart meter and and two clip-on types. The two clip on types give different readings to each other and both are about 10-12% different to the suppliers meter. The differnces are dependent on what is turned on.The most significant being our heatpump which has an inverter driven compressor. The clip on units can't accurately measure it's consumption because of the funny waveform and non-unity power factor.

We've had both smart and unsmart meters and I've also got a plug-in energy meter which corresponds to the main meter better than it does with the clip-on units.

Michaelw

Why are there two different generations of smart meter out there?
The first generation of smart meters (SMETS1 - short for ‘Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications’) was originally intended by the government to be a small-scale trial, to prepare the UK for the introduction of the second generation of smart meters (SMETS2), which can be used with any supplier.


https://bulb.co.uk/blog/were-bringing-you-smart-meters-but-not-quite-yet-heres-why


SMETS1 Migration - Process flow for active meter migrations


https://www.smartdcc.co.uk/media/2914/tmad2-process-flow_31102018-v10.png


As we can see the process in both complicated and appears time consuming with some meters not being migrated.

w0z

GingerBob wrote: »

I wondered about that, and I guess the answer is they can't.

As per the title, if someone bypasses the meter you can't stop them but smart meters are designed to report tamper issues, one of which is no energy being measured, so if you're going to bypass be clever about it and allow it to measure some energy.
:eek:<<-that's what happens to people who bypass

w0z

matelodave wrote: »

What sort of energy meter is your own one - is it a clip on the power cable type or a bit more sophisticated. The clip-on ones arent as accurate as the suppliers meter which has to be within certain tolerances. The only way you could accurately test the supply meter is with a calibrated energy meter connected in series with the suppliers meter.

We've also got a smart meter and and two clip-on types. The two clip on types give different readings to each other and both are about 10-12% different to the suppliers meter. The differnces are dependent on what is turned on.The most significant being our heatpump which has an inverter driven compressor. The clip on units can't accurately measure it's consumption because of the funny waveform and non-unity power factor.

We've had both smart and unsmart meters and I've also got a plug-in energy meter which corresponds to the main meter better than it does with the clip-on units.

I'd also add that the majority (if not all) of the clip-on measurement devices are VERY inaccurate at the low current end, and a whole lot better percentage wise with higher loads.

w0z

beeringo wrote: »

Hi all,

Just thought i would help here with any burning questions you guys might have about the UK Smart Meter rollout. I've seen a lot of spurious information and speculation out there on the interweb along with (thankfully!) a lot of informed savvy people!

I've worked at the cutting edge of the industry for 5 years, for a Smart Meter manufacturer as well as a well known Electric/Gas transmission network operator, and have lived and breathed smart meters throughout, from a very technical backgound. For the past few months i spend a lot of my time in London with the DCC (the government's central organisation for the Smart rollout) sitting on various forums. It's a passion of mine both professional and personal!

Feel free to ask anything - i might just be able to help

hi beeringo
what's the eta for 3 phase rollout on smets2?

Laafet

I have told my electric/gas company that I do not want a smart meter, they are now actively pursuing me to have it, calling to arrange an appointment etc, sending emails.
I don't own the home.
I have no problem taking meter readings ever 3 months from outside my house and entering them online.
I turn off everything at night apart from my fridge/freezer and internet box, I live on my own, I only light the room I am in. I can't see how a box which I guess I would need to plug in (ergo costing me more money than I am currently using) is going to help?
Do I have to have one, my meter is relatively new so there is no problem there. Eon are making out like I have to have one now.
I can't see it saving me any money at all. I never miss sending a meter reading so never have an estimated bill and feel bullied.

fewkeste

Laafet wrote: »

Do I have to have one....

Welcome to the forum.

No you do not have to have a smart meter fitted if you do not wish to have one.

Next time they contact you tell them you have confirmed you are not required to have a smart meter fitted no matter what they say, that you do not want one fitted and that they must stop contacting you attempting to coerce you into having one fitted.

You might also want to say that if they persist in pestering you - you will complain to the regulator about their behaviour.

Can others with greater knowledge post on here which regulator a complaint should be made to if Laafet needs to complain - is it Ofgem or another different body?

wavelets

Laafet wrote: »

I have told my electric/gas company that I do not want a smart meter, they are now actively pursuing me to have it, calling to arrange an appointment etc, sending emails.
I don't own the home.
I have no problem taking meter readings ever 3 months from outside my house and entering them online.
I turn off everything at night apart from my fridge/freezer and internet box, I live on my own, I only light the room I am in. I can't see how a box which I guess I would need to plug in (ergo costing me more money than I am currently using) is going to help?
Do I have to have one, my meter is relatively new so there is no problem there. Eon are making out like I have to have one now.
I can't see it saving me any money at all. I never miss sending a meter reading so never have an estimated bill and feel bullied.

Welcome to MSE

The bully singled you out because they see you as weak and vulnerable.
This tactic to deal with a bully is an oldie, but a goodie - stop playing their victim.

Bullies are looking for people that are willing to submit to their power play. If you make it look like the bully’s actions and words don’t affect you, it ruins it for them. Try to keep your ego in check and let it all roll over you.

When you stop being a victim, each of the bully’s attempts becomes embarrassing for them, not you. Remember, most bullies just want to get a rise out of you so they feel like they have control. The less subtle and more aggressive they are, the easier they are to deal with. Label them as a bully in your mind only and consciously avoid their bait. They might be aggressive, but they’re probably lazy as well, so they’ll eventually lose interest and look for a “weaker” target.

Take care

Your question over smart meters is addressed here:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/smart-meters/

[Deleted User]

@Laafet
Use the E.ON official complaints procedure to demand that they stop contacting you about smart meters. Only deal in writing with E.ON, never phone them.

Becki62

Hiya,
SSE saud they couldn't fit a Smart Meter back in September due to possible asbestos in a box that belongs to Western Power. We were told that a notification would be sent to Western Power and we would be contacted about when it would be removed. We have phoned SSE today to ask about the progress and were told that we were told the wrong information and we need to pay to have it removed. Do we need to pay? I thought thecomany who owned the box were the only people allowed to touch it?

Any help much appreciated!