How do you power a smart meter that is outside of the house?

KarenT1978

Hello,

I was phoned by my energy supplier EDF who asked if I wanted a smart meter fitted. I asked the EDF representative if they could explain how the smart meter fitted to my gas supply would be powered as my current gas meter sits in a box outside of my house that is below the ground and has no visible means of electrical power going in to it.

The person from EDF responded by stating that the meter didn’t need electrical power as it used a mobile phone signal to transmit it readings back to base. When I pointed out a mobile phone needs an electrical battery to do this they admitted they didn’t really have an answer for me and couldn’t tell me how the meter is actually powered.

The person from EDF then told me they would not have to drill any holes in to my house to make an electrical connection to the meter when I asked if they would have to do so. Based on their previous response which showed a lack of understanding I am reluctant to take what the EDF representative said about not having to drill holes in my house at face value. I have told them I will have a think about it.

Can anyone explain how a gas smart meter fitted outside a house in a box which is below ground level with no current means of electrical connection gets its electrical power so it can transmit its signals over the mobile phone network? I dont want anyone drilling holes in tomy house in order to access an electrical supply if it can be avoided. I would have liked to attach some photos of the meter but this appears not to be allowed.

Thanks,
K

[Deleted User]

All gas smart meters have a battery inside them.
There is no physical connection from a gas meter to any external electricity supply for safety reasons.

Oh and the gas meter doesn't have a phone inside it. It uses a low power wireless to take to the smart electricity meter which passes the messages onto the supplier.

DawnCrush

Here's a thread asking, and answering, the same.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5345848

I found it using this great little, useful link
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/search.php



This is no restriction on established MSEers posting images (within the rules).
These threads (just a few picked at random) all explain how
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/683225
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5699720
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5839983

They were all found using the great little link I provided above - I said it was useful!

Robin9

The gas meter coms are usually via the electric meter.

Mine is like the OP's and remote - in a cellar - it has its own hardwired battery pack and communications about 5m from the meter itself.

[Deleted User]

All gas meters which are digital and prepayment gas meters have batteries in them.They have been battery powered gas meters well before smart gas meters arrived.
The old mechanical gas meters are much longer lasting than the newer throwaway meters. 25 years no probs. You would be lucky to get 10 years use out of the "modern " improved gas meters.
They are like supermarket bags !

Talldave

The same issue exists for water meters that can be read remotely, they have a battery too.

[Deleted User]

Talldave wrote: »

The same issue exists for water meters that can be read remotely, they have a battery too.

But they are extremely cheap and not to be compared to a gas/electric smart meter.
They operate only over a very short range just enough for a water meter reader in a company car, driving down the street to within range of the property to get an automatic reading.
.. They only insure that the company actually get a reading but the company consumes expensive labour , a vehicle, management structure and fossil fuel getting it..
Not really smart in the sense of the word compared to gas/electric smart meters

Talldave

I thought a SMETS2 gas meter only has short range comms to the electricity meter?

Agreed a water meter doesn't have a shut off valve, but it'll still need a battery change at some point (10-12 years?).