Redundant SMETS2 Smart Meter

Hargel112

Hi - given the focus on smart meters and the increasing value of being monitor our use, I've been surprised by our providers reluctance to connect to our theoretically compatible SMETS2 meter. We moved to them in late 2020 and despite my chasing, have been "on the list" for connection ever since.  This seems at odds with other providers who seem to be actively pushing their use and I find it hard to believe that demand is so high that it should take this long.  Do providers actually have any obligation to connect to these meters when they're available and they're able to do so at a benefit to their customers ?

MWT

On a purely practical point, the pressure on them is to install them, so your situation offers them no help in hitting their targets.

That said it should not be much work to connect to a working SMETS2 meter, which supplier is this?

[Deleted User]

Hargel112 said:

Hi - given the focus on smart meters and the increasing value of being monitor our use, I've been surprised by our providers reluctance to connect to our theoretically compatible SMETS2 meter. We moved to them in late 2020 and despite my chasing, have been "on the list" for connection ever since.  This seems at odds with other providers who seem to be actively pushing their use and I find it hard to believe that demand is so high that it should take this long.  Do providers actually have any obligation to connect to these meters when they're available and they're able to do so at a benefit to their customers ?

I don’t understand your post. SMETS2 meters connect to a network managed by the DCC. They do not connect directly to individual suppliers.

After a transfer of supply has taken place, the new supplier becomes responsible for the meter assets. Before any data can be ‘pulled’ from the meters, the supplier has to send out a bespoke security certificate to each meter. To do this the supplier connects to the DCC Network using a piece of secure software known as an Adapter. Some suppliers have developed their own Adapter software others, like Octopus, use an Adapter provided by a third-party.

Questions:

Are you sure that your meters are SMETS2 and not SMETS1? You can check this online.

Have you tried using third-party apps such as BRIGHT to see if data can be pulled from your meters? BRIGHT is owned by Hildebrand, a Registered DCC Other User, and it has developed its own secure Adapter software?

Are all the LEDs on your comms hub flashing as they should be? The DCC is responsible for comms hubs but it is not customer facing. There are known problems with some WNC1 comms hubs that only the device manufacturer can resolve.

Suppliers are required to fix non-working smart meters. However, your problem might just be one of basic physics which will only be resolved when more meters are deployed (meshing) or when more communications masts are built.

Ultrasonic

[Deleted User] said:

Suppliers are required to fix non-working smart meters. However, your problem might just be one of basic physics which will only be resolved when more meters are deployed (meshing) or when more communications masts are built.

Perhaps the OP could clarify, but I thought they were saying that their smart meter had been working with a previous supplier and so the above shouldn't be the issue here I'd have thought?

[Deleted User]

Ultrasonic said:

Dolor said:

Suppliers are required to fix non-working smart meters. However, your problem might just be one of basic physics which will only be resolved when more meters are deployed (meshing) or when more communications masts are built.

Perhaps the OP could clarify, but I thought they were saying that their smart meter had been working with a previous supplier and so the above shouldn't be the issue here I'd have thought?

That’s why I asked the question about SMETS1 or SMETS2? SMETS2 meters were not widely deployed until mid 2019.

Ultrasonic

Dolor said:

Ultrasonic said:

Dolor said:

Suppliers are required to fix non-working smart meters. However, your problem might just be one of basic physics which will only be resolved when more meters are deployed (meshing) or when more communications masts are built.

Perhaps the OP could clarify, but I thought they were saying that their smart meter had been working with a previous supplier and so the above shouldn't be the issue here I'd have thought?

That’s why I asked the question about SMETS1 or SMETS2? SMETS2 meters were not widely deployed until mid 2019.

That doesn't address my question? If it was a previously working smart meter then I wouldn't have thought this was a local infrastructure issue? In that there would have had to be some external detrimental change that happened to exactly coincide with the change in supplier, which seems fairly unlikely.

[Deleted User]

Ultrasonic said:

Dolor said:

Ultrasonic said:

Dolor said:

Suppliers are required to fix non-working smart meters. However, your problem might just be one of basic physics which will only be resolved when more meters are deployed (meshing) or when more communications masts are built.

Perhaps the OP could clarify, but I thought they were saying that their smart meter had been working with a previous supplier and so the above shouldn't be the issue here I'd have thought?

That’s why I asked the question about SMETS1 or SMETS2? SMETS2 meters were not widely deployed until mid 2019.

That doesn't address my question? If it was a previously working smart meter then I wouldn't have thought this was a local infrastructure issue? In that there would have had to be some external detrimental change that happened to exactly coincide with the change in supplier, which seems fairly unlikely.

If the meter is SMETS1 and not yet ‘enrolled with and adopted by’ the DCC then it will try to use the mobile network of the original supplier. Unless the present supplier is using the same SMETS1 meter, the meter will go ‘dumb’ on switch until such time as it is integrated into the DCC Network structure. This process is ongoing.

You will note that I have also suggested that the OP tries BRIGHT. If BRIGHT is pulling data then this will prove that the meter is connected to the DCC Network.

I also asked about the comms hub LEDs. If there is an issue with the comms hub, then the supplier can make a request to the DCC for a remote comms hub re-set command: the comms hub is turned off for 15 minutes.

Ultrasonic

[Deleted User] said:

Ultrasonic said:

[Deleted User] said:

Ultrasonic said:

[Deleted User] said:

Suppliers are required to fix non-working smart meters. However, your problem might just be one of basic physics which will only be resolved when more meters are deployed (meshing) or when more communications masts are built.

Perhaps the OP could clarify, but I thought they were saying that their smart meter had been working with a previous supplier and so the above shouldn't be the issue here I'd have thought?

That’s why I asked the question about SMETS1 or SMETS2? SMETS2 meters were not widely deployed until mid 2019.

That doesn't address my question? If it was a previously working smart meter then I wouldn't have thought this was a local infrastructure issue? In that there would have had to be some external detrimental change that happened to exactly coincide with the change in supplier, which seems fairly unlikely.

If the meter is SMETS1 and not yet ‘enrolled with and adopted by’ the DCC then it will try to use the mobile network of the original supplier. Unless the present supplier is using the same SMETS1 meter, the meter will go ‘dumb’ on switch until such time as it is integrated into the DCC Network structure. This process is ongoing.

You will note that I have also suggested that the OP tries BRIGHT. If BRIGHT is pulling data then this will prove that the meter is connected to the DCC Network.

I also asked about the comms hub LEDs. If there is an issue with the comms hub, then the supplier can make a request to the DCC for a remote comms hub re-set command: the comms hub is turned off for 15 minutes.

Ah, so your comment I quoted was only applicable if the OP has a SMETS1 meter? That would make more sense  .

[Deleted User]

It is very difficult to pinpoint where the problem sits with the information that posters provide. Without doubt, our smart meter programme could have been designed in a much simpler way but we Brits like 'to do difficult'. For example, if you ask someone what model of meter they have they might respond with L&G E470. The E470 designation has been used by L&G for many years and covers non-smart; SMETS1 and SMETS2 meters. I was told by Octopus that the E470 SMETS2 meter comes in two sizes: 100mm and 120mm each with its own bespoke firmware.

Hargel112

Thanks everyone.  This has been an education. Our meter is definitely a SMETS2 and worked with a previous supplier.  It stopped showing correct data when we switched from EDF to Outfox so in the end I just unplugged it.  I've just tried it again now and it is reporting gas usage but not electric - it shows a figure for kwh but no tariff and no kwh history.  Just the first of 3 LEDs shows a solid light which I believe is correct.  So is this something I can fix or is the a different question I should be asking Outfox?

BUFF

You can't just unplug your meter so i guess that you meant IHD?