Smart meter help please.

lindatoo

On Sunday morning I got up to find my smart meter IHD displaying a message saying it had lost its connection. This happened once before so I contacted BG and they were just not interested. I left it plugged in and some months later I was surprised to see it had come on line again. I have checked the website in the section for detailed usage which hasnt been updated since Friday. Does this mean BG can't pull my data? And is there anything I can do to restore the connection myself.? There is an option for pairing under advanced settings but it asks for a pin number and I am fairly sure I was never given a pin number.

[Deleted User]

All smart meters retain 13 month’s worth of import data.

The IHD connects to a separate network to that used by the supplier to ‘pull’ data from your meter. The communications hub connects to the DCC Network via a mobile or UHF link (depending on where you live). 

The communications hub contains GCHQ-level security. If the IHD is online again then it is connected to your communications hub. 

My advice is ‘don’t fiddle with anything that you don’t understand’. Smart meters have built in anti-tamper alerts.

victor2

lindatoo said:

On Sunday morning I got up to find my smart meter IHD displaying a message saying it had lost its connection. This happened once before so I contacted BG and they were just not interested. I left it plugged in and some months later I was surprised to see it had come on line again. I have checked the website in the section for detailed usage which hasnt been updated since Friday. Does this mean BG can't pull my data? And is there anything I can do to restore the connection myself.? There is an option for pairing under advanced settings but it asks for a pin number and I am fairly sure I was never given a pin number.

Put the IHD closer to the meter if you can. They have a very limited range and anything between the monitor and the Comms hub (usually the little box next to the electricity meter) can cause occasional loss of communications.

lindatoo

[Deleted User] said:

All smart meters retain 13 month’s worth of import data.

The IHD connects to a separate network to that used by the supplier to ‘pull’ data from your meter. The communications hub connects to the DCC Network via a mobile or UHF link (depending on where you live). 

The communications hub contains GCHQ-level security. If the IHD is online again then it is connected to your communications hub. 

My advice is ‘don’t fiddle with anything that you don’t understand’. Smart meters have built in anti-tamper alerts.

Thank you for your reply which I have taken to mean that BG will still be able to pull my data without the IHD working. I haven't touched the actual meter itself nor would I unless advised  but have scrolled through the options on the IHD, and it's because I didn't want to 'fiddle with things I don't understand' that I have asked the question here.

lindatoo

victor2 said:

lindatoo said:

On Sunday morning I got up to find my smart meter IHD displaying a message saying it had lost its connection. This happened once before so I contacted BG and they were just not interested. I left it plugged in and some months later I was surprised to see it had come on line again. I have checked the website in the section for detailed usage which hasnt been updated since Friday. Does this mean BG can't pull my data? And is there anything I can do to restore the connection myself.? There is an option for pairing under advanced settings but it asks for a pin number and I am fairly sure I was never given a pin number.

Put the IHD closer to the meter if you can. They have a very limited range and anything between the monitor and the Comms hub (usually the little box next to the electricity meter) can cause occasional loss of communications.

victor2 said:

lindatoo said:

On Sunday morning I got up to find my smart meter IHD displaying a message saying it had lost its connection. This happened once before so I contacted BG and they were just not interested. I left it plugged in and some months later I was surprised to see it had come on line again. I have checked the website in the section for detailed usage which hasnt been updated since Friday. Does this mean BG can't pull my data? And is there anything I can do to restore the connection myself.? There is an option for pairing under advanced settings but it asks for a pin number and I am fairly sure I was never given a pin number.

Put the IHD closer to the meter if you can. They have a very limited range and anything between the monitor and the Comms hub (usually the little box next to the electricity meter) can cause occasional loss of communications.

Thank you for your reply but I don't think I could get it any closer unless I relocated it into the cupboard under the stairs, which actually might be worth trying for a short while. Otherwise I guess I'm going to have to wait and see if it comes back in time. 

Ultrasonic

You may be able to tell from your online BG account if they are still able to receive data or not? I could with my Scottish Power account.

lindatoo

Ultrasonic said:

You may be able to tell from your online BG account if they are still able to receive data or not? I could with my Scottish Power account.

I looked on Monday and they had data to the 7th, looked again today and they still only had data to the 7th. I thought that although it was always a few days behind that it updated daily but I might be wrong. I would be disappointed if it turns out I cant even see my usage online as I like to keep a close eye on it.