Old electricity meter humming

[Deleted User]

GenieBoy said:

GingerTim said:

GenieBoy said:

GingerTim said:

If the meter has to be replaced, except in a vanishingly small number of cases, you will be given a smart meter as that's all that's available.

Alnat1 said:

What if the vibration is causing your meter to record more units than you're actually using and is costing you more money?

Meters don't get repaired, they get replaced. Yes, all new meters are smart meters, that's all they make now. What is it about a smart meter that worries you?

Don't give fake information. If you don't want a smart meter then tell them so.

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/do-i-have-to-accept-a-smart-meter-aLLKl9O63dbM

And when the dumb meter has to be replaced, and there's only smart meters available to replace it with, what then?

How do you know standard meters aren't being made or not available? Even my sparky says he can still get them, those little white box type with lcd screen.

Suppliers don’t just pop out to the local electrical factor to pick up meters. They buy them in bulk or enter into a lease arrangement with A N Other party. Why would any supplier buy a pallet load of analogue meters that it might be forced to change in a few years time by a change in Government policy. Smart meters will eventually become mandatory. It is not happening yet as the demand for smart meters is outstripping supply.

In 2019, at the request of suppliers, the Government agreed to change the policy to allow suppliers to fit smart meters without a consumer’s permission in meter end-of-life situations. This was a pragmatic and sensible policy change.

The regulations do allow consumers to fit their own meters - with the supplier’s approval which cannot be unreasonably withheld. The consumer would have to pay for the meter and the installation. Should the property be vacated, the meter becomes the property of the supplier.

QrizB

longwalks1 said:

We’ve got an old electricity meter in our 1930’s house which I use to submit meter readings once a month ...

will I be forced to get a smart meter if I report it to my energy provider?  Every time I log on to submit a reading every single screen you click through is as good as forcing a smart meter on you

OP it sounds as though a smart meter might suit you; no need to give manual readings every month, and you won't have to negotiate all the click-through screens.

Why the reluctance?

matt_drummer

longwalks1 said:

We’ve got an old electricity meter in our 1930’s house which I use to submit meter readings once a month, it’s recently started making a humming sound.  It must be a mechanical vibration within the unit because if you touch/gently tap the meter it stops. Only to start a few minutes/hours later.

will I be forced to get a smart meter if I report it to my energy provider?  Every time I log on to submit a reading every single screen you click through is as good as forcing a smart meter on you

thanks in advance 

Electricity is powerful and dangerous.

You have a meter that is humming and you are not worried that something bad might happen?

You are touching it? I would stop if I were you. There could be a loose connection somewhere, before you know it you could expose yourself to an electric shock that could kill you.

A potential fire hazard and you have a dilemma about whether to report it or not to avoid having a smart meter fitted?

You would risk your house burning down not to have a smart meter?

I have heard many `if it ain't broke don't fix its' before but this is the first `I know it's broke so don't fix it'!

I could understand if there was something awful about having a smart meter, there just isn't.


I apologise for the directness of my post but I am that amazed by your attitude and concerned for your safety.

Mstty

When we had a vibration/humming it was the loose incoming neutral wire.

Apparently more dangerous than the live 

matt_drummer

Mstty said:

When we had a vibration/humming it was the loose incoming neutral wire.

Apparently more dangerous than the live 

Apparently not as `dangerous' as a smart meter!

Jonboy_1984

This sort of damage is often seen in my line of work - https://www.electricalfaultsfixed.co.uk/blog/burnt-plug-socket and is often accompanied by a new humming noise of something vibrating before it becomes apparent....getting a new meter, smart or not, is the safe answer.

CSI_Yorkshire

Mstty said:

When we had a vibration/humming it was the loose incoming neutral wire.

Apparently more dangerous than the live 

Lost neutral is much more dangerous than a slightly loose live.  It's not just a fire risk, it can be a severe electrocution rush too.

SAC2334

Must admit that after 20 years finding thousands of fiddled electric meters where they tamper and link the two  live tails with all sorts of crappy wiring I can t recall much of a hum coming out of them .It would be a good thing to listen out for if that was the result. one thing is certain though their hamfisted bodge jobs can make the meter itself live .