When your smart meter will be outside and needs a case

sourpuss2021

UK Power Networks coming out today

QrizB

sourpuss2021 said:

UK Power Networks coming out today

Please keep us posted with what they think!

sourpuss2021

QrizB said:

sourpuss2021 said:

UK Power Networks coming out today

Please keep us posted with what they think!

He was totally unfazed by it!   He said it wasn’t unsafe.  

It just needed a bit of tape over the fuses to stop anyone casually pulling them out (itself a very unlikely thing to happen).

He also said that the space would be fine for smart gas meters, which are actually a bit smaller than the existing ones.

The only thing he recommended was to get a cover built that goes across the front, and also divides the electrics from the gas meters.  To protect them from being splashed by rain water.  He said that would be the property owner’s responsibility and to use marine ply for it.

FreeBear

sourpuss2021 said:

QrizB said:

sourpuss2021 said:

UK Power Networks coming out today

Please keep us posted with what they think!

He was totally unfazed by it!   He said it wasn’t unsafe.  

It just needed a bit of tape over the fuses to stop anyone casually pulling them out (itself a very unlikely thing to happen).

He also said that the space would be fine for smart gas meters, which are actually a bit smaller than the existing ones.

The only thing he recommended was to get a cover built that goes across the front, and also divides the electrics from the gas meters.  To protect them from being splashed by rain water.  He said that would be the property owner’s responsibility and to use marine ply for it.

I'd suggest a cement board (Hardibacker or Wedi). Not quite as easy to work with, but will outlast ply - Marine ply will require regular painting, and is at risk of rotting if it stays damp. Cement board, slap a bit of masonry paint on, and it will look good for years.

sourpuss2021

FreeBear said:

sourpuss2021 said:

QrizB said:

sourpuss2021 said:

UK Power Networks coming out today

Please keep us posted with what they think!

He was totally unfazed by it!   He said it wasn’t unsafe.  

It just needed a bit of tape over the fuses to stop anyone casually pulling them out (itself a very unlikely thing to happen).

He also said that the space would be fine for smart gas meters, which are actually a bit smaller than the existing ones.

The only thing he recommended was to get a cover built that goes across the front, and also divides the electrics from the gas meters.  To protect them from being splashed by rain water.  He said that would be the property owner’s responsibility and to use marine ply for it.

I'd suggest a cement board (Hardibacker or Wedi). Not quite as easy to work with, but will outlast ply - Marine ply will require regular painting, and is at risk of rotting if it stays damp. Cement board, slap a bit of masonry paint on, and it will look good for years.

Thanks for the tip!   I do know a joiner who could make it.  

Now just have to hope that before long we can get 3 smart gas meters fitted, so we don’t have to clamber down there much longer in future. 

[Deleted User]

Now just have to hope that before long we can get 3 smart gas meters fitted, so we don’t have to clamber down there much longer in future. 

Where are they going to get the power from to power the comms hubs? Do you intend to replace the electricity meters at the same time, and how far apart are the two sets of meters?

sourpuss2021

Dolor said:

Now just have to hope that before long we can get 3 smart gas meters fitted, so we don’t have to clamber down there much longer in future. 

Where are they going to get the power from to power the comms hubs? Do you intend to replace the electricity meters at the same time, and how far apart are the two sets of meters?

Don’t know the answer to the first question, if the electricity would have to come back out from the other side of the consumer units.  

The three electricity meters are high up on the wall inside the main hallway, next to the consumer units.  The consumer units were all replaced last year so are modern.   Just one of the electricity meters is a smart meter however.  

Yes would be a good idea to get the other two electricity meters upgraded as well, but it’s a bit easier taking readings from them than the gas. 

[Deleted User]

This is a typical SMETS2 set up. Smart meters need communication hubs. Zigbee HANs do not have a particularly good range so you might need dual band comms hubs and dual band gas meters.