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Off peak times inaccurate.

My electricity supplier is British Gas. I am on Economy 7.

On this tariff, off-peak periods are from 1am to 8am during British summer time. But the off-peak indicator lights on the night storage heaters are staying on until 9am.

So there obviously is some kind of timing fault. Could anyone tell me what it could be?

Thanks.
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Comments

  • Netexporter
    Netexporter Posts: 1,744 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    There is a two hour tolerance on the timing before it is considered for correction.

    When your meter gets replaced with a smart meter the timings will always be correct.
  • Scot_39
    Scot_39 Posts: 2,752 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 7 August 2024 am31 11:50AM
    There isnt necessarily any fault at all.

    Who told you they should be 1-8 am under dst (12-7) gmt.

    It's not uncommon timing option - but is definitely not the only option.


    The times quoted by some suppliers aren't always accurate - some only quote 1 set for every region when the dno windows are different.  And in some cases people in some regions have split e7 off peak slots - like 2+5 straddling midnight - others only one 7hr block.

    You need to check your supply number / mpan 3 digit meter time switch code against online tables and/or your dno's regional window.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meter_Point_Administration_Number

    Some mtsc timings can be found online - e.g. this a user guide on EOn forum.

    https://community.eonnext.com/threads/4195-What-are-my-Economy-7-Times

    Curiously dont see 1-8 gmt in that list.

    And even then some analogue and early digital meters drift and others had a small offset - in minutes.

    Even with drift the allowance is still afaik 2 hours.  You are obligated to report and they to eventually fix if outside that allowance.  For fix these days read fit smart meter.

    The moral - is to know when your meters actual times actually are - and where necessary set timers accordingly.

    And to check in both gmt and dst time periods.  As smart meters have timing options, as do some devices timers to remain and or switch gmt to dst etc.
  • Chris_b2z
    Chris_b2z Posts: 173 Forumite
    100 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    When your meter gets replaced with a smart meter the timings will always be correct.
    Is clock synchronisation part of SMETS2 spec? What is the maximum drift you would expect to see on a smart meter?
  • Netexporter
    Netexporter Posts: 1,744 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Chris_b2z said:
    When your meter gets replaced with a smart meter the timings will always be correct.
    Is clock synchronisation part of SMETS2 spec? What is the maximum drift you would expect to see on a smart meter?
    I assume the timing is a accurate as any connected device.
  • Chris_b2z
    Chris_b2z Posts: 173 Forumite
    100 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Chris_b2z said:
    When your meter gets replaced with a smart meter the timings will always be correct.
    Is clock synchronisation part of SMETS2 spec? What is the maximum drift you would expect to see on a smart meter?
    I assume the timing is a accurate as any connected device.

    Ah, sorry. I wasn't sure what you meant by 'with a smart meter the timings will always be correct'. I would certainly expect smart meter timing to be as reliable and accurate as RTS for economy 7 and TOU tariffs.
  • Netexporter
    Netexporter Posts: 1,744 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    I guess the OP has an electromechanical timer, which are at least an hour out for half the year and are allowed a further hour before the supplier is obliged to send somebody to adjust it.

    The simple answer, these days, is to get a smart meter fitted, which will also make other TOU tariffs available, which could suit better than E7 for some usage patterns.
  • Chris_b2z said:
    When your meter gets replaced with a smart meter the timings will always be correct.
    Is clock synchronisation part of SMETS2 spec? What is the maximum drift you would expect to see on a smart meter?
    I assume the timing is a accurate as any connected device.
    The specs require "within 10 seconds".
  • Chris_b2z
    Chris_b2z Posts: 173 Forumite
    100 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Chris_b2z said:
    When your meter gets replaced with a smart meter the timings will always be correct.
    Is clock synchronisation part of SMETS2 spec? What is the maximum drift you would expect to see on a smart meter?
    I assume the timing is a accurate as any connected device.
    The specs require "within 10 seconds".

    So what  is supposed to happen when the smart meter clock drifts by 11 seconds?
  • Chris_b2z said:
    Chris_b2z said:
    When your meter gets replaced with a smart meter the timings will always be correct.
    Is clock synchronisation part of SMETS2 spec? What is the maximum drift you would expect to see on a smart meter?
    I assume the timing is a accurate as any connected device.
    The specs require "within 10 seconds".

    So what  is supposed to happen when the smart meter clock drifts by 11 seconds?
    There's a command to sync with UTC provided by the comms network, and if the required change is more than 10 seconds it records it as an out-of-spec event in the log.

    I have no idea how often they are configured to run this command.
  • Chris_b2z
    Chris_b2z Posts: 173 Forumite
    100 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    There's a command to sync with UTC provided by the comms network, and if the required change is more than 10 seconds it records it as an out-of-spec event in the log.

    I have no idea how often they are configured to run this command.
    Thank you. I would expect this synchronisation command to be sent daily especially as smart meters are intended to replace RTS timing. I don't believe that happens.
    My smart meter has been 7 hours behind UTC for the past 3 years.
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