Economy 7 with "normal" meter

Qyburn

We have what I would consider a normal electricity meter, four terminals L and N in and L and N out. It's a SMETS2 smart meter. Is there any reason we couldn't go onto E7, or would the meter need to be changed?

QrizB

Assuming it's communicating with your supplier (you get smart readings) they should be able to switch you to E7 without a visit.

What you don't have is a circuit that's switched by the auxiliary load control switch (ALCS) in the meter*, so you'll need your own arrangements to make sure your off-peak appliances only switch on during the cheap rate period. Depending on exactly what these are, it could be some combination of:

• Conventional timeswitch
• Smart switch
• Either of the above in combination with a contactor like this.

* Not every smart meter model has one of these, but most do. Can you tell us the make & model of your meter? If idt does have an ALCS, it should be possible to use the ALCE to switch a contactor direct from the meter, without a separate time switch. But that would mean getting a competent & authorised electrician in to wire directly into the meter.

mmmmikey

Qyburn said:

We have what I would consider a normal electricity meter, four terminals L and N in and L and N out. It's a SMETS2 smart meter. Is there any reason we couldn't go onto E7, or would the meter need to be changed?

No technical reason, that's exactly what I used to have. Really depends on supplier policy in relation to the customers they offer E7 to.

TheElectricCow

Any problems you have making the switch are likely to be more related to the supplier than the meter, depending on how cooperative they are. 

In the past, Octopus were quite happy to switch my single rate to E7 once I got through to someone who understood the request, but I’ve heard not all suppliers are as accommodating. That said, I’ve since found alternative smart tariffs to be a further improvement on the savings I made with E7, and they’re certainly less hassle to switch to.

Scot_39

Qyburn said:

We have what I would consider a normal electricity meter, four terminals L and N in and L and N out. It's a SMETS2 smart meter. Is there any reason we couldn't go onto E7, or would the meter need to be changed?

As above it comes down to whether you simply  want

e7 as a tariff
or
e7 with a restricted power feed only live at off peak times direct from meter cabinet controlled by meter - the ALCS feature

And the meter suppliers sometimes cover the various options for alcs in their smets2 range.  From no alcs switching at all, either on board or off, to both on board (5 thick meter tails) and external contactor driving contact (thin upto 2A rated wire terminal).

 But have read likes of Ovo aren't keen on e7 for instance - was yet another they wouldn't offer me e7 post in a  e7 thread here recently.

Qyburn

Thanks. The meter is an Aclara SGM1411-B. I don't need a switched service. I'm really looking at options to go with our solar/battery installation where it would be nice to have an off peak tariff to top up the battery when there's not enough sun.

The problem at the moment is that our smart meter is broken, not communicating, and it hasn't yet been possible to get Octopus to fix it. So I was looking for options that don't need h/h data.

But from what's been posted it sounds as if although a non-communicating smart meter can work for E7, it would need to be communicating in order to be switched over.

QrizB

Qyburn said:

Thanks. The meter is an Aclara SGM1411-B. I don't need a switched service.

Per this OVO forum thread the 1411-B doesn't have an internal ALCS, so it's good that you don't need one!

Qyburn said:

But from what's been posted it sounds as if although a non-communicating smart meter can work for E7, it would need to be communicating in order to be switched over.

Yes, it will need an over-the-air update to set the times for the off-peak register. The only other option would be a meter swap but that would need Octopus to send someone out, and if they're doing that they might as well fix your comms problem instead.