Is my meter an RTS meter?

Scot_39

Sorry but I personally don't remember ever seeing a bolt on like that for a single rate analogue dial meter posted here before.

Without a model number / type and spec etc. Couldn't say what that module is or is not doing.

And cannot see the tails either.

Do you have a restricted supply - say only active 7 hrs if on an e7 tariff and a 24/7 live from that module or does it control an external contactor. In which case you might need a meter with alcs control to provide a similar time restricted feed.  Or if not, you might have / need timers on devices if want to run them only at off peak times  ?

Cannot see wiring or possible switch contactors etc in cabinet.
 

Many suppliers aren't being too careful about filtering their rts warning emails - if not already smart - e.g. some as you will have seen from above posts with modern digital 2 rate are getting the emails.

If it's time is out by more than 2 hours though and multirate (being billed as multirate ?) chances are it needs reporting as outside time allowance and replacing anyway.

The worst outcome you are likely to get from smart is a digital meter that records your use at the correct times.
The best - access to flexible tariffs the might save you money - even on old nsh there is now a smart tariff cheaper than e7.
Even most fixes need a smart meter these days in the T&Cs.

Thees no good breakdown sadly of tge 10%.  But only a subset are likely to be comms to / from suppliers to electric meters.   But others have issues like no ihd or gas meter links due to distances involved through walls and doors etc even in standard sized homes.

Ask your neighbours if they have a working smart meter might give you reassurance (or not).

Not with them as my supplier, but from posts here over the years, Octopus have a far better reputation for resolving issues if do occur than other suppliers.

Longbow03

Hello Scot-39 and thanks for taking time to look at my meter pic.  I have attached two more photos showing the complete cupboard  and a close up of the meter underside and the original red meter label that shows a model number.  Hope this helps identify whether or not it is an RTS type. 

Scot_39

As you only have 4 meter tails - neutral and live in from incoming fuse - neutral and live out to a consumer unit - it looks like your not using a feature of some multirate meters called ALCS - Auxiliary Load Control - which switches on a second output only part of the time - often used to drive HW immersion tank heaters and storage heating (wall mounted Night Storage Heaters, thermal mass wet boilers etc) - so on many economy 7 systems only live for 7 hours overnight.

So if have any heating like that - assume that has it's own timers to align with off peak times - if want to maximise it's benefit.

So any smart meter that a fitter comes with should be fine - if get it replaced.  

Some folk have to make sure they get a 5 port (or 4 port with external contactor) with ALCS to replace a meter or meter / RTS / mechanical time switch combination - so as keep the time restricted live output.

As above examples - seems things that are non smart with a profile class 2 - even although not RTS - potentially being caught up in the RTS replacement emails. 

I'd probably just get it changed.

Some folk hate the dial readings - and have seen some here round their readings the wrong way - despite the labelling - given the dials go clockwise / anticlockwise.

Often wondered if that is deliberate to make it easier (or not) to read or just the simplest mechanical gearing.

Gerry1

Scot_39 said:

Some folk hate the dial readings - and have seen some here round their readings the wrong way - despite the labelling - given the dials go clockwise / anticlockwise.

Often wondered if that is deliberate to make it easier (or not) to read or just the simplest mechanical gearing.

It was simply because of the mechanical gearing, but at the time it didn't matter.  Customers weren't expected to read them, it was always the meter reader and they were fully trained.

A card was left if nobody was at at home, but even then you didn't have to take a reading and risk getting it wrong, you only had to draw the exact position of the pointers instead.

Even a meter reader would have to have thought very carefully about this one !

Clue: It's not 10841.

Scot_39

Had to look twice - the shadows of the hands don't help

Longbow03

Great info thanks Scot_39.  We'll probably go ahead with a Smart2 upgrade with Octopus given the age of our meter.  We don't read the dials as the registers are shown on a scrolling LCD display.  Best wishes, Longbow03

MBR1

MBR1 said:

Good morning all,

Would someone be able to identify my metre type, Im constantly getting emails from EDF saying they need to change my metre to a Smart Metre due to the RTS shutdown. But i dont think my metre is RTS.

Is this a RTS metre?

many thanks in advance if your able to help.

i sent this pic to EDF back in December, to let them know that my metre does not appear to have RTS equipment connected. they only just replied to me today:

"Hello

Thank you for your email, looking at your photo your meter is an RTS meter, this works to activate the off peak and if not changed could potentially stop the the heating and hot water from working, we can not guarantee that you will have heating or hot water without an upgrade.

In order to book an appointment to upgrade the meter please call us on 0333 006 9950 or via this link"

I think they are desperate to get a smart metre installed, because i still do not believe its RTS.

Swipe

MBR1 said:

I think they are desperate to get a smart metre installed, because i still do not believe its RTS.

They are barefaced liars but it still needs replacing.

QrizB

Swipe said:

MBR1 said:

I think they are desperate to get a smart metre installed, because i still do not believe its RTS.

They are barefaced liars but it still needs replacing.

Agreed, your meter is a piece of industrial heritage and has as much place in a modern home as a steam engine or rickets.

Phones4Chris

@MBR1 As has already been said, it is NOT an RTS meter, it's controlled by a mechanical timeswitch which is mains powered with a clockwork back up to keep it running during any power failure.
Rest assured that it will not stop working when the RTS is switched off.

I suggest you email EDF back and tell them bluntly that it's NOT an RTS meter and someone who knows what they are talking about should look at the picture and not send emails to you that are incorrect. Tell them that whilst it could no doubt be replaced with a modern meter in due course, they need to prioritise those with genuine RTS installations, some with quite complex set-ups which are NOT being replaced (from the information you are reading on Public Forums) due to inadequately trained engineers not knowing how to do a more complex job. Perhaps after the RTS switch-off when they have dealt with all the problem installations they might like to contact you again to have your system upgraded!

The Meter is no doubt well beyond its original certification date. Something for you to check, that the timeswitch is still at the correct time (GMT), the big triangular pointer at the bottom of the meter points to the time - if not you should be aware when you are being charged for peak and off-peak. Are you on an E7 or E10 tariff? Do you have older storage heaters?
If EDF continue to hassle you with nonsense, you could always raise a formal complaint and repeat what I've just suggested.