Radio Teleswitch service switch off

sniggib

Just received a letter from British Gas regarding my meter. I live in an electricity only flat in a converted warehouse utilising Economy 7 for overnight use. Although they give details of the switch off and ask me to book an appointment to replace my meter, the letter then goes on to say " The good news is, it looks like the make and model of your meter doesn't rely on this radio signal ". The dual meter has a radio teleswitch adjoining, a Schlumberger dated 1993, but the only visible guide to its operation is a switch denoted " 80A " which is in the " Off " position.

From this meagre information does it appear that a replacement meter is not needed and all British Gas are doing is trying to persuade me to go " Smart "?

QrizB

Is the Schlumberger RTS electrically connected to your meter? If it is, it's likely that the RTS does play a role in your electricity supply.

Can you share a photo of the meter, the RTS, and any associated wiring?

sniggib

Photos of meter and Radio Teleswitch attached - hope these help.

EssexHebridean

Probably needs replacing in any event bearing in mind the age of it - may as well get it sorted while you're looking at it anyway to be honest. 

matelodave

The meter is 33 years old and needs changing anyway.

Who knows what will happen when the teleswitch signal ceases. You will probably end up paying all your leccy at the peak rate because its the teleswitch that tells your meter whether to use the the peak or off peak register. If it cant switch then all your leccy will be at the peak rate.

Your choice but you'll probably end up paying a lot more for your leccy than you need to, especially if you stay on an e7 tariff where the peak rate is usually higher than a single rate tariff.

WiserMiser

matelodave said:

The meter is 33 years old and needs changing anyway.

Wrong.  My fingers and thumbs tell me it's 41 years old.

matelodave said:

Who knows what will happen when the teleswitch signal ceases. You will probably end up paying all your leccy at the peak rate because its the teleswitch that tells your meter whether to use the the peak or off peak register. If it cant switch then all your leccy will be at the peak rate.
Your choice but you'll probably end up paying a lot more for your leccy than you need to, especially if you stay on an e7 tariff where the peak rate is usually higher than a single rate tariff.

Wrong again: just more scaremongering.  Unless a deliberate 'scorched earth' policy is adopted, RTSs will just follow their existing schedules if the signal is switched off.  That seems highly unlikely because the large number of RTSs still in service would generate an equally large number of complaints that could not be resolved in a timely manner.  The only practical difference would be that tariffs such as THTC and Weathercall would not be updated.  But hardly at problem in mid summer.

QrizB

The skinny red wire at the front of the meter (that leads from the RTS) makes me think the RTS is switching your meter between rates. So yes, while your meter isn't directly affected by the RTS switch off, your service as a whole is affected.

The meter looks to have been manufactured in 84 (41 years ago) but last certified in 1993 (32 years ago). It's long overdue for replacement.

Spoonie_Turtle

Certification period for that meter is 25 years so unequivocally needs either recertifying or replacing, and they won't do the former.

Scot_39

Its got all the hallmarks of a fully funtioning full blown RTS setup and needs replacing, regardless of what the OPs supplier has said.

Unless he wants the risk of losing dual rate electricity - at some point in the coming months.

(The MP letter that @Rosie1001 posted a few days back suggests possibly for some as late as 2026)

The meter rate is most likely controled by the RTS - the thin wire - as above post by @QrizB.

The RTS itself has another 2 thin low amp from incoming fuse assemby - pre meter - for its own operational power purposes - a full size 100A tail input from the Henley (as well as the isolator switched input one assumes and another live 24/7 CU tall to the property - at the bottom of henley - although the picture isnt a brilliant angle ) and a full what looks like 100A tail connected to its 80A contactor output I guess still exiting the meter cabinet.

Note its not a red switch in terms of at manual control switch.  

I suspect the red flag is a contactor status - and will switch position on its programmed off peak timing - other models liek Horstmann - have on / off flag indication when active.

This is a Schumberger RTA1 not a 3 - but that flag status covered at c5:30-6:00 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoAeK_kvF7c

Actually wired to a meter and a dummy load - and switching about 1 min in / switching automatically - the rate and the load 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGiGiEg9H8s&list=PLGppjgmw3Xqxw_K65qsQyLPNSRL1JWwDa&index=19

Apart from a different pin out - I see no reason to question the similarity of operation.

Would need to see the OPs CU /fuse box / isolator arrangements but looks like the meter cabinet has a split live / restricted set-up leaving it.

So needs a new meter - the only question is does he need economy 7 with ALCS (5 port) - or just economy 7 (4 port - if no longer using the restricted feed from RTS).  

The 5 port will do both jobs - just not wiring the 5th port - but it does look as above that the OP appears to have restricted CU tail leaving the meter cabinet below the fuse holder - so I'd venture 5 port required

sniggib

Thanks everyone for all the info - can't say I understood much of it, but got the gist that the meter really needs replacing. So that's what I'm going to do. Let's hope the engineer sent to do the job knows as much as your good selves!!!

QrizB

sniggib said:

Thanks everyone for all the info - can't say I understood much of it, but got the gist that the meter really needs replacing. So that's what I'm going to do. Let's hope the engineer sent to do the job knows as much as your good selves!!!

If you have any more questions, feel free to add them to this thread.

Also, it would be good to hear back once your meter has been replaced, with another photo of your meter cabinet and any feedback you want to share. It'll help anyone else who finds themselves on the same position in the future.

Hope it all goes well!