Removal of Pre-payment meters

EssexHebridean

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81861198#Comment_81861198

You do it online - surely that is fairly obvious? If you don’t have understanding of a subject, it’s probably better to make that clear rather than posting in a way that could make you appear a bit “conspiracy theorist” - seeming to identify with the Flat Earth community isn’t the best look for a fact-based forum… 😉

t0rt0ise

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81861198#Comment_81861198

Google it, that'll explain it properly. Basically you find the right screen and scroll a lot to find and enter the right numbers using the A and B buttons.

t0rt0ise

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81861238#Comment_81861238

He's talking about if the meter has gone dumb so it won't connect. So the supplier gives you a code which you input on the correct screen on the meter.

Ildhund

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81861198#Comment_81861198

The comms hub (CH) is powered by the meter. Unless the CH is actually broken or the supply has been interrupted, the HAN should continue working even though the WAN doesn't. There will be a way of entering a top-up code (UTRN), at the meter itself or perhaps via the IHD. Not an exercise for the fumble-fingered, though.

lohr500

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81861198#Comment_81861198

With my smart meter, when I switched to pre-payment, I entered the code directly into the meter itself.

I assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that the process did not require any interaction with the comms hub and that the top up value was encrypted within the code purchased online.

tfhnota

Some meters are in such awkward positions that it would be impossible to input or scroll through the screens. My smart meter comms hub is completely down, no flashing LEDs and no communications with anything but the meter itself is working correctly and can still be read (I am not prepayment but was pondering going that route and OP is having his meter replaced with a smart meter, so all relevant).

Ildhund

@tfhnota wrote:

My smart meter comms hub is completely down, no flashing LEDs and no communications with anything

The fancy intimate interface (ICHI) really only supplies power to the CH; data transfer is via Zigbee over the HAN. If the LEDs aren't lit, there's no power to the CH. It could be as simple a remedy as removing the CH and then re-seating it ~10 minutes later on the ICHI. If that doesn't help, it probably needs replacing. It's of course a bit more convoluted if there's a Flying Lead (FL) involved (more connections to fail), but if this doesn't restore power to the hub, it (or perhaps the FL) will need replacing.

tfhnota

It has a seal on the connecting screw (between CU and meter) and all that is protecting me from electrocution is the main fuse coming into the house, which also has a seal, so I will not be tampering with either. Luckily not on TOU at the moment so I can just note the reading every day to keep an eye on it. If I did go prepayment would have to keep a decent sum on it so that it could still run if the CU failed. (Ocropus are aware of the problem but waiting to see when they will fix it).

Ildhund

Very sensible - I wasn't suggesting that you should do this yourself. Only a meter engineer working for the supplier can break the seal on the CH, but anyone (e.g. a properly certified electrician) with the DNO's permission can remove the main fuse. The whole point of the ICHI is that the CH can be removed and replaced or exchanged without the need to cut off the supply to the meter. Just FYI, I think the CH is powered by a 12V feed, and the current will be tiny.

If the supplier is aware of the problem, the clock is ticking towards a £40 GSOP payment to you.

tfhnota

Yes, have only done email so far (lovely AI to wind up) and am aware of the forty quid but three months… will probably give them a phone call and see if they can start it up remotely. Good to hear it is only 12v, though, and you were not suggesting DIY, though I did give it a few gentle taps and got a singular flash from one of the LEDs so possibly some damp got into the connections as humidity is maxed out where the meter is.