E7 Contactor Installation

Ectophile

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81882159#Comment_81882159

I think I can see what QrizB is thinking.

You can get wireless smart switches for the home. Next to each heater, tee off the 24h supply and feed the off peak input to the heater through a smart switch.

Then in the meter cupboard, put in the wireless controller, which receives the off peak signal. This would be instead of the contactor. Somebody would have to program that controller so that when the off peak signal arrives, it sends a message to each smart switch to turn on. And similar when off peak goes off.

That way, Octopus can pick any hours they like for your off peak, and your heaters automatically charge at that time.

Scot_39

1. Snug relies on meter ALCS - so needs a meter that supports ALCS.

(But you might find their are better options than E7 available - if cannot get meter ALCS control - like some of the TOU - or possibly even just a fixed EV tariff that doesn't actually need an EV - that might give 6/7 hrs cheaper average pricing than E7 - especialy if can avoid peaks like 4-7. Others run NSH on Cosy and some have automated switches to program for agile etc iirc)

2. The SMETS Specification allows for not only hardwired ALCS but HAN based HCALCS - I can only see one such device in a quick google - so not sure it ever really took off domestically in the UK or elsewhere as yet.

Ive not read much other than on the capability - not on any actually succesfully using in practice.

3. But I wonder if the OPs 3 phase meter might have an onboard 2A ALCS contactor - meter model ?

Google AI says that some by likes of Aclara and do some don't - and that some should support wireless HAN HCALCS if not hardwired ALCS.

One series it mentions with 3 models - 2 have hardwired ALCS contacts

https://assets.ctfassets.net/pwxulcskoycq/6b2I0q0by2DXtTNXqMz9E8/e92efee2964c12736c2d364dae82843f/Aclara-SMETS2-Three-Phase-Electric.pdf

The 1431 has no wired, 1432 has one auxiliary 2A, the 1433 has 2 2A auxiliary switches.

Other 3 phase series might have some or no such capability.

But if the meter does - then his electrician could potentially add say a Proteus ECH1 for only one phase (the way my 4 port smets meter ALCS switches my restricted for NSH - fitted by EOn at same time as meter) - or if wants option of using other phases live and restricted as well - there is reportedly an ECH3 version.

4. The only other option I guess for Snug Octopus would be wireless ACLS over HAN if Octopus were willing to support (HCALCS) - this govt document is a little short on details - but if for instance talks about smart meters supporting a total of 5 ALCS and HCALCS time sets - so in theory wired or wireless is a technical possibility.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a818dabe5274a2e8ab549bd/291116_-Smart_meters__Demand_Side_Response_leaflet-DR-_FINAL.PDF

And the ALCS claander in the specs - has an index [n] - 1 to 5 or 0 to 4 etc for five such sets of data - in some versions of the spec section 5.6.3.1 here

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a796c9e40f0b642860d7fa9/smart_meters_equipment_technical_spec_version_2.pdf

But I haven't read very much of HCALCS switching being used by those automating their for instance NSH charging for TOU / Agile cheap slots for instance. And as above quick Google only comes up with one device - and it doesn't look very domestic (din rail mount etc)

There are other threads here on people programming live fed NSH heaters like OP's for TOU tariffs not old E7 (one failed Snug user - now has his ALCS restricted live 24/7 to avoid rewiring costs and sets timers to match Cosy slots iirc) and even semi automating agile iirc off peak slots - but they arent then reliant on meter control (and Octopus monitoring its success to keep them on the Snug tariff)