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What if my Smart Meter does not connect to electricity supplier
Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 10:07 pm
by Ruud
I have just had British Gas (actually called Scottish Gas here) install a new smart meter (SMETS2). I did this so that I can have a charging point installed before my Enyaq arrives (ETA January 2023). The installer said, even before he started the job, that it was likely it would not work. He explained that the smart meter uses radio waves to send meter readings to the supplier, not the wifi from our internet router. He was right! I live in an old crofter’s cottage with very thick walls and mobile signal is not great inside. The smart meter is able to connect to our WiFi, there is a message on the display that says ‘HAN Complete’. HAN stands for Home Area Network.
Now my question is: will the charging point work ok? Is anybody using a charging point with a smart meter that does not work properly?
Re: What if my Smart Meter does not connect to electricity supplier
Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 11:20 pm
by Goaty
Hi,
My PodPoint charger is completely independent of my Smets 2 smart meter - so even if my smart meter failed, the PodPoint charger would still operate. In fact there’s no interaction between them whatsoever, except for the smart meter registering the electricity used for charging; but it only does that by measuring the entire consumption in the house.
Re: What if my Smart Meter does not connect to electricity supplier
Posted: Sat May 14, 2022 7:17 am
by retsil
Ruud wrote: ↑Fri May 13, 2022 10:07 pm
I have just had British Gas (actually called Scottish Gas here) install a new smart meter (SMETS2). I did this so that I can have a charging point installed before my Enyaq arrives (ETA January 2023). The installer said, even before he started the job, that it was likely it would not work. He explained that the smart meter uses radio waves to send meter readings to the supplier, not the wifi from our internet router. He was right! I live in an old crofter’s cottage with very thick walls and mobile signal is not great inside. The smart meter is able to connect to our WiFi, there is a message on the display that says ‘HAN Complete’. HAN stands for Home Area Network.
Now my question is: will the charging point work ok? Is anybody using a charging point with a smart meter that does not work properly?
The Home Area Network is the link between your meter and In Home Display (IHD), it doesn’t use your home Wi-Fi at all. You can move the display closer to the meter and it may connect then.
The IHD operators independently from the meter for reporting readings back to the supplier, you’ll need to check with them that it’s be commissioned correctly if the IHD won’t work. Or download the app from Scottish Power to see if it’s picking up the half hourly reads.
Re: What if my Smart Meter does not connect to electricity supplier
Posted: Sat May 14, 2022 9:37 am
by hergus
You might have a problem if you wanted to use a tariff that offers cheaper off peak electricity, and this is the direction that the electricity industry is heading: dynamic charging. Also, if you are hoping for a grant towards the cost of charger installation, this is predicated on the charger being 'smart', which means the potential for avoiding the use of electricity at peak times. The installer of the charger applies for the grant, so that might put them in an 'interesting' position.
Re: What if my Smart Meter does not connect to electricity supplier
Posted: Sat May 14, 2022 1:59 pm
by Dorsetandy
Good luck with British Gas, their smart meters and apps have either not been updating or showing incorrect usage since 16 February. There remains a warning on their App not to rely upon the £ figure shown as it may show old tariff data - mine still does after 3 months - and only to use the kWh as correct. How such a major company can let this happen is beyond belief. I still have a week starting 16 February when apparently used zero gas and electric!
Re: What if my Smart Meter does not connect to electricity supplier
Posted: Sat May 14, 2022 4:40 pm
by Powerstar
I had similar issues when Shell installed a SMETS2 for me, only advising that due to the poor mobile signal in our area it would not be able to offer the Economy 7 that I was previously on.
After much ‘discussion’ they advised me to seek resolution through Resolver, which worked. In the end, after multiple visits, they installed a more sensitive aerial and now we have Economy 7 again.
Re: What if my Smart Meter does not connect to electricity supplier
Posted: Sat May 14, 2022 4:46 pm
by Perchede
The UK really got the design very wrong.
Here the single French system (Linky) is installed by the distributer, not the supplier and it all works via CPL. So not problem if electricity is live.
Copes with at least six remotely programmable taffis with 30 min resolution. 95% of properties installed in 2020
Re: What if my Smart Meter does not connect to electricity supplier
Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 8:08 am
by orrery
Perchede wrote: ↑Sat May 14, 2022 4:46 pm
The UK really got the design very wrong...
In fact, the UK did have a system that would do that, designed by Thorn. It was running back in the 1990s, using spread spectrum power line comms. But it required a comms unit back at the substation and the electricity industry wouldn't put up the investment to do it.
Re: What if my Smart Meter does not connect to electricity supplier
Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 8:09 am
by orrery
orrery wrote: ↑Sun May 15, 2022 8:08 am
Perchede wrote: ↑Sat May 14, 2022 4:46 pm
The UK really got the design very wrong...
In fact, the UK did have a system that would do that, designed by Thorn. It was running back in the 1990s, using spread spectrum power line comms. But it required a comms unit back at the substation and the electricity industry wouldn't put up the investment to do it.
Re: What if my Smart Meter does not connect to electricity supplier
Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 8:57 am
by BioHzrd
You do t need a smart meter to have a charge point at all, the only time you "need" a smart meter is if your signing up to one of the suppliers "EV Rates" where you get cheap Tarrif for 4/6 hours in the early hours and then get ripped off during the day.