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smart meters: questions to ask?

My electronics does not quite extend to domestic power systems so would appreciate advice: 


We have a 4kW PV installation (which works well), but I understand some smart meters are incompatible with PV installations.  Partly for that reason I have prevented installation, so far.

I also understand that smart meter standards are still settling and not all meters being installed are guaranteed to work for the forseeable future, through changes in suppliers, etc.

There also seem to be issues around safely and future maintenance of some smart meter systems.


So ... can the team suggest questions I should ask to reduce the risk of a 'bad' smart meter installation ?


Thanks.
Parents

  • Alan Capon:




    ebee:

    The very first question to ask is

    "What benefit is a smart meter to a sensible consumming customer? "




    There are many benefits. Here are a few: 


    • The meter does not need a monthly or quarterly read, and estimated bills are not required. 

    • Once all conventional meters are removed, meter readers are not required. 

    • Easy identification of areas without power is possible, cutting the length of power cuts. 

    • Supply tampering is easier to spot, preventing this “lost” electricity having to be paid for by other customers. 

    • The meter can be converted from “credit” to “pre-payment” and back again without having to visit the property to change the metering equipment. 

    • With the “pre-payment” option, alerts can be sent to the bill payer when the meter is running out of credit. 

    • The meter operator can get a good idea of the health of their devices without having to visit them often. 



    Regards,


    Alan. 

     




    Good answer Alan and thank you for educating me.

    I had thought of just the remote reading facility and lets you keep an eye on usage but the usage position I had discounted because, like many others, I tend to watch my usage and keep it minimum anyway. Thanks to you I am now better informed

Reply

  • Alan Capon:




    ebee:

    The very first question to ask is

    "What benefit is a smart meter to a sensible consumming customer? "




    There are many benefits. Here are a few: 


    • The meter does not need a monthly or quarterly read, and estimated bills are not required. 

    • Once all conventional meters are removed, meter readers are not required. 

    • Easy identification of areas without power is possible, cutting the length of power cuts. 

    • Supply tampering is easier to spot, preventing this “lost” electricity having to be paid for by other customers. 

    • The meter can be converted from “credit” to “pre-payment” and back again without having to visit the property to change the metering equipment. 

    • With the “pre-payment” option, alerts can be sent to the bill payer when the meter is running out of credit. 

    • The meter operator can get a good idea of the health of their devices without having to visit them often. 



    Regards,


    Alan. 

     




    Good answer Alan and thank you for educating me.

    I had thought of just the remote reading facility and lets you keep an eye on usage but the usage position I had discounted because, like many others, I tend to watch my usage and keep it minimum anyway. Thanks to you I am now better informed

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