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Smart Meter Communications - or NOT?

AncientMariner

A couple of days ago had our gas and electricity meters replaced with SMETS2 Smart Meters.


I had hoped that meter-to-meter communications had improved since May 2015 when EDF fitted SMETS1 meters which could not intercommunicate and re-fitted the old non-smart meters.


When I requested Smart Meters this time, I made our supplier aware of the previous difficulties which were apparently due to the two meters being on opposite sides of our house, even though less than 10 metres apart.


So currently, the electricity meter can communicate via its WAN but cannot communicate with the gas meter via their ZigBee network.


When I was contacted by the meter fitting company a couple of weeks ago, I had reminded them too about the lack of communication last time and they seemed to believe that for difficult cases they could supply a ZibBee repeater, but didn't. (Obviously that would have been powered off our electricity rather then pre-metered supply.)


It so happened that my cousin was booked in for smart meters in the appointment slot after ours. That installation was fine regarding meter-to-meter communication, but there the meter fitter had installed a modem with a high gain aerial near to the meter to communicate with the WAN. Apparently this was on his job sheet. Admittedly mobile phone communication in the area is rather poor.


Anyway, back to my problem.


Giving it some thought, I was considering trying a pair of WiFi 2.4GHz aerials connected via a length of coax so as to form a passive repeater. Don't laugh! On some container-ships that I was on, a pair of interconnected VHF dipoles was the only way that the Captain could communicate with the Fo'cstle during mooring operations. (One mounted near the bridge/wheelhouse, the other as high as possible on the monkey island)


Anyway, I have emailed our supplier and will see what they say. Problem is, I am not 100% sure that there is a ZigBee modem within the gas meter! The electricity meter an Aclara SGM1412-B has a separate modem, a Toshiba SKU1 Cellular. Whereas the Honeywell BK-G4E gas meter has no mention of ZigBee on its front panel and nothing on top. This has me wondering whether the ZibBee modem is built in, or whether there should be a separate unit mounted on top.


Clive


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    I have just organised a new supply contract for my house. It is impossible to get a good price without having smart meters, so I have agreed to try again as last time they tried they didn't work, just like you Clive. I assume that they will use SMETS2 meters, and power them from the unmetered supply.


    I have just had a letter from the communications regulator about my Amateur radio License BTW. They seem to suddenly have some standard that limits EM field strengths, and could have an effect on the ERP allowed. I have no idea how they expect most Amateurs to measure the field strength outside the property, it is hard enough on a measuring range with directional aerials.


    Anyone interested in Aerials may like to look on Youtube, I have posted 2 videos made by the Bristol TV Group many years ago called Dud Charman's aerial circus (Excellent antenna demonstration with models at 3GHz where the size is manageable), and another Called their story, two pioneers of radio about Dud G6CJ and Ken Alford G2DX. There seem to be a lot of David Stone named persons, search for "David Stone Aerial" and scroll down for a D as the heading picture, about 20 others today. Most of the rest have meaningless photos!
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    I have just organised a new supply contract for my house. It is impossible to get a good price without having smart meters, so I have agreed to try again as last time they tried they didn't work, just like you Clive. I assume that they will use SMETS2 meters, and power them from the unmetered supply.


    I have just had a letter from the communications regulator about my Amateur radio License BTW. They seem to suddenly have some standard that limits EM field strengths, and could have an effect on the ERP allowed. I have no idea how they expect most Amateurs to measure the field strength outside the property, it is hard enough on a measuring range with directional aerials.


    Anyone interested in Aerials may like to look on Youtube, I have posted 2 videos made by the Bristol TV Group many years ago called Dud Charman's aerial circus (Excellent antenna demonstration with models at 3GHz where the size is manageable), and another Called their story, two pioneers of radio about Dud G6CJ and Ken Alford G2DX. There seem to be a lot of David Stone named persons, search for "David Stone Aerial" and scroll down for a D as the heading picture, about 20 others today. Most of the rest have meaningless photos!
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