Presumably this is just journalistic panic, in reality won't they just delay the switch-off (again) if there really is a problem?
- Andy.
Presumably this is just journalistic panic, in reality won't they just delay the switch-off (again) if there really is a problem?
- Andy.
Typical poor and Miss information. BBC news is becoming more like getting the news from YouTube. Can'y always be trusted and half of the time is not verified.
From my understanding what will happen is the meter will charge the customer at the higher rate permanently. I bet an enconomy 7 heater at 7pence per kWh will not seem so economy at 40pence per kWh
It's the BBC who are running the RTS transmitter that's about to be switched off!
You would think that someone would have a copy of the RTS specification, and could say definitively what the receivers will do when the signal is turned off. I was under the impression that they could be sent a program, which they would continue to follow until told otherwise.
Hi Andy the stats as of 2022 suggest there are 25 million+ dwellings in England,
If there are currently only 300 thousand remaining dwelling reliant on the RTS it doesn’t seem be newsworthy.
It's the BBC who are running the RTS transmitter that's about to be switched off!
No, it’s not as the BBC do not own or operate any transmitters.
The Wychbold station is owned and operated by Arqiva.
As well as switching the meter from the higher to the lower rate, the RTS also connects the off-peak equipment ie. the night storage heaters and the water heater. So it is true to say these houses would lose heating and hot water.
I'm not sure that the folk affected if it has not been well mitigated will agree. I think we do suffer very badly from the 'one incident is too many' culture and often make mountains from molehills, but anything that affects this no of folk is probably big enough to be justified.
At least its being done in the summer.
Mike.
Typical poor and Miss information. BBC news is becoming more like getting the news from YouTube. Can'y always be trusted and half of the time is not verified.
From my understanding what will happen is the meter will charge the customer at the higher rate permanently. I bet an enconomy 7 heater at 7pence per kWh will not seem so economy at 40pence per kWh
No, the issues presented in this report (and which were claimed by the quoted sources, not by the BBC) are theoretically correct, see:
https://www.energynetworks.org/industry/engineering-and-technical-programmes/radio-teleswitch
A 'simple teleswitch' as defined here could indeed leave the householder without heating or with permanent heating depending on, presumably, what time the signal was turned off.
Now, how many households have a 'simple' teleswitch is of course the question...
And also that's probably exactly why "End Fuel Poverty Coalition" worked to make sure this did get in the news - they'd (possibly quite reasonably) be concerned that energy companies would also consider it not newsworthy, and so not bother making sure the roll out was complete by the end of July. From the perception (which may be incorrect) of these users they're being forgotten about, which is a perfect way to encourage people to make sure their story does become news...
It makes good business sense that if you satisfy 99% of your customers you're doing ok. But if that involves making the remaining 1% REALLY angry (and potentially depriving them of heating is a pretty good way of doing that) then you can be pretty certain that you'll find yourself at the wrong end of a news story!
Lesson for us all in any industry...
Now, how many households have a 'simple' teleswitch is of course the question...
That is a very good question Andy. Time will tell.
As a side note I hope that when the Teleswitch is swapped out for a smart meter that actually works as intended they install a dual pole isolator (post meter and pre CU/DB) for the dwelling FOC.so the next CU/DB change IT complies with EAWR when the electrician works on it.
they install a dual pole isolator (post meter and pre CU/DB) for the dwelling FOC.so the next CU/DB change IT complies with EAWR when the electrician works on it.
That was talked about when the smart meter rollout was about to start - even the possibility of spec'ing the new meters to have an in-built isolator (a few did already). But it seems the suppliers didn't want the extra cost, and claim it's perfectly safe for electricians - they just need to ring up and book an engineer to come out and pull the fuse for them (for which they charge...).
- Andy.
We're about to take you to the IET registration website. Don't worry though, you'll be sent straight back to the community after completing the registration.
Continue to the IET registration site