Can you test a Smart meter?
Discussion
biggiles said:
I would assume they come calibrated from the factory. What's the problem you are seeing?
Yes you would assume that.However out meter recorded, and sent to Scottish Power, a days usage of electricity when the power to the house was turned off by them to undertake planned work.
They cannot explain how this happened and this is currently going through the ombudsman.
All they keep saying is that their meters are accurate, but demonstrably not. What they have said is that will fit a second slave meter to the first to check that they both record the same, other than that they can not give me any other method of testing it or satisfying myself as to its accuracy.
I have done a few tests today with only 1 appliance running which I know the usage of having tested it multiple times and I’m increasingly convinced its still recording more than I’m using, not by much but it’s noticeable especially over a 30 minute plus period.
I am now going to write to the regulator as the power company keep telling me all the meters are calibrated for life at the factory and have never been wrong.
I might call them again and see if they will do the second meter test option.
I am now going to write to the regulator as the power company keep telling me all the meters are calibrated for life at the factory and have never been wrong.
I might call them again and see if they will do the second meter test option.
Edited by ACCYSTAN on Saturday 4th January 18:18
ACCYSTAN said:
Is the simplest way of testing a smart meter to turn everything off and then turn on one appliance which you know the power consumption to see how accurate the meter is?
Turn everything off, read the meter, wait at least an hour then read the meter again make sure it hasn't changed. If the meter reading has gone up go around again and make sure everything really is off, nothing on standby, no heated bathroom mirrors on or toothbrushes or phones charging, don't forget the garage and the loft.Then when you are 100% certain nothing is on and the meter is not increasing then you can test one device.
skeeterm5 said:
Yes you would assume that.
However out meter recorded, and sent to Scottish Power, a days usage of electricity when the power to the house was turned off by them to undertake planned work.
They cannot explain how this happened and this is currently going through the ombudsman.
All they keep saying is that their meters are accurate, but demonstrably not. What they have said is that will fit a second slave meter to the first to check that they both record the same, other than that they can not give me any other method of testing it or satisfying myself as to its accuracy.
A check meter is the official way to go.... but then you would blame both meters!However out meter recorded, and sent to Scottish Power, a days usage of electricity when the power to the house was turned off by them to undertake planned work.
They cannot explain how this happened and this is currently going through the ombudsman.
All they keep saying is that their meters are accurate, but demonstrably not. What they have said is that will fit a second slave meter to the first to check that they both record the same, other than that they can not give me any other method of testing it or satisfying myself as to its accuracy.
As you say, ther trivial test is to apply a known load such as a kettle and check the value displayed.
The second, more useful, equally trivial, but only if you have access to a clamp meter - is to put the clamp around one of the tails and compare with the meter in real time.
Do you have access to the half hour readings for that day? That might lead to an idea as to where the data has come from.
If the meter was powered down all day - I can't see a way it would be registering anything at all.
What sort of consumption are we talking about?
ETA: Actually, you probably need to know what you are doing with a clamp meter as it may not be measuring in the same way (peak v. RMS for instance), but it would be a good start.
Edited by No ideas for a name on Saturday 4th January 20:15
skeeterm5 said:
Our meter recorded, and sent to Scottish Power, a days usage of electricity when the power to the house was turned off by them to undertake planned work.
They cannot explain how this happened and this is currently going through the ombudsman.
All they keep saying is that their meters are accurate, but demonstrably not. What they have said is that will fit a second slave meter to the first to check that they both record the same, other than that they can not give me any other method of testing it or satisfying myself as to its accuracy.
Your meter is reading the standing charge.They cannot explain how this happened and this is currently going through the ombudsman.
All they keep saying is that their meters are accurate, but demonstrably not. What they have said is that will fit a second slave meter to the first to check that they both record the same, other than that they can not give me any other method of testing it or satisfying myself as to its accuracy.
Google said:
Smart meters include standing charges:
A standing charge is a fixed daily fee that covers the cost of connecting your home to the gas and electricity networks. It's not based on how much energy you use.
The standing charge is included in the total on your smart meter's in-home display. You'll see a small amount even if you didn't use any energy that day.
Note the end part: you'll see a small amount, even if you didn't use any energy that day. A standing charge is a fixed daily fee that covers the cost of connecting your home to the gas and electricity networks. It's not based on how much energy you use.
The standing charge is included in the total on your smart meter's in-home display. You'll see a small amount even if you didn't use any energy that day.
The smart and even dumb electronic meters are more accurate than the old revolving ones.
They either work within the general range of calibration, do nothing, or go nuts, so the fail is super obvious, minor discrepancies beyond their MID approved accuracy are pretty unlikely.
A second meter as a check is the standard way of proving your unit, in its own environment, as they may behave differently in the calibration lab.
They either work within the general range of calibration, do nothing, or go nuts, so the fail is super obvious, minor discrepancies beyond their MID approved accuracy are pretty unlikely.
A second meter as a check is the standard way of proving your unit, in its own environment, as they may behave differently in the calibration lab.
DorsetSparky said:
Your meter is reading the standing charge.
.
To close the details on my point, it was not the standing charge being recorded. This is what was recorded during a planned full power outage, the were changing a transformer so the power was off..
Scottish Power can not explain this.
JimM169 said:
Have you checked the meter is actually set for the correct day and time
Have you got the meter readings to confirm that you have used/been charged for the period
For testing I'd pull the fuse on the meter to be 100% sure that everything is switched off
I have all of the readings for the days before and after, so yes.Have you got the meter readings to confirm that you have used/been charged for the period
For testing I'd pull the fuse on the meter to be 100% sure that everything is switched off
As I said, it is with the ombudsman, who seem powerless to be honest, as even the Scottish Power technicians have said that they don’t know what happened.
I was listening to the 'This is Money' podcast last night and they talked about a similar case with a Octopus (I think) customer. It ended up being the CT clamp being installed upside-down. Worth a look? There was brief discussion that there are more and more complaints about smart meters reading way too high, of course the energy suppliers are just ignoring these issues and claiming their meters are fall proof or need 'bedding in' 
Edited by Crudeoink on Wednesday 8th January 13:30
Crudeoink said:
I was listening to the 'This is Money' podcast last night and they talked about a similar case with a Octopus (I think) customer. It ended up being the CT clamp being installed upside-down. Worth a look? There was brief discussion that there are more and more complaints about smart meters reading way too high, of course the energy suppliers are just ignoring these issues and claiming their meters are fall proof or need 'bedding in'
If they were reading too low they would be on it quick enough Edited by Crudeoink on Wednesday 8th January 13:30
Can't really add anything else but intrigued as to how it's happened
How does the usage compare to other days, same amount same profile etc?
Might be stating the obvious but assume you were in on the day and the electricity actually did go off?
Do you have solar panels etc - not sure how they could be wired to generate the result but sue some cowboy could find a way
How does the usage compare to other days, same amount same profile etc?
Might be stating the obvious but assume you were in on the day and the electricity actually did go off?
Do you have solar panels etc - not sure how they could be wired to generate the result but sue some cowboy could find a way
Have you checked that the MPAN on your physical meter is the one that they have on your account?
ETA: Crossed with the post above... same question.
It looks very much like it isn't an accuracy problem as was first discussed (ah... I see this is two inter-twined threads both with different problems - I think), but more of a 'wrong meter' problem.
Further, since it appears you have a very low usage overnight - you could check you are reading the right meter by applying a large load overnight - stick the immersion heater on for instance. You will see that demand spike in your meter readings (as shown at the supplier's end) the next day.
ETA: Crossed with the post above... same question.
It looks very much like it isn't an accuracy problem as was first discussed (ah... I see this is two inter-twined threads both with different problems - I think), but more of a 'wrong meter' problem.
Further, since it appears you have a very low usage overnight - you could check you are reading the right meter by applying a large load overnight - stick the immersion heater on for instance. You will see that demand spike in your meter readings (as shown at the supplier's end) the next day.
Edited by No ideas for a name on Wednesday 8th January 14:36
No ideas for a name said:
Have you checked that the MPAN on your physical meter is the one that they have on your account?
ETA: Crossed with the post above... same question.
It looks very much like it isn't an accuracy problem as was first discussed (ah... I see this is two inter-twined threads both with different problems - I think), but more of a 'wrong meter' problem.
Further, since it appears you have a very low usage overnight - you could check you are reading the right meter by applying a large load overnight - stick the immersion heater on for instance. You will see that demand spike in your meter readings (as shown at the supplier's end) the next day.
I'd agree that this seems the most likely scenario. My father is currently dealing with an issue where 'his' recently fitted smart meter is registered to his neighbour's account (or vice versa), so cockups clearly can occur with the installation and registration process for smart meters.ETA: Crossed with the post above... same question.
It looks very much like it isn't an accuracy problem as was first discussed (ah... I see this is two inter-twined threads both with different problems - I think), but more of a 'wrong meter' problem.
Further, since it appears you have a very low usage overnight - you could check you are reading the right meter by applying a large load overnight - stick the immersion heater on for instance. You will see that demand spike in your meter readings (as shown at the supplier's end) the next day.
Edited by No ideas for a name on Wednesday 8th January 14:36
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