Smart meter

[tobydog]

When we moved into our house in 2009 it had Economy 7 heating and a 3 phase meter. We replaced the E7 with oil fired heating but left the meter unchanged. We just shut down the Night side of things.

We are currently with Octopus Energy and they have asked if we want to change to a Smart meter. I can see the convenience of remote meter reading, the chance to check our own usage at any time, and the possibility of a cheaper tariff. I'm not one to lose sleep over Big Brother issues, however, would it be a mistake to give up the 3 phase meter, for example, if I wanted to fit a car fast charging point in the future. What are the real disadvantages? Can you fit a Smart meter to a 3 phase set up?

Our meter is pretty old now but I have no real idea if it's accurate these days (in our favour or not).

Thanks

 

[RBailey]

We're just trying to swap to a smart meter and have three phase but we have already had one failed visit to install a smart meter.

We have three phase to the house, three phase incomer fuses and a three phase meter but only one phase (A) is actually used / taken out to the switchboard.

The first installer just turned up and said "We don't do 3 phase" and walked off. This time we have already sent photos and I will be at home on the day so hopefully they can do it.

All they need to do is just connect the A phase to the smart meter, ignore B & C phases and remove the meter tails from the incomer fuses.

We are very pro smart meter and I already track the energy consumption month by month a plot a graph (nerd!) as I find it helps a lot to monitor the things we can control (i.e. consumption).

Also if I were to get a three phase lathe or anything it should still be possible to re-instate the 3 phase (with new meter) at a later date as the feed would still be to the house.

Meter installation planned for next week so fingers crossed and I will report back.

Cheers,
Richard B.

 

[tobydog]

We're just trying to swap to a smart meter and have three phase but we have already had one failed visit to install a smart meter.

We have three phase to the house, three phase incomer fuses and a three phase meter but only one phase (A) is actually used / taken out to the switchboard.

The first installer just turned up and said "We don't do 3 phase" and walked off. This time we have already sent photos and I will be at home on the day so hopefully they can do it.

All they need to do is just connect the A phase to the smart meter, ignore B & C phases and remove the meter tails from the incomer fuses.

We are very pro smart meter and I already track the energy consumption month by month a plot a graph (nerd!) as I find it helps a lot to monitor the things we can control (i.e. consumption).

Also if I were to get a three phase lathe or anything it should still be possible to re-instate the 3 phase (with new meter) at a later date as the feed would still be to the house.

Meter installation planned for next week so fingers crossed and I will report back.

Cheers,
Richard B.

Thanks Richard. That's really helpful. I'll talk with Octopus.

 

[paulc]

Good news, 3 phase SMETS2 meters are available in the UK, and at least one supplier (Eon) is installing them. However, few engineers have the additional training...
Personally, if I had a 3 phase supply, I'd push to have a 3p meter fitted along with a 3p isolator switch between meter & consumer unit - This will allow you to isolate the supply if/when you want to install an EV charger or connect a large PV array. Anyone installing an EV charger will want an isolator switch so that they can carry out the work safely.
Having a 3 phase supply and a single phase meter means extra expense when you eventually want to make use of the other two phases.

 

[RBailey]

Thanks Richard. That's really helpful. I'll talk with Octopus.

Try and send them some pictures. The call center wallies, sorry I mean staff, have been useless apart from the last guy who knew his stuff.

Good news, 3 phase SMETS2 meters are available in the UK, and at least one supplier (Eon) is installing them. However, few engineers have the additional training...
Personally, if I had a 3 phase supply, I'd push to have a 3p meter fitted along with a 3p isolator switch between meter & consumer unit - This will allow you to isolate the supply if/when you want to install an EV charger or connect a large PV array. Anyone installing an EV charger will want an isolator switch so that they can carry out the work safely.
Having a 3 phase supply and a single phase meter means extra expense when you eventually want to make use of the other two phases.

We are "SO" energy and they don't install them but they can theoretically do them but via another service provider.

I hadn't thought of 3P for a EV charger.

Sadly PV would be a no from the CO for us because of the roof (Collyweston slate).

Cheers,
Richard B.

 

[tobydog]

Thanks all. I'm not good with electrics so, on the basis that a picture paints a thousand words, I'll send a photo. We currently have two consumer units off the one meter, one in the old part of the house and one in the new extension. Not sure where the isolator would go and whether I'd need another electrician to do that. Yes, would push for a 3 phase meter. Octopus are usually very accommodating. Sadly PV is not an option for us either - we're thatched and listed!

 

[fernicarry]

As we appear to be being forced to go all-electric whether we like it or not, its worth totting up what your total electric usage will be if it has to displace gas/oil/petrol/diesel as well as meeting your current demands.

For me:
35kW gas boiler -- lets be generous and say replace that with a HP with a COP of 3.0, means 12KW input power.
couple of EV's on charge -- say 7kW each

So thats an additional demand of at least 26kW or another 108A!!! A phase can give up to 100A but usually the service fuse is 60 or 80A, so at least one additional phase to cope.

Not sure where the isolator would go and whether I'd need another electrician to do that.

Next to the meter.

 

[a twig]

100% do not give up your 3 phase supply - it will be worth its weight in gold over the next 10-15 years as gas gets phased out and domestic energy goes all electric - the approach @paulc outlines would definitely be the best one.