[BD70]

Prior to getting my VW ID3 I tried to get my energy suppliers to install a smart meter to take advantage of the cheap night rate tariffs for EV charging.
I had Npower in my house using a very old style analogue meter and I also have electric in a detached outbuilding which has it's own separate electric supply from Scottish Power.
I applied separately to both to have a smart meter fitted but both declined saying that their data from DCC for my location indicated that the smart meter would not communicate successfully. DCC stands for Data Communications Company, a smart meter communications infrastructure that will link energy suppliers to smart meters via a secure wireless network on O2 in the southern half of the country.
I live over 1000ft above sea level in an area in North East Wales and I am on O2 with only a one bar signal outdoors, not enough to make or receive a phone call. There is no O2 signal indoors, nothing at the meter location but I have O2 wifi calling indoors which works well but this cannot be used by the meter to communicate with the DCC.
I had been checking out the EV forums and came across Octopus Go which sounded great but only if you had a smart meter.
I rang Octopus and they initially said the data didn't look great for my area but I decided to change supplier from Npower to Octopus in the house.
I had to initially sign up to one of their single tariffs and then ask for a smart meter installation. They still said the data was not ideal but after a gentle persuasion they agreed to go ahead and schedule a date for the smart meter installation.
Octopus said that they would install something called a SKU2/T2 antenna with the meter which helps to boost the O2 signal required to communicate my meter readings to DCC.
I also explained to Octopus that I didn't have much space in my meter cupboard as the new smart meter with it's comms unit on top was much taller than my old analogue meter. They explained that there was an alternative available using a flying lead which meant that the comms unit could be placed at the side of the meter except on top, see photo.
I had to wait a number of weeks for the smart meter appointment and the first appointment was a disappointment as Octopus hadn't told the engineer he needed a flying lead.
However another appointment a week later was successful with the SKU2 comms unit mounted at the side of the new meter.
My meter cupboard is near the ceiling in a small entrance porch with a small pitched roof above and the T2 antenna was mounted in the small loft directly above the meter cupboard. It is an indoor antenna and only has a 1.5m cable so it's location is limited, see photo.
To my amazement the meter connected immediately to the DCC when the engineer switched on the power and the indoor display started working as well. Apparently it doesn't always happen like this and can take up to 14 days for the smart meter to communicate successfully, if at all.

So in conclusion there is hope for those of you out there wanting a smart meter in a poor signal area using the SKU2/T2 antenna combination and also a flying lead if you don't have enough vertical space for the new smart meter.
I wasn't expecting this outcome when I got the initial replies from the energy companies so if you are in this position don't despair, persuade them to try a smart meter installation.
Also I believe if the SKU2/T2 antenna solution fails to communicate, DCC can fit a T3 external antenna which has a longer cable.

If any of this helps you and you are considering joining Octopus Energy, please use this link below and we both get £50.
share.octopus.energy/denim-rill-703

 

[Cabbage Patch]

Octopus were excellent with my smart meter install too although not everything went right first time. Despite this they kept me up to date, their own installer (for a replacement meter) was brilliant and they made sure I wasn’t out of pocket.

I’m pretty sure from my previous experience of some of the 'Big Six' that it could’ve been a lot worse.

 

[Ralkbirdy]

Only works in South half of UK, Northern uses LRR with Arqiva and no option with this radio frequency.

 

[daveiwthoir]

Yes I suffer from being in the north, incredible that again poor in nvestment and differen technologies don't allow us to m ok ve in to the 21st century

 

[proddick]

Only works in South half of UK, Northern uses LRR with Arqiva and no option with this radio frequency.

The only ray of hope is that Arqiva are adding more transmitter sites as part of their plan to get water companies to use their solution for smart water meters. I guess they are potentially easier to connect as almost always outside!

 

[Hilltop Dave]

The only ray of hope is that Arqiva are adding more transmitter sites as part of their plan to get water companies to use their solution for smart water meters. I guess they are potentially easier to connect as almost always outside!

Outside water meters will be at least 18" underground to protect from frost. What hope of them getting a good radio signal?

 

[proddick]

Outside water meters will be at least 18" underground to protect from frost. What hope of them getting a good radio signal?

Maybe they learnt a lesson and have aerial on lid

Water metering

As one of the preeminent UK Critical National Infrastructure Providers having deployed the largest smart water network in the world, you can trust Arqiva to support your data-driven evolution.

www.arqiva.com

 

[daveiwthoir]

Even if there were more transmitters they don't tell you, the energy companies say they don't tell them either, it's just a horrible mess and they dont care as we are paying for this poor service whether we can have it or not

 

[Ian Black]

Maybe they learnt a lesson and have aerial on lid

This is actually a thing. There is a service reservoir in the next village - it lies behind a hedge bordering the lane, but of the various manhole covers leading to/from it, one does have an antenna on it.

 

[Rianne]

Prior to getting my VW ID3 I tried to get my energy suppliers to install a smart meter to take advantage of the cheap night rate tariffs for EV charging.
I had Npower in my house using a very old style analogue meter and I also have electric in a detached outbuilding which has it's own separate electric supply from Scottish Power.
I applied separately to both to have a smart meter fitted but both declined saying that their data from DCC for my location indicated that the smart meter would not communicate successfully. DCC stands for Data Communications Company, a smart meter communications infrastructure that will link energy suppliers to smart meters via a secure wireless network on O2 in the southern half of the country.
I live over 1000ft above sea level in an area in North East Wales and I am on O2 with only a one bar signal outdoors, not enough to make or receive a phone call. There is no O2 signal indoors, nothing at the meter location but I have O2 wifi calling indoors which works well but this cannot be used by the meter to communicate with the DCC.
I had been checking out the EV forums and came across Octopus Go which sounded great but only if you had a smart meter.
I rang Octopus and they initially said the data didn't look great for my area but I decided to change supplier from Npower to Octopus in the house.
I had to initially sign up to one of their single tariffs and then ask for a smart meter installation. They still said the data was not ideal but after a gentle persuasion they agreed to go ahead and schedule a date for the smart meter installation.
Octopus said that they would install something called a SKU2/T2 antenna with the meter which helps to boost the O2 signal required to communicate my meter readings to DCC.
I also explained to Octopus that I didn't have much space in my meter cupboard as the new smart meter with it's comms unit on top was much taller than my old analogue meter. They explained that there was an alternative available using a flying lead which meant that the comms unit could be placed at the side of the meter except on top, see photo.
I had to wait a number of weeks for the smart meter appointment and the first appointment was a disappointment as Octopus hadn't told the engineer he needed a flying lead.
However another appointment a week later was successful with the SKU2 comms unit mounted at the side of the new meter.
My meter cupboard is near the ceiling in a small entrance porch with a small pitched roof above and the T2 antenna was mounted in the small loft directly above the meter cupboard. It is an indoor antenna and only has a 1.5m cable so it's location is limited, see photo.
To my amazement the meter connected immediately to the DCC when the engineer switched on the power and the indoor display started working as well. Apparently it doesn't always happen like this and can take up to 14 days for the smart meter to communicate successfully, if at all.

So in conclusion there is hope for those of you out there wanting a smart meter in a poor signal area using the SKU2/T2 antenna combination and also a flying lead if you don't have enough vertical space for the new smart meter.
I wasn't expecting this outcome when I got the initial replies from the energy companies so if you are in this position don't despair, persuade them to try a smart meter installation.
Also I believe if the SKU2/T2 antenna solution fails to communicate, DCC can fit a T3 external antenna which has a longer cable.

If any of this helps you and you are considering joining Octopus Energy, please use this link below and we both get £50.
share.octopus.energy/denim-rill-703

View attachment 144872 View attachment 144873

Hi could you please help me find out how to get a day/night reading please i have the same smart meter KAIFA

 

[daveiwthoir]

Prior to getting my VW ID3 I tried to get my energy suppliers to install a smart meter to take advantage of the cheap night rate tariffs for EV charging.
I had Npower in my house using a very old style analogue meter and I also have electric in a detached outbuilding which has it's own separate electric supply from Scottish Power.
I applied separately to both to have a smart meter fitted but both declined saying that their data from DCC for my location indicated that the smart meter would not communicate successfully. DCC stands for Data Communications Company, a smart meter communications infrastructure that will link energy suppliers to smart meters via a secure wireless network on O2 in the southern half of the country.
I live over 1000ft above sea level in an area in North East Wales and I am on O2 with only a one bar signal outdoors, not enough to make or receive a phone call. There is no O2 signal indoors, nothing at the meter location but I have O2 wifi calling indoors which works well but this cannot be used by the meter to communicate with the DCC.
I had been checking out the EV forums and came across Octopus Go which sounded great but only if you had a smart meter.
I rang Octopus and they initially said the data didn't look great for my area but I decided to change supplier from Npower to Octopus in the house.
I had to initially sign up to one of their single tariffs and then ask for a smart meter installation. They still said the data was not ideal but after a gentle persuasion they agreed to go ahead and schedule a date for the smart meter installation.
Octopus said that they would install something called a SKU2/T2 antenna with the meter which helps to boost the O2 signal required to communicate my meter readings to DCC.
I also explained to Octopus that I didn't have much space in my meter cupboard as the new smart meter with it's comms unit on top was much taller than my old analogue meter. They explained that there was an alternative available using a flying lead which meant that the comms unit could be placed at the side of the meter except on top, see photo.
I had to wait a number of weeks for the smart meter appointment and the first appointment was a disappointment as Octopus hadn't told the engineer he needed a flying lead.
However another appointment a week later was successful with the SKU2 comms unit mounted at the side of the new meter.
My meter cupboard is near the ceiling in a small entrance porch with a small pitched roof above and the T2 antenna was mounted in the small loft directly above the meter cupboard. It is an indoor antenna and only has a 1.5m cable so it's location is limited, see photo.
To my amazement the meter connected immediately to the DCC when the engineer switched on the power and the indoor display started working as well. Apparently it doesn't always happen like this and can take up to 14 days for the smart meter to communicate successfully, if at all.

So in conclusion there is hope for those of you out there wanting a smart meter in a poor signal area using the SKU2/T2 antenna combination and also a flying lead if you don't have enough vertical space for the new smart meter.
I wasn't expecting this outcome when I got the initial replies from the energy companies so if you are in this position don't despair, persuade them to try a smart meter installation.
Also I believe if the SKU2/T2 antenna solution fails to communicate, DCC can fit a T3 external antenna which has a longer cable.

If any of this helps you and you are considering joining Octopus Energy, please use this link below and we both get £50.
share.octopus.energy/denim-rill-703

View attachment 144872 View attachment 144873

Great but this doesn't work in the north they use a different system with no option to add arials etc

 

[Jeremy Harris]

Hi could you please help me find out how to get a day/night reading please i have the same smart meter KAIFA

Bit off-topic, but I think you need a dual rate capable smart meter to get a way to read day and night usage natively. If you have a Kaifa MA120 then that's the non-dual rate meter, if you have the Kaifa MA120B then that is the 5 terminal dual rate version. In general, all 5 terminal smart meters should support dual tariff display, as they have the switch wire to activate off-peak loads.

I've heard that that some non-5 terminal smart meters that have a keypad may be able to be programmed to display the peak and off-peak sub-totals, but don't quote me on it, as it seems to depend very much on how they have been set up. Other than that you should be able to get hold of the peak and off-peak subtotals via the suppliers portal, I believe.

You can probably request that the smart meter be changed to one of the models that does support a dual rate tariff if you have a specific requirement for that. There are a handful of 5 wire smart meters available now that support dual rate tariffs.

 

[Rianne]

Thanks for getting back to me its all very confusing these are the only screens im getting

 

[Jeremy Harris]

That is the dual rate version, the MA120B. Looks like it has not been set up to display the two rates. Your supplier should be able to sort that out, assuming that you're on a dual rate tariff. They need to send the switching times to the meter and activate it's dual rate functionality, and then it should display peak and off-peak when you select the display option with the buttons.

 

[Rianne]

That is the dual rate version, the MA120B. Looks like it has not been set up to display the two rates. Your supplier should be able to sort that out, assuming that you're on a dual rate tariff. They need to send the switching times to the meter and activate it's dual rate functionality, and then it should display peak and off-peak when you select the display option with the buttons.

Thank you very much Jermey for helping me , i was getting charged £180 pounds a month when i joined scotish power with a small 2 bedroom flat so was therefore getting a bill for estimate readings as i could not do day and night readings. But now you have explained it better i can tell them the issue thank you again

 

[Jeremy Harris]

Thank you very much Jermey for helping me , i was getting charged £180 pounds a month when i joined scotish power with a small 2 bedroom flat so was therefore getting a bill for estimate readings as i could not do day and night readings. But now you have explained it better i can tell them the issue thank you again

Just read the manual for the Kaifa MA120B, and it should just automatically cycle through the display, showing both peak and off-peak readings. Looks very much as if yours hasn't been set up to work in dual rate mode, I think.

 

[Fordychap]

Only works in South half of UK, Northern uses LRR with Arqiva and no option with this radio frequency.

Actually a few of us here have tried and successfully connected an Arqiva 420MHz comms box by using a pair of passive antennas to boost and relay the signal.
It’s an old idea from my early days in RF electronics and it works. Full details elsewhere on this forum.

 

[RichardStables]

Hi all, we have been having an issue with our smets2 meter not communicating over the WAN to the DCC. We are in southern Scotland SP on the Arqiva long range radio system. The engineer came out today and told us the issue is the thick stone walls. The signal in the area is good (according to the DCC) but the meter just can’t communicate. He did however tell me the following. There is a new smart meter in development and this will have both the radio communicator and a mobile phone communicator in the same unit. if a signal cannot be obtained in one system it will try and use the other system. The phone communicator will use any available network (I guess a bit like the emergency calling function on most mobiles). He said the back office at his company (SMS - see link below)

Book a smart meter installation | SMS

To make an appointment to have your smart meter installed, you will need to check with your energy supplier that we are your appointed installer.

www.sms-plc.com

was actively training the engineers on how to install these new meters and the rumour is they will start being used in January/February 2023. The back office told him that we were now added to a list of properties who had a failed install and we would be contacted once the new type metres were available. I really hope this happens as we get a good mobile signal so it would fix our problems, hopefully this gives a bit of hope to the many frustrated people out there with non communications smets2 meters.

 

[daveiwthoir]

Yes I suffer from being in the north, incredible that again poor in nvestment and differen technologies don't allow us to m ok ve in to the 21st century

Welcome to levelling up, same here

 

[hunnymonster]

I'd treat anything SMSplc say with a pinch of salt approximately the size of Greenland. The idea particularly that they train their installers is demonstrably risible.