Do smart meters have inbuilt isolators?

[mattylad]

Having just changed supplier to reduce costs they are going to want to fit a smart meter, which I'm now not that bothered about and can see that (assuming it works) not having to read the meter makes it easier for me.

However, I had a new electric meter a few years back which included an isolator so my CU can be changed (not done yet).

Do all or any particular make of smart meters have inbuilt isolators too?
If you know what EON are fitting then that would be better.

Cheers

 

[AndyPRK]

Well they should leave the isolator which is the safe way to isolate

 

[mattylad]

Its part of the existing elec meter

 

[big-all]

hope you dont mind me hijacking this thread a bit
a smart meter will never ever save you on the cost off your normal energy amount used
where as changing supplier with a cheaper tariff as you have done will
the only way a smart meter saves you money is by you realizing where to reduce your actual consumption
or indeed by the meter cutting you off at times you dont really fancy being cut off but at a future date but you refuse to pay to subscribe to electric units at the new 4x the cost per unit at the ultra peak 20 mins after the end off love island or" jeremy kyle the the helpful years" so are disconnected for those times

 

[ericmark]

This U-Tube

video looks inside a smart meter and that one does have a disconnection relay, as to if all have them it is unknown.

The big question has to be why it has the ability to disconnect, if the fire brigade can disconnect then it could be looked at as an advantage where the supply fuse is not where they can easy access, however I don't think they have the option.

I like many live in a house where without lighting at night getting out of the house could involve danger, as a result I have a plug in automatic light which comes on in the event of a power cut, but not many people seem to use such devices, so activating the relay could cause danger, so why have it?

I can see how it helps the electric companies, specially in a house like mine where the meter is not in the main house but in the granny flat, so there could be a problem with access. However I see no benefit to me, so would not have one unless forced.

 

[mattylad]

Big-all - the only reason Id have a smart meter fitted is because its a PITA reading ours, the leccy is down in the depths of the cellar and a pain to get to, the gas is at the back of a corner kitchen unit that I have to remove all sorts of stuff to get to.
Other than that, I see no other use for them, the possibility of seeing whats being used and if my eldest lad has left his power station consuming PC on or not may also be handy

 

[bernardgreen]

Do smart meters have inbuilt isolators ?

No they do not,

What they have is a remotely controlled single pole contactor that can disconnect the supply to the house. This cannot be considered as an isolator for when isolation is necessary for work to be carried out safely on the electrical installation.

 

[ericmark]

Do smart meters have inbuilt isolators ?

No they do not,

What they have is a remotely controlled single pole contactor that can disconnect the supply to the house. This cannot be considered as an isolator for when isolation is necessary for work to be carried out safely on the electrical installation.

You are clearly correct, a normally closed relay would not be considered as an isolator and single pole also not considered as an isolator so clearly not an isolator, however I would guess the question was more about if they can remotely disconnect supply than technically isolate supply.

 

[Taylortwocities]

When the original requiremets for SMs was issued, it included an isolator (similar to the one that the OP had in his old meter). As the SM project rolled on, "they" looked for economies, and the isolator switch was an early casualty.

 

[JohnW2]

... a smart meter will never ever save you on the cost off your normal energy amount used
where as changing supplier with a cheaper tariff as you have done will. the only way a smart meter saves you money is ...

Whilst what you say is largely true (as things currently are, 'smart' meters, per se, can obviously not reduce electricity costs), it's not quite as simple as that. As I discovered earlier this year when I researched suppliers and eventually 'switched' and increasing number of the cheapest tariffs on offer are only available to those who agree to have a 'smart' meter fitted.

Hence, whilst 'smart' meters, per se, cannot currently reduce costs, whereas changing supplier can, do the latter (changing to one of the cheapest suppliers) may well require one to agree to having a 'smart' meter.

It is obviously theoretically possible that smart meters could eventually result in some saving of cost, if it facilitates cheaper electricity at times of lowest demand, but that's not happening at present, and may well never happen (probably quite the converse!!).

Kind Regards, John

 

[AndyPRK]

What someone recommended previous is, simply purchase an isolator.

e.g
https://www.screwfix.com/p/wylex-100a-dp-isolator-with-enclosure/321fr

or from toolstation.

Give the meter man biscuits and ask if it wouldn't mind fitting it at the same time.
I don't know how well this will work with SM fitters and they are incapabile of doing the simplist of things.

You maybe able to return the item if its not fitted


or delay SM fitment until the new CU is fitted? But I guess you don't have the money now

 

[davelx]

the leccy is down in the depths of the cellar

I wonder if the radio signal that the SM uses to communicate can get down into depth of the cellar? Does your mobile phone work down there? Do the installers check for satisfactory comms before they install the meters?

 

[mattylad]

I just might do that Andy, the current arrangement is a meter then into blocks then into the old CU's.
Yes, Id on't really have the dosh for a new CU right now. I do have a new CU waiting, but that's been waiting for fitting since pre part P introduction so likely to not get fitted as is lol.

 

[mattylad]

Good point Dave, yes I think I do get phone signal.
Not sure if the meter network will work there tho, sometimes front to back of house signals are poor.

 

[SimonH2]

... and that one does have a disconnection relay, as to if all have them it is unknown.

Yes, they all have them - it's a mandatory part of the spec.

The big question has to be why it has the ability to disconnect

That's been covered many times before. There are three main reasons that come immediately to mind :

• To allow rolling, fine grained, "blackouts" in situations where load must be shed to get total demand within the capacity of generation available at the time.
• To allow disconnection when in pre-pay mode and credit runs out.
• To allow remote disconnection in other situations where disconnection can currently be authorised by entry and removal of the main fuse. Of course we all believe the assurances that the checks will be at least as rigorous as they are now before arranging for a gang of police, DNO technician, possibly dog handler, etc to physically visit the property to disconnect the supply. We do believe them don't we

As I discovered earlier this year when I researched suppliers and eventually 'switched' and increasing number of the cheapest tariffs on offer are only available to those who agree to have a 'smart' meter fitted.

Which is not a surprise really. Given the pressure they are under to get them fitted, or at the least offered, to everyone - that's one way of meeting your target and dodging the fines.