I think we've all worked out that 'noseall' knows nothing about smart meters...
And one of his disciples is blooming ignorant as well
Panorama - The Smart Meter mess
- Thread starter Harry Bloomfield
- Start date
And one of his disciples is blooming ignorant as well
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That revived memories from the distant past, as I recall all uses of silicone ( including thing like silicon rubber etc ) were to be avoided. The vapour attacked metals used for contact pads in relays. The approved lubricant for mechanisms was a graphite based mixture known as Oil-dag
I'm not but feel there should be a lot more info on faults around when there isn't. Also contradictions at times. I quoted some from the BBC link.
Nwgs2 problems. I see that a little differently. They shouldn't happen so the problem is the meter that failed. On this score I am inclined to agree with the bloke in the rather long video I linked to. The meter job should not have been given to the suppliers as they will view it purely commercially and put what ever they can think of in them. More complexity means more chance for errors in the design and unforeseen results. Lack of thought about when failure modes occur figure as well.
From the meter of course.
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So not turning off supplies in the millions? Nice find...
You mean he has limited patience, for dealing with fools, and their foolish lies.
Nice set of contradictions though isn't it.
If that is the case then how does the meter get to know the current price per kWh ?
I deal with and use tech all the time. I am not against smart meters in general, but against the ****ing stupid designs and systems we're getting lumbered with, and the attitude of those pushing them.
The smart way to deal with information security is to collect and store as little of it as possible - the unsmart way the system has been designed is to collect far more than is needed. The only information needed is the total amount of lecky consumed, in a billing period, at each rate charged - the old Ferraris disk meters could do that for 2 or 3 rates ! There is no need to collect & store the detailed usage that they do.
The smart way is to be honest. The unsmart was is to simply lie - e.g. "the system is completely secure". And to add to that, not only does this mean a massive database, but one that is open to "many" users (as a minimum, every energy supplier has access) which multiplies the attack vectors.
As to the remote disconnection feature, well I can see both sides of the arguments there. But since I assume no supplier is going to accept a "strict liability" for any incorrect disconnection*, then I not keen to voluntarily have one added to my supply - at least, not until I've got the wiring sorted for easy genny hookup and some other stuff. Of course, if a supplier is so certain that mistakes are never made, then they shouldn't see any problem accepting such a liability ...
* As in "dear supplier, please provide a contractual statement, signed by a board member on behalf of your company, than should I be disconnected for any reason whatsoever outside of those laid down in law for poor credit (and for the avoidance of doubt, switching me to pre-pay such that I 'self-disconnect' is deemed a disconnection by yourselves), you will without argument or delay make a compensation payment to myself for £<some amount> plus an additional payment of £<something> per calendar day or part thereof during which the supply is disconnected. Any such payment will not remove my ability to seek other forms of redress. Should the disconnection be due to actions of a third party (e.g. another supplier incorrectly commanding the wrong meter) then you will still make the agreed payments to me, and seek redress from that third party should you choose to."
Each meter has a nominal service life. When your current meter reaches that time, they can contact you and inform you that they are going to change your meter - I think they are legally required to change it. You'll find that they won't then fit a "dumb" meter, so your choice will be to accept a new "smart" meter, or be disconnected as they can't legally supply you. As an end user, you do not have any choice over the meter the supplier (or their contractors) fit - your legal rights are only that the supplier's meter must be accurate. If you refuse to have the supplier's choice of meter installed, then they have a right to not install one at all and leave you unsupplied if that is your preference.
At present, you can insist that some of the "smart" stuff be disabled - e.g. the unreasonable data collection. But given the regular stories of "accidental cockups" I wouldn't trust this not to get accidentally altered without notice.
As long as your supplier does still buy and stock "dumb" meters then the above doesn't apply yet. Anecdotally, it seems they've stopped buying dumb meters already ...
Which, unless you let them in voluntarily at their first visit, means they then have to go back to court for a warrant for forced entry. Which shows that claims that there is no difference in process for smart and non-smart meters are "incorrect".
It brings to mind conversations with a friend that used to be involved with such visits. Someone from the supplier (or their contractor to do the work), a couple of "heavies" to deal with the occupant, a dog handler if there's any hint of a dog in the property, and a police officer to ensure everything's done properly and possibly intervene if things turn ugly.
So good for you, your sample of one went well, therefore you extrapolate that to mean no-one else ever has a problem.
There are plenty of stories around of people who HAVE had serious problems - and butting up against suppliers who don't seem willing or able to sort things.
There are also stories of people getting switched to pre-pay or cut off because a different supplier made a mistake - and then either remotely switched the wrong smart meter, or forced entry and physically swapped the meter (yes, it can happen with both types, it's just a lot easier for the supplier with a smart meter as they don't need to go back to the court for a warrant for entry). And unlike with the old key loaded type, from what I gather, with smart meters in pre-pay mode it can be a nightmare (i.e. impossible) trying to add credit if the system can't tie everything up. I have read reports of this sort of thing, but given how many problems there are, I can't actually find an example now amongst all the other problems.
As an aside, if a gas meter is switched off remotely, it cannot be switched back on - that requires the user to do it. Two reasons: one is that it makes power management so much easier if the user has to provide the energy needed to move the valvle against it's spring; but more importantly, it would not be safe as there could be appliances without (or with faulty) flame supervision that are turned on. Thus turning the gas back one without someone actually present to check could mean filling a property with gas from an appliance left turned on.
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That is quite dishonest, I have never claimed that "no one else ever has a problem".
From the supplier - the meter has two-way comms.. How do you suppose they can instruct the meter to switch off, or on, without two-way comms?
The update time on the electrics is mainly aimed at live monitoring for the producers. Off peak gets a mention but is only of any use if the unit that intends to use it has it's own timer. Update rate again still of use for the producers.
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My mate had a gas SM fitted a after I told him not to and as part of the fitting that checked the other gs equipment - namely a gas oven and they condemned it not safe because ther was no wall anchor on the bottom of he oven although there was one fitted at to top. He had to get his regular gas boiler service chap out to "un condemn" it, or un - un safe it.
Are these SM installers idiots - is it just a 4 hour training course and off they go.
Are these SM installers idiots - is it just a 4 hour training course and off they go.
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