Testing an Electricity Meter

[Ross365]

I've just asked my supplier (OVO) about getting a test done to verify the accuracy of my meter readings. I have a vague recollection of a neighbour having such a test done some years ago and think they got it done for free. Ovo are asking a fee of £159 to do it. Has anyone had such a test done in recent times?

 

[hotponyshoes]

Surely there must be a fairly easy way of testing it yourself?

Start by turning off the main isolator and checking it's not counting.
Then just take a reading, run a known load (kettle?) a couple of times and read again.

If you have a volt meter and an amp clamp you could do it more accurately.
Or get one of those plug-in power monitors for <£20 and use that with the kettle test

 

[hotponyshoes]

Ps, if you're supplier is anything like mine they will just tell you the meter is out of date and insist on fitting a smart meter.

If you don't already have a smart meter I'm surprised they have not offered to fit you a new one already.

 

[Agroshield]

...if your supplier is anything like mine they will just tell you the meter is out of date and insist on fitting a smart meter.

I do not think they can insist on fitting a smart meter. They can say it is out of date and you can specify the replacement be a non-smart meter. Best to have their acceptance in writing and not let the installer into the house before making sure they know what type they are fitting.

On the testing, this is what the government have to say:

Electricity meters: independent testing of accuracy

What you can expect if you request a meter test.

www.gov.uk

Basically, you will only not pay for the test if the meter does prove faulty.

"Although the test is free, you may have to pay your energy supplier for organising it if your meter is found to be working correctly, which was the case for the vast majority of meters tested in 2021."

 

[cheb]

The old method used by the Hydro out here was to have two meters running on the same input and compare the readings.

 

[Kayos]

In my experience, when meters go faulty the readings are so wild they can only be faulty or they stop recording

This applies to both fiscal and sub meters

We monitor various projects for up to 10 years, proving the energy efficiency measures, we have one site that recorded a 4000% increase in energy use. Faulty meter

I have never seen a faulty meter give slightly off readings

 

[gaz1]

I've just asked my supplier (OVO) about getting a test done to verify the accuracy of my meter readings. I have a vague recollection of a neighbour having such a test done some years ago and think they got it done for free. Ovo are asking a fee of £159 to do it. Has anyone had such a test done in recent times?

why are you wanting a test done?

bills going higher and higher?

look what your using
bills are higher compared to normal, due to add ons and dont get me started about that standing meter charge

as goes for faulty only ever known them stop working or go high usage

if your meter is found to have a problem you can be fitted with a digital meter sort of a smart meter but not a smart meter itself

a simple load test you can do

There are two simple tests you can perform on a standard energy meter to check they're working properly. These are known as the Creep Test and the Load Test.

 

[Seadog]

Ps, if you're supplier is anything like mine they will just tell you the meter is out of date and insist on fitting a smart meter.

If you don't already have a smart meter I'm surprised they have not offered to fit you a new one already.

That was So Energy's latest ploy with me. I told them what they could do.

 

[jsf55]

That was So Energy's latest ploy with me. I told them what they could do.

Same here, i told them no signal in the area, like they know where i am still get the blurb through every now and then

 

[Ross365]

What's happening is that I'm finally having to have a new smart meter installed as the present one depends on Radio 4 signals for timing, and that will end next year. A good fraction of my bill is on Economy 7 low rate (or whatever that is called now). When ever I try and calculate how much electricity we use, I can never get it to come out very close to what they are charging for.
I thought they had to do a test for free, but seems not, so I can only do some sort of "DIY" test of some kind.

 

[hotponyshoes]

What's happening is that I'm finally having to have a new smart meter installed as the present one depends on Radio 4 signals for timing, and that will end next year. A good fraction of my bill is on Economy 7 low rate (or whatever that is called now). When ever I try and calculate how much electricity we use, I can never get it to come out very close to what they are charging for.
I thought they had to do a test for free, but seems not, so I can only do some sort of "DIY" test of some kind.

You'll have to read the small print.
Around our way, yes, I think they do do the test for free.
But, what actually happens is an independent tester comes out with a guy from the electric company who swaps your meter for a new one.
The independent guy takes your old meter away for testing.

If no fault is found then the electric company charge you for fitting the new meter.

 

[gaz1]

oh you mean the rts signal is being turned off the part that signals for off peak on and on peak times

be warned not even the new smart meters work right for peak times and off peak times

 

[lazybones51]

What's happening is that I'm finally having to have a new smart meter installed as the present one depends on Radio 4 signals for timing, and that will end next year. A good fraction of my bill is on Economy 7 low rate (or whatever that is called now). When ever I try and calculate how much electricity we use, I can never get it to come out very close to what they are charging for.
I thought they had to do a test for free, but seems not, so I can only do some sort of "DIY" test of some kind.

It's much easier to keep track of what you use and when with a smart meter, as most track usage every half hour and you can normally access the data via the suppliers website or app. For some this can help with budgeting.

For example this is from my suppliers (Octopus energy) website for yesterdays usage.

You'll have a better choice of tariffs with a smart meter as well.
I know i'm in the minority on here when I say I prefer having a smart meter

 

[MattF]

I know i'm in the minority on here when I say I prefer having a smart meter.

You're not the only one on here.

 

[reb78]

It's much easier to keep track of what you use and when with a smart meter, as most track usage every half hour and you can normally access the data via the suppliers website or app. For some this can help with budgeting.

For example this is from my suppliers (Octopus energy) website for yesterdays usage.

View attachment 472017

You'll have a better choice of tariffs with a smart meter as well.
I know i'm in the minority on here when I say I prefer having a smart meter

We had one fitted so we could do this and try and identify why our use is so high. The bloody thing doesn't work though so it was a pointless excercise! The monitor has been sat right next to the meter box for about 4 months now and still says 'searching for meter'. Surely they could make somethign that will at least connect locally to the meter without the need for a 2g/3g/whatever connection?

 

[lazybones51]

We had one fitted so we could do this and try and identify why our use is so high. The bloody thing doesn't work though so it was a pointless excercise! The monitor has been sat right next to the meter box for about 4 months now and still says 'searching for meter'. Surely they could make somethign that will at least connect locally to the meter without the need for a 2g/3g/whatever connection?

They do connect directly to the smart meter box via a "Smart Meter Home Area Network" (HAN). How far away from the meter is it? .

 

[Kayos]

It's much easier to keep track of what you use and when with a smart meter, as most track usage every half hour and you can normally access the data via the suppliers website or app. For some this can help with budgeting.

For example this is from my suppliers (Octopus energy) website for yesterdays usage.

View attachment 472017

You'll have a better choice of tariffs with a smart meter as well.
I know i'm in the minority on here when I say I prefer having a smart meter

Definitely not

We pay about 6p between midnight and 7am. Designed to charge the EVs but we also run the dishwasher, washing machine, dryer. The heat pump does the hot water and boosts the buffer tank, it also does it's weekly leigionella cycle

Saves a fortune, we only have electricity, no gas or oil

 

[reb78]

They do connect directly to the smart meter box via a "Smart Meter Home Area Network" (HAN). How far away from the meter is it? .

About 3ft.

I stuck it in the box with the meter for 8 hours after it was fitted but still nothing. Complete waste of time and resources having it fitted I'm afraid!

 

[Bornfree]

A set of jump leads shearing the meter load should normalise the readings.

 

[gaz1]

It's much easier to keep track of what you use and when with a smart meter, as most track usage every half hour and you can normally access the data via the suppliers website or app. For some this can help with budgeting.

For example this is from my suppliers (Octopus energy) website for yesterdays usage.

View attachment 472017

You'll have a better choice of tariffs with a smart meter as well.
I know i'm in the minority on here when I say I prefer having a smart meter

what a lot of balonni

if your careful with your usage and are aware of what is on, why do you need a smart meter to tell you that cods wallop

as goes for tarrifs they should be available for everyone wether you want a smart meter fitted or not instead of refused to have a tarrif as you dont want to fit a smart meter

just wait until the new peak and offpeak tarrifs comes for those smart meters

then just wait until your charged for them collecting that data as an extra charge on your bill