Aclara SMETS2 smart meter communication hub lights - what do the flashing sequences indicate?

Yes, it’s most likely that a WAN fault is terminal.

It does rather depend on why the WAN indicator has entered this state. There is a small possibility that the transceiver section is still “live” and that WNC have left themselves a strategy whereby the software can be restarted via a remote command. But if there really is no connection to the Telefonica Network, then no commands can get through.

We have to remember that the companies supplying this smart metering equipment are all highly reputable. Their hardware and software has been through extensive testing by 3rd parties before it is certificated for connection to the National Smart Meter Network.

So if a piece of essential communications has failed several months after installation, then this isn’t due to any lack of expertise and diligence on the part of the manufacturers. If the design was problematic by nature, then it would never have got as far as being installed on your site.

Whilst I don’t know your exact post-code, it isn’t possible to appraise just your particular location and decide whether there is the signal strength for you to use an SKU1 Comms Hub. There’s more to it than that.

A SKU2 Comms Hub not only has Mesh capability, but the internal WAN transceiver can be supplemented with an external aerial. You can see photographs of the T1 & T2 types on the new Smart Meter Health Check tutorial. There are also two types of T3 aerials, but they don’t get fitted by OVO.

Until an engineer has revisited the CCDB map, we can’t tell if your SKU1 is still deemed satisfactory, nor whether a SKU2 would resolve the issue we’re now discussing.

@Transparent "Until an engineer has revisited the CCDB map, we can’t tell if your SKU1 is still deemed satisfactory, nor whether a SKU2 would resolve the issue we’re now discussing."

@Tim_OVO has recently raised a concern with the expert team. If they were asked to check out the CCDB  map, would they be willing to do this ?

I am gutted that I didn't have a SKU2 unit installed as I read your comment about an external aerial that could be fitted to boost the WAN signal 😥 

@MikeE wrote: If they were asked to check out the CCDB  map, would they be willing to do this ?

Certainly they would. As it appears you’re likely to need a site visit, I can’t see OVO sending an engineer to your house without first checking the CCDB to establish what equipment he’ll need!

Equally, if the CCDB reveals (for example) that Telefonica switched off the transmitter you were connected to on 13th August, then you probably won’t need a site visit at all!

I am gutted that I didn't have a SKU2 unit installed as I read your comment about an external aerial that could be fitted to boost the WAN signal

So it’s a good job I haven’t mentioned the SKU3 then?!

Seriously… you don’t get any “better service” by having an SKU2. It’s a matter of having the correct unit for your location.

Something happened on 13th August which fatally changed the connectivity of your site. Until an engineer can track that down I’m sure they won’t be discussing a different type of SKU.

All SMETS2 meters are connected to the same National Smart Meter Network. Have you yet spoken to any of your immediate neighbours to see if they too have SMETS2 installations and whether their WAN connections are operational?

Do you yet know if any of them have an SKU2 Comms Hub?

Please remember that the entire world can see this discussion. They may not all be posting comments here, but I can assure you that this Topic hasn’t reached over 800 “views” from just @Tim_OVO, you and I!

There’s a lot of interest out there.

@Transparent I don't think that the World is watching this topic, it's just that the same forum members are checking out any new posts when they get email notifications. That's what I do anyway :)

As far as I know there is no transmitter fault as it would come up on https://www.o2.co.uk/coveragechecker also I have no problems with my 4G signal and neither do my neighbours.

I have googled it and there are only 4 network operators in the UK and all other operators 'piggyback' on them (as you know)

In my case I am with Sky Mobile which uses the O2 network and as O2 is part of the Telefonica group I know that the mast at the bottom of my street by the 24 hour garage is a Telefonica mast as it is on that O2 network link above.

I think that it is more likely to be a software update that went wrong as I get a fair 4G signal in my house (2 bars) and outside in my garden I get 4 bars which is the most I can get on a S9+

When I type my postcode into that link I get this:

As you can see from the postcode result, I get a good signal at my address. My address is the A and the other marker is the Telefonica mast.

Incidentally the mast that I was on about is displayed in my screenshot.

I just thought of a question as you will probably know the answer and I don't know why I didn't think of it before !

You said that smartmeters use the zigbee (secure) network well do they put these transmitters on the mast in question if not I don't know how it works?

I have a theory about zigbee using Telefonica (which is a Spanish company) as I think they bought out BT at some stage and this explains  the network coverage ?

I agree @MikeE - that coverage looks good from the O2 mast. Bear in mind, however, that the Smart Meter signals are separate from other GSM communications, even though they use a modification of the 3G system and share the same frequencies.

The ZigBee signal used for your Home Area Network has nothing to do with Telefonica. It’s operating with a range of 100m (max) from your Communications Hub. The power level is very low… probably no more than 0.1W.

@Transparent I am confused as you did earlier on in this thread mention Telefonica ?

If zigbee only has a range of around 100 metres then what method does zigbee use if it doesn't use the Telefonica network ?

@MikeE  : Telephonica (o2) is how the devices communicate to the billing system, zigbee (secure and short range) is how the IHD communicates to the hub (meter)

@Jequinlan I understand now. Cheers :)

The Zigbee network in your home is intended to operate with a growing number of smart devices which can be triggered by signals sent from your Comms Hub. It’s not just the IHD and the SMETS2 Gas Meter which will be attached to it.

The software in each Comms Hub also has a feature called Auxiliary Load Control Switches. You can read more about that over here on the SMETS2 Installation Topic.

The network protocols are assigned and controlled by the Zigbee Alliance, an independent organisation which maintains the standard. This enables 3rd-party manufacturers to produce smart white-goods, knowing that they are capable of being paired with your Comms Hub should you choose to do so.

For reasons I don’t yet understand, Kaluza has decided to avoid using the ALCS system to send commands to devices controlled by their Flex Platform. Instead they have developed an encrypted/secure protocol which operates across the internet. Even so, their protocols have been developed in consultation with the National Cyber Security Centre (the “public” arm of GCHQ).

It's just a waiting game now !

I know that the Telefonica mast that I have mentioned is working as yesterday I took a short walk (as I had to get some stuff from the 24 hour garage) and the signal strength gradually got stronger from around-79 dB in the vicinity of my house to around -45 dB when I was only a few metres away from the mast under signal strength.

I just hope you are right about WNC  being able to send a remote command to restore the link without the need to send out an engineer.