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Dil1980
Rank 1
May 10, 2023 10:43 AM UTC
Solved

Been told I can't get a smart meter fitted due to metal casing- why?

Yesterday engineer came to change smets 1 to smets2 and he was checking electric smart meter he said he can't do it because the meter box has a metal door. The box is wood but the door only metal. Any advice I’d really appreciate thanks.

BPLightlog
BPLightlogBest Answer
Super User
May 13, 2023 10:47 AM UTC

Updated on 13/10/26 by Abby_OVO

 

A metal box/housing around the meter may disrupt the signal so that it won’t send reads to us. If you’re unsure reach out to our Support Team for advice. Meter boxes fall under the customer’s responsibility. If you’d like to change your meter box, you can buy them from merchants like Travis Perkins.

 

Yes there are exceptions but there is advice from the DCC who are responsible for collecting the data from the smart meter. 
 

There’s probably a way around it

As a note, while the neighbour’s meter may be a Smets2, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s functioning correctly in smart mode and sending meter reading and may have been replaced as part of a meter certification necessity where this meter model was the only available meter.

 

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9 replies

Abby_OVO
Community Manager
Abby_OVO
Community Manager
May 11, 2023 1:32 PM UTC

Hey @Dil1980 

 

Sorry you’re having trouble getting the electric meter changed. 

 

We don’t have access to accounts here at the Forum so we wouldn’t be able to see the reasoning as to why this booking couldn’t go ahead. It may be best to contact our Support Team to find out more information on why they were unable to fit the new smart meter.

 

It is curious that they say they were unable to fit the second generation (newer model) smart meter, what exactly did the engineer say to you about it? I’ve not heard of this type of box being an issue before, would you be able to share a photo of the meter and more so meter box, with us so we can get a better understanding of the set up?

 

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Dil1980Author
Rank 1
May 11, 2023 4:14 PM UTC

Thanks for your reply

Engineer he's said I am not allowed to change smart meter because of meti door 

 

BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
May 12, 2023 8:06 AM UTC

Hi @Dil1980 lots of energy suppliers say that they can’t install a smart meter if the enclosure is metal. This is due to the possible problem with the metal blocking the signal from the smart meter 

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Dil1980Author
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May 12, 2023 11:10 AM UTC

Most of UK property electric inside box like my flat too

BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
May 12, 2023 11:13 AM UTC

Most of UK property electric inside box like my flat too

Most of the ones I’ve seen are GRP

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Dil1980Author
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May 12, 2023 1:53 PM UTC

This is 2 smart meter 1 for my property other one for my neighbour .

All flat and house around here all same .

Newcomer
WelshPaul
Newcomer
May 13, 2023 10:34 AM UTC

Interesting… When my Smart meters were installed a few years ago, we had a plastic type of enclosure. The council upgraded the external cladding of our property (or should I say theirs? 😂) 3 or 4 years back and at the time they replaced the old external plastic electric meter box with a rather large metal one. Our SMETS 1 meter continues to work just fine.

    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper UserBest Answer
    Super User
    May 13, 2023 10:47 AM UTC

    Updated on 13/10/26 by Abby_OVO

     

    A metal box/housing around the meter may disrupt the signal so that it won’t send reads to us. If you’re unsure reach out to our Support Team for advice. Meter boxes fall under the customer’s responsibility. If you’d like to change your meter box, you can buy them from merchants like Travis Perkins.

     

    Yes there are exceptions but there is advice from the DCC who are responsible for collecting the data from the smart meter. 
     

    There’s probably a way around it

    As a note, while the neighbour’s meter may be a Smets2, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s functioning correctly in smart mode and sending meter reading and may have been replaced as part of a meter certification necessity where this meter model was the only available meter.

     

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      Rank 1
      Dil1980Author
      Rank 1
      May 13, 2023 9:57 PM UTC

      Ok I understand that but my neighbour smart meter smets2 British gas. Why work for my neighbour no issues at why not working for me not make any sense.

       

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      OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

      OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd