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matthewkevin84
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July 5, 2023
Solved

Enough space for a smart meter to be installed?

  • July 5, 2023
  • 46 replies
  • 3756 views

OVO are unable to fit a Smart Meter in the utilities department in the building of my flat due to heritage meters and apparently the whole building would need to be rewired.

 

Apparently I might be able to have the Smart Meter fitted inside my flat and I was wondering if anybody knows whether or not this the case?

 

OVO say it is not possible to book a further appointment with an engineer to view my flat (he did not do so in  the original visit) he only viewed the utility cupboard in the building of my flat.

I was wondering if  anyone could advise me whether or not it is possible for a Smart Meter to 

be fitted inside my flat?

 

 

Best answer by Lukepeniket_OVO

Updated on 20/03/25 by Ben_OVO

Hi guys and thank you @matthewkevin84 for the info, i’ve done some digging and found more photos.

 

L&G E470

Unfortunately the E470 is wider than the gap between the isolators so there is no room to fit it in there.

Also we would be unable to fit anything in the flat without the electric being fitted. You may have a Red Link Fuse in the apartment itself but we would be unable to move the meter up to that position.

Only solution i can currently see is to have a wider gap between each isolator but that would require an electrician to do.

Apologies for this one.

 

46 replies

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OVO Staff
Lukepeniket_OVOSolved
OVO Engineer
July 7, 2023

Updated on 20/03/25 by Ben_OVO

Hi guys and thank you @matthewkevin84 for the info, i’ve done some digging and found more photos.

 

L&G E470

Unfortunately the E470 is wider than the gap between the isolators so there is no room to fit it in there.

Also we would be unable to fit anything in the flat without the electric being fitted. You may have a Red Link Fuse in the apartment itself but we would be unable to move the meter up to that position.

Only solution i can currently see is to have a wider gap between each isolator but that would require an electrician to do.

Apologies for this one.

 

OVO Operations Excellence Manager and Former Field Operations Team Leader
    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    July 7, 2023

    Thanks Luke!

    Hmm… That’s going to be expensive… But at least you won’t have to pay that yourself.

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    matthewkevin84Author
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    July 7, 2023

    So I would only be able to have a Smart Meter fitted if I paid an electrician so a Smart Meter for myself would cost me, am I correct?

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    July 7, 2023

    Nope. The building owner needs to do this at their cost. 

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    matthewkevin84Author
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    August 9, 2023


     

    Thames Water recently fitted a Smart Meter on account of the fact that they could not locate a Meter that on or near the property that I could take a readings despite it looking to be almost certain that OVO can not fit a Smart Meter as previously discussed.

     

    British Gas attended the property yesterday (8th) and confirmed they could not  fit a Smart Meter but nevertheless I thought that I would inform the good people of this forum on this development and see what people think re the potential for an OVO to be able to fit a Smart Meter?

     

    Unsurprisingly the individual working for Thames Water who fitted the Smart Meter confirmed that it could not be used for OVO or Thames Water.

    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    August 9, 2023

    That’s a smart water meter which is significantly smaller than the electric variety so, as we’ve said previously, it would take a huge reconfiguration of the supply to be able to fit a smart electric meter unfortunately 

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      matthewkevin84Author
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      August 9, 2023

      I understand, I thought I might as well as on account of this new new occurence inform the forum of this new occurence.

        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        August 9, 2023

        I understand, I thought I might as well as on account of this new new occurence inform the forum of this new occurence.

        Are you going to ask an electrician if they can put in a smaller isolator box setup to give you more space for a smart meter? 

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        matthewkevin84Author
        Rank 2
        August 9, 2023

        Nope. The building owner needs to do this at their cost

         

        A Housing Association own the property so I will see what they say, presumably I just need to say in my communications what has been discussed on this forum but any further advice would be appreciated.

         

        Blastoise186 am I correct in thinking that my Housing Association can be compelled to foot the bill for all required work that would be needed in order to fit a Smart Meter?

          Blastoise186
          Super User
          Blastoise186Super User
          Super User
          August 9, 2023

          Well, technically… Yes. There’s no way for you to be able to do it and imo they screwed up when they installed the current setup. Typical really.

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