Skip to main content
I
Rank 2
ID_South
Rank 2
August 11, 2022
Solved

Smart Meter installation not possible due to an earth leakage trip switch?

  • August 11, 2022
  • 20 replies
  • 2801 views

I am looking for some advice regarding my elderly father's meter installation.

My father had a letter from his supplier advising him that he needed to have a smart meter installed because the radio switching service that controls his off-peak storage radiators is expected to be de-commissioned next March. My father agreed to the installation and I arranged to be present.

In the event, the installer declined to fit a smart meter on the grounds that there is an earth leakage trip switch on the supplier side of the meter (installed by the Southern Electricity Board in the 1970s) and it is now policy to install trip switches on the customer side of the meter. He suggested that we either employ an electrician to move/replace the trip switch or manage without the smart meter. He pointed out that the off peak switching is managed by a clock and so is not affected by the radio switching issue.

I was surprised that the householder would be responsible for wiring on the supplier side of the meter but when I contacted them they confirmed that this is the case. I indicated that in that case we would probably do without a smart meter but was told that even though the switching is not radio-controlled, the supplier may still disconnect my father's heating next March. I suspect this is a bluff but as my father is in his nineties it is worrying.

Has anyone else encountered this situation?

I can post a picture of my father's existing meters and wiring if it helps.
 

Best answer by Lukepeniket_OVO

Updated on 07/10/25 by Chris_OVO:

 

If you could post those photos, that would help a lot. :)

Hi Blastoise,

Here is the photo:

Existing setup for standard supply and night storage heating

 

 

Hello, a lot to digest on this one, your biggest issue is the Earth Leakage Device between the cutout and meter and you’re right its not something us engineers can touch.

 

It's a lovely restricted hour setup aswell hence the two meters, small grey meter for domestic supply and the black meter with mechanical time clock for the heating/hot water. Due to it being mechanical time clock we won't be turning off any radio signals to that as it doesn't use it.

 

The only way to resolve and get a smart meter installed is to have both one of our engineers and a electrician on site at the same time.

 

20 replies

Show previous replies
Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
August 15, 2022

From my understanding, if it’s an earth cable, exposed copper isn’t quite as scary as it would be on a neutral or live cable, but still not ideal. I think the main risk would come from if that cable gets energised by something and then you touch the copper at the same time. Unlikely, but not impossible.

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
I
Rank 2
ID_SouthAuthor
Rank 2
August 15, 2022

the very old Fuseboard, because that is what it used to be until someone fitted plug-in MCBs ,could really do with replacement but as your Dad is in his nineties you might decide not to do that.

 

I think you have hit the nail on the head. If it were my house I would see it as an opportunity to tidy up and a worthwhile investment. However, my father is now of the mindset that anything that is not urgent can wait until after he is gone.

It's a shame because just fitting the SMART meter would rationalise some of the wiring (as Blastoise has pointed out). As I understand it, the objection to the current location of the trip switch is on policy not safety grounds - so does the supplier not have any discretion to fit the SMART with the trip switch still in place?

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
August 15, 2022

 As I understand it, the objection to the current location of the trip switch is on policy not safety grounds

 

And that’s where it gets complicated for me. I don’t know the policy either I’m afraid, but I do have reason to think that this arrangement is more vulnerable to a certain type of risk that I’m not keen to talk about openly. All I can say is that this particular risk has basically been eliminated in newer setups where the switch is on the other side.

Sorry I can’t be more helpful than that, but I don’t want to risk anyone else getting ideas. Having had a chat with a moderator, I felt that this strikes a reasonable balance between giving you useful advice and not encouraging abuse by anyone else.

Don’t worry though - they will alert me privately if they feel I’m giving too much away.

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
I
Rank 2
ID_SouthAuthor
Rank 2
August 15, 2022

  I do have reason to think that this arrangement is more vulnerable to a certain type of risk

 

Well, as a result of some previous googling, I had read an explanation why it is now policy not to install isolator switches prior to the meter and I guess exactly the same logic applies to trip switches. So I won't discuss the explanation here. However, do you think there is any possibility of finding someone who might be able to make an exception in this case?

 

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
August 15, 2022

Could you send me that explanation by PM by any chance? I won’t share it anywhere, but I’m just curious if it matches up with what I know. You can access my PM’s via my profile here.

As for making exceptions? Erm… I really don’t know to be honest. All I can say is that I don’t think you can get an exemption easily.

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
PeterR1947
Newcomer
PeterR1947
Newcomer
August 15, 2022

From my understanding, if it’s an earth cable, exposed copper isn’t quite as scary as it would be on a neutral or live cable, but still not ideal. I think the main risk would come from if that cable gets energised by something and then you touch the copper at the same time. Unlikely, but not impossible.

It looks to me as though the wire I think you are referring to Blastoise is terminated onto an earth block which is exposed anyway; as long as the earth is maintained, I think it’s unlikely that this could become live

PeterR
Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
August 16, 2022

Ok, just so that other people know, myself and @ID_South did discuss that matter out the back and agreed it’s best to keep that information private.

However, after chatting with the moderators, I’m going to play a joker card and introduce you to @Lukepeniket_OVO . If anyone can solve this puzzle, our resident engineer certainly can!

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
    L
    OVO Staff
    Lukepeniket_OVOSolved
    OVO Engineer
    August 16, 2022

    Updated on 07/10/25 by Chris_OVO:

     

    If you could post those photos, that would help a lot. :)

    Hi Blastoise,

    Here is the photo:

    Existing setup for standard supply and night storage heating

     

     

    Hello, a lot to digest on this one, your biggest issue is the Earth Leakage Device between the cutout and meter and you’re right its not something us engineers can touch.

     

    It's a lovely restricted hour setup aswell hence the two meters, small grey meter for domestic supply and the black meter with mechanical time clock for the heating/hot water. Due to it being mechanical time clock we won't be turning off any radio signals to that as it doesn't use it.

     

    The only way to resolve and get a smart meter installed is to have both one of our engineers and a electrician on site at the same time.

     

    OVO Operations Excellence Manager and Former Field Operations Team Leader
      I
      Rank 2
      ID_SouthAuthor
      Rank 2
      August 16, 2022

      Thanks for the information. I will discuss with my father when I next visit but I suspect he will be happy enough that his heating will continue to work beyond next March and will probably prefer to leave the SMART meter for the future to take care of.

        L
        OVO Staff
        Lukepeniket_OVO
        OVO Engineer
        August 16, 2022

        I would agree bud, restricted hour setups are brilliant tariffs aswell.

        OVO Operations Excellence Manager and Former Field Operations Team Leader
          Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

          OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

          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