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Johnson2025
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July 25, 2025
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Switched from E7 to single rate, support can't help with adjusting the ALCS timing

  • July 25, 2025
  • 16 replies
  • 366 views

Hi, everyone

Recently, I switched to a single-rate tariff. But the heater circuit only goes live during off-peak periods (because I was on Economy 7 tariff before). So after read some replies on the internet, I had a two chats with OVO advisors via online chat and requested them to adjust the ALCS timing to make my heater circuit always live 24/7.

The 1st chat wasn’t helpful at all.

The 2nd reply I had : this isn't something our support team can carry out due to the functionality of the meter itself, with this being a dual rate and wired as such. The only alternative options would be to have this exchanged to a single rate meter at a cost. 

 

Can anyone confirm this can be done remotely by adjusting the ALCS timing? If so How do I get the right person to do it?

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

ref: https://forum.ovoenergy.com/smart-meters-136/how-can-i-get-my-economy-7-times-changed-so-my-underfloor-heating-comes-on-earlier-15585

https://www.reddit.com/r/OctopusEnergy/comments/1ddbpuo/switched_from_economy_7_to_agile_will_they_update/

Best answer by Emmanuelle_OVO

Updated on 08/12/25 by Ben_OVO

Hey ​@Johnson2025,

I’ve had a response from a metering expert:

Our metering engineers are not permitted to alter the wiring configuration of the customer's property as we cannot confirm that the customer's equipment that is currently connected to the off-peak circuit is suitable for a constant load. Some equipment such as storage heaters are not designed to be on 24/7, and doing so may lead to increased bills and potential damage.

In addition to this, altering the timing of the meter's ALCS connection to be permanently closed, would result in the Proteus EHC1 contactor being permanently engaged which would contravene the manufacturer's intended use.  

In a scenario where a customer requests a tariff change from multirate to single rate, OVO would replace the meter and install an isolation switch. The existing off-peak circuit would be left disconnected from the new single rate meter installation, leaving the customer's electrician responsible for reconnecting the previously off-peak circuit to the new permanently energised isolation switch if they deem it suitable.

16 replies

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
July 25, 2025

Hi ​@Johnson2025 ,

Can you just show us your meter real quick please?

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Johnson2025Author
Rank 2
July 25, 2025

Hi ​@Johnson2025 ,

Can you just show us your meter real quick please?

 

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
July 25, 2025

Thanks. This should be possible via SMETS Command. Ask OVO to try it one more time and if they resist for the same reasons, remind the agent that an OVO Forum Volunteer has confirmed it’s possible - that sometimes gets these unstuck.

Let us know if that still doesn’t help!

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    Johnson2025Author
    Rank 2
    July 25, 2025

    Thanks. This should be possible via SMETS Command. Ask OVO to try it one more time and if they resist for the same reasons, remind the agent that an OVO Forum Volunteer has confirmed it’s possible - that sometimes gets these unstuck.

    Let us know if that still doesn’t help!

    In the 3rd chat I had they resisted for the same reasons(need a meter exchange as the wiring will need to be rewired) even after I mentioned OVO Forum Volunteer has confirmed it’s possible.

    Firedog
    Super User
    FiredogSuper User
    Super User
    July 25, 2025

    Your heating circuit is energized by the 100A Proteus contactor, which is controlled by the meter’s ALCS passing a signal via the thin grey cable. To have your heating circuit always on, you just need to bypass the Proteus. If Support can’t get the ECAUL request to reconfigure the ALCS calendar to work, I think a competent electrician could perform the bypass surgery quickly and easily, and indeed safely and reversibly.
     

    Noel | I have no official status; I'm just a volunteer who comes here to help other customers. My gear: Aclara SGM 1416-B Electricity-only E7 meter; Chameleon IHD3-PPMID-AAA | It may look as if I know what I’m talking about, but don’t let that fool you. |
      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      July 28, 2025

      Any update on this ​@Johnson2025?

      Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
      J
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      Johnson2025Author
      Rank 2
      July 28, 2025

      Your heating circuit is energized by the 100A Proteus contactor, which is controlled by the meter’s ALCS passing a signal via the thin grey cable. To have your heating circuit always on, you just need to bypass the Proteus. If Support can’t get the ECAUL request to reconfigure the ALCS calendar to work, I think a competent electrician could perform the bypass surgery quickly and easily, and indeed safely and reversibly.
       

      I asked one who did EICR for me, he said I will need to contact my energy provider to ask them to disconnect it as it’s their equipment.

      J
      Rank 2
      Johnson2025Author
      Rank 2
      July 28, 2025

      Any update on this ​@Johnson2025?

      No...

       

      The advisors don’t seem to have knowledge about this. They just get replies from the back office team and give me a conclusion without asking me to send a photo of the meter.

      I believe it can be done remotely, but I never get through to the right person. 

      I don’t know what to do next, maybe I have to follow their procedure and book an appointment with them to get the meter changed.

      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      July 29, 2025

      I’m sorry to hear that, I wonder if you should use the webchat function & link the agent to this topic url ​@Johnson2025. As it also contains photos of your set up. 
       

      Webchat

       

      • If you select ‘chat with us’ at the bottom of the Help Centre page you’ll need to have personal info to hand, like your email address, home address and postcode.

       

      • After this you’ll be passed through to one of our advisors. They might also ask you some further security questions.

       

      Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
      Ben_OVO
      Community Manager
      Ben_OVO
      Community Manager
      July 29, 2025

      Hi ​@Johnson2025 / ​@Blastoise186.

       

      I’ve heard back from a manager in our Complex Metering team and he has confirmed:

       

      We are not allowed to change a restricted supply to an unrestricted supply and vice versa. The ALCS/load switching functionality on the meter is not something at we would set to 24/7. This would only even be set to Economy 7, Economy 10 timings etc.

      To change a supply from restricted to unrestricted would require the intervention of a qualified electrician.

       

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