Can you supply a three phase smart meter?

Hi Dion, yes, that’s helpful so the two cables that go into the little black boxes then feed your consumer unit.  The two cables coming out of the meter on the right, one is marked N for neutral and the other with a black ring around it I suspect is also a neutral although I can’t see where it comes from.  The earth wires are all the green/yellow ones.

Also, when you have your PV installed, assuming it’s connected into your consumer unit as normal, I think you will need the cables that come from the two little boxes to your consumer unit upgraded, difficult to see but they do look thinner that the cables into/out of the meter.

Peter

Thanks gentlemen and please forgive further questions.

I understand that I do not have to have 3 phase to have solar panels.

We were told that if our system is over 6KWh on a single phase the PV installers will have to apply to DNO for permission for it to feed back into grid. Warning was that this would cause potential 12 weeks delay from DNO - any reasons why?

I assume that “upgrading to 3 phase” for us is likely to involve the DNO to reconnect/install fuses on the other side but effectively all infrastructure already in place. What would a likely charge be for that?

There would also need to be work by an electrician to connect the than “live” phases “B” and “C” to our home electrics.

Doesn’t that make our home into 415volts from the current 230v

Would we be using more electricity as a result of this assuming no other appliances connected no change in usage behaviour?

Would OVO be charging us more in their standing charge?

Hi Luke is the Kaifa 3 phase smart also economy 7?

All smart meters are capable of doing basic Economy 7 functionality. You only need a more advanced one if you need the ability to have the meter automatically flip circuits on and off at the right times as well. :)

You have to apply for permission from the DNA as they need to confirm that your PV output won’t be unbalancing a phase, it’s a complex calculation depending on the load at your substation, your distance from it and what else is happening in your neighbourhood.  Its possible that they might say you can’t have the Capacity you are planning, for example, I’n on a vehicle to grid trial and although I would be able to export 7kW from the car, I’m limited to 4kW by the DNO.

Hi Luke

Do you know if there is  a list I can register my interest for 3 phase meter? Is there some form of system whereby OVO informs me about the use/installation of these devices?

Regards

Dion

You're in luck actually. I believe @Tim_OVO is keeping track of forum members interested in the upgrade. :)

Yep I’ll add you to the list, @Dion van Overdijk - we’ve actually recently had an update on this internally and it’s on my to do list to update all 3-phase smart meter topics and anyone interested privately, so I’ll send you a message this week with an update. 

I am a longstanding Bub customer and they have refused to install a smart meter as we have a partial 3 phase supply.

We are installing solar PV and need to have a smart meter as part of this.

Any suggestions as to how to get this installed? Do we need to downgrade to single phase?

Hi @Nixster32 ,

This can be a tricky one. OVO is now starting to offer Three-Phase SMETS2 Smart Meters in certain areas and is slowly ramping up the availability as more engineers become available. I don’t know about Bulb though.

Can you show us photos of how everything is set up please? I’m great at advising about Smart Meters, but I’ll need to call in a few friends about the rest of it.