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possiblemouse
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March 11, 2024
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DCC region check request - Parbold (West Lancashire)

  • March 11, 2024
  • 11 replies
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Hi all,

 

First of all, hello, I’m new here! I'm trying to troubleshoot some issues with two smart meter installations in the North West of England. They both are with suppliers other than Ovo, I won’t mention names but their suppliers/supplier’s contractors haven’t been able to resolve their issues to date.

My primary question:

Which DCC region are postcodes WN8 7ED and WN8 7PE in? (both fairly big postcode areas so no privacy issues sharing these).

 

Further background:

Both properties are within around mile of each other. One has an SKU2 cellular + mesh comms hub (with no external antenna fitted which is suspicious) which I understand to be a “South Region” hub. The other has a “Standard 420”, which I understand is a “North Region” hub. Both are attached to SMETS2 Landis + Gyr type 5533 meters. They have both been left in an uncommissioned state and have never worked.

 

Any general advice is welcome, and I appreciate they ultimately need to get their energy supplier to resolve this issue no matter what the actual fault is, but I’d like to understand things better to be able to make sure the right things get done by the right people. Right now they’re being fobbed off with “there’s no 2G mobile signal where you live which is why it isn’t working” - which is obvious nonsense as SMETS2 meters use 3G, not 2G. They’ve even been told by their suppliers that it’s a 2G mobile signal between the gas meter and the electric meter, so I have very little faith in them being able to resolve it, and I am strongly recommending they switch away to a supplier with a clue.

 

Thanks.

Best answer by Blastoise186

I can answer the others for you - sorry for the wait! Being a volunteer in a bazillion places means that I can’t always hang around in one place all day. :(

The Cellular Comms Hubs cannot operate outside of CSP Central/South at all, unless the signal just so happens to reach beyond the border - which it can do in a few places. Likewise, LRR Comms Hubs definitely cannot operate outside of CSP North, unless the signal just happens to reach beyond the border, which does happen sometimes.

There is a crossover zone however, where both can operate alongside each other. Not exactly an intentional design feature IIRC, but useful all the same. It’s that crossover zone which can allow both types to operate in the same area at the same time.

If you’re in that crossover zone, installers can choose whichever type is considered most appropriate - usually based on signal strength and reliability in the area, but other factors come into play as well!

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possiblemouseAuthor
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March 11, 2024

OK, this probably explains it then. They’re about 25 miles north of the closest southern region, and that is just the tip of Wales. Vast majority of the border region is 30+ miles away, so I’d expect outside of any overlap area.

 

In any case, one for their energy supplier to resolve. Thanks for your help @Blastoise186, it’s appreciated.

 

Another useful link I found:

 

https://utilitiessavings.co.uk/info/guides/electricity-distributors/

 

Combined with the knowledge of if the MPAN starts 15, 16, 17, 18 or 23, it’s North. If the MPAN starts 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22 then it's South, then you get a pretty accurate picture of the regions.

    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