Is a smart meter mandatory? As an amateur radio operator I'm worried the signals may interfere

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
January 1, 2022
32 replies
1534 views

I am informed my meter is out of test and needs replacing. Am I obliged to have a smart meter? I have a complex WiFi arrangement with multiple access points, I run a local web and email server requiring constant power and I am also a practising licensed amateur radio operator regularly transmitting signals of the order of 50-100 Watts. I already experience serious interference from local sources such as VDSL and other people’s faulty “home plugs”. I have also read of all the issues which can arise from smart meter installation, including reports of electrical faults being introduced by the installing engineer (who on occasions with some companies has apparently been shown to be uncertified) and failure of the installation to properly communicate, giving users sometimes months of grief with much blame-passing between providers of various parts of the infrastructure. I would much prefer to stay un-smart and provide nice, simple meter readings! Is this possible, or am I legally obliged to go “smart”?

Best answer by Lukepeniket_OVO

Hello all and happy new year!

As @Blastoise186 has already mentioned smart is designed to not interfere with users installations through the use of ZigBee network, I Will say you both will know more than me about the wireless communications of technology but I believe you can find more information about it from government websites.

My manager has actually had smart (south central through the mobile networks) and is a keen radio enthusiast, HAM I believe, and has had no problems?

@Blastoise186 ofcourse my info and experience is for the South/Central CSP and the North might be slightly different? (Looking at you Fylingdales)

Edit 1: I didn't answer your question, no, smart meters are not compulsory at current but most tariffs require a smart meter to be installed.

Happy New Years, @FrancB

Great to see our community experts @Blastoise186 AND @Lukepeniket_OVO offering you some tip-top smart meter advice over the festive-break. I won’t attempt to add to the great technical advice they’ve given but would advise you to check out this similar thread raised by a fellow radio enthusiast, which also suggests that the frequencies used by a Smart meter shouldn’t interfere with your radio signals.

We’d always recommend going smart as it comes with some great benefits, however as long as your meter is functioning and not due for re-certification you’re free to choose not to upgrade just yet! :slight_smile: