Smart meter issues since getting photovoltaic (PV) solar panels fitted - inverter issue, is the meter damaged?

Hmm… An Aclara meter… I wonder if I can get the manual for it...

For reference, this meter is an Aclara KV2c Electric Smart Meter, documented at https://www.aclara.com/products-and-services/smart-meters/ansi-commercial/kv2c/ and https://www.aclara.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Aclara-fifth-generation-kV2c.pdf

I’ve never seen one of these before other than in their brochures, so I’ve had to dig deeper.

https://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/Common/ViewDoc.aspx?DocRefId=%7B80882531-1548-40B4-A0FB-FC2AFB8B86FC%7D

You’re welcome. :)

Give me an hour and I’ll try to decipher that error!

Ok, so here’s what I can gather from the nameplate for a start!

The Meter Serial Number (MSN) NXD083313667 indicates this meter was manufactured in January 2019. For obvious reasons, it won’t exist on ECOES because that only works in the UK so it’s impossible to get anything about the supply from that.

Interestingly, it was also tested with a Test Voltage of 240V and 2.5A which I wouldn’t expect for the USA!

There is no dedicated display symbol for Reverse Run, which is unlike the Aclara SGM1400 Series that we have here in the UK.

Even more curious is the way it responds to a magnet. Here in the UK, magnetic field detection would trigger a tamper alarm, but apparently this thing uses it like a button press to scroll between various display modes??? Wow… I guess magnet tampering isn’t a problem in the USA?

And now the main event. That error code:

Er 000 002 - Battery Failure and Power Outage

The Battery Failure and Power Outage error indicates the battery failed to maintain power during an outage or that no battery was installed to maintain power during an outage.

The fix for this is actually quite easy. You just need to get the utility company to come out and either replace the battery in the meter and reprogram it to clear the error, of if it’s intended to run battery-free, simply set the time and date back up. Piece of cake!

If the utility company wants to know how you know this, feel free to tell them that a forum volunteer in the UK got hold of the user manual. XD

Pages 50-57 by the way for that PDF, but are numbered 38-44 in the original document!

Hey @DokDream,

Looks like @Blastoise186 may be onto something here...

Keep us posted with how you get on!

Just a thought actually…

Have you ever seen the meter generate this Caution Code?

CA 000 001 ‐ Low Battery

The Low Battery caution indicates a weak or missing battery. The meter periodically tests the battery. To test the battery, the meter applies a load to the battery, waits, and samples the battery voltage. The meter sets the Low Battery caution if the resulting battery voltage is low. The Low Battery caution is cleared when the battery test passes. The meter tests the battery under the following conditions: • Power up • 1st of each month (00:16) • Once per day • Activate the display switch (not in Test mode) • MeterMate software This caution should be disabled if the meter is being used in battery-free mode. Refer to the kV2c Gen 5 Electronic Meter Features and Applications Guide (132272-TUM) for details on this operating mode.

If you have, then that indicates there is a battery in there but it’s probably run out of juice. Replacing it is possible on that model (but alas, doing so on an Aclara SGM1400 Series here in the UK would trigger a tamper alarm!) but the utility company needs to do it. You would lose power for maybe half an hour or so while they take care of it.