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Edinburghadvisers
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April 21, 2023
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Three Phase AMR for domestic property unable to send half hourly data

  • April 21, 2023
  • 53 replies
  • 1018 views

Hi. I have solar PV, GSHP, two Powerwall batteries and an electric car. Also have 3 phase power as building used to be a small guest house. 

What I need is a smart meter to take advantage of time based tariffs. Currently with Octopus but they have failed. The first smart meter could get no signal due to location. After 12 months I then got an AMR meter with an external aerial. Perfect signal. Octopus now say it can’t provide half hourly readings and in fact I will have to send monthly ones manually. Is this an octopus issue, AMR issue or something else? Help! 

Best answer by Blastoise186

Updated on 14/03/25 by Ben_OVO

OVO can now install three-phase smart meters where possible. You can read more about this here 👇

 

 

 

Hi @Edinburghadvisers ,

Just so everyone else knows, we’ve talked a little bit via PM before migrating the discussion to this thread.

So far, this seems to be a mostly bog standard 3-Phase setup if you ignore the Solar stuff. In theory, it could be supported by Smart Meters but 3-Phase SMETS2 is a bit rare at the moment. OVO is trialling them which means they’re being rolled out in very small numbers, but will slowly ramp up over time.

As for signal… You’re in Scotland so tbh an S2 Smart Meter might be better than AMR due to the Long-Range Radio based Arqiva WAN reaching areas that mobile phone signals can struggle with.

Your setup is supposed to work with domestic suppliers, but I get the feeling someone isn’t playing ball somewhere along the line.

53 replies

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Tim_OVO
OVO Staff
Tim_OVO
OVO Forum Legend
April 25, 2023

I’ll send you a private message now so our lovely smart meter friends can check the WAN where you are @Edinburghadvisers - yes no smart tariffs with AMR meters so smart install is the only option. 

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EdinburghadvisersAuthor
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October 16, 2023

All - the three phase smart meter saga continues. The situation I now have is a three phase AMR meter (photo attached) with an aerial (c7m) attached to the outside of my house. Apparently the signal is very good. Octopus (who fitted the meter) then stated it cant provide half hourly data. This was the whole point so very frustrating. So the question whether there is a three phase meter that does work with an aerial and does provide half hourly data? If not I will have to extend the tails and get a meter that does work in an outside cabinet. Any thoughts? Thanks

 

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
October 16, 2023

Ahh yes, I have seen this exact model before.

Unfortunately, while an AMR Meter can - in theory - record HH data, it’s unable to send it in a way that can integrate with other systems like a Smart Meter can. I think that’s the root cause of the issue here. AFAIK there’s also no Smart Meter aerial other than the T3 with a long enough cable either…

Add to that the lack of Three-Phase Engineers (OVO has access to a few, but hardly anyone else does) and it’s a perfect storm I’m afraid.

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EdinburghadvisersAuthor
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October 16, 2023

So logically,  if there isn't a three phase meter that works with an aerial the only solution is to move the meter to a location (outside) that doesn’t need an aerial for signal?

 

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
October 16, 2023

An SKU2 Comms Hub with a T3 Aerial can be used on any SMETS2 Three-Phase Smart Meter to make that work. It’s just a case of getting hold of one which is a nightmare.

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Emmanuelle_OVO
Retired Moderator
Emmanuelle_OVO
Retired Moderator
October 17, 2023

Hey @Edinburghadvisers,

 

Blastoise is right, it’s a difficult process to install a T3 aerial, and it’s down to the DCC ultimately. 

 

We’ve trailed T3 aerials but the process requires us to try and get a T2 aerial to attempt connectivity first, and failing that, to raise an incident with the DCC so they can investigate. They would then recommend if a T3 will resolve the issue or not.

 

But we’d need to understand why the site could not connect without T3 and if a T3 is needed, which only the DCC can confirm. 

 

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
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EdinburghadvisersAuthor
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October 17, 2023

Thanks. Can anyone share a photo of a T2 and T3 aerial? I have an aerial connected but. No idea what I have apart from it is black and about 30cm long

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
October 17, 2023

I don’t have a photo handy, but I can get you the dimensions. Bear with me real quick!

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Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
October 17, 2023

Here we go! Credit: https://www.smartme.co.uk/smets-2.html

 

Aerial Type % Installs Radio Use Manufacturer Dimensions (mm) On which Hubs
T1
Low Gain		 6% Cellular Panorama 165 x 32 x 20 Toshiba SKU2
(and SKU3 if poor signal)
T1
Low Gain		 WNC 128 x 25 x 17
T2
High Gain		 4% Panorama 372 x 33 x 20
T2
High Gain		 WNC 320 x 41 x 17
T3
High Gain		 0.5% Panorama 695 x 25 x 25 Toshiba SKU2/3
T3
High Gain		 Oriel 580 x 100 x 40
M1
Low Gain		 0.25% Mesh TBA TBA Toshiba SKU3
M2
High Gain		 0.25% TBA TBA
No aerial 89%      
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    EdinburghadvisersAuthor
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    October 17, 2023

    This suggests that you can only get the T3 aerial in central and south? If that is true the only Solution for Edinburgh is to get the meter outside? What I don’t understand is why the AMR meter has an aerial but not a normal one that actually works with half hourly data. Have I misunderstood?

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