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Anonymous
August 10, 2022
Solved

Will a 3 phase smart meter work for my 2-phase supply and dual-rates?

  • August 10, 2022
  • 37 replies
  • 3517 views

My house has a 2-phase supply, with dual-rates (night and day). I’m guessing that no-one will make a Smart Meter for 2-phase supplies. Does anyone know if a 3-phase Smart Meter (when available) will be able to be fitted (and hence cope with one phase never being used)? 

Best answer by Lukepeniket_OVO

Updated on 06/05/25 by Emmanuelle_OVO

 

Do OVO offer 3 phase smart meters?

 

3 phase (aka polyphase) installations in domestic properties are few and far between, so it's a minority of meter engineers across the country that have the skills required to complete these installations. There are also some technical challenges in making sure your job is allocated to an engineer with these skills but we are just as keen as you are to have Smart available for these sites ASAP, so if you would like to take part in this beta stage release, please consider the steps below:
From the start of May 2023, if you have a single rate 3 phase meter (i.e. not Economy 7 / 2-rate etc.) we would encourage you to book a smart meter appointment as normal online or over the phone on 0330 303 5063. (Please do not attempt to book sooner than May unless you have been contacted.)


This will then go through to a specialist team who will validate that it is single rate job and that an 3 phase engineer is available in your region. If this is the case, they will re-book your appointment with the right engineer. (So please bear in mind your appointment date/time will likely change, but we'll try to keep it the same where possible.)


Unfortunately, if you have a 2-rate meter or are not in an area covered by our current crop of 3 phase skilled engineers, you will need to continue with your heritage meter. We know this will be frustrating, so we are sorry about that, we are working to expand our coverage and by you flagging your interest to us, you are helping us shape where and when that coverage develops. - thank you!

 

I can let you know that 3 phase smart meters aren’t available just yet for OVO customers, but I’m told we’re very close. I’m making a list of forum members interested in having one and I’ll add your name. 

 

The 3 phase smart will handle all sorts of supply arrangements from 3 phase, Summation dual phase, the list goes on!!

 

Hello, Just point it out to the engineer on the day of the installation and they'll replace the meter tails :-)

37 replies

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
August 10, 2022

Hey @HexhamUser !

We can try to figure this out, but photos would definitely be handy if you can post some for us?

In theory though, a three phase meter might be able to handle it. Let me ask @Lukepeniket_OVO if he’s come across this before.

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
A
Anonymous
August 10, 2022

Here's a photo of the current meter. I can't easily get a shot of the feeds and wiring at the moment, but it is definitely 2 phases, with only  two tails going into the of bottom of the meter from 2 of the fuses on the incoming cable. I'm sure about that. 

Thanks for the assistance.

 

 

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    August 10, 2022

    Oh wow, that’s an old meter. It seems to have also developed a fault as well…

    Could you show us some photos from more angles and distances as well? It’s definitely a three phase meter though!

    Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
    A
    Anonymous
    August 10, 2022

    I'll have to get the car out tomorrow, but can you tell me what information you are after?

     

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    August 10, 2022

    Mostly just photos from as many angles and distances as you can manage really. :)

    We can figure the rest out from there.

    Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
    A
    Anonymous
    August 11, 2022

    Hope these cover your needs. The L1 phase is used by the ground source heat pump and the new EV charger (not visible, the PEN device is on the rhs of the board). The L2 phase is for the majority of the house's circuits. We use night-rate on both phases.

     

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    August 11, 2022

    Perfect! Let me grab @PeterR1947 as well. He’s more of an expert than I am in these matters.

    On closer inspection however, your meter tails appear to be damaged. You might want to get onto OVO about that.

    Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
    Tim_OVO
    OVO Staff
    Tim_OVO
    OVO Forum Legend
    August 12, 2022

    Thanks for those photos, @HexhamUser - I must say, I love a good meter photo. No one is ever the same. 

     

    Full disclosure here is that I’m not able to advise on 2 phase vs single phase vs 3 phase, which yours is and if yours is safe. 

     

    I can let you know that 3 phase smart meters aren’t available just yet for OVO customers, but I’m told we’re very close. I’m making a list of forum members interested in having one and I’ll add your name. In the meantime, I wonder if @Lukepeniket_OVO has a spare minute to tell us what he thinks about a 3 phase smart meter for a 2 phase supply?

     

    ps @HexhamUser I can see you have a heat pump - nice new badge coming your way!

    Carbon neutral - we need a community to get there! My green tech: Aclara SGM 1411-B smart meter, Chameleon IHD6
    L
    OVO Staff
    Lukepeniket_OVO
    OVO Engineer
    August 12, 2022

    I can let you know that 3 phase smart meters aren’t available just yet for OVO customers, but I’m told we’re very close. I’m making a list of forum members interested in having one and I’ll add your name. In the meantime, I wonder if @Lukepeniket_OVO has a spare minute to tell us what he thinks about a 3 phase smart meter for a 2 phase supply?

     

    Hello all. and sorry for my lateness, got a nice 2 weeks off in the sun.

     

    So yeah the 3 phase smart will handle all sorts of supply arrangements from 3 phase, Summation dual phase, the list goes on!!

    OVO Operations Excellence Manager and Former Field Operations Team Leader
      A
      Anonymous
      August 12, 2022

      Well spotted on the nicks in one of the meter tails! They hadn't gone through to the wire, but I've protected with some electrical insulation tape. I guess the tail can be replaced when (if?) Ovo fit a smart meter.

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