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Anonymous
August 10, 2022
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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

Show previous replies
Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
August 12, 2022

Erm, personally I think Luke might agree the best thing to do, would be to get the meter tails fixed first if possible. OVO isn’t ready to install Three-Phase Smart Meters just yet and I’m unable to tell you when they’ll be ready to do.

And if you get the meter tails fixed up now, it’ll be one less reason to cause an aborted/failed install later. But yeah, I hope you don’t mind us flagging up any safety issues we spot!

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!
    L
    OVO Staff
    Lukepeniket_OVOSolved
    OVO Engineer
    August 24, 2022

    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 :-)

    OVO Operations Excellence Manager and Former Field Operations Team Leader
      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      August 24, 2022

      Or if you get Luke, he’d probably spot the fault and replace them before you even say anything. :)

      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!
        D
        Newcomer
        Dacalder
        Newcomer
        September 10, 2022

        Could you please add me to the list of people wanting to have a 3 phase smart meter once available

          Tim_OVO
          OVO Staff
          Tim_OVO
          OVO Forum Legend
          September 12, 2022

          Just added you now, @Dacalder. The latest on this is that:

           

          “As of August 2022, we're currently in a pilot, and will be contacting pilot-eligible customers (OVO customers on single rate tariffs) over the next few weeks and months. We are working with a select number of trained engineers around the country therefore we unfortunately can't install to just any willing participant (as much as we wish we could). Our advice is to make sure your contact details are up to date in your OVO account so that our teams can reach you.”

          Carbon neutral - we need a community to get there! My green tech: Aclara SGM 1411-B smart meter, Chameleon IHD6
          A
          Anonymous
          November 1, 2022

          Is there any update on the progress of vector-sum 3-phase smart meter installations?

          I’m getting some Solar PV soon and presume a Smart Meter is needed to take advantage of the SEG tariff (i.e. the pay-back for units fed to the grid).

           

          Blastoise186
          Super User
          Blastoise186Super User
          Super User
          November 1, 2022

          OVO is starting to roll them out. It’s currently in a pilot phase. You might not need 3-Phase for a smaller setup 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!
          Tim_OVO
          OVO Staff
          Tim_OVO
          OVO Forum Legend
          November 2, 2022

          Hi @HexhamUser nice work getting solar! I’ve asked my smart meter contacts if there’s an update on the polyphase smart meter roll out.

           

          In the meantime, you don’t need a smart meter if you have a generation export meter fitted with the panels, to be eligible for the Smart Export Guarantee

          Carbon neutral - we need a community to get there! My green tech: Aclara SGM 1411-B smart meter, Chameleon IHD6
          A
          Anonymous
          January 13, 2023

          Is there any further updates on the roll-out of polyphase smart meters? My solar installation is coming in a week or so, and I won’t be able to make use of the SEG tariff. I don’t even know what my current old meter (Elster A1700) will do if the solar system tries to push current back to the grid. Hopefully, it won’t explode …

          In answer to another reply, we are all-electric, so I don’t want to switch to a single-phase supply.

          Tim_OVO
          OVO Staff
          Tim_OVO
          OVO Forum Legend
          January 13, 2023

          There’s no change in the advice I have, @HexhamUser - polyphase meters are being fitted for OVO customers on a small but growing scale. Are you on OVO’s variable plan, Simpler? As most suppliers are priced the same these days you might consider getting a quote from a supplier that can book in a polyphase smart meter today. 

          Carbon neutral - we need a community to get there! My green tech: Aclara SGM 1411-B smart meter, Chameleon IHD6
          Show more replies
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