How do smart meters work via Meteronline?

Smart Meters can be read remotely via a  modem and sim card fitted within the meter . These meters are similar to a normal meter and can be fitted by an electrical contractor. The meters use the mobile phone network to communicate readings within encoded messages, MeterOnline decodes these secure messages and presents the meter readings to its customers. The smart meters are MID (Measurement Instruments Directive) compliant ensuring they are approved for billing and renewables generation purposes.  www.meteronline.co.uk

What rates can I set my meters to? (Landlord Question)

The reseller can recover the cost of metering services but not by increasing the price of electricity, hence why the standing charge is except from the ‘maximum price’.  The crux of Ofgem rules is that landlords cannot make a profit of recharging energy, only to recover to energy and metering costs.
See link here for more information = https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2005/10/11782-resaleupdateoct05_3.pdf

How do I know my SIM card will work in its location?

All meters with a modem are fitted with a roaming SIM card. This means that they are not tied to one mobile network and will automatically search for the strongest network to connect to. In the event of a network going down, the SIMs will refresh within 2 hours and connect to the next strongest network available. Where mobile signal is restricted, for example, if the meter were to be installed in a basement, both internal and external antennas are available to boost signal quality.
See our accessories for more details.

Can the wire trick known as ‘fishing’, work on the Emlite coin meters?

No, this isn’t possible on the Emlite products. These coin meters are a far superior product and with its electronic coin acceptor will not allow coins to be brought back out.

What is the difference between prepayment meters and the timer version?

Prepayment is when the meter is set to a chargeable rate ( pence per kWh ) and the amount on the display reduces when electricity is used . Example , if the meter was set to 10 pence per kWh and £1.00 was put into the meter , then after that a kWh has been used ,  the display would read 90p etc….

Timer version , works on time not electricity . These are used for showers, washing machines , snooker lights etc. The meter is set to allow a certain time per coin and then once the coin is inserted , the time is displayed on the meter and counts down to Zero and then will cut off.

Basically, Prepayment works off electricity and Timer works off time.

On the MP22 card meters, do I need to buy the software for these meters to work?

No, this is an option. Some customers use the cards and dispose of them afterwards and others buy the software and recharge the cards themselves. I’d say on orders over 10+ it’s worth buying, as it works out a lower cost to recharge the existing cards , than to keep ordering new ones.

How many current transformers do I require for a 3 phase 4 wire supply?

Three Current transformers or one block CT is all that’s required. No CT is required for the Neutral connection.

What is a pulsed output?

In the case of an electricity meter, a pulse output corresponds to a defined amount of energy passing through the meter (kWh/Wh). It is typically an opto-isolated volt free relay that opens and closes and can only be assigned for kWh/Wh. The meter will have a fixed or programmable pulse rate, so for example the Emlite ECA.2V  has a fixed pulsed output of 1000imp/KWh, this means one pulse equals to 1Wh. This will be typically fed into a pulse collector or gateway that has the ability  to read the pulses. The dis advantage of using a pulsed output is that you have to wire back each meter to a central point and due to the technology it is not 100% accurate in comparison to RS485 Modbus

What is RS485?

Modbus RTU is an open, serial (RS-232 or RS-485) protocol derived from the Master/Slave architecture. It is a widely accepted protocol due to its ease of use and reliability. Modbus RTU is widely used within Building Management Systems (BMS) or a remote monitoring solutions. Each meter acts as a slave device and can be daisy chained on one network (BUS). You can have 32 devices on one BUS. Unlike a pulsed output where you have to wire back each meter to a central point. Also you are directly accessing the registers so you can read other parameters such as Amps, Volts, kW, Power Factor, Kwh and many more. This is useful data to anyone who is looking to analyse the data to be able to look at making cost or carbon reductions.

How old are the Ampy card meters I have fitted at the moment?

Depends, you have two types of Ampy card meters. The 5028A and the newer model 5188A. The 5028A started production in 1993 and was remodelled 10 years later by the 5188A (The newer model has a green screen where the 5028a is grey). Companies are still selling these model as refurbished. If I was still looking to purchase this product I would stipulate that the model 5188A is required.

What is the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)?

RHI is a UK Government scheme designed to increase the number of renewable heat technologies. It offers fixed payments for renewable heat generated and is expected to significantly contribute towards the Government’s 2020 goal, which targets 12% of heating being generated from renewable sources.

From 22nd May 2018, it is a requirement that all new applications for air source and ground source heat pumps must have electricity metering arrangements alongside their heating systems to be eligible for the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

What happens if where I fit my meter I get a poor mobile signal?

In the top up meters we use network roaming sims so although the person might not have a good reception on their phone it doesn’t mean our meters will be the same. As long as the reception is good for either Vodafone, O2 or EE then it shouldn’t be a problem. In the extreme scenario that all networks are poor then we can swap the unit for an external antenna version. This will add around £20 – £25 inclusive of an 5M Ariel on a cable that will need to be mounted outside the property.

I have an existing gas meter, how can I use this for prepayment?

If the meter has a pulse connection, this can be converted to to have a RJ11 connection which then  connects to our Atex gas sender. Which in turn communicated with the EMA1 Top up meter.

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