Electricity smart meter readings

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3885 posts

Uber Geek

#2093069 19-Sep-2018 11:42

Taking manual meter readings for EK would quickly get very tedious. 48 readings per day to write down.

Also, try contacting Vector AMS, and ask them if they are able to communicate with the meter.

Can you install a bigger aerial? As the aerials I have normally seen on meters are little non directional aerials. Can you install something bigger like

https://www.gowifi.co.nz/700-900mhz/ant-55.html

What signal strength does the meter report? You may need to access the second level display, press and hold the Select button to access the second level display data.

And don't be surprised if EK eventually disconnect your power. There will most likely be a clause in the contract allowing them to do so due to metering problems, and ignoring their request for you to switch companies.

If they have details on file for a previous power company that used to provide service to you. They would probably ask them to supply you instead. A welcome letter from the new company will probably arrive soon.

Sounddude

I fix stuff!
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#2093091 19-Sep-2018 12:30

And don't be surprised if EK eventually disconnect your power. There will most likely be a clause in the contract allowing them to do so due to metering problems, and ignoring their request for you to switch companies.

Looking at their T&C's they don't have anything in there like that, aslong as you are willing to give physcial access to the meter for meter readers. It also says the reading of the meter is their problem, not the consumers.

https://www.electrickiwi.co.nz/terms-and-conditions

Sounddude

I fix stuff!
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#2093104 19-Sep-2018 12:49

Actually the clause was quite hidden. It should really be written in the "Our responsibility" section, not under the bit which explains how smart meters work.....

7.5c any site visit does not guarantee resolution. If we are unable to reasonably resolve this communication issue we will be unable to continue to service you as a customer. This means you will be required to switch to another retailer to supply you with electricity in accordance with clause 11.6 and we will notify you of this requirement along with details of where you can access information about that other retailer; and

But in saying that under Clause 11 (EK stopping supplying of power) there is no mention of the ability to disconnect if you don't move to a new suppler....

A good lawyer could walk all over these T&C's if they did disconnect you.

tripper1000

1617 posts

Uber Geek

#2093151 19-Sep-2018 14:08

Are you in West Auckland by any chance?

There is something strange going of with Vector West AKL as it doesn't seem to interface fully with all the retail companies (I would love to hear and explanation from someone in the industry).

For instance on Genesis I can get smart meter plans, view graphs of 1/2 hourly usage, get a night/day plan etc but a bunch of other retailers offer night/day everywhere except West AKL and have meter readers manually read my meter, so no smart meter plans from them either. This has even caught out the door to door salesmen, signing me up for a plan only to call later to say they made a mistake and I can't have it, or worse in one case put me on an entirely different plan without any consultation (luckily I had the carbon copy of the contract!).

Edit: spelling.

Hammerer

2476 posts

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#2093250 19-Sep-2018 15:29

tripper1000:

Are you in West Auckland by any chance?

There is something strange going of with Vector West AKL as it doesn't seem to interface fully with all the retail companies (I would love to hear and explanation from someone in the industry).

For instance on Genesis I can get smart meter plans, view graphs of 1/2 hourly usage, get a night/day plan etc but a bunch of other retailers offer night/day everywhere except West AKL and have meter readers manually read my meter, so no smart meter plans from them either. This has even caught out the door to door salesmen, signing me up for a plan only to call later to say they made a mistake and I can't have it, or worse in one case put me on an entirely different plan without any consultation (luckily I had the carbon copy of the contract!).

Edit: spelling.

I don't know if this is related but in Wellington region I have been unable to switch to some retailers because they say they cannot get the metering data. The following failed transfer is from earlier this year:

Unfortunately at this time we are unable to supply your address as the owner of your meter (Metrix) is unable to supply the data we need to create your invoice. Metrix have informed us that they expect to be able to supply the information at some point in 2018.

Like you we are also frustrated that Metrix (a division of Mercury Energy) has only chosen to only supply a few retailers with the information from your smart meter as this reduces your choices when seeking more competitive rates.

browned

636 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2093297 19-Sep-2018 16:23

tripper1000:

Are you in West Auckland by any chance?

There is something strange going of with Vector West AKL as it doesn't seem to interface fully with all the retail companies (I would love to hear and explanation from someone in the industry).

For instance on Genesis I can get smart meter plans, view graphs of 1/2 hourly usage, get a night/day plan etc but a bunch of other retailers offer night/day everywhere except West AKL and have meter readers manually read my meter, so no smart meter plans from them either. This has even caught out the door to door salesmen, signing me up for a plan only to call later to say they made a mistake and I can't have it, or worse in one case put me on an entirely different plan without any consultation (luckily I had the carbon copy of the contract!).

Edit: spelling.

No in Hamilton. Flagstaff (north end) to be precise. Vodafone cell towers are 1.5 and 2km and 2.5km away. Previous owner used Electric Kiwi with no issue since 2015 when the smart meter was installed. I have noticed that a lot of power companies in their footnotes state that working smart meters are required. Not sure if that means just for the apps and extra detail or that you cannot move to that plan if no smart meter.

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#2093388 19-Sep-2018 19:09

There is an embedded lines network in West Auckland somewhere. If you live in that network area, Your lines company is actually not Vector, but a 3rd party company.

Unfortunately that company doesn't have agreements with all of the power retailers that normally operate in Auckland. (and I suspect that the lines fees on that network are also more expensive than Vector's fees).

I was told this by a former flatmate, who worked as a door to door salesman for Contact Energy. He said that he got caught out by that network. And that the price being paid by the person he tried to sign up. Was a lot more expensive than the pricing that he was offering. I even switched myself to the plan he was offering. (cheaper than Powershop and long before Flick or EK existed)

Could someone who lives in that area, please lookup their address or ICP on

https://www.ea.govt.nz/consumers/your-power-data-in-your-hands/my-meter/

And post back with the 4 letter code under Network. Normally in the Vector area, Your code would be VECT or UNET. I'm curious to learn more about that embedded network.

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tripper1000

1617 posts

Uber Geek

#2093527 19-Sep-2018 22:59

Bingo!

Network: UNET

POC: HEN0331

Reconciliation type:GN

Generation capacity: 0

Edit: Fomatting

Damager

2125 posts

Uber Geek

#2093541 20-Sep-2018 01:01

That's still Vector/United Networks

tripper1000:

Bingo!

Network: UNET

POC: HEN0331

Reconciliation type:GN

Generation capacity: 0

Edit: Fomatting

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browned

636 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2101915 5-Oct-2018 08:41

I did more testing of 2G phone calls right beside the meter box and get a constant 4 bars out of 5 on the phone in 2G only, calls connect and are cystal clear. We are 1.5Km, 2km, and 2.6km away from 3 vodafone cell towers. I asked EK to get the meter company to come and fix the meter. Meter company apparantly responded that they have done all they can and will not be coming out. They have now marked the meter as "manual read only".

EK are insisting that ligislation requires me to move to a different company. Also now when we search providers they list our meter as not smart.

Very frustrating, I think the next step is to call the meter company myself and see what they say if I get through to anyone with knowledge of our issues.

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#2102294 5-Oct-2018 19:54

Did you check what the signal strength as reported by the meter is?

browned

636 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2103657 9-Oct-2018 08:27

Are you meaning the meter can tell me the signal strength?

With the phone, on 2g only, right by the meter, as in my shoulder leaning against the meterbox and phone against my ear, 4 bars and calls connect and are crystal clear. I have no other way of measuring 2G signal.

Deamo

159 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#2103662 9-Oct-2018 08:50

Yes, each time you press the Select button on the meter, the display will cycle.
One of those display's will say 'SIG' on the left hand side of the screen, with a number on the right representing the signal strength.

It's typically shown after the current LOAD and before DLS (date & time)

nickb800

2715 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2103664 9-Oct-2018 08:53

Deamo:

Yes, each time you press the Select button on the meter, the display will cycle.
One of those display's will say 'SIG' on the left hand side of the screen, with a number on the right representing the signal strength.

It's typically shown after the current LOAD and before DLS (date & time)

Do you know what the numbers mean? I can get mine to give me a number, but I don't know whether it's good or bad (curious if it's using my Sure Signal as Vodafone signal is poor in my area)

Deamo

159 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#2103666 9-Oct-2018 08:58

I'm not sure where good & bad are on the scale.. The highest I've seen is 20.

I'll try to find out more

Edit: I've got some general information regarding the signal number reported on the meter - usual caveats apply, number reported by meter is not definitive, lots of factors impact signal strength/ stability, etc.

In general terms: The simple answer is that a signal of 14 or above can be considered a strong signal strength.

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