[Johnn635]

Yes, it had occurred to me that the IHD might provide access to the meter readings, and if so, it is a quick and easy solution, provided the readings are accepted as mirroring the readings on the meter. Do you know if this is so? In which case why can’t someone simply put this in writing!

[meldrewreborn]

@Johnn635

the IHD does provide access to the meter readings, providing it does actually work. Which cannot be guaranteed,

the fall back is always to visual access to the meter itself, which is where we came in.

can the meter tails not be taken outside to an externally mounted meter in a cabinet, using the existing hole,, or the meter be better located internally? Our expert is currently having communication difficulties along with all in his village, I’m an amateur I’m afraid. Be patient and the best solution will hopefully be identified.

[geoffers]

Originally Posted by Johnn635

Yes, it had occurred to me that the IHD might provide access to the meter readings

As @meldrewreborn said, the IHD is just a display "repeater" for all the data held on the meter which it accesses via the HAN

However unfortunately an IHD probably wouldn't work in your situation since you say...

Originally Posted by Johnn635

How about a situation where the meter is in an enclosed metal cabinet

So being in a metal cabinet will presumably block the relatively low-strength "Zigbee" HAN wireless signal

https://reolink.com/blog/zigbee-rang...quency%20bands.

[meldrewreborn]

@geoffers

Does a Faraday Cage block signals? That could be useful information for some!

[Johnn635]

The metal cabinet does not block a Bluetooth home energy monitor which clips around the tails
Howevet it gets worse and worse. Apparently a dumb meter has no SKU fitted so no IHD! This was after an hour long conversation with another expert who initially said you could and then said without a WAN you couldn’t

As always, there is no reliable info from E.ON Next

[meldrewreborn]

@Johnn635

why would they fit a dumb meter? When people want a dumb meter , they’re told they can’t have one.

[geoffers]

Originally Posted by meldrewreborn

@Johnn635

why would they fit a dumb meter? When people want a dumb meter , they’re told they can’t have one.

@meldrewreborn - His original post said they have no mobile coverage, so presumably will only fit the meter without the SKU as it can't connect to anything ☹️

[geoffers]

Originally Posted by retrotecchie

@meldrewreborn
The UK is about the only country in Europe that went down the smart meter route. Most of the rest of Europe, and most other 230v 50Hz countries still use normal meters
.

Not sure where you got that information from - a quick Google shows this

Key points about European smart meter coverage:

Overall penetration:

Approximately 60% of European households have smart electricity meters as of 2023.

Leading countries

Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Spain, and Norway are considered frontrunners with high smart meter penetration.

Lagging countries:

Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, and Romania have relatively low smart meter adoption rates.

Future outlook

The market is expected to see significant growth with an anticipated increase to 78% smart meter coverage by 2028

[meldrewreborn]

@geoffers

So if mobile coverage eventually comes it'll need an engineer to visit to fit a communications hub. Better in my view to fit in in anticipation. Without the comms hub the glorious IHD , so beloved of the TV ads, cannot work.