[Neil54]

Hello
Odd question here and ive searched the Internet for a answer.
My elderly mother has a relatively new smart meter, which is working well I assume- EOn account reports meter readings being sent about once every 10 days.

The issue is that she is hearing a voice reading out numbers in the middle of the night which disturbs and concerns her. The voice comes from near the understairs cupboard where the meter is located.

I can't think of any other equipment in the house which would do this.

So my question is, does the meter (not the in home display ) have the capability of speech, and if so can I disable it?

Thanks

[retrotecchie]

@Neil54

I'm pretty sure there aren't any meters with speech synthesis. But maybe there is a meter designed for accessibility which does, but I'd be very surprised.

[meldrewreborn]

@Neil54

can you supply the model of the meter(s) and the communication hub sitting atop the electric meter, which might enable a definitive answer.

If it isn’t the smart set up then you are right to be concerned.

While not directly relevant to you question, apparently there are accessible in home displays with a text to speak function, and on the basis that these could be paired with the actual meters then a voice facility is at least possible - apparently these accessible in home displays are available free of charge from the major energy suppliers. The RNIB advocates for their use.

[Neil54]

Thank you both for your quick and helpful responses.

When I am next there on Tuesday i will check the Smart Meter type.

The In home display is a standard one, and is located further away, so as you imply, that is likely not the culprit.

[Neil54]

@meldrewreborn

Further to this post, the model is Landis & Gyr E470 Type 5424

The box above is WNC UBC TN6 SKU1 Cellular

Thank you!

[meldrewreborn]

@Neil54

It’s not a talking meter! Whether there is some sort of interference that’s causing it to make a noise would be my best guess.

[Poppy_EONNext]

Hey @Neil54 🙂 Welcome to the Community!

Now that is something I haven't heard of before. Leave this with me, I am going to reach out to the smart team to see if I can get any information on this 🙂

[Neil54]

@meldrewreborn

Thanks to everyone for the helpful replies!

This all points to another source for the voices, and I may have found it!

An house alarm that is not now used, was still powered on, and was showing some error codes, so I suspect that may be the culprit. Have now disabled it so will see what happens when the backup battery discharges. It was in the next room to the meter, so hopefully the source!

Thanks again!