smart meter off-peak control failure

  • Billjratt's Avatar
    Level 2
    smart meter installed Dec '24, off-peak electric comes on from 23.00 to 24.00 then drops out . New meter installed Jan '25 - same issue, no overnight power to the off-peak circuit.
    Ongoing Emails to help-centre do not progress the issue.
    I gather the off-peak period is specified by 23.00 to 24.00 then 00.00 to 07.30 and assume this profile is held in the host system, so why change meters???? The second period from 00.00 to 07.30 must be missing an 'activate' tick of some sort in my account profile. Simple to investigate and correct.
    The original "dumb" meter with the external electro-mechanical timer was associated with an MTSC of '5' (not 8xx ....?) but that field does not appear on the latest statement., is that pertinent?
    Perhaps I've got this wrong, but the first line help desk people seem to be in a small loop whereby the only solution they are empowered to offer is "change the meter".
    Anyone been through this before and can offer help please?
  • 7 Replies

  • retrotecchie's Avatar
    Level 92
    Yes, sounds like a faulty meter

    It's a hardware fault in the ALC circuit that switches the off-peak loads.

    It's possible to try and reprogram the meter using an engineer and a hand held terminal but more often than not it entails a complete meter swap as it's usually a firmware or hardware fault rather than a configuration issue.
    Don't shoot me, I'm only the piano player. I DON'T work for or on behalf of EON.Next, but am willing to try and help if I can. Not on mains gas, mobile network or mains drainage. House heated almost entirely by baby dragons.
  • Billjratt's Avatar
    Level 2
    @retrotecchie Thanks for prompt reply. I guess there may be an issue with a batch of these meters then? I assume you advise against pursuing the SMETS "update tariff" command request, which was my next idea.
    For general info - the meter in question is a KAIFA MA120B with an EDMI comms box fitted. - just in case there's an epidemic...!
  • retrotecchie's Avatar
    Level 92
    Yep...the MA120B has 'known issues' when used for split E7 timings. Several people have reported the same issue and the meter usually gets swapped out.
  • doverboy's Avatar
    Level 9
    smart meter installed Dec '24, off-peak electric comes on from 23.00 to 24.00 then drops out . New meter installed Jan '25 - same issue, no overnight power to the off-peak circuit.
    Ongoing Emails to help-centre do not progress the issue.
    I gather the off-peak period is specified by 23.00 to 24.00 then 00.00 to 07.30 and assume this profile is held in the host system, so why change meters???? The second period from 00.00 to 07.30 must be missing an 'activate' tick of some sort in my account profile. Simple to investigate and correct.
    The original "dumb" meter with the external electro-mechanical timer was associated with an MTSC of '5' (not 8xx ....?) but that field does not appear on the latest statement., is that pertinent?
    Perhaps I've got this wrong, but the first line help desk people seem to be in a small loop whereby the only solution they are empowered to offer is "change the meter".
    Anyone been through this before and can offer help please?

    Hi Bill,

    ... so you've had two smart meters (Dec and Jan) and have a night rate circuit switch ending after only one hour ...

    Can you confirm the meter type E7, E10, TOU you expected to have and your expected off-peak rate times. Could you also provide the Profile Class, Meter Time Switch Code and Area ID (fields 1, 2 and 4) from your Supply Number (MPAN) on a statement when all was working and from your latest statement. A supplier holds account meter settings not visible to a customer and can change them, sometimes incorrectly, for download to the meter.
  • Billjratt's Avatar
    Level 2
    Hello Doverboy, thanks for your interest. We're on E7 and believe the off-peak period is from 23.00 to 07.30.
    the current MPAN is S | 2 | 3 | 118 |
    | 18000######## |

    the old MPAN was S | 2 | 5 | 118 | using an independent electro-mechanical timer to activate the circuit.
    | 18000######## |
    I notice neither of the MTSCs are 8xx, as mentioned elsewhere on the forum.. Comments?
  • doverboy's Avatar
    Level 9
    Hello Doverboy, thanks for your interest. We're on E7 and believe the off-peak period is from 23.00 to 07.30.
    the current MPAN is S | 2 | 3 | 118 |
    | 18000######## |

    the old MPAN was S | 2 | 5 | 118 | using an independent electro-mechanical timer to activate the circuit.
    | 18000######## |
    I notice neither of the MTSCs are 8xx, as mentioned elsewhere on the forum.. Comments?

    Hiya Bill ... Sorry I didn't see your reply until now ...

    OK, Profile Class 2 Domestic supply economy 7, MTSC ??? indeed what is code 3 or 5 ???, Area Distributor ID 18 Southern Scotland, DNO - SP Energy Networks.
    Comparing to mine ...
    Profile Class 2 ... same E7, MTSC 807 ... 00:00-07:00 night 07:00-24:00 day correct, Area Distributor ID 10 ... Eastern England

    My research suggests that the off-peak hours (as distinct from night rate hours which are customer centric) for Southern Scotland distribution are ranged between 22:00-08:30, with customers either receiving 7 contiguous hours, the times being indicated by the MTSC, or 8.5 contiguous hours 23:00-07:30 night 07:30-23:00 day. You have the latter non-standard hours (by the way there are two other distribution areas in the UK with non-standard E7 hours, of 8 hours), and this has seemingly confused E.ON Next's meter team.

    It might be worth contacting your distributor (DNO) SP Energy Networks to confirm this, but it is the supplier (E.ON Next) who are responsible for meter settings and are able to change them via the DCC (takes 2 work days).

    I hope this gets sorted soon.
  • Billjratt's Avatar
    Level 2
    @doverboy thanks Doverboy, I've pointed the helpdesk people to your information along with other stuff they requested, so here's hoping!