How do I read this electric meter?

cmssjone · 25-01-2023 9:31am #1

Hi guys,

Sorry if I posted this in the wrong place. Please move if needed. I went to check my meter today and the screen was dead. I assumed that there was a button to press that would illuminate it but can't seem to find it. I'm sure it's pretty obvious and I'm going to feel stupid when someone points out to me where it is. I have attached a pic of said meter.

Thanks in advance

Deagol · 25-01-2023 9:39am

https://www.kamstrup.com/en-en/electricity-solutions/meters-devices/meters/omnipower-singlephase-meter/documents

Maybe someone else will know better but that looks like it's not working correctly. I think the LCD display should be on. Check the LED is flashing per the linked manual.

Alun · 25-01-2023 9:45am

Display should be permanently on, and if electricity is being used, the top LED in the centre should be blinking (once per Wh).

cmssjone · 25-01-2023 11:04am

Thanks for your input guys. I'll check it again when I get back from work to see if the LED is flashing. I'll probably give ESB a ring just to be sure. At least the electricity is working.

Girl Geraldine · 25-01-2023 11:28am

If I were you and my meter was bolloxed I'd leave well enough alone.

Why would you tell ESB? Nothing in it for you only a bill in the letterbox as a thanks for helping them. On the other hand, if there is no record of units used, they can't bill you for them.

The meter belongs to ESB networks - it is their problem to keep their equipment running.

Fúck them I say.

Girl Geraldine · 25-01-2023 11:29am

How long are you in the house? Would someone before you have zapped the meter with a discharge from a tesla coil or something to bugger it up?

cmssjone · 25-01-2023 12:17pm

I'm still being billed. Someone took a reading c. 2 months ago. It was an estimated reading this time round so I wanted to check if the usage was about right. I've lived here for the last 10 years and had no issues. I think the meter was changed in 2020.

10-10-20 · 25-01-2023 1:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120154819#Comment_120154819

Jesus, The State vs The People brigade have infiltrated. 😴

10-10-20 · 25-01-2023 1:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120155040#Comment_120155040

👍️ Of course you would need a working meter in this case, otherwise you're at risk of being over billed and not being able to prove it otherwise.

meercat · 25-01-2023 3:46pm

I think you should get onto esbn and report a faulty meter

looks like an outside meter box so why did you get an estimated reading (did someone call and couldn’t get a reading so just estimated instead of recording a faulty meter)

it’s better to get resolved

Alun · 25-01-2023 3:56pm

It's a smart meter so under normal circumstances nobody would have called to read it. Presumably if it's stopped working it wouldn't have been possible to get a remote reading, hence the estimated reading?

You'd imagine though if a meter had been successfully read remotely for a couple of years or so and then suddenly stopped that that would trigger ESBN to come and repair/replace it if necessary.

cmssjone · 25-01-2023 6:30pm

Thanks for all the replies guys. I checked the meter again when I got home after work and still no display. I rang ESB and they told me that I had to contact my electric company to tell them that the smart meter was not functioning properly. I was to inform them that they would then have to contact ESB to request a works order. ESB would then be in contact with me to organise a replacement. (You couldn't make it up!)

Naturally, I couldn't get anyone to sort this with my electricity provider and was left on hold for 30 mins before I had to give up. I'll try again tomorrow. At least my electricity supply is working.

meercat · 25-01-2023 6:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120157094#Comment_120157094

Bureaucracy gone mad

Citizen Six · 25-01-2023 6:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120157094#Comment_120157094

Try webchat. Easier than waiting on hold on the phone. Are you sure that's a smart meter? Just looks digital to me.

I wouldn't be bothered accepting a smart meter. No benefit to it unless you have panels, or actually want a smart tariff.

TheChizler · 25-01-2023 6:45pm

Have you confirmed the green button on the left does nothing?

cmssjone · 25-01-2023 7:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120157150#Comment_120157150

No idea. When I rang up my provider, they told me it was a smart meter and then put me on hold for 30 mins before I gave up.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120157194#Comment_120157194

I've pressed and prodded everything I could see/find.

Alun · 25-01-2023 10:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120157194#Comment_120157194

On my meter, the green button cycles between a number of different information screens. One of them is a test screen where every digit and symbol lights up and I did wonder if you selected that and left it long enough it might go blank and need a button to refresh it, but apparently not.

Girl Geraldine · 26-01-2023 11:08am

I'm telling you man, just leave it be. It is of no benefit to you to have ESB come out and fix your meter.

No working meter means you can burn kWhrs away to your hearts content and receive an estimated bill for probably far less units than you are actually using. You have an opportunity here to benefit greatly from free leccy if your bill estimates are reasonable. All legally too. And it will be ESB network's own fault for having a shítty meter that can't record what's being used.

There is no obligation on you to help ESB.

Play the game.

How do I read this electric meter?

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