Recently we took the plunge and decided to have smart meters installed (two – one for Electric and one for Gas) by our energy supplier SSE Plc. The process itself is straightforward and can be booked on the SSE website, but I would just like to call out a really useful tip here that will help you (and whatever electrician works at your property) in the future: Whilst the fitter is installing your meter, get him/her to also install a mains isolator switch at the same time. My fitter (a marvellous bloke called Alan) told me that all new build properties now have these switches installed as a matter of course, but older houses (like mine, built in 1986) do not. The switch allows an electrician working on your property (or the fire brigade!) to isolate the mains electricity supply to carry out major work without having to get the energy company to shut off the supply (which is rather expensive and takes time to organise). This simple change future-proofs your home to allow the easier subsequent addition of car chargers, solar panels, consumer units, etc.
Alan also remarked that most properties where he has installed smart meters have had the security tags removed on the main 100A supply fuse (that big grey block at the bottom left of the photo) and mine was the first in Malmesbury that he had found with the tags intact. Typically, if an electrician has to do major works (e.g. fitting a car charger) then he/she has to stop the electricity supply coming from the meter. Bizarrely, there is no (legal) means of shutting off this supply, unless the property has an isolator like the one shown. Where no isolator exists, typically electricians have cut the security tags and pulled out the main fuse, done their work, then put the fuse back. This saves them a lot of money, too. Once upon a time, electricians could get away with this, but the new smart meters know the difference between a true power cut and someone interfering with the supply cable (and when it was done and for how long). Rather than get into trouble with the energy supplier (unlikely I know, but why risk it?), simply buy an isolator (like I did) and ask the fitter on arrival if they would install it . The fitters do have a small stock of these isolators in stock on their vans (for emergencies), so if you are elderly or on a reduced income, ask the fitter nicely and they might fit one free for you. Note that almost all other energy companies charge for this service, so if you can afford it, please buy one from a suitable supplier (links provided below) so that those who can’t will continue to get this perk.
The Wylex 100A 2 pole isolator is available from Screwfix, Toolstation, CEF, TLC Electrical and RS Online. [I suppose Amazon and eBay also sell these things, but they already make enough money without me giving them free links.] I chose the Wylex isolator not because I am affiliated or earn commission or anything, it is just that the isolator is what most energy suppliers (or certainly SSE) fit themselves.
P.S. If you are on a 3 phase supply, my understanding is that SSE don’t (yet) have 3 phase smart meters though they are working on it.
Talking Electrical Ltd 