New E7 meter. Do I still need a timer for storage heater circuits?

[marcusone]

Hi guys

I'm out of touch with modern meters and haven't done a E7 install for years.
Trying to get info on a Ace9000 Kbd prepayment Economy 7 meter.
I've installed an additional cu for two storage heater circuits. Empty flat and supplier has left an isolator after the meter. Can I connect tails to the off peak supply without a timer or contactor. Does the meter do all this?

Thanks for any guidance. Mark.

 

[telectrix]

i would think so. there are 2 L tails coming out, so it appears to be a dual tariff meter.

 

[marcusone]

i would think so. there are 2 L tails coming out, so it appears to be a dual tariff meter.

Thanks Telectrix. Yes 2 L tails. Much appreciated.

 

[7029 dave]

Yes that has an integral time switch, terminal 5 (front right) is the off peak live terminal, that meter is prepayment meter.

 

[telectrix]

and looking at the £2.86 credit, it needs feeding.

 

[marcusone]

Yes that has an integral time switch, terminal 5 (front right) is the off peak live terminal, that meter is prepayment meter.

Thanks Dave. Terminal 5 is permanently live which is throwing me as I thought it would be timed?

 

[Dave OCD]

If both live outputs are on 24 hours a day then it must be faulty ?

 

[telectrix]

Thanks Dave. Terminal 5 is permanently live which is throwing me as I thought it would be timed?

how have you tested that?

 

[marcusone]

how have you tested that?

Hi Tel. With my voltage and continuity tester L-N 230 L-E 230 for terminal 5 at the 4 pole isolator fitted by dno.

 

[telectrix]

have you checked the same terminal after midnight?

 

[marcusone]

have you checked the same terminal after midnight?

No I haven't . What you thinking Tel ? Timings not set correctly?

 

[telectrix]

could be that what you ID as terminal 5 is the daytime output and terminal4 is night.

 

[davesparks]

Could you have been testing during an afternoon boost period (if such a thing still exists these days)

If both outgoing lives from the meter are permanently live then it suggests the meter may be faulty. Contact the electricity supplier for help with this.

 

[marcusone]

could be that what you ID as terminal 5 is the daytime output and terminal4 is night.

Existing consumer connected to terminal 4. All working fine. Thanks Tel.

 

[marcusone]

Could you have been testing during an afternoon boost period (if such a thing still exists these days)

If both outgoing lives from the meter are permanently live then it suggests the meter may be faulty. Contact the electricity supplier for help with this.

Looks that way guys. thanks for your input Dave and Tel. Ill contact them tomorrow and let you know the outcome.

 

[7029 dave]

Thanks Dave. Terminal 5 is permanently live which is throwing me as I thought it would be timed?

The tariff code could be single rate, hence both live. Do you have j screen and k ?if not it's single. Set for 24hrs suppy

 

[marcusone]

The tariff code could be single rate, hence both live. Do you have j screen and k ?if not it's single. Set for 24hrs suppy

The customer requested an Economy 7 meter so he could have storage heaters installed. I was expecting the meter to do the off peak switching. Ill check when i go back but does that mean its the wrong meter or that we have to provide external timer? Thanks Dave

 

[7029 dave]

The meter is ok, them prepayment meters are universal to all tariff's, the customer needs to ring their supplier to change the tariff code, by issuing new key, or may need visit. Once done 5th terminal will only switch on off peak times, no need for additional timer.

 

[marcusone]

The meter is ok, them prepayment meters are universal to all tariff's, the customer needs to ring their supplier to change the tariff code, by issuing new key, or may need visit. Once done 5th terminal will only switch on off peak times, no need for additional timer.

Dave, You're a star. Thanks guys for all the feedback.

 

[marcusone]

Update: Two meter installers have called . British Gas is the supplier. Both have been unable to set the meter up for E7 and have changed the meter as well with no joy. Last one said he will send a more experienced installer to set it up. All good fun .

 

[marcusone]

Update: "Experienced" meter installer arrived. Landlord said he changed the meter again to one "suitable for storage heaters". He still has 230v on the fifth terminal. Said its either a short circuit in the installation or thats how it is and you need to have the storage heaters connected and then the meter will recognize there is a load. Packed his tools and off he went lol. Landlord losing the will to live and I'm totally bemused. Beginning to think I will need to install a timer to control the storage heaters :-(

 

[7029 dave]

We are talking about the prepayment meter you showed a pic of right.? If so rubbish the meter needs to be programmed to e7 on my area 45 for general domestic 24hr supply, 49 for E7, 116 for e10, it is as simple as that, get the customer to change suppler if no joy. Having said that are you sure you are not getting back feed from the installation on that 5th terminal.?The only way to prove is to have it out.

 

[7029 dave]

Just to add when I mean back feed, the E7 tails from CU are live 24hrs.? If that is the case not a metering issue. You need to establish this, going by what you have been told by the mop.

 

[marcusone]

Just to add when I mean back feed, the E7 tails from CU are live 24hrs.? If that is the case not a metering issue. You need to establish this, going by what you have been told by the mop.

Hi Dave. Yes its that meter . I established that the 5th terminal (off peak) was live before i even carried out the installation of the off peak consumer unit and storage heater circuits. After having three guys out now all admitting that "something" is wrong and even replacing the meter twice we are losing faith in the supplier. I'm back at the property tomorrow and I'll do a belt and braces check yet again just for my own sanity, I think the outcome will be that we look at a new supplier. Fortunately the property is currently between tenants. Thanks Dave for the info fortunately I'm maintaining my sense of humor .

 

[marcusone]

The tariff code could be single rate, hence both live. Do you have j screen and k ?if not it's single. Set for 24hrs suppy

Hi Dave. I only have screens A, B, E, F, G, H, I, R, S and T. Disconnected the E7 tails from the Henleys out of meter and definitely still live from the meter. No back feed.

 

[marcusone]

Latest photo since supplier removed isolator and fitted Henley blocks. Seriously think I need to get landlord to find another supplier. Unbelievable such a simple thing is so difficult to sort.

 

[davesparks]

Why did they remove the isolator?

 

[marcusone]

Why did they remove the isolator?

Be amused, Landlord said it was to eliminate the possibility of a short circuit in the isolator!

 

[Midwest]

I know its been stated twice before, and at the risk of sounding like a bit of a lemon, when (i.e. time of day) are you testing E7 output?

 

[marcusone]

I know its been stated twice before, and at the risk of sounding like a bit of a lemon, when (i.e. time of day) are you testing E7 output?

Hi. Tested at various times various days . 10am, 2pm, 4pm.