Smart Meter Tripping RCD

[Ines Spires]

Thought I would throw my tenant's problem regards Smart Meters (SM) into the mix, in the hope someone could maybe suggest what is going on?

May 2016 - tenants switch to E.org - no problem.
March 2017 - had Liberty 100 PAYG SM (top-Up via App) installed and immediately the RCD/fusebox starts tripping intermittently - every few hours, every day, after few days - see picture.
April 2017 - I contacted E.org and they stated that SM not cause switches to trip, fault is fusebox. Accept what they say.

Tripping continues and tenants check and monitor if appliances causing problem. None found.
BG electricians check home electrics 4 times and state domestic side and RCD all ok - Dec 2017, Aug 2018, Sept 2018 and Oct 2018.

After much elimination find Cause???!!!
Customer Top Up - when tenant tops up via app and then a few minutes later credit shows up on phone, then RCD immediately trips.
Supplier reading - after informing E.org about above and they do On Demand reading from their end, then RCD immediately trips.

E.org change SM Oct 2018 and tripping now worse.
BG check after SM change and state domestic side and RCD all ok.
E.org state that fault is RCD as have changed SM and thus are insistent they are not at fault.
BG believe it is SM, so I am between a rock and hard place.
Requested E.org replace SM with Dumb Meters as a way of eliminating or confirming SM is cause of tripping, but will only do if I pay.

Now starting case with Energy Ombudsman… And tenants’ life not good as now 3/4 times a day have to reset RCD.
Any ideas/advice?

 

[Strima]

Ines I’m no expert but how could the meter possibly trip that RCD since it’s feeding the premises and ahead of all your overcurrent and short circuit protection. It also seems unlikely that the wireless reading could trip a breaker. I wished I had an answer

UK smart meters contain a SIM card that connect to the local mobile phone network. In areas of poor reception the device increases antenna power and output to try and get a better signal. This is in the form of non-ionising radiation and has an adverse effect on electronics and biologicals. The aluminium foil blocks the signal, note I spelt ALUMINIUM correctly...

The increased power of the phone signal caused the RCD electronics to detect a fault and operate the device.

@Ines Spires I would again hassle them and request an external antenna is fitted to the SM, they are readily available and easy to install, this should stop the nuisance tripping.

And I'm now in smug mode.

 

[littlespark]

has an adverse effect on electronics and biologicals.

What do you mean by "biologicals"? Is it bad for human health??

And to continue the Red Dwarf theme

 

[Strima]

What do you mean by "biologicals"? Is it bad for human health??

And to continue the Red Dwarf theme

View attachment 54162

Plant and animal. Not plumbers though as they have their own genome...

 

[alasdairp]

Plant and animal. Not plumbers though as they have their own genome...

The International Angency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of W.H.O, categorised all RF / microwave energy close to the body as a Group 2B "possible human carcinogen" in 2011 and that is likely to be upgraded to a 2A "probable human carcinogen" in the next couple of years as the scientific and medical evidence has become stronger. It can also cause headaches and outher neurological adverse symptoms in some people.

As to the RFI/EMC interference issue, electrical and electronic equipment only has to be immune to a signal strength of 3 volts per metre under the EMC Regulations. Close to a mobile phone or a Smart meter, the levels are often over 20 volts per metre. So the Smart Meter should not have been installed so close to the Consumer Unit. But does OFGEM or anyone else give guidance on this - of course not.