Changing to smart meter has left me without lighting. OVO say it's not their fault

thecatneuterer · 2024-08-07T14:14:51+00:00

The engineer is here right now. Just changed to a smart meter and he's trying to tell me that the reason I now have no lights must be due to an underlying fault and not their responsibility. I'm sure I'm not being unreasonable to be annoyed. Has this happened to anyone else?

DaughterNo2 · 07/08/2024 15:15

Have they tripped?

Original poster

thecatneuterer · 07/08/2024 15:16

That circuit is just constantly tripping. They are telling me it's an RCD fault. It was perfectly fine before they changed the meter.

OP posts:

daffodilflowers · 07/08/2024 15:19

Say you want your old meter back?

Original poster

thecatneuterer · 07/08/2024 15:27

I mean, to be fair, the meter can't discriminate between the different circuits. The job of the meter is just to supply electricity. But something has caused it to fail now. The engineer says it happens quite often! In which case perhaps they could actually fix it rather than leaving the customers without lighting/sockets and with a big bill for an electrician, all because they finally gave in to the constant pressure to change the bloody meter.

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Hillarious · 07/08/2024 15:46

We had no hot water for about six weeks, as the engineer found a gas leak, which he wasn't permitted to deal with, other than to cap off the supply to the boiler, where the problem was. Annoying in the first instance, as it was inconvenient, but we were wondering how long the leak had been undetected and that we should instead be grateful. Had to source a spare part for a very old boiler, but all back working now.

The smart meter tells me we saved £21 by not heating a tank of water for those six weeks.

Ilovemyshed · 07/08/2024 15:48

I suspect you have had a surge which had created a problem with your consumer board and an rcd trip.

Get it checked by a sparky, you may need a new board, or some new rcds. It happens sometimes when things are upgraded and other parts are old.

Ilovemyshed · 07/08/2024 15:52

thecatneuterer · 07/08/2024 15:16

That circuit is just constantly tripping. They are telling me it's an RCD fault. It was perfectly fine before they changed the meter.

There maybe an issue with one area that is tripping or maybe there is too much on the circuit.

The simple way to find out is this:

Turn all the lights off at the wall/ switch
Turn off the rcd, remove and replace with a new on if needed.
Go round one by one turning things off.
You will find what is tripping the board.
Get that fixed.

Don't forget to turn off outside lights. We had exactly this issue and it was a faulty outside light that tripped the board each time.

Original poster

thecatneuterer · 07/08/2024 15:56

Ilovemyshed · 07/08/2024 15:52

There maybe an issue with one area that is tripping or maybe there is too much on the circuit.

The simple way to find out is this:

Turn all the lights off at the wall/ switch
Turn off the rcd, remove and replace with a new on if needed.
Go round one by one turning things off.
You will find what is tripping the board.
Get that fixed.

Don't forget to turn off outside lights. We had exactly this issue and it was a faulty outside light that tripped the board each time.

Show quote history

We've tried all that (me and the engineer).

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CallThatCloudy · 07/08/2024 16:08

Of course its annoying. But its really not OVOs "fault" is it? Maybe this has uncovered an undiscovered and potentially dodgy fault that needed to be sorted anyway. I'd be annoyed (more) at the lecky who is there changing the meter, he should be more than capable of finding the problem (and understanding and fixing it).

Original poster

thecatneuterer · 07/08/2024 16:12

CallThatCloudy · 07/08/2024 16:08

Of course its annoying. But its really not OVOs "fault" is it? Maybe this has uncovered an undiscovered and potentially dodgy fault that needed to be sorted anyway. I'd be annoyed (more) at the lecky who is there changing the meter, he should be more than capable of finding the problem (and understanding and fixing it).

Yes I understand that. But it has been perfectly fine and it's the changing of the meter that has 'caused' this, even if it wasn't actually their fault. And as the engineer said this happens very often, it would be good if the engineer were also able to fix it - even if they needed to charge for parts say.

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dementedpixie · 07/08/2024 16:19

They tried to put a smart meter in our house but it kept tripping the consumer unit. Apparently it's an issue with the type/age of the consumer unit and until it gets upgraded we can't have a smart meter. They had to put the old dumb meter back in and take the (not so) smart meter away.

whatsinanameeh · 07/08/2024 16:30

Your smart meter fitter (or engineer) is likely not a fully qualified domestic electrician and unable to offer more help than he has done already.

However. Very good point that as it's a common occurrence it should be detailed in pre installation material and installation could have some FAQ's regarding fixing after.

Raasclaat · 07/08/2024 16:33

On a side note is it true that electric meters are obsolete after 20 years? They're insisting on changing mine for a smart meter but I really dont want one. I know theres a gov site that tells you how long they last but it all seems like a con. OP were you forced into having a smart meter fitted?

Hiddenmnetter · 07/08/2024 16:34

CallThatCloudy · 07/08/2024 16:08

Of course its annoying. But its really not OVOs "fault" is it? Maybe this has uncovered an undiscovered and potentially dodgy fault that needed to be sorted anyway. I'd be annoyed (more) at the lecky who is there changing the meter, he should be more than capable of finding the problem (and understanding and fixing it).

That’s not how RCDs work.

RCDs trip when the flow of current on the neutral does not match the flow of current on the line. Imagine if there’s some sort of impedance on the smart meter…

Either way, it’s not an “uncovered” fault.

Either you have a bit of kit that is earthing the line, and so the neutral isn’t gettting the full return, or there is the (eternally irritating) neutral fault. Either way, a sparky is the solution, but this isn’t like a car where you replace one part and mechanical wear means another part stops working properly. An RCD trips cause the flow of current is uneven on the line and neutral, or it is faulty. If it wasn’t tripping before, then something he’s done has either caused an imbalance OR he’s fucked the RCD.

Ginmonkeyagain · 07/08/2024 16:35

Changes often uncover pre-existing issues and faults. I doubt the smart meter install "caused" it.

Original poster

thecatneuterer · 07/08/2024 16:55

Ginmonkeyagain · 07/08/2024 16:35

Changes often uncover pre-existing issues and faults. I doubt the smart meter install "caused" it.

Not in that sense, no. But in the sense that had the meter not been changed it would still be working now.

I have though come to terms with it just being one of those things. But had I known this was a significant risk of changing the meter I wouldn't have bothered.

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Raasclaat · 07/08/2024 16:56

Would he not put the old meter back on? With RCD and tripping its usually a case of isolate things one at a time till you find the fault. If only the meter has changed then why isn't that the fault?

Original poster

thecatneuterer · 07/08/2024 16:57

whatsinanameeh · 07/08/2024 16:30

Your smart meter fitter (or engineer) is likely not a fully qualified domestic electrician and unable to offer more help than he has done already.

However. Very good point that as it's a common occurrence it should be detailed in pre installation material and installation could have some FAQ's regarding fixing after.

Good point. He won't have been a fully qualified electrician. I imagine they are just trained to change meters.

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Original poster

thecatneuterer · 07/08/2024 17:00

Raasclaat · 07/08/2024 16:56

Would he not put the old meter back on? With RCD and tripping its usually a case of isolate things one at a time till you find the fault. If only the meter has changed then why isn't that the fault?

But it's unlikely to be the fault of the meter exactly as the RCD is working in general. It's just one circuit that's fucked. The engineer implied that it's the interruption of electricity to the RCD that can cause faults, which is why this is something that happens quite regularly.

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Original poster

thecatneuterer · 07/08/2024 17:02

Hiddenmnetter · 07/08/2024 16:34

That’s not how RCDs work.

RCDs trip when the flow of current on the neutral does not match the flow of current on the line. Imagine if there’s some sort of impedance on the smart meter…

Either way, it’s not an “uncovered” fault.

Either you have a bit of kit that is earthing the line, and so the neutral isn’t gettting the full return, or there is the (eternally irritating) neutral fault. Either way, a sparky is the solution, but this isn’t like a car where you replace one part and mechanical wear means another part stops working properly. An RCD trips cause the flow of current is uneven on the line and neutral, or it is faulty. If it wasn’t tripping before, then something he’s done has either caused an imbalance OR he’s fucked the RCD.

Show quote history

Interesting. But surely then the whole RCD wouldn't be working - not just one circuit.

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Original poster

thecatneuterer · 07/08/2024 17:03

Raasclaat · 07/08/2024 16:33

On a side note is it true that electric meters are obsolete after 20 years? They're insisting on changing mine for a smart meter but I really dont want one. I know theres a gov site that tells you how long they last but it all seems like a con. OP were you forced into having a smart meter fitted?

Not forced, no. I just eventually gave into the constant pleas thinking "what's the worst that can happen?" 😁

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Hiddenmnetter · 07/08/2024 17:05

If the RCD is tripping it could be one or any number of circuits that are faulty. It could also be the fault of the meter (although this is less likely). I wonder when he changed the tails if he maybe made some mistake?

It’s also possible (though more common with DC systems) to have a residual imbalance that will balance in a few hours and then it’ll work again. The point is, I certainly wouldn’t be taking his assertion that it was a pre-existing fault. I would be working under the assumption that he’d fucked up the install and created some sort of Earth that was causing the RCD to trip, and I’d damn well be expecting him to sort it out.

CallThatCloudy · 07/08/2024 17:12

Ginmonkeyagain · 07/08/2024 16:35

Changes often uncover pre-existing issues and faults. I doubt the smart meter install "caused" it.

That's what I was trying to say, but apparently that required a lecture about RCDs. Don't know why...

Andthereitis · 07/08/2024 17:21

I would be ringing and asking nicely but firmly that they send someone to check the work that's been done.

Ask them for the registration details of your meter changer.

There's no reason your lighting circuit should cease working because of a meter change.
I would check every light is off before flicking the RCD one last time.

Most electric meters are in tiny spaces and maybe he's knocked something as he's been working on the meter.

If the company won't send anyone then call an electrician in. You need lights!

Original poster

thecatneuterer · 07/08/2024 17:29

Hiddenmnetter · 07/08/2024 17:05

If the RCD is tripping it could be one or any number of circuits that are faulty. It could also be the fault of the meter (although this is less likely). I wonder when he changed the tails if he maybe made some mistake?

It’s also possible (though more common with DC systems) to have a residual imbalance that will balance in a few hours and then it’ll work again. The point is, I certainly wouldn’t be taking his assertion that it was a pre-existing fault. I would be working under the assumption that he’d fucked up the install and created some sort of Earth that was causing the RCD to trip, and I’d damn well be expecting him to sort it out.

What's a tail? It is just the one circuit that's not working though. Everything else is fine.

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