3 Phase Electricity Supply

[loobyloz]

Hello all, we are upgrading our electricity connection to a 3 phase supply. Do any of you have this with a smart meter? I’m struggling to find an energy company who can supply us with a smart meter for this type of connection. Thanks in advance!

I don't know, but they are commonly used in industrial, large commercial, and farming installations.

So companies concentrating on domestic contracts may not be interested.

The major electricity companies will be better equipped.

We have: we moved to a house last year that had 3 phase, and eventually managed to get a smart meter from Octopus, from whom we were buying our energy anyway. However, it wasn’t a simple process, as only some of their engineers are qualified to install smart meters when 3 phase is on the premises, and it took about 3 visits before it was all set up properly. IIRC, we had the meter set up for gas quite a while before we had the electricity added to it.

We have 3 phase and never found any supplier who would/could install a smart meter. Now back with EDF after our last one went bust and they can't either 😞

Thanks @Bossyboots1959 I finally managed to speak to Octopus who said they don’t have meters at the moment to do this. Suspect they don’t want to take on new customers with the price caps etc. I’m now chasing our current supplier EDF to see if they can do it but like @PigletJohn says, guess it isn’t the norm. Our electrician said this kind of supply is the future especially if you have a EV to charge. Fingers crossed!

I'd check again if you definitely need this. I think it was suggested at some point when we were getting solar & and EV charging point fitted, but then they decided we didn't need it which has been much simpler.

it depends where you are, but EDF is one of the companies that will be able to do it. Can I ask what county or city you are in?

@PigletJohn We are in Cornwall. EDF haven't committed on the smart meter but have said they can change the meter when we have the connection.

@Bramshott It was a strong steer from our electrician as we have electric heating and modern appliances that drag quite a bit from the grid. More for future proofing in case we get an EV.

@hannahcolobus alas not for solar although we would have liked to have had solar.

We have a 3 phase supply and cannot have a smart meter because of this. It doesn't stop them repeatedly trying to book an appointment to do it though!

Shell Energy and Scottish Power will fit smart meters for 3 phase domestic supplies. Possibly British Gas as well

In my experience EDF will say they can do it and then when they turn up the engineer will scratch head and say nope! And like @InkySquid they keep on badgering you to have one and the phone sales people assure you they can fit one to the 3 phase meter and then the whole cycle begins again......🙄

I see EDF took over the old SWEB supply company, so they are as likely as anyone to be able to do it. I don't know the Cornwall arrangements but I'd expect them to still have people that deal with industrial and commercial 3-phase. It may be separate from the domestic division.

Western Power Distribution own the network in Cornwall and do the cable installation, but not the meter.

Ahhh SWEB, what a blast from the past!