Now we know why smart meters have an off switch

[vetran]

Notwithstanding remote disconnection possibilities, my pet hate with so-called smart meters is that they are reported to have a life expectancy of 10 years. Hence need to factor in the costs and environmental impact of replacement.

Plus, of course there's the overhead of all the systems and folks need to run the smart meter infrastructure.

I've seen electromechanical meters last 50 years - with no fancy electronic components they are less of a re-cycling challenge too.

I said 'no thanks' ...

Plenty of electronics work for decades, what needs to be permitted is obsolescence, Slide in upgrades make real sense. Plenty of systems have hot swap cards, Once you have the meters connected with Corgi & rev 17 accredited engineers if an unqualified bod could change the communication system a meter could still work in 50+ years.

[DoctorStrangelove]

It would seem, rittle glasshopper, that you have far more faith in modern electronics than I have.

They're already replacing the first tranche of "smart meters" because they're becoming obsolete.

Then again, smart meters are rather more prone to breakdown due to the spikey normans on the supply than the good old fashioned whirly disc kind..


I'd have thunk that rolling power cuts would be done at the substation level rather than individual smart meters.

I have noticed that lots of the supply network has little antennas and comms boxes attached these days.

[SueEllen]

Notwithstanding remote disconnection possibilities, my pet hate with so-called smart meters is that they are reported to have a life expectancy of 10 years. Hence need to factor in the costs and environmental impact of replacement.

Plus, of course there's the overhead of all the systems and folks need to run the smart meter infrastructure.

I've seen electromechanical meters last 50 years - with no fancy electronic components they are less of a re-cycling challenge too.

I said 'no thanks' ...

Oooh I can use the green argument to refuse to have one.

(Though I won't be gluing myself to my meters.)

[Protagoras]

I'd have thunk that rolling power cuts would be done at the substation level rather than individual smart meters.

Each network operator's area is divided into 18 'load blocks' which experience an outage of 3 hours, or multiples thereof. There are multiple rota plans depending on the extent of the demand reduction required.

https://assets.publishing.service.go...c-guidance.pdf

[Zigenare]

I have noticed that lots of the supply network has little antennas and comms boxes attached these days.

Helps to find "*losses" in the system.

For *losses read "theft".

[TheDude]

My smart meter has told me that the kettle sand toaster talk about me behind my back.

[TheDude]

Helps to find "*losses" in the system.

For *losses read "theft".

Cannabis farmers abstracting electricity?