OK, so not GE specific, but I thought someone on here might know.....
If smart meters can monitor the grid voltage - which I assume they can read in the same way that they read our units used - why do they send out engineers with logging equipment, when consumers report high grid voltages?
Or is my assumption wrong about the DNOs being able to read grid voltages remotely?
They absolutely can. I contacted my DNO about this topic a few weeks back when my installer said an inverter error was because of it, and they were able to see voltage report as I spoke to them on the phone. They were still going to send someone out to test it though, so not sure ultimately on your question. It might just be because they have to send someone out...?
I cancelled the visit after I tested the voltage myself via an electrician and found it to be fine (the inverter had actually failed so the error wasn't voltage after all)
Likely down to resolution - the smart meter is unlikely to have the capacity to log <ms readings like their datalogger does (think I have one somewhere in the loft next time I go up there) - it will also take various other readings such as frequency & harmonics etc... to make sure "it's just a simple tap change" and not something else going on.
hoggy From the specifications I have seen, the smart meter does not log voltage or frequency, or at least they aren't part of the specification for data to be logged by the meter to DCC. I'd expect the DNO to be getting their telemetry from devices on the distribution system, primarily used to determine whether a voltage exists or not (blown fuse on a phase?) rather than the value. Similarly, AFAIAA, frequency is the responsibility of the national grid operator, the DNO having no influence or responsibility for it.
Even if smart meters did record the voltage, I don't believe the DNO has access to the meters or the data. The contract for supply is with the energy provider who does have access to the data via the DCC and the ultimate right to disconnect the supply remotely if their disconnection criteria are met.
The fact that the DNO has no say in what micro-genereration goes where, yet they are responsible for the security and reliability of the distribution network puts them in a p***-poor position. I can see why "my" over-voltage problem isn't their problem and it's the reason why, when speaking to the DNO, it's always best to treat them kindly, because if they do come to look at your situation and put a voltage recorder on, they really are doing you a favour.
I was talking about the DNO magic meter for frequency bits for the logging.
For the Smart Meter itself, they may not be explicitly logged by the DCC but there is provision "Voltage quality measurements" and logging for it in the spec I believe (page 39 onwards)
How & what Smart meters are actually doing behind the scenes is (for obvious security reasons) kept quite well guarded. I do know (from ahem) experience that if you pull the main fuse for more than 30mins & the rest of the street hasn't done the same then you get a visit shortly after from a meter reader making sure you've not been busy linking things out...
Fully agree on DNO guys - they are first out of bed for storms & generally a cup of tea/coffee is the bare minimum (if you have any power in the house to do so! )
Thanks for your comments all. The reason I was thinking about this, was because I was trying to understand to what extent the DNOs can proactively look for high (or low) grid voltages. Or if they are completely dependant upon customers reporting issues.
If they don't have a good way to proactively monitor, it occurs to me that GE might be able to use the data they can see, from our systems, to do that for them (business opportunity?).
But I guess it all depends if the DNOs have a good reason to be proactive (e.g. if early diagnosis is better from a cost perspective) or not.
hoggy I do know (from ahem) experience that if you pull the main fuse for more than 30mins
Well that's one way to get a quick response and feet at the door. Never tried it myself and now that I know, I won't either.