Troublesome and Costly Installation of SMETS2 Smart Gas Meters can be avoided
Horsens, Denmark, July 10th, 2020
While slowly resuming the installations of SMETS2 smart meters UK installers are presented with costly and troublesome installation procedures. The cause of the problem is lacking connectivity, which makes it impossible to install and commission the meters. A new smart gas meter design targets just that and promises a swift and simple installation process.
Although the rollout of smart meters has been progressing, UK installers have been faced with costly installation procedures for the new SMETS2 meters. Lacking network connection to the Wide Area Network (WAN) and/or the Home Are Network (HAN) is causing the installers to replace already installed meters and even schedule revisits. Not only does this increase installation costs; it delays the overall roll-out, which according to latest rumors is now set to mid-2025.
According to latest UK requirements all SMETS2 smart meters MUST connect to a communications hub to enable data transmission to the DCC and the In-Home Display. Connection to the hub must as a start be done using the 2.4 GHz Zigbee Network. For the gas meters, which are often placed distant from the hub or even outside the house in semi-concealed boxes, this frequently poses a problem. If connection cannot be established, installers can try connecting via the so-called sub-GHz band (868 MHz). Only problem: Very few smart gas meters can connect to both bands, leaving the installer to replace the meter once again.
Another issue hindering the installation process is the Wide Area Network connection, which will allow data transmission between the communications hub and the DCC. In several sites this connection is still not in place, leaving the installer to stop installation & commissioning and reschedule.
Dual Band & Auto-Connect
With features like Automated Network Assist and Auto-Connect, a new Dual Band smart gas meter from Danish FLONIDAN promises to ease the installation and save the costs of replacing and revisiting.
UNIFLO SMETS2, G4SDZV-2 can connect to both networks. If the standard 2.4 GHz does not offer sufficient coverage, the gas meter will automatically seek the 868 MHz band. Because the meter automatically switches between the two, the installer doesn’t need to replace an already installed 2.4 GHz meter with an 868 MHz meter, if 2.4 GHz doesn’t do the job. This enables a higher success rate in installation and speeds up the entire installation process.
See installation test of New Dual Band Smart Gas Meter
Furthermore, if the connection from the communications hub to the DCC is not in place at the time of installation, the installation and commissioning process can still be started. A retry-mode will attempt connection every 55 minutes for up to 3 months. Only if the connection is not established within that time frame, a revisit is required.
"With millions of smart meters still to be replaced before 2025, - not to mention the setback presented by COVID 19, - a simple and speedy installation process is imperative", says UK Area Manager Preben Obbekaer." The new dual-band smart gas meter will enable just that".
It is estimated that up to 30% of the UK properties, set for a smart meter, have connectivity issues.
The Dual Band meter is fully approved and certified and is available through FLONIDAN partner Aclara in the UK already now.
For further information please contact ACLARA Sales Manager Yve Ceustermanns on yceustermans@aclara.com or +32 476 87 01 90.
