I have a modern digital (LCD) electricity meter (installed around 2 yrs
ago, replacing the old spinning disc). It has a red light that flashes
so many times per kWh (as stated on the front) but sometimes when I
open the cupboard it shines red for a while (never time it and never
see it turn on anyway).
No significant current being drawn throughout the house, meter never
been fiddled with (before anyone asks!).
Once phoned the regional distribution company and they couldn't really
explain it.
Any ideas? Anything to worry about with regards to inaccuracy?

If it's the same unit as mine, then when the current draw is really
zero, the led stays on.

As I have a cordless phone base station plugged in, my current draw is
only ever zero when I opne the main switch. Try it an see if the red
led stays on.

wrote:
If it's the same unit as mine, then when the current draw is really
zero, the led stays on.

As I have a cordless phone base station plugged in, my current draw is
only ever zero when I opne the main switch. Try it an see if the red
led stays on.

If the fridge/freezer and chest freezer weren't doing anything, that
leaves three alarm clock radios, a VCR showing the time and the PIR on
our outside light (if that uses anything during the daytime).
I'll keep an eye on it.

wrote in message
oups.com...
If it's the same unit as mine, then when the current draw is really
zero, the led stays on.

As I have a cordless phone base station plugged in, my current draw is
only ever zero when I opne the main switch. Try it an see if the red
led stays on.


Why can't you just unplug that too?

--

Graham.

%Profound_observation%

It has a red light that flashes so many times per kWh (as
stated on the front) but sometimes when I open the cupboard
it shines red for a while (never time it and never see it
turn on anyway).
No significant current being drawn throughout the house, meter never
been fiddled with (before anyone asks!).

It is designed to do that. The "on" time, at least on mine, isn't constant,
but also slows down as usage decreases. If you aren't using much leccy, then
both the "on" time and "off" time increase up until infinity (i.e. using no
power at all). When you see it do this again, try turning on a substantial
appliance, like your immersion and it will soon be blinking away like crazy.

Christian.

On 30/10/06 12:01, Christian McArdle wrote:
It has a red light that flashes so many times per kWh (as
stated on the front) but sometimes when I open the cupboard
it shines red for a while (never time it and never see it
turn on anyway).
No significant current being drawn throughout the house, meter never
been fiddled with (before anyone asks!).

It is designed to do that. The "on" time, at least on mine, isn't constant,
but also slows down as usage decreases. If you aren't using much leccy, then
both the "on" time and "off" time increase up until infinity (i.e. using no
power at all). When you see it do this again, try turning on a substantial
appliance, like your immersion and it will soon be blinking away like crazy.

As a purely academic question, does the meter draw the power for the
light from the supply side, or does it charge you for the power it uses?

- Ian

--
Ian Chard, Unix & Network Administrator | E:
Systems and Electronic Resources Service | T: 80587 / (01865) 280587
Oxford University Library Services | F: (01865) 242287

Christian McArdle wrote:
It has a red light that flashes so many times per kWh (as
stated on the front) but sometimes when I open the cupboard
it shines red for a while (never time it and never see it
turn on anyway).
No significant current being drawn throughout the house, meter never
been fiddled with (before anyone asks!).

It is designed to do that. The "on" time, at least on mine, isn't constant,
but also slows down as usage decreases. If you aren't using much leccy, then
both the "on" time and "off" time increase up until infinity (i.e. using no
power at all). When you see it do this again, try turning on a substantial
appliance, like your immersion and it will soon be blinking away like crazy.

Christian.

Who pays for the leccy on the red light?

Who pays for the leccy on the red light?

Eventually, you do, whether it is metered or not.

Christian.

As a purely academic question, does the meter draw the power for the
light from the supply side, or does it charge you for the power it uses?


More to the point, does it consume more or less energy than the
spinning disc ?

wrote:
As a purely academic question, does the meter draw the power for the
light from the supply side, or does it charge you for the power it uses?


More to the point, does it consume more or less energy than the
spinning disc ?

Thanks to all who have replied. Now I know that little red light
constantly on = a good thing. I'd imagine that the 2W this meter says
it consumes is a lot less than the old spinning disc one it replaced
(could hear that one grinding away from across the room with the
cupboard door closed).