I have just ordered a Smart meters install for the 20th of May. How can
I tap into the data via the PC's?

On Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:49:11 +0100
Harry Bloomfield wrote:

I have just ordered a Smart meters install for the 20th of May. How
can I tap into the data via the PC's?

Follow the instructions provided at the time.

--
Davey.

Most of the suppliers seem totally ignorant about anything to do with them,
which is most disappointing as some years ago I asked to be kept informed
about talking interface devices and software to run on the computer that was
able to be used by the blind.
It now seems, reading between the lines that only the supplied touvch
screen interface with no speech or tactile feedback will be able to talk to
the meter for security reasons, all the other interfacing will be done via a
websieite which talks to the device over the mobile network or down the
mains cables depending on the type.
They seem to be saying at least to me that the direct connections might
have security or other issues if 'the public' is allowed to hack into it so
to speak. Still, only time will tell. I fully expect that a letter will
arrive out of the blue despite my rep at the company handing stuff by email
and it will get fitted and I'll completely throw the installer by being
blind and not having a smart phone for the app to run on.
Brian

--
----- -
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please!
"Davey" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:49:11 +0100
Harry Bloomfield wrote:

I have just ordered a Smart meters install for the 20th of May. How
can I tap into the data via the PC's?

Follow the instructions provided at the time.

--
Davey.

Brian Gaff wrote:
Most of the suppliers seem totally ignorant about anything to do with them,
which is most disappointing as some years ago I asked to be kept informed
about talking interface devices and software to run on the computer that was
able to be used by the blind.
It now seems, reading between the lines that only the supplied touvch
screen interface with no speech or tactile feedback will be able to talk to
the meter for security reasons, all the other interfacing will be done via a
websieite which talks to the device over the mobile network or down the
mains cables depending on the type.
They seem to be saying at least to me that the direct connections might
have security or other issues if 'the public' is allowed to hack into it so
to speak. Still, only time will tell. I fully expect that a letter will
arrive out of the blue despite my rep at the company handing stuff by email
and it will get fitted and I'll completely throw the installer by being
blind and not having a smart phone for the app to run on.

So the reality is now appearing. They do absolutely *nothing* useful
for the consumer, just give the supplier more control.

--
Chris Green
·

I have just had a smart meter fitted, and find that it has a bi-directional
optical interface.
It seems that all smart meters have this, and can be accessed by a matching
unit with a magnet
to stick it onto the surrounding iron ring. It uses a slow protocol, and an
interface can be constructed
out of simple components. I think simple readings may use standardised
codes, but anything
more complicated, and commands to configure the meter, all require passwords
and are different
for each manufacturer.
--
Dave W

"Brian Gaff" wrote in message
...
Most of the suppliers seem totally ignorant about anything to do with
them, which is most disappointing as some years ago I asked to be kept
informed about talking interface devices and software to run on the
computer that was able to be used by the blind.
It now seems, reading between the lines that only the supplied touvch
screen interface with no speech or tactile feedback will be able to talk
to the meter for security reasons, all the other interfacing will be done
via a websieite which talks to the device over the mobile network or down
the mains cables depending on the type.
They seem to be saying at least to me that the direct connections might
have security or other issues if 'the public' is allowed to hack into it
so to speak. Still, only time will tell. I fully expect that a letter will
arrive out of the blue despite my rep at the company handing stuff by
email and it will get fitted and I'll completely throw the installer by
being blind and not having a smart phone for the app to run on.
Brian

--
----- -
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please!
"Davey" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:49:11 +0100
Harry Bloomfield wrote:

I have just ordered a Smart meters install for the 20th of May. How
can I tap into the data via the PC's?

Follow the instructions provided at the time.

--
Davey.

Dave W wrote:

it has a bi-directional optical interface. It seems that all smart
meters have this

They may all have one, but it's not exclusively a "smart" meter
interface, electronic meters have had that for many years ...

Dave W wrote:
I have just had a smart meter fitted, and find that it has a bi-directional
optical interface.
It seems that all smart meters have this, and can be accessed by a matching
unit with a magnet
to stick it onto the surrounding iron ring. It uses a slow protocol, and an
interface can be constructed
out of simple components. I think simple readings may use standardised
codes, but anything
more complicated, and commands to configure the meter, all require passwords
and are different
for each manufacturer.

.... and it tells you how much electricity you are consuming, wow!

A clamp ammeter with a PC interface would be easier. quicker and
(probably) cheaper.

--
Chris Green
·

wrote:

A clamp ammeter with a PC interface would be easier. quicker and
(probably) cheaper.

But not definitive ...

In article ,
"Dave W" wrote:

I have just had a smart meter fitted, and find that it has a bi-directional
optical interface.

"bi-directional optical interface" ??

Does that mean it has Windows installed?

J.

"Another John" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Dave W" wrote:

I have just had a smart meter fitted, and find that it has a
bi-directional
optical interface.

"bi-directional optical interface" ??

Does that mean it has Windows installed?

J.

Don't be silly. It has an infra-red LED and Photodetector on the front.
--
Dave W

On Monday, 2 May 2016 10:49:24 UTC+1, Another John wrote:
In article ,
"Dave W" wrote:

I have just had a smart meter fitted, and find that it has a bi-directional
optical interface.

"bi-directional optical interface" ??

Does that mean it has Windows installed?

I thought it meant double glazed windows installed

Brian Gaff a écrit :
Most of the suppliers seem totally ignorant about anything to do with them,
which is most disappointing as some years ago I asked to be kept informed
about talking interface devices and software to run on the computer that was
able to be used by the blind.

Part of the online signup, asked me how often I wanted the data update,
but gave no explanation. The options were someting like - 30min, daily,
or weekly. I chose the 30 minutes.

Harry Bloomfield wrote:

I have just ordered a Smart meters install for the 20th of May. How can
I tap into the data via the PC's?

They might not have any facility to do that, other than exporting from
the supplier's website, I haven't had time for part3 of this

http://andyburns.uk/smartmeters

plus it's highly unlikely to be applicable to other types of meters.

Andy Burns a écrit :
Harry Bloomfield wrote:

I have just ordered a Smart meters install for the 20th of May. How can
I tap into the data via the PC's?

They might not have any facility to do that, other than exporting from the
supplier's website, I haven't had time for part3 of this

http://andyburns.uk/smartmeters

plus it's highly unlikely to be applicable to other types of meters.

My suppliers website suggests the data is accessible via a PC.

Thanks, BTW it was a local friend of mine who wrote PuTTY.

Harry Bloomfield wrote:

it was a local friend of mine who wrote PuTTY.

Well, say thanks to Simon from me ...

On 29/04/2016 20:31, Andy Burns wrote:
Harry Bloomfield wrote:

it was a local friend of mine who wrote PuTTY.

Well, say thanks to Simon from me ...

+1

BTW tell him scrolling is a bit slow on Linux with a big screen.

Andy

"Harry Bloomfield" wrote in message
...
I have just ordered a Smart meters install for the 20th of May. How can I
tap into the data via the PC's?

via the PC's what?

tim

In message , tim...
writes
"Harry Bloomfield" wrote in message
...
I have just ordered a Smart meters install for the 20th of May. How
can I tap into the data via the PC's?

via the PC's what?

grin
--
Graeme

News a écrit :
In message , tim...
writes
"Harry Bloomfield" wrote in message
...
I have just ordered a Smart meters install for the 20th of May. How can I
tap into the data via the PC's?

via the PC's what?

grin

Sorry, it was plural - several PCs.

On Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:49:11 +0100, Harry Bloomfield wrote:

I have just ordered a Smart meters install for the 20th of May. How can
I tap into the data via the PC's?

Received a letter today from Scottish Power asking me to make an
appointment to have my Smarts installed. Came with 2 leaflets, one of
which 'The benefits of smart meters' quotes customers responses to the
fitting of SMs including '85% felt they have a better understanding of
what their (sic) spending on energy'. So if 85% of those surveyed don't
know the difference between 'their' and 'they're' why should I trust their
opinions? The leaflets are very short on details as to how I will
benefit, especially as I currently (no pun intended) get a discount for
self reading my meters. OK so it's only £2.20 a quarter but 'every little
helps' I'm told! Also there's no indication whether the fitting is
compulsory or optional.

--
TOJ.

In message , The Other John
writes
On Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:49:11 +0100, Harry Bloomfield wrote:

I have just ordered a Smart meters install for the 20th of May. How can
I tap into the data via the PC's?

Received a letter today from Scottish Power asking me to make an
appointment to have my Smarts installed. Came with 2 leaflets, one of
which 'The benefits of smart meters' quotes customers responses to the
fitting of SMs including '85% felt they have a better understanding of
what their (sic) spending on energy'. So if 85% of those surveyed don't
know the difference between 'their' and 'they're' why should I trust their
opinions? The leaflets are very short on details as to how I will
benefit, especially as I currently (no pun intended) get a discount for
self reading my meters. OK so it's only £2.20 a quarter but 'every little
helps' I'm told! Also there's no indication whether the fitting is
compulsory or optional.

Currently optional. The non smart one fitted for me is about the size of
a school pencil case. Without reading glasses the display is illegible.


--
Tim Lamb

On 07/05/2016 18:42, Tim Lamb wrote:

Currently optional. The non smart one fitted for me is about the size of
a school pencil case. Without reading glasses the display is illegible.

If it is ever made compulsory, what processes will everyone have to go
through before, eventually, cutting you off? (I can't see any other
obvious endpoint.) Does the supplier have some right to access your
property for non-safety reasons? So if you simply don't make yourself
available, and don't let them in even if they find you at home, what
happens?

--
Rod

On 07/05/2016 19:22, polygonum wrote:
On 07/05/2016 18:42, Tim Lamb wrote:

Currently optional. The non smart one fitted for me is about the size of
a school pencil case. Without reading glasses the display is illegible.

If it is ever made compulsory, what processes will everyone have to go
through before, eventually, cutting you off? (I can't see any other
obvious endpoint.) Does the supplier have some right to access your
property for non-safety reasons? So if you simply don't make yourself
available, and don't let them in even if they find you at home, what
happens?


Currently if the meter reader cannot obtain access the supply company
will send a threatening letter stating they will apply for legal access
for _safety_ reasons. This can be avoided if you make an appointment for
the meter to be read. I'm sure that the person subsequently sent to
read the meter is not qualified in any way to access the safety of the
supply or installation, in his 10 second inspections of the dials on the
meter.

--
mailto: news {at} admac {dot] myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On Saturday, 7 May 2016 19:22:16 UTC+1, polygonum wrote:
On 07/05/2016 18:42, Tim Lamb wrote:

Currently optional. The non smart one fitted for me is about the size of
a school pencil case. Without reading glasses the display is illegible.

If it is ever made compulsory, what processes will everyone have to go
through before, eventually, cutting you off? (I can't see any other
obvious endpoint.) Does the supplier have some right to access your
property for non-safety reasons? So if you simply don't make yourself
available, and don't let them in even if they find you at home, what
happens?

--
Rod

The end point is energy demand side management.
Coming soon after everybody has a smart meter fitted.

It'll be interesting to see how it fits in with domestic solar PV power.

In message ,
harry writes
On Saturday, 7 May 2016 19:22:16 UTC+1, polygonum wrote:
On 07/05/2016 18:42, Tim Lamb wrote:

Currently optional. The non smart one fitted for me is about the size of
a school pencil case. Without reading glasses the display is illegible.

If it is ever made compulsory, what processes will everyone have to go
through before, eventually, cutting you off? (I can't see any other
obvious endpoint.) Does the supplier have some right to access your
property for non-safety reasons? So if you simply don't make yourself
available, and don't let them in even if they find you at home, what
happens?

--
Rod

The end point is energy demand side management.
Coming soon after everybody has a smart meter fitted.

It'll be interesting to see how it fits in with domestic solar PV power.

Yes. The meter installer confirmed that their interest is in peak
shifting by financially discouraging domestic peak usage:-(

--
Tim Lamb

On 08/05/2016 14:54, harry wrote:
Coming soon after everybody has a smart meter fitted.

My question was, how will "they" ensure that everybody has a smart meter
fitted?

What level of compulsion will be applied to the refuseniks?

--
Rod

harry wrote
polygonum wrote
Tim Lamb wrote

Currently optional. The non smart one fitted for me is about the size of
a school pencil case. Without reading glasses the display is illegible.

If it is ever made compulsory, what processes will everyone have to go
through before, eventually, cutting you off? (I can't see any other
obvious endpoint.) Does the supplier have some right to access your
property for non-safety reasons? So if you simply don't make yourself
available, and don't let them in even if they find you at home, what
happens?

The end point is energy demand side management.

Bull**** it is. It's actually about automating meter reading.

Coming soon after everybody has a smart meter fitted.

Just another utterly mindless conspiracy theory.

It'll be interesting to see how it fits in with domestic solar PV power.

Works fine here.

"The Other John" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:49:11 +0100, Harry Bloomfield wrote:

I have just ordered a Smart meters install for the 20th of May. How can
I tap into the data via the PC's?

Received a letter today from Scottish Power asking me to make an
appointment to have my Smarts installed. Came with 2 leaflets, one of
which 'The benefits of smart meters' quotes customers responses to the
fitting of SMs including '85% felt they have a better understanding of
what their (sic) spending on energy'. So if 85% of those surveyed don't
know the difference between 'their' and 'they're' why should I trust their
opinions? The leaflets are very short on details as to how I will
benefit, especially as I currently (no pun intended) get a discount for
self reading my meters. OK so it's only £2.20 a quarter but 'every little
helps' I'm told! Also there's no indication whether the fitting is
compulsory or optional.

I got a notice with one of my paper bills from EDF asking me to volunteer
for a smart meter, but it said they are optional. I did not see any benefit
to myself so ignored it. Recently I got a phonecall asking for an
appointment to have a smart meter fitted. Before I gave a date, I said "I
thought they were optional". The man said "yes", then "can I ask what your
objection is?". I said I thought the meter could be switched off via radio,
and I didn't want the risk. (I always pay my bills instantly but electronics
can fail). The man knew nothing of this, and said the meter just reported
its readings. So on that basis I allowed them to install it.

At least I will no longer have to go through the rigmarole of getting a bill
for a larger amount because nobody has read the meter, then submitting my
reading on line to get a second accurate bill.
--
Dave W

Dave W wrote:

I thought the meter could be switched off via radio, and I didn't
want the risk. (I always pay my bills instantly but electronics can
fail). The man knew nothing of this, and said the meter just
reported its readings. So on that basis I allowed them to install
it.

My gas and electric meters certainly have remote disconnect, I suspect
they all do ...

On Sun, 8 May 2016 12:15:53 +0100
"Dave W" wrote:


"The Other John" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:49:11 +0100, Harry Bloomfield wrote:

I have just ordered a Smart meters install for the 20th of May.
How can I tap into the data via the PC's?

Received a letter today from Scottish Power asking me to make an
appointment to have my Smarts installed. Came with 2 leaflets, one
of which 'The benefits of smart meters' quotes customers responses
to the fitting of SMs including '85% felt they have a better
understanding of what their (sic) spending on energy'. So if 85%
of those surveyed don't know the difference between 'their' and
'they're' why should I trust their opinions? The leaflets are very
short on details as to how I will benefit, especially as I
currently (no pun intended) get a discount for self reading my
meters. OK so it's only £2.20 a quarter but 'every little helps'
I'm told! Also there's no indication whether the fitting is
compulsory or optional.

I got a notice with one of my paper bills from EDF asking me to
volunteer for a smart meter, but it said they are optional. I did not
see any benefit to myself so ignored it. Recently I got a phonecall
asking for an appointment to have a smart meter fitted. Before I gave
a date, I said "I thought they were optional". The man said "yes",
then "can I ask what your objection is?". I said I thought the meter
could be switched off via radio, and I didn't want the risk. (I
always pay my bills instantly but electronics can fail). The man knew
nothing of this, and said the meter just reported its readings. So on
that basis I allowed them to install it.

At least I will no longer have to go through the rigmarole of getting
a bill for a larger amount because nobody has read the meter, then
submitting my reading on line to get a second accurate bill.

What make and model of meter did they fit?

--
Davey.

"Davey" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 8 May 2016 12:15:53 +0100
"Dave W" wrote:
I got a notice with one of my paper bills from EDF asking me to
volunteer for a smart meter, but it said they are optional. I did not
see any benefit to myself so ignored it. Recently I got a phonecall
asking for an appointment to have a smart meter fitted. Before I gave
a date, I said "I thought they were optional". The man said "yes",
then "can I ask what your objection is?". I said I thought the meter
could be switched off via radio, and I didn't want the risk. (I
always pay my bills instantly but electronics can fail). The man knew
nothing of this, and said the meter just reported its readings. So on
that basis I allowed them to install it.

At least I will no longer have to go through the rigmarole of getting
a bill for a larger amount because nobody has read the meter, then
submitting my reading on line to get a second accurate bill.

What make and model of meter did they fit?

The meter seems to be constructed in two halves. The bottom part with LCD
display is model no.SGM1311. The top part is model no.SGC1311 - it must be
the radio section as it has a MAC address on it. Manufactured in 2013. I
found the approvals document on the web, showing various errors due to
temperature, frequency and voltage, but I couldn't find any other
information about it. The document said it was made by GE Power Measurement
S.A. at an address in Spain.
--
Dave W

Dave W wrote:

Davey wrote:

Dave W wrote:

I said I thought the meter could be switched off via radio The
man knew nothing of this, and said the meter just reported its
readings.

What make and model of meter did they fit?

model no.SGM1311.

Now taken over by Aclara.

The spec says "Internal Load Switch: Contactor rated at 100A" so, their
man is probably ignorant of that, rather than lying to you but it is
possible for them to turn you off remotely.

http://www.aclara.com/smart-meters/ice-smart-meters/sgm1300

On Sunday, 8 May 2016 12:16:03 UTC+1, Dave W wrote:
"The Other John" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:49:11 +0100, Harry Bloomfield wrote:

I have just ordered a Smart meters install for the 20th of May. How can
I tap into the data via the PC's?

Received a letter today from Scottish Power asking me to make an
appointment to have my Smarts installed. Came with 2 leaflets, one of
which 'The benefits of smart meters' quotes customers responses to the
fitting of SMs including '85% felt they have a better understanding of
what their (sic) spending on energy'. So if 85% of those surveyed don't
know the difference between 'their' and 'they're' why should I trust their
opinions? The leaflets are very short on details as to how I will
benefit, especially as I currently (no pun intended) get a discount for
self reading my meters. OK so it's only £2.20 a quarter but 'every little
helps' I'm told! Also there's no indication whether the fitting is
compulsory or optional.

I got a notice with one of my paper bills from EDF asking me to volunteer
for a smart meter, but it said they are optional. I did not see any benefit
to myself so ignored it. Recently I got a phonecall asking for an
appointment to have a smart meter fitted. Before I gave a date, I said "I
thought they were optional". The man said "yes", then "can I ask what your
objection is?". I said I thought the meter could be switched off via radio,
and I didn't want the risk. (I always pay my bills instantly but electronics
can fail). The man knew nothing of this, and said the meter just reported
its readings. So on that basis I allowed them to install it.

At least I will no longer have to go through the rigmarole of getting a bill
for a larger amount because nobody has read the meter, then submitting my
reading on line to get a second accurate bill.
--
Dave W

Why don't you have an online account and submit your own meter readings?

The Other John wrote:
On Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:49:11 +0100, Harry Bloomfield wrote:

I have just ordered a Smart meters install for the 20th of May. How can
I tap into the data via the PC's?

Received a letter today from Scottish Power asking me to make an
appointment to have my Smarts installed. Came with 2 leaflets, one of
which 'The benefits of smart meters' quotes customers responses to the
fitting of SMs including '85% felt they have a better understanding of
what their (sic) spending on energy'. So if 85% of those surveyed don't
know the difference between 'their' and 'they're' why should I trust their
opinions?

"Their" is correct, as in "belonging to them" "They're" = "they are" which
would be nonsensical.

Tim

--
Trolls and troll feeders go in my killfile

Tim+ wrote:
The Other John wrote:
On Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:49:11 +0100, Harry Bloomfield wrote:

I have just ordered a Smart meters install for the 20th of May. How can
I tap into the data via the PC's?

Received a letter today from Scottish Power asking me to make an
appointment to have my Smarts installed. Came with 2 leaflets, one of
which 'The benefits of smart meters' quotes customers responses to the
fitting of SMs including '85% felt they have a better understanding of
what their (sic) spending on energy'. So if 85% of those surveyed don't
know the difference between 'their' and 'they're' why should I trust their
opinions?

"Their" is correct, as in "belonging to them" "They're" = "they are" which
would be nonsensical.

Tim


Darn, where's the delete button? Just realised I misread your quote. Doh!
;-)

Tim
--
Trolls and troll feeders go in my killfile

"Tim+" wrote in message ...

Tim+ wrote:
The Other John wrote:
On Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:49:11 +0100, Harry Bloomfield wrote:

I have just ordered a Smart meters install for the 20th of May. How can
I tap into the data via the PC's?

Received a letter today from Scottish Power asking me to make an
appointment to have my Smarts installed. Came with 2 leaflets, one of
which 'The benefits of smart meters' quotes customers responses to the
fitting of SMs including '85% felt they have a better understanding of
what their (sic) spending on energy'. So if 85% of those surveyed don't
know the difference between 'their' and 'they're' why should I trust
their
opinions?

"Their" is correct, as in "belonging to them" "They're" = "they are"
which
would be nonsensical.

Tim


Darn, where's the delete button? Just realised I misread your quote. Doh!
;-)

Tim

No need for the delete button. The fools obviously should not have inserted
the unnecessary 'what'.

On Sun, 08 May 2016 13:16:36 +0000, Tim+ wrote:

Darn, where's the delete button? Just realised I misread your quote.
Doh!
;-)

Sorry Tim, I fired off my riposte before seeing your follow up. Just
castrate my unnecessarily rude post!


--
TOJ.

On Sun, 08 May 2016 13:14:55 +0000, Tim+ wrote:

"Their" is correct, as in "belonging to them" "They're" = "they are"
which would be nonsensical.

********! Correctly expanded the quote would read '..what they are
spending...'


--
TOJ.

On Sun, 8 May 2016 16:12:56 +0000 (UTC)
The Other John wrote:

On Sun, 08 May 2016 13:14:55 +0000, Tim+ wrote:

"Their" is correct, as in "belonging to them" "They're" = "they are"
which would be nonsensical.

********! Correctly expanded the quote would read '..what they are
spending...'



Agreed. The way to make 'their' work would be to say: "...what their
spending is..."

--
Davey.