2 single phase meters in series

[partplonker]

I maintain the electrical installation for an old building that is converted into flats. The DNO only owns the transformer and we have a single electricity meter for the whole site. All of the switchgear is ours and the flats have submeters that are also ours (the management company that own the building).

I've got a flat with an electricity meter in an incredibly awkward place (10 foot up at the back of a tight crawl space). Every year, I have to climb up a ladder and get in there to read the meter and I'd like this year to be the last time.

I was thinking of adding a second meter near their CU. The CU was moved to ground level in another room years ago before I got here - using about 15m of unprotected meter tails, which is an interesting choice but I digress.

My question is, would having 2 single phase meters in series affect the metering of either? I could go and replace the original meter with a Henley block, but it's a pain and if there's no issue then I don't see any point.

I can't think of anything wrong with doing this, can anyone else?

 

[ImpededLoop]

No reason at all why you can't add a second meter.

 

[7029 dave]

The only issue I would have is possible confusion, if the wrong meter was read. IMO I would remove the awkward positioned meter.

 

[snowhead]

As above. I'd relocate the existing awkward one to avoid any future potential dispute over the readings.

 

[partplonker]

Thanks for the responses. I'll take out the old meter as well then.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

It will also avoid any disputes when inevitably a minor discrepancy arises between the two due to normal tolerance on the measurement accuracy. The upstream meter will also register the (tiny) running load of the downstream meter and should in theory read high, but if it is found to read low then the customer might ask to be billed from that.

 

[UKMeterman]

NB The new meter must be MID certified (not a refirb sepecial !!)

 

[partplonker]

NB The new meter must be MID certified (not a refirb sepecial !!)

You mean I can't just buy the cheapest one off eBay?

 

[UKMeterman]

You mean I can't just buy the cheapest one off eBay?

You could have 100A 230V MID B Modular Single Phase Electronic Meter - https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/4536127-100a-230v-mid-b-modular-single-phase-electronic-meter stick some seals om it though

 

[partplonker]

You could have 100A 230V MID B Modular Single Phase Electronic Meter - https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/4536127-100a-230v-mid-b-modular-single-phase-electronic-meter stick some seals om it though

Yeah I was pulling your leg, the last couple I've bought have been from CEF I've never bothered sealing them as the tenants are old/honest and I inspect them at least once per year.

 

[brianmoooore]

Should really be fitted with seals, otherwise live terminals can be accessed 'without the use of a tool'.

 

[partplonker]

Should really be fitted with seals, otherwise live terminals can be accessed 'without the use of a tool'.

Can they? The last couple of digital ones I fitted still required a screwdriver to take the plastic cover off and expose the terminals. It was this sort of style: 1 Phase 100A MID Approved Meter - https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/4326507-1-phase-100a-mid-approved-meter

That said I just looked on CEF and plastic meter seals are 32p so I will splash out on some of those