PV affecting import meter?

[spionkop]

Since installing and commissioning a PV installation the mains import meter is flashing between the figures and 'rEd'. It is a Landis & Gyr type 5235A meter. Can anyone tell me what this means and should it be reported to the DNO?

 

[TedM]

Indicates that power is being exported and the meter sees this as tampering. The supplier should be contacted to arrange replacement of the meter - if they are fussed.

rEd = reverse energy detected

 

[spionkop]

Thanks TedM. That seems pretty logical. The DNO have been informed of the installation.

 

[Howzy64]

Does the meter display the RED error message during periods of reverse energy detection only or continuously once detected?

 

[TedM]

That varies depending on the model and how it is setup. Any that are set for fraud detection will show RED until reset externally.

 

[Howzy64]

Meter has just been installed to replace a clockwork meter that was running backwards due to PV install. Bummer! It doesn't record exported electricity or net consumption, simply import consumption. I have a separate generation meter. I just wondered if I could tell when PV generation exceeded household consumption by when the RED error was displayed? Maybe if I get one of these energy tracker gadgets that you attach to the meter tails I can monitor it?

 

[liquidity]

No, that won't work - the clamp devices aren't smart enough to know the direction of flow. One option is Current Cost's Optismart - it reads the pulses on the LED of your L&G meter and when PV gen is greater than consumption the LED will stop flashing and the Current Cost meter will read 0 import from the grid.

 

[SibertSolar]

Or just fit (or have fitted) an import/export version of a standard single-phase kWh meter. The 5235 model comes in an import/export variant although I'm not sure we have any stock at the moment, I need to check. If it's your primary/utility meter that's been changed then the DNO should know better than allowing/having a uni-directional replacement fitted in place of the previous mechanical meter!

 

[Scobo]

We just had one of these Landis & Gyr import meters installed yesterday as our old analogue meter was running backwards after installing PV recently.
Its started showing the RED message today.
Surely we shouldn't have to report this as the reason they fitted this was due to the old meter going backwards ???!!!
Or have they stuffed something up and we need to get them back ?

 

[Worcester]

Red is Reverse Energy Detected (It means you're exporting it as opposed to using it!)

It's fine

 

[Scobo]

Cheers.
The manual refers to it as an anti fraud measure so I was a bit concerned at first.

 

[Gary K]

Cheers.
The manual refers to it as an anti fraud measure so I was a bit concerned at first.

Depends how the meter is configured, the meter will show RED when you are exporting but it could be set up to add the amount you are exporting onto your import total to prevent fraud if someone attempted to rewire the meter. I would check the import total doesn't clock up when you are definately exporting- there is a rumour that the sun will come out next week.

 

[Scobo]

Had some decent sun here today and the meter doesn't appear to have added any export.

 

[Worcester]

there is a rumour that the sun will come out next week.

:clap:

​

 

[PengEF]

Depends how the meter is configured, the meter will show RED when you are exporting but it could be set up to add the amount you are exporting onto your import total to prevent fraud if someone attempted to rewire the meter. I would check the import total doesn't clock up when you are definately exporting- there is a rumour that the sun will come out next week.

This seems stupid. Ah well better check this then as mine is doing the same now that the panels are installed and we finally have had some sun