Storage heater teleswitch

[littlespark]

There was always talk of teleswitch transmitters being switched off. Does anyone know if that is a thing, or whether it’s been done?

I was at a local holiday cottage on Monday, owner said 2 out of 3 heaters weren’t working.
I found one burnt switch, which I replaced, but nothing wrong with other “cold” one.

She tells me today that all 3 are now out, but they all were hot on Tuesday. (According to guests)
Just been back… nothing tripped. Continuity check ok, expected readings through elements… (not a short, not open circuit)…
Continuity through mainswitch and breakers.

Wondered if teleswitch was actually activating, as it’s all 3 affected now.

 

[Vortigern]

Yeh have a neighbour who is EDF meter fitter, told me they are switching off this year I think he said November??? Could earlier in different regions.

 

[snowhead]

March 2024 is the date they keep telling me mine will go off.

Radio Teleswitch electricity meters: consumer guidance

Changes to electricity meters using Radio Teleswitch (RTS) technology and how they affect households.

www.ofgem.gov.uk

 

[littlespark]

I’ll check with the other joined on cottage tomorrow, see if they’re the same group code, and whether their heaters are working. Identical set up.

There’s a story about these cottages of whether SP have a record of them or not.
I’m sure the owner once told me she doesn’t get bills for either cottage.
Going to be a heck of a big bill someday.

 

[oscar21]

Can you not bypass these teleswitches, there used to be a little red switch on the side of some of them years ago that powered it for a brief period, couple of minutes maybe so it could be checked.

 

[littlespark]

Can you not bypass these teleswitches, there used to be a little red switch on the side of some of them years ago that powered it for a brief period, couple of minutes maybe so it could be checked.

Didn’t think these have them…. The old mechanical timeclocks did.

Would be very handy for testing.

 

[oscar21]

Didn’t think these have them…. The old mechanical timeclocks did.

Would be very handy for testing.

I cant remember to be honest, When we used to fit storage heaters 20 years ago we used to pop into the mains cupboard and flick the test switch on the E7 meter/teleswitch/timer whatever it was and we could test the heaters briefly.

 

[pirate]

I've got one of those teleswitches. I heard rumours about them being phased out but I have heard nothing directly about this.
Now pondering what to do if they switch it off...
Or will they leave it on and just adjust the tariff?

 

[Avo Mk8]

I've got one of those teleswitches. I heard rumours about them being phased out but I have heard nothing directly about this.
Now pondering what to do if they switch it off...
Or will they leave it on and just adjust the tariff?

The radio teleswitch signal transmissions on 'long wave' are due to be switched off end March 2024.
All suppliers are supposed to have fitted customers with new meters by then.
There are allegedly over 1Million radio teleswitches still out there, and a database of where they are !
My understanding is that if you don't cooperate with having a new meter fitted (you don't HAVE to have a smart meter apparently) you'll get no cheap rate.
The switch-off should have happened ages ago, and it was delayed supposedly to allow more time for consumers to have replacement meters. I wonder if it might be delayed again, but I wouldn't bank on it.

 

[snowhead]

My supplier had been pestering me for at least 2 years as it was due to go off March 2023, but as Avo. it was delayed partly due to less meters fitted during Covid and partly lack of take up on "Smart".

If it's just a Teleswitch, as O.P, then the Off peak won't be enabled and storage / water heating won't come on until a replacement meter with internal / remotely updated timer is fitted. OR someone fits their own timeswitch in place of the RTS switch.
As neither the DNO or Energy suppliers accept responsibility for either RTS units (mainly because they don't have the data or knowledge to progam them) or the older plain time switches, I see no reason that you can't have your own timeswitch as long as it has a separate contact for switching over dual rate meters with no built in RTS where fitted.

My meter is dual rate with built in RTS that changes over to the low rater metering in Off Peak, it doesn't switch any load.
So all that will happen to me and many others with Dual rate RTS is depending on what time the signal (signals as I assume there is more that one LW transmitter) is turned off, the meter will stick at whatever rate it is switched to.

In may case it makes no difference, I no longer have anything that benefits from Off peak and I've been on Single rate, with both readings combined for years.