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From: john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: Re: energy in UK
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2025 15:52:14 -0700
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On Thu, 17 Apr 2025 15:38:45 +0100, liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid
(Liz Tuddenham) wrote:

>Martin Brown <'''newspam'''@nonad.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> On 17/04/2025 12:36, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
>> > Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:
>> > 
>> > [...]
>> >> I've heard rumors that some can also be used to disconnect power
>> >> (for non-payment) but think that would be hard in the volume
>> >> typically set aside for the meter (?)
>> > 
>> > In the UK, that appeared to be the main reason the electricity compaines
>> > rushed to install them; anyone who didn't pay or disputed their bill
>> > could be threatened with being cut off without any necessity to gain
>> > access to the premises.  Rather late in the day, this was made illegal
>> > and the drive to fit 'smart' meters suddenly vanished.
>> 
>> The drive to fit them is still there. The supply companies get penalised
>> if they don't get enough people to upgrade to smart meters each year.
>> SMETS2 are quite reasonable meters (at least in southern England).
>
>They haven't pestered me for a while now.  Various friends in places
>with no mobile 'phone signal have recently had high-pressure salesmen
>visit them - and they told them to clear off!

I designed a smart meter to be used in India. Power theft there is a
popular sport, so it had some specific anti-theft provisions.

I also designed a smart power strip, with metering and remote shutoff
for every outlet.

I don't think either was manufactured in volume.