Path: news.eternal-september.org!eternal-september.org!.POSTED!not-for-mail
From: Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: Re: energy in UK
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2025 17:45:10 -0700
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On 4/17/2025 5:26 PM, Carlos E.R. wrote:
> On 2025-04-17 23:11, Don Y wrote:
>> On 4/17/2025 1:44 PM, Carlos E.R. wrote:
>>> Probably all of Spain has smart meters now. But the reason was, AFAIK, that 
>>> here the contract limits the current you can draw. For instance, a contract 
>>> can say that you can draw 15A (3450W). The meter has the ability to switch 
>>> off when you try to draw 16A for a time.
>>
>> Wow!  Now THAT is interesting.  Here, the size of your service (ampacity)
>> effectively determines what you can use -- that, and your wallet.
> 
> I think that is an Spanish only feature.
> 
> They charge us for the watts we actually take, and also a fixed monthly amount 
> for the size of the pipe. Meaning, if we contract for a maximum of 15A, we pay 
> for that, €/month. If we contract 30A, we pay double fixed amount per month. 
> And the smart meter controls that we don't contract 20 and take 21.
> 
> So people try to contract the minimum they actually need.

There would also be an incentive for you to do your own load balancing as
you are effectively being charged based on peak demand (even if you don't
USE it).  Assuming, of course, that the fixed cost is "significant" and
not just a token charge.

>>> Previously, al houses had a limiter switch with a lead seal. People managed 
>>> to bypass that switch. By passing the meter is harder, I have not seen it done.