THE SMART METER BLOG
Plain-English answers on smart meters, solar changeovers, off-peak metering, switchboards and Level 2 work across Sydney — from a Level 2 ASP accredited team.
Industrial CT Metering Upgrades: Preparing Site Access, Shutdowns and Testing
This is a site-readiness guide for an assessed CT-metering project, not a design or wiring manual. Clear access and test responsibilities matter before the shutdown.
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Adding Machinery or Refrigeration: When an Industrial Site Needs a Supply and Metering Review
New production equipment can change simultaneous demand and connection requirements. Review the whole supply before relying on a spare board position.
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Commercial Metering Outages: Planning Work Around Tenants and Trading Hours
After-hours work is useful only if the affected tenants, access and restart arrangements are clear. A careful outage plan does not mean a promise of zero downtime.
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Adding an Electricity Meter for a New Commercial Tenancy: A Fit-Out Checklist
A new shop or office needs more than space for another meter. Confirm how the tenancy will be supplied and billed before treating metering as a final fit-out task.
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Corroded Meter Boxes: When to Arrange an Electrical Defect Assessment
Surface rust does not diagnose an electrical defect, but deterioration can affect protection and access. Have the condition assessed without opening or repairing the box yourself.
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Controlled Load vs Time-of-Use: Two Different Meanings of Off-Peak Power
The words “off-peak” are used for two different arrangements. One changes when a dedicated circuit has power; the other changes the price of general usage.
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Pool Pumps and Slab Heating on Controlled Load: Questions to Ask First
An appliance that can run at selected times may suit controlled load, but pool circulation and heating needs must be checked against the actual supply arrangement.
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Can an Electricity Meter Sit Behind a Fence or Inside a Garage?
A meter’s position is more than a design preference. Safe access and the approved enclosure must still work after the fence, garage or landscaping is finished.
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Overhead or Underground Consumer Mains: What Affects an Upgrade Quote?
The route and site preparation can matter as much as the electrical work. Compare itemised scopes, not an overhead-versus-underground price rule.
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What Are Consumer Mains? Understanding the Cables Between Supply and Switchboard
Consumer mains are part of the path that brings electricity to your main switchboard. Understanding the connection boundary makes an upgrade quote easier to read.
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Suspected Asbestos in a Meter Panel: What to Do Before Electrical Work
A photograph cannot confirm asbestos. Flag a suspected panel before any meter or board work and let appropriately qualified professionals plan the next step.
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Ceramic Fuses, Circuit Breakers and Safety Switches: What Changes in a Switchboard Upgrade
Modern protection is not just an old fuse replaced with a new-looking switch. Overcurrent protection and shock-risk protection have different jobs.
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Three-Phase Supply for a Home Workshop: What to Check Before Buying Equipment
A second-hand machine can be a good purchase but an expensive surprise if its supply requirements do not match your home workshop.
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Ducted Air Conditioning and Induction Cooking: When to Assess Three-Phase Supply
The question is not whether induction or ducted air conditioning always needs three phase. It is whether your proposed equipment and combined loads suit the available supply.
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Solar and Battery Metering Handover: What to Confirm with Your Installer and Retailer
The system working in an app is only part of handover. Keep the installation records and confirm that the grid metering and retail account match the project.
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Joining a Virtual Power Plant: Metering Checks Before Enrolment
VPP enrolment is a contract and compatibility decision, not simply a meter upgrade. Check the measurement and retailer requirements before signing.
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Expanding an Existing Solar System: When to Review Your Metering
More panels do not automatically mean a new meter. The useful question is whether the approved connection, metering and board still suit the changed system.
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Why Your Solar App and Electricity Meter Show Different Numbers
Your inverter and your grid meter often measure different parts of the same system. Different totals are not, by themselves, evidence of a fault.
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Retailer, Metering Provider or Level 2 Electrician: Who Handles a Meter Upgrade?
A meter request, board repairs and a network connection change are different jobs. Knowing who owns each step helps you ask the right person for an update.
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What Does a Smart Meter Measure? Import, Export and Interval Data
A smart meter measures electricity crossing your grid connection. It does not automatically tell you what each appliance uses or what your bill should cost.
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Do You Need a Level 2 Electrician to Install a Smart Meter?
Your regular electrician can wire your house — but in NSW, only a Level 2 ASP can carry out metering work that connects to the network.
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Smart Meter vs Old Accumulation Meter: What’s the Difference?
Old accumulation meters record one number and need a person to read them. Smart meters unlock accurate bills, flexible tariffs and solar.
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Why Is Your Retailer Taking So Long to Install a Smart Meter?
Retailer smart meter installs are often free — but you join a queue. When timing matters, there’s a faster path.
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Solar Installed but Not Earning Feed-in Credits? It’s Probably Your Meter
Solar systems can’t earn feed-in credits until the meter can measure exports. Here’s how the changeover works.
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Granny Flat Metering: Separate Meter, Sub-Meter or Shared Supply?
How you meter a granny flat decides how you bill your tenant. Here are the three options and when each makes sense.
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Off-Peak Hot Water Not Heating? Controlled Load Metering Explained
Controlled load lets your hot water heat on cheap off-peak rates — but only if the metering is wired and configured correctly.
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Upgrading to Three-Phase Power: What Happens to Your Meter?
A three-phase upgrade isn’t just bigger cables — your meter has to be exchanged for a three-phase unit, and that’s Level 2 work.
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Old Switchboard Blocking Your Smart Meter Install? Here’s Why
The most common reason a smart meter install gets rejected on the day isn’t the meter — it’s the board it has to go on.
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How to Move an Electricity Meter (Renovating? Read This First)
Meters end up in the way of renovations all the time. Moving one is straightforward — if you plan it before the builder needs the wall.
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New Build Metering: What Builders Need to Arrange (and When)
Power connection is on the critical path of every build. Here’s the metering sequence that keeps handover dates intact.
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Strata Meter Room Upgrades: What Owners Corporations Should Know
A 1970s meter room quietly limits what every owner in the block can do. Here’s how strata metering upgrades work.
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Time-of-Use Tariffs Explained: Is Your Smart Meter Saving You Money?
A smart meter makes time-of-use pricing possible — which can cut your bill or raise it, depending on when you use power.
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Can You Refuse a Smart Meter in NSW? An Honest Answer
You’ve had the letter saying your meter is being replaced. Here’s what you can and can’t do about it — honestly.
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Smart Meter Installation: What Actually Happens on the Day
A straightforward meter exchange is a short, predictable job — here’s the step-by-step so there are no surprises on the day.
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Ausgrid, Endeavour or Essential: Which Network Are You On?
Your electricity retailer is your choice — your network distributor isn’t. Knowing which one covers your address matters for any metering job.
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CT Metering for Commercial Buildings, Explained Simply
Once a commercial supply gets big enough, ordinary meters can’t carry the current — that’s where CT metering comes in.
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EV Charging at Home: Does Your Meter Need Upgrading?
A home EV charger is often the single biggest load in the house. Your meter and tariff decide what that costs you.
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Got an Electricity Defect Notice? Here’s What to Do
A defect notice means something at your connection failed inspection. Acting on it promptly is cheaper than what comes next.
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Adding a Home Battery? What It Means for Your Electricity Meter
A battery only pays for itself if the metering and tariff let it — charging cheap, discharging when power is dear.
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Smart Meter Costs in Sydney: What Actually Affects the Price
Meter jobs range from free retailer swaps to substantial projects. The difference comes down to a handful of factors.
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