ᐅ Smart Electricity Meters in Berlin – When Do They Become Mandatory?
Created on: 19 Jan 2018 12:59
G
GriMarieHello everyone,
I hope someone here can answer my question.
We are building an extension in Berlin and need a new house connection and electricity meter.
Now we have received different information about which type of meter must be installed.
According to the electrician from our home construction company, we need a remotely readable meter (smart meter).
However, the electrician is from Brandenburg, where apparently different regulations apply.
From my research, I understand that these meters are only mandatory for commercial properties and/or an annual consumption of 6000 kWh or more.
Unfortunately, I can’t find any reliable information anywhere, so I hope that there might be some homeowners from Berlin here who have already gone through this and can help me.
Thank you very much in advance 🙂
I hope someone here can answer my question.
We are building an extension in Berlin and need a new house connection and electricity meter.
Now we have received different information about which type of meter must be installed.
According to the electrician from our home construction company, we need a remotely readable meter (smart meter).
However, the electrician is from Brandenburg, where apparently different regulations apply.
From my research, I understand that these meters are only mandatory for commercial properties and/or an annual consumption of 6000 kWh or more.
Unfortunately, I can’t find any reliable information anywhere, so I hope that there might be some homeowners from Berlin here who have already gone through this and can help me.
Thank you very much in advance 🙂
Only the technical connection regulations (TAB) of the specific network operator to which the connection will be made apply. The electrician must also hold a license for that network operator, so they should know what is required. It may be true that BRB is a different network area with a different TAB. However, this is not necessarily tied to state or regional boundaries!
In case of doubt, the electrician should ask beforehand or read the TAB. Although even that is not completely fail-safe. My network operator approved the meter request for an electronic tariff meter (EHZ) without issue, and I was the first in the branch area to experience that at the first connection appointment, the technician showed up with a meter with a three-point connection. But at least the electrician should ask so they can be sure their license is recognized.
There is also a municipal utility here that would prefer to use old-fashioned Ferraris meters (the large black ones with the spinning disk) for everything. Good luck with photovoltaic feed-in + self-consumption metering + heat pump. Until last year, you could still provide a separate room just for the meters. Fortunately, now they have to install electronic meters.
In case of doubt, the electrician should ask beforehand or read the TAB. Although even that is not completely fail-safe. My network operator approved the meter request for an electronic tariff meter (EHZ) without issue, and I was the first in the branch area to experience that at the first connection appointment, the technician showed up with a meter with a three-point connection. But at least the electrician should ask so they can be sure their license is recognized.
There is also a municipal utility here that would prefer to use old-fashioned Ferraris meters (the large black ones with the spinning disk) for everything. Good luck with photovoltaic feed-in + self-consumption metering + heat pump. Until last year, you could still provide a separate room just for the meters. Fortunately, now they have to install electronic meters.
As a layperson, I would simply call the local branch of your network operator, introduce yourself as the building owner, and ask specifically which type of meter they will install for you. They are usually quite customer-friendly. Be sure to mention whether you will have a photovoltaic system and/or a heat pump.
There are:
- eHZ (electronic household meters)
- electronic energy meters (with three-point mounting) as single- and dual-direction meters
- Ferraris meters (the old black ones), also with three-point mounting, as single- and dual-direction meters
- In addition, various types of ripple control receivers / tariff switching devices that may need space.
What you definitely need (but your planner will know this too) is an APZ compartment in the panel (meter connection point). This is an area in your panel reserved for future smart technology applications and has specific features. Your builder might also refer to this as the smart meter. The electrical contractors usually aren’t very familiar with all the smart technology details.
The TAB (technical connection rules) can usually be downloaded somewhere from the network operator. I am not sure whether it is legally required to be publicly displayed. As an electrical layperson, the scope and technical details can be difficult to understand because the documentation contains connection diagrams and variations for many possible scenarios.
Note: Both the VDE and BDEW provide template versions of the TAB, which most network operators modify. However, only the TAB from your local network operator applies in your case.
There are:
- eHZ (electronic household meters)
- electronic energy meters (with three-point mounting) as single- and dual-direction meters
- Ferraris meters (the old black ones), also with three-point mounting, as single- and dual-direction meters
- In addition, various types of ripple control receivers / tariff switching devices that may need space.
What you definitely need (but your planner will know this too) is an APZ compartment in the panel (meter connection point). This is an area in your panel reserved for future smart technology applications and has specific features. Your builder might also refer to this as the smart meter. The electrical contractors usually aren’t very familiar with all the smart technology details.
The TAB (technical connection rules) can usually be downloaded somewhere from the network operator. I am not sure whether it is legally required to be publicly displayed. As an electrical layperson, the scope and technical details can be difficult to understand because the documentation contains connection diagrams and variations for many possible scenarios.
Note: Both the VDE and BDEW provide template versions of the TAB, which most network operators modify. However, only the TAB from your local network operator applies in your case.
That’s exactly the problem—the Berlin power grid connects me from one employee to another, and no one is willing or able to give me a definitive answer [emoji52][emoji848].
But I found the TAB and think I roughly understand what it’s about. It will probably need to be a kind of smart meter that can be upgraded for the future, as you described above, with a meter socket including BKE (mounting and contact device).
This way I can review everything again with the electrician.
Thanks again!
But I found the TAB and think I roughly understand what it’s about. It will probably need to be a kind of smart meter that can be upgraded for the future, as you described above, with a meter socket including BKE (mounting and contact device).
This way I can review everything again with the electrician.
Thanks again!
When you talk to the electrician, you should consider in advance:
- Photovoltaic system yes/no or for later
- Heat pump
- Do you want everything on one meter or separate meters for the heat pump and household
Your electrician is responsible for a compliant installation. This also includes designing the meter cabinet. They must be able to handle this themselves. Only for the points mentioned above should you give clear instructions, so that, for example, a meter space is not missing in the end.
- Photovoltaic system yes/no or for later
- Heat pump
- Do you want everything on one meter or separate meters for the heat pump and household
Your electrician is responsible for a compliant installation. This also includes designing the meter cabinet. They must be able to handle this themselves. Only for the points mentioned above should you give clear instructions, so that, for example, a meter space is not missing in the end.
Similar topics