Revealed: The REAL Reason Smart Meters Are Going Rogue...

Smart meters are starting to make major mistakes: we reveal the hidden reason why…

…a probe is launched into allegations that apprentice electricians bought exam papers for £45…

…and the Government unveils its controversial choice as its sole certifier of heat pump installs…can you guess who it is yet?…

Welcome to Electrical News Weekly in association with Sungrow , making every Watt count since 1997 , whether you're listening in the van, on site, or down at the wholesale counter.

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Show Notes

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Learn More About Quickwire 👉 http://hub.efixx.co.uk/QuickwireENW

Join The UK Apprenticeship Support LinkedIn Group 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14901004/

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Time Stamps ⏱️
00:00 Electrical News Weekly 10/11/2025
00:46 The Real Reason Smart Meters Are Going Rogue...
02:08 Probe Into Allegations Of Apprentices Buying Exam Papers
02:46 Govt Appoints Sole Certifier Of Heat Pump Installs
04:01 New Test Cert Laws Come In This Week
05:00 Sungrow Innovations
05:31 Great Solutions From Flex 7
06:42 Rako Unveils New DIN Module
07:37 New Worklights From Nightsearcher 
08:16 Game On With MK - Brilliant Prizes Up For Grabs
08:55 Learner Of The Week
09:34 Tea Break With Quickwire
10:31 eFIXX Fantasy League Roundup
12:30 Thanks To Our Premium Partners
12:59 Challenge Words & Winners
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#enw #electricians #electricalinstallation

Transcript

Coming up on this week's news, smart meters are starting to make major mistakes. We reveal the hidden reason why. A probe is launched into allegations that apprentice electricians bought exam papers for £45. And the government unveils the controversial choice for its sole certifier of heat pump installs. Welcome to Electrical News Weekly in association with Sungrow, making every Watt count, literally since 1997. Whether you're listening in the van, on site, or down at the wholesale counter. I'm Joe Robinson, and I've been through the best of the electrical industry news to save you the trouble. We're being lit by Flex 7 with their lightning fast pre-wired modular lighting connection system that keeps your installation times razor sharp. And if you think you've spotted the two words that I've been challenged to slip into this week's show, comment with them below for the chance to win a prize. And while you're there, click the links in the show notes to check out what our sponsors offer. If you have a customer whose electricity bills have changed dramatically recently, don't blame their energy use. It could be that their smart meter is going rogue. That's because many of the devices are starting to make major mistakes. Umair Ejaz of tech firm Tuxera says that inaccurate or incomplete data is becoming a growing challenge in the sector and it's all thanks to a tiny component called a NAND flash memory. He says that at the heart of every smart meter is this memory chip which stores the meter readings. But the unit has a fatal flaw. Each time new data is written into it, it wears down the flash memory, gradually degrading its ability to store data accurately over time. Not only that, writing new data generates obsolete information that must later be cleared. This process is called garbage collection. Garbage collection places extra stress on the flash memory. It accelerates the memory wear, which can lead to inaccurate billing. Power loss and voltage changes also make things worse. If a smart meter loses power while it's writing into the data log, it could fail to reboot and completely stop working. And this turns into what engineers call a brick. It needs a technician to either reset it or failing that replace it. This can cost hundreds of pounds. If however it continues to function, data corruption may occur which will result in incorrect bills. Ejaz says that to fix the problem, he recommends more advanced file systems which can handle interruptions and don't wear out overuse. He says that considering the problems with smart meters, this approach should be non-negotiable. In other news, an investigation has been launched into allegations that apprentice electricians in Ireland had an absolute jamboree when they bought exam papers for £45 the night before the test. The claims that cheating may have compromised the apprenticeship program are being taken very seriously, say the Irish state authorities. There are also fears for the public that potentially unqualified electricians will be at large. The so-called compromised exam papers have now been withdrawn and replaced. Minister for Higher Education James Lawless has asked the country's Attorney General to consider if there is a criminal case to answer. He said, "You wouldn't want a surgeon operating on you that wasn't properly trained, and you wouldn't want an electrician wiring your house that wasn't properly trained either." Still on safety and standards, the UK government is set to appoint MCS as the sole certification body for heat pump installs. It will certify installations under the boiler upgrade scheme, the energy company obligation, the warm home social housing fund, and the warm homes local grant scheme. The MCS or microgeneration certification body is well known to the trade as the watchdog for solar projects. The move to award heat pumps to the organisation as well comes despite respondents to a recent government's consultation raising concerns that it would give MCS an effective monopoly. Some contractors fear that MCS certification would be costly and burdensome to installers, particularly small businesses. A numbers say that the organisation does not always ensure high-quality installations and protect consumers. Some respondents, however, back a single certification scheme. They say it would provide simplicity for consumers who often struggle to know what to look for when choosing a trades person. One respondent notes that there was already a choice for installers under MCS as they could pick their preferred certification body. For its part, MCS says that it's been improving quality in the sector for almost two decades. In that time, there's been over 2 million MCS certified installations by 6,000 certified installers. It's also invested in growing its skilled and dedicated customer experience and technical assessment teams. Heat Networks will not be covered by MCS, but by the heat network technical assurance scheme, or equivalent. A reminder that new laws governing test certificates kick into force this week to prevent getting themselves into a stickier situation than weak old spilled marmalade. Social landlords must now conduct electrical installation condition reports or EICRs with qualified and competent persons at least once every 5 years for all new tenancies. This brings the sector into line with private rented accommodation. Local authorities and housing associations in England must issue a copy of the cert to any new tenant before they occupy the property or to existing tenants within 28 days of an inspection. They must also complete any recommended remedial works identified as C1 and C2 or any recommended further investigations within 28 days. Along with the EICRs, there is mandatory PAT testing on all electrical appliances that are provided by social landlords as part of a teny. The changes come into effect for existing tenancies in May next year. In Northern Ireland, the search became mandatory for new tenancies last April and kick in for existing tenancies from the 1st of December. The new laws follow a consultation with the trade which showed strong support for mandatory inspections. Now, we'd like to introduce you to Sungrow. The clean power brand has been in the industry for 28 years and has an 80 strong team in the UK. It's well known for its residential and commercial and industrial PV inverters, battery storage systems, and EV chargers. It's recently expanded its distribution network and is now partnering with HDM solar, Waxman, Alternergy and Midsummer UK. The UK team offers installation and commission advice and support as well as free training and webinars for electricians. There's also an installer rewards program, the Sunrow Power Club. Watch this space for more innovations from the brand. Speaking of innovations, are you yet using eFIXX favourite Flex 7? The brand is well known for its modular pre-fabricated control boxes. They're basically plug and play and can be wired up in a fraction of the time of a traditionally wired system. In terms of control kits, Flex 7 offers lots of switches and devices operating at protected extra low voltage. That means the install is safer as controls and associated cabling are reduced to just 5 or 12 volts. It also allows for multiple circuits or even multiple phases to be switched at these low voltages, too. There's no need for extra contactors or the potential of 400 volts at devices the general public might be required to operate. Wall switches, for example. kit includes daylight linking, dimming, integrated emergency test, corridor hold, a last man out switch, networking across circuits, phases, and plug-in switches. What we really like though is the super small PIR sensor head. It fits through a hole with a diameter of just 32 mm. They measure 40 mil in diameter at their widest, making them super discreet and unobtrusive. All versions of the brand's PIR sensor heads are available in both white and black. They have adjustable timeout and sensitivity settings, and the detection range can be increased by up to sixfold by adding extra heads. Sensor heads are available for occupancy and absence detection, as well as with daylight linking. Flex 7 also offers surface mount, temper resistant, and IP67 versions. UK firm Rako has unveiled its DIN range. It's a whole new way to install its acclaimed lighting control system. The range offers simple installation on a standard D rail. Rako's DIN module has a cool, clean design and 45° degree push terminals and LED readout for easy install and operation. The DIN range comprises four models. There's a 4 channel version with 4K dimming for mains dimmed loads. There's an eight channel version for switching for lights, fans, motors, and other non- dimmed loads, a four channel curtain and blind relay module, and a multi room daily control unit complete the picture. The D range sits alongside Rako's flexible 8 channel rack 8 range. Like all Rako products, they're interoperable, allowing the D kit to seamlessly connect with wired and wireless Rako units, including the brand's keypads. Rako has partnered with Future Automation, who can supply bespoke enclosures with Rako's D modules mounted and pre-wired offsite. They can also be supplied as fully populated units with all the connections and terminals. You can pre-program the modules before going to site. Nightsearcher has added two super bright work lights. The Gator 1000 and the Gator 3500 are both compact, durable grip lights that designed for professionals. As their names imply, the former delivers 1,000 lumens, while the latter delivers a super bright beam of 3,500 lumens. Each has three settings: flood beams and are rechargeable via USB to give up to 12 hours of run time. They're IP65, splash proof, and IKO8 impact resistant for tough sight conditions. There's a rubber coated handle for comfort and secure grip. And right now, if you use the discount code eFIXX, you'll get a whopping 10% off. So, get your hands on yours now. The link is in the show notes. In promo news, MK Electric has teamed up with Edmundnson Electrical, KEW Electrical, and Electric Centre for a brand new promotion. Up for grabs in the Game On with MK competition, and no fewer than 30 MetaQuest 3S mixed reality headsets. These brilliant bits of tech are worth around 360 quid each. This is how it works. You receive a game on with MK entry ticket for every 50 quid you spend on MK kit. It's only available at participating Edmundson Electrical, Electric Centre, and KEW Electrical branches in the UK. The more you spend, the more tickets you receive, meaning more entries into the prize draw. It all kicks off on the 10th of November, and the closing date is the 5th of December, 2025. The links in the show notes, and as always, terms and conditions apply. Now, it's that great moment where we get to celebrate the sterling work being done by the next generation. Our learner of the week slot is brought to you by Eltako, German manufacturer of premium actuators, sensors, and energy meters for smart homes. And our learner this week is Millie Adams of Oakland's College in St. Alburns. The college's Rob Glover describes Millie as an outstanding level three learner. He says her work is impeccable and the commitment she's showing to her studies is second to none. Glover was particularly impressed with the standard of her recent mini project. This included eight circuits fully designed and drawings with overlays provided. Many congratulations on being the eFIXX learner of the week in association with Eltako. We look forward to watching your progress into the industry. And now to the lighter side of the electrical news. Yes, it's time for a tea break with Quickwire and its range of incredibly rapid electrical connectors. Nissan has unveiled an electric car with a solar roof. The Securer is the first car to feature the extendable solar panel, which allows the car to charge on the road without plugging in. The panel can generate enough electricity in a year to power up to 1,800 miles of driving. It works whether the car is moving or parked, but when stationary, it extends to get more sun coverage and improve charging speeds. When extended, the power generation potential increases to approximately 500 watts while also creating shade that helps keep the interior cool. In its retracted state, the panel can generate about 300 watts in ideal conditions or 80 W during the darkest, rainiest days. I want one, I think. That's the lighter side of the news in our Teabreak with QuickWire and their range of incredibly rapid electrical connectors. Click the link in the show notes to check them out for yourself. 

Thanks very much for that, Joe. Now, just before we get to your favourite bit of the show, where I reveal last week's challenge words and winners, we want to thank our premium partners. We couldn't make the news without you. First up, empowering their customers to harness power through light with their intelligent energy solutions, solar technology, and advanced lighting systems. It's Ledvance. And with over 5,000 product lines from heating, lighting, and ventilation to wiring accessories, if you need it, they've got it. It's electrical distributor CED Group. And the best thing to come out of Yorkshire since stainless steel, the home of EV Ultra and other groundbreaking and quality products, is Doncaster Cables. Click the links in the show notes to find out more about these great brands. If you think you know the words I've smuggled into this week's show, pop your guess into the comments. We'll take all the correct guesses and select one at random to be the winner of an eFIXX goodie bag prize. Answers submitted after about lunchtime on the Thursday after release will not be entered into the draw. Now, let's reveal the winners of last week's challenge word competition. Last week's words were Chihuahua and Blubber. And the first name to be drawn out of our electronic hat was the Chipmunk 2008. So, well done to you. Make sure you click the get involved link in the show notes to claim your prize. This week, we've been lit by Flex 7 with their lightning fast pre-wired modular lighting connection system that keeps your installation times razor sharp. Don't forget to click the links in the show notes to find out more. Thanks for listening to this episode of Electrical News Weekly in association with Sungrow, making every watt count, literally since 1997. Make sure you subscribe to receive the next update. Thanks for listening and until next time, have a great week. Stay safe out there and remember there's no such thing as a torque calibrated arm.