Unelco/Endesa are implementing a plan to upgrade all meters across the whole of Spain to "intelligent" type by the end of this year, 2015.
The intelligent meters can be read remotely so they can go back to monthly billing without the need to produce estimated bills, which were outlawed when they tried a few years ago.
The thing that they can also do is check how much power a property is consuming, compared with that which it is contracted to consume. Most domestic properties are set up on a 5.75kw contract and are fitted with a 25amp main switch (25 x 230 = 5.75kw)
If a contract has been set up on a higher power usage, it is on a higher tariff. Our house is on a 9.2kw contract so has a 40amp switch.
If a property is on a 5.75kw contract but draws more (maybe the internal switch has been upgraded without Unelco/Edesa's authority) the intelligent meter will cut the supply. But, more seriously, it will detect that fraud has been committed.
In our last electricity bill there was a separate notice warning against electricity fraud.
So, everyone should check their contract and make sure that the main input switch is no larger than it should be.
If you need to upgrade officially, it is an expensive business. A qualified electrical engineer has to prepare a project to present for approval. There are also specific Canary Islands changes that need to be made to the circuits. The last time we asked, it was going to cost around 800 euros.
No doubt, like everything else, various companies will jump on the bandwagon and offer an "advisory service" but it will still be an expensive business.
Just another example to show that we don't live in a remote "third world" place and the authorities are catching up on the fraudsters, whether it be tax, illegal working or electricity.
Good information Chris, do you know what the fuse rating is for a 5.75kw contracted house?
As a spark by trade I thought I would give you my slant on it.
Unauthorised replacement of a 25amp main switch to a 40amp one is a fairly simple job, any DIY´r could probably do it however it may be a fire hazard which is something a DIY´r may not realise. The reason being the cables that come from the meter to the distribution box in the house may only be rated at 25amp possibly 4mm CSA but probably 6mm CSA which is rated at 34amp. If all of a sudden you are using 40amps the cable would need to be uprated to 10mm or there is a risk that it could melt the insulation or catch fire.
Hi Esty.
Good to see one of the old members (no offence meant) back on the forum.
I am not sure what you mean by fuse rating. The main switch inside the front door would be 25amp as you say. Anything bigger than that and it is illegal. It always has been, by the way. Now they will have a way of finding out!!
Cheers
Chris
Hi again Esty.
The penny has just dropped about your question about the fuse.
The new intelligent meters have an internal "fuse" which blows when the power draw exceeds that on the contract. For a 5.25kw contract, that would be 25amps at 230v. I assume that there is a margin of error built in but not sure what that is.
The big thing is that, if the "fuse" blows, it can only be reset by Unelco, who will know that the contracted power has been exceeded.
I wouldn't like to be making that 'phone call!!
Cheers
Chris
I've been lead to believe that you can upgrade from a 25amp fuse to a 30 amp fuse without contacting the electricity company but anything greater than that, as you say, requires their consent and to be fitted by a approved contractor. This was from a local professional electrician. I wonder if this would be covered by any tolerance built in to their calculations?
For what it's worth, these websites say the upgrades have to be completed by the end of 2018:
http://www.landisgyr.co.uk/resources/smart-rollout-of-prime-technology/
http://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/expat-tips/361-smart-meters-in-spain-roll-out-to-be-completed-by-2018.html#.VX_cWflVhBc
It sounds like a big task to complete by the end of 2015.
It's been a legal requirement to have an ICP since January 2010. The smart meters will detect whether this has been done, as the ICP in your distribution box will trip before the one in the smart meter, should you exceed the contracted rating. Hence it's really only an issue for fraudsters.
Our house was built in 1999 and has an ICP. Old properties that have not been sold in the last 10 years are the ones that might not have one and need upgrading. Of course people stealing electricity will need to worry also.
We've had a smart meter since 2011, but it's still read manually. Hopefully, automation will happen before end of year.