Whoever the engineer who came to your house was, he was either not properly trained, or not properly equipped, to test the accuracy of your meter. I am an electrician, i used to work on metering, about 5 years ago. The standard procedure for dealing with a customers complaint of possible inaccurate meter readings, is either one of two things.
Relax everyone. They've hired Goldman Sachs.
Either a check meter is installed, that is a second meter is fitted, readings on both recorded, and left in place for about 2 weeks. After this time, the check meter is removed, and both readings checked. Any inaccuracy can then be determined.
The other method is to use a meter accuracy tester, which consists of a clamp to fit around the outgoing live cable, and a reader which picks up the flashing light on your meter. The faster the light flashes, the higher the power consumption. this is then compared to the current measured via the clamp, and will determine the meter accuracy.
Most companies do tell customers that if either of these checks are carried out, and the meter is found to be accurate, then the customer will be charged for the visit. This helps to discourage everyone who thinks their bill is too high, from demanding a test is done.
I know we all love a conspiracy, but i have to say , that in the 40-odd meter accuracy tests, and about the same number of check meter installations i have carried out, i have never once found there to be a problem with the meter, all were reading perfectly.
Not everything in life is a conspiracy, and when you work everyday with the public, you soon realise just how many awkward, aggresive or paranoid nutters there are out there, just waiting for a chance to make a complaint against someone just doing there job. If there is an error, it is much more likely that the mistake lies in an incorrect tarriff, or a mis read meter, than a fault in your metering equipment.
Inaccurate Npower Meter Concerns
Later in 2003 concerns grew about the accuracy of Npower's electricity meter therefore I requested a meter test, the so called meter test which I witnessed was conducted by a former Npower storage heater fitter, his idea of a meter test was to connect a second hand bathroom heater to the supply for a whole 81 seconds, this included the day rate however the night rate was totally ignored, following the so called meter test Npower declared that the meter was accurate, needless to say I didn't agree therefore I then requested a further meter test by an independent authority.
Eventually two individuals arrived at my place claiming to be independent meter testers however despite requesting their ID and authorisation they declined to produce any, shortly thereafter they informed me that my CCTV cameras which they had just observed could not be used to video record them, having then informed them that since it was my home they wished to enter I have the right to record anyone I choose, I then acquainted then with Section 36 of the Data Protection Act 1998 which excludes domestic CCTV recordings, at this point the two individuals left the property thus the meter in question has not been properly tested since the 1986 when the meter was first installed with the Economy 7 heating system.
Npower Harassment Campaign
Despite continuing to pay Npower regular monthly amounts based upon my own assessments Npower then began a campaign of harassment and intimidation, this continued for a period of almost six years during which time I received threatening phone calls in addition to threats from door step debt collectors, at one point Npower hired private detectives who then contacted my family and friends telling them that I owed Npower money, despite many complaints the harassment and intimidation continued.
Npower Civil Claim
Since the harassment and intimidation failed to work Npower then changed their tactics and commenced a civil claim in the High Court however having responded with a robust defence and substantial counterclaim Npower then panicked and applied to the Magistrates' Court on seven separate occasions for a "quick fix" otherwise known as a Warrant of Entry, this was to disconnect the electricity supply or fit a pre-payment meter however all seven Warrant of Entry Applications were successfully defeated by bringing to the Court's attention the Statutory Provisions: Section (2) (a) of Schedule 4 of the Electricity Act 1989 and Schedule 6 of the Utilities Act 2000 which statues bars Npower from disconnecting the supply or fitting a prepayment meters while there is a "genuine dispute"
How Npower Railroad Warrant of Entry Applications
In The Magistrates' Court
Having failed to intimidate their customers into submission Npower then hire Utility Management Services to apply to the Magistrates' Court for a Warrant of Entry in order to disconnect or fit a pre-payment meter however because Utility Management Services lied under oath to the Magistrates' Court the customer has no knowledge of the application or their legal right to oppose it therefore the customer only becomes aware of the Warrant of Entry when a deputation of police officers, lock smiths and Npower officials descend upon the unsuspecting customer's home, Npowerthen force their way into the customer's home where they then proceed to disconnect the electricity supply or fit a prepayment meter, the pre-payment is then set to extortionate tariffs .
Perjury & False Affidavits
During one of the seven Magistrates' hearings it soon became clear during cross examination that the employee of Utility Management Services perjured himself by making a false and dishonest statement under oath when he admitted that he had failed to conduct any assessments as to whether it was both safe and practical to fit a prepayment meter as laid down by the Code of Practices of he Office of Fair Trading, Ofgem and the Credit Services Association.
RWE to sell Npower?
The German energy company RWE who own Npower are now in negotiations to sell their UK based energy company, they claim that it is to raise money to pay off huge debts however many annalists believe that RWE's patience has finally run out with Npower's appalling customer services record, should the deal go ahead it could benefit Npower's 6.8 million customers when the inevitable job cuts are directed at those who have been responsible for the unprecedented number of complaints and massive fines.
Classic Cover-Up
National Measurement Office
Complaints have now been made to the Information Commissioner against the National Measurement Office who since 2010 have been responsible for the re-certification of millions of ageing electricity meters, information was formally requested by way of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to prove that meters who's certification periods ran out over five years ago were properly tested in accordance with the regulations which require strict laboratory testing procedures to be followed before the ageing meters are re-certified for a further five years.
The National Measurement Office has continually refused to disclose any information which would lay to rest the now common belief that the ageing meters were simply "rubber stamped" their pathetic excuses include "they cant find the documents" and "its too expensive"
The National Measurement Office are also ignoring two formal requests to conduct a proper meter test on one of Npower's faulty meters .
2nd May 2012
No show Npower - High Court Claim Struck Out
Having failed to attend the District Registry of the Swindon High Court for their first preliminary hearing Judge Cronin then Struck Out Npower'scivil claim and also awarded David Edgar his legal costs.
http://www.npowermeterscam.co.uk/
http://www.npowermeterscam.co.uk/
T.Stokes London
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