Yes. Although it is uncommon, there may be some interference between PLC (power line communication) signals and touch-sensitive lamps. Where this does occur, it usually affects touch-sensitive lamps that do not have an in-built filter and, as a result, are more prone to such interference, which may also be caused by other electronic equipment.

Please note Article 9.3.4 of our technical requirements for connecting heavy-current installations with a maximum rated voltage of 1000V, which states that: “… it is the responsibility of the user of such electrical equipment to ensure that such disturbances are avoided by employing suitable technical means.”

To nevertheless reduce the impact of PLC signals on your touch lamps:

• we can provide you with a free plug-in filter with a maximum power of 250W, which you place between the socket and the lamp’s plug;
• or we would advise buying 63A filters, which are installed directly in the circuit after your meter, to filter and prevent any disturbances to your equipment caused by the power grid. These filters must be installed by an electrician.

A smart meter incorporates advanced technologies that enable the precise measurement and recording of your energy consumption and/or production (electricity, natural gas, district heating) or water and transmits this meter reading data over long distances via the existing electricity network.

Smart meters are required for better control of the flow of electricity whilst taking production and consumption on low- and medium-voltage networks into account. In particular, smart meters will improve management of decentralised generation and electromobility, technologies that are consistently expanding and play a significant role in the move towards alternate energy sources.

Creos is legally obliged to install a smart meter on the premises of all customers connected to its network. The meter is Creos’s property, and Creos has to ensure its proper functioning and maintenance. The new meters have to be installed to guarantee the safety and reliability of the electricity and gas networks in the future, especially given the increase in decentralised production installations.

Because the meter is already the distribution system operator’s property, in accordance with Art. 29(6) of the Electricity Act and Art. 35(6) of the Gas Act, the operator is “entitled to access the measurement points, connection points and connection equipment of the generators and customers connected to the network which it manages; this so that it may check meter readings and carry out all repairs, undertake fault clearance and perform checks of the connections and meters.” Except in emergencies, distribution system operators will contact the customer in advance and make an appointment with the customer to access the meter.

Yes. Smart meters enable your energy consumption and/or production to be read remotely without the need for a technician to visit your property.

Creos is the network operator and also the owner of the meter. Therefore, the company can read the meter, make updates to the software, collect meter reading data and events, and can also control the two relays that are integrated into the electricity meter. Only those devices connected to the built-in relays (e.g. a hot-water tank) can be controlled remotely.

The main technology used to transfer data is transmission via the electricity network (power line carriers). The meters can communicate with the network manager via this network and vice versa – this is known as bi-directional communication. GPRS is used as an alternative solution for sites that are further away. In any case, a single signal is sent only once every 15 minutes. Natural gas and, where applicable, water and city heat consumption data is transmitted through the electricity meter.

No. To ensure your consumption data is secure during transfer, it will be encrypted before being sent to the central system managed by Luxmetering.

The algorithms we use meet the highest standards applicable to secure communications.

Meter readings are recorded by Creos multiple times per day and transferred to your energy supplier on a daily basis. Your privacy is guaranteed, as the use of the data is only permitted for clearly defined purposes.

The National Commission for Data Protection (CNPD) was informed about the data protection measures to be taken and about the choice of technology used as part of this national project.

By default, Smarty, your intelligent electricity meter, will show the most important values, changing every 5 seconds. To read your consumption data manually, briefly press the green button. To consult the different values and manually switch to the next one, briefly press the green button again. Each value (index) is identified by a code. The code 1.8.0, for example, gives you the total active energy consumption in kilowatts per hour. Furthermore, in future, you will also be able to connect an external display or a smart home system to display and process your data in real time.

OBIS codes in automatic or manual model:
 

Your consumption data will be collected several times a day through the national central system managed by Luxmetering GIE, an economic interest group formed by the electricity and gas networks operators. Your data is transmitted to your energy supplier daily. May we remind you that the network operator builds and runs electricity and/or natural gas networks and that the supplier buys and resells energy and associated services.

Your network operator, electricity and/or gas supplier and, where applicable, a service provider designated by you will all have access to your data. The legal framework defines exactly what purposes this data may be processed for and ensures that your data is not passed on to third parties without consent.

The National Commission for Data Protection (CNPD) has been liaising with the network operators throughout the project for the generalised installation of smart meters in Luxembourg.

The current reading of the meter (“Index” or “Zählerstand”) is sent to the central system at 15-minute intervals in the case of electricity meters and at hourly intervals in the case of gas meters. There it is recorded and stored for a period of up to 15 years. Information about incidents relating to the quality of energy supply, e.g. power cuts, power surges and technical faults with the meter, is sent to the central system and used by Luxmetering and the network operators for operational purposes.

If you are connected to the natural gas network, your gas meter will be directly linked to your electricity meter. Thus, your Data will be securely transferred to your smart electricity meter and, finally, to your energy supplier.

Smart meters can communicate with the distribution system operator (DSO) and vice versa. This is known as two-way communication. Metered electricity consumption data is recorded at fifteen-minute intervals, while natural gas data is recorded hourly at the level of the smart meter itself. Smart meters contain a circuit-breaker as well as two built-in relays that can be controlled by the network operator. The circuit-breaker controls the maximum contractual power and enables prepayment functions. The built-in relays can control a hot-water tank, for example. A socket (RJ12 connection) is also available to which a remote display can be connected so that you can follow your electricity and gas consumption in real time.

Luxmetering’s database does not contain information about customers. All this information is stored securely at high-security data centres on servers belonging to Luxmetering or with the network operators and suppliers. It never leaves the country. Data transfer is encrypted systematically from the meter to the supplier. The Internet is never used in any part of this communication chain.