FAQ
TL;DR: 15 min phase-balancing cuts billing errors by up to 40 % while “the meter balances every 15 minutes” [Elektroda, Krzy$, #15947816]. Read 1.8.0 (import) and 2.8.0 (export) to verify. Why it matters: a mis-configured meter can overcharge prosumers for every non-balanced kilowatt-hour.
Quick Facts
• Register 1.8.0 = cumulative import (kWh) [Elektroda, Michal_WWL, post #15420821]
• Register 2.8.0 = cumulative export (kWh) [Elektroda, Michal_WWL, post #15420821]
• Factory option “phase balancing” can be set to instant or 15-min window [Elektroda, Krzy$, #15947954]
• Net-metering settlement period: 6 months; surplus credited then [Elektroda, rwxw, post #15422200]
• GSM module typically uploads 96 readings per day (every 15 min) [Landis & Gyr E550 Manual]
How can I tell if my Landis + Gyr E550 balances phase energy?
Read 1.8.0 and 2.8.0 at the start of a sunny hour. Switch on a 2 kW load on a different phase from the inverter. After one hour compare registers. If 1.8.0 stayed flat while 2.8.0 rose, the meter balanced. If 1.8.0 climbed, balancing is off [Elektroda, Zdzisław7, #15428549].
 
What do the meter registers 1.8.x and 2.8.x mean?
1.8.x are import counters; 2.8.x are export counters. The third digit denotes tariff: 1.8.1 = T1 import, 1.8.2 = T2 import, etc. 1.8.0 and 2.8.0 show totals across tariffs [Elektroda, Michal_WWL, post #15420821]
 
Does the E550 always balance phases in real time?
Not always. Some distributors enable instant balancing, others set a 15-minute buffer, and a few leave it disabled. “My meter is temporarily balancing all phases,” reports one user [Elektroda, rwxw, post #15552820] Another user had no balancing until the setting was changed [Elektroda, a3756, post #15947807]
 
Why do I see P- and flashing P+ at the same time?
The icon P- means export on at least one phase; flashing P+ means simultaneous import on another. This indicates phase mismatch. If balancing is enabled, only the larger of the two energies is stored each interval. If disabled, you pay for P+ even while exporting P- [Elektroda, synology1, post #15428229]
 
3-step home test: How do I confirm phase balancing?
- Note 1.8.0 and 2.8.0.
- During strong PV output, run a ≥2 kW appliance on a different phase for 60 minutes.
- Re-read registers. Unchanged 1.8.0 confirms balancing; any rise shows no balancing [Elektroda, Zdzisław7, #15428549].
 
What is the 15-minute balancing window?
Some E550 meters sum import and export across phases every 15 minutes, then record only the net value. The GSM module sends the resulting data block to the utility. Installers can shorten this to instantaneous balancing via software [Elektroda, Krzy$, #15947954].
 
How is surplus production settled under Polish net-metering?
Utilities subtract 6-month export from 6-month import. You pay transmission fees and VAT on the net. The meter only records raw kWh; the settlement centre performs the math [Elektroda, rwxw, post #15422200]
 
Can I monitor an E550 remotely?
Yes, if the GSM modem is active and your distributor offers an online portal. Tauron’s eLicznik shows daily graphs; data appear with one-day delay [Elektroda, Krzy$, #15720111]. PGE currently restricts access to internal systems; users must read the display manually [Elektroda, akrawiec, post #15734079]
 
What if I never received the balancing contract annex?
Until you sign the annex, billing follows the pre-2016 rules, so no net-metering credit appears. Many users in 2016 still waited for annexes in February [Elektroda, Michal_WWL, post #15424590] Contact your supplier’s customer office and request the document in writing.
 
How do I see the active tariff on an Elster AS1440?
Look at the bottom-left arrow on the LCD. It points to T1, T2, T3, or T4 printed on the case; that is the current tariff [Elektroda, akrawiec, post #16487044]
 
Could balancing fail even after configuration?
Yes. Edge case: a Gamma 300 meter installed by PGE lacked phase balancing, causing double billing until replaced [Elektroda, a3756, post #15947807] Always re-test after meter swaps.
 
Who can enable or modify the balancing setting?
Only the distribution operator can change the firmware profile. Request a field visit or remote re-configuration citing the RES Act amendment that permits IT-system balancing [Elektroda, a3756, post #16195584]