How would it access my LAN unless I gave it permission in some shape or form?
I doubt if there's WiFi coverage where my meters are, there is wired LAN there (for a backup system) but I might just notice if they plugged something in to the wired system.
I'm also intrigued how the modern PAYG card gas meters are powered too; these not only have the (back-lit) display and metering but appear to power a solenoid gas valve, that gives a satisfying 'thump' more credit is added. But no mains elec connection.
So does this poor battery have to hold the solenoid open continuously (while in credit) for years?
As I understood it, it was an option, rather than being essential. It still used the mobile network to report home, it just gave you access to the data for your own purposes.
Pretty sure the batteries are changeable separately from the meter as a whole. Mine has a sticker telling the part number of the battery required while saying no user serviceable parts inside, I'm not about to go piggling the screwcaps off seeing what bits come apart revealing the battery!
Given how they like to use infra-red ports for any possible interfaces in/out of gas meters, instead of electrical connections, I'd expect the battery compartment is well sealed from the gas carrying/measuring parts.
But there's nothing stopping me e.g. changing batteries in my torch while stood next to the meter which would be similarly likely to produce sparks etc, so I doubt changing the battery for the meter would be required to meet "intrinsically safe" or "explosion proof" requirements.
Depends what events it phones home with, I'd expect opening battery compartment or opening it up enough to access the circuit board to generate alerts, I doubt it lives in a "cage" like the security element of a phone or cryptoprocessor in a cash machine, cutting it open with a dremel would be pretty obvious, why go to the hassle of de-capping chips and reverse engineering the meter rather than just bypassing it with 6" of pipe?
Just to re-cap I was referring to the early electronic gas meter. I've no experience of the latest types. Hopefully, they'll have used a better battery.
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