How to activate a Linky meter? The ENGIE guide

The Linky smart meter from ENEDIS has been rolled out in homes since 2016. Since then, it has been installed in 30 million households, covering almost all homes in France. Linky is a smart meter that makes it easier to monitor and manage your electricity consumption, and activating it is an essential step. But what does “activating” a Linky meter actually mean? And how do you activate your Linky meter in different situations? ENGIE explains.

What does activating a Linky meter mean?

In everyday language, activating a Linky meter can refer to several situations:

• commissioning a new meter when moving into a newly built home. This should not be confused with opening the meter, which involves installing the meter and connecting it to the grid by ENEDIS or a local distribution company (ELD – Entreprise Locale de Distribution);

• activating a Linky meter for the first time in an existing property, for example after replacing an old-generation meter;

• reactivating an existing Linky meter that has been disconnected from the grid after an interruption in electricity supply, a power reduction, or during a move;

• reactivating a Linky meter after switching energy supplier;

• resetting the meter after a power cut.

All these definitions actually refer to two main situations:

• commissioning (or recommissioning) a Linky meter;

• resetting a Linky meter.

Each of these situations follows a specific process. So what are they?

How to activate a Linky meter in different situations?

Activating a Linky meter in a new home

In a new home, before commissioning, it is absolutely necessary to carry out connection works, which include:

• submitting a connection request to ENEDIS;

• scheduling the connection works, which include installing a single-phase or three-phase Linky meter beforehand;

• having the Comité national pour la sécurité des usagers de l'électricité (CONSUEL) inspection carried out and obtaining its approval confirming that the electrical installation is compliant.

Once these steps are completed, all you need to do is choose an energy supplier. The supplier will contact ENEDIS on your behalf. The grid operator will then proceed with commissioning (i.e. activation) of your Linky meter. This is done remotely via tele-operation.

Activating a Linky meter after a meter replacement

There are several situations in which a meter may be replaced:

• late rollout of the Linky meter replacing an older meter;

• switching from single-phase to three-phase power, for example to install a heat pump requiring three-phase electricity.

In this case, the process is simple: you just need to wait. Commissioning is automatically carried out by ENEDIS after the new meter has been installed.

Activating a Linky meter when moving home

When moving, the procedure to activate the Linky meter in your new home is also very straightforward:

1. contact an energy supplier for your new home. You can either keep your current supplier or choose a new one;
2. subscribe to a contract that starts on your move-in date;
3. remember to cancel the contract for your current home;
4. prepare your move with peace of mind. From this point, your new supplier will inform ENEDIS, and the grid operator will carry out the commissioning.

These steps are the same whether the property you are moving into is already occupied or has been vacant for some time.

Activating a Linky meter when switching supplier

Have you decided to switch to ENGIE? Please note that changing supplier does not involve any power cuts or line closures. There is therefore no interruption of service at your Linky meter.

The only action required from you is to choose your new supplier and subscribe to an offer. Your new supplier will take care of all administrative procedures, from cancelling your previous contract to notifying ENEDIS of the change.

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Resetting a Linky meter after a power cut

Have you noticed that you no longer have electricity at home? Your Linky meter may have tripped.

The first thing to do is check your circuit breaker. To do this, look at your electrical panel. If it is in the “O” position, it has tripped: the circuit is open and there is no power. In this case, simply reset the circuit breaker by switching it back to the “I” position. The circuit will close, and electricity will be restored.

Once the circuit breaker is functioning normally, check your Linky meter. Its screen will likely display “Puiss Dépassée” (power exceeded): this means the maximum power subscribed in your energy contract has been exceeded.

To reset the meter, press and hold the “+” button for a few seconds (usually 3 seconds is enough). The meter will automatically restart and restore electricity to your home.

For more details on managing outages, see our guide on how to reset a Linky meter.