Smart Meter,Please

If one side of the line is opened, the other side will back feed through the 240v loads if they're thurned on. Depending on the loads this could be anything from normal operation to very low voltage for on the open side.

It's not likely that one side of the line open is a real option.

My daughter and SIL have one. Coming back from his parents to home they stop here, about mid way. He uses my laptop to turn on their central A/C so the townhouse is cool by the time they get there. Winter time he bumps the temp up from the low they use when not home. I think they can also use their smartphones too.

wis bang 2 you are confusing smart meters with network connected devices

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Greg

Yes they would only be running on half the voltage. 120. Very Hard on ANY 240 appliance.
I had this happen just 3 years ago, One Leg went out, and half the lights were out. I Shut off the pump, water heater off, and did not use the oven.
Got it replaced in 2 days.
But yes when putting a breaker for a 240.
Each Leg goes to one side of the box. That is how it gets to be 240. Each leg coming in is 120 votes. Combining them into one breaker makes it a 240 v.
None are wired so they get 220 volts on just one leg, or on one side in the box.
That is why a 240 breaker has Two Slots. One for each Leg in the control panel.
Now there are 3 Phase but that is not what is homes use. Companies etc. may use 3 phase which One LEG alone is 240v And even more in some cases.

There is no way to reponsibly cut one "leg" of a single phase 120/240 volt service at the meter. There are many 240 volt appliances and motors that simply will not function. Well pumps, electric dryers, electric heat and other heavy loads are not generally run on 120 volt circuits. Remotely disconnecting heavy loads can be done with a device called a contactor. It is a magnetically operated, electrically controlled switch.
it is large, expensive and looks nothing like a meter, smart or otherwise. A meter cannot control or disconnect power, never has, probably never will.

For the utility I work for this attitude would result in the service being cut at the pole after 3-4 trips. The rights of a utility include at basic the right to service their equipment and maintain it to their satisfaction 24 hrs a day 7 days a week. Radio transmitting is a lot less intrusive than walking up to it. Intentionally interferring with their ability to conduct business? You will loose unless you have more money than they do.

Very true.
And that tiny RF signal is not hurting anybodies rights, that is a given.

So are they RF transmissions, or powerline transmissions as some here have suggested? The information supplied to me by our utility said it was RF! From their faq section!

"Are radio-frequency (RF) signals from Edison SmartConnect meters safe?
Yes. SCE’s smart metering devices communicate using low-power, wireless signals that are similar or weaker in strength than those created by common devices like cell phones or Wi-Fi networks. SCE's meters and relays emit only a fraction of the power limits identified in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines for safe RF exposure. The FCC developed these science-based safety guidelines in consultation with scientists, health and engineering experts and organizations like the National Council on Radiation Protection (NCRP), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)."


The law here states that the power company must give the property owner 24hr notice of their intent. They don't expect property owners to keep their pets indoors 24/7. They give me notice, i unlock the box if they need access. They can read it with out any interference. No complaints so far! The puc here has had sooo many complaints, that they are going to allow property owners to opt-out of the "smart meter" program! And if the utility did cut me off, well, i'll just run that stinky, dirty old deisel genset for a few hours a day!

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"If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun" - President Obama June 14, 2008

Please explain this quote from my utilities faq section?

"Are radio-frequency (RF) signals from Edison SmartConnect meters safe?
Yes. SCE’s smart metering devices communicate using low-power, wireless signals that are similar or weaker in strength than those created by common devices like cell phones or Wi-Fi networks. SCE's meters and relays emit only a fraction of the power limits identified in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines for safe RF exposure. The FCC developed these science-based safety guidelines in consultation with scientists, health and engineering experts and organizations like the National Council on Radiation Protection (NCRP), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). "

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"If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun" - President Obama June 14, 2008

well, they are getting ready to have smart parking meters.
They can tell if a space is occupied and the meter is up and presto bano, an alert is sent to the lcoal meter maid and she is in ROUTE to apprehend you the deceitfuly and illegal parker......gawd....this is just getting crazy

Pretty self-expanatory, or do you have a specific question? My question has actually been answered by this piece of info. In my service area the local service provider uses a technique of transmitting data, on the power lines, at a different frequency. Therefore, there is no RF transmitting or receiving, in this case. The utility made a big deal about it in 2006 when they switched to smart metering. They also did a few test installations in a local community , studying the potential of getting into the internet service provider business, using their power lines for high speed data traffic. Their current FAQ boasts of reading the meters of 1.4 million customers using data transmitted on power and phone lines. Another poster correctly pointed out that this can be done in a residential installation using "X-10" protocol devices which are marketed for the ability to create a "smart" house that could be controlled remotely by a computer. It is actually a remarkably compex system that is easy to install, and quite inexpensive.
Several of my customers have installed X-10 based security systems in their homes that are impressive, and cost a tiny fraction of what a typical hard wired system would cost to install and monitor.
As for any attempt to do the tin foil hat silliness of blocking signals, you are right, sounds like a good way to end up in front of a judge. In this area, I install the meter base, and even part of the overhead service and wiring, or buried conduit. Once the meter is installed, everything I install from the meter base toward the pole becomes the property of the utility. so, interfering with it is essentially vandalizing utility co. property.
One last interesting point to get the black helicopter crowd cranked up. I met with a utility field engineer the other day. In conversation he mentioned that they now meter some transformers using the same smart metering techniques. This allows the ability to compare home meter usage against transformer draw. This is used to catch thieves that steal power. He claimed that it was real useful for finding dope growing operations........ but I'm sure there is more to the story

Oh that is nothing for 2 years now some high end refrigerators CALL the repair person incase IT senses something is wrong. That is pretty neat as some even have a internet "box" built right into the door. LOL
Hi Tech is making leaps and bounds into the 21st Century. Some are join got be left in the dust because of it. LOL
And next summer Apple will come out with a TV that has a built in internet capability. That is cool.
And just like some Ads now on TV, even Bill boards have a funny looking symbol.
On tv it Says SCAN NOW.
Well you then hold up your Smart Phone to the TV screen bull board whatever, it then scans that Symbol and gives you more info and whatever wear being advertised, same thing goes for Billboards now being put up across the country.

It states the the smart meter transmits an RF (radio frequency) signal, but the output power is the same, or less than other devices like cell phones, or wireless home PC networks.

It has been tested and certified as such.

In other words, you do not need to wear a tinfoil hat, to protect youself and your family.