Over the past year all the homes in my town (Central Mass.) have been
converted over to digital meters with some type of Tough
plexiglass/plastic cover. I haven't seen a meter reader since. Also
the literature I saw on the new meters stated that they were not only
for metering service but for regulating so if there were some problem
it would be identified. I am not sure what the "problems" could be
(tapping service) or how it would phone home with an issue, just send a
signal over the line?

komobu wrote:
Al Moran wrote:
Recently read a story in the local news about someone using rented
house to grow pot. In the story they said that the electric meters
were bypassed. How is a meter bypassed without killing yourself?

In Virginia, it is pretty easy. My house had aluminum wiring, and I
replaced the whole electrical system with copper. Anyways, there is a
security seal at the bottom of the meter box. When it is removed, a
cover hinges up and the Glass meter can be pulled straight out. Then
you will be looking at 4 prongs. The top two prongs go to the power
pole. The bottom two go to the hous circut breaker box. (I had to
replace this wire to the breaker box in my house). Anyways, you could
jump the prongs rather easily with copper wire. It would help if you
knew when the meter reader was coming around so you could place the
glass meter back in. If you took the time with the security seal, the
reader would probably never notice it....he just takes the numbers down
and move to the next house.