On Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:40:06 -0600, "Pete C."
wrote:
Tomsic wrote:
wrote in message
...
On Apr 19, 4:40 pm, "Tomsic" wrote:
wrote in message
...
On Apr 19, 9:23 am, "
wrote:
On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 05:04:14 -0500, wrote:
How do they read "Smart Meters"?
I've heard two different stories on this.
1. They can read my usage anytime, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and
do so right at the power company. Supposedly the signal is sent via the
power lines to their office.
2. They can only read these meters by driving past the residence or
business where the meter is located, the signal is sent by a radio wave
and is limited to a certain number of feet from the meter, which they
read once a month by driving past homes with their meters. The vehicles
they drive have a receiver to read them.
Which of these is true?
Both.
---
This brings up another thought.....
What would happen if I removed my "Smart meter"? Would an alarm go off
in their office? In the old days, when I had to work on the mains or
service entrance (beyond the meter) in a home, I'd just pull the meter,
do the work, and put the meter back. Then I'd notify the power company
to tell them that I cut the band on the meter, and why I had to do so.
I
never got any complains since I had legitimate reasons to do it.
I'd hesitate to do that these days.... even with a legitimate
reason....
Call your power company and ask. Do you think there is one answer?- Hide
quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
I'm trying to imagine the legitmate reasons to cut the seal
on the meter before calling the electric company..... I
saw it done once. The house was on fire and the fire company
did it 
Another one is to install a surge protector ahead of the main breaker.
The
only way to do that safely is to pull the meter -- at least that was the
suggestion in the instructions for the surge protector.
Tomsic- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
And does it say in the instructions to break the seal and
pull the meter WITHOUT FIRST AT LEAST CALLING THE
ELECTRIC COMPANY?
Geez....
No, the instructions assume you are an electrician and know what to do in
your area when you pull the meter or want it pulled.
Tomsic
In my area there are no permits or the like required for electrical
work. I've pulled the meter a few times to do work before the main
breaker and never had a complaint from the utility. The one time (first
time) when I actually called the utility the idiot whined about permits
and whatnot (after I had already confirmed with the city that none were
required) so I just hung up on them and got on with my work. The key
thing is that *nothing* is consistent from state to state or even city
to city, so figure out the deal in *your* area.
Not that this has anything to do with my original question, but your
experience is about the same **** I got. You get some bimbo secretary
who dont know anything except how to ask your location, and is trained
to use the word "permit". Then you waste hours filling out forms and
crap, and then have to wait days or weeks to finally do the job. Screw
that!!! In the time it takes to deal with all the "red tape" I could do
20 repairs, and be making money. My time is valuable, as well as
costly. I'm not paid to fill out paperwork and deal with bimbos on the
phone. Over the years, I've pulled several hundred meters. I was
probably asked for an explanation about 5 times. The rest of the time
they just put on a new tag whenever they come to inspect the wires and
nothing was said.
In my case, the power company is 35 miles away. That's 70 miles of
travel for at least 2 paid employees, cost of fuel, etc. Even if they
charge $25 for the call, they lose money. I know they would rather have
the electrician do the disconnect. They just need to cover their asses
from accidents. If I call after the job is done, I've proven there was
no accident. There is no way in hell that I'm going to wire mains while
the power is live. The old saying "Safety First" means that the meter
needs to be pulled for any work between the meter and the main breaker.
I've had to deal with several service entrance pipes being ripped off
buildings by fallen trees or storms. That's a different matter. The
company needs to come and come immediately. Once I had one ripped off
and a hot wire was shorting against the aluminum siding of the house.
(Due to a wind storm and fallen tree). That was a disaster waiting to
happen. The house belonged to a relative and they were not home.
(thank God or they may have been electrocuted when touching the aluminum
storm door).
I kicked in their locked garage door, grabbed a long 2x4 and put it
between the house and the wire. That way the wind snapping the wire
around, was unable to touch the house siding. The power company thanked
me for that, as well as my relatives. There was a huge burn hole in the
siding, and charred wood under it. I think the heavy rain kept it from
burning.