In California, the Public Utilities Commission has established rules for
those wishing to opt out of "Smart Meters" and stay with analog meters.
A one time $75 charge and then $10/month for 3 years. After
that there's no extra charge. (The $75 +$10/month covers both the
wireless electric and natural gas meters - you don't pay $150 + 20/mo
if you have both.) The charge is meant to cover the added cost of
someone coming to your residence every other month to read the meters.



On 7/7/2015 8:22 AM, wrote:
We received a notice from the power company that they intend to replace our two electric meters with the new wireless units. These meters emit short bursts of RF multiple times a day at a fairly substantial RF level. These transmissions are received by a "collector" which is apparently mounted on a utility pole on the street. This data is sent to a receiver and computer in a power company truck as it drives by and returned to their office where it's downloaded and bills are generated. Great for the power company but not for the meter readers. There are people all over the country up in arms over these things. Some have blocked installations and have been arrested for it.

While it's true that many of them are non technical people who just need something to jump up and down about my grand children sleep in the room adjacent to the meters and I think that I understand a little bit more about this, and it concerns me.

I asked the power company to provide me with more information and initially I was stonewalled until I contacted my state representative who then contacted them for me. Now they're kissing my ass with information but still telling me this is going to happen at some near point in the future.

Has anyone else had to deal with this and can you comment on my safety concerns? If it's true that there is no recourse to them making this modification, to increase the distance squared I've considered moving the meters to a utility pole which is on my property about 75 feet from the house. this would probably have to be at my expense I suspect.

The following is some information about these meters. Some of it I had requested and some extra which they threw in. I know that it's a lot to look at but if you can I'd really appreciate if you guys could please have a look at it and tell me what you think. I'm really concerned about this. Thanks very much. Lenny

Q. I understand these units operate in RF - Radio Frequency. Are they emitting short or
long range signals?
A: The signal from the meter is transmitted in the range 902-928 MHz (mega-hertz). The
reading capability is dependent on a number of variables and cannot be accurately assessed
without site specific information, but typically the signal may be received by the meter reading
equipment within 1/4 mile or so.
2)
Q: Regarding the signal, is it a "Bubble-Up" unit where it is transmitting all the time or is it
a "Wake-Up" unit where it transmits when it receives a signal?
A: The meter transmits reading data every 30 seconds in a brief milliseconds burst. The
manufacturer designed it that way to accommodate any reading schedule required by the
utility. The meter is a one-way communication device. The meter would not know when the
reading device was going to be in close proximity to the meter, therefore it needs to transmit
frequently so that it may be read whenever the reading device is nearby.
3)
Q: What frequency and wattage of transmit power is the unit operating at and at what
antennae gain?
Ex. Unit transmits at 900MHz with 1 watt of transmit power with antennae gain of 0.
A: The signal from the meter is transmitted in the range 902-928 mhz (mega-hertz) The
maximum power output for the endpoint devices is less than half a watt, while the maximum
power output of the collection device is less than 1 watt. In comparison, the average light bulb is
60 watts.
Frequency = 909 to 922 MHz
Transmit Power = 147 mW (21.67dBm)
Antenna Gain = 0 dB.
4)
Q: What's the antennae gain at peak power and what wattage is the peak power?
Ex. Antennae gain of 4.0 dBi for peak level power of 2.5 watts.
A: The maximum power output for the endpoint devices is less than half a watt, while the
maximum power output of the collection device is less than 1 watt. In comparison, the average
light bulb is 60 watts.
Frequency = 908 to 923.8 MHz
Transmit Power = 250 mW (24dBm)
Antenna Gain = 2.2 dB
5)
Q: How many times in total - both average and maximum - is the unit scheduled to transmit during a 24-hr time frame?
A: The meter transmits reading data every 30 seconds in a brief milliseconds burst - about 53 milliseconds referred to as the "duty cycle". The total RF transmission time in a 24 hour period is between 1.5 - 2.5 minutes depending on the type of meter and therefore data being transmitted. Signal levels are 1/10th of the "Maximum Permissible Exposure Levels" as defined by the FCC--lower than many everyday appliances and electronic devices around your home, and are only transmitted briefly and periodically rather than constantly.
What's the "first hop" technology being used to send?
Ex. Mobile Radio Frequencies? Mesh Radio Frequencies? Fixed Radio?
A: This is not AMI, this is AMR. There isn't any 'first hop', the data is transmitted to a computer in a vehicle driving nearby and then the computer is returned to the utility at the end of the day and directly connected to the utility internal network and the meter readings are uploaded to utility internal systems.
6)
Q: Is this unit considered to be a "Licensed" or "Unlicensed" transmitter by the FCC?
A: The meters operate in the unlicensed 902-928 MHz frequency range and the devices are regulated by the FCC. Itron's products are stringently evaluated for RF safety and meet all Federal Communication Commission (FCC), Industry Canada (IC), and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) standards. FCC OET Bulletin 65 supplement C Edition 01-01 (known as OET-65C) provides further guidance on determining compliance for portable and mobile devices.
7)
Q: Because each unit needs power to run itself, what is the unit's power consumption rate per month?
Ex. 2 kW hours? 1kW hours?
Also, what would be the additional monthly cost of the power the unit needs to function (based on the # of kW hours it needs to function) as I know you guys just had a rate hike?
· A: The power to the meter components is supplied on the line side of the meter. Therefore there is no cost difference associated with the running of the AMR meter to your previous meter. We are enhancing our technology to serve you better. Installing AMR meters allows us to continue to provide safe, timely, accurate meter reading but at a lower cost. Controlling costs is an important factor in determining Eversource rates.
8)
Q: Does the unit have a battery? What is the battery's life (in years)?
A: Yes there is a battery in the unit. The battery's life is the same as the life of the meter which is 20 to 25 years..
For more information pertaining to the AMR C1SR Meter please visit the ITRON website:
https://itron.com/na/resourcesAndSup...nter-FAQs.aspx
https://itron.com/na/resourcesAndSup...esource-Center.