New Peco Smart Meters

**Dawn19129** · 08-16-2012, 08:45 PM

Is anyone else concerned about the new smart meters that Peco has installed, that have been overheating and causing fires? I am driving my husband nuts with my stressing over this. He says that since our meter is located on a rear outside brick wall of our home, we should be okay even if it did overheat. I want Peco to come out and take this thing off my property. Does anyone else think the same way, or am I just a nervous new home owner?

**mixiboi** · 08-16-2012, 09:18 PM

Relax

http://www.philadelphiaspeaks.com/fo...rt-meters.html

4 out of a 100,000 is the same chances you get struck by lightning....But PECO should be around to make sure that it DOESN'T happen(Its the wires attached to the box, not the box itself causing the fires, especially if your wire system is old.)

**D-man** · 08-17-2012, 08:26 AM

The project has been suspended while PECO investigates the issues. Also, PECO will probably be changing meter suppliers to a more reputable brand.

Peco suspends smart-meter installations after Bucks fire

**#1MetsFan** · 08-17-2012, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by mixiboi

4 out of a 100,000 is the same chances you get struck by lightning....

Yeah, not quite.

**loveisnoise** · 08-17-2012, 11:00 AM

Anyone who knows the slightest amount about electricity knows their excuse about wiring in the house is bull ****. The fires are starting with the meters, and several fires have been reported around the US because of these meters.

And 4 out of 100,000 chance for lightening to strike you?! Not quite.

Originally Posted by mixiboi

Relax

http://www.philadelphiaspeaks.com/fo...rt-meters.html

4 out of a 100,000 is the same chances you get struck by lightning....But PECO should be around to make sure that it DOESN'T happen(Its the wires attached to the box, not the box itself causing the fires, especially if your wire system is old.)

**darthsinatra** · 08-17-2012, 11:07 AM

ODDS OF BECOMING A LIGHTNING VICTIM
(based on averages for 2001-2010)

Estimated U.S. population as of 2011

310,000,000

Annual Number of Deaths Reported

39

Number of Injuries Reported

241

280

Estimated number of U.S. Deaths

40

Estimated number of actual Injuries

360

400

Odds of being struck by lightning in a given year (reported deaths + injuries)

1/1,000,000

Odds of being struck by lightning in a given year (estimated total deaths + injuries)

1/775,000

Odds of being struck in your lifetime (Est. 80 years)

1/10,000

Odds you will be affected by someone being struck (Ten people affected for every one struck)

NWS Lightning Safety Medical Information

**loveisnoise** · 08-17-2012, 11:19 AM

This is very interesting. I'm also amazed at how varied websites are with this statistic. At least this one is spelled out. And it's from the government so you know it's true!!!

Originally Posted by darthsinatra

ODDS OF BECOMING A LIGHTNING VICTIM
(based on averages for 2001-2010)

Estimated U.S. population as of 2011

310,000,000

Annual Number of Deaths Reported

39

Number of Injuries Reported

241

280

Estimated number of U.S. Deaths

40

Estimated number of actual Injuries

360

400

Odds of being struck by lightning in a given year (reported deaths + injuries)

1/1,000,000

Odds of being struck by lightning in a given year (estimated total deaths + injuries)

1/775,000

Odds of being struck in your lifetime (Est. 80 years)

1/10,000

Odds you will be affected by someone being struck (Ten people affected for every one struck)

NWS Lightning Safety Medical Information

**darthsinatra** · 08-17-2012, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by loveisnoise

This is very interesting. I'm also amazed at how varied websites are with this statistic. At least this one is spelled out. And it's from the government so you know it's true!!!

Bahahaha! No matter how you slice it, it ain't 4/100,000.

**D-man** · 08-17-2012, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by loveisnoise

Anyone who knows the slightest amount about electricity knows their excuse about wiring in the house is bull ****. The fires are starting with the meters, and several fires have been reported around the US because of these meters.

Actually, the socket that the meter plugs into is the homeowners property and their maintenance responsibility. Some homes have meter sockets that are 40+ years old and have shoddy wiring. These are the instances where the fires have occurred.

**#1MetsFan** · 08-17-2012, 12:47 PM

If PECO insists on installing new meters, PECO should probably check those sockets before they leave the house. imo

**darthsinatra** · 08-17-2012, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by #1MetsFan

If PECO insists on installing new meters, PECO should probably check those sockets before they leave the house. imo

Absolutely. But their work rules (and habits) might preclude them from doing so. I have seen some really bad meter sockets. And my guess is the third-party vendor(s) installing the new meters can't be bothered to inspect anything else.

The worst residential cases I've seen are those in which water has sluiced down the service line due to a damaged or missing weather head, and into the socket, corroding the metal and insulation in the socket over the course of many years. A total loss waiting to happen. I wonder if PECO has a service to inspect these things free of charge for their customers before there's a problem?

**loveisnoise** · 08-17-2012, 12:54 PM

OK, maybe I spoke too soon about PECO bull****ting the problem-although from the youtube videos of fires, it certainly appears that it is directly from the meters heating up.

Isn't it, however, PECO's responsibility to shut off service if a condition poses a threat? Yes, I understand these are just contractors-but they are still agents of PECO. Is there some 'terms of service' that is between peco/consumers?

Are you an electrician, darth? Just curious since you know a lot about the topic.

Originally Posted by darthsinatra

Absolutely. But their work rules (and habits) might preclude them from doing so. I have seen some really bad meter sockets. And my guess is the third-party vendor(s) installing the new meters can't be bothered to inspect anything else.

The worst residential cases I've seen are those in which water has sluiced down the service line due to a damaged or missing weather head, and into the socket, corroding the metal and insulation in the socket over the course of many years. A total loss waiting to happen. I wonder if PECO has a service to inspect these things free of charge for their customers before there's a problem?

**#1MetsFan** · 08-17-2012, 12:58 PM

PECO is liable if the smart meter overheats and causes a fire because the third party contractor hired by PECO didn't inspect the area before installing the meter. Work rules/habits or not. It may be the homeowner's responsibility to maintain the wiring, but the issue is causality. The fire would not have happened but for the installation of the smart meter, which runs hot.

**darthsinatra** · 08-17-2012, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by loveisnoise

Are you an electrician, darth? Just curious since you know a lot about the topic.

My dad was an electrician and and professional electrical engineer. Later in his career he was a forensic engineer, investigating cases like the One Meridian fire and other large, commercial electrical accidents and tragedies. He taught me everything he knew and took me on every job possible. We spent many weekends doing stuff around the house, too. I'm no expert but I've seen and done a lot.

**Moonraker** · 08-17-2012, 01:52 PM

For my edification, what is new in these meters which require a change-out?

For years PECO has had remote telemetery from house meters. First ones I remember were Carrier Current going back to 23rd & Market Sts. A little later I recall seeing 15' Station Master antennas on 40' poles in their suburban substations. Gotta wonder the EIRP of the transmitter. PECO had to install RF bypass filters around every transformer from me to 23rd & Market.

PGW and the Water Bureau (Dept) have had remote telemetry for years. One of those utilities has trucks roving the city to poll their meters.

Given the old state of the art, What's new with these? URL links would help.

**D-man** · 08-17-2012, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by #1MetsFan

If PECO insists on installing new meters, PECO should probably check those sockets before they leave the house. imo

I think the article I linked says that PECO is now doing this, and they are making any necessary repairs to the meter socket at their own (PECO's) expense.

**#1MetsFan** · 08-17-2012, 02:12 PM

Right. It only took 4 fires and $??? million for PECO to adopt this policy.

**D-man** · 08-17-2012, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Moonraker

For my edification, what is new in these meters which require a change-out?

The old AMR meters only perform one-way communication and take one meter reading a day. The new meters will have 2-way communication and will take one meter reading every hour.

**darthsinatra** · 08-17-2012, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by D-man

I think the article I linked says that PECO is now doing this, and they are making any necessary repairs to the meter socket at their own (PECO's) expense.

Great news!

**mixiboi** · 08-17-2012, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by Moonraker

For my edification, what is new in these meters which require a change-out?

For years PECO has had remote telemetery from house meters. First ones I remember were Carrier Current going back to 23rd & Market Sts. A little later I recall seeing 15' Station Master antennas on 40' poles in their suburban substations. Gotta wonder the EIRP of the transmitter. PECO had to install RF bypass filters around every transformer from me to 23rd & Market.

PGW and the Water Bureau (Dept) have had remote telemetry for years. One of those utilities has trucks roving the city to poll their meters.

Given the old state of the art, What's new with these? URL links would help.

Smart meter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia