 49528867Premium
join:2010-04-16
Fort Lauderdale, FL
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1 edit | reply to jrs8084
Re: Another Smart Meter Fire said by jrs8084:Sometimes you are just opening up a can of worms. Quite correct and I am surprised considering the sheer number of meters being changed out this stuff isn't happening more often than it is.
Ya have to wonder how many meter cans are opened only to have the technician think to himself, ought oh, ya know I'm gonna place the new one nice and easy and stand well to the side when I close the main.
In the utility business there is a term called hot and holding and it means.
Is it hot and it's holding, then it's coffee shop time.
Wayne
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49528867Premium
join:2010-04-16
Fort Lauderdale, FL
kudos:3 | reply to mattmag
said by mattmag:So, the question most obvious is; Are the fires caused by the actual "smart meters" or because the bond between the old meter and the old meter pan contacts was disrupted with a different meter that compromised that "worn-in" fit, and would have happened no matter what kind of meter was installed? Considering the median age of homes and the Demographics of Philadelphia PA that seems like a good possibility. From Coldwell Banker; “The median age of homes in Philadelphia, PA is 55 years, with 50% of those homes owned, 38% rented and 10% not occupied. » www.coldwellbanker.com/real_esta···adelphiaWayne --
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1 edit | reply to nunya
said by nunya:Of course the utility is going to blame the customer and say the meter base was loose.
The meter shop guys used to carry "clips" to shim the jaws tighter. I don't know if they do that any more.
This seems like it would be an area for regulation:
The utility requires the customer to provide a meter base, and then (with the meter seal) prevents the customer from accessing the customer's property without the utility's advance permission. It doesn't seem unreasonable that the utility should be presumed to be responsible for any problems related to the socket unless there were conclusive physical or documentary evidence showing the customer's negligence or deliberate damage.
A public utilities commission would not think it reasonable that the customer or customer's contractor should periodically remove the seal AND the meter solely to check the condition of the socket. It also seems unreasonable that if the utility needs to replace the meter for reasons unrelated to any customer request, that the customer should incur any expense or liability for inspecting the socket.
Maybe a compromise would be that whenever the utility removes a meter the utility shall:
-leave a card indicating socket condition
-photograph the socket and send a copy of the photo to the customer
It also wouldn't be a bad idea for them to say "If you want us to give you our opinion on the condition of your meter socket, we will do so on request at no charge." That gives them an opportunity to say "fix it". If the customer does not do so, the utility is relieved of liability except negligence.
(Utilities, of course, will say that all of this is going to cost ratepayers more money and then put in for twice as large a rate increase as they need. The PUC will halve it and it's a done deal.)
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 Jack_in_VAPremium
join:2007-11-26
Mathews, VA
kudos:1 | This issue seems like a good case to transfer the meter base to the POCO.
We have that here in VA. The drop, the meter base and meter are the responsibility of the POCO.
Of course that does nothing for the case of the incompetent meter changer causing or adding to a problem with the stabs. |
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 nunyaWho is John Galt?Premium,MVM
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O Fallon, MO
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| reply to ArgMeMatey
It varies from company to company. I deal with several utilities. I have one co-op (Cuivre River) where their troublemen will replace or repair the meter sockets. The WILL NOT repair the mast or riser though.
In another location (Ameren, St. Charles), the utility won't let me pull meters or even cut the seal to examine the socket. Have to call a troubleman every time. They will not fix anything. They won't even provide an anchor for overhead service.
What's strange is with the same company, Ameren, I can pull meters in St. Louis with a phone call.
There's no rhyme or reason as to how these companies operate. The state PSC needs to make the rules the "same" across the board.
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| reply to owlyn
In British Columbia, apparently the meter changers(contractor) don't even need to be electricians. After all, its only a plug going into an outlet. So says the derps in charge.
Cisco series 1000 pole mounted router for smart meters.
»www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps1···dex.html
One cause of fires, is where the wires in the meter bases will be loose from the retainment screw/bolt. From either age, high usage heating, or corrosion. Well at least thats what BC Hydro is saying, in order to avoid paying for burning down a few houses.
Sure would of been nice if the meter changers would use an insulated wrench/driver to make sure the lugs are tight. Though not everyone is confident in working on live wires. Especially contract workers with no real training and a deadline of end of 2012(bonus all around if finished on time).
Meter base may be the customers property, but since the inside of the base is only accessible by the power authority removing the meter, well The electricity provider should be at least 80% responsible for the fire... Oh have you ever noticed how people never notice their lights flickering during high electricity usage(pulling many amps at once). |
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Jack_in_VAPremium
join:2007-11-26
Mathews, VA
kudos:1 | said by winnnn :In British Columbia, apparently the meter changers(contractor) don't even need to be electricians. After all, its only a plug going into an outlet. So says the derps in charge.
Cisco series 1000 pole mounted router for smart meters.
»www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps1···dex.html
One cause of fires, is where the wires in the meter bases will be loose from the retainment screw/bolt. From either age, high usage heating, or corrosion. Well at least thats what BC Hydro is saying, in order to avoid paying for burning down a few houses.
Sure would of been nice if the meter changers would use an insulated wrench/driver to make sure the lugs are tight. Though not everyone is confident in working on live wires. Especially contract workers with no real training and a deadline of end of 2012(bonus all around if finished on time).
Meter base may be the customers property, but since the inside of the base is only accessible by the power authority removing the meter, well The electricity provider should be at least 80% responsible for the fire... Oh have you ever noticed how people never notice their lights flickering during high electricity usage(pulling many amps at once).
That's why I think that meter bases and meters should be the responsibility of the POCO everywhere like here in Virginia. At least we can hold them accountable for repairs/damage by "Their equipment".
I haven't heard of any fires caused by the meter change out a few years ago when the POCO changed them all out so they could read them remotely from a vehicle driving by. |
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49528867Premium
join:2010-04-16
Fort Lauderdale, FL
kudos:3 | said by Jack_in_VA:I haven't heard of any fires caused by the meter change out a few years ago when the POCO changed them all out so they could read them remotely from a vehicle driving by. That's because a few years ago Smart Meters where not a hot button issue.
Wayne
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