[Buzz123]

I've never really understood why the smart meters are so controversial, but I do understand fire hazard.

Fires lead to calls for NV Energy smart meter investigation | Las Vegas Review-Journal

[Danknee]

I'm going to bet it ends up being degraded wiring being disturbed by a new meter install, instead of the meters themselves.

[tiger08]

Originally Posted by Danknee

I'm going to bet it ends up being degraded wiring being disturbed by a new meter install, instead of the meters themselves.

Thats what the problem was several years ago in some other states, old wiring and brittle meter sockets.
I dont think any issue that I read about, was directly related to a smart meter issue.

[MSchu]

Wow... now that is interesting.

how do you like that warren Buffett...

[Danknee]

Originally Posted by MSchu

Wow... now that is interesting.

how do you like that warren Buffett...

Not even on his radar. Why would a man controlling $60 billion pay attention to a statistic like 9 (unproven) failing meters? The article says they have installed 1.1 million of them which calculates to a maximum failure rate of 0.00081818%, again unproven.

Sounds like a minor blip for someone way further down the totem pole. Not a very damning number.

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by Danknee

Not even on his radar. Why would a man controlling $60 billion pay attention to a statistic like 9 (unproven) failing meters? The article says they have installed 1.1 million of them which calculates to a maximum failure rate of 0.00081818%, again unproven.

Sounds like a minor blip for someone way further down the totem pole. Not a very damning number.

With significant figures, that number is better described as "zero." I would be unhappy if my house burned down because of what amounts to a rounding error. But that's what insurance is for.

I do not get why some people are so adamant against smart meters. I like mine. I get weekly updates on my power use, thus I immediately know if something is amiss.

[ND_Irish]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

With significant figures, that number is better described as "zero." I would be unhappy if my house burned down because of what amounts to a rounding error. But that's what insurance is for.

I do not get why some people are so adamant against smart meters. I like mine. I get weekly updates on my power use, thus I immediately know if something is amiss.

The primary issue in my view is security. Most big companies do not inspire a lot of confidence with their IT security protocols. Someone with nefarious intentions within the company could monitor a home's energy usage patterns and determine when residents are present or not. Alternatively, someone potentially could hack into the power company's systems and do the same thing.

[jadedlady]

There is a growing movement that is opposed to the 'smart meters' for numerous reasons, but the primary reason is that it is thought that they are dangerous to your health. There is an award winning documentary about this here:

https://www.youtube.com/user/ThePowerFilm

[MrWillys]

The meter was still working 49 seconds after the 911 call.

Some Area Fires Possibly Linked to NV Energy Smart Meters - KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video -

My guess would be lack of certified electricians in our state, and faulty panel installations. The portion of the smart meter that makes it smart is low voltage, and the other functions are standard.

[braindead0]

I have several concerns with smart meters.

#1 The lies energy companies tell to sell them. Often they fail to implement security at all, track your usage in 10 second intervals when they tell you it's only every 15 minutes (or whatever lie they're telling at this point). They try to sell them claiming better rates, you'll be able to track your energy usage..etc. which for most people doesn't pan out.

#2 Security, if you can see your usage online... so can anyone... which means they can see when you are not home fairly easy. Don't think for a minute that any of these companies implement strong security, none every do. Even if they did, someone inside NV energy could easily sell this information for a lot of money. My power consumption at the intervals they are tracking is none of anyone's business. IF they implemented these to take hourly samples and it was confirmed by a reliable third party this issue would be addressed for most folks. However all they will do is make unfounded claims that they'll follow industry standard security practices, that's what Home Depot/Target...etc... claim as well.

#3 I have to keep potential information leakage under control. There shouldn't be any way for information to get out of my network through the meter network.. however IF someone got access it could compromise credit card clearing software used by thousands of businesses.. I for one am not going to risk it, no matter how small the risk.

#4 Fire hazards.. maybe. I'm not convinced that this is much of a risk.

#5 The companies that make these devices have no clue how to implement embedded systems, all over the world their have been problem after problem due to poor implementation of the firmware and complete failure to adhere to any security standards at all. I don't trust them to build anything that's reliable or safe, period.

IMO the rest of the concerns (health related, etc) are unfounded for the most part. HOWEVER, I fully support anyone who wants to opt out for any reason.

I opted out and still have a mechanical meter. The guy that installed it about a year ago told me that all of the NV energy electricians he knows opted out as well, he claimed the fire risks are well known. Take that for what it's worth (not much of course).

I for one will not risk my safety and information security so I can see my energy usage online, which to me has zero worth anyway.