DTE SmartMeter installed today (Detroit: neighborhood, assessment, move)

[MI-Roger]

The company installing the remote read SmartMeters for Detroit Edison was in our neighborhood today. The installer knocked on our door to announce his presence, handed us a card explaining what he would be doing (I was already aware of the upcoming change and saw the well marked truck parked in the street), and said we would experience a very brief (under 5 seconds) power interruption.

I expected a 30 second interruption but the installer was corrrect with his time assessment and was so fast that only two of our digital clocks needed to be reset.

They do bang on the meter can quite forcefully four or five times, maybe to ensure the new meter is fully seated before covering with the glass dome and sealing it. Other than this brief noise the change is nearly transparent to the occupant. Remove any wall hung pictures or valuables from the immediate wall area where your meter is located, as they could get knocked down with the brief banging.

[skyl4rk]

Is this the meter that gives you cheaper power at night?

[MI-Roger]

Originally Posted by skyl4rk

Is this the meter that gives you cheaper power at night?

This meter could be used for "Time Of Day" rates since it can be read remotely at any time. But I have the standard Residential Service Rate with no time of day discounts.

These meters caused quite a stir when they were first announced because some people thought they would emit high levels of radio wave radiation (as if cell phones don't?) or would act as homing beacons for the Zombie Apocalypse. But after an initial calibration/verification period I will no longer have to worry about a Meter Reader leaving the gate open to my yard.