Smart meter power control capability

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Coppersmith

Coppersmith

Senior Member
Location
Tampa, FL, USA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
I read on another site that if I want the power turned off to the main feeder, I can just call the POCO they can instruct the smart meter to turn off the power. I normally just pull the meter. Has anybody ever done this? This might be convenient for doing a panel change if it's safe and they react quickly to these requests. I'm a bit concerned about an accidently restoration of power.
 
Coppersmith said:
I read on another site that if I want the power turned off to the main feeder, I can just call the POCO they can instruct the smart meter to turn off the power. I normally just pull the meter. Has anybody ever done this? This might be convenient for doing a panel change if it's safe and they react quickly to these requests. I'm a bit concerned about an accidently restoration of power.
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Don’t bet on it.
All smart meters don’t have this RCD capability. They have to be ordered with the 200A disconnect switch inside and are quite expensive.
About 2 million higher for around 30,000 meters like that.
We save these meters for places that are cut off frequently for non pay.
Someone that always pays on time doesn’t need the expensive meter with switch.
I would opt for the visual opening anyway.
 
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ptonsparky said:
I've never had them shut it off that way. When power is restored it takes someone to push the ,'little black button' on the meter to complete the process. We've only done it once, IIRC.
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Arming button. We have those also.
 
One of the utilities around here does that for fires. When dispatch calls for the utility response, they offer to open the circuit at the meter and then send the trouble guy too.
 
Would you trust it for isolation?

Would you be happy having your hands on cables that could be made live by somebody else at the click of a mouse?
 
AdrianWint said:
Would you trust it for isolation?

Would you be happy having your hands on cables that could be made live by somebody else at the click of a mouse?
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I thought that they could remotely disconnect with a mouse click but have to send someone out to reconnect; is that not the case?
 
I can't comment on the US Smart meters, but the ones here in the UK can be re-closed remotely & its not considered safe practice to rely on a smart meter for isolation.

Our meters can't be 'pulled' like yours can. They are hardwired & sealed by the DNO (POCO). It is becoming common practice for an isolator to be fitted between the meter & the consumer unit (breaker box). If no isolator is fitted then the only safe way forward is to arrange for the DNO to remove the cut-out fuse. Electricians are not authorised to remove the cutout fuse - it is sealed & mus only be removed by the DNO.
 
ptonsparky said:
Not as simple as a click of a mouse, but No, I would not use it. Our POCO techs are usually an hour or less away and very responsive to boot.
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Actually, some are depending on the manufacturer of the meter and switch combination, Along with the utilities AMI.
The ones with the arming switch are the earlier versions
 
I was called to a house due to loss of power. The owner said they had just moved in that morning and the power suddenly shutoff. I checked around and determined there was no incoming from POCO. The owner then realized he had failed to open an account with POCO. He called the POCO and I heard him give his credit card information. A couple of minutes later he had power!

Considering how large our equipment is for a 200 amp shutoff or OCP it is surprising something small inside a meter can do the same.
 
Greg1707 said:
I was called to a house due to loss of power. The owner said they had just moved in that morning and the power suddenly shutoff. I checked around and determined there was no incoming from POCO. The owner then realized he had failed to open an account with POCO. He called the POCO and I heard him give his credit card information. A couple of minutes later he had power!

Considering how large our equipment is for a 200 amp shutoff or OCP it is surprising something small inside a meter can do the same.
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And sometimes they don’t make great contact causing excessive heating or worse, a fire.
That’s one reason we try to limit their use to specific places for convenience and safety
 
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