Electrical smart meter (spy device w/o warrant)

[Marlin T]

First watch the video and he'll explain what those meters do and which states have used that information for fines and prosecution.

http://deadlinelive.info/2011/07/28/...-the-citzenry/

I don't know about you, but we already have one. So what now?

[carver]

Make em take it out! I don't have one, and a 1 watt transmitter probably wouldn't work way out here in the country anyway.

[cycloneman]

I have a simple question. What is the selling point the power companies are telling the consumers the smart meter does?

[Marlin T]

The meter reader is no longer needed.

One watt is plenty to make it miles to your local power company.
Ours is a 3 watt meter.

[Juker]

We've had one for at least five years. They provide a more accurate report of power consumption, not for spying purposes, but for billing. They also give the power company a better idea of peak usage so they can avoid brownouts.

I see his points in the video, but really don't think it's anything for me to get in a twist about.

[ampaterry]

The signal is sent in induced into the power lines.
We live in a valley where cell phones, wireless internet, TV signals, etc. just don't reach. When LE friends stop by, they use our land-line to check in because their police radios don't reach out of here.
But our meter transmitter works fine -

Yes, these eliminate the meter reader.
We have had it about a year now, and no problems -

If it bugs anyone, put in a timer on a light - that will show usage pattern and keep them from telling when you are home or not even if that would be useful somehow.

[Kieran McCaig]

They started using them here to be able too use time of use billing.Peak power hours pay more money,alot of it was to stop people from leaving the A/C on when not at home.Just wait for the next power failure and by pass it.

[Win73]

Originally Posted by ampaterry

If it bugs anyone, put in a timer on a light - that will show usage pattern.

That is a useless idea. The current drawn by even a 100 watt bulb is inconsequintal when compared to the current drawn by your HVAC system as it heats or cools your house whether you or home or not, or by your water heater if it is electric. Also there are all the electronics that we keep plugged in and on such as computers, TV's, stereo systems, clocks, microwaves, etc.

Besides, the power company doesn't care whether you are home or not and can't tell if you are or aren't. (I'm an engineer with a power company. We just want you to keep using those kilowatt hours and send us your check each month. After all someone has to pay my exorbitant salary. Although come bill paying time it doesn't seem so exorbitant!)

[Win73]

Originally Posted by Kieran McCaig

Just wait for the next power failure and by pass it.

Yes, and as soon as the power comes back on the power company will know that you have done it. Stealing power is a criminal offense. And they will prosecute.

Out of curiosity, just how would you bypass it?

[jack404]

here's how its being pushed in Australia

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/new...-1226114477616

[HunterAlpha1]

this actually sounds rather economical, turning off lights that have been on for too long. i know that kids will often leave a room and not bother turning off the light and with no intention of returning to that room any time soon. but what would be needed is an exception list. if you put a roast in the oven and head off to church, you definitely don't want to return home to find that your dinner is still uncooked.

ofcourse, this is still a blatant invasion of privacy. if you want to make sure your kids turn the light off before they leave the room, give them a consequence when they fail to do so.

[jbmid1]

Originally Posted by jack404

here's how its being pushed in Australia

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/new...-1226114477616

How about...they keep the meter, and I consider natural gas, solar, wind, battery and generator.

[jack404]

because if you dont get them then they devalue your house's value by 30,000 -90,000

A July 2011 "consultation regulation impact statement" prepared for the federal and state governments forecast the system would affect hundreds of thousands of homes in its first year of operation.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/mor...-1226114121243

just more of the same from the eco terror group called the greens

legislation that states if you dont fall into line they wipe out the value of your assets , here's a side line , ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE SHOWN COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS WILL BE ALLOWED TO BE A VALUER. so only die hard communist turn ed environmentalists will be the judges and folks wonder why we dont want these US experts here advising us ??

[Redhand]

Our local AEP installed these meters several yrs ago and their rates have gone up ever since. We are paying for the installation and they are reaping the benifits of less fuel expense and man hours to read your meters. They recently asked for a 25% increase in utility rates. When was the last time you got a 25% raise?

[Blackhawk Dave]

They're mandated in Texas now, and we have to pay for these suckers, even though the electric companies won't have to read the meters any more.

Now, some companies are hyping, let us control your AC, etc and we'll cut you a break on the electric power. Nah. All they'll do is raise the overall rates so there's no real savings.

[HunterAlpha1]

so... install "smart" meters to save money, then raise prices. yep, sounds like "modern" day America.

[Claudius Valarium]

Originally Posted by Blackhawk Dave

They're mandated in Texas now, and we have to pay for these suckers, even though the electric companies won't have to read the meters any more.

Now, some companies are hyping, let us control your AC, etc and we'll cut you a break on the electric power. Nah. All they'll do is raise the overall rates so there's no real savings.

Yep, it's bad enough that I have a meter that sends a signal back to the company on my kilowatt usage. I had no choice, it was that or nothing. I will not allow them any more access than that.

mmmmmmm mmmmmmmm
look deeply into my eyes
mmmmmmm mmmmmmmm
let us control your AC
mmmmmmm mmmmmmmm
let us control your AC.

After they succeed with that, they will move onto something else. It's all about control.

[popgun]

tin foil hat time

[clamman]

No no tin foil the meter!

[ampaterry]

Originally Posted by Win73

That is a useless idea. The current drawn by even a 100 watt bulb is inconsequintal when compared to the current drawn by your HVAC system as it heats or cools your house whether you or home or not, or by your water heater if it is electric. Also there are all the electronics that we keep plugged in and on such as computers, TV's, stereo systems, clocks, microwaves, etc.

Besides, the power company doesn't care whether you are home or not and can't tell if you are or aren't. (I'm an engineer with a power company. We just want you to keep using those kilowatt hours and send us your check each month. After all someone has to pay my exorbitant salary. Although come bill paying time it doesn't seem so exorbitant!)

Yes, the current drawn by a 100 watt bulb is only a bit under one amp, and is inconsequential. Unless someone IS trying to see if we are home or not by viewing our electrical usage, which is the concern expressed here.

I don't think many of us go away and leave the A/C, stereo, TV, computer and microwave running. Modern well-insulated water heaters rarely start when no one is using hot water.

Personally, I am not worried about the power company determining if I am home or not by viewing my electrical usage. Shoot, these meters are a PERFECT way for them to determine INSTANTLY the exact time and extent of any power outage, yet they do nothing until someone phones in to tell them - -

I have an image of a service area map on the computer screen, with a little green dot for every meter that is transmitting which changes to a red dot when it is not transmitting. Overlay of feed lines, and the EXACT point of break is determined to within a few feet.
Hey, earn that exorbitant sallary and set that up, will you?

Meanwhile -

[jack404]

hey look folks

if your meter has a resitor before going into the dial or digirtal recorder try this

triple the resistance of the feed resistor in the meter

it'll lower your electrical bill by 1/3 rd

no bull , dunno what your law say the penalty there is for this but hey ..

enjoy ...

[sliclee]

The smart meter is all for the power company 0 for you.
No longer requires meter reader, no longer requires vehicle, no longer requires service for vehicle, no insurance and so on, look at the savings for them,YET we must take it and pay for it,WHO gets the benefit,AAHHHH,your local govt.
How many fires has the meter caused all over the USA so far.
Here in Florida, our elected representatives think so highly of us, they have passed laws making it illegal to sue the power company for installing the meters that cause fires. Think of that when you next vote.
SO, how am I to benefit,if I dont pay my bill all the power co. has to do is flip a switch, no electric, when they want,they have the power to control how much electric you use but most important when you use it. I want it colder, the power co. says thats all the juice your getting now, you dont like it leave.
If you pay attention, its going on all over so you have no choice in anything.
Pay some attention to what the govt and drug companies are doing to seniors and people that have certain diseases. Death squads are in full bloom!

[hogger129]

If they really wanted to find out what you were up to, they could get a warrant to bug your home and your phones. Stick tracking devices in your vehicle, on your clothing, etc. Seen the movie "Enemy of the State." The USA PATRIOT Act isn't enough for them to bust in and bug you.

Warrantless searches won't hold up in a US court full of lawyers unless you're flagged as a terrorist.

We've had a smart meter here for quite a while. Saves the power company money and it records your power consumption more accurately.

I'm not doing anything I shouldn't be so there's no reason for em to be spying on me.