Do smart electric meters alert the power company when it's removed?

[DarkBlack]

I liked when ours quit. Free electricity for a few months before they got around to replacing it. Got to the point I wondered how long they would let it go.

Was it actually free? Normally when a meter fails, or hasn’t recorded properly, the utility company will make an adjustment on your bill, the following month or 2, based on their statistics of your normal usage, to “ fill in” the missing data.

 

[LittleBill21]

they know the instant its out, that said i have cut the tag for years to backfeed the generator, they replace it when they see it, and I cut it off the day we get the new outage. 4 times in 12 years its been cut, they don't like it, they also can't prove I cut it. they just look at the bill to see if everything is normal, around here it sounds like a harley dealership with all the generators running during an outage

 

[ultrarunner]

My tenants got free electricity when I did a service upgrade from 120v 30 amp to 240v 100 amp.

Typically I just move the meter but with the 1922 meter it was not possible.

I did everything right and had confirmation of notification along with signed off permit…

Typically it takes up to 72 hours and in this case it was over 3 months.

Standard procedure is to hammer flat the ends of #8 wire to bridge the socket and to use split bolts to connect at the weather head.

PGE said it was their fault so no estimated bill sent…

 

[RayIN]

Yes the utility co. knows. They can even turn on or off your electricity(with your permission) remotely with a smart meter when demand is high

 

[ning]

Yes the utility co. knows. They can even turn on or off your electricity(with your permission) remotely with a smart meter when demand is high

And you've likely given that permission... whether you realize it or not.

 

[RayIN]

And you've likely given that permission... whether you realize it or not.

Nope, it must be on file over your signature. Most utilities will offer a lower rate if you give them this permission, and only applies during peak demand periods. Specifically this applies to whole house air conditioners/heat pumps, not lighting etc.
How do they do it? I haven't a clue.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Here it is a criminal offense, rarely see anyone do it though, or rather charged.

 

[ponytug]

Nope, it must be on file over your signature. Most utilities will offer a lower rate if you give them this permission, and only applies during peak demand periods. Specifically this applies to whole house air conditioners/heat pumps, not lighting etc.
How do they do it? I haven't a clue.

Around here, the utility installs a relay on the AC control that they can control over the power line. My guess your area is similar.

All the best,

Peter

 

[ultrarunner]

I was asked to take a look at a central air residential that was not working during a heat wave…

The new owners never used it but very much wanted to during the hot spell

I said nothing wrong with the unit except it has electric company interlock keeping it from running…

They said just make it work and I did.

Best we could figure is the previous owner had set it up…

As far as I know nothing ever came of me taking the interlock out of the circuit.

 

[tulenutn2o]

So what is the procedure to get the meter pulled?

I often work as a helper doing HVAC and when the condenser disconnect needs replacing the guy just pulls the meter. Haven't heard of any ramifications from the short duration disconnection and know a few of the people who would have said something if the power company ever questioned them about it later. I would assume if the meter doesn't come back online the power company would eventually check to see if someone was stealing power.

Around here, I call the utility and wait.