ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by gfretwell - 03/28/24 12:43 AM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 255 guests, and 16 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,081
T
Member
A neighbor (Northern NJ) had his electric meter replaced (he says the POCO just did it for no apparent reason) with a brand-new, shiny digital meter. His service was relatively new, 200 amps. (Installed less than 5 years ago.)

Now he can't watch the wheel go 'round (wheeee!) anymore. Is there any advantage to the digital meters? Do they allow for remote reading? I would think that the pole-mounted transformer would kill any ability to "converse" with the meter via PLC. If there is a workaround for that, then I guess remote shut-offs will be next [Linked Image]

I'll try to have more info later (brand name, etc.)

Mr. Endean: Have you seen these?

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
Member
TG:
THe digital meters are the replacements from PSE&G and GPU (JCP&L)
You're up north, so it could be Orange/Rockland also.
A phone call to them may get you some info on the digital meters.
What I heard is they are "cheaper" than the mechanical models that they are replaceing, and they can be read with a "scanner" device instead of "reading" the dials.
I know a meter supervisor from GPU/JCP&L and if you have any further interest, I could put you in contact with him. (Morristown, NJ, Ridgedale Meter Shop)
Also, PSE&G has "meter shops" in Clifton, and Secaucus if they are close to you.
BTW, did you find work??
John


John
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,081
T
Member
Hi, John.

PSE&G is the one [Linked Image] I'm not far from Clifton. OK, alright, I'll just throw it out there. I'm in Passaic. [Linked Image]

Nope. Didn't find work yet. I did put an app in at the local in Paramus. I'm waiting for a testing date.

Thanks for asking and thanks for the answers. ( I figured there was a way the meters can be read more easily than the older ones. Seems all the utilities are heading that way. Yet a call to PSE&G indicated that I would need to pay them to install a remote on the gas meter. No thanks... )

Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 360
T
Member
Check to make sure that they are completely digital, PPL just ran around and changed all of ours to the remote read type. If you look at just the right angle, you can see that there is still a wheel inside going round and round [Linked Image].

BTW, My brand new service was in for two months, then they came around and replaced the meter, and the bill came in at 18000 dollars [Linked Image]

Seems the remote read part isn't working yet, and the reader read it wrong [Linked Image]

TW

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,527
B
Moderator
TW, the type you described is officially called a "hybrid" meter.

Roughly five years ago, electronic meters became cheaper than electromechanicals for polyphase service. For 1ø, basic single-rate electromechanicals are still essentially a commodity item.

One advantage of microprocessor-based units is that many are configured with an alternate display mode that will read accurate per-phase voltage and current at the metering point.

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,081
T
Member
Why do those $18k bills never come in as a credit? That would last you for a while [Linked Image]

Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 1
C
C-H Offline
Member
A huge credit bill can get you into legal problems. If you use the money before they find out that "they" have made a mistake, you're toast.

Regarding, the digital meters: I friend of mine worked for a company making remote read meters: They use radio or the cell phone system to transfer data to the Power Company. (I suppose it's cheaper than upgrading the power lines to carry data)

Bjarney: If it keeps track of the voltage, it wouldn't be to hard to design it also to warn in case of under- or overvoltage, would it? (And shut off power in severe cases)

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 914
E
Member
In my area they are starting to use some of these digital models. I know that they did try a model that phoned in the reading, but they didn't use them for long. Some models send a signal and the meter reader just has to drive down the street slowing and gathers all the data without going to the meter. It won't be long before the meter reader is obsolete.

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,527
B
Moderator
C-H, as for "…keeps track of the voltage,"—it sounds like a good idea, but would it imply a protective function {with switching and other external wiring.} Most utilities here make the customer/user responsible for that function.

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 134
L
Member
ThinkGood...we have those meters here as well.we also have them on the gas and water service too.the truck drives down the street to read the meter.no more banging on the door to read the meter.but on the other hand i'm sure it cost someone there job too.

Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5