FAQ: Fire and Safety Issues

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Q: Are “smart” meters installed by experienced technicians?

No, utility companies are subcontracting with companies like Wellington Energy and Corix- who hire temporary workers- not professional electricians as the Federal Communications Commission requires. This is not the only violation of FCC safety regulations.

Q: I’ve read about fires associated with “smart” meters. Is it true they can cause fires?

Yes, fires have been reported after smart meter installations, along with shorting or burning-out of appliances and electronics of all types.

Read the following interview with a “smart” meter installer, to learn shocking details of how meter installers can be poorly trained, new workers who sometimes install them incorrectly, and are only given 15 minutes for each one. Incorrectly installed “smart” meters can be fire hazards. Stop Smart Meters! Exclusive: Interview with the Wellington Energy Whistleblower.  EMF Safety Network has a must-read, extensive section on Smart Meter Fires and Explosions.

If you are hearing humming, buzzing in the wires, have power going on and off, your home may be at risk for “smart” meter fires or burn-outs of your home appliances. Read the EMF Safety Network info on the above link, report it to your local utility company by phone and in writing, document the problem, and consider checking with your electrician. These types of problems may not be covered by your insurance if the damage is caused by the utility company. Read: Smart Meter Arcing Hazard. We have heard reports “off the record” that fire chiefs and firefighters have expressed serious misgivings about the new meters and their association with electrical fires.

Q: I had a fire after they installed a “smart” meter, and I think it was from the meter. What can I do?

Document your experience as well as you can, and insist your local fire department investigate the cause of the fire, if they haven’t already done so. Write your utility with the documentation. Call your local media such as newspaper or TV reporters who advocate on consumer issues. Report your experience to us at StopSmartMeters.org or to EMFSafetyNetwork.org.

Q: Is it true that “smart” meters have not been certified by Underwriters’ Laboratories?

Yes, that is true. This basic safety testing precaution, which is required by the government for each and every appliance in your home, was neither implemented by manufacturers nor demanded by utilities or regulators for “smart” meters.

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13 Responses to FAQ: Fire and Safety Issues

  1. John Malthouse says:

    In British Columbia, Canada the Iron smart meter is being installed. Inspite of protests and no trespass signage, Coris, the installer, installs the meter on households vacated by residents at work, on vacation, etc. I do not see any CSA standars or UL approval on the new meters, which is of serious concern. Appliances that are not approved by these public watchdogs could have significant and adverse effects on your household insurance. Maybe the insurance companies have to weigh in.

    As a red seal electrician, I know there is a strict safety porotocol when removing a meter. First, the electrical panel should be shut down to prevent any current flow that might cause arcing when removing and installing a meter. This does not happen and this is dangerous. No employee, nor can any employer knowingly undertake a task that poses imminent danger. At least that is the law under health and safety legislation in Canada. To do otherwise is reckless and irresponsible and there are consequences for this conduct if reported to the proper authorities.

    I have noted that most fireballing, hot meters, burnouts and power failures do not seem attributable to the meter and its design, but by improper installation. I am exceptionally interested in appliance damage that seems to be caused by the smart meter or at the time smart meters are installed. Damage to appliances may occur at the immediate time of smart meter installation due to failure to shut down the electrical panel prior to installation. I would like to hear more accounts. HJM

  2. Redi Kilowatt says:

    BREAKING NEWS from KTVU channel 2.
    PG&E is going to be inspecting more than 16,000 transformers in northern California.
    PG&E fired 4 workers earlier this year for failing to do their assignment of inspecting those step down transformers. Most of those transformers are in Santa Clara county.
    So, the cat is out of the bag, PG&E has not yet even begun to start upgrading the power grid yet. It is those very transformers, most are average 40 years old, that are the primary first step in upgrading the power grid to being what they now call “smart”.
    Last month, PG&E released a 300 page report on their plans to upgrade the power grid.
    The cost of the grid upgrade project is estimated to be $500 million to $1.2 billion and take 10 years to complete (once it is actually started). The costs for the grid upgrade project is over and above the revenue meter replacement project costs that were $2.2 billion approved by the CPUC in electric rate increases. The revenue meter project is around 60 percent complete in PG&E territory, but it is now unlikely that it will ever be completed.
    I wonder if PG&E is waiting until their goal of replacing all 10 million meters is complete before starting on the power grid upgrade ? Meanwhile, the only way that the grid operators know when circuits are overloaded due to AC loads on hot days is when transformers go KABOOM ! Expect it to be standard operating procedure for many years to come, as developers are building more apartments out in the central valley to house all the people that got foreclosed on.

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  4. How long can the time lapse be between a smart meter installation and a house fire. About three weeks after my installation, my house burned. Never had electrical issues before the meter, then lights and receptacles gave issues afterwards. My house was old, and I have contacted the State Fire Marshal and had it reinspected but they seem to be inconclusive. I have hired a lawyer and an independent fire investigator. Much more evidence and details, but my main hurdle has been the time-lapse. I know that’s what started it, because I knew my house inside and out.

    • Jay Carley says:

      My house burned December 17th 2016. The insurance investigator said the connection from the meter to the meter socket was loose and over time caused the insulation jacket on the wiring to melt from the lugs on the meter socket. The meter had been there for a couple years. Our house was 1/2 destroyed and we are still not back in. I am looking for an attorney to pursue the utility company. We are in the Dallas Texas area so if anyone knows of an attorney that can handle this please reply

      Thanks.

    • roxi says:

      If you are the one looking for an attorney in Texas regarding your house burning due to the smart meter, call me at 661.242.1122 between 2pm and 5pm only any day …that is pacific time. hope i can help if it’s not too late. roxi

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  11. Helen says:

    It’s not an upgrade. It’s actually a downgrade, since these smart meters are very dangerous to your health, your life, and your dwelling.

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