In a proceeding before the National Labor Relations Board, evidence was submitted that Smart Meter fires, burned Smart Meters, burned meter sockets, and malfunctioning Smart Meters are regularly occurring and are known to Oncor and CenterPoint, two Texas utility companies.
The meter manufacturers cited are Itron and Landis & Gyr.
In California, Itron Smart Meters are used by Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric, and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power; Landis & Gyr Smart Meters are used by PG&E and Sacramento Municipal Utility District.
Documentation:
http://apps.nlrb.gov/link/document.aspx/09031d4581b1f209 — Counsel of the General Counsel’s Answering Brief
Also available here.
The documents in the proceeding are here:
https://www.nlrb.gov/case/16-CA-103387
After testifying to the Texas Senate on this issue, Oncor employee and union representative Bobby Reed was fired by Oncor.
From the Coalition to Stop Smart Meters in BC [a]:
Of particular note:
1) Those testifying had confirmed fires and failures with other linesmen and trouble-shooters prior to making the statements. Pg. 25
2) The linesmen reported that the utility had “two pallets of burned up (Itron) meters”. Pg. 8
3) The linesmen reported problems with “meters’ communication with the remote site control and many issues with meters melting and burning up.” Pg. 8
4) Linesmen determined that “part of the problem was a loose connection between the meter and the meter base because the smart meters had thinner “blades” than the previous analog meters” (emphasis added) Pg. 8 This gap could cause arcing leading to fires.
5) Concerns were raised about the ITRON smart meters “creating arc flashes, which could burn the customers’ wiring and create ‘hazardous conditions.’ …These hazardous conditions include potentially causing arc flashes, which could result in anything from minor to third degree burns to technicians who remove the meters.” Pg. 8
6) An experienced trouble-shooter for a utility reported that he had “responded to more fire calls once the smart meters were deployed and these often involved heating problems at the meter base.” Pg. 13
7) “ Reed’s testimony concerned products used by Respondent. Landis + Gyr is the manufacturer of the AMS meter used by Respondent and Itron is the manufacturer of the meters used by CenterPoint Energy in Houston.” Pg. 25
The model used in Houston is the ITRON C2SOD, Openway Centron II.
8) At Oncor and Centerpoint there was a consistent corporate message that utility employees are to tell customers that any problem, whether it’s damaged appliances or a fire, was due to the meter base which is owned by the client, not the smart meter. Pg. 10.
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The legal action at the NLRB was initiated by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Chapter No. 69.
Smart Meter Harm 