CORE has invested in new digital meters to improve the efficiency and reliability of our electric system. Members might have questions about these new meters and how they work, including:
How do automated meters work?
AMI meters transmit electricity usage data using CORE’s own communication network. Information from the meter is transmitted back to CORE in scheduled increments, and upon request by CORE. Transmitting this information electronically means that a meter-reader no longer drives through your neighborhood for readings and CORE service personnel will not need to visit locations for requested reads or to connect or disconnect service.
What information does the meter record?
The meter records an electronic kilowatt-hour (kWh) reading, the date and time of energy usage, the overall peak demand of the electric account, whether the meter has run backward, and the number of times the meter has experienced a loss of power for any reason. The meter also records the date and time of power blinks, and the duration of any power outage.
Why are we changing to automated meters?
The meters help us:
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- Promptly obtain member-requested meter reads.
- Give members near-real-time information about energy usage.
- Eliminate the cost of in-person meter reading.
- Pinpoint the exact location of outages by notifying CORE of a power loss, meaning a faster response time.
- Troubleshoot high-bill and low-bill problems by providing information about power consumption patterns, outage and blink-count history, and voltage information.
- Improve electric service reliability and power quality – fewer outages, blinks and surges.
- Secure the overall safety of CORE employees.
- Better target capital spending by identifying parts of the distribution system that require upgrades.
- Help us identify power theft.
- Let members choose, within limits, when their meters are read each month.
- Provide members a pre-pay billing option.
- Develop rates that give members more choices.
- Manage additional member-sited renewable energy generation.
Will CORE personnel ever need to come to read the meter manually again?
Probably not, unless there is a problem that requires investigation. Meter-readers no longer travel to every meter for a monthly read. All meter-reads are digitally transmitted back to CORE headquarters.
What day of the month will the meters be read?
All of the cooperative’s meters can be read at any time. For billing purposes, however, member bills are read on monthly schedules. Members are able to select a three-day window within which the meters are read.
Since CORE employees no longer need to read the meter, can obstacles be constructed that may make the meter inaccessible?
No. Reasonable access to equipment still must be maintained. This allows for CORE personnel to either read or maintain the meter, if necessary, at reasonable times.
How does CORE read the meters?
CORE obtains meter readings through its secure communications network at predetermined intervals and upon request. The meter reading is sent back to CORE.
Will I lose electrical service during the installation?
Yes, for a few minutes. You will need to reset electronic clocks and other devices.
Are there any potential health impacts from a meter that can receive and send data?
No. Research conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute, the Utilities Telecom Council and others has revealed no health effects from digital meters. The radio frequencies emitted by digital meters fall well below the maximum recommended in federal guidelines. The meters emit radio frequencies (RF) only at scheduled intervals, when responding to a request for data from CORE, or when the power to the service location fails. Compare this activity to a laptop with a wireless connection, which is constantly sending and retrieving data. A digital meter equipped to send and receive data has an RF density hundreds of times less than the RF density of a cell phone, and the meters are installed on the outside of your house, not next to your ear.
Does CORE do service inspections?
Routine inspections of all meters and services will be conducted to look for safety hazards, theft or other problems.
Can CORE disconnect electric service using these meters?
Yes, residential meters have remote disconnect and reconnect capabilities.
Will the meter notify CORE when the power goes out?
Yes. The meters are able communicate with CORE’s control center when distribution system outages occur and allow CORE control center personnel to verify for members who call in about power loss whether an outage is on the member’s side of the meter or the cooperative’s.
How much does this cost?
There is no additional cost to the member. The project is paid for and financed as part of CORE’s ongoing capital expenditures for system improvements.
How secure are the meters?
The meter display is visible for members to be able to check their consumption. All other information and data stored in the meter is secure and the meter is sealed. No member-identifying information – names or addresses, for example – is stored in the meters or transmitted across the network. Information that is to be transmitted by meters is encrypted.
Does CORE share customer data with third parties?
Because AMI meters collect and wirelessly transmit data about electricity consumption, it is important to have strong privacy protections in place. Protecting member data is a priority for CORE. As is our current practice, CORE does not share personally identifiable member information obtained by the AMI system with any third party, including government agencies, except pursuant to a lawful order, warrant or subpoena.
Do the meters enable CORE to collect information on my activities within my home?
The meters collect data on our system’s performance on our side of the meter only. That information can tell us about usage at a point in time at the service location, such as whether there is power going to the meter, how much power is going to the meter and the voltage level, but it does not tell us the purpose for which the power is used.
Is an AMI meter safe for homes with older wiring?
An AMI meter does not impose any additional burden to the existing meter enclosure or house wiring. The meter installer is trained to inspect your meter enclosure for any potential equipment concerns. This process could potentially uncover problems that otherwise would go unnoticed. This step is incorporated into our installation process as a safety precaution for our installers, as well as our members.
Do members have a choice in getting a new meter?
No. AMI meters are installed on all accounts.
