Smart meter usage
Smart meters benefits
These meters help us improve your service and give you powerful tools to control your energy use, as well as your costs.
SMUD’s residential and business smart meters are a big part of the "smart grid," which delivers electricity using digital technology. This saves energy, reduces costs and increases reliability.
By installing smart meters at your home or business, we’ll have state-of-the-art technology to improve your service and provide you with powerful tools to monitor – and adjust – your energy use when you log in to My Account.
You can also sign up for text and email bill alerts to keep on track with your energy use and your budget.
Don't want a smart meter? Learn how to opt out.
Can electric service be connected or disconnected remotely?
Yes. For example, if you're moving, you'll no longer need to wait for a field service technician, leave your gates open or worry about your pets.
How do I safely reset my meter if my service has been disconnected?
You don’t need to reset your meter to reconnect your electric service. Once you make your payment, we can reset your meter remotely to restore service. Please allow up to one hour for service to be restored after the remote reconnect is initiated.
We want to reconnect you safely. If any electric devices or appliances were on when your power went out, it can create a hazard when your power is restored.
- Please ensure all electrical devices and appliances are off except one light. This will signify when service has been restored.
- Check around appliances like stoves, ovens and space heaters to make sure the area is clear of anything that could catch fire, burn or melt once electricity is restored.
- If your service isn’t restored after one hour, you may need to reset your breakers.
If you need assistance, please contact Customer Service.
Will the smart meter interfere with my home electronics?
No. The smart meters are designed not to interfere with your home electronics.
Will my energy use information remain confidential and safe?
Yes. Your energy use information will be safely transmitted over secure servers to SMUD. The company that provides SMUD's wireless network uses the same types of security as the Department of Defense and the online banking industry.
How does the smart meter help protect the environment?
In several important areas:
- By no longer needing a meter reader to visit your home each month, your smart meter will reduce pollution, cut back on fuel consumption and we’ll have fewer vehicles on the road.
- You’ll be able to make informed decisions about your energy use, which can reduce the demand for electricity.
Can I read my own smart meter?
Yes, learn how easy it is to read your meter.
Can I opt out of having a smart meter?
Yes, Find more information about our opt-out policy and fees.
Electromagnetic Fields and Radio Frequency
What is EMF?
The term EMF (electromagnetic fields or electric and magnetic fields) is used for low frequency, alternating or direct current, magnetic or electric fields. An electromagnetic field (also EMF or EM field) is a physical field produced by moving electrically charged objects.
Where does EMF occur?
EMF’s are everywhere in our modern world. Here are some
examples:
- They naturally occur from generation, transmission and distribution of electricity
in buildings - Sources include power lines, internal building wiring and appliances
- Low frequency systems are used to transmit electrical power into our buildings
- Electric fields are created by the voltage present in the system, either in the wiring or power cords
What is the difference between EMF and radio frequency (RF)?
At much higher frequencies, EMF’s are described as "radio frequency" or RF.
- Radio Frequency is used for radio transmissions, including wireless communication
- Any frequencies of electromagnetic radiation between 1kHz and 300 GHz, including those for radio and television transmission, are RF.
- RF is used to transmit power and signals through the air as wireless signal transmission
- RF is used for AM and FM satellite radio, television, radar, cell towers, cell phones, cordless phones, Bluetooth, wireless computer and data transmission (WLAN, WI-FI, WiMAX) networks.
Do smart meters generate RF fields?
Yes. Smart meters emit about one watt. In comparison, cell phones and wireless routers emit from 1–2 watts. Your smart meter transmits radio signals only once every four hours, with each transmission lasting 5/1000ths of a second.
Smart meters create a network in order to function. They may act as a "repeater" (part of the communication chain) for other nearby meters. They may communicate throughout the day to report incidents such as:
- Outages
- Voltage fluctuations
- Alerts about tampering and power theft
- On-demand reads at your request
- These communications are infrequent – occurring on average 60 seconds for every 24 hours
In 2012, we conducted a detailed analysis of transmission frequency and weighted average "on air" time across the smart meter network.
Here are the results:
| Electric system message type | Transmission frequency per 24-hour period: Average | Transmission frequency per 24-hour period: Maximum (99.9th percentile) |
| Meter read data | 6 | 6 |
| Network management | 15 | 30 |
| Time sync | 360 | 360 |
| Mesh network message management | 13,000 | 240,000 |
| Weighted average duty cycle | 61.4 seconds | 1,262 seconds |
The results of this study confirm that, on average, meters communicate for approximately 60 seconds during every 24-hour period. This “duty cycle” is significantly less than other typical devices including cell phones, wireless routers, and cordless phones.
Comparison of RF power density in the daily environment
| Device | Relative power density in microwatts per square centimeter |
| FM radio or TV broadcast signal | 0.005 microwatts |
| Smart meter device at 10 ft. | 0.1 microwatts |
| Cyber cafe (wi-fi) | 10-20 microwatts |
| Laptop computer | 10-20 microwatts |
| Cell phone held to ear | 30-10,000 microwatts |
| Walkie-talkie at head | 500-42,000 microwatts |
| Microwave oven, 2 inches from door | 5,000 microwatts |
Source: Richard Tell Associates, Inc.
Are smart meter RF fields safe?
Yes. Key factors for exposure risk are the power and frequency of the emission and distance from a person. Smart meters emit only about 1 watt, and when installed, no transmitter is located within your home. Cell phones are considered riskier since they are held to your head. Our smart meters meet all FCC testing and certification. In addition, we took the extra step of conducting rigorous RF testing during the initial rollout. Even when grouped together such as in apartment complexes, their RF emissions are low when compared to FCC exposure guidelines.
Will smart meter RF fields interfere with my electronics or medical devices?
The smart meters we use have been certified by the FCC and shouldn’t interfere with devices in or around your home.