[jrref]

Originally Posted by dougawhite

The issue is the likely spark that occurs when the power meter is pulled and then reinstalled. These sparks create huge power surges on your house circuits that many computer controlled devices don't like.

Which is another reason why whole house surge protection is a good idea. In fact, I've now heard so many reports of surge damage that in my opinion, it's something that you need to get living here in Central Florida. Not really an option any more.

[Fredster]

Originally Posted by coleprice

Our meter was replaced this week. The electricity at our house was off for less than 1 minute. We had to re-set some clocks, but other than that, no issues.

Same here!

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by jrref

Which is another reason why whole house surge protection is a good idea. In fact, I've now heard so many reports of surge damage that in my opinion, it's something that you need to get living here in Central Florida. Not really an option any more.

Surge protection is now a requirement of the FL electrical code for new installations.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Surge protection is now a requirement of the FL electrical code for new installations.

Correct so now the homeowners in the "older" areas need to get educated on this topic so they can make an informed decision.

As part of the Villages Lightning Study Group, I focus on surge protection and give that part of the presentation. With all the presentations we have given, all the threads in Talk of the Villages and other social media, and Len's articles in the Sun and the Villages News, you would think everyone would be aware.

[Dusty_Star]

Originally Posted by jrref

I get it turning off your desktop computer and any other sensitive electronic devices and the HVAC for sure but I hope everyone realizes when we get a storm or a power outage, even a short one that the electric doesn't come on in one shot. Often it's the same On, then Off then On again similar what you are experiencing with the meter replacement. If you have equipment failing with the meter change it would have probably failed in a future power outage.

Some of the point of use surge protectors have a delay period built in, to protect from just this kind of on / off fluctuation. This one available at Amazon has a three minute wait period, & there are others. https://www.amazon.com/Refrigmatic-W...dp/B07QT8SCHN?

[elevatorman]

Originally Posted by courtyard

When they installed our Smart Meter, it caused our air conditioning unit motor to break and we were without AC for over 8 hours in 100 degree weather. Honeywell said they would enter a claim to pay us for the $900 in damages, but alas they reneged claiming it was over ten years old and was getting ready to break. We were not the only house on our block to have this damage done. We kept our AC in good condition in those ten years by paying $200 a year to SunKool to service our machine and didn't deserve this treatment.

Small Claims Court.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Is there a way to shut power off to the whole house at the circuit breaker box? I can't imagine trying to pull my refrigerator out to unplug it. And how did you shut power off to your A/C?

You don’t have to pull refrigerator out just click it to off, turn A/c off, shutdown any computers then flip main breaker box cut off, this prevent all these starting up at once when power flipped back on.

[jrref]

After reading this thread I can see where some honest people had appliance failures after the meter change and blame it on Seco. The reality is you can probably fight with them but as in one case where the A/C was 10 years old failed, you are probably not going to get any satisifaction. Why? because you will get the same power fluctuation, this Off/On/Off/On when we get a power interruption. It happens periodicaly over the years. I'm sure Seco has some sort of protection for this type of event or they would have a lot of claims to deal with. In the case of the A/C failing, when the unit looses power when the meter is pulled, when power is re-applied there is a 5 minute timer where the A/C stays OFF because it doesn't know it's prior state. So the new meter change shouldn't cause the A/C to fail even if the meter caused the power to fluctuate. In this case it might just be a coincidence. If the appliance failed during this meter change, it was probably going to fail anyway. As far as the event causing a surge, possible, but it shouldn't have been enough to make appliances fail. Surges in you home due to appliances going On and Off occur all the time. It's frustrating and unfortunate but it's important to understand the reality of things and move on.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by jrref

After reading this thread I can see where some honest people had appliance failures after the meter change and blame it on Seco. The reality is you can probably fight with them but as in one case where the A/C was 10 years old failed, you are probably not going to get any satisifaction. Why? because you will get the same power fluctuation, this Off/On/Off/On when we get a power interruption. It happens periodicaly over the years. I'm sure Seco has some sort of protection for this type of event or they would have a lot of claims to deal with. In the case of the A/C failing, when the unit looses power when the meter is pulled, when power is re-applied there is a 5 minute timer where the A/C stays OFF because it doesn't know it's prior state. So the new meter change shouldn't cause the A/C to fail even if the meter caused the power to fluctuate. In this case it might just be a coincidence. If the appliance failed during this meter change, it was probably going to fail anyway. As far as the event causing a surge, possible, but it shouldn't have been enough to make appliances fail. Surges in you home due to appliances going On and Off occur all the time. It's frustrating and unfortunate but it's important to understand the reality of things and move on.

jrref is correct, turning off power and turning on power either by switch, by outage and restoration, or by pulling out one meter and putting in another meter, all have the same effect on the equipment in the house, 120v to 0v to 120V. A surge is generally considered higher than stable supplied voltage of 120v, which is generated from a non stable usually external source.

which is why i previously stated that there is no need to shut the house down for a meter replacement as its no different than an outage and restoration by the power company, no different than turning your house off and on at the breaker, has the same effect, 120v to 0v to 120v

unfortunately with all situations, things and stuff work until they don't, for many times unknown reasons, but that's modern day life with cheapest cost economic strategy. . ever said that they don't build 'em like they used to? well, that just happened. . .

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

jrref is correct, turning off power and turning on power either by switch, by outage and restoration, or by pulling out one meter and putting in another meter, all have the same effect on the equipment in the house, 120v to 0v to 120V. A surge is generally considered higher than stable supplied voltage of 120v, which is generated from a non stable usually external source.

which is why i previously stated that there is no need to shut the house down for a meter replacement as its no different than an outage and restoration by the power company, no different than turning your house off and on at the breaker, has the same effect, 120v to 0v to 120v

unfortunately with all situations, things and stuff work until they don't, for many times unknown reasons, but that's modern day life with cheapest cost economic strategy. . ever said that they don't build 'em like they used to? well, that just happened. . .

In the 12 years that we've lived here, we have not once had the kind of power interruption an earlier poster spoke of--off, on, off, on. The one time the power went out--Irma--it was a nano second and not even long enough to trip the clocks. I'm not going to take my chances with a 12-year-old a/c (that was just recently deemed in good working order) and an 8-year-old expensive refrigerator.

[ThirdOfFive]

Our meter was replaced this past Wednesday. We were informed that it had been changed via a notification hung on the lanai door. No problems other than the usual minor annoyances that happen when power is interrupted: reset clocks, turn computer back on, etc.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by CFrance

In the 12 years that we've lived here, we have not once had the kind of power interruption an earlier poster spoke of--off, on, off, on. The one time the power went out--Irma--it was a nano second and not even long enough to trip the clocks. I'm not going to take my chances with a 12-year-old a/c (that was just recently deemed in good working order) and an 8-year-old expensive refrigerator.

If you live in the Villages, you have experienced a power outage in the past 12 years. Maybe you were away, sleeping or whatever, but it's happened. That said, if you can turn off the A/C and the refrigerator or whatever else you can, that's fine and prudent eventhough you probably don't need to. Can't hurt.

[Altavia]

Pulling a meter under load can result in an electric arc that does not happen using the breaker. More so in a high humidity environment.

The electrical code in some areas require a disconnect switch ahead of the meter so that the lineman can open the switch to disconnect the load before pulling the meter.

The 2020 NEC® required an exterior emergency disconnect for one- and two-family dwelling units.

Florida this year adopted Section 225.41 that requires that feeders supplied to one and two-family dwelling units have outside emergency disconnects that are clearly labelled.

This allows first responders to disconnect power on the outside of a dwelling in case of emergency. Without the disconnect, first responders have to pull the meter with the risk of experiencing an arc flash.


230.85 Emergency Disconnects..

[asianthree]

So some had issues and some zero issues. Those who made the appointment to turn off your power at panel, do you do the same during storms, in case you lose power? Wouldn’t quick loss of power during inclement weather be the same as meter change?

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by asianthree

So some had issues and some zero issues. Those who made the appointment to turn off your power at panel, do you do the same during storms, in case you lose power? Wouldn’t quick loss of power during inclement weather be the same as meter change?

Not all the time.

Pulling the meter can induce a momentary arc that is different from power loss or turning off the main breaker.