September 03, 2022, 10:28 AM
radiomanPower Company Seizes Control Of Thermostats In Colorado During Heatwave
quote:
Originally posted by selogic:
I would like to see a picture of a Smart Meter that can interrupt a 200 amp service under load . If any of you have such a device on your home I would like to see it .
The present generation of digital smart meters have an electronic disconnect switch that allows the utility company to shut down electricity remotely. Often from that truck driving down your street.
Most of the time it's used when someone moves, or for nonpayment.
Honestly, switching off 200A of AC isn't a big deal compared to switching off higher voltage & current DC, That's one of the many advantages of AC. You don't have the huge arc like with higher voltage DC carrying current.
September 03, 2022, 12:43 PM
selogicquote:
Originally posted by radioman:
quote:
Originally posted by selogic:
I would like to see a picture of a Smart Meter that can interrupt a 200 amp service under load . If any of you have such a device on your home I would like to see it .
The present generation of digital smart meters have an electronic disconnect switch that allows the utility company to shut down electricity remotely. Often from that truck driving down your street.
Most of the time it's used when someone moves, or for nonpayment.
Honestly, switching off 200A of AC isn't a big deal compared to switching off higher voltage & current DC, That's one of the many advantages of AC. You don't have the huge arc like with higher voltage DC carrying current.
40 years in the electric utility business . Most of it in substations and protective relaying . I'm well aware of the difference in AC and DC ratings on contacts . I never said the technology doesn't exist , I said I would like to see a picture of the device .
September 03, 2022, 01:18 PM
radiomanquote:
Originally posted by Flash-LB:
quote:
Originally posted by selogic:
I would like to see a picture of a Smart Meter that can interrupt a 200 amp service under load . If any of you have such a device on your home I would like to see it .
I want a video of the voltage arc that would immediately happen.
Since it's 60 Hz AC, there really isn't much of an arc. That's the beauty of switching AC. The "arc" is interrupted by all those zero crossings that happen during the 60 Hz cycle.
On the other hand, switching higher voltage DC with said amount of current is more difficult.
September 03, 2022, 02:22 PM
Flash-LBquote:
Originally posted by radioman:
quote:
Originally posted by Flash-LB:
quote:
Originally posted by selogic:
I would like to see a picture of a Smart Meter that can interrupt a 200 amp service under load . If any of you have such a device on your home I would like to see it .
I want a video of the voltage arc that would immediately happen.
Since it's 60 Hz AC, there really isn't much of an arc. That's the beauty of switching AC. The "arc" is interrupted by all those zero crossings that happen during the 60 Hz cycle.
On the other hand, switching higher voltage DC with said amount of current is more difficult.
If you switched at zero crossing on the waveform yes, there would be no arc. Ay other time there would be.
September 04, 2022, 03:58 PM
FredwardTheir electric company paid them to have these installed, and they volunteered to do it. I was offered the same program several years ago and refused. Read the fine print or suffer the consequences. Similarly, I don't have devices in my home that respond to voice commands. Convenience in exchange for what? Maybe loss of privacy, or loss of control. If something can be compromised, it will be.
September 04, 2022, 04:25 PM
comet24Title of the news story is BS but what else do we expect from new reporting.
These people signed up for this to save a little money. We have a similar program where I live. I’ve heard people complain about it and my only response is you agreed to it with the hope of saving a little money.
I like my comfortable house of hot/humid days. I want no part of that program. I think the savings works out to a few dollars a year no more the $10-20. Not worth if for my comfort.
September 04, 2022, 07:41 PM
ryan81986quote:
Originally posted by Bytes:
Maybe an HVAC expert could chime in but last winter our thermostat went south on us on a Friday night. I pulled the thermostat off the wall and hooked up a toggle switch to get us by until Monday. Worked like a charm. Can you do that with these fancy new internet thermostats?
I'm not an HVAC expert by any means but it's the same wires underneath. The only real difference that I'm aware of is if you don't currently have a smart thermostat you may not have the extra common wire which provides constant power to it to power the screen, etc.