This is presented as true to the best recollection and is offered
for guidance with NO warranty expressed or implied.
Your mileage may vary.
This is about some of the new "Smart" electric meter;
yours may be different, but what follows may
be true for yours also.
Edison Electric Meter - new 2010
CENTRON [barcode]
FCC-ID:SK9AMI-4 IC:864G-AMI4
Cl200 240v 3w Type C2SOD 30TA 1.0kh CA0.5 FM:2S 60hz
SCE [barcode]
[barcode]
OpenWay by ITRON 9/09
[ display rotates between 3 formats] --
1.- 001 04773 kwh
2.- P 1d 151
3.- 888 888888888888 [constant - never changes]
the display also contains
two(2) small squares and
one(1) right-pointing triangle
these blink to indicate the power being used
Actually there is also a left-pointing triangle,
but it only shows when we are sending power TO SCE;
so the cycle of patterns goes as follows ...
1.- 0 0 0 0
2.- 0 1 0 0
3.- 0 1 1 0
4.- 0 1 1 1
5.- 0 0 1 1
6.- 0 0 0 1
1.- 0 0 0 0
repeat
SCE has a formula for power which includes a count of the number of "pulses":
kW = (number-of-pulses x 3.6) / time-in seconds
the definition of a "pulse" is any change of state of any of the symbols.
So a complete rotation through all of the patterns is SIX(6) pulses.
These meters send radio signals periodically to Headquarters to enable
the power company to accomplish their (feindish) billing algorithims.
The meters can also receive signals to shut off your power or turn it on,
depending on whether your bill payment status is current (pun).
Think about the potential for hacking by an organization, whether
foreign or domestic - non-govermental or otherwise.
In God We Trust; all others: Good Luck.
Your mileage may vary.