Smart Meters tripping AFCI's

[John Cahill]

Originally Posted by jhime

As you know, an arc fault breaker looks at an electrical sign wave and figures out what's right and what's not.

What can someone do? Write your congressmen and ask that the utility companies go back to the drawing board. (??)

Why not blame it on the arc fault designers and not the meters? Fact is the arc fault cannot determine what right and what's not. If its that easy to trick perhaps its bogus? What's next, a HAM operator tripping the devices?

Maybe the answer is simple. Move the meter far enough away from the arc fault device.

[Jim Hime]

Eaton (Cutler-Hammer) had their meeting. My electrician indicated "whatever" they agreed on it will pass through legal first in order to generate a response. Makes sense.

Square D rep indicated they are having issues as well.

Electricians are staying in constant touch with manufacturers supplying
model numbers and face plate data from smart meters.

The problem of AFCI tripping is where panel boxes with AFCI's are located next to/close to the smart meters (side by side). So far no complaints from panels located (within a garage or structure) but the smart meter replacements here started only in the areas (cities) with the panel next to the meter.

I am really surprised of how many "Smart Meter" videos have sprung up on You Tube.

[Jim Hime]

Originally Posted by jcahill

Maybe the answer is simple. Move the meter far enough away from the arc fault device.

Electrician got involved with a continual AFCI problem house in east Houston with AFCI manufacturer and it was discovered to be the signal from the radio tower in east Houston. (as it was explained to me)

Looks like manufacturer reps carry around a radio frequency detector as much as a home inspector may carry a moisture meter.