Sensus FlexNet Meters and Radio Frequency Emission Information
Sensus FlexNet meters, installed by Benton PUD, transmit very small amounts of radio-frequency (RF) energy. The smart meters use wireless communications to transmit data on electricity use, report outages and enable connection and disconnection of service. The new meters are programmed to transmit data once every four hours for a fraction of a second with a power of two watts resulting in RF energy that is less than what results from typical cell phone use.
Radio-frequency exposure levels from the new smart meters, even at a close range, fall substantially below the guidelines set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the general public.
Below are a number of industry studies and Frequently Asked Questions that address the issue of RF levels in smart meters:
- What consumers need to know about the smart grid and smart meters (Environmental Defense Fund)
- Nevada Energy Comments to the Nevada Public Utilities Commission of Nevada regarding smart meter implementation (NVEnergy) - December 2, 2011
- Health and the Smart Grid (Message from Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp) - July 20, 2011
- Electromagnetic Fields and Public Health: Mobile Phones (World Health Organization) - June, 2011
- Radio-Frequency Exposure Levels from Smart Meters: A Case Study of One Model (Electric Power Research Institute) - February, 2011
- Health Impacts of Radio Frequency From Smart Meters (California Council on Science and Technology) - January, 2011
- Maine CDC Executive Summary of Review of Health Issues Related to Smart Meters (Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention) - November 8, 2010
- Government or Government-Affiliated Resources Reviewed on the Health Effects of Non-Ionizing Radiation (Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention) - November, 2010
- Electromagnetic Fields and Public Health (World Health Organization) - December, 2005
- Evaluating Compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (FCC) - August, 1997
- Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) Calculations for FlexNet Endpoint-Equipped Electric and Gas Meters (Sensus FlexNet) - August, 1997
- Radio Frequency Safety - Frequently Asked Questions (FCC)