Like all utilities around the country, NES has replaced analog meters, which are no longer manufactured, with new technology – AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) meters.
Get The Facts About AMI
Benefits of AMI Meters
They save time. AMI technology allows meters to be read remotely so that meter readers do not have to drive to or enter a customer’s property each month. They are accurate. These meters are designed to help modernize the electric grid and provide higher billing accuracy. Instead of a meter reader entering your property to look at the numbers on a dial, the information is automatically and wirelessly sent to NES over a secure network. They are informative. Customers can better understand their energy usage and how the weather affects their bill by knowing what days their usage peaked and when it’s the lowest.They provide quicker service restoration. AMI meters automatically notify NES when power is out even before you report your outage. This allows for a faster response time and the ability to get your power back on sooner. If power is disconnected for non-payment, service can be reconnected remotely once payment is made without sending a truck.
They are better for the environment. Since advanced meters are read remotely from NES, fewer NES trucks are on the road which reduces pollution, fuel consumption and traffic.
Data Security
AMI meters measure how much energy you use and when it was used, not how the energy was consumed. The meters cannot identify or control your appliances or monitor any household activity other than kilowatt hour usage.NES follows government and industry standards around data collection and system security. Protecting customer data is a top priority. We continuously upgrade our systems and cybersecurity standards.
Radio Frequency Facts
AMI meters use low-energy radio frequency (RF) waves to transmit information across distances to allow communication between NES and the device. AMI meters only transmit RF energy for a few minutes each day.Many common devices use radio frequency, such as cell phones, baby monitors, microwave ovens, cordless phones and garage door openers. The RF from an AMI meter is roughly one one-thousandth that of a typical cell phone. The case around the meter and the exterior wall of your home prevent any exposure to RF when you are inside.