How often do Alameda Municipal Power's (AMP) electric smart meters release radio frequency waves?

AMP's electric smart meters, which are manufactured by Landis & Gyr, emit about 83 seconds of total transmissions per day during normal operations.

  • The meters transmit data packets an average of seven times per day. There are additional maintenance and sync transmissions each day.
  • 270 maintenance transmissions per day and 1,440 sync transmissions per day. Duration of each maintenance transmission is 46 milliseconds, for a total of 12.52 seconds per day.
  • Each sync transmission is 48 milliseconds, for a total of 69 seconds per day.
  • These additional transmissions along with the original meter-read transmission total 83 seconds per day.
  • The power output and duration of signal are well within Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines for emissions exposure.

Regardless of the number of transmissions, the duration and power output of AMP's smart meters are well within FCC safe exposure levels. When we tested our meters, our readings were between 1 and 6 microwatts per square centimeter when 2 feet away from the meter, compared to the FCC limit of 601 microwatts per square centimeter.

Show All Answers

1. Are smart meters safe? Have they been tested?
2. What are radio frequency (RF) waves?
3. How are people exposed to RF radiation?
4. What is the radio frequency of Alameda Municipal Power's (AMP) smart meters?
5. How does the radio frequency (RF) radiation emitted by smart meters compare to other electronic devices that emit RF?
6. How often do Alameda Municipal Power's (AMP) electric smart meters release radio frequency waves?
7. How do the radio frequency waves of AMP’s smart meters compare to the radio frequency waves of PG&E’s smart meters?
8. Is a person’s exposure to radio frequency waves impacted by how close he or she is to the meter?
9. Is the radio frequency level of Alameda Municipal Power's (AMP) smart meters approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)?
10. Can smart meters cause illness?
11. Are smart meters a fire hazard?