Wake Forest Power has begun a three-year project to upgrade the electric meters for all its residential and commercial customers. From now through 2018, Wake Forest Power technicians will replace nearly 7,000 Power Line Carrier meters with new Radio Frequency (RF) meters.
In contrast to the current Power Line Carrier meters, which rely on electric distribution lines to transmit information between the meter and the electric substation, the new RF meters will use a network of routers. Positioned throughout the Wake Forest Power service territory, the routers will transmit information significantly faster and allow for updates in real time. The RF meters will also provide more detailed meter information, such as the current voltage at a particular residence, as well as voltages along the electric distribution system.
The meter rollout will happen in phases beginning with the northeastern and eastern portion of the service territory, followed by the northwestern and central areas. The remaining schedule will be determined as the project continues. Several of the new meters will be installed throughout the entire service territory to insure they are functioning as designed. The project will cost an estimated $1.2 million over the three years paid for by the town’s capital improvement fund. There will be no affect to customers’ bills.
As part of the project, Wake Forest Power will also install an Outage Management System (OMS) with Interactive Voice Response (IVR) during the second year of the rollout. The RF meters will provide real-time outage information to ensure immediate customer outage notifications and shorter response times. The OMS will also identify affected circuits and possible causes of outages thereby enabling crews to repair problems and address issues faster.
Wake Forest Power customers are not required to take any action, but are asked to be aware of the following:
- All Wake Forest Power residential and commercial customers will receive a new RF meter.
- Meter installations will be performed by uniformed Wake Forest Power technicians. The technicians will be wearing dark blue pants and tan shirts with a Wake Forest Power logo. Technicians will be required to display proper identification badges and knock on your door before beginning work.
- Customers will experience a brief power interruption (a couple of minutes in most cases) when their electric meter is replaced.
- Customers with outdoor meters that installers are able to access will not need to be present for the installation.
- Customers with a medical condition or other special needs will receive additional notification prior to a service interruption.
For more information about Wake Forest Power’s electric meter change out program, contact Public Works & Utilities Director Mike Barton at 919-435-9571 or Electric Meter Supervisor Jeremiah Swann at 919-435-9574.
