Probably moreso, rather than 'polling', they do a 'disable broadcast'. In
many areas (mine included), power companies offer discounted rates during
high-demand periods for consumers who allow special equipment to be
installed at their homes. The special equipment recieves data broadcasts
(typically BPL, but sometimes twisted-pair) which hold-off starting of
heavy loads (typically air-conditioning compressors). In effect, they
minimize starting peaks by preventing simultanious start of many loads...
they prevent the start long enough for other heavy loads to get going, then
they release the inhibited loads and suspend others. This limits peak
surge, effectively allowing the lines to be loaded heavier without making
line/transmission capacity upgrades.
73!
DK :-)
>K3YD wrote:
>> Power companies in PA have been "polling" meters (reading remotely) for
some
>> time using this technology. An occasional half second isn't bad;
imagine that
>> noise 24/7/365.
---------------------------------------------------------
73's from KW0D Dave in LeClaire, Iowa
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