Smart meter problems in Europe

Smart meter problems in Europe

Smart meter problems in Great Britain

This article deals with problems. A problem is defined by the Double Day Dictionary as a perplexing problem, being presented for a solution.  It is also defined as a puzzling or difficult circumstance, situation, or person. I can think of no better way of reaching a solution to the Smart Meter problems in this country, than to look at other countries and the problems the Smart Meters have created there.  

Proponents of the Meter installations in this country will point out the chances of your Smart Meter malfunctioning are small, and they are right. The odds are small unless you happen to be that one in a hundred that has a meter that malfunctions.

The first place we will look at is Great Britain. Everyone wants to save money, even the British. Please bear in mind the following problems the British have experienced is just a sampling of the shared issues concerning the defective Smart Meter.   

The first example took place in December 2023. In an article published by Alix Hatterston of the BBC News, it was stated that as many as three million smart meters in Britain were not in a proper functioning condition. Part of the improper functioning led customers being charged the wrong amounts for electrical consumption.

One woman told the BBC her energy company took more than £900 out of her account without warning, while another said her direct debit went from almost £200 a month to £2.  She now has to guess her usage to avoid getting into debt, (currently one English Pound equals approximately $1.27).

Smart Meter Fires in France

Two house fires in France are suspected to have been caused by the Linky meters installed in the homes, reigniting controversy about the devices. The newspaper Connexion reports the following information:

“Both of these fires took place within the space of 24 hours. One was in Vaucluse (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) and the other in Gers (Occitanie).

The incidents are not considered to be connected, except for the fact that both are suspected to have started due to the homes’ Linky electricity smart meters (or faulty wiring connected to them).

One fire took place at the home of singer Patrick Hernandez, in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, Vaucluse, on January 13. He shared in a Facebook post that ‘the fire brigade, the police and Enedis came to my rescue last night’.

He said: ’My Linky meter went up in flames and the incredible smoke in a small room scared the hell out of me.’

Mr. Hernandez was not injured but was left without electricity after the incident.

Just 24 hours later, another fire was reported at a house in the town of Pujaudran, in Gers. Local firefighters were called to a couple’s property on the evening of January 14. There was not much damage but the property’s owner, aged 36, was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.

The Local newspaper La Dépêche du Midi reported that the fire was suspected to have started due to a ‘defect in the meter or ‘error’ in the mechanics or electric cables, but nothing has [so far] indicated which element set off the fire.”

Conclusion

If homeowners, renters and businesses all over the world are experiencing essentially the same problems with the Smart Meters, how can anyone say “there is no evidence to support the fact the Smart Meters are defective.”

Each day we continue to bury our heads in the sand and the list of damages and deaths due to Smart Meter failure grows longer and longer.

What price a human life

Respectfully,

Norman Lambe

nwlambe@gmail.com